Thursday, July 24, 2008

Sometimes she drives me crazy...


We have this very loving dog named Violet. She is a 1 and a half year old mini schnauzer. I love her to death and she is amazing with the boys. Cuddly and protective, however she is very curious and loves to explore. Are you seeing the problem yet? She loves to find ways out of the backyard fence and go running around the neighborhood. She also got out a lot in California which was a whole other challenge. Anyways this morning Patrick thought he would be a big "helper" and let her outside to go potty. She of course saw that as her chance to push on the gate and get out and go exploring. Patrick then comes running in to my room telling me "Um mommy you might want to go and get Violet, she got out again." Great. Sometimes that dog drives me crazy.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Finally back to 2 kids!!!


So we have been MIA lately so I thought while I had a couple of minutes today I would let you all know why... Isaiah is finally home. That's right I am back to having 2 boys well 3 including Paul ha ha. I am feeling more complete now. So back to being a referee, a chef and an maid of two. Ahhh the things you take for granted huh? So there you have it, our excuse for being MIA.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

The Cost Of Children


I have seen repeatedly the breakdown of the cost of raising a child, but this is the first time I have seen the rewards listed this way.

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up $160,140! That doesn't even touch college tuition. For those with kids, that figure leads to wild fantasies about all the money we could have banked if not for (insert your child's name here). For others, that number might confirm the decision to remain childless.But $160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into $8,896.66 a year, $741.38 a month, or $171.08 a week. That's a mere $24.44 a day! Just over a dollar an hour.Still, you might think the best financial advice says don't have children if you want to be "rich." It is just the opposite.What do your get for your $160,140?


1. Naming rights. First, middle, and last!

2. Glimpses of God every day.

3. Giggles under the covers every night.

4. More love than your heart can hold.

5. Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.

6. Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.

7. A hand to hold, usually covered with jam.

8. A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites, building sand castles, and skipping down the sidewalk in the pouring rain.

9. Someone to laugh yourself silly with no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

10. For $160,140, you never have to grow up. You get to finger-paint, carve pumpkins, play hide-and-seek, catch lightning bugs, and never stop believing in Santa Claus.

11. You have an excuse to keep: reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh, watching Saturday morning cartoons, going to Disney movies, and wishing on stars.

12. You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

13. For $160,140, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof, taking the training wheels off the bike, removing a splinter, filling the wading pool, coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

14. You get a front row seat to history to witness the first step, first word, first bra, first date, and first time behind the wheel.

15. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match.

16. You get to be immortal.

17. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren.

18. In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there with God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost.

19. You also have the wonderful benefit of eating (low calorie) egg salad sandwiches for 2 weeks straight...after Easter Sunday each year!


So after that list it kind of makes things worth it!!!

Out with the old... In with the new


Isn't it weird that you meet someone with the perceived notion that you will never really get to know them, they will always be acquaintances and then they move away or move on to better jobs and really look at the time you spent around or with them and are kind of sad to see them go? T0day is one of those days for me. You see we just had our "Goodbye" ceremony for our Captain. We also welcomed our new Captain today. Saying goodbye to the "old captain" was a little sad for me. He has been my husband's boss for the last two and a half years and a personal friend of mine. Being involved with the wives group like I am I have had many meetings with the Captain and have developed a friendship with him. I have watched the crew change and the wives change in the past two years and now to be saying goodbye is weird, good but weird. So with that I say Welcome Aboard new Captain, may you have wisdom to teach us new things, understanding when we need you to listen and patience in dealing with all of us.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Chores... Yuck


You ever have that feeling that you are doing something that is completely pointless. Chores I can't stand chores. I never could stand them as a kid and I have grown to hate them even more as an adult. When I was a kid all I had to clean was my room (ahh the gold ol' days.) If only I could go back and only have to clean my room. Well today Paul went back to work and my days are now going to go back to normal. Ha ha whatever that might mean! So back to cleaning and laundry. I have discovered that I think I hate laundry and trash the worst. It's not the washing and drying part that bothers me because lets face it the washer and dryer does most the work. It is the folding and putting away part that gets me. Trash ahh my other enemy. How is it that 3 people can create so much trash? To think that we were saving so much stuff "memories." Nope it's trash. So I decided that I needed to vent and low and behold I think I found a new favorite quote so I thought I would share it with all of you who are parents and understand what I am talking about. Until next time Happy Cleaning!

Friday, July 4, 2008

Happy 4Th




Our 4Th of July started out with a parade. In the little town that we live in they have a big parade in downtown. The kids line up all down the street and all the people on the floats throw out candy and beads. Patrick was so excited and he wanted to show some American pride and being my kid he had to match his whole outfit including his hair... So here is one just for Grandma, who we knew would love his hair!!!


We packed a picnic and headed out to the park to watch the fireworks over the river. So pretty. They just waited forever to set the fireworks off so Patrick was getting a little restless and lets be honest Paul and I were too. But as the excitement grew the fireworks finally started. Patrick kept saying "Ahh that is a big one, it's so totally awesome!" Hope you all had a great 4Th.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Happy Birthday!!!



Yesterday was my birthday 25 to be exact. Wow I can't believe I am 25. My day started off by my 4 year old knocking on the bedroom door asking if he could get a snack and watch cartoons, oh and Happy Birthday Mommy. Super cute way to say Mom could you get up and get me something to eat. After breakfast we went to see Wall-E. Cute movie, Paul and I really enjoyed it alot. Patrick was a little bored at first when it is kind of like a silent movie. Anyway after that we went to Cracker Barrel for lunch. Now those of you who have never been to Cracker Barrel may be saying what is that. Well it is yummy southern food. Ummm. After that we went to Michael's Craft Store so I could spend some birthday money... hehe! Follow that wonderful trip up with some Coldstone Ice Cream and man it was a great birthday. A huge Thanks for all the birthday cards and wishes and phone calls as well. I am thankful for the part you played in my special day. Love you all.

~Tiff