It's Just Me, Isaiah

Isaiah has been wanting "spikey hair." After investigating what that means to him, I have determined that he likes dreadlocks. I saw a friend's son with awesome dreads at church and thought, "I am going to call her for help." Sure enough, she knows what to do and even offered to do it for me. I jumped on that offer!! Isaiah has not had a haircut in months in preparation for this big day.

I learned that we start with twists, that will become dreads. Even kind of knowing how the process should go, I wasn't very confident in my ability to space everything properly and do a good job. I was so grateful that she was willing to lead me through the process. Thanks, Toni!

Separate and twist with locking cream.

It took less than 2 hours for the whole process

Dry

A very happy boy

Back View

Isaiah did great!! It was a bit painful around the edges, but he sat very well watching TV and playing games on my phone. We also had some gum to chew on when it hurt.

Laila had a lot of compassion for him because she has sat for many hours having her hair done. She kept wanting to feel it. When it was all over, she said, "I don't want braids anymore." Oh, well, chick, we are not taking them out right now. They still have about 5 weeks left in them.

Now, we just have to maintain them and continue to twist them with locking cream as he has new growth. They will fill out more and be really cute!! He is hoping no one will recognize him when he comes to school today so he can say, "It's just me, Isaiah."

Using What We Have

I am trying to approach my spending differently this year.

I guess it could be considered a sort of resolution.

I didn't make official resolutions this year, because I didn't have the energy to and felt like so many things were so out of my control, why bother?

We live pretty modestly compared to American standards.

We have actually revamped our budget to streamline and be the best stewards we can of what God has given us.

The thing I have noticed over the last week when I look around my house, is that we don't use all that we have.

I want to change that this year.

If nothing else, it will help me to think before I buy.

Why do I need to buy the newest scent of hand soap when I already have 3 bottles of hand soap under my sink?

Why do I need to buy more shampoo for the kids when I have a box full of hotel-sized shampoos, conditioners, lotion, etc.? They would like having their very own anyway.

I just want to see how much clutter I can get rid of as a result and how much money I can save.

This is the first time we have lived in the same house for so long, 8 years. I haven't had the "moving decluttering" opportunity for a while.

I hope to look back over this year and see how I have become more disciplined to use what I have. I think it will be a good lesson for my kids, too!

I am writing out my grocery list differently. I am leaving things off that I would normally put on it.

I am digging through my drawers and cabinets. If I can't use it, I am throwing it away or giving it away. If I can use it, I am not buying.

I am curious to see what I learn through this process!

Life

~This last week was painful for all of us getting back into our schedule.

~Cody is working on his Science Fair Project(I only have to do this 5 more times. I think I can! I think I can!) Even though I don't do our kids' schoolwork for them, it is still stressful for me.

~We are back to homework, bedtimes, chores, early mornings, etc.

~Speaking of chores, I would say our first week on the new chore system went smoothly. We are calling this first few weeks our learning/grace weeks. We are learning as we go and giving grace in the mistakes and forgetfulness.

~I spent 6 hours one day this week shopping. We literally left the house at 7:30 to take the kids to school, shopped for 3 hours, came home to drop off groceries and eat lunch, take Isaiah to school, shop for 3 more hours, drop the food off at home, and then pick everyone up from school. It was exhausting. Oh, and I woke up at 4:00 that morning unable to go back to sleep. I had not done any major grocery shopping since before Christmas. I also had Christmas gifts to return. Then, there were the science fair project supplies to pick up.

~I am in a "not sleeping well" cycle. I go through these pretty regularly. Thus the 4:00 in the morning waking up. I will say, I am getting a lot of Bible reading done. I am going through "The Purpose Driven Life" and finding it to be very encouraging, challenging, and purposeful(yeah, I said it.). Seriously, it really is speaking to me in so many ways that I need it to right now. I resisted it when it first came out because so many people were talking about it. I am glad I was challenged by a friend to do it.

~I made 3 dozen chocolate chip muffins for breakfast one morning. They only lasted for 2 mornings. Rick and I only ate 3 of them. I remember when I could feed them for a whole week on that many muffins. These kids are getting bigger and eating more!!

~Rick and I took Sam out for his bday date for the month. He chose the new McDonalds. Please remind me to just get the smoothie next time. I have decided I only like McDonalds for the drinks, sweet tea, smoothies, peppermint hot chocolate, Frappes. He had fun. That is what matters.

Isn't he just precious?!?!

Thrilled with his toy!

Hiding out in the lame playground.

A picture Isaiah drew of me.

Wow, I look rough. That must have been the morning I got up at 4:00.

~The TV in our basement was dying. It was 13 years old. Rick found this TV on Craigslist for $50. The kids are in heaven playing video games and watching movies on it. They actually want to spend time in the basement now. Now that is what I call a deal!!

Life. Welcome to My World.

New Year's Day

Well, it is Jan. 7th. I am a bit behind. This should pretty much catch me up on our holiday festivities.

We FINALLY put away our Christmas decorations today. It feels so good to be done. Once Christmas is over, I am pretty much ready the next day. Rick prefers to wait a bit. Since he helps and actually leads the process, I wait.

We slept in on New Year's Day. Sleeping in and naps are glorious, really. That has been the hardest thing about this last week. Waking up early every morning. I truly despise it.

Here are the activities of our day:

We had big breakfast

This was one of Sam's favorite Christmas gifts. It was also the least expensive.

He literally plays for hours doing battles.

My girls, cuddling

Lego building. He was so excited to take a picture of his creation.

It is right side up, he is upside down.

The Cowboys played that night.

Unfortunately, it turned out to be our last night of concessions for this season

because "our boys" lost.

Don't you just love our "turf" tablecloth?

Rick's favorite cookies

This is a new addition to our concession stand from Julie.

A Cowboys sandwich/waffle maker

How fabulous is that?

There was a lot of sadness around here since the Cowboys lost. It was fun starting this new tradition of watching games and having concessions this year. I am sure we will continue it.

New Year's Eve

As a family, up to this point, we have decided to stay home together for New Year's Eve. It doesn't feel like a fun night to be out with young kids or even to leave the kids with a babysitter. So, for now, we have some fun traditions that we enjoy each year.

Let me just start by saying, Rick and I were so tired on this night. We stay up most nights until at least 11:00, but we were fading at 9:00 and wondering if we were going to make it to ring in the Mountain Time New Year.

We started the night with our Annual Dance Competition. You just wouldn't believe how much fun this is. It is fun to see the little kids get into it and the bigger kids are starting to really practice and prepare for it.

Lauren and Abby began the night with a choreographed dance to "Keep Your Head Up"

They had been practicing all week in the basement.

Don't you just love their matching outfits?

Next up, Sam, with his signature move, the splits to the song, "Fire Burning"

Break it down, Boy!

Laila danced to "Eenie Meenie"

I have no idea where her shirt is.

I guess since she is 3, this is okay.

This is how Isaiah started his song, "Rocketeer"

On a side note, when I went to pick him up from preschool yesterday, I peeked into the classroom and saw the whole class in a circle clapping with him in the middle break dancing. What the heck?

When I asked Isaiah about it, he said, "I wanted to show them my dance skills."

My song, "Price Tag". I love this pic because Sam's facial expression of disgust cracks me up. I am sure there will be many more of those over the years.

Ba Blang, Ba Blang!

Rick wasn't fully prepared this year.

After his Amazing Kite Flying routine last year, it will be hard to ever top that.

So, what did he do?

Get cute kids to join him to distract from his lack of preparation.

Cody didn't participate this year.

It makes me sad, but I get it.

Instead, he was the DJ for us getting all the music ready.

Laila won the competition and her reward was to open the game for this year: Dicecapades

This is a great game for our big kids. We just waited to play after we put Isaiah and Laila to bed.

After our competition, we had our traditional donuts and sparking juice(we were really lame about pics this year). I also printed out a sheet online that we each had filled out. We talked about it as we ate our donuts. It included things like, best memory from 2011, something new I want to learn to do in 2012, etc. It was eyeopening to hear some of their responses. Then, we let the kids watch Spy Kids 4 in the basement. At that point it was about 10:00. We watched the ball drop on TV with the East Coast and put Isaiah and Laila down for bed.

We spent the next 2 hours playing Dicecapades. We played girls against boys with each team winning once. We will have to break that tie in the near future.

We surprisingly stayed awake until midnight. The kids ran outside to watch the fireworks on Pikes Peak and then we sent everyone to bed. Goodbye, 2011.

Back in the Swing

The 4 big kids went back to school today.

I was dragging.

These early mornings do not work well for me.

I am a bit behind on my blogging, but there has been a lot going on around here.

After about 5 months of discussing, developing, and tweaking, we have introduced a new plan of action for chores around here.

I am excited, scared, hesitant, and optimistic all at the same time.

I am not going to share about it until we have had a few weeks to try it out and work out some of the kinks that I am sure we will encounter.

If it works, it will make my life a lot easier and will help develop our children into more responsible citizens.

If it doesn't, I will cry and maybe even throw something.

I spent today doing laundry, working on my mom's yearly calendar(yes, Mama, it is complete and on the way to you), making pinto beans, pouring my heart out to a friend, taking Cody to an orthodontist visit, grilling burgers and dogs(that may not seem profound, but Rick is the grill master in this house), getting kids to bed, and now heading that way myself.

I have to shop tomorrow. I have not done any real grocery shopping since before Christmas.

I have put it off as long as I can, and I am dreading it, but we have to eat.

Hopefully, I can get those last items returned from Christmas and maybe even get some really cheap wrapping paper for next year if any is left.

I am going to start off this new year by seeing how little I can spend on groceries, gas, and other necessities this month. If the weather will cooperate, we might be able to get a lower utilities bill, too!

While I am on here, if you think about it, say a prayer for my mama. She had pretty major back surgery last week. According to the doctor, it went well. Unfortunately, recovery is a beast. I wish I could be there to help her or at least keep her company.

2012, Here I Come!

2011 is over. I can't say I am too sad about that. It has been a challenging year.

As Rick and I were talking about last year I asked him for a phrase he would use to describe it.

His answer: FRAGMENTED.

My answer: PAINFUL TRANSITION

I have seen God's Hand. I have experienced His Provision. I have questioned His plan. I have fought against receiving and giving His grace and forgiveness.

I have cried, grieved, hurt, healed, laughed and grown. I feel a bit beaten and bruised from the experience.

I still have a lot of unanswered questions about our future. Things are not nearly as settled as I would like for them to be. In fact, 2012 feels very uncertain to me. To be honest, in many ways I am fearful for what 2012 holds.

I am turning 40 this year. I hear the 40s are great. A new start is appealing. How did I get to be 40 so fast?

In 2012, I want to grow more, release more, submit more, forgive more, believe more, live in gratitude more, surround myself with people that are for me more, serve more, give more, prioritize more, celebrate more, love more.

In 2012, I want to get angry less, sweat the small stuff less, spend less, yell less, eat less, complain less, say no to my kids less.

As the clock ticked into 2012 last night I decided I wanted to start this year being purposeful with my first words of the year. What words did I choose: SIMPLICITY, PEACE.

Then, I ran over and planted a big one on Ricky while the kids gagged and moaned.

I have my God. I have my family. I have my life.

Come on, 2012. Let's see what you hold!!