Takes A Village

Many people say that 'it takes a village to raise a child'. I believe that! I need a very large village to raise my three children.

On Monday, after a long week and long weekend; I expected my children to drag and whine while getting ready for school, in fact they did not; they got up and got ready, ate breakfast with minimal problems. The problems did not start till we were almost to school and Peyton decided to yell and tell me that he was not going to school and that he would not unbuckle when we got to the 'drive thru' at school. ('Drive thru' is their term for dropping them off and the teacher gets them out of the car.) He was being very defiant when we got there! I literally had to get out of the van and open the back door to unbuckle him with him yelling that he was not going and throwing a tantrum. This is completely unusual for Peyton when going to school. I don't remember what he said to me but he teacher told him no to talk to his mommy like that and he needed to apologize.
So the next morning, I was dreading our drive to school thinking what he will do today. On the way, Peyton said "Mommy, I am going to unbuckle and be a big boy and get out of the van without problems at the 'drive thru'. I do not want to go back to Ms. Tina's room for 'time out'."
That’s when I found out that from Peyton that on Monday; once he got inside school, Ms. Tina, the director and teacher of the Private PreK, heard what he had done and put him in 'time out' for his actions. I had no clue about anything that happened until the next morning; but did confirm with one of his teachers.
I thanked them for backing us up as parents and showing that they are to listen to us and we are to respect everyone no matter what. Some may have been offended, but not I! I am so thankful that our children are attending a school like this and that puts God first!
When telling my mom about this she said "Remember the good ole days at a church we attended, Rock Springs. All the parents watched each other’s children and were not afraid to say anything to someone else's child. Nor did the "other" parent get offend about another adult correcting to their child. Ahh, the good old days."
Do you help your friend/friends out with 'raising' their children?
What would it be like to help each other out with our children? Less stressed moms and dads; well-behaved kids with respect; children knowing how to help other and reach out. Who knows?
Oh, the possibilities!

Spring Break! Part II

Well after looking at my post on Friday, I thought that was a crazy list of things that went on. That about sums up my life with three children!
Peyton spent the night with Grandma and Papa on Friday (which I think was the 1st time by himself with them). He got a little upset when I talked to him on the phone when it was bed time; but over all he was a very big boy, even though he is five. Speaking of five, while looking at my calendar this morning at work I realized what was coming up soon... Peyton's Kindergarten Registration! I am so excited and sad all at once. I do not have a favorite child, but he is what my mom says 'a momma's boy'; he can be so loving and caring but in the same hand can be the exact opposite. Enough about what is about to happen back to Spring Break.
On Thursday morning I won tickets on the radio station. 4 Tickets to Six Flags! I have never won anything before in my life! I really didn't mean to call in to win the tickets but I did!! We have season passes to Six Flags(thank you Grandma again). So we decided to invite our close family friends- The Wilsons. They have 5 in their family too but Baby Cason is too small for Six Flags right now. So after making some arrangements and canceling appointments, they came along with us. What an adventure Saturday was- 4 adults and 5 children @ Six Flags! I had so much fun and we all get along so well. I hope the Wilsons feel the same way. I hope that our children will grow up together and become great friends (they may end up as boyfriend/girlfriends);. Our family of children goes girl, boy, girl and they are boy, girl, boy. Their oldest is Connor with our oldest, Autumn. Next is their Kayla and our Peyton. I am not sure our youngest Olivia and Baby Cason will work out, lol. Ages are not too much apart either, Connor is about 1 1/2 year younger than Autumn. Kayla is about 7 months older than Peyton.
Oh well, we did not get home until after midnight and still had to get ready for the Easter Bunny and our Easter Clothes for church.
Church was wonderful- a packed house- over 400 people attended! What a way to celebrate a risen King! Speaking of which, while Peyton was sitting on the couch looking through his Easter basket from the Easter Bunny, he looks up at me and says "God is Risen!" He is only 5 and he gets it. Boy, do I love that little boy! Chris and I think he will be a worship leader one day playing his guitar and singing!
We spent the afternoon at my nanny's house with my side of the family. The kids played with their cousins (my cousins children); and they play together so well. We also celebrated my nanny's birthday. She turned 89 years old on April 14th, and wanted to wait until Easter to celebrate with the whole family (minus a couple grandchildren and their families). We all enjoyed the time with family. We missed my sister, her husband, and nephew, James. James wasn't feeling well and had a fever(with a couple visits to the ER and urgent care over the weekend); he had high fever and not drinking fluids.
Over all, we had a wonderfully busy Spring Break and Easter Weekend!

Spring Break!

Well, it's 2 days before Easter and the kids are on Spring Break! We have had a busy week and it continues through the weekend. I took Monday and Tuesday off; I have not had a day off from my full time job since August 2009. That's a really long time; especially when you work a second job on some nights and every weekend. My youngest sister came into town with Precious Harley and we had family pictures done on Monday.
We were at the photo studio for 4 HOURS; yes that is right 4 hours! 6 Adults and 5 children. Almost all pictures turned out picture perfect; the kids were great! I will post pictures at the end. Any suggestions on post picture into a blog and looking correct and good, please feel free to help. I am not doing a good job at it.
Tuesday, we (the kids and myself) went to my Nanny's house (dad's mom) and had breakfast with my nanny, my mom, Elizabeth, Jarrod, Baby Harley, and my nephew James. We had a guest during lunch, my grandmother; which was good since we wanted to visit with her but she was working @ the Red Cross on Tuesday.
Thursday, the girls went with Grandma and Great Grandma to the American Girl Doll Store and had lunch. They loved it! Even though they did not get a doll. Did you thin kt hat they would not be begging for one since Autumn makes a list of what she wants there about 4 times a year!
Friday, Peyton went fishing with Papa. Papa caught a TURTLE! Peyton was excited on the phone about that but not so excited that they did not catch any fish. Patience, patience my son.
We are going to Six Flags tomorrow with the Wilson Family! Yeah, Peyton and Olivia have never been and Autumn has been begging to go for a while now! Thank you Grandma for the Passes!

I will continue our week of Spring Break later; I am running out of time at work!

Here are a couple pictures from that session:

Just Getting Started

I am still trying to figure out this whole blogging thing. I have been reading others blogs for quite some time and just now making my first post. My wish or dream for this blog is to have an entry every other week so that family may be able to see the children grow and what is going on in our lives. At first, I thought an entry every week but that may be a little too much for this working mom of three; so I will settle with every other week. I am hoping to keep family informed especially those out of state and also clear my head of what is going on in my life. Please do not be offended by anything that is said here; it is a way for me to release something that cannot be said out loud sometimes.

So for 1st Post:

We are in the middle of soccer season; Autumn and Peyton are doing wonderful. Olivia is dying to play; she is still too young to play according to the YMCA. Olivia cheers her brother and sister on with great enthusiasm from the sidelines. I am helping coach Autumn's team again. It has been a pleasure to do so, when Autumn is not mad at me for coaching her or not coaching her enough (she can't make up her mind). Coach Spencer (Autumn's main coach) does an excellent job in relating God to the kids. I love watching them play and grow with their skills through the season. I am hoping to post some pictures soon of soccer so far this season.

Chris, my husband, was offered a job last week and he was to start today. That didn't happen. :( His contact there has not been available to talk to him to get everything set up. I say found another job! And find it fast! We are drowning with only me working two jobs. Or is it just me drowning?

I thank God for all the blessings that we have and we continue to get blessed. We could be without a home, without working cars, without a complete meal to put on the table, or without family to help us through; but we have all that and are very thankful and try to teach the children to do the same.

We look forward to Easter coming up soon! I have been trying to emphasize with Peyton that Easter is not about a bunny but about Jesus dying for our sins and being resurrected. He has such a big heart for learning about Christ.