Thanksgiving thanks

Some time to reflect on the last week and share some things that have made me grateful.

 No time to be depressed when you are happy for what you have.

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...a certain Giddy boy falling asleep on his own with no rocking, nursing or nonstop singing... bittersweet.

...a best friend coming to visit and spending most of the time entertaining my littles so I could make a necessary phone call for a new doctor.  No hesitation for doing Nanners hair or making Christmas Crack with them.

...the old lady still being with us for another holiday. She experienced another stroke recently so we are blessed she is still alive

...a successful discharge from my IOP program.

...beginning work again although I'm still not asleep as of yet, and should be, I am super excited. 

.....I am very happy I work for such an understanding company regarding my leave and people were squealing to see me back in the office. 

 

 

... finding a brand new homeopath and getting off the mood stabilizers with no bad effects. The RXs gave me nothing but issues but I feel this new homeopath might have some great insight to help me. 

... for a devoted husband. I know I often don't say it enough but he has stood by my side through everything.  He has put up with borderline verbal abuse and mood swings from hell. I know I have not been the easiest to deal with and I am grateful that he has put up with  my crap and doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.

 

 

A trip out

Since my health started getting worse after Gid was born we don't take many trips out anymore. It wears me out physically and emotionally as it can be rough wrangling so many kids in and out of car seats, missing naps and delayed lunch.... well you get the idea. It often is not worth the struggle and the result of me being down for a day or so afterwards.

We decided one day that since it was so nice out that we would try to go out to one of my favorite places, the zoo. We pulled out my grandmother's old wheelchair to try to save me energy and off we went. I will say that using the wheelchair as frustrating as it is, allowed us to stay longer and me not to feel like I would collapse by the end of the day. I did still take a nap afterwards but it did not feel as extreme as it has in trips past.

Although I am young it is a huge pride thing to have to use a mobility device. However sometimes you do crazy things to see smiles on your kid's faces again...

Our together quilt

I do apologize for the lack of posts lately. Between the plague (the flu, bronchitis and pneumonia) and myself finally blowing up the engine of my little black car it’s been a hectic few weeks. Randy and I have been married over 5 years now and it seems that we always have had struggles. Between 5 moves and job changes, custody disputes with crazy exs, sensory kiddo and our own health issues it has been a very trying marriage. They always say if you can get through the first 5 years you are set... I can say at times we barely survived. It finally hit probably its worst peak since our marriage starting as now we have custody of all 7 and our changing of values. Some of the olders missed that memo and have tried straining our family life and started providing a not so good example to my littles. This of course infuriated me.

 

For a while I begged Randy to knuckle down and enforce our hard fast rules however my husband is a peacemaker. It was very stressful for me to consistently be the bad guy and sometimes kids just need to hear it from Dad vs Step-mom. I do not want to be that woman that everyone hates in the Disney movies. There are running jokes as is from their mother’s family that I only feed them seaweed and kale and I’m a hippy that practices witchcraft…. Yes. Really.

 

We finally had a discussion and really considered divorce. Not a happy conversation but one that was truly needed. We did not have a consistent rhythm and lived our life previously by the seat of our pants. We did decide some major changes had to be made but that we did want to try to save our marriage. My husband did blow me away when he did reach out to my church for help as he is not a Christian but wanted some council for both of us from people that I trust and respect.

 

We have finally started getting some major bugs worked out after a massive family meeting. Randy has really stepped up and laid down the law. Homework is now being completed and the house couldn’t look better. I am not sure how long this will all last however I’ll take what I can get.

 

We have started going through The Smart Stepfamily Marriage: Keys to Success in the Blended Family to try to continue working on communication and building our marriage back up. I do like that it is targeted and geared towards 2^nd marriages/relationships. Many marriage books I have seen were made for first marriages however they do not have some of the obstacles that we do such has blended families and exs.

 

We also started working and planning a quilt together. Randy’s grandmother taught him to quilt forever ago and now her health is on the strong decline. We decided we would try to work together on this project before she passes. It is bright, colorful and simple so I’m hoping to have it finished before Easter.

 

I am hopeful we can get this resolved and get through this rough patch so if you would like to pray for our family it would be appreciated.

 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you and yours today and tomorrow.

Grateful day

Some time to reflect on the last week and share some things that have made me grateful.

No time to be depressed when you are happy for what you have.

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...Wonderful memories of our Shemperdoodle. We were forced to put him down after he got into something toxic that put his body into kidney failure and seizures. It was very painful and hard for Randy and I especially since his 2nd birthday was coming up. We miss him horribly but are grateful we gave him the best life we could in the short time we had him.

...Our furnace not needing to be replaced but simply repaired for the cost of a case of beer.

...Keeping up with  a new tradition of lighting of our advent wreath

...overtime at work. I am exhausted and worn but since we have had bills rack up the money is appreciated.

...Baby brother buying me groceries for our Christmas present since we are so broke.

...A day of paid time off soon approaching. I hope to sleep in. 

...2 flat tires that could be repaired at home vs needing to be replaced.

...Coworkers that love me and try to make me smile for my birthday.

Zoo trip

 We recently took a visit to our local zoo who's membership has been one of our best investments. The kids had a great time seeing everyone in costume even though we didn't dress up ourselves due to how cold it was in the morning. Everyone took the day as a champ and a great nap was taken afterwards.

Please keep our doggie Shemp in your thoughts. He ran off late last night and is still missing. We are praying for his safe return however we are worried he went to go fend off the coyotes. The kids are missing him so I would like him home soon. 

Happy birthday Nanners

  

Some time to reflect on the last week and share some things that have made me grateful.

No time to be depressed when you are happy for what you have.

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Magnar got it! We have been working on this skill for a long time now and never could get it on his paws due to him being so squirmy. It made me very excited. 

Nanners just turned 6. She got her hair cut and straightened since her biggest wish is to be like her big sisters.

...hanging up the old swing again and Giddy loving it. He is picky on his vestibular movement so made me very happy. 

... Randy realizing he needs to work on his weight and diet and it giving him the motivation to go back to healthier eating.

...dog sitting Red, Randy's old dog, and giving him a much needed brushing, bath and nail trim.

...Some fun hair chalking. Ryguy enjoyed blue streaks and Nanners green hair.

On a more serious note. Although we do not get along often I am feeling for Jenny, Randy's ex and mother to the kids. Her sister, Luanne committed suicide during the week. I am asking for prayers of safety and comfort for the kids and their mother and family as they travel down to help clean out her home and spend time with her husband and 2 daughters.

Some family parties and craziness

Some time to reflect on the last few weeks and share some things that have made me grateful.

No time to be depressed when you are happy for what you have.

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Our family had 2 BBQs back to back since it is nearing the end of summer. It was nice to have hubby's family all together so our kids could spend some time with their grandparents.  Our kids are usually the only ones there but they are loved by everyone.

Dj and the girls

Randy, his father and grandmother

Koda, great grandma and adopted grandma

Randy and I also have been working heavily with the dogs. Shemp has been working on mastering tricks and getting his energy out and Magnar has been perfecting his obedience training.  

I have been art journaling like crazy and enjoying my guilty pleasure of Pokemon since my hands have been out of commission for crocheting due to my fibro and carpel tunnel.

Koda and Randy both also got new part time jobs this week. We are not sure how the future will hold for all of it but trying to be patient and taking it day by day. Randy will be doing janitorial work for a local park district and Koda is working at a groomer/pet boarding spa. 

Nanners and I finally exploring the gluten free diet and thriving on it. 

Also a very happy birthday to our kids godfather, DJ who joined us over the weekend. It is great having him around and the kids enjoyed hanging out with him.

I also spent the time watermarking all the photos for this post, in case you haven't noticed. :)

What are you grateful for this week?

Sending them off

This past week my brother, Uncle Ewok took my littles and Koda for the day to brag at his company picnic. It allowed Randy and I to go out to dinner for the first time in awhile. It was very enjoyable but even after awhile Randy and I didn't know what to do with ourselves without kids. Giddy did get dropped off afterwards for bed and Nanners,Ryguy and Koda spent the night at his new apartment. 

 

Mark, Beanie and Kirky also started school. Mark is starting middle school with Beanie and Kirky is still at the local high-school. It is very rough to know they are going to public school when we would prefer to have them home with us but praying for their safety and their knowledge daily.

 

It made me tear up a little knowing my littles are growing and getting bigger. Babies won't always need their mom and dad and will one day go on their own. Its always a reminder to enjoy the time with them while you have it.

 And when in doubt always add a fun photo of Daddy playing with Giddy. They are always making me smile.

Spending time with the kids

Some time to reflect on the last few weeks and share some things that have made me grateful.

No time to be depressed when you are happy for what you have.

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 I was able to spend some time with the kids the last few weeks. We enjoyed some fishing and walking around at our local farm. The kids got use to having me home so they were very heartbroken when I went back to work.

Our Shrek production was successful and we got several compliments on our Dragon head and other costumes.

Getting 2 garbage clothes for the kids for this fall.

Going to the renaissance fair with the family. The kids loved dressing up as pirates and fairies.

I have been tracking my diet for 20 days now! Its been hard for me but it was a visual reminder of how much crap garbage I was eating. Its been hard to up my protein as much as the chiropractor  wanted but I have slowly been feeling a little better due to it.

We went to a company picnic with my work where the kids were able to do a petting zoo and ride a camel. Ryguy and Nanners were very excited by all of the animals.



A plentiful garden and we were blessed to be visited by Stella our traveling gnome from our swap.

 

Our family could really use some prayers right now as well as we have some good opportunities coming our way but are very unsure of which way to go with it.

Gratitude

Some time to reflect on the last week and share some things that have made me grateful.

No time to be depressed when you are happy for what you have.

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for a large chamomile and strawberry yield....

our first baby tomato...

A busy and full weekend cleaning out our storage unit resulting in several garbage bags full. It feels so good to declutter...

Koda's graduation party at her mother's being a success...

Our littles have chicken pox and have been handling it quite well. It is almost over and we can begin to have our summer back!

Magnar has been growing huge and I have been busting my tail training him. He is progressing nicely and I'm very excited for our next steps with him...

 

I found some beautiful rainbow sharpies and picked them up for art journaling. Back to some good self affirmations...

I made it through a whole 48 hour week of work. It is such a huge accomplishment due to how I have felt in the past...

What are you all happy and grateful for today?

Grateful

Some time to reflect on the last week and share some things that have made me grateful.
No time to be depressed when you are happy for what you have.








...a successful meeting for our summer play.




... Shrek's ear looking like a ogre and pattern found for FREE

...surviving the Blackhawk's rally downtown. The crowds were absolutely nuts.

...Koda having a first photographer "gig" tonight. Here is to hoping it doesn't rain them out.

...Ryguy has acquired the chicken pox so I am happy he is handling it fairly well and getting it out of the way while he is so little. He isn't too miserable but eating like a BEAST.

...homeschool planning has been going fairly well.

...a cup of chamomile tea from homegrown flowers. It is so much better than the store bought stuff.

... Mostly sunny weather anticipated for the Play in the Park day I am helping host.

...pumpkin plants growing huge.

...tiny flowers on my tomatoes.

... trying not to laugh while scolding your son for drinking straight from the water spikot in our home.

What things are you grateful for this week?