Hard Times

Some things are going on.  I'm worried and stressed.  I've reached out for help and we have things in motion.  Praying hard and praying often and trying to remember that God is in control. 

Fun Weekend

Hannah G. came to spend the night with Trinity on Friday and I took the kids to see Divergent.  Leah met the girls there and they all sat by themselves while LJ and I sat elsewhere.  The movie was great and it was fun to hear all the excitement and laughter from the girls after the movie. 

On Saturday we just hung around the house for most of the day.  I went and picked Alyssa and Alexis up and then took all 4 girls to a classmate's bonfire birthday party.  Those crazy girls got in the pool.  It was cold last night!  Had to pick them up at 10:00---past my bedtime.  But more giggles and excitement on the way home.  I let Hannah stay another night.

I love to see my kids excited and not so gloomy and bored.  But everyone has to leave before lunch today.  I have to clean the house up and paint the kids' bathroom. I'm itching to see it finished so I can decide what to do about decorating it.  If there's enough paint left over, I think I'll use it in the laundry room as well.  Or I have another gallon of a similar color that I may use.  I'd love a pop of color in that awful room.  :) 

I only work 2 days next week so I'll have plenty of time for Home Improvementing. 

Spring = Home Improvement

I've gotten bit by the home improvement bug.  I'm in the process of re-vamping the kids' bathroom.  I've finally picked out a paint color and I'm planning to go by Ace and pick up some paint this afternoon when I go to get Alyssa from chorus practice.  I chose a color called Lucky One.  It's a bluish color.  It'll go with the print I picked up for only $7 at Family Dollar.  I pulled down the two long batten strips on the main walls and spackled the joining boards.  I'll be easier to hang artwork and/or shelves once I paint.  I'll have to decide on a shower curtain once I finally get the paint on the walls though.
I'm contemplating painting the vanity top as well.  I've looked at tons of videos and blog posts about doing it and I'm about ready to give it a shot.  I'd picked up some spray paint this morning, but then decided not paint the bathroom gray but instead stick with the neutral earthtones I've done in the living room and go with tan and coordinates, so I'll need to decide on a different counter color.  I suppose it would be fairly simple to replace the laminate top if it messes up, or altogether replace the vanity if I needed to.  I've found some at Lowe's/Home Depot for $50-150.

--I started on the bathroom walls!  I spackled the holes earlier and after I got the kids to bed I started cutting in.  I'll have to do a second coat of cut in and then two coats with the roller.  I think it's going to be so cute.  I couldn't get on the ground to cut in around the floor though.  I busted my knee on the door frame walking out of the bathroom earlier today and it's hurting something awful!  It hurts to bend it or put force on it to stand up so I'm going to have to get that done later.  Phooey.  Maybe tomorrow it'll be feeling better.  I'd like to finish cutting in and do at least the first coat with the roller tomorrow.  Then I can completely finish this weekend. 

I want to repaint the kitchen as well.  It's a huge job though with the cabinets and all to work around.  But I only work 2 days  next week so maybe I can get some things done during my time off.  I also want to re-paint LJ's room.  I never did get the train painted on the rolling hills part of the wall, but after I'd finished it, it always seemed too high and I'm thinking of just starting over with the whole thing.  He desperately needs new bedding, so when I find something affordable that I like I'll choose a new paint color and re-paint.

And I'd really love to paint the laundry room with some pop of color.  I wish it was a separate room because it'll be strange to have one wall with two colors.  I may have to extend the kitchen wall color into the laundry room on that one wall and use the pop color on the other two walls.  That would work.  Probably be cute too.

Downfall

I was so good at updating and then I slacked off.  Typical--so gung ho for something and then I dwindle down.

I took LJ to the Pediatrician last week armed with my concern and a letter from his teachers.  Dr. Cannady upped his dosage on his Concerta to 54mg.  He's gotten a smiley each day since the new meds started.  I'm praying this isn't just a fluke.  He was really well behaved over the weekend though so maybe it's the meds working better.  Dr. C said he'd been on the 36mg since Sept. 2012 and he'd gained 10 pounds since then so he agreed that the higher dose would be okay.

Alyssa has really been enjoying soccer.  They've played 4 games and one (scrimmage) game against CMS.  They won against CMS, Wrens (both home and away) and GMC (home).  They lost the game against GMC (away).  Yesterday's game was cold and rainy but I stood there with my umbrella, freezing, and watched every minute of it.  My poor fingers were numb when I left, but I can only imagine how cold those girls were out there.  Wet and in shorts/t-shirts.  She has a game this Thursday at Oglethorpe Cty. 

Bella has been better behaved too.  I'm starting to tolerate her more.  And she's had several nights of sleeping in the living room outside of her crate.  I put her in her crate last night though because she was hyper and I needed a good night sleep.  I don't have to work tomorrow so I'll probably let her sleep in the living room tonight.

The cub scouts met at the fire station last week and Joe led the meeting.  It's weird to see him up there instructing the kids.  I don't know why.  It went great.  He'd had dispatch do a test call at the beginning of the meeting so the boys would all know what it sounded like if a real call went out during the meeting.  Then, when we were in the bay, and after the "friendly fireman" routine, the tones really did go out.  The boys immediately jumped up and ran over to the wall as they'd been instructed to do.  They got to watch the two firemen on duty get into their gear and jumped on the truck.  Then the truck rode away running lights and sirens as the boys watched.  I'm never glad tones go out because it means some type of bad situation, but it sure was interesting for the boys to experience actually seeing the truck leave after learning about the life of a fireman.

I have pictures...I need to get them on my computer to post here.  Mom has my camera because Ben wanted to borrow it, so I'll have to add them soon.

I've discovered the trick!

The trick to peaceful mornings that is.  If I can get LJ's medicine to him early and if he will go back to sleep afterwards, then we'll all have a peaceful morning.  The last couple mornings he's been great!  He gets his meds before 6:00 and then I let him sleep until 6:30.  It's like he's a totally different kid.  (Insert extremely toothy grin here)

Catch up

In cub scouts last week, the boys learned about Courage and First Aid.  Then they practiced First Aid procedures on each other. 

On Saturday morning, the Kiokee District held their Pinewood Derby Race.  There were 34 Wolf Scouts who participated.  In LJ's 3 runs he placed 2nd, 3rd, 2nd.  He was so excited to see his name up there on the screen for 2nd place.  Overall, he placed 24th.

We visited the Station on the way home.  And a visit to the fire station is never complete without trying out the trucks.  Colton wouldn't get inside, so I had to snap a pic of him on the front.

And Trinity got this cute pic of Colt doing his duck face!

 

  When we dropped Colt off, Bub was cleaning up storm debris so the little guys decided to pitch in and help.