WELCOME TO CHAOS

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T10:51:00.002-06:00

So here it is another Christmas in the Graham house! It does seem to get a little easier every year but harder in other ways. Few weeks ago I was worried that Christmas was not going to be that special for the kids this year cause financially we just didn't know how we would do it. With a little praying and having faith that the big guy upstairs will provide he did just that. I will not say who but someone gave us some extra cash for the Holidays for all we do. I was able to finish all my shopping with that and have some extra to pay bills early!

I did manage to get sick with the flu on Thursday and first thing was I have so much to do and now I am doomed. I was in bed from 3:00 pm Thursday til 11:00 am Friday morning and then started feeling a little better. I decided to keep my 11 year old home so she can help and she did. She finished the wrapping and did some baking....still have to work on her cleaning skills though.

Today I am trying to prepare for the company we will have on Christmas day. My husband gave me a head start by cleaning the whole living room while I was at work. I am truly blessed to have a family that will all pitch in and help get things done!

So off I go to get my kids ready to head to my sisters for Christmas Eve and then off to Church for the 11:00 service!

Merry Christmas to Everyone!

a little update

2011-12-21T20:44:00.002-06:00

what have I been doing in the past 10 months since I blogged? Well I will tell you. I celebrated my 10 year anniversary this past July...10 years so hard to believe. We didn't do anything fancy...I thing just went to dinner and that was good enough for me. I am still a Girl Scout leader and my troop now consists of Brownies and Juniors. Its a challenge but hey its worth it in the end when the girls are happy. Well since my 4 oldest are in scouts of course my youngest had to become a Scout and Mark decided to become the leader. I help him with his troop so every Thursday is Scout night in the Graham house (along with every Monday and every other Sun and Tues) Me and Mark are still working at the good ol Shop N Save. We work opposite shifts and we manage to make it work.

The kids.....well Kevin is now in 11th grade...hard to believe. He is still active in Boy Scouts, High School Band, ROTC and Youth Crime Watch to name a few. He worked this past summer as a lifeguard at the local pool. Brittney started middle school and is still trying to adjust. Sometimes I am fine with that but sometimes it scares me. She is still in Girls Scouts and playing the trombone and viola. She also played Softball and hoping she plays again in the Spring. Alyssa is now in the 4th grade and lets just say she has come out of her shell. She now plays the clarinet and violin and still in Girl Scouts. Brandon is in 2nd grade and is just my all around personality kid. He is in his 2nd year of Cub Scouts and played soccer in the in the Spring. Leaves me with Ryan...my little adult kid. He is in the 1st grade and adjusting well. Still in the Autistic support program but doing well enough to stay in a normal classroom setting. He is actually my first kid to bring straight A's on his report cards from school. He joined Cub Scouts this year and he has his ups and downs with that.

Have a Positive Day!

need to update this thing.

2011-12-18T19:02:00.002-06:00

Yikes the pics of my kids are over 2 years old. I really need to update that. I think a little makeover will be in the works! After Christmas though. This is going to be one busy week ahead. Of course I work 3-11 pretty much all week and I still have to wrap, bake and clean. We are having Christmas here and I am no where ready for that yet. I know between my husband and the kids they will as they say "bail me out"!

I did have an awesome day today with my husband and kids. We were both off from work which is unusual so we all headed to church (the first time in a long time because of one vehicle) The had the annual Christmas Cantata and I always enjoy listening to the choir sing the story of what Christmas is all about. I made tacos for dinner, which is one of the meals that all 7 of us will eat. It does end up costing more than I want but its a good feeling to see the family eating together with no issues(whining usually) After dinner me and Mark watched Tim Hawkins on Youtube for about an hour. What a funny guy he is. Then it was time to powerclean the house. I love days like this!

Blessings

Debbie!

I am back!

2011-12-17T10:07:00.002-06:00

So its been almost a year since I last posted or even looked at my blog or anybody Else's. Many reasons kept me away from blogging from lost password to still don't understand the updated ways of blogging to little to no time and I guess Facebook got into the way too! I really miss blogging. I miss even more reading other blogs.

My goal for 2012 is going to be to blog way more often. I would say my goal would be daily but I doubt that. I really want to blog so I can look back at all these memories I will have of my kids during their childhood. I want them and their families to come back to read about the good times the bad times the scary times and the blessed times! I might be the only one for now reading this blog but that's OK!

Till I blog again......Have a blessed day!

Debbie

2011-05-01T19:28:00.002-05:00

At the end of February we celebrated my oldest son Kevin for receiving his Eagle Scout Award! Not too many Boy Scouts achieve this award let alone at the age he was when he completed his.(15) It takes alot of hard work and dedication!

It was nice to see all the kind things many people at to say about him! As his mother I am very proud of him and I know he well deserves it!

Just know this Kevin...your little brothers look up to you and they want to follow you in the Boy Scout journey!

things I am hearing right now....

2011-04-09T19:37:00.003-05:00

Dog barking at the cat

Me yelling at cat to get out of kitchen and dog to shut up!

11 year old telling 16 year old to get off the X-box its her turn and her show is on

16 year old yelling back saying I am not going to be home at all on Sunday and you will have all day to watch TV

11 year old in here now telling me to do something as I ignore her

Cat is meowing at me for who knows what reason and the dogs is panting very heavy

5 year old coming to explain to me in details on the fight still going on between 11 year old and 16 year old on who spends more time on the TV in the living room

Someone rattling a bag...thinking that is the cat

Must be....dog is now again barking at the cat as I still hear the bag

Quietness from my 8 year old...she always stays out of it.

5 year old trying to play referee

11 year old calling for (still ignoring..is that real mean of me)

wow now 8 year old is calling the cops on the 16 year old and 5 year old is counting down...

a pot of stuffed cabbage boiling on my stove top...

still limited on time

2011-04-02T19:22:00.003-05:00

so I get asked often how do you do it? My answer I have no ideal we just do. I was actually off on a Saturday but no rest for me. This morning soccer games was supposed to start at 10 am for RY RY but was cancelled because of snow/cold so I am thinking well heck B's game at 11 will be cancelled too....nope it wasn't. So out in the cold me and the kids went. Forgot to take chairs which was fine cause it was warmer to move around. The sun peeked for about 3 minutes and it felt like it went from 35 to 70. After that I had to go sign Brittney up for Softball(late last minute thing) so an hour after we get home we get the phone call the the first practice is today at 4. Yikes!! Had to hurry and clean up then get the troops out the door to go by Softball stuff and then ordered Pizza out since that meant no time to cook then too pick Mark up from work all by 3.

So Softball practice last about 30 minutes cause it was colder than this morning...so then hurry home cause Mark was taking B to the Carnegie Science Center for a Boy Scout Sleepover and had to be there by 6.

Did I forget to mention I have been up since 3 am thanks to my wonder dog and cat...for some reason they both were barking/meowing wanting outside wanting to play all night and I was the lucky one to tend to them... I am so exhausted and my house is showing for that right now...but there is always Sunday.

So now my week will kinda look like this

Mon Brittney GS
B Boy Scouts
mom works

Tue Ryan soccer practice
mom work
mom Girl Scout leader meeting

Wed Alyssa Dance
B soccer practice
Mom work

Thur Brittney dance
Brittney softball practice

FridayRyan Soccer practice
mom work

Sat Brandon and Ryan Soccer games
Brittney Softball practice.

Now I did not throw in a few apts I also have too during mornings and afternoons..that just evening. And I have to say my husband is awesome cause this week alot falls on his shoulders cause I work alot of nights this week.

I also did not add my 16 year old and his activities...

Have a Blessed weekend!!!

needed lessons from Cookie Monster

2011-03-28T09:42:00.002-05:00

This happens all too often in my house! Should just buy icing and let them eat it out of the can!

devote myself to Blogging(Well gonna try)

2011-03-27T09:40:00.002-05:00

I cant believe how long its been since I blogged....I thought by having all 5 of my kids in school at one time all day would free up more time for me to update this but I was wrong. Also I am still drawn into Facebook... But here it goes...

So for all the few people who actually read it here it goes... A little review..

Well the kids are now 16, 11, 8, 6 and 5 and all doing as good as they could be!

Kevin is in 10th grade and still active in the HS band, ROTC and the Boy Scouts and I am proud to say he juts made his Eagle Scout last month and we are very proud of him! He will be working at The local pool again this summer hoping to save up money for that car he wants.

Brittney is enjoying her last year at the elementary school before heading to middle school which she is looking forward too. She is still in Girl Scouts and bridging over to Cadettes in May. She is now playing the Trombone and Viola at school. She went back to Dance this year which surprises me she is my tough one of the bunch.

Alyssa is Alyssa..lol. She is my laid back one but yet is getting her little girl attitude. She started playing the violin this year and is still dancing away which she loves. She is still in Girl Scouts and will be bridging to Juniors in May and I am lucky to be her leader of her troop.

Brandon is well my most rounded out kid...easy to get along with but yet stubborn with a charm. He is starting to play soccer again and joined the Boy Scouts this year too.

Ryan started KDG this year and its all day and he is doing well. Since he was diagnosed with Aspergers (type of Autism) he gets pulled out for a few hours a day to an Autistic support class but he is doing so well academically that they are weaning him with the regular class but he just has to work on some of his social skills. He starts playing soccer for the first time so we will see how that goes...

Me and hubby...well working and doing all the parent/spouse jobs too. My husband is helping out with Boy Scouts this year and I am still a Girls Scout leader. As for having more babies....hhhmmm...we shall see what happens

I am going to try to post some pics throughout the week of some things from the last year...so be warned..it might even include Christmas pics too! til then..

Have a Blessed day!

I see the end of summer comming

2010-08-23T07:26:00.004-05:00

Yes this week is all in high 70's low 80's which is better than the 90's that we have seen more this summer than most other summers here in western Pa. School starts in one week and I see the calendar starting to feel p very fast. Kevin just finished band camp..felt bad..many band directors from all the local schools said they never remember band camps being that hot and hardly no rain...on Friday they marched at Kennywood and we took all the kids(thanks to my sister for giving me her extra tickets) but man was it packed. I am actually in the process of ordering season tickets for next summer. Kennywood just started that this year and coming up with over $600 at one time was not easy so we didn't do that this year. But while I was there the other day I asked if they were doing it again and they said yeah and if you buy it today you can apply your admission from today to the price and get to use it the rest of the season...hhhmmm.

So on the phone I went...called my mom and explained to her(that would cost me $68 instead of $89) how great of a deal...I mean my sister did give the tix for free so that was a bonus and with Kennywood being 10 minutes from my house I could take them on weekends in Sept for a few hours then I have all next year. So my mom is going to charge them(I have no charge cards...sometimes its a good thing sometimes its a bad thing) and I will pay her a little every month. So blessed to have her do that for me! Kids don't know yet...I was going to give it to them for Christmas but if I could use it this season then might as well...its usually not busy in Sept..just the locals since vacations are over.

So look out Kennywood next summer...the Grahams will be there alot! ANd if anybody ever visits this area and goes to Kennywood next summer let us know...we will surely stop by! :)

its how you live!

2010-08-04T11:17:00.003-05:00

I came across a blog today of a mother of 4 who almost lost her life in a plane crash and was in a coma for a few months and now because of her faith is doing exactly what she wanted to do..be a mother, wife and a daughter of Christ even though she does not look the same as she did before the accident..I watched her video for the Mormon church she did and it was very touching.

And because I am labeled a "creeper" by my kids I was creeping in her old archives and looked at her posts before the accident...even like a few days before and in my mind I just thought.. wow only if her and her husband knew that in a few days this tragic accident would happen and change their life's forever.

This shows that you never know what is going to happen..live for today likes its your last..leave a legacy..live the life that our God wants you to live. Also Faith and a good relationship with our heavenly Father can get us through even the most tragic events in our lives and sometimes can even make you become stronger.

Svac Family Reunion 2010

2010-08-01T07:15:00.004-05:00

This was the first family reunion in about 15 years. Our family has grown so big that we don't see each other too often..even years. It was so nice to see some of the family I have not seen in over 20 years and one cousin I met for the first time. there were 4 generations there me being in the second.

Try to make a long story short....

My Grandparents came over from Slovakia and they had 6 kids..my mom being the youngest and the age span was like 15-20 years between her and her oldest sister. Now I am the youngest of my moms 3 with 18 years between me and oldest brother. What does this mean? Well out of the 20 grandchildren I am the youngest with the next being like 8 years oldest and my oldest cousin is maybe like 60 so there is a big age gap. I have cousins that have kids the are older than me.

So it was nice to see everyone who came out and there was still alot that could not make it but we did mention everybody I am sure and had a great time!

this is my Mom and uncle Mike 2 0f the 6 siblings. Two of the other passed away and I have one aunt down in FL and One in NC ina nursing home.

Here are 10 of the 20 grandchildren(2nd generation)

Here is some from the next generation(3rd)

And now the 4th generation

We also did some groups of each sibling and the people who were there from the family.

This is mine..My brother was the only one missing, he has been the hospital for over a week and was released at 3pm and made it tot he reunion but missed the picture.

I have more pics on my FB if anybody want to see them

Guilty for being excited for Back to School!

2010-07-19T09:39:00.002-05:00

I am secretly excited about my kids going back to school. See I dislike my kids being in school all day, I would rather them home with me. Also I am not a big fan of the school system but I am not at a point in my life where I can homeschool(which I would love to do)

This year will be my first in 15 years I will have all the kids at school for all day..yes all day! As you know I work at night so I do alot of my mommy/wife/housekeeper stuff during the day. I manage it as good as I can and my husband does an excellent job picking up where I left off..we work good together. But now I can clean with no interupption and it mighrt even stay cleaned for more than an hour! WOOHOO!

I will be able to run to do errands without dragging the kids along I will be able to make phone calls without kids screaming in the background and I Might even be able to read a book or catch up on some TV!

Now of course with my kids being in school all day I am not going to like not seeing them all day so instead of working all nights I am going to be able to start to throw some daylight shifts in and we can have family time in the evenings which we rearely had before, so all and all it is working in all directions for me!

Foto Friday!

2010-07-16T12:24:00.003-05:00

New dressers forthe girls= lots of moving and sorting

2010-07-12T10:32:00.002-05:00

My BIL's Girlfriend got new bedroom furniture and gave my girls her old stuff and it goes perfect in their bedroom and we needed them casue we were running out of places to put clothes. Now the fun begins. There were 2 dressers in their room, one is going to Kevin and the other to Brandon. Now Kevins old one I am giving to Ryan casue his is bareley still standing so now I get to to the joys of taking all these clothes and moving them all around...fun times!

Last night we started in the girls room...and lets just say wow...not to self..check under the girls beds when you ask them to clean their room(they are just as bad as the 5 and 6 year old boys)

Hopefully I can get this all down by the end of the week...its hard when I start work at 3 everyday and other things need done too..got to sat off that darn FaceBook!

Have a Blessed Day!

Summer Water fun!

2010-07-10T12:14:00.002-05:00

My whole family was invited over to a girl from Alyssa's class and my girl scout troop for a day in the pool and her water slides. Her Aunt is also my co-leader and very brave to invite the whole family!

The pool was a perfect size for my kids

Ryan going on the littles of three slides but this one has a tunnel!

Alyssa and her friend

It was so awesome to have Alyssa and her friends teacher stop by and join in the fun! How cool is that!

Thank You Ms (aunt) Terri for having us over!

Enjoyed a day off with nothing to do

2010-06-13T20:13:00.004-05:00

well nothing to do is an understatement...I just had no school for the kids/no work/ no activities/and no apts. I did clean the bathrooms today and did laundry but I do that sometimes by 2pm and off to work I go so I did all this in a slower pace. I might even get to bed at a decent time tonight if I ever get off the computer.

I took all 5 kids to the playground today along with Crosby. It was so nice to see all of them playing nicely together for a change, I guess they needed to let of some winter energy. Even Kevin who is 15 now played with the other four and they were all laughing and having a good time. Moments like that you know how blessed you are.

Now Monday its back to the chaos. Kids still are in school and I have to work 3-11 with lots to do in the morning. Another goal of mine for Monday is to find my CAMERA! It is MIA again!

Hope everyone had a blessed weekend!

Dance Recital

2010-06-10T11:41:00.003-05:00

Alyssa decided to dance again this year after both my girls took a year off, Brittney did not want to dance this year but of course after going to the dance recital to watch Alyssa that all changed. Now beginning in the fall they will both dance and I am seriously thinking of putting Brandon in Gymnastics...of course with lots of protest from hubby. lol

Alyssa you did an awesome job and I am happy you are going to dance again next fall! I truly love watching my girls dance!

Cant wait to see you next recital and you too Brittney!

2010-06-08T13:00:00.002-05:00

Happy 6th Birthday Brandon! You are such an amazing little big guy! We love you!

Keeping up the Jones'

2010-06-02T12:32:00.002-05:00

So here It is school is almost out and gotta keep the kids amused. That means I will hear all so often "Mom can so and so come over, and can they sleep over" Then I get this uneasy knot in my stomach cause part of me is like sure you can have them over and the other half is like ugh no I do not want no kids over.

Well let me say the reason why I am like sure they can come over is because my kids have some great friends..they are not bad and very respectful to me and I have to let my kids have a social life...ya know. And I cant always have my kids go to their houses and sleep-over and not return the favor. I am the parent who always goes on the rule of equal-ness when it comes to that.

On the other hand the reason for me not wanting kids over is a page long but let me sum it up. My house is small for just the 7 of us how could I possibly have more room for more kids. So that means when my 10 or 15 year old brings someone over then the three little monsters like to be right there with them and they get no privacy which leads to much arguing between everybody. Now in the summertime I can send them outside but here at the Graham house we have no pool, we have no trampoline or do we really even have a swing set. They I get the mom I am bored..there is nothing for me and my friend to do.

So now they want to venture into my house...well guess what kids...there is nothing fun in there either. We have no big screen tv with surround system. We have 1 computer and have no family/game room. My kids hardly have toys..cause what little they have is broke or lost they don't get replaced until Santa gets here.LOL Our living room is not even big enough for all 7 of us to sit in there at one time so not a good place to want to bring your friends. Now they think they can venture to the bedroom...well for one..the rooms are a mess. Partly my fault..cant let the kids take all the blame. See we don't have alot of closet space to fit all the clothes so there is usually a pile of clothes on a dresser or somewhere if I am on a roll with laundry.

We are the minority family it seems like..I hear all the time from the kids wow you should see their bedroom, wow mom they have a huge pool, mom her TV is as big as her wall and yatta yatta yatta!

Now don't get me wrong I would love to have these things for my kids but it takes time and patience. Now the good thing is my kids can entertain themselves without all that and they all play together as some siblings do not these days. See the things my kids miss seeing or hearing from their friends is how they don't even talk to their other siblings...lucky if they even say hi..but all 5 of my kids can run and have lots of fun together in the backyard with just trees and grass.

going to try this blogging this again

2010-05-30T08:51:00.005-05:00

Here I am again trying to blog...I know I keep saying this and never follow through....the very few people reading it probably forgot all about me but I am going to try this again. I really want to do this do have for years to come to look back on. Since my last post we have been pretty busy. We went to Disney World the week before Easter and doing all the end of the year things for school and activities. We also had a new family member added to the bunch..not a baby..(which I wouldn't mind having)

This is Crosby...he is about 4 months old and is a Red coon-hound/lab mix. Yeah nobody really explained to me how big he will get...I wanted a lapdog but I think I am supposed to get a monster here. But I am attached.

School is over in two more weeks...we are the only school district going that long...I hate it. I love having my kids home and I hate the hustle and bustle of getting them ready. We also have a dance recital next weekend and our Kennywood Picnic the following Weds.

I am looking forward to a nice relaxing summer with the family!

My kids had all week off from school and mom went crazy!

2010-02-16T08:17:00.003-06:00

Yes, My kids had all last week off from school because of the wonderful snowstorm and I went crazy! Yes, I am the one who wanted my kids at home at all times, hated the fact that I had to send them out to school everyday and thought of homeschooling at some point or another. But it is me who went crazy with having them home all last week with no place to go!

Well I am sure one reason why I went crazy is that we were stuck in the house with no where to go, in nice weather we go out more, ya know, to break up the day. Even to play in this snow is too much of a hassle, way to deep and too cold. Even to take them to the movies or such would have been a pain, you couldn't even park in most lots because all the snow was dumped there and parking is horrible everywhere. Even the Pgh Zoo was closed all last week and this week too.

My husband always pointed out as I was "whining" and you wanted to home school! LOL Yes I did...and my reply to that is it would have been different, more structure(but I do lack that too). See I had no routine last week, our normal routine was broken, not just one day but 5 in a row. And we even lost power one of those days for about 10 hours...yeah...that was a fun filled day.

This week my kids are back in school(2 hour delays but Love those) and our routine is back to normal and now I wish my kids were at home again because I do miss them. Now getting my mind set for Spring!

I have some Extra time!

2010-02-07T12:56:00.002-06:00

Yes..I am finding some time to blog....and the reason...Snowed in! We got hit with a snowstorm Friday into Sat. The local weather was calling for 4-8 inches....which is kind of alot for us....we usually get 2-4 4-6 if lucky..but that could be every other day....well this storm ended up dumping 24 inches....(weather people failed). Brittney was supposed to have her B-day party at Chuckie Cheese on Fri night and had to cancel that. Friday night our power kept flickering and my husband had to shovel at 9 at night because we already had 5 inches and no signs of stopping.

My husband woke up at 3:30 to go to work..he called to tell me trees were down and so were alot of wires. Around 7am our power went off. the power also went off at the Grocery Store me and hubby works at so they had to close(don't even know why they opened). Around 2:00 and about 50 degrees in our house we decided to go to in-laws. Then finally our power came on about 5:00pm. Our cable was still out along with telephone and Internet. Also we were under a water conservation.

So today there are alot of homes still without power..ours actually went out twice again...maybe for about 10 minutes each time. Schools are closed already for Monday and the best thing(well bittersweet) I got the weekend off from work but I lost 16 hours of pay!

I have pics but they are on my phone...a little boy in this house broke my camera...if I can figure out how to post them I will!

Have a blessed week and anybody in the snow zone be careful and stay warm!

little post from me

2010-01-08T13:03:00.002-06:00

So I wanted to post some pictures and cant find my cameras....I had things on my mind I wanted to blog but cant remember! Story of my life.

Kids are off today because of the greatness of snow....I usually love having my kids home but today...yeah they were bouncing off walls....2 hour delays are nice but the whole day...IDK.

Its been a pretty emotional week for me for some reason...just so much I am thinking of from my kids to my husband and family to God to my past and to my future....I just am daydreaming way to much....and my house is showing that....and of course I work tonight and here I am on the computer. But all the thinking makes me grateful to the man upstairs for he does everything for a reason and it works out if you put your trust in him!

Now I need to focus to our trip planned around Easter and a few things I have to straighten out with 14 year olds' dad...and that will take alot up of my time....but its all about my son and what he wants so I have to do my part!

Have a great Blessed day!

WELCOME 2010 THIS IS MY YEAR FOR BLOGGING!

2010-01-02T10:01:00.002-06:00

Out with 2009 and in with 2010 and I am hoping this is going to be our year! I believe 2009 was a challenge to our family to make us stronger for 2010 and years to follow. I am still going to be working my 2 jobs for now but learning how to juggle it now so its getting alot easier..not easy but easier. I look at 2009 and sigh because it was a challenging year for us financially but then again alot of families had it worst than us and that I am thankful....health is way more important than money and we were pretty good with that.

Its hard to believe that 2010 will bring me a 15, 10, 8, 6 and 5 year old and married for 9 years and no more new babies yet. I am hoping to try to set alot of goals for this year and stick to them...one being blogging more often, loosing some weight, and maybe even finding another church family. I also have alot of, well as my husband would say, loose ends around the house that need focused on....nothing bad...just was getting a little lazy with things and time to straighten up. I could blame Facebook but I know that is not the reason....yes I am tired alot and just feel like sitting around more than doing other stuff....now I am one who gets a sort of depression in the winter months...the cold/snow and all it does play a role on my attitude...so I am starting out slowly....any little step I take will be a huge one for me.

So here's to a Happy and Healthy New year to all of you!

I forgot I had a blog..LOL

2009-10-05T12:38:00.002-05:00

No really I have been too busy to write out a long post....I have now officially became a Brownie leader....yeah I am nuts....Its like a have another job..alot of time has to be put in this....so Thats why I have been MIA.

And yes I have fallen for FB too...I see some chat on other blogs about that....I keep in touch there with alot of friends and I have a few who are having some rough health problems and that's is how I keep updated with them.

I always say to myself oh wow I need to blog about that,,or blog about this..and well..you know how that goes....I need one of those advanced technology that you just talk and it types for you!

Hope everyone is enjoying the changing of the season!

Blessings

Debbie

has it been that long again..

2009-09-19T12:13:00.004-05:00

Wow..I have neglected my blog yet again. But I tell myself for having 5 kids 2 jobs I am not doing that bad. It always is this busy at this time of year...and Fall is my favorite season, go figure. School is going well so far.. I still hate getting up and rushing around in the morning but that will never change.

Some of my time is going to Friday night Football games to see Kevin march...I remember those days..the memories! He has also had a few parades already and the big band festival is this Sat..and I am working that..yeah me! I have been working more hours too because the band trip to Disney is fast approaching and money is not...and we all would like to go but so far not looking good.

Brittney started up again with Girl scouts and Alyssa's starts in Oct. Alyssa also went back to Dancing school. I still have a few months before Basketball starts...Brittney plays that...and just think my two littlest really do not do anything yet..."sigh"

Sunday school started up so we are trying to make it every Sunday....I was really hoping to get into a bible study but time is not looking good.

So as you see I have alot on my plate but honestly I have been Facebooking alot too...I am addicted..what can I say! So that is taking up some time....I just love getting in touch with so many people I never see or have not seen in years...it is a blessing to reconnect with so many...and the games are fun too! LOL

Also if you could say some extra prayers for dear friend of mine...he is experiencing some health problems and has a wife and 3 small children....pray that God will put his healing hand on him and let him fight this!

have a blessed week!

"I Pledge!" an alternative

2009-09-06T07:48:00.001-05:00

"I Pledge!" an alternative

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Yes I........

2009-09-05T12:41:00.004-05:00

Yes I do have 5 kids and want to have more

Yes I know what causes this and prevents this

Yes I work away from the home

Yes I have the most supporting husband and great tag team partner

Yes I am unorganized and messy

Yes I clean/organize from time to time

Yes we pretty much live paycheck to paycheck but we manage and God sees us through

Yes I wish I could stay home and be a SAHM

Yes my parents help us out alot and very blessed and thankful for that

Yes I had my 1st child to someone else than my husband and was in the 12th grade

Yes God does everything for a reason

Yes I am far from perfect

Yes my kids are far from perfect

Yes my kids are in the public school system

Yes I thought of homeschooling and still do from time to time

Yes I believe I am a christian

Yes I do skip church

Yes I did not vote for our current president

Yes I consider myself a conservative

Yes I will still be your friend if your not

Yes I tend to slack alot at home

Yes there are times I do make up for it

Yes I have high hopes and Dreams

Yes I realize that I will never reach them

Yes I do tend to debate but sometimes not to sure of what I am saying

Yes I will take the heat from someone else

Yes my kids are bad but at the same time they can be the most well-behaved

Yes my kids fight and I do sometimes ignore them

Yes my kids are not straight A students but they do their best and most important have respect

Yes I am active with all the activities my kids have

Yes they have alot

Yes there are times I just need to be alone

Yes in those alone times I miss my kids

YES I am human like everyone else and no two people are the same just like snowflakes

YES I AM HAPPY AND LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST I CAN!

GOD IS GOOD!

Back to school

2009-08-31T19:50:00.003-05:00

So one day down and 179 to go.....ugh...so far so good but I am already overwhelmed. This year is Kevin in 9th, Brittney in 4th, Alyssa 2nd, Brandon KDG and Ryan is still in the pre-school for his speech issues and that is only 2 days a week. I miss them when they are in school...really I do...well I Guess I am lying if I would say a little break isn't nice but 5 days a week now until June. And on top of school we have girl scouts starting up again and Dance for Alyssa and Boy scouts for Kevin and now he is in the HS band.

And I am trying to work 30+ hours because money is getting tight...but again God sees us through..he always does! i have a great supportive husband who does his share and then some! Well maybe now this will free up some time for me to blog more..LOL

have a blessed day!

who would have thought habing a child in the HS band would be so overwhelming!

2009-08-12T11:08:00.002-05:00

So I went to my 1st band parent meeting and my chest and head hurts! I def want my son to stick with the band, he has played his trumpet since 3rd grade along with the piano since 2nd and bass since 3rd too so no doubt I want him to stay with music, however being in the band is not just alot of work for the student it is for the parent too!

This is the year for the "Disney Trip" so that equal $$$$! fundraisers all the time. Ok so that is expected but the band is one the of the best in this whole area and they take pride and its awesome to see that but now I have to be a part of that and 5 kids (1 with autism) and working 32-49 hours a week is not going to be easy.

Don't get me wrong I attend the meetings when I can and I am willing to help out but this volunteering for the band is going to be like another job for me! They work on a point system...1 hour of service+2 points and each kids parents have to get 50 points or you pay money. So I could give them $100 and that's it but who am I kidding..don't have that much money to do just that!

well so far I am working the snack bar at the HS football game...that's about 4 hours so 8 points! Then they have a band festival and I am passing out water and pretzels to the visiting bands...not sure how many hours...lets say 2...4 more point! I volunteered my mom(HA HA) to make Huklishki(sp) for one of the games and that's 5 points! I will have17 points..WOOHOOO...Only 33 more to go!!!!!!!!!Well I can call it quits there but I will have to pay $66 which I still dont have and maybe thats because the trip is costing $1200 and not sure if I can fund raise all of that...my son does have $450 so far but the trip is in April..oh wait the money is due Feb...(my head hurts again!)

So on top of that we have all the parades that I have to go to(thats what moms do) and the FB games every Friday night(and by October/Nov it will be freezing out) I can all I can to it bear it and keep looking forward..and think if all my kids will be in the band I only have.....13 more years of this! Chest hurts now too!

VBS and Swimming lessons are DONE!

2009-08-07T11:51:00.003-05:00

Today was our last day of swimming lessons which we have done for the last 2 weeks...just an hour a day but I hate just sitting there and then chasing Ryan when he decided he did no want to take part, and do his own thing.

Vacation Bible School also wrapped up last night. it was a fun week..we had about 70 kids and even had Middle/high school class. The kids had so much fun...

I did the Pre-school games outside with them. Wow they are a handful...some of these kids do not listen at all. Its sad to see too because these kids are getting dropped as we are considered "a babysitter" but in the long run they are learning how great is our God with all he does! Its a blessing in disguise!

My husband even came and helped...how awesome is that! He is the husband who comes to church on Holidays and when the kids are singing or somehow involved. They even had him portray Jesus as the kids sang. Then last night he stayed after and helped them clean up! That means alot to me Mark! Love you! (you are 30% on your way to heaven, we still have alot of work to do.LOL) No that's good..I never like to see someone become a christian because they are forced but because they want to.

Well school starts here in about 3 weeks...don't know if I am happy or sad. I hate my kids being gone from me all day but I am ready for a break..like a week would be fine! Summer has just flew by! I am actually really starting to look forward to Christmas....I know its early but I dont know..something tells me this is going to be an awesome one for us!

Have a great weekend all!

Report: 6 Dead in Pittsburgh-Area Health Club Shooting - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

2009-08-04T22:27:00.001-05:00

Report: 6 Dead in Pittsburgh-Area Health Club Shooting - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

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Things I am thankful for this morning

2009-08-02T08:04:00.003-05:00

1. cartoons on the TV...my boys hardly ever sit and watch TV but they just woke up and they are sitting there watching something and that means some quiet time for me.

2. A sleeping husband....he gets up so early all the time and its nice to see him get to sleep in from time to time.

3. My oldest made it home from boyscout camp in one piece along with his glasses which floated to the bottom of the lake at one point in the week! The wonderful boys up there swam to the bottom many times to recover them!

4. I am working a daylight shift after 4 straight 3-11's!

5. Even though money is tight we are still making it through. :)

6. Finding old and new friends on FB. I have found so many people that came in and out of my life from as far back as age 6...

7. VBS starts tonight and my kids always have a blast along with the other kids

8 School starts in 1 month...I never thought the day would come that I would be happy for my kids to leave for school but this summer they have been bouncing off the walls with boredom.

9. 144 Days 15 Hours 46 Minutes to Christmas....my favorite time of year!

10. That I have a wonderful husband and awesome kids that love me and support me in every way! Love you guys!

Blogging verses Facebook

2009-07-31T08:56:00.003-05:00

I was on another blog the other day and the topic was Blogging verses FB. Was very interesting. I have never really given this any thought. Basically blogging takes much more creative thinking and more time...FB is like the easy way out to tell people your feelings or updates on you and family. Though we all have to admit..FB is very addicting. I actually decided to give FB a break. I was devoting all my time to Fb which equaled less family/home time. Its so funny ow all this computer stuff just sucks us in without even noticing.

Now I hope to put more time into my blog...to me this is something I can look back to for "memories" of me and my family. I do have to say though I do miss seeing what all my friends are doing on FB...I have snuck over there once or twice but until school starts I have decided to stay pretty much away from FB.

Have a blessed weekend my Blogging friends!

Saved By The Bell Reunion cover - Morning Freak Show - www.961kiss.com

2009-07-29T13:32:00.001-05:00

Saved By The Bell Reunion cover - Morning Freak Show - www.961kiss.com

Shared via AddThis

2009-07-28T12:37:00.003-05:00

Things Don't Just Happen
by Esther L. Fields (before 1944)

Things don't just happen to us who love God;
They're planned by His own dear hand.Then molded and shaped, and timed by His clock.

Things don't just happen; they're planned.
We don't just guess on the issues of life,We Christians just rest in our Lord.

We are directed by His sovereign willIn the light of His holy word.

We who love Jesus are walking by faith,Not seeing one step that's ahead,Not doubting one moment what our lot might be,But looking to Jesus instead.

We praise our dear Saviour for loving us so,For planning each care of our life,Then giving us faith to trust Him for all,The blessings as well as the strife.

Things don't just happen to us who love God,To us who have taken our stand.No matter the lot, the course, or the price,Things don't just happen; they're planned.

Ohiopyle(aka the mountains)

2009-07-21T09:23:00.003-05:00

Sunday morning around 10 am we decided to drive up to the mts for the day just to hang out. We packed some drinks and took our little grill to cook some hot dogs and chicken breasts. So we left around noon and its about 90 minute drive. The in-laws came with us also. On our way we decided to stop at Fort Necessity where alot of the French/Indian war took Place. Its been awhile since I was there. We go in only to find out that is was free that day! Because of the wonderful stimulus package from our president(roll eyes here) all that sort of fort/war things were free across the Us. Now if we would have known that we would have headed to Gettysburg..its about a 3 hour drive but we have done it before.

After the touring the fort we headed to to Ohiopyle. We first found somewhere to grill at. It was way back and I mean way back in the woods....little scary I thought but looking at it now The kids liked it and it was nice experience. The kids kept looking out for every animal possible and bears are known to be in that area.

Next we headed down to the rapids where there are some parts you can swim in.

1. Too cold to swim

2. Way to hard to watch all of them by myself since husband is not a water person.

3. I think its kind of gross to swim in it anyways.

We did let the kids take there shoes off and walk around for awhile which they had a blast doing that..mom didn't...darn rocks hurt the feet and trying to catch falling kids was not easy.

We had another great day. I am loving my time off with hubby and kids....

Have a blessed day!

day one of vacation

2009-07-20T07:52:00.003-05:00

On Sat we went to my husbands family reunion. We have never gone before because its in Ohio and hard to get back there but since we were on Vacation we packed up and went for the day. We also took In-laws for the ride to so our bus was filled to capacity. My oldest son stayed home since he is able to stay alone for awhile and he was complaining because next week is boy scout camp and then band camp starts right after that so he is saying his summer is gone and wanted to see his friends so I let him stay home with some threats of course of no one allowed in the house.LOL

The picnic was at some type of campground(makes me really want a camper). It had a little lake for the kids to swim but it was too cold so the just put there hands in and played in the sand. It had a little playground and lots of volleyball nets and horseshoe pits. You could fish and also had boats to rent to take on the lake but we didnt and the kids were disappointed. As my husband would say there was lots of food and he enjoyed that along with my 5 year old...they love to eat! We were not planning on staying the whole time but we pretty much did.

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS ACCORDING TO OUR PRESIDENT

2009-07-17T17:49:00.001-05:00

The Ten Commandments According to Obama
By Patriot Update
© 2009 The Patriot Update. Feel free to circulate this article, but please link / give credit to The Patriot Update.
After observing Obama on the campaign trail and during his first six months in office, we have concluded that our President lives and governs according to his own set of “Ten Commandments.” They’re certainly NOT the Ten Commandments you learned in Sunday School. In fact, many are the direct opposite! To prove that our conclusions are correct, you will find a link to source documentation for each commandment on the Patriot Update web site.
I. Thou shalt have no God in America, except for me. For we are no longer a Christian nation and, after all, I am the chosen One. (And like God, I do not have a birth certificate.) SOURCE
II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, unless it is my face carved on Mt. Rushmore. SOURCE
III. Thou shalt not utter my middle name in vain (or in public). Only I can say Barack Hussein Obama. SOURCE
IV. Remember tax day, April 15th, to keep it holy. SOURCE
V. Honour thy father and thy mother until they are too old and sick to care for. They will cost our public-funded health-care system too much money. SOURCE
VI. Thou shalt not kill, unless you have an unwanted, unborn baby. For it would be an abomination to punish your daughter with a baby. SOURCE
VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery if you are conservative or a Republican. Liberals and Democrats are hereby forgiven for all of their infidelity and immorality, but the careers of conservatives will be forever destroyed. SOURCE
VIII. Thou shalt not steal, until you've been elected to public office. Only then is it acceptable to take money from hard-working, successful citizens and give it to those who do not work, illegal immigrants, or those who do not have the motivation to better their own lives. SOURCE
IX. Thou shalt not discriminate against thy neighbor unless they are conservative, Caucasian, or Christian. SOURCE
X. Thou shalt not covet because it is simply unnecessary. I will place such a heavy tax burden on those that have achieved the American Dream that, by the end of my term as President, nobody will have any wealth or material goods left for you to covet. SOURCE
Wrong Way Bumper Sticker (2-Pack)

I'll Keep My Guns, Freedom, & Money... You Can Keep The "Change!" T-Shirt (Black)

Al Qaeda Obama Bumper Sticker (2-PACK)

so much to say and so little time

2009-07-14T22:23:00.003-05:00

I have so much on my mind I want to blog about but just cant find the time to write it all down.
First off I am going to say little about me since so many people are e-mailing me so many questions esp from my Facebook account so I though I could answer it all here.

Yes I have 5 kids and yes I want more...unfortunately I have to work because money is tight thanks to not being prepared for this 10 years ago...Alot of mistakes have been made by both my husband and I. God has seen has through alot and got us out if alot of lows in our lives concerning money...I would love to quit but this is the norm for us right now...I have worked from day one. I get alot of slack from SAHM but I feel that working does not make us bad parents or are children bad/neglected kids. My saying is "its not how much time you spend with your kids its what you do with them in time you are with them." I would hate for my husband to work 2 jobs and never be home to enjoy family time too. he already works 45-55 hours a week now. I have been blessed that I work for my husband and I do pretty much get to make my won schedule..we usually work opposite shifts when needed or take the days off we want. So it all works out! God will provide to those who are patient.:)

Second is my oldest is to a previous relationship...I was the unthinkable "teenage mommy" I know some people are judging me already but remember who does the ultimate judging in the end. I was not a bad teenager..not at all..To this day I have never smoked cigs or did any kind of drug. I have also had NO alcohol beverage..I have sipped a few mix drinks to taste them and they are all awful to me. The joke at work is I don't drink or smoke I just make babies! LOL

So back to the teenage Pg...well lets just say I was with my sons father from 7th grade till about I was 19 on and off...we were neighbors(he lived 4 houses down from me and we were in the same class. My parents loved him and we all got along. Well summer before my senior year I ended up PG but not alone...........I had the support of the father and my parents and his and all the extended family. I was due in March just 3 months before graduation. I went to school everyday and still manged a 4.0(No Clairton jokes here for the locals) I went to school until the day I gave birth..and was back to school 3 weeks later but was home schooled from the district for the 2 weeks prior to going back. I am thankful for my mom who stayed at home with my son and helped out alot while I was at school.

In June both me and Kevins dad graduated and in the fall we both went to the community college together while our parents watched our son. He was working and later on I picked up a job too since we could get no government help(that's a whole other vent/blog). The Christmas before Kevin turned 2 me and his dad decided to call it quits..on good terms and friends. We were just not meant to be and we knew it. All was good between us for about a year and then we grew more apart once we started dating other people. I don't want to bore you so I will save that dram for another day...and yes lots of drama on that!

On a side not about my pg.....I believe God works in mysteriously ways because Kevins dad was not close with his mom at all..I hardly knew her(his dad raised him). Well I found out I was pg and he called her immediately...she came around helped with the baby shower and was even in the delivery room with me. Well when Kevin was about 6 weeks old she found out she had cancer and died 7 months later..She got to see/hold her first grandchild and made peace with her son.

2009-07-07T09:53:00.002-05:00

So today is the day of the big memorial service for Michael Jackson. Of course I am going to watch it...was I a fan..I guess you can say that..not no huge diehard fan but I listened to him. There is no doubt he is, was the best entertainer ever...aside from all the drama of his life.

Now I will say that I still do not believe he harmed any kids in any way...I will stick with that and I argue it alot. Come on...all those kids he had at his ranch all those years and only one family accused him of anything and that's same family got in trouble for extorting more money from another celebrity. By now I would think some of those kids would have said something if anything happened to them while there. Everything comes out with all the sources these days so I would think more would have came out by now if it was true.

I do believe he had "slumber parties" with them which I find odd but to him he was immature and was reliving his childhood through that which leads to his childhood...He did not have One! That is also playing a big part in the way he ended up. Shame on his parents for that.

So all the tributes are coming to an end and now the media circus begins...who gets the kids, were they his kids and what about the money and will neverland ranch become the next Graceland? Well Jon and Kate are on Vacation for the summer so we need some kind of other dram to follow right?

On a side note, since MJ death my 7 year old is fascinated with him. She never really heard of him until then and now She looks him up on youtube(with my permission and observing of course) and watches all the videos of his music when on the TV..and today she is waiting patiently for his funeral....every 5 minutes I get asked when is it on. I had my doubts about exposing her to it but it is history and I am also fascinated by her curiosity into it...

Have a blessed day!

Debbie

some pix of our summer so far

2009-06-24T07:56:00.002-05:00

all these fancy blogs

2009-06-21T23:36:00.002-05:00

I still consider myself new to blogging....been trying now for about two years..I dont post as often as I would like and would love to post more pictures too. I do read alot of blogs daily but I have found more and more of them to be so "fancy" I admit I am not a decorative/fancy person to begin with and I am still not that great at all this technology stuff. I guess I am just a plain Jane type of blogger.

I hope someday to learn how this fancy stuff for my blog but until then I have to settle for a simple blog...Iam sure working 30+ hours a week with the 5 kids is not a help in doing more for my blog. I am also big on Facebook! I am addicted to that right now..it was Myspace but FB is way better. I also TWIT..well not lately..still not in to the Twitter thing but I do have an account...wow..whats going to be next?

Hope everyone is enjoying the Summer so far! I know we are!

Blessings!

Debbie :)!

Disturbing time at work...........

2009-06-16T16:14:00.003-05:00

So as many know I work in a grocery store part time at night and I see all kind of people and many things that bother me too. You know the kids getting yelled at by their parents for no reason or are just being ignored or hearing the language that comes out of the parents mouth while yelling at the kids. I have many stories but this one we stick with more for awhile

Last night our Loss prevention guy caught a shoplifter. I saw him take the girl upstairs and he told me to call management. With this girl(and I mean girl..she just turned 21) was a newborn baby boy and a little girl who was no more than a young 2. Usually I have to go upstairs as a female witness and I kind of said do I really have to go because I will not be able to handle seeing those kids...well 5 minutes later I get paged to the upstairs office.

So I walk in and she is getting drilled by the Loss Prevention guy and the police were on their way. She had no ID and had recent theft on her record She was addicted to Heroin and now on methadone to control that.

The police come up and they are really drilling her....she could not tell the same story twice and very defiant and would not shut up...I was ready to get out of there..I already teared up looking at the girl just sitting there not knowing what was going on and imagining whats going through her head as her mom and cop are fighting back and forth. The cop finally said to her look I am tired of yelling at you and looking like a bad guy in front of your daughter...so he looks at me and asked if I can take her out.

the little girl was a little hesitant at first but I took her to get some cookies. She was so adorable..I got her talk a little..she had a purse and a baby doll. i asked her what her babies name was and she just smiled and said baby. I said to her so you are a big sister and she says yeah and I said what is his name and she says baby.LOL

Well we are walking through the store and I knew the police were searching the parking lot for her BF. Well the little girl turns the bend with me and says daddy! Now I Panic like now what do I do...he asked who are you and why are you with her and where is the baby and my GF..I just said she is upstairs with the baby and I am not sure what was going on.. I was just asked to take her to get a cookie. I was hoping I could get him upstairs because I did not want him to take her out of the store yet and he did follow me up. We get up there and now him and the cop are going at it and the little girl is just holding on to him as tight as she can to him..I tear up again. So I sat in on the rest and come to find out she is already dealing with CYF so they were called but the kids went home with her..and she also has another kids at home..

After was all said and done I juts went to my office and cried. How sad to see that first hand..we hear about it but that just made it all the real. I just pray for all this little kids who suffer through stuff like this on a daily basis.

Way too busy for mee.........

2009-06-13T09:29:00.002-05:00

It has been a crazy two weeks here..school letting out and all the summer activities beginning...
Our school has a free music programs for the next 4 weeks will consist of me driving two kids to the high school at two different times for lessons....We are going to try out the free stuff at the library this year...hoping Ryan will behave for it....that scares me.... and the local park is having a summer program every day at through the summer..and its all FREE!!!!!which is great for someone with alot of kids.

We went to Kennywood for the school picnic..my husband told me to stay home because they were calling for rain well I should have listened..we left the park by 6:00 but it started raining at 3:30..ugh..I was watching my $120 flowing down the drain with the rain...

My son left for the beach this morning with his dad...he will be gone a week....he is gonna have a busy summer too...he goes to boy scout camp for a week in July then the whole month of August is Band Camp...his first year...and out band is the best band in the area of western PA (not just saying that..really..they always take 1st place) which equals long days of practice...

And of course I am still working....(sigh) Its easier though now that school is done...Hopefully we can do some other fun things with the kids this summer too..and one day I will learn how to post pictures...

Cedar point

2009-06-01T07:52:00.003-05:00

I volunteered to chaperon my sons 8th grade band trip to cedar point with a few other mothers I knew....it was a 4 hour drive for us. We left at 6:30 am and arrived around 10:30. Well the bus ride was not as long as I thought it would be but silly me sat on the back of the bus..wont do that again...that's where the loud kids sit.

So we get to the park and this was my first time there and wow its a very big park! Of course I hit the train first with the other mothers..I wanted to do the thrill rides but since I was the youngest mother there and the only to do such a thing so I didn't get to ride them:(. The one mother who I work with did ride two coasters with me...they were the small ones but I took what I can get. I also took a little boy who came with us on the Gemini..a big wooden roller coaster.

the kids were behaved...no trouble..actually they were pretty good and funny..alot of times they had me cracking up... We did have a girl get hurt as soon as we got there..she fall while getting on a ride and hit her head on the concrete..we rushed over to first aid to check on her(than goodness the one mother with us was a nurse practitioner) She had a mild concussion so could not ride the rest of the day..her BFF stayed with her and did not ride either..now that's a friend!

Well it was a long day and we got back home at 1:00 am..and some kids didn't not even sleep on the bus...I am thinking of taking my family back there for a day but the food was so expensive there that I have my doubts but I do want to ride those big rides...we'll see.

Have a great week!

Debbie

Of course I took no pictures...I forgot my camera!

Just checking in

2009-05-16T11:38:00.003-05:00

Spring has finally arrived for the most part! 70's all week and 80's by the end! We took the kids to the zoo yesterday because there was no school and hubby was off so we adventured down...BIG MISTAKE! I forgot that it is prime field trip season for all the school districts near and far! There at to be at least 50 buses parked already and more coming in! We did attempt to go in but was out of there in about 45 minutes...(thank goodness we have membership). At one point this group of pre-school kids pushed my kids out of line at one on the exhibit..Teachers said nothing!

So we left and went to pizza hut for lunch and then to the one local park and my kids had a blast(we don't do this often) Then went to get ice cream and visited Grandma and pap. It was a nice day and made me more excited for school to be done and nice weather to come!

My 1st horrible experienceas a mother of a 14 year old with a temper

2009-05-11T09:13:00.003-05:00

Soo..mothers days started out great...I actually woke up early and made Brakfast for everyone before church..I felt great..went to church, my daughter sang today and she lit the candles and I got to actually see it! Usually my 3 year old will not stay in the nursery by himself so I sit there with him...well bythe grace og God he stayed by himself with no tears! My husband was off today too so he came along to church so life was good.

Well after church we are getting onto the van and Brittney got Kevins seat si I told Kevin just sit in the back and got an attitude...and he usually is pretty good and does not get attitude with me often so I tended to ignore it at first..then he went on and on and on...I said softely to him Kevin if you do not let it go I will take your time of the computer for a week..well he got smart right back...again calmly I said now you lost your cell phone...well he still went on...well then I said Look of YOU keep it up there will be no 8th grade dance on Thursday so drop it now...well the quiet attitude from him sat in..the face red,arms folded and the silent treatment the whole way home.

So we pull into my driveway and I turn to him and said Now I want you to go to your room and think about how you treated me and esp on Mothers Day and after church. He sat there and would not get out(Oh..my husband took his truck so had no clue what was going on because he took his mom home) I came into the house with the other kids and of course right on the computer to calm myself.(that what does it..lol). About 10 minutes later Kevin comes crying pretty bad and says Mom I need you to some see this..Hurry and going on about all he needs is some thumbtacks? Well I go to his room and see a big hole punched in his wall...and then he says mom I am bleeding...well every emotion that I have hit me! Do I get overly PO or do I worry about his hand and what to do now?

Well his hand was not as bad...some band-aids and ointment took care of that and the moving of a dresser to cover the hole...I just don't know what snapped in his little head.. He is a good kid..really...I guess since he is so good all these days straight then that one day he is having a bad day it gets bad!

All is done and over and we talked and did some straightening out...it scares me though because his dads side of the family is known for their horrible tempers..his dad has did the same things...and I know he needs to learn how to control it..even if he is a good kid/man sometimes the temper can get the best of you..Of course I called his dad last night to let him know and he did not seem that concerned..

After all that we did mange to go to the park and get ice cream..but still had a knot in my stomach...

Nation Day of Prayer

2009-05-06T12:13:00.003-05:00

So here it is the day before National Day of prayer and now President Obama has cancelled it for the White House..His right..well sure is but should he have done it...I really don't think so...at a time like this in our nation and so much debate and one of them being his religion(does not mean I believe the hype) but why would he decide this now....You know we tell our kids at home and school when they do things like that it makes them look guilty..

I am not the most religious person I try but I know I fail alot too but this is important to alot of Christian people in the US...so why not let it be...I would feel the same if Jews or Muslims, etc had the same day..just let it be...worry about the economy which leads to homeless, jobless parents working all the time to make ends meet. LETS FIX THAT!

You know I am giving President Obama a chance...he did a few things ok but there are some I dont agree with either....for whatever reason this seems like we are heading to a non-christian nation which our country was founded on that...and to make all work we need some kind of religion to fall on whether it be Christian/Muslim or whatever...and for thsoe non-believers you can have a day too...everybody is entitled! Thats why America is the land of the free...you can march down my street and I will watch but I dont have to agree..I wont criticize you or harm you or even try to stop you...its your right!

I know you have the heavy supporters out there who are going to shoot me down..thats fine...but they usually are the same people who would be complaining if the organizers of the National Day of Prayer decided to not have it public at the white house for the first time in 10+ years and they would have been screaming about its because you all think he is a Muslim or non Christian..or he's black or he is a socialist or whatever...

That is why they say some things are left well alone and I do believe that is one of them since this has been tradition for 10 plus years and was founded by Harry Truman.....and observed by presidents over the years since..

I will be observing the National Day of Prayer and I will Pray for Obama to succeed in being our first black president and for him to help this country get back on track frm the mess he was left with...I may have not supported him but he is my president and I will support him when I need to and this is something I don't support him on even if its the littlest thing..i think not only I but HE should be worried about far more important things then a group of citizens coming out to pray at the White House!

Busy Busy Busy

2009-05-03T07:51:00.003-05:00

What a week...first off I had to clean up from Hurricane Graham..I think the nice weather we had last weekend cause the kids to let all energy they stored during the winter to be unleashed...

My 9 year old has her Spring Orchestra concert and my 6 year old had a brownie party at Backstage pass and the you have work for me..."sigh" We also had to add some DR apts into the mix and that just equals less time for mom.

I did mange to go out Friday night and Sat night...2 nights in a row. The last time I did that I think I was maybe 18 or 19lol. It was my B-day weekend so on Friday My mom and sister took me gambling..yeah gambling. Not to big on that but I went. Well that might be my last time...wow..how can people do that all the time..I used my B-day from my mom and took a little form out fum money and blew it all...nothing compared to what I saw and heard other people blowing(and our economy is bad)but it also goes fast..I played the lottery here and there since I run the machine but at least the money you spend is like a dollar or two and you have to wait hours to see if you won(which I have alot) but with these slot machines, its like a vacuum that just sucks it away. I found a penny machine and $20 was gone in about 20 minutes. Bless my mom for going alot...and she never wins either...My friend actually won a thousand dollars last weekend but no luck with me and my family..I do believe God was trying to tell me something and I should have listened..

Last Night I went with my husband to watch bodybuilders...all I have to say is yuck...Our store owner was in the competition ad got us tickets so we went to cheer him on...I know those people have alot of strict dedication but wow..I think they look gross...the even had a 60 year old guy there who looked horrible but Bless him for getting up there. I felt out of place in the crowd to because I far from being healthy like the majority of them. Well me and Dh did manage to get a nice dinner in a t Apllebees before the show so it turned out to be a great night with Hubby! Thanks Mark!

the question of homeschooling again....

2009-04-21T08:59:00.003-05:00

I was reading over some blogs this morning when I cam across someone mentioning about homeschooling...the pros and cons...this is a mother who has many many children who does not home school but I guess is pondering it.

I have been pondering this same thing for quite awhile....and alot of her pros and cons are exactly what I think of. About 6 months ago I pretty much figured just give it up on homeschooling. I could never do it. First I work and I need to work..we could no way go on one income...I know you are supposed to put it in Gods hands but with out any detail we all ready do for the most part and he has provided alot already...we are still struggling with me working so struggling any more would be a nightmare to me.

The next big thing on why I could not is I am not ORGANIZED at all....oh my..I have organized un organization..if that makes sense...it always is a scavenger hunt and always late and oh I forgot to do that but it does always work, but with homeschooling I would not want to take that chance with my kids education.

I feel those are the 2 things holding me back....if I could just work on those..and actually the me not being organized scares me the most...I am one who will discipline myself and it will lasts for a couple of weeks and then boom..back to the drawing board.

My Husband is also not a big fan of homeschooling..I am sure I can change that a little..but it would be a struggle and will it be worth it in the end because I would feel pressured to show him that it works and if it doesn't well I hate being told I told you so! he also knows how unorganized I am and that alone is enough for him to say not a good ideal...

So here I am again today pondering this whole homeschooling thing again..I tell myself it just a phase...like a kid with a new video game...but I also feel like God is trying to reach out to me..maybe not to home school completely but to take a stand to prepare for what might come...
With the blog this morning and then taking my son to pre-school a lady sees me walking with 4 of the kids and she smiles and says are you a homeschooling mom and I just replied no for now I am not but you never know in the future. Also I am in midst with my 6 year old who is 1st grade...we might have to hold her back which is killing me but I know it has to be done...the school doesn't want to of course..just push them threw and they will catch up but I know she is not where she needs to be so that has brought this up again...

I know there are alot of families that struggle with this and it seems to be such a hard choice to make....in the end though I know that no matter what choice we did was best for us as a family.

Friday night and nothing to do....

2009-04-17T18:56:00.003-05:00

So here I sit here on my night off from work which is a rare thing and my Dh is watching the hockey game and my kids are watching the new Spongebob in the girls bedroom on my TV from my bedroom...(I never get to watch TV and now I still don't.) I thought it would be nice to have some me time but I hate it..no one to talk, play games or watch something we all can watch. I already read enough to hurt my brain today and if the air was not so chilly I would go for a nice walk. What to do..what to do?

We did mange to take the 4 little ones to ride their bikes today...I would post some pix but yeah you guessed it..I forgot the camera.LOL

I was even hoping to see some of my friends online so we can chat but hey its Friday and they are all busy."sigh" Well the bright side is I know where all my kids are and my Dh too so life is grand! GO PENS!

Is it too late to make a new years resolution?

2009-04-16T22:19:00.003-05:00

Yeah I really need to keep up with my blog...I read so many and they are awesome and here is mine...

first I have to be more familiar with the computer...it takes me forever to figure out just how to post a pic..then its getting some pictures...need to have camera handy more..

I feel like a stalker sometimes..I love to read blogs...see how other families live..since i have a thing for large families those are my favorite..but is only fair if I post more often too..so better late than never but am sure going to try!

On the third day he rose!

2009-04-12T06:54:00.002-05:00

Happy Easter to all on this blessed day..he has risen..rejoice and be glad within!

Hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful day and remembers the real reason Easter1

Palm Sunday/thankfull for unanswered prayers.

2009-04-05T21:37:00.003-05:00

So this is one of my favorites services at church and I have been looking forward to it. My Husband worked so I got all the kiddos dressed and out the door on time may I add..! Brittney was singing today with the kids choir and they were having the kids carry banners in at the beginning so I really wanted to see this..My parents and in-laws went to so I had to take Ryan for sure and was really praying he would stay in the nursery by himself...well I spent the whole hour in the nursery....but that was Ok....because....

God works in mysteriously ways. The lady in charge today is the only other mother that has alot of kids..they have 7. our kids hang out at church functions together and we were casual together but today we got into some in depth conversation since it was just me her and our kids. Just talking to her and to hear how she is struggling the same way as we are from money to parent/in-law problems just made me feel so much better. Everyone has a story and like me they hide it and go on like everything is ok but it really is not. We both just put it in Gods hands and do not want to burden other people with our problems even though we know that our family at church know and they do so much for us without knowing the whole situation. We are so blessed to be in such a small and close knit church where everyone knows and looks out for each other.

I have been debating about going to another church since my church(which I was baptized in) is so small and maybe on a regular Sunday there are only about 20 kids and 12 are from us two mothers.LOL Today has made me realize that I as one of the only few younger members who attends regularly needs to step up to the plate more and show my passion for Christ at church more(which I lacked there) and not just at home..I know some are scratching there heads but I know and he knows what I mean!

It was great to talk to her so freely and not be judged about my family size, our financial situation and working out of the home because she does too! How awesome is our God!

Poconos

2009-03-30T19:49:00.003-05:00

I had a great time with my husband...we were only there less than 24 hours but had a great time. We stayed at the one resort..no we did not get the champagne whirlpool and indoor pool(but next time I will.hehe) but did have the hear-shaped jacuzzi. We played min golf..went to a comedy show and watched a version of the newlywed/not so newlywed R-rated game. Yes it was a little racy and vulgar but it was pretty funny....we stopped at the Orange County Choppers show room on the way back(the ones from Discovery channel) We did get to see Paul Sr and Jr and Mikey and the rest of the crew while they were filming a new episode...my DH is onto that I'm really not but it was cool to see.

I def plan on going back next summer...I think we need that little bit of time a way...it really helps..that was our first time away together with no kids since 2001. The kids were really good for my MIL too so that was a bonus!

I did not take no pix at our resort but managed some of the bikes..of course thanks to DH..I am so bad at taking pix..got work on that..

Update

2009-03-24T20:20:00.002-05:00

So I went t to the Er only to find that the medical clinic at Walgreens didn't know what they were talking about. I know I keep getting asked why did you go there? Well I knew I had pink eye and my throat hurt along with my ears and I have been around enough to know that I just needed drugs! I was in hurry so I figured they could just supply me with drugs..not knowing the lady would tell me my pulse was very low and I had an irregular heartbeat..she made it seem like I was going to die. The er doc laughed and said they are inexperienced. I am grateful for nothing being wrong but at the same time very angry the way it was handled and I will never go to the Walgreens again.

On another note I just got back from my one night stay in the Poconos..I will post about it and put a few pix up this week...I really did not get any..more from Orange County Choppers store we went to..we actually watched them being filmed for there show on Discovery..pretty cool!

Blessings!
Debbie

to ER I go!

2009-03-21T11:47:00.001-05:00

Yeah well I am back and they are sending me to the ER for an EKG..they did tell me I have a double ear infection, double pink eye with the sore throat. She did not like my pulse or when she waws listening to me breath..she didnt liek the heartbeat so off I go...I dont have time for this...this does not fit into my schedule...

breaking down and going to Medfast...

2009-03-21T07:37:00.003-05:00

Yeah I cant take this anymore..I think I even have pink eye...it could not come at a better time..I start my vacation from work and so does hubby..all this stuff I had planned..down the drain. My throat hurts so bad I cant swallow and my ears and neck hurt too then we are still supposed to leave for the poconos on Monday for a night trip...I need to get better!

We are supposed to go to Ohio Sunday but I think I might bail out on that one..my husband said he will take the kids with him so I can have the day to myself...that might help then.

And where did Spring go already/ The low last night was 26...The high is reaching 50 today but it was in the 60's last week...I night fresh air in the house to get the germs out...

why do I keep getting sick?

2009-03-18T06:56:00.002-05:00

So I have been pretty lucky the last few years without ever getting sick, sick, you know the one that keeps you down but I am sick again for the third time since 2009 started! Not as bad as the last time...I swear I was dying but enough that I want to crawl in bed and be done for the day already and its only 8am. But I cant..especially today..so much to do and my husband has walking pneumonia soooo I have to keep going.

On a positive note this year has been the first in years I have not had any sick kids...not even i the end of 2008 either. Al little sniffle here a cough here but nothing major that they were in bed and the Dr was called and meds were needed heavily. So I guess I cant complain that much.

I am just praying that me and Dh get well soon....we are going to the Poconos overnight next week. We are leaving Mon morning and will be back Tues night with no kids! This is the fist time since we were married 8 years ago that we are going away alone...so I am very excited!

Hope everyone is have a lovely week!

Blessings,
Debbie

getting a new computer was not a good ideal

2009-03-14T07:39:00.002-05:00

I am so behind now on housework....I am always on this thing now and I am such a bad mommy..I know its new and it will get old soon..its like Christmas toys for kids...they play with them for a week or two then they could pushed aside....

I have now started a facebook and twitter along with the MYSPACE I have for a few years plus all the groups I go to....Everyone laughs at me at work about me being on the computer all day...they see me online in myspace and Facebook nonstop..LOl In my defense I listen to music from Myspace alot so I will leave it on while I do attempt to clean.

Hope everyone is having a blessed weekend!

Debbie

My name is Debbie and I am addicted to M&M's

2009-03-11T11:06:00.003-05:00

Yes its been 2 weeks since I had any of these guys. For you of those who don't understand let me just say that I was addicted....always had them anywhere I went..at work always had them in my pockets to munch on...I should own stock in them!

If I didn't have kids to chase and did not work on my feet I would weigh about 10olbs more than I do because of these guys! So for Lent I gave them up! But my Easter Basket better be filled up with them!LOL

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME!

2009-03-10T08:01:00.002-05:00

Why in the world did they make it so early.....its still chilly here and at 7 am now the sun is not up yet like it used to be which makes it harder for me to get up and then even harder to get the kids up..UGH! Why could they not just let it the way it was....very few birds chirping and staying under warm blankets is hard enough for us to get up and now no sun!

I am back!

2009-03-07T23:11:00.002-06:00

I am back online...for about a year my computer has not been working right...slow as can be and with limited time I was having a hard time doing all I need to do. In December I lost the computer all together..a virus got the best of it! I just got new one(don't you all love income tax time!) and hope to be active again in all my stuff I manage on the computer ....myspace..facebook..blogging...and lost of groups.

Be patient til I figure all this new stuff out..def have to figure out loading some pix but I am still pretty busy.

I missed everyone out there in the computer land and I need to catch up. So much has happened in every ones life including mine...no I am not pg..right now is not a good time and sometimes I think I am done but it saddens me...I am trying to leave it in Gods hands but at the same time I am little scared too...

I started working 2 jobs now..back in Oct I took a 2nd job for Christmas and I am still holding on to it. It is stressful but we are not living paycheck to paycheck and with today's economy you never know what the future will hold. I do magazines at the local grocery stores(I cant get away from them as that is my 1st job too LOL) but I do go in when I have the time which sounds good but when you dont have a scheduled time then you seem to put it on hold then it catches up to the deadline and the stress comes with it. My goal is to get my van paid off then quit it which I am hoping another 3 months should do but who knows..something always comes up.

We are still having some issues with Ryan..he started talking around Christmas and has come along way. I have him in wraparound and they are trying to tell me he is on the autism spectrum. At first I was like yeah it seems like it but now I dont know...only time will tell.

Well its getting late and we loose that hour which is important to me..I am so glad to be back!

Blessings to all

Debbie

I have no time

2008-10-18T11:22:00.002-05:00

But I do try to sneak on the computer from time to time. I officially have no time for the computer and it is killing me..its like the people who who some and drink and the have there fits...well I am having a computer fit..I am addicted.

First off my computer has some virus still which we can not fix..I was told my computer is too old(6 years) that new one would be the best..whatever. It takes me forever to just to some things on this computer. So far it has taken me 10 minutes to type this..

Anyway, everyone is good..It has been pretty crazy here...I started a 2nd job..yeah a 2nd. Money is so tight here and its not getting any better, then our washer broke and I know eventually I will need a new computer since schools make it that they must be used for a alot of the students work now. Also the Holiday season is approaching and not looking forward to those gas bills coming our way.

Yes I am getting exhausted but know I need to do it. I still have the perfect schedule though..with this second job I get to work any time/any day I want. Its perfect for a mother(especially if it was her only job) I put out magazines at the tle local stores and I get paid to travel to each...no kids..just me and the radio in the car and let me tall you Talk radio is getting pretty interesting and I dont have to tell the kids to SSHHH.LOL

I have already got paid and it helped alot...My Dh has been great...cleaning, cooking, and doing the kids schoolwork with them..He actually said he enjoys this and wouldn't mind be "Mr Mom". He does see how stressful the morning could be since I am already gone he gets the kids off to school.

Well I hope all is well..I promise to be around but it will prob ally be every few days..not everyday like it was...

one by one they all start falling down.......

2008-09-20T07:35:00.002-05:00

the kids all had the stomach flu. It started on Tuesday and it was bad. They could not hold nothing down and the had fevers and achy bones which made for whiny kids. Well Thursday afternoon I started feeling not too good but I fought it until about 5 pm well I was down. It was horrible I have not been that sick in a longtime..enough for me to be in bed and never get up so my DH had to take charge and finish what I started. Around Midnight I hear my DH running to the Bathroom..yep it got him too!

So there we are laying in our bed tossing and turning and moaning and groaning. Well one of us had to get up to kid the kids up for school. We both attempted but it was hard. Of course Kevin leaves first which means I cant even ask for his help. My dad did come up to take the girls to school so I we would not have to go out. Then my MIL cam and got the boys so we can rest. Yeah we finally got alone time and we were both stuck in bed which was not that easy since we only have a full and we just could not get comfortable and then my husband would yell at me and tell me to quit shaking the bed because It made him sick.

Well I am feel alot better today..just tired out. He is still sick..real sick..so I am trying to get him to go to med express because if the pattern of all us is the same he should be feeling better since it was like a 24 hour flu but he is stubborn and actually went up to his work to write a schedule for a couple of hours....whatever.

Oh and thanks for all the prayers from the last post..I still will not go into details but it seems to passing over.

some prayers needed

2008-09-16T06:40:00.002-05:00

There is some things going on with me at work that is making me very uneasy and well just sick to my stomach. For the last 12 hours since I have found out it feels like I have a heavy weight on my shoulder and in my stomach. I cant get into details but it might get nasty. Please say a little prayer for me to be strong and make it through and that I will put my trust in the lord which is so important right now. Also say a little prayer for the other(s) involved becasue they know not what they are doing.

sick

2008-09-12T09:15:00.002-05:00

All week I have taken care of the kids and cant forget about my DH who was in bed for 2 days straight and now its my turn to be sick. Who is going to take care of me? Nobody. Thats OK though part of my of being a mom/wife. I am sitting around doing no housework so at least thats something. I would love to take a catnap though but with a 3 and 4 year old boy running around with everyone gone that is impossible. I also have to go to work tonight..maybe I can catch a catnap there in the cash office....ssshhhh dont tell nobody.LOL

So on top of the sickies here we started our wonderful activities out of school. Alyssa started Dance Tuesday and Brittney went Thursday and Kevin had his first football game on Weds. He never played before but he seems to enjoy it. I was kind of unsure about this but I am happy he is enjoying it. I went to the game and of course I know nothing(not a sports fan here) but we had to cheer him on anyway. I know he caused the other team to fumble and recovered the ball. Yeah Kevin! Its funny because seeing him today in his team jersey he had to wear to school made me really realize today how much he has grown up.

Well off to lay down for awhile before I take Brandon to pre-school. Hope everyone else is doing well!

Blessings
Debbie

the week from HEdouble hockey stick

2008-09-08T08:05:00.002-05:00

yeah this has been a bad week..and this one is not looking good either. Ryan went to his first day of both schools on Tuesday. The first being Dart. He starts at 8:30 am and Mark met us there to see Ryan in. Well he cried when we were trying to leave and was screaming and kicking. The teacher says just go ahead and go he will be fine.(I see my Dh's eyes coming out of his head) All the way down the hallway we hear him and my heart is breaking but I know he need this. The good news is when I picked him up he was all smiles and in his own little ways he told me what he did. The Teacher sent a note that said he cried for 5 minutes and then played with all the new toys and made new friends.

So in the afternoon was the 1st day for the regular pre-school..I am nervous and really still don't think he will make it. The TSS met us there and took him with a little bit of tears but he walked in with Brandon too. SO I get my van and part of me is just heartbroken and the other is like WOW Silence and I will have some me time for the first time in many years today but I figured dont get used to it. I did mange to get in a catnap.LOL

We picked him up from school and to my amazement the teachers said he did really well. He sat and followed directions and was not the most misbehaved kid there!
(WOOOOHOOO) Well the next day he just has the afternoon pre-school so we take him and the Tss is there and what a difference. Ryan cried and screamed and kicked and punched and refused to go in...one word he says clear...GO! So I did not force him to go since this was not really a necessary school for him like Dart wit the speech is so I did manage to have one day to myself but now I have my little buddy home with me every afternoon which is still alot better then when all 5 are here so I still get semi-me time. And for the Dart preschool..he still hesitates but every day he gets better.

Brandon, Brittney and Kevin..no complaints they love school and are managing good grades so far too!
Now Alyssa on the other hand she has cried everyday so far. She refuses to go to school. She cried on her way into school and on the way out..yeah the way out too! If she does not see me/DH or Brittney she will freeze and start crying. Today was a bad day for her too because Brittney has a bad cold and stayed home so ALyssa cried the whole morning and I had to drag her to the van and the teachers aide had to pull her fro the van to her classroom. I talked to the teacher and she said within the few minutes she stops crying and is perfect as she can be...the most well-behaved and she made her first A+ pn Friday.

Times like this really makes me want to homeschool my kids but I know I am not ready for that emotionally or financially and maybe in time I will but right now I just have to deal with and pray for the best outcome for each kid. God is Good no matter what we choose for our kids...he will see us through and for that I am grateful!

one more day

2008-09-01T12:36:00.002-05:00

and my baby will go to school. I am so torn still about this but I know this will be the best thing for him..he is just so little still. He starts the Dart preschool(kids that have a little delay) at 8:30 am. We went for orientation on Thursday and out of 5 new kids Ryan was the only one that would not sit for the circle time. I am so nervous but maybe when I am gone he will do better.

He is also starting the public school area pre-school. I really think he will not make it. At first our plan was to have our TSS(helper/aide) go with him every day for about two months then cut back gradually. Well the insurance company will not cover that many hours..we only got approved for 4 hours a week..and 6 hours at home. I would rather have more school hours then home hours but whatever. I really dont think the little guy is going to adjust to a maninstream pre-school...but anything is possible. I am praying all works out for the best interst for Ryan. God has a plan and he knows what he is doing and I just have to follow his lead.

On another note..Alyssa has cried every morning when Brittney walks her to her classroom. Hopefully this will be a tear-free week for her.

so some people that dont know me IRL are wondering

2008-08-26T12:20:00.002-05:00

why my oldest is missing in alot of the pix and posts.

For one he is 13 and hates getting his pix taken.

Also me and his father have partial custody. That meaning I have him Wed to Fidays and every other weekend and his dad has him Mon-Weds and the opposite weekend. SO yesterday he was sent to school by his dad. We have been doing this since he was 4 yrs old so I am pretty used to it.

Do I like it.. not really but that is a whole other post. I guess its good but there are pros and cons to everything...

back to school

2008-08-26T10:40:00.004-05:00

Well they are back to school. They all seemed to come home happy and ready to go back. I guess they did not miss me.:( Brittney had a little bit of homework which she did right away! Alyssa was just happy they had recess 2 times today. Brandon loved it. This was his first experience so I was nervous and sad but when I picked him up the first words were mom I got a green light! (green=good, yellow so/so, red=BAD)

Ryan did not get to start yet because of some kind of loopholes in this paperwork..hopefully by the end of the week.

Brandon ready to go!

He is so big for his age.

Ryan missed is brother

but fell asleep on the ride home.....

So today being the 2nd day of school I have got alot accomplished and I had time to blog and post pictures..yeah me! I have not even taken Brandon for school yet. I do miss them not as much as I will in couple of weeks..right now the quietness and cleanness in the house is nice but its not the same.

I am still here

2008-08-22T09:37:00.003-05:00

Yes its been awhile but its been pretty busy. I have been working 5 days since how these wonderful co-workers of mine took all there vacations in Aug and I have all this back to school stuff to do.

School starts Monday and I think we are ready. This year Kevin will be in 8th grade(ugh) Brittney 3rd, ALyssa 1st and Brandon will start pre-K. Now for Ryan he is starting 3 year old pre-school and also a pre-school for kids with some special needs. I go from not sending my 3 year olds to pre-school to sending Ryan to 2. Well thats if he makes it in the one..its the same program Brandon is in but with his limited speech and other issues he might not make it but will still go to the other. I sure will miss them..makes me still wish I was able to homeschool them but thats a whole other post.

Kevin started football practice...he never played before but he insisted. So far so good. Next week they put the uniforms on and wait til he feels the heat. I do hope he does good but I will be happy either way. I just dont want him to quit band and boy scouts for football.

Next weekend Sunday school starts for the kids and the two girls are going to join the kids choir. I am also hoping to go to bible study once a week..that is my goal this fall. Hopefully my schedule will alow..so far so good.

summer is just about over. :(

2008-08-11T21:13:00.003-05:00

School starts in 13 days and even though I cant wait to have some days to myself I know that after about a week or two I want my kids back at home with me. Both my little ones are going to pre-school. Brandon is going to the 4 year old program with this being his first year(we never did the 3 year olds till now, I got him into the school district program which is free and its everyday(yuck) but I know he needs it and will enjoy it. Now Ryan is also registered for the 5 day 3yr old program but I am putting him in to help him with his speech and peer relationships. His TSS will be with him for the first few months everyday all day and the wean off. He still might not even make it. We just have to wait and see.

The weather here is nice but too early for this chill in the air. It feels like fall already. Doesn't look like no more pool days left this summer. Kevin did start football today and I was happy it was not a very hot, humid day! So now we have football, dance school, girl scouts/boyscouts and church choir all starting up...here comes chaos! well at least with all the kids at school I should be able to get alot of things I been wanting to do done and update my blog more often with lots of pix!LOL
Blessings,

Debbie

welcome home to my boyscout

2008-08-03T08:48:00.002-05:00

Kevin came home last night from a week at boyscout camp. Even though I have not talked to him full yet I know he had a blast.

We went up there on Weds for parent night. Just me Mark and Brandon. The other kids stayed home because it was storming pretty bad in the whole area. Brandon loved to see where is big brother was at all week. He even got to see what the tent looked like inside and insisted to sleep there too!

Kevin took us for a tour of the campground and it was so muddy. You could not walk anywhere without going through puddles and mud. Now Brandon just loved that but My Dh did not because we took his truck which is spotless so the thoughts of mud in his truck was bothering him.

Brandon did get some help from his brother though...

We did not get to stay for the ceremony that started at 8:30 because it was an 90 minute drive and with Mark being at work at 5 am all week and my in laws were watching the other kids so we had to leave early. I know he got "tapped in" to some secret group in Boy scouts which is an honor to be in. Again though it "top secret"LOL. He will be starting in the Spring to work on his Eagle. We are so proud of him!!!!

who said I could not homeschool

2008-07-31T08:31:00.001-05:00

I was so proud at that moment to see the 3 of them all sitting and not fighting and actually doing their summer work. Now I know they could do it could mom?

should be cleaning

2008-07-28T08:05:00.004-05:00

With beautuful weaather here and we know summer is winding down we pretty much blew off alot of chores and enjoyed the weekend. Sat we went to a B-day party and had a blast and came home and just sat! Yes just sat around! Yesterday I had to work in the morning(and it was out 7th anniversary) and came home to my Dh telling me his parents were on their way up so he can take me to dinner! Yeah!!Its been so long. We then went over to a friends house for about an hour to sit around and chat with no kids:). So when we got back I should have started the pile of clothes or threw some kids in the shower but nope sat and sat and sat.

Fast forward to this morning.....smehow the pile of clothes got alot bigger and well I would be embarassed to have someone on my house right now. O have alot to do but today is one of those wonderful 45 minutes to sppech therapy which breaks up my day.

I have to get alot accomplished today becasue Tues I work and have some thereapist comming for Ryan..Weds speech again(sigh) then family night boy scout camp then Thur and Fri work and Sat a family reunion with some family members comming back from Ohio so have to turn cleaning mode on now!

Here is to a blessed day for you!!!

Debbie

My sweet Baby niece

2008-07-18T11:58:00.003-05:00

I got to babysit my 5 month old niece yesterday..its been so long since I had a baby like that around here. The kids just loved her and they would not leave her alone. At first she was smiling away at all the attention and then by days end she was not a happy camper..( I kind of don't miss that) As I was preparing lunch and the baby was crying I thought I don't know how I did this years ago. My oldest two wasn't even here.

Well we enjoyed Having "Baby Riley" here and for those who are wondering yes it gave me the baby itch. Not to mention my husband too!

we have a swingset! Yeah!

2008-07-18T10:55:00.003-05:00

A friend of ours from work wanted to get rid of this swingset since her kids were older. So we took it since we did not have a swingset for our kids. Mark threw some paint on it to give it some color and we bought some new swings to match. Nw we just have to get the tire swing up...Nice Job Mark! I wish I had the old picture of it. It was just a plain old faded wood color..I dint really like it.

calgon take me away............

2008-07-10T06:34:00.002-05:00

that is how I feel lately. For starters this music program which I think is great for the kids is driving me crazy. I actually have to get up earlier for the music lessons than I did for school. I am thankful that it ends in two days though. I still fell bad for Kevin though. I drag him with me for Brittneys 8:40 lesson and his trumpet lesson does not start til 10. Well Brittney is done at 9:20 so after her lesson we leave and I leave Kevin(who is 13 BTW) there to wait for the 10 am lesson. He does not mind. But then hehas his orchestra lesson at 12 which is a hour gap and I told him he has to stay there because with gas prices I am not running back and forth..Iknow its sounds mean but he gets some quiet time to read and catches up on all his boy scout material.

So now this leaves me with all the stuff going on with Ryan...a little background...he was diagnosed with Aprixia(speech disorder) He will be 3 in Aug and says few words. So for the last year we have had a speech therapist come to the house once aweek and a developmental therapist come twice a week. Now on top of that I have him in wrap around service basically because with limited speech he throws alot of temper tantrums and well I guess he has some behavioral issues. So I now have a BSC comming to the house 2 times a week.(I call her my SuperNanny..she is awesome...)

So that is someone comming to my house 5 times aweek. It is very stressful esp because I extra clean when they are comming..Idont keep a dirty house but at the same time with my little ones things get pretty messy fast around here.

Now this week Ryan started his outpatient speech therapy at the Childrens Hospital of Pgh. Well we have been on the waiting list since March..yes March. So now I have to drive 45 minutes tot he North office for a 30 minute visit twice a week...they really suggest not bringing the other kids along so I have to have my parents up here now to watch them.

Needless to say that this is the 1st year I am looking forward to school starting..

* On a funny note...our first Bsc we had was a young lady who just got out of school and she was here for the first day for about 90 minutes..well she declined the case..we scared her off. I guess with 4 kids running around you and wanting to play with all your new,exciting toys you brought was a little too much.LOL

Hope everyone is having a great summer!

Kennywood 2008

2008-07-05T12:12:00.003-05:00

We finally made it to Kennywood this Summer..the day we were supposed to go was rainy all day. The kids had a blast...! Of course its getting a little harder with all the height restrictions and Alyssa(6) can still ride in kiddieland and did not want to but wanted to ride the big rides which she was to small for some. Then Kevin and Brittney who are to big for kiddie land and rides all the big rides but they cant go off by themself and they did not like the ideal of hanging out in kiddleland...

tornado in western PA?

2008-07-01T10:43:00.003-05:00

so over the weekend we got hit with some bad storms(well at least thats what the weather people all said) we did get some rain and and a little thunder/ligtning but I have seen it worst than that.

The one thing that standed out was I was at work on Sat night and we got a call that there was a tornado warning for our area. Of course that means there was one spotted. We do not get those often so the big storm fan I am took my 15 minute break to sit outside and watch this storm pass through. The rain came and came pretty hard too. The wind blew hard for about 5 minutes...like 2 or 3 big gusts but hardly no thunder or lightining. Now this was our 2nd big storm today so I was watching the clouds with all the other who were amused at the view of them and they were miving pretty fast..sort of freaky if you ask me and I of course had my camera and snapped som pix. Now there was no conformation of a tornado but the radar picked on up but they said it never touched the ground. Now I think that the picture I got def shows a small funnel but my DH says no its just a cloud...well I will still stick with a funnel cloud..what do you all think! Also I got he aftermath in the sky..what a beautiful sight..there was also a rainbow but I could not get it in enought time.

more recent one of the five

2008-06-24T07:49:00.001-05:00

I got these one at the Zoo. Of course not one of them all looking at the camera and smiling.

some pix I promised(more to come later too)

2008-06-24T07:43:00.004-05:00

Didnt really have good ones from the recital since I was running around like crazy and you can only take pictures at the rehersal.

The one week when the temps hit 90 and we just had the boys they enjoyed a water battle with Dad

BACK TO THE GRIND

2008-06-23T11:59:00.002-05:00

Yes Back to work..well yesterday but today I am off again. Of course I got nothting done I hoped to do. On sat(my last day) I started scrubbing the two bedrooms upstairs..they actually look like bedroom now. Lets see how long they will stay that way. We managed to make it tot he zoo. I will have to upload some pix later. Vacation Bible school started yesterday and also Kevin made his confirmation too! Of course I have no pix of that..forgot my camera.

Last night at work I finally met another family with more than 3 kids. I saw her come in and of course started counting 1..2..3..4...5...6...so when she was checking out I asked her the dreaded question"are they all yours" Yes she replies. I told her about me having 5 and would be open to more and she says I have 2 more at home. Her oldest was 15 and youngest 3. How awesome!

Well off to clean up..another therapist comming for Ryan.."sigh"

2008-06-21T11:40:00.000-05:00

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is Vacation over yet?

2008-06-16T16:24:00.002-05:00

The weather this week is going to be horrible and the kids want to go here and go there and with bad weather and $$ being a big issue here it is going to be more of stay home and relax. We did play Apples to Apples the last two night and we had a blast but of course I still have three more to keep busy since they can not play. We are hoping for a day to the zoo one day and a trip to Station Square(downtown Pittsbugh) to ride the incline and maybe play in the water fountain s that dance to music. The kids always get a kick out of that.

I also signed my two oldest up for their summer music lessons and of course one class is at 8:40AM! It will run for 3 weeks and I have to entertain the little ones in the van my 8 year olds class goes only for 40 minutes and it stupid to ride home or anywhere for that fact. My 13 year old goes from 11-11:40 then 12:40 to 1:30. I hope 3 weeks go real fast.

Debbie

I am on Vacation!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-15T11:42:00.002-05:00

So 1 week of no work and I even think I got my computer working alot better so I am going to computerville this week..yup this will be my vacation.... I hear kids screaming in the background but I tell myself mom is a world away from them right now and I will be back in a week...ok now reality sets in...

So school is out and the kids are bouncing already. Hopefully this week we will get alot of fun stuff in for them. We went to the local pool the other day..I took the 5 by myself and besides Ryan they were all well behaved.

Speaking of Ryan..the update on him...well he did get diagnosed with Aprixia which is a speech disorder that needs alot of therapy. So as of now I still have therapists coming to my house three times aweek and we are starting a wrap-around service that someone will come to my house for 2 days at 3 hours each day."sigh" They are going to work more on his behavior because of his delay in speech. I feel so bad for the little guy who just cant tell us what he wants or needs. I still cant even take him out to many public places because he will just throw a fit and he is still very active/hyper.

Well like I said this will be my vacation spot so I will talk to you real soon!

Have a blessed day!

Debbie

I think I am back for good............

2008-05-29T08:34:00.003-05:00

So I got my computer fixed way back and a couple days later my screen mysteriously broke...of course I have my theory about how it broke but "he" denies it. So it took about 2 weeks to get a new one and then my internet was still slow as a turtle but I did some of this and that and now it seems to working alot better(knock on wood).

May is just about over but we end it with the girls dance recital"sigh" The rehersal is on Sat and the recital Sun and I am still needing to get out and buy some stuff for it...I always wait to the last minute. we had B's 4th birthday party on Memorial day even though his actual B-day is June 8th but my oldest is away that week and then VBS and soemthing else which I cant remember right now. The weatehr was beautiful and everyone had a great time. This was just about the first time we let the kids outside becasue of all the crappy weather here.

Well I am determined to keep this updated and now I just have to learn how to add some neat stuff to it. Hope all is well with all of you

Debbie

May May go away........

2008-04-30T17:58:00.002-05:00

well that is how I feel everytime this year and I think it will only get worse.. I just feel so overwhelmed at this time of year. May is just so busy for alot of families...all the end of school year stuff...concerts, field trips, parties for end of this and end of that and yatta yatta yatta! On top of that I have 6 different appts for the kids in May. Oh yeah and I cant forget my work schedule gets more hectic because of working around the busy schedule and all the employees are staring there vacations so guess who has to pull extra shifts."sigh". Calgon take me Away!

Well as I rush through the month of may hopefully I can learn how to upload pix from my digital camera so I can share some of our busy moments!LOL

One good think about Mai is my birthday is the 2nd day of May! Too bad I am working my kids schools Flea Market that day..well at least the kids will be at home and I will have some mom(social) time.

Blessings and Happiness to everyone!

Debbie

COMPTER CRASHED!

2008-04-24T11:38:00.002-05:00

SO that is why I have not posted in a LONNNG time. I finally broke down and called Dell to re-format the whole thing to start over agin...it was a 4 hour process on a phone with people who do not talk very good English...can we say very frustrating! ANd the computer is still not 100%. my high speed is acting like dial up and it freezes and well just to slow for my hectic days.

I know some of my family and friends have been asking about me and wanting an update...so here it goes..

Well kids are great..school is finishing up(Thank Goodness) and Spring is here which means I hear can we go outside all day long. Brittney went from being a brownie to a junior and Alyssa is going from Daisy to Brownine. Kevin is still full force in Boy scouts and looking forward to summer camp. Dancing school is winding down..recital is June 1st. Britteny did basketball which she really enjoyed and no baseball or softball this summer(me dancing here)

I still have Ryan seeing a speech therapist 3 times a week...I finally have a name with his speech problem...aprexia...so much need therapy for along time...he will be 3 in Aug and still only says 2 words..well to us its two words... NA NA and Ma MA. It is very hard with this speech problem but I know it could be worse. I am signing both boys up for pre-school..yes me sho wanted to homeschool and be with the kids all day long...well having a 2 and a 3 year old BOY at home was putting me over the edge...they are a tag team who won the championship belt at the Graham House!
\
So now to the husband..the lovely wonderful husband....(red face here) He bought a brand new truck..yeah gas hitting $4 soon but hey lets get a truck. Yeah we only had one vehicle for the last year and it was somewhat of a pain so were were in talks of another vehicle..so we got pre approved and that same night he calls me at work and has truck already picked out and ready to bring home...(me pulling hair out of either him or me) so now he has his truck yes I am very bitter....and the best quote from him so far....well Debbie I will start doing more around the house so you can work some more hours!(ok I am beat red here)

So there goes thoughts of a new computer(this is only taking me 30 minutes to tyoe thanks to the freezing and running slow)

Well hopefully I can tweek some stuff and get some new pictures up and keep posting more! Or maybe I will just have to go get a 2nd job so I will never be around(still bitter)

And to my friends on some of my groups I will be around soon...I lost all my usernames/passwords so I have to create new ones.Sigh....

Blessings for the Grahams!(sorry for misspellings today)

ITS HERE

2008-02-19T08:25:00.002-06:00

my tax refund that is...what a blessing that was for us. We do get alot back and I mean alot and it helps us get caught up on anything we fell behinde on and have some extra to play with. We went out and bought a new refridgerator and also a DIGITAL CAMERA(yeah me) I have never had one so this is like Christmas for me. I will be able to start posting pix on here all the time!

Hope all is well I know the flu bug is bitting hard...I had it again last weekend along with all the kids..the only one that didnt get it was DH...he did such a good job when I was in bed for two days that he needed rewarded..prayers do work.

WHAT A WEEK

2008-01-26T08:51:00.000-06:00

So lasts weeks parties are over and we survived...even after having 12 little 7 and 8 year olds screaming and running around the house. My house is now cleaned but now the sickies are approaching us. My daughter got sent home from school the other day..poor thing threw up all over her classmate...she was fine after that..the rest of the day she laid but ate and you would have never thought she was sick..2 days later I get a call from the nurse..she is sick again. Of course this is a day I dont have a vehicle..so call around and no one is home. I ponder this thought of walking up to the school to get her in the frigid temps with my 2 and 3 year old..I did not want to do this but I had no choice. I still could not get a hold of my DH so off we went. 2 BIG GIGANTIC hills to climb..the boys held hands the whole way and we all bundled up. Well on the way back my dh comes flying around the bend..he got the message..the walk down is not that bad but hey got out of the cold.

So now I am the sick one..well sorta of...I woke up yesterday with my eyes all yucky and red. I thought pink eye but I wear contacts so I put a new one in..it hurts a little and I have no glasses to give my eyes a break...sigh..so off to the DRS on Monday. I also was scrubbing the floor when I got this pain in my stomach(if I was 7-9 pg I would have thought this is it) It hurts so bad I was hunched over and in tears...my good old Kidney Stone is back...the trooper I am though went to work but left an hour early..I feel no better today...I do work but I am thinking I might go in late..so I could lay down.

Well hope you all have some healthy houses...

Debbie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BRITTNEY

2008-01-21T08:23:00.000-06:00

8 years ago I gave birth to my 2nd child, my first daughter Brittney....never thought she would start us out on a journey like this to have 3 more kids and wanting more.....

OK so I researched and

2008-01-09T12:31:00.000-06:00

it appears to be false..but I still dont trust him..something with the name OBAMA and HUSSEIN(sp)as a middle and last name just scares me at this time we are in our nation. Don't get me wrong I think he is a very smart intelligent guy but for President...nope.

I have always thought this..

2008-01-09T12:09:00.000-06:00

Since this is my first official time paying attention to this election I have really been concerned about Obama...now I got this and I def am going to do some more research..
Body: Who is Barack Obama? Very interesting and something that should be considered in your choice. If you do not ever forward anything else, please forward this to all your contacts...this is very scary to think of what lies ahead of us here in our own United States...better heed this and pray about it and share it. We checked this out on "snopes.com". It is factual. Check for yourself. Who is Barack Obama? Probable U. S. presidential candidate, Barack Hussein Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Barack Hussein Obama, Sr., a black MUSLIM from Nyangoma-Kogel, Kenya and Ann Dunham, a white ATHEIST from Wichita, Kansas. Obama's parents met at the University of Hawaii. When Obama was two years old, his parents divorced. His father returned to Kenya. His mother then married Lolo Soetoro, a RADICAL Muslim from Indonesia.? When Obama was 6 years old, the family relocate to Indonesia. Obama attended a MUSLIM school in Jakarta. He also spent two years in a Catholic school. Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that he is a Muslim. He is quick to point out that, "He was once a Muslim, but that he also attended Catholic school." Obama's political handlers are attempting to make it appear that that he is not a radical. Obama's introduction to Islam came via his father, and that this influence was temporary at best. In reality, the senior Obama returned to Kenya soon after the divorce, and never again had any direct influence over his son's education. Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, introduced his stepson to Islam. Obama was enrolled in a Wahabi school in Jakarta. Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that is followed by the Muslim terrorists who are now waging Jihad against the western world. Since it is politically expedient to be a CH RISTIAN when seeking major public office in the United States, Barack Hussein Obama has joined the United Church of Christ in an attempt to downplay his Muslim background. ALSO, keep in mind that when he was sworn into office he DID NOT use the Holy Bible, but instead the Koran. Barack Hussein Obama will NOT recite the Pledge of Allegiance nor will he show any reverence for our flag. While others place their hands over their hearts, Obama turns his back to the flag and slouches. Let us all remain alert concerning Obama's expected presidential candidacy. The Muslims have said they plan on destroying the US from the inside out, what better way to start than at the highest level - through the President of the United States, one of their own!!!! Please forward to everyone you know. Would you want this man leading our country?...... NOT ME!!!

Pepole laugh at me when I say I dont trust him...My mom is all for him too and I just argued with her and she said I am crazy..going to research some more especially to prove my mom wrong.LOL that always feels good!

Have a blessed day!

finally paying attention.....

2008-01-03T20:33:00.000-06:00

ok so this election I am paying alot of attention too...never into politics before. I did vote the last election but between my parents influence and the popular influence I just hit the names I knew. I would say within the last 2 years I have become a talk radio addict and I love to watch the news...especially at night..Fox, CNN, and Headline News(big Glenn Beck fan) so now elcection season is here and I have been trying as much as I can to follow every candidate...I was a democrat before(my parents decision when I was 18) but I am now more republican but then again I don't fully understand it all just yet so be it.

Well the one guy who stood out to me months ago was Mike Huckabee...then I started seeing his name pop up on other blogs and MYSPACE Pages so I was like Wow..I must be following the right candidate even though he was pretty much unheard of then but now look at him! He is everywhere and the word is he won tonight in Iowa (still don't understand this Caucus thing LOL). I know it doesnt mean anything but it does show how his Faith has brought him this far and to me that is one thing this nation as a whole lacks and we need more of.

WELCOME TO CHAOS

2007-12-31T10:44:00.001-06:00

More Free Graphics at pYzam.com

Merry Christmas

2007-12-23T08:25:00.000-06:00

Been so busy lately like I am sure everyone else is too. I have also worked for the last three nights and one more to go"sigh". Did some baking yesterday and going to try to fit some in today before I go to work. The kids are very excited and I cant wait to see their faces on Christmas morning...So wishing everybody a great Holiday!