If I Die Young...

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head?  Well, mine is "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry.  This is a group that on some level I would like to dislike them but I find myself really enjoying all their songs thus far.  Now this group has nothing to do with my day except that their song is on "repeat" in my brain.

For a month now, I've been off my game but today was my turn around.  Yeah!!  Thanks in part to an injury Numero Uno sustained yesterday evening, he was home today to spend the whole day with the kids.  So, my man and I took the kids out to Smith Lake yesterday to test our friend's boat out.  We never got to test the boat because as my man was releasing the boat into the water, his ring finger got caught between the boat and its trailer almost severing his finger.  Thankfully, he's okay.  He does have a few stitches and a couple of days off.  Now as terrible as it sounds, if Numero Uno would've been at work I would have been just as behind in all my housework.  However, today I was able to do six loads of laundry, balance our checkbook, make out tomorrow's grocery list, exercise, and donate old clothes to a local charity.  Whew!  I've still got a few more tasks to complete and am hoping I can still keep going until all is complete. 

On the other hand, when Daddy's in charge, this is what the children have to eat...

Oh well, they had a good time:)

In Case You Wanted to Know...

Tres did fantastic today!  She was a little nervous when we first arrived at her Jamboree but I think that was because we had to meet in a new gym before everything started.  Once she was able to run around to get some "jitters" out, she loosened up and had a great time.  I'm uncertain if I can explain or describe how wonderful this experience was for me.  Here are a few pictures.  The smile on her face made mine and Numero Uno's day.  I truly believe Tres had a great time:)  My parents came to watch her, and I think she really liked having them ther to cheer her on.

We had another busy day today but I'm not really certain when life is not busy due to the fact that day in and day out you have routines that must be done in order to keep some sanity.  On my list for today was Jamboree then help my sister.  My sister teaches at Cullman Christian School's high school.  Tonight they held their first Honor Society formal.  I agreed to help her get the location decorated.  I enjoyed doing it and amazingly, Dos and Tres did not complain one time about being there.  I was very proud of how well the kids did while I was working.  When we finally arrived home this afternoon, I was spent.  I really didn't do much of anything else except my youngest nephew did come over to play with my kiddies tonight.  I also went over tomorrow's sermon notes since I will have to sign tomorrow.

Today's List

Here are the last pictures I took with my camera.  Can you tell I've not had my camera for a while?  I need to just start taking pictures of my kids since it has been 3 months since their last photos.  I will get some pics of Tres tomorrow since it will be her gymnastic Jamboree.

 

My To Do list has been pretty steady here lately and I am strangely at ease and peace with our life right now.  Let me take a moment to say things are going very well for us right now.  I hope I will be proactive enough to keep ahead of the chaos that always seems close behind.  Today I was able to send out fundraising letters for the school, have a picnic with Tres, plant carrots and lettuce in the garden, ride bikes with Dos and Tres, go to Wal-Mart, AND give Tres a mani and pedi for tomorrow.  All in all, I would say that is a successful day. 

I still need to get the whole family's outfits laid out for tomorrow's Jamboree.  I'm pretty excited about this event for Tres. I have new batteries in the camera and will have the disc recorder charged up for in the morning.  I'm trying to prepare myself for the possibility that Tres will freak out in front of a crowd or decide not to cooperate. 

By the way, I have received two different FREE subscriptions to magazines I like.  Mamapedia has a deal for $5 on one year subscription to Disney's Family Fun magazine; however, if you are a first time user to Mamapedia, you receive a $5 credit when you sign up making your subscription free!  Then today I saw on Couponing to Disney that FreeBizMag.com will give you a complimentary subscription to Woman's Day when you apply.  Honestly, I'm a little iffy on the Woman's Day because I applied and they accepted me; however, the fine print read something about publisher must accept application.  I was slightly confused. It will take up to 12 weeks to get on the magazine rotation so I will have to keep you posted on whether or not I really got the free deal.

Finally!

So my main squeeze is suppose to be headed out to Fairview today and will pick up my camera!!  Hopefully I will start taking pictures and posting.
I have a new game plan that I've been implementing over the last couple of weeks.  Before, I was grocery shopping every two weeks.  I felt like I was missing out on all the $1 deals in between shopping trips.  So, now in between my regular trips I view online various ladies' sites to see what $1 and under deals there are available.  Couponing to Disney does a really good job of listing them out with the title of $1 and Under, but Krazy Couponing Lady list info as does Southern Savers.  For example, yesterday, I was able to purchase lunch for me & my two youngest plus 21 other items for $22.71.  I was pretty pumped.  I guess I get so pumped because I remember how stretched I was financially before I used coupons.  Items like tampons would kill me to buy each month because it would be an extra $6 that I could have been using to buy food for the family.  Do you know that I got a box of tampons yesterday for FREE?  Plus deoderant for FREE and dishwashing liquid for FREE!!  Couponing has been one of the best ways I feel like I can contribute to my family's financial well being.  Now, my biggest challenge still remains in encouraging Numero Uno to stick to our budget:)

I Need to Do That

So, I am definitely at a frustration level in looking at myself and my actions as of late.  Now, understand, my frustration is routine, it's PREDICTABLE.  There are things in my life that I take note of and think, "I need to do that".  I obviously recognize that something needs to change and yet my follow through sucks!  For example: weight.  Do you realize that if I would drop a mere 10 pounds I could probably regulate my hormones which in turn would regulate my ovulation which would get me pregnant but I still have not lost the weight.  Or the fact that at least 4 months ago I saw a cool simple art design for Dos' bedroom which would only cost $20 to buy and make and I still have not done that.  OR the curtains that match Dos'  room and have yet to purchase the curtain rod to hold the curtains that still remain folded in his closet.  OR my camera, winter coat, and favorite scarf that are currently at my aunt's house that I visited at CHRISTMAS!!  Does she live far away?  No, about a 25 minute drive.  When will I get off my sorry rear and get this stuff done? 
What makes these women who have it all together, have it all together?

My List

I have somehow misplaced (lost) my camera.  I really would like to posts some pics of the kids that have been taken recently but none have been taken! 
My overall list has quickly increased here lately:
1.  Make 17 tie dye t-shirts for the preschool class' field trip next Tuesday.
2.  Assist the Kindergarten teacher in creating and implementing incentive levels for the elementary students to achieve during the Golf and Walk Marathon.
3.  Meet with volunteers who are willing to begin procurement work for the next Holiday Auction.
4.  Read, review, and revise the auction manual.

All of this is in addition to the regular day in and day out tasks of being a Mama.

Tell Me! Tuesday

My list for today:

1.  Morning routine.
2.  Take phone call from Dad to wish me Happy Birthday and invite me to brunch date.
3.  Get dressed.
4.  Get phone call from Dad who is late.
5.  Get in fight with Dad.
6.  Cancel brunch date.
7.  Cry half the morning because of hurt feelings.
8.  Receive apology call from Dad, and I apologize.
9.  Continue the rest of my day.