Some of my children are home this week due to Spring Break, or should I say Winter break? The weather sure doesn't feel like spring here!! Being I have kids in 2 different school districts, some of them are still in school this week. No we do not go anywhere warmer for break, we stay here and enjoy our nice winter, snowy weather! That is one thing this winter has given us is lots of quality time together. With all the sub zero temps, blizzards, and snow in general we have had plenty of time together this winter.
I do enjoy spending time with my family as the kids get older I realize that those times are coming to an end. My oldest will be confirmed in 3 short months, and will be a 9th grader this fall. Last night we went to a basketball game and he does not sit with us, only finds me when he needs money ;) so I know my time with him is ticking. I am taking all those moments I have had with him and treasuring them. He is a wonderful guy, growing up so fast but will come and sit on my lap to show "mom something"
So back to Spring Break! Spring Break in this house is time spent cleaning, organizing, and sorting through things. I have cupboards, drawers, etc that have not been gone through since we moved in 13 years ago!! I know, right? What is wrong with me?? All I can say is Raising kids takes a lot of time............so I had my older kids help me install new shelving in our entry way closet/pantry and then had them wash it down and organize it. It looks so much better now! You can get a box of crackers or can of pop and not have something fall on your head or toes! Next on our list is batteries, I do not know how or why but we have a cupboard full of them just laying around! How does that happen anyway?? I have a battery tester and little organizers for them to put them in. Then it will be testing pens, markers, etc. Why do we have so many that don't work? Why is it we can't just throw them away? It boggles my mind, but we have 3 shoe boxes full of writing utensils to go through!
Then if the weather warms up to above 0 we will go sledding!!!! Happy days :)
Here is to you and a Happy Spring Break! Enjoy it, it goes by way to fast :)
Happy Mom
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Friday, February 28, 2014
An interesting question for you............
I am back! At least for today, my sporadic writing is one of the reasons I don't announce this blog to a ton of people ;)
So I was on face book last night, and saw an interesting comment. To paraphrase it said " I am a stay at home mom and wife. It is in my job description to have a clean and sparkly house for my husband."
Hmmmmmmmm Now I do know a little bit more about this as there have been other comments along that line. I know that as a wife and stay at home mom she is not allowed on any of the bank accounts, she does not have access to any money, except what her husband pays her in allowance, she has no credit cards, etc. If she wants to buy a gift for the kids or herself she needs to ask permission. If her job is done correctly then she will get her full allowance. She can earn extra money by keeping their electric,heat, and air conditioning bill low. He has a set amount for that, if she stays under she gets to keep the difference, if she goes over, she pays it out of her allowance. Her allowance must pay for groceries, household supplies, and anything they need for the house and family, what is left is her spending money to spend as she chooses.
So now that you have a little more background, can you or do you live like that?
I do not and I do not think I could. I am a stay at home mom and wife. I do not bring in a paycheck in the form my husband does. I save money by not sending my kids to daycare, eating at home every day, and shopping sales. That is my paycheck to the household. My husband respects me and my decisions I make for our family and home. I am on all the accounts and I have the right to go shopping and buy things with out his approval 1st. In the same way I respect him and he can go and buy what he wants to also. The rule in our house is if it is over $100 we need to agree. Now neither one of us go out and shop like crazy and drain our accounts, and we don't have to stress that one of us will.
I do not get an allowance. And after thinking about that last night, I think if my husband paid me an allowance, I would feel bad, sad and a little angry at him. I would be worried about "doing my job to his standards, and making sure the house is sparkly and clean" I would feel belittled by him thinking my job isn't important and he does not trust me to use our money wisely. Do you get an allowance and if so how do you feel about it? I am interested in getting other views on this.
I do not have a job description from my husband. (In our house if the kids are happy, alive and fed we had a great day! :) ) But if I did have a job description from him, I think I would have him do everything I do in a day just so he can see how hard my job really is! (I know from past experiences he can't do it all) And after that I would hope he would take "his job description" and shred it.
So my question to you is: How do these things work in you household? Are you on an allowance? Are you on the accounts for your household? Do you need permission on what to buy before you buy it?
My little 2 are up and ready to start the day, so I must as well.
Until next time,
Happy Mom
So I was on face book last night, and saw an interesting comment. To paraphrase it said " I am a stay at home mom and wife. It is in my job description to have a clean and sparkly house for my husband."
Hmmmmmmmm Now I do know a little bit more about this as there have been other comments along that line. I know that as a wife and stay at home mom she is not allowed on any of the bank accounts, she does not have access to any money, except what her husband pays her in allowance, she has no credit cards, etc. If she wants to buy a gift for the kids or herself she needs to ask permission. If her job is done correctly then she will get her full allowance. She can earn extra money by keeping their electric,heat, and air conditioning bill low. He has a set amount for that, if she stays under she gets to keep the difference, if she goes over, she pays it out of her allowance. Her allowance must pay for groceries, household supplies, and anything they need for the house and family, what is left is her spending money to spend as she chooses.
So now that you have a little more background, can you or do you live like that?
I do not and I do not think I could. I am a stay at home mom and wife. I do not bring in a paycheck in the form my husband does. I save money by not sending my kids to daycare, eating at home every day, and shopping sales. That is my paycheck to the household. My husband respects me and my decisions I make for our family and home. I am on all the accounts and I have the right to go shopping and buy things with out his approval 1st. In the same way I respect him and he can go and buy what he wants to also. The rule in our house is if it is over $100 we need to agree. Now neither one of us go out and shop like crazy and drain our accounts, and we don't have to stress that one of us will.
I do not get an allowance. And after thinking about that last night, I think if my husband paid me an allowance, I would feel bad, sad and a little angry at him. I would be worried about "doing my job to his standards, and making sure the house is sparkly and clean" I would feel belittled by him thinking my job isn't important and he does not trust me to use our money wisely. Do you get an allowance and if so how do you feel about it? I am interested in getting other views on this.
I do not have a job description from my husband. (In our house if the kids are happy, alive and fed we had a great day! :) ) But if I did have a job description from him, I think I would have him do everything I do in a day just so he can see how hard my job really is! (I know from past experiences he can't do it all) And after that I would hope he would take "his job description" and shred it.
So my question to you is: How do these things work in you household? Are you on an allowance? Are you on the accounts for your household? Do you need permission on what to buy before you buy it?
My little 2 are up and ready to start the day, so I must as well.
Until next time,
Happy Mom
Friday, November 15, 2013
I'm back with a quick thought before my kids get home from school.
We are into sport season here, my oldest plays basketball which translates into A LOT of games to lug my other 4 children to. We are talking 3-4 a week!!!!!! So since my littlest 2 don't sit the best at games, and my oldest 2 daughters don't enjoy them entirely, I made the decision to go to Home games and an occasional away game if close and works into my schedule.
Little did I know that I am a bad parent for doing that!!!!! I have been told more then once that a good parent goes to all games, no matter how far they are or who they need to bring with. A good parent would want to be there in your child gets injured, a good parent would be there to tell your child what they did right and wrong while playing the game,
So my thought is Am I a good parent? I think I am!
I go and cheer the TEAM on when they are at home games, no I do not tell/yell at my child when he does something wrong, he is out there getting exercise and enjoying himself! Isn't that important??
I also think of my other children and what they want to do. Is it fair to them to say no you can't do anything after school for the next 3 months because we NEED to go to your brothers basketball games. Don't they have a right to enjoy activities they like and love?????
If my son gets injured, I am not sure I want to see it happen. I am sorry but I LOVE him to death and back, I think I would embarrass him by running onto the court and making sure he is OK. I would probably freak out and who needs a freaked out parent when they have an injured child? The coaches are trained in 1st aide, and I have great faith in our EMTS, 1st responders, and ambulances, ( we have used them before) I fully believe that in an injury situation, they would be better at caring for him then me. I am a mom, not formally trained in dealing with injuries!
My children are home from school, so I need to run. But I want to Thank you for letting my vent!
Here's to sports season!!!!
Happy Mom
We are into sport season here, my oldest plays basketball which translates into A LOT of games to lug my other 4 children to. We are talking 3-4 a week!!!!!! So since my littlest 2 don't sit the best at games, and my oldest 2 daughters don't enjoy them entirely, I made the decision to go to Home games and an occasional away game if close and works into my schedule.
Little did I know that I am a bad parent for doing that!!!!! I have been told more then once that a good parent goes to all games, no matter how far they are or who they need to bring with. A good parent would want to be there in your child gets injured, a good parent would be there to tell your child what they did right and wrong while playing the game,
So my thought is Am I a good parent? I think I am!
I go and cheer the TEAM on when they are at home games, no I do not tell/yell at my child when he does something wrong, he is out there getting exercise and enjoying himself! Isn't that important??
I also think of my other children and what they want to do. Is it fair to them to say no you can't do anything after school for the next 3 months because we NEED to go to your brothers basketball games. Don't they have a right to enjoy activities they like and love?????
If my son gets injured, I am not sure I want to see it happen. I am sorry but I LOVE him to death and back, I think I would embarrass him by running onto the court and making sure he is OK. I would probably freak out and who needs a freaked out parent when they have an injured child? The coaches are trained in 1st aide, and I have great faith in our EMTS, 1st responders, and ambulances, ( we have used them before) I fully believe that in an injury situation, they would be better at caring for him then me. I am a mom, not formally trained in dealing with injuries!
My children are home from school, so I need to run. But I want to Thank you for letting my vent!
Here's to sports season!!!!
Happy Mom
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
I also want to post that today #2 turns 11! I am so proud of #2 and all that #2 has become. As #2 grows up I see maturity coming through!
My #1 left on the bus for state fair today. #1 will be there until Thursday, it was hard to let #1 go, but I think it will be good. #1 is with other teens from the county, #1 earned the trip with the project done for the county fair. I am proud of what was accomplished.
The fair went well, all blue ribbons, 1 reserve champion!! So proud of my crew and all they accomplished.
VBS went well also. Very HOT HOT HOT, but I loved the company, fellowship, laughs! We did a 24 hour camp out in tents. Love getting to know my fellow Christian friends!! And the kids all had a blast. The one thing all the grown-ups will remember is hearing the wind, but not feeling the breeze inside our tents. We all laid there thinking. " God, isn't this kind of mean?? It is 106 out and we can hear the wind, but not feel it??" :) We all know God loves us and takes care of His own.
We are off to a birthday supper for #2.
Enjoy your night!!
Happy Mom! :)
So what do you do when you have unwanted pets in your yard??
This just happened here. We had a cat come into our fenced in backyard while the kids were outside. So I went out to see the cat and saw it had on a collar and got info off the collar to find the owner. I call the owner, Who is someone in our neighborhood, who we don't know well. The mom is super nice, and I think has a tough life. Anyway I leave a message for her telling her we have her cat, please call back. While we are waiting for the call back, #4 goes outside and the cat comes in. Now I am chasing a cat around the house, trying to catch it. Without getting scratched or bit. I catch it and the cat does NOT like to be picked up. I dispose of it outside, where the kids are eagerly waiting to see the cat. I tell them to follow it around, but don't touch it. Yeah RIGHT! This is a cat!
She calls me back and tells me it is a super nice cat, loves kids, won't hurt anyone, etc. While I am on the phone with her, the car bites or scratches #5. Since I am not out there, I do not know what #5 did to the cat 1st. It could have been justified, I mean #5 just turned 3 and isn't around animals. So I get #5 calmed down and then get a phone call saying her son is walking over to get the cat. Perfect! He comes over and I take him into the backyard to catch the cat. It takes him awhile, and the cat hisses at him also, but he does catch it. I thank him, and I am happy to report the cat is back home!!
We do not have pets, 5 kids is enough for me to take care of!! I know the kids are always asking for a pet, maybe after today they won't. The sweet innocent cat was not that when it left here!
If the pet seems harmless and has a collar, I would like to try and get ahold of the owners 1st before I call animal control. What do you do?
This just happened here. We had a cat come into our fenced in backyard while the kids were outside. So I went out to see the cat and saw it had on a collar and got info off the collar to find the owner. I call the owner, Who is someone in our neighborhood, who we don't know well. The mom is super nice, and I think has a tough life. Anyway I leave a message for her telling her we have her cat, please call back. While we are waiting for the call back, #4 goes outside and the cat comes in. Now I am chasing a cat around the house, trying to catch it. Without getting scratched or bit. I catch it and the cat does NOT like to be picked up. I dispose of it outside, where the kids are eagerly waiting to see the cat. I tell them to follow it around, but don't touch it. Yeah RIGHT! This is a cat!
She calls me back and tells me it is a super nice cat, loves kids, won't hurt anyone, etc. While I am on the phone with her, the car bites or scratches #5. Since I am not out there, I do not know what #5 did to the cat 1st. It could have been justified, I mean #5 just turned 3 and isn't around animals. So I get #5 calmed down and then get a phone call saying her son is walking over to get the cat. Perfect! He comes over and I take him into the backyard to catch the cat. It takes him awhile, and the cat hisses at him also, but he does catch it. I thank him, and I am happy to report the cat is back home!!
We do not have pets, 5 kids is enough for me to take care of!! I know the kids are always asking for a pet, maybe after today they won't. The sweet innocent cat was not that when it left here!
If the pet seems harmless and has a collar, I would like to try and get ahold of the owners 1st before I call animal control. What do you do?
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Another week has almost gone by. This week we are fighting colds, mine has turned into a sinus infection. Went to the dr on Monday and am starting to feel a little better today. I was hoping to feel almost normal again by the afternoon, but I don't think that will happen! The in-laws are coming up today and have invited us to go swimming with them at their hotel. Tomorrow is crazy days here and I love to shop at them with my mother-in-law!! It is set to be a couple fun days! I was so hoping the meds would be helping more by now :(
The dr told me locally produced honey helps the most, so I am on the hunt for a local bee farmer. I am willing to try it, as I hate treating everything with antibiotics.
The kids are doing great on their 4-H projects! We worked hard on them over the weekend, and now with mom not feeling well, we are again at a stand still. I am hoping Friday we get back to them.
Just wanted to drop a short note, I am off to try and rest a little bit. This headache and infection is getting the best of me!
Stay Healthy!
Happy Mom
The dr told me locally produced honey helps the most, so I am on the hunt for a local bee farmer. I am willing to try it, as I hate treating everything with antibiotics.
The kids are doing great on their 4-H projects! We worked hard on them over the weekend, and now with mom not feeling well, we are again at a stand still. I am hoping Friday we get back to them.
Just wanted to drop a short note, I am off to try and rest a little bit. This headache and infection is getting the best of me!
Stay Healthy!
Happy Mom
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Whew a week went by and I haven't had time to post! Needless to say all the kids are back home, as I have no time to get much done!! The older kids are busy working on their 4-H projects, some of which need to be done on moms computer, which in turn limits my usage of it.
They also have "whiz kids" ( summer school) the next couple of weeks. My older kids all go, some to volunteer their time and help out; others to learn and have fun. It is not a regular summer school. The kids get to do all sorts of neat crafts and hands on projects. They also get to spend time in the garden picking fresh produce, sewing, and making projects for the garden. They also have team sports after school, this week is soccer. It is a great way for the kids to try out a new sport.
With soccer this week, I have been up at the school every day and night either working in the garden or prepping the soccer field. Our school custodian doesn't do a lot of yard work, so the grass around the nets was about 3-4 feet high. How much fun can it be to play in the tall grass?? So I took up the weed whipper and trimmed around the goals on Monday, On Tuesday we went and moved 1 of the goals. What a job! It took us an hour and a 1/2 to dig up the old stakes ( which weren't holding anything down!) and move the goal so it is in alignment with the other goal. I would have thought when the person installed them, they would have lined them up!! Last night we went up and put on the new goal nets that the school had but no one installed. Now they can play soccer!! And the school yard looks so much better with out all that tall grass.
Monday we went and got glasses for my #3 child. When we went on vacation earlier this yr I noticed she couldn't see license plates and was mixing up the numbers 3 and 8 when doing homework. Yep #3 also needs glasses. #3 likes to see better, but of course there has been some teasing at summer school, but the teachers are all very good about stopping it and today went much better and #3 enjoys wearing them!
This week I have managed to be on the treadmill every day! Yeah for me :) I have upped my time to 17 minutes and .7 miles! I did discover that we have a chipmunk living in our shed :( I saw him when I was on the treadmill......... He is pooping on all my boxes and the kids toys. We tried to find him yesterday afternoon after the kids got home, but no luck. It looks like we are going to have to empty the shed and clean it all out. I am wondering if he has a small hole somewhere where he is entering and exiting at his leisure?
That about sums up my week so far. I am enjoying have the kids around for a little bit longer before school starts again. They all grow up so fast!
Enjoy the day!
Happy Mom!
They also have "whiz kids" ( summer school) the next couple of weeks. My older kids all go, some to volunteer their time and help out; others to learn and have fun. It is not a regular summer school. The kids get to do all sorts of neat crafts and hands on projects. They also get to spend time in the garden picking fresh produce, sewing, and making projects for the garden. They also have team sports after school, this week is soccer. It is a great way for the kids to try out a new sport.
With soccer this week, I have been up at the school every day and night either working in the garden or prepping the soccer field. Our school custodian doesn't do a lot of yard work, so the grass around the nets was about 3-4 feet high. How much fun can it be to play in the tall grass?? So I took up the weed whipper and trimmed around the goals on Monday, On Tuesday we went and moved 1 of the goals. What a job! It took us an hour and a 1/2 to dig up the old stakes ( which weren't holding anything down!) and move the goal so it is in alignment with the other goal. I would have thought when the person installed them, they would have lined them up!! Last night we went up and put on the new goal nets that the school had but no one installed. Now they can play soccer!! And the school yard looks so much better with out all that tall grass.
Monday we went and got glasses for my #3 child. When we went on vacation earlier this yr I noticed she couldn't see license plates and was mixing up the numbers 3 and 8 when doing homework. Yep #3 also needs glasses. #3 likes to see better, but of course there has been some teasing at summer school, but the teachers are all very good about stopping it and today went much better and #3 enjoys wearing them!
This week I have managed to be on the treadmill every day! Yeah for me :) I have upped my time to 17 minutes and .7 miles! I did discover that we have a chipmunk living in our shed :( I saw him when I was on the treadmill......... He is pooping on all my boxes and the kids toys. We tried to find him yesterday afternoon after the kids got home, but no luck. It looks like we are going to have to empty the shed and clean it all out. I am wondering if he has a small hole somewhere where he is entering and exiting at his leisure?
That about sums up my week so far. I am enjoying have the kids around for a little bit longer before school starts again. They all grow up so fast!
Enjoy the day!
Happy Mom!
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