Free Samples....

Hey, so I started working the drive-thru yesterday and today. It is quite a challenge! =) But truly so much fun. I have been working every morning since last Tuesday so I am exhausted! I have tomorrow off...but Steve will be out of town....so no break for me! =)

Anyway, did you know....that at Starbucks.... we are supposed to be sampling throughout the day? That means.... yummy treats. We just started a really good breakfast sandwich thingy that is kinda hard to pronounce... but you should try it. The portabella mushroom one is really good. It almost tastes like a spinach and mushroom pizza. I liked it.

A friend of mine from my mom's club told me about Wal-mart giving out free samples. You will have to give feedback via email when you've tested the product....but I'm cool with giving my opinion so it works for me! Click HERE for the link. Click on the tab that says Free Samples and you are on your way! I am waiting to get my free sample of Gain detergent, Pamprin, and a lotion in the mail. =) I always like free stuff...even if it's only 1 little pack of liquid detergent...or 2 Pamprin pills....I will definitely use it! and it was free! =)

Ok...the house is quiet so I might take a nap. What!??! A nap!?!?!? Yup....no kids in the house... quiet...I think a nap sounds awesome! Don't call me...=) If you wake me up....it might get ugly! =) lol

Awww... brothers!

Guess what the boys are doing right now???? No, not fighting... not even wrestling. No, not arguing over what cartoon they are going to watch.

Jeremiah went out and got both of their baseball gloves. Grabbed a tennis ball. And is now throwing grounders to William, who is catching them (very well I might add) and throwing them back!

I just stood at the window with a HUGE proud smile on my face. How cute are they? I can just see them as they get older and start playing sports.... I love it!

Steve was outside with them yesterday after church tossing the football around. I was outside cheering them on. They were taking turns hiking the ball to Steve, then he'd throw it to them as they ran for the touchdown. The other one would try to stop them. It was Will's turn to make a touchdown and Jeremiah starts telling me...."this is going to be SOOOO easy!!!" I just kinda chuckled... then he did it... He tripped him. I sorta yelled at him for swiping his foot under Will as he ran. Steve just gave me that look! So, I shut up. Until he did it again.... and then he tells me... I'm supposed to stop him mom! Ok...just be careful I say. Then it's Jeremiah's turn to try to score and William is waiting. Jeremiah hikes the ball to Steve and immediately William tackles Jeremiah. They start wrestling on the grass and Steve is just sitting there with the ball. I told them to stop wrestling and Jeremiah looks at me and says (remember....Will tackled him...) MOM....It's TACKLE football not FLAG.... We're supposed to get each other!!!!
Steve and I just laughed. I guess if they were having fun, then that is what it was all about right?! Neither one was mad at the other for tripping, tackling, wrestling or saying "In your face!" lol =) Aww.... boys! =)

Election results and I'm tired!

So, Hailey did not win the race for Secretary. A 5th grade girl who's mom is a teacher at the school, won. Hailey was pretty bummed. I mean, really bummed. I picked her up from school and I could tell she was about ready to fall apart as she walked to the car. You know that look of...if I could just get in the car without crying, I can fall apart when no one can see me...bless her heart. She just fell apart in the car. It made me sad to see her so disappointed...but after a bit she jumped back up and said...I have a song picked out for next year's speech! We are so proud of her for even running and we've told her that, over and over. I do hope that she runs for something next year... =)


I have been busy! I have worked everyday this week and weekend and will continue to work until Wed... I have Thursday off! =) I have to be at work no later than 3:55am...(( I was so extremely early for my first day but my second day...I was 4 minutes late. I left a few minutes later than the day before but underestimated how long it would take me to actually get there... I admit I was late...and take full responsibility...well... the shift supervisor decided to um...well...not be very nice. She made me stand outside for 15 minutes while she took care of the money inside the store. Now, I know that when money is being handled, every safety precaution should be taken...however...when I got to the store...she didn't have the money out yet... so I think it was more of a "I'm going to make a point!" type of attitude. BUT then, once I did get in the store...there was no explanation of why she left me out there. It was 4am and dark...it would've been nice to know why my safety was put at risk... one of the other employees told me that it was because of the money but the supervisor didn't say anything. As a matter of fact, she told me to go sit in the back and just get started on my book once I did get inside - instead of helping set up like I had done the morning before. Ok...I'm nearly 30...a mom... and I've worked for many years... there was no need to treat me as if I was a child and send me to the back room, nor was there a reason for me to be disrespected and left outside without a apology or anything. I apologized for being late...which she pretty much shrugged off. *sigh* Oh well....we're moving on... it really wasn't a big deal but I think she made it into something. ))

Needless to say.... I am SOOOOO tired! =) It's been really fun though. All of the stuff is coming back to me, and once again I come home smelling of coffee. All things have been worked out with me and that particular supervisor...so that is good...


I have been running around trying to find donations for our Fall Festival.... grocery stores, other stores, Costco, etc... Some places just told me straight up that they don't have any money left in their budget for donations so I'd have to wait until next year... others have told me that they have to ask a district manager....but my fingers are truly crossed and prayers being said for Costco and another locally owned grocery store. They both told me that they would get back to me on Monday....I hate asking for stuff....it's so far out of my comfort zone...but I did it! And it wasn't so painful...just a little nerve racking....but not as scarry as I thought it would be.

I started a Bible study on Wed (Beth Moore!) and they mentioned that they were in real need of nursery workers...a paid position and only on Wednesdays. I'm thinking...I might do that too! =) They offer the Bible Study at night... so I can bring my kids to the kids center...watch other people's kids...for 3 hours and get paid $10 an hour...then go back WITHOUT my kids for the night study. Money is so extremely tight right now that the lure of $30 for 1 morning...times 4 weeks... works out to be over $100. I think that would at least help with groceries or gas or maybe pizza for a treat. *sigh* don't you wish there was a money tree? I would love to have farm land for that!!!! =)

My plate is full!

Ok so, my day today has been crazy. Let's recap!

I got up at 3:30am to get ready for work...started at 4am. Got off around 8am and then went to a Room mom meeting at the kids' school...(did I mention I'm Jeremiah's head room mom?) then went to drop of the 2 little ones at preschool... then went to meet a lady about some furniture for my mom...then stopped off at the grocery store to grab a few things...took a movie back...came home and finished my homework...back to pick up the little ones from school...then Jeremiah from school...then Hailey from school... then home. *Whew* It's only 3:30...I'm tired! I still have dinner to do, baths and bed. Steve had to go out of town so I'm left to do it all! =)

On Thursday last week I got a call from the President of the PTC for the kids' school. She wanted to know if I'd be interested in helping out with the Fall Festival and so I said "sure"... she asked if I could attend the planning meeting the next morning and it just so happened that I could. Ok... I'm thinking a planning meeting for the school AT the school. NOPE! It was at the district office with the Superintendent and Associate Attendants as well as the PTC reps from the other elementary schools in our district. I felt like a fish out of water. Apparently, I am now the co-chair of the fall festival! Um...yeah ... like I have all the time in the world! Oh well...it'll be over in 3 weeks.

Then in the afternoon on Thursday I was contacted by the Room Mom Director for the kids' school. Apparently, my son's class is the only one in the entire school that did NOT have anyone volunteer to be the room mom...actually...only 3 parents offered to even help (me being 1 of them!). SO.... I am now the head room mom for his 1st grade class. Holy crap!

Hailey is running for Student Council so we have to prepare her speak for tomorrow morning. The voting takes place on Wednesday...oh and Jeremiah's class is doing a little song right after the flag salutes on Friday...can't miss that either. Are you tired reading this?! Because I'm tired just thinking about everything I have coming up...

So, between raising 4 kids, working part-time, going to school, and being a wife... I am now Co-Chair for Fall Festival and Head Room Mom. OH... and I start a Beth Moore Bible study on Wed. at the church that we found. *sigh* Tired is an understatement!

Well...I have to know contemplate what I'm going to make for dinner...get the bath tubs ready and try to get everyone in bed early...especially ME! =) but not before I clean my house because my mom is coming tomorrow...where is that husband when I need him?!?!?! Oh...he's enjoying the solitude of a hotel...all expenses paid by his company...including meals. I am eating hot dogs and cantaloupe while he gets Applebee's.... *sigh*

I hear screaming... Oh wait...that's just me! =)

Hailey's running for student council!

So, Hailey has decided to run for Secretary. She is pretty excited. She came home yesterday with a list of names...I asked her who they were and she smiled so big and said...The people voting for me! =) How cute is she...

Anyway, we had to make a poster for her to put up in the cafeteria... so I thought I'd attach a picture. She did a great job...with minimal help from me... We'll keep you posted on the outcome. Voting is next week and all the students have to register to vote this week (how cute is that!) =) then they actually vote next Thursday. *fingers crossed* She is getting so big and so grown up. I couldn't be prouder!











Oh, I didn't realize that I didn't post about my first day at work. It was interesting. I forgot how much book training they do. Even though I've worked there before, they still have to re-train me because it's been so long. No biggie but it's just a lot of repetition of stuff I already know. I swear, I sat at the computer with another girl in training, and we spent 30 minutes watching a "training module" on how to mop and clean! Um...I have 4 kids... I think I can manage a mop! I don't go back until next week...at 4am! Whooo Hoooo!!! =)

Funny story...well, at least I think so!

So, my mom sent me this funny little thing. I just had to laugh....I hope you do too!

In this life I'm a woman.
In my next life, I'd like to come back as a
bear.

When you're a bear, you get to hibernate.
You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that.
Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid.
I could deal with that, too.

When you're a girl bear, you birth your children
(who are the size of walnuts)
While you're sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute cuddly cubs.
I could definitely deal with that.

If you're a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business.
You swat anyone who bothers your cubs.
If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that.

If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling.
He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.
Yup! Gonna be a bear.
(Unknown Author)

Church hunting, yet again.

So, we tried a new church today...again. Seriously, I'm getting tired of trying different churches.
I think that we may have found one today, finally. It's a young church full of younger people and they had a good kids program. Our kids liked it, so that is half the battle.
They've been meeting at a school for the past 5 years and are moving to their new building next week. It was a really nice church and I think we'll be going back next week. =)

Cardboard Confessions...

So, my mom and sister in law told me to check out this on Youtube. I think that for the past few weeks I've been pretty discouraged...but seeing this has rememinded me that God is bigger than my problems. He is here and everywhere and is just waiting for us to take His hand. Check this out


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First Day of School Pictures

So, I finally got around to getting the pictures uploaded. I thought you might enjoy seeing all of them...=)



Here is Hailey and Jeremiah on their first day...







Hailey and Jeremiah in front of their classrooms...










Here is Annabelle and William on their first day... the picture didn't turn out too great because Bella has her eyes closed but keep looking...I added a few more...









Here is Will...looking so handsome








And of course Annabelle...this is the front of the building where we check them in... and William grabbing a bike to head outside.










This last one is my favorite of the two of them. They really are eachothers best friends and it's so cute to see how William literally takes her under his arm and cares for her. Oh and P.S. .... Go Angels! Will LOVES his lunch bag!!!!

DMV...are you KIDDING me?!?

Oh my gosh. The CA DMV. Can you see my hair turning grey and steam coming out of my ears? If not...trust me... it is!

We had to get our car registered and our CA drivers licenses. I thought I was being savvy and made an appointment online. We walked in... got our number and waited for only a few minutes. I was stoked...until we got up to the counter and the lady snipped at us for not having paperwork! Um...why didn't the lady who checked us in (with the confirmation of appointment paper...so she knew why we were there...) give us paperwork? So...after filling out the paperwork and waiting for a bit... our lady went on her break! Yup, her break...it was only 10:30am...
So... I had to get a new number. Finally, after awhile our lady came back from her break. *sigh* I really don't like the DMV. Because I had a CA drivers license before, I didn't have to take the test so that was fabulous. =)

BUT can I just tell you ... when we went to get our drivers license in AZ, it was a pleasant experience... not a walk in the park...but at least the people were nice. When I got my picture taken for the AZ license I started to leave because I figured they'd send it in the mail like good 'ol CA...but nope! AZ prints it out right there. 5 minutes and I had my license. *sigh* Not the case in CA. I should expect my license in 7 - 10 days. Are you joking?!?! So, right now I'm driving around with my AZ license with a hole punched in it! and a piece of paper from the CA DMV stating "Temporary License"... lovely.

We were just glad to get out of there. We still have to get the car smog'd, which means we have to go back again. Oh and it was EXPENSIVE! Can I just say that it was more than a few hundred dollars! I remember when I got my license at 16... it cost me $12. Today... $28. But it's the stupid registration that kills you! Where in the world does all that money go? Cuz you know there was at least 100 people in the DMV this morning...all paying fee's of some sort... I'll remember all the money we paid when we drive down the street and hit our head on the ceiling of the car from all the wonderful bumps and pot holes in the road... =)

It's official!

Whew! I am, once again, an employee of Starbucks! I start Monday and I couldn't be happier! It's been a while but I'm really looking forward to it. I'm just glad my clothes will be smelling of coffee and not grease! =) I remeber in college when we had friends that worked fast food...not a pleasant smell in a dorm.
When I'd get home from work before, Will would always come and give me a big hug and sniff me! =) He said I smelled yummy from the coffee.

What's for dinner ...

Dinner... well... tonight we have Skaterama at the kids' school. Me, roller skating... yeah, I don't think I've skated in over a decade! lol This should be funny...moreso because Will wants to try and if Will is doing it then Bella will want to as well.... Look for pictures in the near future. I'm sure it will be a good laugh!

So, for dinner it will be simple.

Taco Salad. Mainly because I have everything on hand, it's easy and the kids actually eat it! =)

I add avocado to ours and I mix sour cream with a bit of salsa for the dressing. Hailey likes it just plain but the boys like dressing. Annabelle just eats whatever the other kids eat so she doesn't care...=) as long as she gets her pink bowl, life is good.

Classroom Fun...

So I helped out in Jeremiah's 1st grade class today. It was so cute to see the kids figure stuff out. I love my son's teacher. She is great with the kids and really has the classroom running smoothly. They are encouraged to be independent and it's fabulous!

Did I mention that the school only has 1 male teacher. 1! He teaches 5th grade... Even the principal is a women! =)

I want to help out in Hailey's 4th grade class. I think that as of now, I really like the 3rd grade level and I think I would like teaching that age...but I still want to check out the 4th grade. I'll be done in April with my degree...then off to the credential program... so... I have some time to decide but I think that I would do better with the middle ages. I have a lot of respect for those teachers that work with the Junior High and High School. I'm not sure I would have the patience...same with Kindergarten. I think that if I co-taught Kindergarten it would be fun but I'm not sure I would be able to do it all alone.

Jeremiah's 1st grade class has 20 kids... not too bad... Hailey's though...has 31! Holy Crap! 31 kids...wait.... 31- 10 year old's! Girls are getting to the "click" age and boys are realizing that girls exist, and girls are maybe thinking that boys are cute but they still stink and are gross... I think Hailey's teacher needs a HUGE hug and a LARGE cup of coffee! =)

So, all of you teachers out there... THANK YOU. Thank you for pouring into our kids' lives every day. Thank you for giving of yourself, your family, your time, your money, your love and your lives. Thank you for making school and environment that out kids want to go to and enjoy going to.

And, for all of us parents... volunteer in their classrooms if you can. Ask the teachers what kind of supplies they need and keep replenishing them when you can. (It's week 4 and she has already gone through a bunch of glue sticks...and erasers) Send notes of encouragement and appreciation. And teach your kids (as I teach mine) to be respectful and loving. To use manners and be kind. Spoil your kids' teachers because they are making a difference in your child's life. =)

Starbucks called!

Yup...I dropped off resume's at 4 different Starbucks near me and finally after 2 weeks I heard from one. She called at 6pm... and I just got back from the interview! That was quick! I think the interview went really well...they are hiring for the hours that I am looking for and since I've already worked for them, it will make the training/transition much easier. This one has a drive thru so I'm excited about figuring that one out! =)

Keep your fingers crossed and your prayers going. This would be a fabulous opportunity for us! The crazy thing is that the store opens at 4:30am! Whew! That's early!

I'll keep you posted.

First Day of Preschool!

William and Annabelle started their first day of Preschool. They were SO excited! Annabelle especially! She just practically ran into her classroom and wouldn't take off her backpack.

It was quite a wierd feeling to have no kids...none.. the house was quiet. I worked out for a little bit, till I got bored... then I did some homework...then I went and ran a few errands...OH... and I turned in some job applications.

I'm exicted about their next day at school. I think I might actually get A LOT of cleaning done! I might even be able to mop the floor without having to remove little ones...so maybe the floor with stay clean a little longer. =) Yeah right! But we can all hope can't we!?!?!