Christmas is almost here!

Today, I almost lost my mind with the boys home all day.

I didn't not attempt to go anywhere... I was trying to stay awake.

Soooooooo tired.

Today, I made boys do chores, and watch Christmas shows on TV.

Then I made 3 kinds of Cookie dough.

Messed up and doubled an already doubled recipe.... extra chocolate cookies.

I also made dinner.

My sweet baby was very fussy. He got shots on Friday

he is a Hefty 16.2 lb... 95% in height... weight and head size.

He has been cranky and then even more cranky.

So tired..... but.....

I need to clean my room, wrap presents, call my mother in law, buy a few more groceries,

make everyone clean their room, and bake cookies.

then have Christmas.

after Christmas it is cleaning and packing up this place.

We move on Monday December 28th.

No of us is super excited.... I mean, my family out here in Rancho Cordova... I am excited to have my own place again. Everyone else is sad it is so far.

"Susanville is farther"... I gently remind them.

Looking forward to the next 3 days. Jeff has off Wednesday and Thursday but works 4am on Christmas day. He will miss the opening of presents.

I am grateful we will be here, if only to have someone other than Mom to watch them open presents.

It will be okay. He will be home at 12:30... we will get to see him part of the day. Small price to pay for getting to move back home. One Christmas out of many to come.

Sometime, some how, and somewhere in the middle of all this I will get some sleep.

Stop laughing....I said someday.

I love Christmas!

I just love it.

I am officially done with all the things I need.

Just some food items.

Jeff might go and get me something.... but not sure. (i usually shop for my self and Jeff and I decide no gifts this year)

We got the house... the rental.

We have prayed about it and it feels right.

We will move AFTER Christmas. I am so excited about!

CCPOA won their furlough lawsuit against Arnold!! (Details in the SacBee)

What a great gift for Christmas.

We should get all our money back and NO MORE FURLOUGHS!

I haven't been this happy in a long time.

I love Christmas.

Home?

We found a place. it looks promising.

Cross your fingers we get it.

Now we have to decide if we want to move before or after Christmas.

What would you do?

Christmas in your own home or moving and setting up Christmas in 5 days along with moving EVERYTHING you own.

Or.... staying here at my mom's house where it is mostly decorated.

My poor mom has been pulled too thin.

She needs to get away.

She needs a break from chaos.

She needs a break from us.

She is bah-humbugging a bit.

I wish I could fix it.

I am trying.

But she seems sad we are leaving.

Christmas Cards

I did it!!!!!!!!

I got them done.... okay, well, i got them ordered.

From Walmart.

No fancy homemade cards for me this year.

I also did Michael's Birth announcements too.

If you want one.....email me your address, because I don't have anyone address unless you are in my mom's address book, or in her stake directory.

I really need your Elizabeth.

I told Jeff today, all i want for Christmas is to be able to order them and mail them out.

I love Christmas!!!!!

home sweet home

Oh, home of mine....where are you?

I need to find you.

I love it here but I want my own place, my own tree, my own Christmas decorations, my own Christmas dinner, my own Christmas music and movies filling the house.

Is it too much to ask for?

So Santa, All I want is my own house for Christmas....and maybe a new pair of slippers.

Christmas

This Christmas we are doing something new for gifts.

Every year we spend too much and every year they get things they don't play with and every year it is a pain.

So this year, after a friend asked for some help on Facebook on what to get her kids for Christmas, one of her friends suggested this.

I loved the idea and asked Jeff. Of course he agreed.

So they get........

Something they want

Something they need

something they wear

Something the read.

That is right.... 4 gifts.

That is it.

It makes shopping easier and cheaper.

I am keeping the tradition of Christmas Eve pajama's and the stockings, but I only have to get get 4 things per child.

And I am almost done.

I have to get something to "Read" for Matthew - Percy Jackson

I have to get something to "Read" for Caleb and Sammy - not sure yet, any suggestions on books for an early reader and a 2nd grade level?

Emma needs her "Want" thing - a baby with bed that she can carry around.

And all the boys "wants" which changes every day.

Micahel is done. Well I have to get some tylenol and teething tablets and binki's and maybe a teething ring for his stocking. He will be 3 months old by then, he won't even care.

But I did get him a bed set for his crib.

I am also getting the family a big gift.

A Wii.

"Wii" are so excited. Tee hee, I had to do it. Cause we are really excited.

Everyone in the free world has a Wii and we don't! well, to the boys it seems that way.

As for other news....

We got our Verizon bill.

Matthew accrued a hefty bill not knowing every time he played a game on his phone it costs money. I need to call Verizon and see if they can help me.

Still no luck on a house. We fund 2 that would work. Kinda gross, but it would work. We prayed about t and it isn't right.

We are looking some more.

Life is good.

Thankful

We had a very wonderful Thanksgiving. We got to spend the day with Jeff's family.

They kids had a blast and I got to play scrabble with the adults (except Karin - long story) and I got to beat my father-in-law. My brother-in-law Keith won in the end.

I am very thankful for all that I have.

My mom went visiting teaching to a lady in the ward and her story of her life was filled with awful and horrible (and I mean HORRIBLE) events.

I am so grateful I have never had to experience those kinds of things.

I am grateful for my life.

My husband whom, I totally adore.

My kids whom, I equally adore.

My family, Parents, sisters, brothers, in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

I have so many wonderful people in my life.

I am so grateful for my friends. Past and present. They really help me in my life.

We still have not found a house big enough for all 8 of us and for the amount monthly that we can afford.

After we find a house to rent, we get to buy a bigger car.

I am hoping all this will happen before the new year.

That is the update.

Oh, and my sister Aimee is doing better. Not great, but better.

Have I mentioned how awesome she is? well, she is awesome.

She amazes me everyday.

Jeff is home.

I can't say it is wonderful.

I mean it is good.

We are still getting used to living with each other again.

I think things will be back to normal after his job starts and we are living in our own place.

He shaved his mustache and I love/hate it. He is cute, but I miss MY Jeff's face.

I am doing good. Fighting depression is harder than it looks.

Other than that, my life is pretty darn good.

I have this urge to be creative, so don't be surprised if you get a hand made birth announcement in the mail.

If you want a Christmas card, send me your address via email. All my addresses are in my computer still in storage!

I also need one of my SU friends to send me a link to SU. i need to say hi. and i don't have my computer.

5 more days

5 more days.....

5 more days and Jeff is home for good.

5 more days and I won't have to do this parenting thing alone.

5 more days and Jeff can spend time with his newly born son.

5 more days and the boys will be in a better mood.

5 more days and Emma will be in a better mood.

5 more days and I will be in a better mood.

5 more days and we will be very busy looking for a house.

5 more days and Jeff will be home.

5 more days and I will not have to sleep alone....Michael doesn't count.

5 more days and I will be soooo happy.

5 more days....

If you ask me..

Well if you ask me I will lie.

Okay, I won't, but if you don't want to really know.... don't ask.

I am struggling.

I know most blogs are about fun and wonderful things happening in their lives.

But this is not my family blog and frankly, nothing wonderful is happening.

Except Michael... He smiled at me.

I love holding that little guy.

Even when he is crying. Don't get me wrong, I do get frustrated at the screaming and not being able to fix it.

Babies are suppose to cry. They just do. It is their only way of communication, but then the reason they are crying is because something isn't right and they need it fixed. I got lucky, he really doesn't cry that much.

And I am actually taking that time to snuggle and just love him.

I don't remember doing that with the other kids, I am sure I did but I don't remember it.

I think I am making myself really enjoy this one.

Yes, even with everything going on.

I don't really have friends. Family is all busy with their own lives.

All I have is.... boys to school. feed babies, try to clean, feed babies (Michael and Emma), boys home, feed all my babies, homework, try to get chores and homework done, make dinner, feed babies, and get them off to bed. Then try cleaning and feed baby. Go to bed...feed baby... do it all over again.

If you ask me....

I am struggling as a mother. It is hard to discipline your kids with Grandparents here at the same time. No they don't do a lot of "putting their two cents in", but i guess it is just me being insecure. I am not like my Mom in the discipline department, and I am afraid she is thinking I am doing it wrong.

I feel as if I have failed. I have not taught them the things they NEED to know. And yet, when is time for scriptures and prayers at night, I am so crazed with frustration and anger, I don't wanna. I just want them to go to bed. Yet, if they had this in their lives, they might be different.

If you ask me....

"Oh, the Joy's of raising Boys".....who ever came up with that crap is seriously disturbed.

What joy? Okay maybe a little.

And we are talking, LITTLE!

They are messy, and gross, and loud and ....oh man, I could go on and on, or just insert a previous post, You all know how I feel.

I LOVE my boys, but liking them is different.

So many other factors they don't talk about with raising boys... is girls.

I mean they tell you boys like girls, but....

I am just so glad Jeff will be home soon. Jeff can talk to the boys about girls.

*deep sigh*

If you ask me....

Have I ever told you I hate calling people on the phone?

Nothing personal. I am mostly just a goober. and I sound like an idiot. (no laughing)

It took me a while to be able to talk to my best friend in Utah.

Now I have to call all these places to ask if we can see/rent a house.

It stresses me out to the point of anxiety.

The pressure from my mom has started.

Jeff called on the house we saw yesterday. ( too small of a kitchen, and too much $ for being backed up to the freeway)

I know I have to get up the nerve, and honestly (remember i don't lie), every time, I get up the nerve, something happens.

If you ask me...

I am a mess.

And If I really let it all out, you would be calling a doctor to have be committed.

No... it really just feels like it is bad...my "mess" is really just self doubt.

If you ask me... the only cure for my "mess" is a couple of good long naps, in my own bed, next to my husband, while my kids read scriptures to each other and do their chores without asking.

If you ask me.... I will probably lie.

I am just fine.

Help

I need to find a place to live.

If you find yourself bored and sitting on the computer. help me find a place to live.

Elk Grove and Natomas is too far.

Orangevale is okay.

Need a 4 bedroom 2 bath house.

with at least 1500 and the very least.

okay, get to work.

Yes, I have been looking for days.

and I am worried about my credit.

Our credit.

If we can' t by a house because of credit, who is gonna rent us one.

Okay, think good thoughts and say a few prayers.