Happy Birthday to My Love

So today is Brandon's 31st Birthday, he is officially an old man, well until Monday when I turn 31 and Brandon becomes young again.
Since we are moving there were no elaborate gifts because we decided that the new house was plenty of a gift and that right now we needed to concentrate on getting all of our finances in order so that we are in a better place this summer.
The boys' were so excited to get up and tell Brandon Happy Birthday. They are such sweet boys and did not understand why he was okay without a present, but he assured them he had everything he needed. It was so so sweet and truly allowed me to understand what it meant to have your heart melt with a few simple words.
The boys' asked if they could give Brandon birthday spankings. We had to laugh and let them do it, instead of splitting it up they each gave him 31...32 if you count the one to grow old on. They absolutely had me in stitches this morning. It was a great way to start the day for all of us. A lot of laughs, loves, and memories! I honestly cannot ask for anything more.
The boys had an out of uniform day today, because we sold 8 tickets to the Spaghetti dinner at St. Francis. If you want to come it is Saturday and Sunday and tickets can be purchased at the door! Great food, entertainment, and items to be won.
Brandon had to work on his Birthday, but he is off next Thursday to celebrate. It was a good day for him though. The producer that he works with James, was out today because his wife was having a baby! So happy birthday to Baby Faulkner. Brandon says the baby is destined for coolness! I have to agree it is a pretty great day to have a baby!

The boys were supposed to have practice tonight, but they are fighting a cold and I am determined to win, so we stayed home. I was not sure until the last minute when it started to rain and I figured that was the answer that I needed.

Well, I am looking forward to going to sleep with the rain hitting the windows tonight. No severe weather just rain, which means I will be able to sleep. Hopefully I will dream about how I am going to come up with $2500. It would figure I would get our income taxes and pay off a good bit, and then when it is all gone remember that I have to pay the lake rent, get the boys stuff for baseball, and buy new tires. I thought I still had about 20,000 miles on them but it looks like it is going to be needed ASAP. We will see what happens. Praying for answers. You know like a check in the mailbox....that is not a scam. One can always hope right.

Well, to my love Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Brandon, Happy Birthday to you!!!

An Amazing Weekend Ends on a Note...

Well this weekend was amazing. It started with the Grandparent's Reception Friday afternoon with Danny and his class. Then onto Meme's graduation. Then Danny's First Communion which was so special for so many reasons. Then a baseball game with John Michael followed by a lunch at mom's to celebrate Danny's First Communion. Then Sunday started with Mass, and John Michael was actually well behaved. Something we are working hard on. I caught my blog back up. Then came Sunday evening.

I am stressed and backloaded with school work so I work on it while Brandon takes the boys outside to throw the ball. This is where the weekend started to end. Danny got hit in the head with the ball which left a lovely knot, but he was okay. This just broke my heart though. I do not like it when my boys get hurt. So back inside they came and while I got my postings done my paper not so much.

I decided that I probably needed to balance my checkbook once I realized that I had spent over $200 in the past 7 days on gas. Yes, you read that right. Needless to say this made my day really take a nose dive. Now I get to stress until Friday, when Brandon gets paid, and really even after that because there will be nothing to pay bills. I will be so so glad when money is not something that I have to stress over on a daily basis. Especially when it is this bad. There is so much I want to do with my family this summer and well I am assuming all of that can just be tossed aside. I am praying that Brandon and I are able to start making some money with our company as that will definitely help.

I am sorry to vent I do not like to use my blog for this especially when it is so personal, but I figure you all know everything else about me. While I know that money cannot buy happiness it sure as hell can make it easier to find!

Before we went to bed Danny lost a tooth and the tooth fairy came. I also managed to get behind in my blog. I will do this one and the one for today today and should be good to go!

A Day with Danny

Today was Easter Monday so Danny was out of school, John Michael had school and Brandon had work. Today started with Brandon headed off to work and me having a few minutes of quite, because the boys' got to sleep late. Not too late, but later than 6:30, in fact an extra hour.

We took John Michael to school and then went and ran a few errands that I had to do. Then we came home and Danny helped me scrapbook some. Trying to get these caught up can be slightly overwhelming so he had fun cutting and even glued some for me. He got some gift cards from the Easter Bunny also known as EB. Needless to say spending them was a top priority so we headed to Target so he could use his card there and I could get some coat hangers. Then to Michael's where again he used his card and I ended up getting a scrapbook for these little notes that I want to keep but do not really fit in with my other books. Anyway they had some 12x12 books on sale for 4.99. A deal I could not pass up, especially when they will work perfect for these! I might go and get another, but we will have to see.

We went to lunch, which was nice because it has been a while since the two of us have had lunch together. It is nice to have some one on one time with my boys. While talking he told me that his teacher used to teach at St. Barnabas, which is cool since that is where I went.

We headed out to get John Michael and then came home. They played since there was no homework. Tomorrow will be a different story as we will have to rush home, get homework done and get to the ballpark. We had the left over chicken and dumplings for dinner. I am hoping that I can stall until winter on making them again, but they are Danny's favorite so it is doubtful. When Brandon got home we went to CVS and Walgreens so that John Michael could start spending his cards and Danny could spend his last 2.

Now I will say John Michael wiped out the CVS card and has about .75 left at Walgreens. He does still have $10 at both Target and Michael's since he was not with us. Danny was much more careful, he has money left on all 4 cards. The funny thing is had it been my money he would have had it spent and more. If only he knew. Of course since I did not have money to help him get more than what was on his card he had to keep it under $10. I was really proud of him.

The picture is of the new blooms on the knockout rose bush that John Michael picked out to add to the Rose Garden we are making in the back yard.

Well, I am off hopefully to bed soon. I have to get these boys to bed and get ready for the day tomorrow. I have a lot to get done around the house and am confident that I can get it done, as long as I stay focused. If only they still put ephedrine in Stackers...I loved those in college.

Before I go to bed I will be praying for all of my family and friends. I know that prayer is our way of communicating with God and I also know that it is the one thing that I can do for everyone, whether asked to or not.

Good Bye Forest....Hello Yard

So today we knew without a doubt that Brandon would have some yard work to do. Between the rain and the ballpark it has gone unattended. It was the yard that people had to think as they drove by, Do they still live there? Well, now they know that we do!

The plan was for me to take the boys to the baseball fields for a player's clinic but neither were feeling great so I opted to let them stay home. Hopefully everyone understands why we made the call. I think that they were seriously exhausted, because they were both in bed early.

I did want to spend some time outside so we played out back a little, and then after a trip to Home Depot where the Mulch was 1.12 a bag, we got the boys some seeds and the little starter greenhouses and we came home to plant. Brandon even got me 2 of the larger azalea bushes. I think that azaleas are so pretty but I am very glad that we have the larger ones, those are my favorite! Now to get some roses!

The wasps were trying to form an army today, but I was also armed with my new favorite spray to kill them. I have to say I found it satisfying to watch them die. Mess with my family or our space and watch out. The boys, especially Danny thought that it was great to study one of them who landed on the back of one of our deck benches...never to land anywhere else again! Sorry I am so not a fan of insect...and YES insects were harmed!

So I have been adding up what I need to get through these last 2 months of school. Why is it that the end of the year is so much more than the beginning? I am determined not to let finances get me down, but they are definitely trying. I have a lot to get ready this week because there is a lot going on.

Danny is supposed to have a game tomorrow night, but I guess that will be decided by Mother Nature. With the weather as questionable as it is who knows. I just hope that we are home when it starts. All of us, I do not like it when we have to be on the roads and the weather is bad. I am definitely praying that the weather holds off till we get home.

John Michael found a leaf that looked like Batman...he had to add eye holes, but it is really crazy the similarities. I wonder if I could have sold it on e-Bay like those who find Mary in toast? Hmmm...The thing is I was lucky to get a picture. Batman the leaf had a run in with metal man...who by the way is rubber. John Michael is definitely a trip! You have to stay alert or you will fall behind.

Well, everyone is in bed. I am still working on homework and pictures, but I do not think I can go anymore. I am off to bed myself. I will be of no use if I get sick. Well, as we all know mom's never get sick. Anyway, before I go to bed I will say a prayer for all of my family and friends. I am also asking for a prayer for my mom, she is not wanting specifics out there but know that she needs some prayers. Thanks everyone. Until tomorrow, which is picture day for John Michael!

Lions, Tigers, and LEGOS Oh My!!

Today was a nice Friday, typical with Brandon and John Michael home. We spent most of the morning playing with legos. It was fun! When Danny got out of school we all went to pick him up and had a really nice afternoon and evening.

I have been trying to declutter and came across a lot of CDs. Most of them have pictures on them from when Danny was a baby. I have definitely dried a lot of tears as I was able to see so many pictures of my dad and many of them were from my dad. I miss him so much and while I have had to keep living I often wonder how different things would be if he were here. I know that he is healthy now though and that he is with God, and while that makes me smile, it also hurts. I figure it always will.

I have a lot to get done this weekend and it does not look like going to Auburn is in the cards. That is slightly upsetting, as I wish we could be there. I love my Auburn Tigers and while I will not be there physically, my heart is always with them! Plus we really do not need to spend the money on the gas at this point. Maybe if it would warm up a little I would be able to get some photo shoots in.

So, I am watching the news and am concerned about the words significant and snow being used together. Does anyone know where Al Gore is these days? I would love to discuss global warming with him, but I would like for him to spend the night in Alabama (Grayson Valley) outside in his underwear.

Danny has his third basketball game in the morning and I am very excited about it, and he is too! He really loves it and I am so glad. Baseball will be starting soon, so I am going to change my address to the Clay Ballpark. Both boys are playing so hectic will be a key word!

Well, I am headed to bed guys....still not making that 9:00 deadline. I will keep trying though! I will be saying a prayer for all of my friends and family tonight. For everyone going to Auburn, have a wonderful time and take some pictures for me! Also be safe! I hope that everyone has an amazing weekend! See you all Saturday!