week in review

Monday while Isaiah was in art up at the school I was able to help Mrs. Steenhoek by working in the new book room. What an amazing resource this room will be when the project is complete. It was fun for me to be able to help her out even for just an hour.
Dominique finished his last final exam at Grand View this afternoon. He is happy and relieved to get a break for a while. The hunt for a job is heating up now!
Tuesday we had our ice storm and were iced/snowed in. It was a bummer Scott had to go in to work and fight the weather to get home. But he made it through and all of us were amazed to see the ice covered trees and hear the crashing of limbs falling from our trees. Bummer no.2 Dominique lost out on an interview with UPS because he couldn't drive to the interview in the ice. They would not reschedule. :(
Wednesday brought our weekly trip into town to see Sara. This week was supposed to be Isaiah's turn because Madison took his turn last week, but Madison has had a rather difficult time lately so he was kind enough to give up his place. He made Sara a lovely Christmas card with a sweet message inside. He and Dominique had a Star Wars marathon all day. That was fun for them. I love it when my kids choose to bond...
Wednesday evening we had church and about 15 minutes before church was to let out for the night, we lost all power. Oh my goodness! That place sure does get dark! We have a lot of great people who work with our youth and kids. I think out of all the people who were in church that night we only had a couple kids in tears and they were quickly consoled. (One of those was my Elijah) :( he hates the dark! We were able to return all the children safely to their parents and actually got home earlier than we usually do. Now that was nice!
Thursday, Isaiah had guidance at the school and again I was able to help out in the book room. I really have enjoyed the time I have had to give to the teachers. Elijah really likes me helping out in his class. Amaris would rather hug me quick and push me out the door. Aren't kids funny? So different!
Thursday night brought PTA. I really like our new Principal. He is a very nice guy and seems to stay on the ball and is always right on top of everything!We have a lot of things coming up in the next couple months that will be a ton of fun to participate in. The bummer for me is that a lot of the activities outside of regular school hours are not activities that Isaiah can do. Then we have to decide do we take everyone and make him watch, do we all stay home and not let anyone go and have fun or do we split up and some go and some do something else? I don't really know. Scott never likes to split up, he just isn't one of those guys that will just take off and do things on his own.
Monday I will be up at the school helping out with Santa's workshop. A little store where the kids can buy a gift for someone. PTA is providing every kid in the school with 2$ to spend at the shop. FUN!
Today has been a very sad day for me. There has been a lot going on around here. I have been stressed out and I guess today was just one of those days that pushed me a little closer to the edge. Pray for me.
Elijah is very excited he gets to go to his buddy Christian's house over night tonight. He loves going over there. They are very good buddies and have tons of fun together. I love to see him excited about things like that.
Madison and Scott went shopping, not my favorite activity. Dominique of course is at Alex's house because DUH! it IS Friday and he never stays home on Friday's! He has been a great help this week for me While I have helped at school and run around town.
Sam, Amaris, Isaiah and I are home where it is warm and I was hoping for a fun Christmas show to come on TV. No such luck. Bummer!
That is about all for now.
Hope you all had a great week and will have a warm and cozy weekend.

Another Ice Storm

These are some pictures Scott took of our yard after our storm.
Our pine trees and power lines coated in ice.
A small bush in our back yard that still had berries on it.
These huge branches fell in the middle of our yard, Dominique thought it was thunder when he heard it fall.

Another large branch hanging from the tree.

Droopy sad looking pine tree.
This was one of the ice covered sticks from our yard. We had some that were even thicker than this!

The ice covered bushes and trees are so beautiful, the kids got a lazy snow day, but Dominique's car has turned into a little ice cube. Really it took us over an hour to just get the doors open this morning. Thank goodness he is done with this semester of classes. So he had no where he had to be. I like it when my family is safe at home when these storms come.

Cookies and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Clause

Friday we took the kids down to the Runnells Community Center to make cookies and visit with Mr. and Mrs. Clause...It was really great because THIS Santa told the kids he was not the reason for the season and he proceeded to tell the Christmas story. Finishing up with the fact that Jesus came for them, They are the reason Jesus came as a baby! I love it when they hear the truth in unexpected places.
Elijah and his cookie
Amaris....she ate her cookie before I could get a picture of it!
Isaiah wrapped his cookie to put under the tree on Christmas Eve.
Sam made a green cookie and ate the whole thing!
Dominique was at Alex's house again and missed all the fun. Madison went with but grudgingly and refused to be photographed. Sorry.
We all had a great time, saw lots of friends new ones and old ones too. well, all of us except Madison. ;0(

Oh Sam!

This story happened about a week and half ago but I just have to share.
Sam still has not earned his toys back in his room. He will do good and earn one or two back then within a couple hours, and lets be honest, sometimes a couple minutes, POOF gone again!
So, one morning he was having a particularly difficult time obeying and staying out of trouble. He was on his last chance before he would be carted off to the corner. When he threw himself in the middle of the floor and started sobbing. He threw his head back and his hands up in the air high above his head he cries out. "Why don't you just make me behave???" Sob...sniff...Sob
I must admit this made me giggle a little. But I did a great job hiding my amusement. I told him "I am doing everything I can think of to help you behave buddy."
According to Uncle Cowboy, I must have interrupted a conversation between Sam and God and he was actually pleading with God and NOT me. Because nothing has changed. I must have interfered before the divine intervention could happen. I am not sure who he was talking to that morning, but, I do know that there are many times during the course of the day that I feel like doing the exact same thing....SOB SNIFF SNOB....."Why don't you just do something???"

How did that happen?

Funny story about Isaiah....
So, as he was stepping out of the shower the other morning he caught a glimpse of himself in the bathroom mirror. He then yelled "Oh my goodness!" I, thinking something had happened, ran in to see if he was okay. "What happened?" I asked Out of breath from running. He looked at me as serious as can be, holds his hands up and waves at his body and exclaims, "How did this happen??" Trying to hide my amusement I say, "How did what happen?" Pointing again he says, "THIS!" (his chubby spots) I said "Honey that is what Mommy says every morning when I look in the mirror too!"
Poor guy, he can't do much as far as activity goes and has become a little chubby. I guess he never noticed before. He does walk on the treadmill everyday, but even that has to be monitored. I love him chub and all!

I love this...

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. "

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

What a thought to ponder...

Winter is here!

Snow, Snow, Snow.
We had somewhere between 3-4 inches of beautiful snow fall yesterday. Although it made the afternoon and evening difficult for travel. It was really pretty to watch the flakes fall gracefully from the sky. We shoveled and had hot cocoa. Ate a late dinner and tried to relax and enjoy the unexpected evening in.
Tonight we will be going to the community center here in town to make cookies and say hi to Santa. That should be fun for the children. I will try really hard to remember the camera this time.
Saturday, Madison's other mother is coming for her visit, and then in the afternoon we are going to go to church and decorate children's sanctuary for Christmas, that should be fun!!
Although.....we are supposed to be getting more snow and maybe sleet and freezing rain and ice....ack!
Sunday of course will be church.
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend making memories with your families. Cherish the moments you have and stay safe.

Good Job Amaris!

Amaris took her first spelling test ever last week. We studied everyday, she worked very hard and .....dun-dun-ta-da! drum roll please...

SHE GOT 100%

Yeah Amaris! I am so very proud of you and all your hard work.

Slippin' and slidin'

We woke up this morning to ice and freezing rain instead of snow. The IA State Patrol is recommending no travel all day. Which on any other Saturday would be a blessing to me not to have to run off and be gone all day. BUT today was supposed to be Isaiah's Christmas party. Every year the local Shrine Temple throws a nice Christmas party for all the "hospital kids" and their families. Isaiah loves this time he starts talking about it as soon as the invitation comes in the mail and doesn't stop for at least week After. We play games, get to play with and talk to all the clowns, Santa and Mrs. Clause come to visit and they always serve lunch. All the hospital kids get a special gift, but the siblings also get prizes and usually a stuffed animal too. Sadly the party was cancelled. And they wont be rescheduling it this year. When we told Isaiah, he cried...sorry son I know how disappointed you are.
Today was also the day I was supposed to go shopping with the girls from GNO. We were going to meet at 3 and shop until dinner and shop some more. I always look forward to this GNO. The company and conversation is always nice and the best part is it is just us girls. No kids, not even husbands are allowed. Sometimes us girls just need girl time and good conversation, right?
So, we are stuck indoors all day. We have taken advantage of the time and played games with the kids, I baked lots of goodies (in my mind) because I was not as smart as Tammy, she bought all her ingredients so she had a back-up plan. Dominique is stuck in town at Alex's house, I am sure he does not feel stuck but he is.
Hopefully the ice will melt away and not damage our power lines. Everyone stay safe, warm and cozy out there!

Who puts plastic zippers in kids winter coats???

So a couple weeks ago the weather around here turned cold, I dragged out all the winter coats, snow pants, boots, etc. Handed down the ones that could be handed down and took inventory of what needed to be purchased for those with out. I was blessed to find a great winter coat for Sam at Abby's Attic, my friends consignment shop. Then off we went to Target to look for one for Isaiah. Scott told me I could spend no more than $20. We found one that was really warm and even reversible. I had to call and ask permission to spend $29.00 he said yes and off we went. Now you must understand, I am frugal with my purchases and checked this coat over and over to be sure it was a great buy, especially when I was going over budget.
FAST FORWARD:
we had the first snow of the season just before Thanksgiving and the kids could not wait to play outdoors. They had a blast, snow angels, snowmen, even a fort were built in our yard. The kids came in as human ice cycles. We had hot chocolate with marshmallows. I threw all the snow clothes in the dryer. Isn't that what everyone does? Ever since Dominique was old enough to play in the snow I have always thrown their snow clothes in the dryer.
The next day when we were getting ready to leave to go somewhere, Isaiah could not get his zipper to work, upon further investigating I discovered the stinking zipper was PLASTIC! So, it melted in the dryer. ARGH!! Who does that? My brother jokingly asked if the coat was made in China, guess what? It was. Not that that really has anything to do with the fact that it was a dumb idea.
My poor mother spent close to 8 hours trying to fix the coat because buying another new one is not in our budget. After making a run into the sewing store, then breaking the machine and running into the Singer store, and breaking another needle. She told us she was sorry she couldn't fix it. As we were heading into town last night to take advantage of a 60%off sale. She called and said she finally fixed it. YEAH MOM! And Thank you so much!
But I still want to know....WHO PUTS PLASTIC ZIPPERS IN A KIDS WINTER COAT??