Accountability Check Up

Time for an accountability check up...

What have we been up to and how are my

"projects" going?

Well the budget is going...

QUICKLY!
Between purchasing next year's school books
(more on that later)
Paying Taxes (yes, paying - FIRST time ever - don't ask!)
Easter
An out of town family reunion
(also more on that later)

April's budget was blown before the month even started.

I am keeping up with my workouts

and enjoy them most days...

I manage to do it about 4-5 days a week

for 30 minutes each time
yet I am still

chasing those first 5 pounds!!!

Meanwhile, 

my darling husband is 

QUICKLY 

approaching 30 pounds
LOST!!

I don't get it!!

I am trying to stay motivated

and it definitely helps 

that I am not breathing as hard
during my workouts

and I feel better, 

but 

the weight is just NOT

melting off of me

like it is 

my sweet hubby!

UGH!!

We have all adjusted to the 

nap time/rest time each day.

If you remember, 

the boys have enjoyed sleeping in the

box that the elliptical came in...

I separate the kids at rest time

and one "gets" to sleep in the box.

I feel SO bad saying that...

but they literally 

take turns

"getting" 

to sleep in the box!

It is quite funny.

And they insist on the top being closed 

so its dark.

Whatever works

and

makes them happy

and

gives me a few minutes of
peace
and quiet.

But I promise...
I DO NOT
MAKE THEM
SLEEP IN A BOX!

This week we finally made some decisions
on school books for next year.
I am basically following this
curriculum 
with a few adjustments
that more suit me.

We might be joining a small
co-op for the fall
where each parent leads a different class.
Art, history, science, memory work.
But it is still getting organized.

I have mentioned before that J is
done with his math book.
R got so excited after looking through
the 3rd grade math book,
he came home that afternoon
and did 11 pages out of his math book.
And is so ready for 3rd grade!
Fine by me...
I will NOT squash his drive and desire!

I am thinking about testing him in a few weeks...
gonna look into it.

So besides blowing our budget,
buying school books for next year,
getting my car registration transferred down here,
(after waiting in line with 4 kids for an HOUR)
practices,
scouts
and every day life...

We managed to fit in a couple of fun things.

The Easter Bunny was able to fit some interesting things
into the kids baskets.

The older boys each got a
"paint your own ball"
kit.
J - soccer
R - football

First you have to pump them up,
then paint them,
then let it dry,
then paint again,
then dry,
then paint,
you get the picture.
They might be finished in another month,
when I finally feel like letting them leave them out
to dry between coats.



The littlest two got
some sand for the sandbox
I insisted we ship all the way from NC.
But I wasn't allowed to bring the sand with us!
So it sat empty on the back patio
til now.

And a bubble machine
(that I *just* got around to putting batteries in)

They also each got a chocolate bunny
and I let T eat part of one.
And, for whatever reason,
he doesn't like having his picture taken lately...
so this is what you get...

We were sent another craft from one of their sweet
crafty aunts...

I didn't snap a before picture,
but she sent bunny cutouts
that said
"No bunny loves you like Jesus"
and asked the kids to create a "home"
for the bunny.

So we got out the scissors,
construction paper,
glue,
markers
and
pom-poms

And they created these
masterpieces...

Finally,
we are getting geared up for our first
"official"
visit to daddy's office.
Since he is on base, and a civilian,
he is not authorized to
escort others onto the base.
So...tomorrow is a special event
that families can come to.
In order to get on base,
I had to have an updated registration...
which I didn't...
(blame it on the move)

Hence, the NEED to stand in line for an HOUR
with FOUR kids
to get my car registered here.

While I was swapping license tags...
I *finally*
got around to a few more vehicular updates.

Before
(SOOOOOOO sad to see this go - feel free to send me a new one!)







After
(how stinking cool is this thing??? and oh so true - thank you Mimi!!!)




And I will still be rocking the NC State Wolfpack tag on the front
until I am told otherwise
by those men in blue
that might insist that I put the front tag on my car
that I got when I received the back tag.
(atleast I am assuming that is why I got 2 tags - haha)

And I am sure I will have TONS to share from my first
family reunion with this side of the family.
I am so looking forward to it!!!
(seriously!)

Curriculum

I have FINALLY made some decisions

on our curriculum.

Yes, technically, the year

is half over

and yes,

we are getting a late start.

BUT

better late than never!

We dove into our Abeka Math books a few weeks ago.

I started them in their current grades

because they weren't ready to move up.

So R is busting through

about 3 lessons a day.

There are 4 lessons then a test.

So he is taking a test 

about every other day.

(Instead of once a week as this program recommends)

He also gets to take "speed drills".

He looks forward to those so much

those are his motivation to get through

multiple lessons a day

so he can take these drills.

J is working in K math from Abeka.

He is getting through multiple pages a day too.

We are just going to keep going at this speed

til we get to some stuff that is more challenging.

We have chosen Abeka for 

Language

Spelling & Poetry 2 & 3

Letters & Sounds -2

Letters & Sounds - K 

Science - Discovering God's World

History - Our America

Reader Set for J

We are also going to use 

Confessions of a Homeschooler's 

Road Trip USA

Then we are using:

Catholic Heritage Curricula for:

More Science:  Behold & See 1 & 2

More Readers: for R & J

Languages of God A - Language Arts

Didn't realize I had gotten 2 Language Arts books for R.

HA - oops.

We will look through both and save

 one for J when he is ready for it.

So big relief there!

All the books should be here Friday.

Which is great.

It will give me the weekend 

to look through them and make some decisions

about which ones we are starting with

and when we are doing 

our "specials".

The "core" subjects will be done every day.

Math

Language Arts

Spelling

Reading

Writing

Science

History

Art 

will be done once a week.

We have decided that the amazing land we found last week...

will have to wait a little longer. 

We have kept busy with the normal household stuff.

I do get these moments when I realize

these BIG decisions we have made lately...

have been good ones.  

And although these decisions have not been 

easy to make

nor

easy to implement

sometimes I 

have these moments

where I am thankful

that we JUST DID IT!

We sat down and watched a few episodes of

Lizard Lick Towing last night

which is based in our home "county"

and it honestly 

made me miss home even more!

I loved listening to them talk

brought a smile to my face

and a little of that good ole southern drawl back too.

Then when we got up from the couch

to walk upstairs, 

I honestly had to snap back to reality and

realize that we were not in

our house in NC.

(We aren't in Kansas - er, NC - anymore Toto!)

We are starting to discuss our trips back to NC.

I am SO excited!

And we are making a list of must sees/eats...

Kanki

New 2 story Chick-Fil-A at Cameron Village

Sushi Thai

Hmmm...actually all of those are must eats!

HA!

We are going to be participating in a 

Valentine's Party & Exchange

with one of our homeschool groups.

The exciting & overwhelming part...

there are about 50 kids participating!

OY!

That means we have to figure out a way to do

150 Valentine's this weekend.

But happy for the opportunity. 

I am looking forward to it!

Well since I originally wrote this an additional 

12 Valentines have been added to our list.

Bringing the grand total of required Valentine's 

for next week to

162!

Double oy!

Look for pictures next week!

I will try to get back into the picture taking mode and post soon!

Road Trip!!!

What does a suburban look like stuffed to the RIM with necessities for a move 

half way across the country?? 

A 22 hour venture??

And yep - we got it closed!  And could even partially see out the back!!

So we finally got on the road around 2pm on Wednesday, Oct 12th.  

We made it as far as Asheville the first night.

We stopped before we were really ready, 

but I am kinda glad we did, 

cause I-40 through the mountains

was both beautiful and white knuckling!

There aren't too many vehicles on the road that intimidate me

in that big ole beast...

 BUT

being squeezed between a 6' tall concrete wall and a semi...

I am intimidated!  

BUT - we did get a few good pics on the way...

Day 2:

We made it all the way through Tennessee but it was 

dreary and rainy and we didn't stop...we made it all the way to

Little Rock, Arkansas.

I loved seeing all the green along the highway in Tennessee.

Here is the only picture worthy of posting of our venture through 

Tennessee...

(This should be a advertisement for Britax! - ha!)

After a day in the car, we decided to stop in Dallas

and do some sightseeing...

So because I love my oldest son,

who has been brainwashed by his father...

We visited Cowboys Stadium!

And even got to walk on the field!!

Needless to say - it was pretty overwhelming!

We can't wait to go back and take Daddy...

I actually got to call him while standing on the star...

Pretty neat experience!

We also went to a park nearby and

burned off some energy.

 (Who knew you could fit two little ones in the same swing?)

We got back on the road headed south toward San Antonio

on Friday evening about 7pm, we still had about 5 hours 

ahead of us - but we were ready to get there...

however, we had not idea what exactly

we would be arriving to...

no bed for A nor Nana,

was there coffee in the house?

breakfast?

So instead of sticking it out 

and making it all the way into San Antonio

we stopped in Temple, Texas...

where is Temple, Texas?  About 3 hours north of

San Antonio!  

And how did we definitely know we were

in Texas?

The Texas shaped waffle iron at our hotel,

of course!

So after our Texas shaped waffles...

we piled back in the suburban and 

headed south again...

We finally arrived, 

almost exactly 4 days

after we started...

Saturday, October 16th

right around noon.

(noon CST made it 1pm EST)

And in case anyone needed reminding

why we made this venture...

He's worth it!

How do I spell relief??? T-E-X-A-S!!!

WE ARE HERE!!!

The real fun started on Oct 7th.

We began loading the truck...

Husband, father-in-law & me

(with 4 kids underfoot!)

Worked HARD all day

then went to my parents to celebrate my 34th (shhh...don't tell)

birthday with family and a few close friends.

Got up the next morning and did it all over again,

but this time with the help of my mom.

Things were looking good until about lunchtime...

then we slowly started to realize...

its not all gonna fit!!!
(In the 26' Penske truck we rented!)

At 8pm, my husband and father-in-law, freshly showered...

piled into the moving truck and set out for Texas!

I was hoping and praying and imagining that 

when they drove out of the driveway 

I would feel this immense 

RELIEF

come over me...

OH NO - QUITE THE OPPOSITE!

All I saw was a filthy house FULL of stuff

that somehow had to make it down to Texas!!!

So my stress level actually went through the ROOF!

The hubby and father-in-law

drove straight through...

I checked in with them about every 3 to 4 hours.

They finally made it on Sunday evening about 10pm EST.

I finished packing the rest of our "stuff"

(half of which will be sold or donated when it gets here - 

so why did we ship it?  cause I didn't have time to go through

it prior to all this!)

Called a moving company and the movers thankfully came in 

with a price that was very reasonable.

(We still saved about 50% or more had we just had them move it all)

So I am satisfied.

I spent the next couple of days packing and cleaning and doing what I could

with 2 little ones under foot.

My mom volunteered to make the 1400 mile drive with me and the kids.

I had a plan in my head to leave Wednesday morning, Oct 12th.

Bright and early!

Due to all the "stuff" left in our house...

Wednesday morning, 

my bestie and I headed back over to the house

and packed and moved and put all of our "stuff" 

in two rooms in the house so the movers would have an easier job.

SHE WAS AMAZING!

We got back to my parents' house around noon.

I jumped in the shower and then literally 

 BURST INTO TEARS!!!

Why?  Because I had this immense feeling of 

RELIEF!  

This was ALL finally coming to an

END!

I cried and cried.

I really couldn't explain why...

they weren't sad tears

they weren't happy tears

they were tears of RELIEF!

We were FINALLY loading the car and starting on

our trip

our journey

our adventure

our new life!

My family was going to be complete again...

my kids would get to hug and kiss their dad goodnight

(not say goodnight via Skype)

I got to sleep next to my husband every night

(not just look at him via Skype)

we get to see him EVERY DAY

(not put him back on an airplane after a weekend visit)

the kids get to play with him on the floor

(not just sit and "talk" to him via Skype)

The list goes on and I could be here for days...

but I won't...

Needless to say...

We are in TEXAS!


(It only took us 4 days!  HA!)


We arrived Saturday, October 16th around noon
to a very happy daddy/husband
and father-in-law.


Then Monday,
The kids and I put a very sad momma/nana
on an airplane back to Raleigh...

Now we begin our new life in Texas...


(When are y'all coming to visit???)

Let the Fun Begin!!!

Step One:  Find a renter or a buyer for current house...

Check!

Step Two:  Find a home to rent in Texas...

Check!

Step Three:  Start the move process...

Lord Help Me!!!

Flights have not been booked

and

Rental trucks have not been reserved 

BUT

it appears that the weekend of the big move

just so happens to be

the weekend of my 34th birthday!

What a present...

However - I have to get through this week first!

On the schedule:

Irene bought us a new roof - so that will be done this week

Inside we are getting some work done as well - that will ALSO be done this week

(guys came today to clear out the boys bedroom...

they will get to sleep on mattresses on the floor for the next 2 weeks)

Packing has begun (one box at a time - I have only done 5 so far)

Work needs to be done on the car - that will also be this week

Meanwhile - there is still

carpool twice a day

(four times on Wednesday)

the soccer practice shuffle tonight

breakfast, lunch and dinners to fix

baths to give

homework to do

I am so thankful that we can afford to do all of this stuff now

it still HURTS...

BAD!

But it is finally do-able!

I have shed a LOT of tears over the last few days 

and 

I am almost certain

that this will be the most emotional birthday of my life!

But I am trying to remember that we chose to do this...

and once we get settled and back to being a family...

I will, again, be thankful...

Right now - I am still somewhat in a state of dread and fear.

What am I dreading?

Being away from everything I have known my entire life

(but I am looking forward to that part as well)

What do I fear?

I fear that we will never be back...

What is the hardest part of all of this?

The fact that it is SOOOOOOOO far away...

I was talking to a lady today at Starbucks and had the babies with me...

Just in that short conversation - 

she said she could tell that I was a strong, independent woman

and that I was going to be FINE. 

I thanked her and told her I appreciated all the encouragement I could get right now.

I am looking forward to joining my best friend and partner in life again...

We have tackled so much together these past few years.

I have said MANY prayers through ALL of this...

one of my most recent ones has been asking God just to keep my family together.

Just keep the 6 of us together and we will be ok.

By October 15th, my family will be back together!

Long Good-byes

The kids. my mom and I went to my grandmother's this weekend

for a quick trip.

We went down for a family reunion 

which includes a group of ladies known as

"the crazy aunts".

They are my late grand-daddy's sisters and

they are NUTS!

And I love every minute of it.

It was nice to see people I haven't seen in a while

and I got my first dose of saying my first good-byes.

I like to think my extended family is close...

we used to be a whole lot closer though.

We would spend a week at the beach together

EVERY YEAR.

We were always doing stuff, and seeing each other

(at least it felt that way).

Today - I quite possibly told

2 of my aunts

1 of my uncles

and my grandmother

good-bye...

Those were the longest hugs today...

And it really makes me dread the other goodbyes that are coming.

I am excited that my family,

my husband,

myself 

and 

our 4 kids

will be back together

back under one roof

daddy will be coming home to us every evening

we will get to see him every weekend...

But I am saying good-bye to my sisters, my dad and my mom...

My mom and I kinda grew up together...

We have been through a lot together...

And up until about 3 years into my marriage...

she was my absolute best friend.

My mom knew more about me than most moms know 

about their daughters.

I know I am lucky to have had my mom

right down the street for so many years...

But for the first time in my life...

my mom will not be 15 min away...

She will be 22 hours away,

by car

and 5 hours

by air.

That is going to be the hardest good-bye

and I am 

NOT

looking forward to that

one!

But its coming

and its coming fast...

Thankfully,

we have

Skype,

e-mail,

texts

and

phones...

God is good!!!

Hubby and I have been dealing with A LOT 

the past few weeks...

heck - 

the past few years!

It all started with a nasty friendship breakup for me...

then a miscarriage

then a lost job/main source of income...

All within a 12 month period...

HOWEVER...

we have been taken care of 

and 

provided for through ALL 

of this.

We have done our part and grieved when necessary,

then rejoiced when we had our little "Ms."

less than a year after our miscarriage.

We have scrimped and saved and pinched every last penny...

(who would have guessed you could feed a family of 6 

on $100/week?!?!)

Then slowly - things have been presenting themselves

to us in ways we wouldn't have imagined...

and opportunities we wouldn't have dreamed...

(well, I wouldn't have - who'd a thunk I would be heading to TEXAS????)

It is amazing and humbling to see how things have worked out

"just right, just in time"

I realize it has not been in "my" time...

Apparently God and I have a MUCH different

timetable!!  

But we are all happy and healthy!

I am thankful that we are realizing these opportunities 

that are being presented to us.

We are still figuring out a lot as we go 

but thankfully, 

if we don't know the answer to something

we are engineers 

(well hubby is anyways - I can't claim to be officially)

we will research it and figure it out..

or ask someone!

And let me just tell you...

Knowledge...

is a dangerous thing!

(In a good way!!)

STEP 2 - Check!

WE ARE MOVING!!!

We have had a very busy few weeks.

We were blessed with LOTS of interested

renters on our home in the last 2 weeks.

Long drawn out story - 

but the first couple

that came to see the home 

decided they wanted to rent it!

I am VERY pleased with this outcome!

I think our house will be in good hands!!

Now the next stressful part - finding a place for us to live in Texas!

However, after 3-4 days of SOLID searching on-line...

it is quite possible that we found a house today!

Hubby is going to check it out as soon as I can 

get an appointment for him.

The school is GREAT!

There is a Starbucks, Target, Kohl's and Barnes & Noble 

(among tons of other stores)

literally 5 minutes away...

I have already found an amazing looking church less than 10 min away.

(including a scout troop for the boys & a MOMs group for the mom (me!))

Found a great looking preschool for our daughter less than 10 min away.

Now we just gotta hope we get this house!

We are still figuring out logistics...

so no move date yet.

I am starting the really big purge...

tagging items for a consignment sale this weekend.

And donating what doesn't sell, so once it leaves this house...

it is NOT coming back!!  

AHHHHH!!!!

(I am a HUGE packrat, so this is HARD for me!!!)

Once we find the house and sign the lease for the new house

we will set a move date and it will probably occur in 2 phases...

Phase 1 - all the stuff goes

Phase 2 - all the people go

But we are still working this part out.

Once the move date is officially set - the packing and more serious purging begins!

I am so thankful everyone is back in school.

But then again - the boys have been such big helps lately...

I might wish they were home with me to help!! 

Will keep you posted!

YEAH!!!

(kinda)

Daddy's Visit...

First off - it makes me sad to realize that my husband is just

"coming home to visit"...

We had a WONDERFUL weekend!!

I had a small honey-do list ready for my sweet husband.

But he had LOTS of help!!

We picked him up LATE Thursday night and put him back on the plane

this afternoon - so we got 4 1/2 days with him!!

Daddy's Honey Do List:

- Lower T's Bed

- Fix the screen door

- Fix the gate to the fence

- Fix the fan in the bedroom

- Mow the grass

- Enjoy your family!!!

We did all of that and threw in a few fun things too...

First the chores...

Fix the screen door - Check!

Lower T's bed - Check!

(She helped with this one too I just didn't capture the evidence)

Fix the gate - check!

Fix the fan - check!

(No evidence here either - gotta trust me!)

Mow the grass - check!

(However I do think he got off a little easy on this one...

looks like the boys are doing all the hard work!)

While we were all outside enjoying the weather

(and not leaving daddy's side)...

daddy had to check out his "Texas Tree"...

When R was 2 and J was about 4 months old,

we flew to Texas for a visit.

While we were there - we went to a park and while the kids and I were playing

daddy sat under a mesquite tree and peeled a bunch of seeds out of their pods.

He put them in a baggy and we brought them home to plant.

We started out with about 12 plants and

we wound up planting 2 in our backyard here...

that was over 5 years ago...

Here is the lone survivor and needless to say

Daddy is PROUD!

He likes this plant so much that he had already decided

we would be taking it with us when we left this house...

this was BEFORE we knew we were moving to Texas where these things 

grow ALL OVER!

Then it was time to relax!

(No they haven't missed him!!)

Saturday we went to our first NC State football game of the season...

(yes this is where our kids watch the game from...

has been their seats for the past 3 years!!!!)

Super Mario made an appearance.

TOUCHDOWN!!!

Post-game photo op...

(Posing with the brick we purchased YEARS ago!)

Sunday we relaxed and did more chores (I think that's when the grass actually got mowed...)

Monday - we had a small celebration for T's First Birthday!!!

He doesn't turn 1 til Sept 23, but we weren't sure

when daddy would make it home again...

so we decided to celebrate a little early.

A did not leave her daddy's side the ENTIRE weekend...

she was his little helper every where he went

(EVERYWHERE!)

and then tonight after we put him on the airplane, 

while we were making dinner,

she asked

"Where daddy go?"

I told her he was going back to Texas

her response

"No Texas, airport - he be right back"

Sorry baby girl...its gonna be another few weeks.