They are Up

So today was not as fun as I had hoped. Both boys ended up grounded due to some serious attitudes and in turn we missed a birthday party and Danny's Chess tournament. I really hated to do it, but I also knew if we did not stick to the punishments that it would be a long summer. The boys were both excellent so it must have worked.

We spent the day cleaning, working on the business stuff, doing Handwriting homework, and just being together. It was pretty nice.

Back in January when we were putting our Christmas stuff up it would not work. The closet where we always put it just would not hold it all. Brandon finally gave up and we stuck the boxes in the bathroom downstairs. The tornadoes that ripped through the state on April 27th had us pulling the boxes that were in there out so that we could get in. This closet is under our steps and we knew that it was the safest place to be. The tornado that damaged Tuscaloosa and so many other areas of the state came directly over our house, but it had lifted up and we were okay. Today Brandon decided to put what he could in the closet. It all fit. We figure that God knew that it would have taken us much longer to clean out this closet if it was all in there, and by not letting it fit we were able to get it emptied out and us in it very easily. While it was frustrating in January it all made sense. Now all of the Christmas stuff is where it belongs.

This simple Little act reminded me that there truly is a reason for everything and while we usually do not understand it right away the answers sometimes come later.

Well, I managed to get a day behind on my blog so there will be another one tonight! I hope that you all have had a great weekend so far. Enjoy the last few hours.

Sometimes Fridays Trump Mondays

So today started off great. Danny was excellent this morning. He got ready and everything without any fighting. We left early enough to stop and get breakfast and just enjoy the morning. He is my little man and it is rare to spend some quality time with him, even rarer for that time to be in the mornings. John Michael and Brandon stayed home in bed while I took him to school.

Anyway. Brandon, John Michael, and I were able to get a good bit done in the house today, still have a ways to go but progress was definitely made.

After school it was like a Monday lightening rod hit the house. Danny was not minding at all, refusing to do his homework, and pitching an all out fit. I do not know where those genes come from but they need to disappear. Needless to say he is grounded, which means no Chess tournament. John Michael is grounded which means no birthday party. Part of me really wants to cave, but the other part of me knows that he has to learn a lesson and I am concerned that this might be the best way. They have both got to realize that this behavior is NEVER ok. I am going to bed praying about what to do. I know that I do not want this to be my summer and I think that carrying through with the punishment will be best.

Well, the boys are in bed, and trust me that was no fun either. Now I am headed there. I am praying that this weekend improves otherwise the only time we will go out is when we go to Mass. Not that we can afford to go anywhere, but we can at least go outside, but until homework is done even that is not happening. Mainly because of the horrible fit that happened this afternoon.

I will pray for all of you. I hope that your weekend has started off on a lighter note than my own! I also hope that it continues to be a great one.

Beach countdown....29 days!

SFX Spirit Day

Today was an exciting day for Danny and I am sure all of the students at Saint Francis. Today was their Spirit Day. That meant spirit shirts and whatever shorts they wanted to wear, or pants. Danny being Danny chose his orange basketball shorts. He loves those things. Not my favorite, because they are so long, but he loves them and I know that they are comfortable.

He said that he had a great time. He came home with 2 face paintings. Thank you Mrs. Dunn. He had a baseball with the Auburn sign on one cheek and the New York Yankees sign on the other. Now I have told him that he has to wash it off while he is in the shower. He is there now and I hope that he does it. I really do not want to fight him to scrub his cheeks down but I will.

I started working some more in the house. I hope that this weekend we can get a lot knocked out. We have so much to do. It looks like we have not been home in months. Silly me, we have not been home in months.

I do not want to start the summer out with the house destroyed so I have asked for family assistance. We have a Birthday party, Chess Tournament, and Mass this weekend, but I think that is all so hopefully we can find some time to accomplish some other things too. Not to mention that the yard needs to be cut. Hinting to the hubbie now! It will all work out and I know that I am just ready for it to happen.

Working on ways to save money. Think I might finally have that part figured out a little. Heck even if I can never do as well as some anything is better than nothing. We will see how that all works out.

Well, I am headed off the computer. The goal for tonight is to get in bed early! Fingers crossed and will be praying! I will say a prayer for all of you before I go to sleep. I hope that you all have an amazing Friday.

BTW Countdown to the beach...30 days.

Bear Cub

So tonight the Cub Scouts graduated to their next level. Danny's group are now Bear Cubs as they have completed their advancements as Wolf Cubs. I cannot believe that another step is complete. WOW! I want to go to Cub Scout Day camp this summer but Danny is not too hip on the idea. Hopefully I can convince him but we shall see. Stay tuned for more on that.

We had a pot luck style dinner, which was very yummy. Well, I had a hot dog. There was so much food, but I was trying to get pictures of everyone and everything and keep up with the messes so that it was not a nightmare after everything was over. Fr. Bob came over and celebrated with us, which was very kind and something that we truly appreciate.

The second grade did the school Mass today and they did great. Danny did 4 of the prayers of the faithful. He loves to read at Mass. I am so proud of how much he has grown in all areas this year.

Well, I know that this is short but another one is coming tonight, I managed to get a day behind again!

Bittersweet Endings

Today was a great day and a little sad too. Definitely a bittersweet one.

It started this morning when I gathered the things that I needed to take John Michael to his last day of pre-school and his last day at Hilldale. I am so proud of how much he has grown and how amazing he truly is. I cannot believe that he is headed to Kindergarten though, it seems like only a few days ago I was dropping Danny off for his first day. Now Danny is in 2nd grade and my baby a kindergartner. WOW! Seeing Mrs. Hays this morning I knew that it would be a hard day, but I was determined to stay strong. We enjoyed a fun morning of field day type activities followed by popcorn and the snow cone truck. Then inside for hot dogs and chips and well then the goodbyes. I gave Mrs. Hays her gift from the class. This memory book is so much fun for me to do and it means a lot to me and to the teachers. Mrs. Hays also gives all of her students memory books, these are so heartfelt and meaningful. I am not sure that I can find enough words to describe how much they have meant to me through the years, but this one was even more special as it is my last. When John Michael and I came home I really looked at it and took the time to appreciate the work and care that she puts into them all.

We had to get Danny and then get homework completed before the second round began.

Danny got ready for his last baseball game of the season and John Michael got ready to go sing at the 5K Graduation at Hilldale. This helped to maintain my tears, I knew that we were going back at least once. Brandon took Danny and John Micheal and I headed to Hilldale for the last time as a parent and student. When we go back it will just be as visitors. I loved the fact that they all matched, even the teachers! It was such a special Graduation ceremony for the 5K and First Grade they are ready for you. The K4 classes sang great and this is definitely one proud momma! Then the goodbyes came. I had to say goodbye to people that have been such a huge part of my family. I consider these people more than teachers, they are friends, they are a part of who my children will become and for that I am and always will be bonded to them. I told them that I want to get together and I mean it! This was not just talk it was from my heart. I also told them I would come up and photograph for them anytime that they need it! Just give me the dates and I will add it to my calender. There are parents who I have known and grown close to and I will miss. We will have to get our kids together so that they can play and stay in touch and so that we can stay close. This I also mean from the bottom of my heart!

We left the school, and once I regained composure I dropped John Michael off at my mom's because he really wanted to spend the night and I headed to Danny's game.

Danny's team won their game and they played great, at least the 2 and a half innings I saw. I cannot believe that baseball is over. I truly enjoy spending time at the park and getting to know other people. We will work with our catching, hitting and running and maybe next year we will make all stars and the season will continue even longer.

Well, Brandon is home and we are going to get Danny in the bed and then head to bed ourselves. I am exhausted. Today was definitely one with so many reasons to celebrate and many tears fell. Before I go to bed I will remember each of you in my prayers. Please do not ever take that moment that you have for granted or the people who are in that moment. While there are many to be had these are the memories and the people that we keep in our hearts forever!

Just Another Manic Monday...

Come on sing with me! I know you want to.

So we were on our way to St. Francis this morning when Danny starts to have a horrible asthma attack. Of everything the baby got from me why was this the gene that was passed along. Anyway, I let him stay home because I know that it was miserable, plus it was a really bad one that ended in him throwing up. He laid around and is much better. Thanks to all his asthma meds. Come on weather stay warm and work with me!

John Michael went to school and had a great day. Today was his last full day of school. I did not realize how sad I was until he walked out with his bag full of all the end of the year stuff. The papers that they did not do and his towel, crayons, markers, etc.

He has been so funny tonight working on his "homework" as he has decided. I am just glad that he it finally at a place that he enjoys working hard.

Well, Danny is asleep and John Michael needs to be. While I know that this is short I also wanted to make certain that I made it back to being on schedule! YAY! I needed a definite positive. There is a lot that I plan to do this summer and getting organized is definitely one of them. This was a start!

I also have Mrs. Hayes (2nd grade) gift ready and I will send it to be printed tomorrow. I want to double check it tomorrow with fresh eyes!

Before I go to bed I will make sure to remember you all in my prayers. I will also be praying for the warmer temperatures to come on back. I am not looking forward to the ballpark with this chill in the air! Good night and sweet dreams to you all!

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!