I'm Learning...

I have a friend, really a best friend, that makes hemp jewelry. She made me a necklace while my arm was broken. It was oh so very pretty.

I commented one day that once I got my cast off I'd like to learn how to make then. And so I did.

I made myself an ankle bracelet yesterday. It took me almost 2 hours. Most people probably could have done it in 30 minutes or less.

I don't have much strenghth in my left hand now and my coordination is all messed up. But my physical therapist says that this will be a good exercise for me. It will help with both strength and coordination.

So I'm learning this new skill. And its fun. And I get to have pretty things in the end. Who knows maybe I will open an etsy shop if I get good enough. Anyone think they would be interested in buying a hemp item (necklace, bracelet, anklet, keychain etc)?

Marriage Counceling

(Did I spell that right? Cause I don't think I did.)

So this post doesn't have anything to do with my husband and my relationship. We are just fine thankyouverymuch!

This is about a possible future for me. A perfession I have been told time and time again I would be excellant at.

I'm not certain about it but apparently others think I would make a perfect marriage/relationship councelor (still don't feel right).

I am always talking with friends and giving guidence. I am always ask how I have such a successful marriage. I usually look at people crazy when they give me that comment.

The truth is my marriage is anything but perfect. We are human and imperfect by nature. No one has the "perfect" relationship. It isn't realistic to even think its possible.

What I do have is a functional relationship. We work hard at it to. There are days where we probably don't even want to see each other but we grin and bare it to push past it.

We talk a lot (well I talk a lot. He's a man therefore by nature not an emotional sharer). We communicate. And most importantly we never go to bed mad with one another.

Going to bed mad = waking up still mad or worse.

This is the same advice I pass on to others when ask. Honesty, trust, communication, and understanding are the keys to happiness. It takes work. And sometimes your going to get your feelings hurt because, guess what, sometimes the truth hurts.

I don't think this qualifies me as a good counselor, but I guess if I go back to school anytime soon I atleast have a field of interest.

Where Is My Baby?

Have you seen my baby? He seems to have vanished.

In his place I have a toddler who is now sleeping in a toddler bed. Who is starting to potty train. Who doesn't want to spend his days cuddling with mama.

If you happen to see my baby boy, can you tell him that his mama misses him.

Dirt and Snails and Puppy Dog...

About a month ago we adopted a puppy. He is part Chihuahua part weiner dog. And a whole lot of cute. We named him Odie.

It has been a rough start. Because of his nature he isn't always kid friendly. The kids are having to learn when to play with him and when to leave him alone. But most of all they are learning responsibility.

They do well with helping to train and walk him. Its a process like any other but I'm proud none the less. My boys are growing up.

Its Been Awhile...

Hi ya'll! I swear i am still live and movin around but life seems to be getting in a lazy/hectic pattern here lately. I know that is kinda an oximoron of sorts but thats how i feel. We seem to have a few really busy weeks followed by a few really slow lazy days and it is leaving me feeling like i am on a rollar coaster.
I suppose maybe you all would like to know how we are doing here in the House of Chaos, so i think i will just give you an all around update.

MJ turned 5 last month. Somehow in all the hooplah of parties and getting ready for a family reunion i dont think i took the time to truly appreciate the gravity of his turning 5. He has officially moved out of the preschooler catagory and into the world of big boys. He will start kindergarten in July and then i will no longer have my days filled with boys. It will just be Sione' and I at home until 3.

I think MJ is ready for school in a lot of aspects but i still worry about his emotional readiness. How can i say this without sounding horrible? MJ is a bit of an emotional child. He whines a lot, and cries even more often. His pre-k teacher says he isnt like that at school but i worry that a new teacher and a new school will be a lot for him to handle. MJ is a creature of routine. He likes things to be just such and when things change or are not as he likes them or remembers them to be he gets very upset. I just hope we can make the transition without too much havoc.

He has also decided, after almost 4 years of obsession, that he doesnt like Cars (aka Lightenin McQueen) anymore. Toy Story is now his new obsession (although Cars is still a everyday presence). He got a lot of TS3 stuff for his birthday and was more than estatic about it.

Phabian...oh my dear sweet Phabian. Where do i begin?

First let me say he is 6! 6!!!! When did these kids start growing so fast? He will start 1st grade in July. He is reading like a pro now. he can sound out most words but still gets a little flustered with longer words. He loves math and reading and is doing great with spelling as well. He got 100% on his first 3 spelling tests and i couldnt be more proud of him!

Oh the other side of wonderful you have attitude! He has developed a very smart mouth along with his very smart brain. He has become very disrespectful at times and we are working hard to get back on track. He is however doing better behaving at school.

He is loving girls right now. He says he has a few girls at school that have a crush on him and they chase him during recess. He just smiles big and tells you its because he is cute. Modesty...what is that? He also loves his super heros. He is just really mostly into reading and writing right now. Who knows maybe i have a author on my hands.

Sione' is going through a rough time right now. Well really it has been a rough month which have resulted in a really whiny, needy, and up my butt toddler.

It started at the beginning of April when he somehow contracted Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. I dont know if anyone of your kids has ever had this but it completely, utterly sucks! He had a really low grade fever for a few days which we contributed to teething but then on the 3rd day it spiked to 103 and off to the ER we went. After the diagnosis we were told to go home and wait it out.

He slept about 20 hrs a day for 4 days and finally the bug kicked rocks and gave me my baby back. Unfortunatly it gave him back still teething which is not fun for anyone. He is still (now in May) trying to cut his canines. He is clingy, miserable, and just not an overall happy baby.

On the other had he is learning leaps and bounds. He has learned about 12 new words just this week including brush, keys, teeth, car, dog, and yummy. I cant believe he is 18 months old. 1.5 years i have had this precious little joy in my life. I am so truly blessed.

My poor husband has been working about 60 hours a week and it is making it hard on all of us. He is exhausted, the kids and i miss him so much. With only 1 day a week off it is straining us all. I wish i could do something but until July my hands are kinda tied.

In July 2 of my 3 kids will be in school full time. That means i will only need to find daycare for 1 and then i can get a job. I am still very hesitant to put my kids in daycare but the time has come and we need the money. I need to help my husband so he doesnt have to work so much. He misses us as much as we miss him and we need the time together.

So for now we are holding it together. Life is unfolding and we are blessed. God has given us each other and together we will make it through what ever storms plaque us.