Homework Strike..

I remember the 4th grade very well. I went to a small private school and my teacher was Mrs. Key. The biggest issue I had in 4th grade was the fact that out of our class of 18, there were only 5 girls. I vividly recally Mrs. Key taking the girls outside and talking to us about "why couldn't we just get along"!!! LOL Oh how I wish that was all I had to deal with now. Don't get me wrong...I really like the twins school. I have no problem with the teachers or the students, or the PTA. It is great. My problem is the amount of homework and tests. I just don't remember my mom having to sit with me and go over everything. I don't remember going home and putting my math workbook in front of my mom and saying " help me I don't get this". I am perfectly willing to answer questions and assist in the work, but what I am having a hard time with is the VOLUME of work. A typical day will consist of at least 3 written assignments and then there are anywhere between 4-6 tests per week. They also have to read 400 pages a month and do a book report. This month they had to do an ORAL "famous person" book report and that included dressing up like the person they chose. I stressed about that but thankfully I was able to convince Madeline that Annie Oakley was alot easier then Betsy Ross!!! ;) Please understand, I don't expect my children to have no homework, but I do think that they should not be spending over an hr on the work and then having tests on top of that. A typical Thursday for me involves the twins having a total of about 7 tests the next day. Do you know how hard that is? I know this is only going to get worse, and I for one am not looking forward to it. In fact, I am in total countdown mode until summer vacation. I can't wait to scream " no more pencils no more books....!

Perspective....

Thanks for allowing me to vent yesterday. I was reminded this morning how my silly little complaints are so meaningless compared to people that are fighting for their lives. Please visit the link at the bottom for Catherine Hutton.

I came across her link through my friend Susan Akin ( who is fighing melanoma but doing GREAT, Praise God). I do not know Catherine personally, but she is here locally and she needs a miracle. Please pray for her and her family. They have one setback after another but continue to trust in the Lord. When I think how she would probably give anything to have my "silly trials", then it totally puts into perspective the complaining and grumbling that I am guilty of. So today, lets lift up Catherine and ask God for healing and peace! He is more then able to grant that!
www.caringbridge.org/visit/catherinehutton

One of those days....

***Be warned...this is a VENT post. Read at your own risk***

Today is one of those days where I wish I could just crawl back under the covers. The weather has gone from warm yesterday to cold and cloudy again. I feel like the weather. It just seems like I am struggling to find the sunny spaces in life and the clouds are thick and EVERYWHERE. Does anyone else ever feel that way? I know that God says we will go through trials. Just because we are Christians does not grant us a walk in the park everyday! For me, the past year has just been a time of challenging low points, with a few mountain tops thrown in here and there. As soon as I start to relax, there is something else right around the corner. Does that make sense? I am not going to go into detail on here, but I just needed to vent. The biggest struggle I have is thinking that "the grass sure does look greener over in so and so's yard"? Some people just seem to have it all together and life just never gets them down. I know that can't be true but it sure does look that way! Anyway, today I am not in bed. I have gotten 3 children off to school, showered/dressed, been to the grocery, and straightened the house. I will keep pluggin along! Maybe tomorrow, the sun will come out again! *** Oh and if you are one of those perfect people, then you don't have to reply!***

New Pictures ( SuperBowl and Christy and me)

I have neglected my poor blog again. It is feeling so lonely over here. So, I thought it would be good to get things going again with some long time coming pictures. I have plenty to post so I will start with the SuperBowl and then the much anticipated Andrea and Christy girls night out.

Greg and Stephen watching the game:



Michelle, Christie G., and me ( long time friends)! I had to make this one b & w. We look soooooo tired! Hmmm...I wonder why? ;)


Our kids ( Meredith, Matthew, Jonah, & Madeline) ! We were pregnant together and these kids have known each other for TEN years! Matthew was born only 3 days before the twins!


Christy & Andrea
For some reason, my memory card will not upload all of our pics. There was just this one that is not that good. Oh well....you get the point! We were in a dark theater alone....but not for long! Why I didn't get the waiter at the Rest. to take our picture is a mystery!!! Go to mommy brain to read the full story!!!

Tuesday....

I am still here and waiting for a certain friend to post a certain story! Then I will post a certain picture that goes with said story! Did anyone understand that??? ;)

I have been so tired today. Yesterday was a Looonnngg day. I had to hire a sitter while I taught and then it was rush one child to basketball practice, pick up another child from cheer, pick up child from basketball, take both to soccer game, watch our team get completely blown away, drive two girls home that were hysterically crying, calm said children down with a lecture that "winning isn't everything", put everyone to bed, take two ibuprofen, and then go to bed! My head was still pounding this morning! Does anyone want to trade with me???

Quirky things about me:

Christy's were not bad. I got to thinking about myself and I did realize that I have a few! Here ya go:

1. When I am at home, I can not stand to have any jewelry on. I literally take it all ( down to my wedding ring) off. I LOVE jewelry, but only when I am out and about! On that same note, I can NOT shower with jewelry on! ICK!

2. I sleep with my hair pulled back in a clip or ponytail. I can't stand it in my face!

3. I hate greens (turnip greens, mustard greens, the greens my MIL makes..yuck), pears, mushrooms, olives, capers, and bread pudding.

4. When I pump gas, if I am going to spend 20.00 and it goes over to 20.03$ for instance, I will keep pumping to get to a whole number....21.00...isn't that strange??? I don't like cents!

5. I HATE crowds. I have been known to not enter a restaurant because it "looks" too crowded. My dream scenario is to eat lunch with a friend when the place is deserted! Weird I know!

6. When I was dancing, if I didn't get my bun just right ( if it was slightly crooked or not "perfect"), I would pull it out and start over!!!

7. In high school, I kept my room perfectly clean. I always made my bed, and I even had my clothes organized by color! My sister on the other hand was the exact opposite! She is normal! ;)

I think I will stop with those. Most likely, I have made several people cringe and think that I am even weirder then they imagined! ;)

Sheesh....

LIFE! It gets busy doesn't it? I hate being busy! I like to have things to do, but not to the point that it makes one crazy!!! My husband has been traveling alot lately and I have not been feeling that great. Add to that activities, keeping up with housework, LAUNDRY, Noah's antics, laundry, and did I mention laundry, makes for a hectic time! We did have a nice weekend and went over to a friends house for the SuperBowl. I got some cute pictures so as soon as I get a free moment ( ha ha), I will post them! Tomorrow night, I am so excited because Christy (mommy brain) and I are having a Girl's Night. We are going to dinner and to finally see '27 dresses'. I have emailed her so many times about how excited I am that she probably thinks I am nuts! Oh well....she actually already knew that! ;)