Friday, October 30, 2009

Events, Homeschool Curriculum & a Birthday too

This month was a bit on the busy side. Not only were we continuing to get into a homeschooling schedule...Joe and I also had to coordinate his SBTIA Economic Action Summit event. This is an annual event we do, and their biggest fundraiser of the year.

I'm happy to say I pulled it all off! The room was packed and the event was a success.

Homeschooling is going great. I spent the last month trying to figure out exactly what curriculum I want to use. Everyone told me not to rush and I'm glad I didn't.

I went to a small homeschool conference on Monday. The conference was about teaching your kids history through historical literature. I decided to use this curriculum (Beautiful Feet Curriculum), for literature and history. The best part is my friend Steff has the curriculum and is not using it this year...so she loaned it to us. We start next week.

I also chose MCP Math for our math curriculum and Apologia's Young Explorers Series for our science. We should be able to start with all three sometime next week.

Kami turned 8 on October 22nd. We took her to Build A Bear Workshop and she also had a party with some of her close friends. She had a great birthday. :)

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Lessons Learned


We have officially been homeschooling for 4 weeks today. It has been an interesting month to say the least. There have been days I liked it, days I hated it, and days I think my kids felt the same.

This past weekend we made the decision that CAVA was not for our girls. It is a great school, with a very rich curriculum, however...it was a little too advanced for my girls. The math frustrated us all. It jumped from concept to concept way too quickly. The science and history seemed like 6th grade level to me...my girls lost interest very quickly.

We have decided to homeschool the girls on our own. By doing this, we can choose curriculum that fits their needs and interests them. We can go at their pace and forget the state standards. I don't want them pushed through stuff to pass a test. I want them to master their skills and build confidence!

Yesterday we did it all on our own and had the best day yet! I am seriously excited about this!

Some Lessons I Have Learned this Month:
  • Start your school day with bible reading and prayer
  • School can and should be FUN and interesting
  • You should laugh while teaching and learning
  • Life is a part of school
  • Love each other despite each other's annoyances
  • Be open minded about curriculum
  • Everything will not work for every kid
  • Don't be scared to quit something that isn't working
  • Don't be afraid to go back to the basics if your kids need it for a season
  • Have a schedule and stick to it most days (we need structure, but I am flexible if something comes up)
  • Have a set of rules and stick to them (this is crucial to our day)
  • Reward the kids for sticking to the morning schedule and school rules

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Today is the Day!

Today is the day...the official day of the start of our homeschooling!

These two silly girls are my students.

We have a schedule, supplies, everything we need...

We actually started a bit of work last week, just to get us in the mode. We have 3 days of math/language arts that we did ahead of time. I'm actually feeling pretty excited about the year ahead. I think we are all going to love this!

As for me, I am waking up around 6am to get a couple hours of work done before the school day starts. This has been a huge relief for me...I am able to get pressing things out of the way early so that I can focus on the girls and school. =)

Let the day begin!

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Delight!

I had an amazing weekend!

On Friday night I went to a live simulcast with Beth Moore, from Living Proof Ministries. I have read a couple of her books, and signed up for this event a few weeks ago. I had never heard her live before. Let me just say, she doesn't let down!

I went with one of my friends, Steff. We really don't know each other that well, but the Lord sure matched us up and threw us together!

The theme of the teaching was on Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart". It is amazing how He has been speaking to me on this very issue over the past few weeks. If you read my blog A Captive Heart, you will see a theme going about having the joy of the Lord, and not letting the enemy steal that joy. Well, that was the theme at this event! I love when He does that! Such great confirmation.

It was such a refreshing time in His Word. Sometimes I forget how needed those times are. I'm blessed I had the opportunity to go and thank my husband for holding down the fort.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Princess for a Day

Today is my birthday...the girls thought I should wear a princess crown for my birthday picture on facebook...so I did.

Sweetest sound I have heard all day was my 7 year old Kami coming to my bedroom door and saying "happy birthday mama"...she was so excited and it was pretty much the first thing she thought of today. She melts my heart sometimes...

The girls and I went to the DMV to renew my license, and I lucked out with hardly any wait at all. I usually don't put that off until the day my license expires...but for some reason, I forgot this time.

Joe took the girls and I out for pizza for lunch...my pick, I wanted to pick something the girls would like too...otherwise it would have been my favorite mexican restaurant.

My son Joey blessed me with some flowers when I got back from lunch. What a sweet kid.

Tonight Joe will BBQ and Jackie will come over...Joey has to work, JP has to work, and my mom has to work. So, the BDay extravaganza will be small this year.

Oh, and I am NOT counting calories today!

Monday, August 24, 2009

What? No TV?


We have two weeks until school starts. Up to now, my girls have been sleeping in later and later, have had no structure, and things have been just crazy.

Today I woke them up at 8:30...next week I will wake them up at 8:00...all in preparation of getting up for homeschooling the week of September 8th.

One thing we are going to focus on over the next two weeks are a couple of new rules. 1) Each girl can have 1 hour of computer time for play (not school). 2) TV's can't be turned on until 3pm.

This is going to be a challenge!

My hope is that eventually, we can do away with TV time all together. I need ideas on how to do this. Especially ideas where I don't have to be their constant entertainment. I work from home and when we aren't doing school, I need the couple of hours each day to do my job.

I thought about unplugging the cable cords behind their TV's and telling them they must be broken...hahaha. However, I would rather have them in agreement with me. Kami would have no problem with this, but Jenna is the type of kid that wants/needs constant stimulation...anyone have any ideas?

Also, I must note, even though TV's can be turned on at 3pm...that is the time of day for dance, cheer, errands...so it isn't like they will sit in front of them all afternoon. My hope is this "TV time" will get later and later, or better, that they won't want to watch it anymore.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Craziness of summer


Wow, it has been a while since I have posted. Summer has been crazy and the strange thing is, we haven't really done anything specific.

The girls had swimming lessons, Jenna started cheerleading, they have had a few play dates here and there, some beach days too...but it just seems that we had more time when we were homeschooling for that last 4 weeks of school. To tell you the truth, I think we are all looking forward to getting back into the structure.

We did make a decision that it would be best for me to quit one of my jobs. It was the one job I had that required me to leave home. I just knew it would be next to impossible to try and do that with homeschooling. I was working for an education foundation that funds our local public schools. Every since I decided to homeschool, it was just a bit awkward. Who knew that just going into an office a couple of times a week, for just a couple of hours each time, would be such a production and take such a big chunk of time out of my day.

School is just around the corner. The girls start on September 8th. We ended up making the decision to go with the public charter school, CAVAK12. It is a virtual online academy. The girls are schooled from home, are supplied with a computer, all of the books, a teacher we meet with quarterly, as well as IEP services for Jenna. They sign on each morning and log in to see what they have to do for the day/week. This means, I don't have to do the planning, yay! I think it is going to be great.

Starting next week we are going to try to implement a schedule of some sort back into our day. Come up with new rules, etc...this way we will be ready on the first day of school!

Friday, May 29, 2009

Just a Little Structure Please

We have been homeschooling for about 2 weeks now. The first week was spent figuring out how our days would go for the remainder of the school year.

Keep in mind, the girls were in an alternative school...there was little or no structure in the classroom. It was VERY laid back - to a fault. I also suspect there wasn't a real authority figure. Sure they had a teacher, but the kids called her by her first name. Is that really teaching kids to respect the leader of the classroom? I don't think so, I think it puts the kids and the teacher on the same level.

So, our first week I created a "schedule" and a list of "rules". I had the girls each review them with me, agree to them, and sign them. Then we hung the lists on their walls. This week we stuck to the lists like glue. They have to be up by 8am, be dressed, eat breakfast, have their teeth brushed, and rooms clean by 9:15.

This morning, Jenna woke up early...they are supposed to wake up by 8am and homeschool is supposed to start at 9:15. Jenna had completed every task on her daily list by 8am and asked if she could help me clean the kitchen.

I'm in shock. Jenna is my child that has always had the messiest room in the world. It has always been a challenge to get her to clean her room, get dressed, brush her teeth, or do anything! She has always been one of the most un-structured kids I have ever seen.

I am amazed at what a little structure for two weeks has done. Her room is not only clean in the morning, many times she cleans it on her own before bed! I didn't realize how the unstructured day at school was so drastically affecting the way she functioned in her home life.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Responsibility of Leadership

Sometimes the Lord speaks to you when you least expect it.

We went to church yesterday and Pastor Britt's message was on Hebrews 13:17 - Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

Pastor Britt's message was on the responsibility of leadership and was all about the leaders in the church and their responsibilities to us, the body. Britt went on to list and discuss 25 responsibilities they have to us.

All of a sudden, about half way through his list, the Lord hit me over the head with something. I realized that my husband and I are leaders too. Not to the body, but my husband is the spiritual leader of our home and I am the leader (aka teacher) of our children. This was a huge eye opener, because as Britt was going through the list, I was realizing a lot of the responsibilities should apply to me as well (as the teacher of our kids). Let me just say, I fall super short everyday in leading my children!

Here is Britt's list:
1. They love and obey Jesus
2. They are called
3. Show you Jesus
4. Point you to Jesus
5. Servant-leadership
6. Purity
7. Accountability
8. Good Stewards
9. Take your lives seriously
10. Take the church seriously
11. To love the church
12. Protection
13. Practice church discipline
14. Family before ministry
15. Real Lives
16. Imperfection
17. Shortcomings
18. Failure
19. Repentance
20. Humility
21. Diligence
22. Tell you the truth
23. Availability
24. Equipping you
25. Teach you the bible

Over the next few days I am going to pray about and create a list of my responsibilities to my children as their mother and teacher.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

I can do this!


Okay, this is going to be where the title of my blog really comes to life! I have made a decision! I struggled and prayed for 5 days about what to do...I checked out 3 different Christian Schools...contemplated the other public school. After a bunch of research on different curriculum's and after a lot of encouragement from 4 different friends who homeschool...I made the decision to do it! Why not? I work from home. I do have to go into the CEF office, but I can coordinate that to be when the girls are in dance, or at cheer practice.

I CAN DO THIS!

I just really feel a peace about this! I believe in my heart it is the best thing to do for my two girls, therefore the sacrifice is worth it!

Yesterday I made it official and filed all of my paperwork with the state, got my binder together, and wrote a letter to the school, which I will deliver today. The name of our school is Mount Zion Academy!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Dilemma I now face

Despite the "Obama drama" I have had a pretty nice weekend.

My biggest dilemma is what to do about this last 4 weeks of school. I told several people Friday my girls weren't going back (out of emotional response). My girls started to clean out their desks, but didn't get everything. They also heard me say they weren't returning, but I don't want my pride to get in the way. I need to do what is best for them.
I have a few options:
1) Ask if their school work can be sent home for the final 4 weeks.
2) Send them back, and let them stick out this final 4 weeks...explaining to the girls that sometimes mom's react emotionally when they feel their kids are being wronged or exposed to situations they don't agree with.
3) Tell the school I'm homeschooling them for the final 4 weeks and do that.
Any advice would be appreciated!!!!

Today we went to church and heard a great message about the importance of doing good in the community around us. Of course, I know my reaction at school on Friday wasn't a good example of being a Christian (hence the mockery from crazy chair mom). I need to learn self control and patience in situations like that (especially ones that involve my kids!). Thank you God that I don't have to be perfect because You sent Your Son to be perfect for me. I would never get into Heaven if I had to be perfect!

I really need to surrender my struggle with self control and patience daily. Obviously, Friday I failed.

Now, for the fun news...I won an ipod shuffle today at the Vons grand reopening! I never win anything, so that was pretty fun. Especially since my 7 year old was with me.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Mama Bear Awakes...uh oh

Okay, today...wow, what the heck?

Maybe we should actually start with yesterday...no wait, we need to briefly go back to November! Inauguration day in the classroom. There were pictures of Obama on the blackboard, happiness and Obama talk everywhere, the kids were coloring pictures of him and the teacher was going to do a study of Bush vs Obama. That day a letter when home to parents of how Obama is our hope and inspiration (also it should be noted, a peace sign was at the top of this letter). You get the picture. Not exactly objective things going on in the classroom. Needless to say, I wasn't happy. The school was immediately notified by me, as well as the Superintendent of our school district. My girls are in 2nd and 3rd grade, they don't need this bologna at this age. My 7 year old was crying that Obama won...she was so confused and couldn't understand why people didn't like John McCain. Anyway, this situation was handled and I felt confident that the school realized not all of the parents were Obama supporters!

Now, to yesterday. I am at the school helping out in my kids class (I do this every Thursday afternoon). This particular Thursday there is a substitute. One of the kids runs up to the blackboard and draws a peace symbol. When the substitute turns around and sees it, he chants out Peace Obama! I was in shock and just stood there. I wanted to ask "excuse me, what does that mean"? But, I just stood there. I came home that night and told my husband and we just kind of laughed at the stupidity of the statement.

Then, we get to today. I arrive at school about 20 minutes early and sit in the car for 5. It's hot and I decide to go in for "circle time". Once again, there is a substitute (actually it is one of the parents). They are sitting in a circle, passing around a rock, and each kid gets a moment to say what they are thankful for. At the end of the first child's thankful list, he says "AND OBAMA". Immediately chanting from almost all of the kids starts. "Obama, Obama, Obama"! I look at my girls, and they are clearly uncomfortable. This continues with just about EVERY KID! Finally, they get to my child. I know she wont say she is thankful for Obama, she says she is thankful for her family and her mommy. Suddenly, one of the kids yells out "and Obama! The chanting starts again. Then the same thing happens when they get to my other daughter.

Okay, needless to say, I'm just super annoyed. Especially that they were allowed to sabotage my two girls thankful lists. However, it was a sub and I felt I should just let it slide. I told myself I'm sure she is handling it the best she can. There were tons of things I could have said, but these are 2nd and 3rd graders, and again, I'm giving the sub the benefit of the doubt. So I decide to just let it go. I just wanted to leave and get my girls out of this "Obamanation"!

Now to the stupid part! Try to keep following me. One of the kids (the worst behaved kid in the class) knocks down a chair twice. The first time, his mom is in the classroom and picks up the chair and says it is too big for the table, but turns it sideways and it fits. The second time, his mom was outside, but heard the chair fall and ran in to pick up the chair. She once again blames it on the chair being too big (as if it just fell all by itself). As she is taking the chair away, the child that the chair belongs to gets upset that his chair is being taken away. He was very upset and she just kept telling him his chair is too big for his desk. So, since she didn't see what happened, I decide to tell her that the chair isn't too big, but her son knocked off the smaller chair, which in turn caught the leg of the bigger chair and they "all fell down".

Holy Cow! You would have thought I told her son pulled out a gun and tried to shoot a child! She looked at me and said "What are you going to do about it". What the? I turned around, knowing I was already irritated at the chanting. I really didn't want to get into anything. I was in shock at her reaction. Well, then she gets in my face and says "It's none of your business". Excuse me woman, I saw what happened (which wasn't a big deal). You were outside. Now you are right in my face saying it is none of my business? She kept going off and finally I told her to JUST SHUT UP (so not like me to react this way).

Great, now I am finding myself completely pissed off. Not only at her, but at the whole chanting, the school, everything! This was like the icing on the cake that I didn't need. I went up to the front of the class and tell my girls we are leaving NOW. I find myself asking the sub if this type of chanting has been going on all day and tell her I'm sick and tired of my kids having to be exposed to the indoctrination every day of their lives! Whoa...Mama Bear is appearing. Crap, I hate when Mama Bear comes out! She is so unpredictable!

Meanwhile, crazy chair mom is rambling things in the background. I hear her say she is glad we are leaving the school next year and I hear her say God Bless You (this was her making fun of me, her child tells my girls there is no God, so I know she doesn't believe). I tried to tune most of her ramblings out.

Finally, as we are going to the car, I see a friendly face (Debbie). I begin telling her what happened and suddenly I hear Mama Bear telling my girls to clean out their desk because they won't be going back at all. UH OH...this isn't good! The bear has been awakened.

Seriously, all I wanted was to go home, vent to my husband about the chanting and talk about how glad we were they were going to a different school next year.

On a good note, I have gotten kudos from 3 different parents for telling crazy chair mom to SHUT UP. Evidently, several people have wanted to do this! She just got me on the wrong day at the wrong time!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Weekend of Love...

Joe and I went to his cousin Rebecca's wedding on Saturday. It had been a long time since we went to a large wedding. It was perfectly beautiful and we had so much fun seeing his family and celebrating! I don't have any pictures from the wedding itself, just the one I tried to take of Joe and I before we left the hotel...you know, one of those funky self portraits that always turn out weird.



Oh, and the hotel...it was Club Sport Renaissance. Now, let me just say, we aren't into working out at all anymore (although we probably should be)...so it was pretty funny to stay in a "fitness hotel". They had all kinds of things we didn't use, like a sauna, racquetball court, pool, 24 hour work out room...lol we even had little hand weights in our bathroom...lol. I guess people like to lift weights while on the potty? I don't know...but we got a good laugh about it. Oh, and they give you an apple in your room instead of chocolate or a cookie. What's up with that?

Now, the wedding was on the Saturday before Mother's Day...so, since we spent the night at a hotel, which meant I woke up with no kids on Mother's Day! That felt so strange. Joe took me to breakfast for Mothers Day...no kids. Then we started the drive home and had a nice lunch at Joe's cousins restaurant Casa Del Rey in San Dimas...again...no kids. Finally, around 3pm, I got to see 1/2 of my kids...we picked up Jenna and Kami from my mom....of course they were exhausted from hanging with my mom...this was them within a few minutes of getting in the car to head home.



Once home, I walked into the house and my wonderful daughter Jackie and son-in-law JP had bought me flowers...as did my son Joey too. I also had the sweetest card from the three of them. Jenna and Kami wrote some really cute poems at school and gave those to me.

After that, Joe passed the BBQ torch onto JP (this was huge) and JP cooked us up some tri-tip. It was a great end to a fun weekend. I love my kids and am so blessed!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Shopping in Carp!

Today, Joe and I are leaving at noon or so to drive to San Diego...we are going to his cousins wedding. It has been years since we went to a "big wedding"...probably about 16 years!

Of course, I needed a dress...so yesterday I asked my oldest daughter if she wanted to go shopping with me. I decided to try to shop locally first...you see, we live in a small town and of course, our local merchants are hurting. But, it can sometimes be a challenge to find the right thing here because, there just isn't a lot of selection.

I started with the dress...we went to a local store called By The Sea...she has great shoes...mostly Italian or Brazilian. Right away I found two dresses that I liked...I tried them on and they both fit great...I didn't feel fat...didn't feel like I would have to constantly suck my stomach in...you know the fit! I couldn't believe it. I ended up going with the black one...I know the old fashioned belief is no black at a wedding...but EVERYONE assured me that has changed...so I went for it. I also got some great shoes to go with the dress...and they were on sale.


Next challenge was a wedding gift...well, I lucked out with that too! I knew the bride and groom liked wine, as they registered with an online wine store...they must be building a wine collection. So...we just happen to have a great wine store here in Carpinteria...I found a perfectly nice romantic bottle of wine (from Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez)...and some of those adorable wine charms that are hand made. I really want some of these...right now I use an earring on my glass so it doesn't get mixed up with another. I used a pretty ribbon to attach the charms to the bottle...notice how the picture on the bottle of wine is a picture a man and a woman kissing...

Then, I realized, I also have to get Mother's Day cards and gifts...would you believe I found those in Carpinteria too?

So, poor Jackie, was all dressed up and ready to go shopping (outside of our sleepy little town)....but I found everything here and we never left. Best part was, it felt good to support our local merchants!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

I love her, but...














Our 9 year old Jenna was born with some challenges...nothing major like some babies have to go through. She flat lined during delivery...was diagnosed with a heart murmur...then when she was just a few days old, I noticed this weird twitching...it was rhythmic (i.e. one arm, then the next, then a leg, and the next leg). Everyone thought I was crazy when I insisted it wasn't "normal twitching". I eventually video taped it and took the video to my doctor. It turns out she had benign neonatal sleep myoclonus.

After that her sutures in her skull closed a little early...she still has a ridge on the top of her head...I spent months staring at her head worrying that she may need sugery on her skull.

The other odd thing was that my baby didn't talk. She didn't babble, she didn't repeat things, didn't say mama or dada. When she was 2, she still didn't speak, except for a couple of words here and there, but not if asked to say them, only it was spontaneous. She was eventually diagnosed with speech apraxia. I remember wondering if she would ever be able to have a conversation with me.

Well, fast forward to today...a little over 9 years later. I have days, like today, where I wonder if she will ever shut up! She still has funny speech issues...she has a very squeaky voice and a lot of nasality. Today in the store, she didn't STOP talking from the minute we entered. I think I heard Mommy at least 50 times in the 15 minutes we were in the store. Her squeaky little voice was driving me insane. Did I mention I'm also PMSing?

Anyway, I found myself saying "Jenna, will you just stop talking for a minute"!!!!

What is that old saying? Be careful what you wish for? I'm kidding of course, I'm glad my child can speak...but some days, I miss the quiet!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Has it been that long?


Wow, have I really not updated in that long? Things have been crazy here. Spring break (pic of the girls is from the zoo), then Joe and I went up north on some business/pleasure.

This week we got a letter in the mail saying our 7 year old was being recommended for GATE at school...this apparently means she has done well on the tests and may be a gifted student and may qualify for GATE cluster classes. Why is this so exciting? Well, it only took us 4 kids to get there...my oldest two are mad and say it is because I didn't breast feed them enough...(Kami was breastfed for 19 months). Oh well, it just wasn't the "in thing" 18-20 years ago. LOL Anyway, I guess we will do the testing and see what happens.

I am going to try to blog more often...it is my goal! I can do it...I will do it!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Busy, Tired, and Sadness

This has been a very busy week. I had to prepare for two of my clients board meetings and Joe had to prepare for one of his. The week just flew by.

At the same time, on Monday I decided to give up my afternoon cup of coffee...what was I thinking? Doing this on a week like this...oh well, it is Friday and I survived...I was irritable, and took a nap or two...but on day 4, I was good!

Now, for the sadness part. I follow a lady in Los Angeles on Twitter, her name is Elizabeth, her twitter name is mintcool. Anyway, she posted about a friend of hers who lost her baby...it is such a heartbreaking story...a beautiful baby girl named Madeline Alice, born pre-mature, who spent 68 days in the hospital. She was just 17 months...got sick with a cough, and within a couple of days she was gone. This story just touched my heart and I feel so much sadness for this family.
The Spohrs Are Multiplying this is the mom's blog
Photos of Madeline that is a link to pictures of Madeline
amomtwoboys.com/for-maddie/ donate to help
marchforbabies donate in Madeline's honor to March of Dimes
Here is a picture of beautiful Madeline. Please pray for the family.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Santa Barbara Tea Party


Today was great...Joe and I attended the Santa Barbara Tea Party. There were probably between 1,000 and 1,500 people there! And it was a beautiful day. I forgot my camera...I hate when that happens...

Tammy Bruce emceed the event and we had great speakers...and others on stage were singer-songwriter Lloyd Marcus, Hollywood screenwriter Andrew Klavan; State Senators Tony Strickland, R-Thousand Oaks, and George Runner, R-Lancaster; Lompoc Mayor Richard De Wees; Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business Executive Director Andy Caldwell; author Erin Graffy de Garcia; UCSB junior Gabriella Murrilo; and Carpinteria Councilman Joe Armendariz (who is also my wonderful husband).

My all time favorite line from the day: "They want us to fork out so they can just pork out"!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Need I say more (or do more)?














Okay, this week was nuts! I had to prepare for a membership event for a new client...prepare for the OtoO race for our local Education Foundation...deal with my girls only going to school minimum days and trying to work in less then 4 hours a day (I hate minimum days)...and rescue these two pups, find them a home, and possible rescue if the home doesn't work out!

Need I say more about why I am behind in my blog????

I need a vacation!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Mama's Girl


Our 7 year old has been into writing notes for the past week or so...she is so cute, she leaves them in places for the ones she wants to see them. This morning, after my shopping/errand trip, this was on my desk. :*)

"Dear Mommy,
I love you and you don't no that I am a mamas gril. I relly love you so much and no one nos that I am a mamas gril. Plecse wite back.
Love Kami"

What a week...

This week was pretty crazy...I still had the girls home sick through Wednesday. You can see, we had a pretty serious case of bedhead to deal with...and I managed to get it all out with no tears! :)

It really is hard on a working mom when their kiddos get sick...everything else stops and becomes less important.

I managed to attend my first board meeting for my new client and even get some work done this week. I basically had to squeeze most of the things I needed to do into 2 days. But, I did it.

Now, I think I need a vacation...this looks like a good spot. Okay, I can dream, right?

Monday, March 2, 2009

Exhausted


Okay, this is pretty much how I feel today. I hope I'm not getting sick...

The girls are still sick...day 5. Supposedly this flu comes with a fever that lasts 2-5 days...and then turns into a lovely cough. Ringing true here. I can't sit down for more then 10 minutes without hearing "Mommy".

I did manage to get some work done in between the mommy calls, making food they didn't eat, getting popsicle's, more gingerale, sprite, water, crackers, tylenol, and the list goes on.

I have to stay healthy through tomorrow...it is my first board meeting with my new client. After that, if I get sick, so be it.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

What on earth caused this?

Early this morning, about 1am, I awaken to a crashing/shattering sound in my bathroom...panic set in and I tried to wake my husband, but he was like Barney the Bear and would not even open his eyes. I get up to check it out...this is what I find!

Nobody was up...the animals were tucked away, kids tucked away, and the door to the bathroom was closed. No earthquakes...so what the heck?

I can do it...

This has been my motto lately..."I can be Superwoman". It suddenly seems that everyone needs me...husband, kids, dogs, clients, me!

Believe me, learning to say no is important, and I do, quite often...I have learned to have boundaries around saying yes to everything. But, that said, there are just some things that you just can't say no to.

My challenges that lay ahead this week? My two daughters are sick with the flu and have had fevers since Thursday (this means they wont be going to school tomorrow and probably Tuesday); I need to figure out what is going on with one of my husbands websites and get it updated (like yesterday, ha!); I have a new client and Tuesday morning is my first board meeting to attend for them (oh please God, don't let me get sick!); I have two more potential political clients that need websites and other services; and, of course, somewhere in the mix I need to fit in my "me time"...working out, going to the beach to pray, veg time...

I keep repeating...I can do it, I can be Superwoman!