Running Late

So this morning was slightly hectic.  We slept in, but thanks to Brandon's help me and the boys made it out the door and to the school on time.  Again I am going to ask that those merging onto 59 at Chalkville Mountain Road take a how to merge lesson as soon as possible!  It would definitely make my mornings more enjoyable.
The boys had a great day at school and After School Care was great.  I really love those kids and getting to know them and their parents has really been an unexpected blessing for me this year.  Thank you so much for the opportunity.  I look forward to each day!
Mom had dinner ready when we got home, which was super awesome becase at least Danny and I were ready to eat. John Michael had not quit eating since ASC, he ate the snack then some and then some more and then the snacks that I keep in the car. 
I worked on a lot of school work and got a lot of photographs edited, which is good considering I have a weekend slammed with sessions starting tomorrow.  I love my job and I am so excited about the upcoming sessions.  Several are new clients which is always fun, now here's to hoping that the weather cooperates.
There is a lot of talk about a Tropical Storm headed this way.  We shall see what happens.  We will get some flashlights and stuff just to be on the safe side.  We will be watching the weather and following where Issac heads the nex few days,  guess the weekend will tell us most of what we need to know.
Well, I am off to bed, I need about 2 more hours a day but I do not think that will happen so I am just going to keep doing what I can each day and we will see where that leads us!

Frantic Friday

This morning started out with everything running smoothly. We were all up and out the door in time and with nobody crying or arguing. We made it to school with everything that we needed for the day and the boys were all smiles. I met the Tiger Cub leader and got the candy that her parent's had brought for the goody bags for next week.

Brandon and I headed to KMart to get the grill that we had put on layaway out so we could take it to the lake. This is where the snag in our plans happened. Layaway does not open until 10, we were hoping to be headed home from the lake by 10.

We came home and I looked into some things that I wanted for my photography company. While I could not find what I was looking for I did find something perfect. As soon as they arrive MonicaAnne Photography will offer gift certificates. I also plan to give these as gifts to those who I have done sessions for. I am excited. We also got a few things together for Brian. Hopefully he will find them useful.

We left home headed to drop off a disc from a photo session. Then headed to KMart. Where again there was a problem. One of our payments did not post to our layaway. Fortuately I had all of the receipts so they made it right, but not before having us stand around for an hour. We ran by the Clay Post office so I could mail some other discs from a wedding and then to drop some stuff off for Brian, then to the lake. We stopped by the courthouse so I could get the tag for the lake, but I need my cousin's drivers licence too. I swear if something could be easy that would be wonderful!

We made it to the lake put the grill in the shed and high tailed it to Irondale to get the boys! I am happy to report that they had great days and that John Michael got a green face, which made it a week off all green. We promised him Dairy Queen if he did it and he did so we did. Super proud.

I have every Christmas present that I had already gotten wrapped and ready for the trees! This is a great accomplishment. All of the women (almost) and all of the girl children that we buy for are done! We still have the boys and men. We also have the boys' bigger gifts, but that will come soon enough. Layaways will be started as soon as I have a little extra. It would be even nicer just to go get it and be done with it. We shall see which way it works out. I also have some pictures to print and get in frames and then get those wrapped, but then I am done! All great news.

We took some change that we had to the store to cash it in. We had been trying to wait and use it on vacation but with all we have going on this week we know that we will probably need it. This weekend will be spent in the truck, and on the go, but it is all good and I am looking forward to it.

Extra battery is charging for the camera for tomorrow, boys are in bed, and I am headed there myself. I hope that everyone has a great weekend. Keep an eye on http://www.monicaannephotography.com/ for all of the sessions that are coming up. It is going to be great! Know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Zydeco

Today was a strange day. I did not sleep well at all last night because of my back, well actually it is my shoulder. Anyway, I was just exhausted all day. I do not like feeling that way at all. Anyway, it will pass, I hope. I would go to the chiropractor but the $600 deductible is in my way, I will accept a donation for it though! J/k

The boys went to Nana's tonight to spend the night because I had a job at Zydeco and Brandon came along to help out. It was so much fun. I was photographing Honey Baked as they did their reunion concert tonight. They were amazing and I am so glad that we went. Nothing like working and getting a semi date night out of it too. We had dinner before the show since it did not start till 10:30.

Now I have to buckle down this weekend, I have to finish editing the wedding I am working on, get the concert done, as well as some personal pics that I have taken, like Danny's 8th birthday. Not to mention his birthday party and Morgan's on Sunday. It is definitely a photography filled weekend. All definitely blessings though! I also have some school work to get done. I am hoping to do it in the morning. At least a good bit of it.

Well, I am off to bed. It has been a long time since I was at a Club til after 1 and we have to get the boys by 10 in the morning. I will be praying for you all tonight. Hopefully I will get some sleep.

Summer Swimming

Today was a great day! Brandon was off, after working till almost midnight I know that he was glad. This morning was pretty laid back. Danny showed Brandon the Wii cabinet that he had worked so hard on, and the boys played the Wii. They crack me up with how much fun they can have on it. Plus as they have gotten older the fighting with it is not quite as bad.

We were headed over to Deborah's to swim with Kimy and Morgan this afternoon. They boys were so excited to be swimming in a pool. So far this summer it has been the ocean and the lake. I was excited too just to be able to go spend some time with friends and let the boys play. They love the pool, so I knew that they would wear themselves out. We headed to their house and Brandon had some things to do for the business so he headed out too.

John Michael love Morgan, and Danny loves being the oldest. He is so good with Morgan and making sure that she is okay. Danny was diving for buried treasure and Morgan had carried her little pool over so he put some in for her so that she could play too. She loves to throw the torpedoes and the treasure to the bottom for Danny to go get.

I worked with John Michael some on swimming without floaties, but for most of the time he wanted his shark on. That is fine too, but I do want him to know that he can do it. He was doing really good and I am so proud of him. He will get it. Everyone told him what a bog boy he was. We laughed because when Brandon showed up he would not do it again. Oh well, maybe next time.

Thanks again to Deborah and Kimy for letting us come swim. Also for some adult time, it was so nice just to sit and relax and talk! Love you!

I have been working on editing pictures a lot. I have so much coming up and so much still to get done. It will all work out though. One at a time is all I can do. At least and keep some sort of focus happening. I am loving doing what I love though. It is truly the best career.

Well, I am off to bed it is going to be a busy one tomorrow. I hope that you all have an amazing weekend! Know that I will be praying for all of you to be abundantly blessed!

A Friday to Forget

So today is Friday, this is the obvious. Usually Friday is a good day, laid back and just fun. Today I thought was going to be great. This was my first mistake, I should know better than to predetermine my day.

Danny wanted to be at school at 7:20, he did not want to go in until closer to 7:40, but he wanted to make sure that he was there. The class that does the PodCast was going to do something special for the summer birthdays. This is how I knew it would be a good day. Well, we woke up a little late, not too bad, but it just meant we had to hurry to get out the door in time to get to the parking lot by 7:20. He fought the whole morning. This has gone on all week. I am not sure if he is overtired or what, but it is OLD!

Brandon got paid today so I was going to pay some bills, but seriously with he cost of gas our bills are getting harder and harder to pay. I am working as hard as I can to get things paid off, but seriously a break would be nice. So pay day was here and gone well before lunch time. Oh well, I am thankful that he has a job.

I picked up Danny and asked him about the birthday announcement. He filled me in and was super excited. Then I asked him about homework. I told him when we got home to go on and get it done. This lead to him yelling at me, and pitching a fit something I will not put up with. So he ende up grounded and will remain that way until his homework is done, and his room is clean. I am so tired of the same fights EVERY single day. He knows the rules, you would think he would just go with it. Maybe one day. Hopefully sooner than later.

Brandon is working Homestead Hollow with his mom. He enjoys cooking with Dale and spending time with his mom and I am glad that he was able to do this. Tomorrow and Sunday they will play by ear though mainl because it was so slow. I love him being home with us and we have a lot to do this weekend, but I hope that it picks up and that they need him as we could really use some extra money to get us through this rocky time. We shall see.

I am hoping that tomorrow is a better day. We have Danny's First Communion practice, and we also have a birthday party, the fishing rodeo and possibly Mass. I have not decided whether Saturday night or Sunday morning would be better. We shall see what tomorrow brings. I am hoping to get Danny's teachers present as ready as possible so that I can wrap it up and get it printed and shipped after next weekend. We will see.

Well, I am off to bed. Actually I have to fold all of the laundry that I have done today that I just piled on our bed so that we can go to bed. Oh well, it is all good. I will say a prayer for all of my family and friends tonight. I hope that you all have an amazing weekend!