I’m always on the lookout for good gifts for Chad since he is SO. HARD. TO. SHOP. FOR! Usually, it’s a safe bet that he’ll like things for his computer or TV. When I saw these tascam vl-m3 , I thought of him. Typically, I’m not too picky about the sounds quality of music, but it is a BIG DEAL to him. I like these speakers because they’re so affordable, but they also deliver high-quality sound that can be used for regular computer use, recording, and mixing.

Posted: January 27th, 2012 under Random Thoughts.
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Chad has been having a lot of car trouble the last few weeks! Last week, his van died while he was working and it had to be fixed for the next two days, so he wasn’t able to work for those days. Now, he’s playing catch-up this week and he just called me and told me he blew out a tire. Luckily, he’s friends with our mechanic and we don’t need a roadside assistance plan because the mechanic is sending someone to try to patch up the tire enough for him to drive it to the shop. Hopefully it will be a quick and easy fix so he doesn’t get even more behind on his work!

Posted: January 24th, 2012 under Random Thoughts.
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This week is my first week of homeschooling two different grade levels. Of course, that isn’t as bad as it sounds (for now) since Ava is doing kindergarten-level work and Kelvin is doing preschool-level work. The prep work is pretty minimal, too, since Ava has already gone through our Letter of the Week preschool curriculum and all the materials are already laminated, cut out, and ready to go for Kelvin. The only problem I’ve run into so far is that Ava is way too helpful…she gives Kelvin the answers before I can even see if Kelvin knows the answer on his own!

Of course, this would also be the week when I get all motivated to fill up the freezer with muffins and cinnamon rolls to have ready for breakfasts! So I have been busy! It’s a good thing we don’t have any field trips like trips to the yoyo factory planned for this week! Although, come to think of it, we do have a trip to the Kansas History Museum planned for Thursday…and a birthday party on Friday. It is going to be a full week!

Posted: January 24th, 2012 under Random Thoughts.
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Posted: January 22nd, 2012 under Random Thoughts.
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Ava’s birthday is coming up in just over 2 months and she is already super-excited. So far, she has requested a puppy, a bird, a pig, a rat, a TV for her room, an apple ipod touch , a cell phone, a hamster, and a bike. Oy. How old is this kid anyway?

I think we’re going to be getting her a bike and saving the rest of those for when she has her own zoo or when she’s older than 5 years old. LOL I’m still trying to decide on a party theme for her. Last year was a no-brainer since Tangled came out last winter and everyone loved it so much. This year, I’m stumped. We’ve done Disney princesses, Tinkerbell, Dora and Tangled. Maybe we’ll do a specific Disney princess, like Cinderella?

Posted: January 15th, 2012 under Random Thoughts.
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Written by Fermin Washington

I have lived in the country my whole life. I was born in south Georgia on a farm and when I got married I moved to a farm in north Georgia. My husband was recently promoted in his job and it will require a move for our family. I am usually a very flexible person. Change is usually not a problem for me. This move, however is really throwing me. Mostly because it is a move to the middle of a city. I just don’t know if I will be able to adjust to living in the city. Everything will be different. Some things will be nice. I won’t have to allot 30 minutes in the car just to drive to the grocery store. The thing I am most worried about is not feeling safe at night when I am home by myself. I will definitely be getting a ADT home security system. In the country on a farm I just always felt so safe because no one was ever out there or bothered us. In the city is where you hear horror stories about what can happen if you walk in on someone robbing your house.

Posted: January 13th, 2012 under Random Thoughts.
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Three notable events for our family came and went this month. The first was Chad’s and my 6-year anniversary on the 17th. We didn’t do much except watch the latest Pirates of the Caribbean after the kids went to bed that night. He got me some kitchen utensils, which most women would probably hate for an anniversary gift, but it’s right up my ally! I love functional gifts that I can use on a regular basis. Chad will be getting his gift from me when a new video game comes out in February!

The second event was that Chad and I got baptized last Saturday, December 24th. We were/are really excited about that and it was neat that the kids were there to see it. I’m still waiting for Ava to try to baptize Kelvin in the bathtub!

And finally, my birthday was on Tuesday. It was kind of a dud, as adult birthdays typically are. But this year it was even more of a dud, because Chad was sick all day. He made up for it the next day and got me a cake from Coldstone, though. I wasn’t feeling so great the following day so it was a nice distraction from my back killing me slowly. I suspect it has a lot more to do with being pregnant than with needing bulging disc surgery , but it’s painful and annoying nonetheless!

This month was a nice wrap-up to a really not-so-great year. There are a couple things I want to remember from this year, but I’d really love to forget the vast majority of 2011. Here’s hoping 2012 will be better!

Posted: December 29th, 2011 under Random Thoughts.
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It’s almost Chad’s and my 6th wedding anniversary! Chad already bought me my anniversary gifts…..no scott kay wedding bands , but he got me a buffet style slow cooker (the kind with 3 pots) and a mini-doughnut maker. I’ve used the mini-doughnut maker with great results but haven’t tried the slow cooker yet. I’ve had a hard time coming up with 3 crockpot recipes that I want to make at once!

So now I still have to figure out what I’m getting Chad….

Posted: December 5th, 2011 under Random Thoughts.
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I just had to brag for a moment about my crazy getting-out-of-the-house skills! This morning, I woke up 10 minutes before Kelvin’s 3-year well-child checkup. If I had tried to reschedule, they would have charged me the copay and I wouldn’t have been able to get him in again until at least February. So I threw on sweats and a long-sleeved T-shirt (just a plain white one, not got milk t-shirts ) and brushed my teeth. Thankfully, Kelvin had slept in sweats. We had taken the kids to see Puss in Boots the night before and Kelvin had fallen asleep halfway through. Since he was just wearing comfortable sweats, I didn’t bother changing him before I put him in bed. So I grabbed him, got him in the van and we got there just 3 minutes late! (Chad was still home, so I didn’t have to wake Ava up to bring her with me)

I also have to brag about Kelvin….I always have to fill out a development questionnaire when I bring them in. You’re supposed to stop when you answer three questions with a no. I was filling out the 2-4 years old questionnaire and I got all the way through the entire thing (2 pages) without a single no! So proud of my brilliant little three-year-old!

Posted: December 5th, 2011 under Random Thoughts.
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We had a great time in Wisconsin for Thanksgiving. It was our last visit up there until winter is over, so we took advantage of every moment we could.

We spent Thanksgiving Day with my family. Luckily, we got up there early enough that we were able to sleep for a few hours before the day began. All the food was delicious and I ate waaaay too much! Kelvin ate about 3 servings of turkey, too. And we even escaped without having to play Apples to Apples!

On Friday, we spent the day with my grandparents. Chad and my grandpa went Black Friday shopping for a little while mid-morning and got some tools and movies, but no eyelash growth products! Daniel, Jessica and the kids came over around lunchtime and Jessica and I went to see Breaking Dawn in the late afternoon.

In the evening, we headed up to Jason and Kelley’s house. We got there around bedtime and then headed to Chad’s parents’ house in the morning. We spent the day there and we even got to ride on Chad’s dad’s 4-wheeler. I rode on it with Chad, but I enjoyed driving it much more than riding behind him!

We spent part of Sunday with his family too, and then headed home. We got home around 2 am and the dogs were really happy to see us!

Posted: December 5th, 2011 under Random Thoughts.
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