A Whole Week?!?

I let a whole week go by without posting??? Now that's just CRAZY!

Monday - Today was live lesson for L, art lessons for L & S and then family pictures followed by a yummy dinner at In-N-Out. The family picture session was FUN! My wonderful friend did our pics at a local outdoor mall. It sounds funky but oh goodness - such creative talent. She is just getting started into a photography business and takes such awesome pictures. She sent a sneak peak of some and they were amazing. She has such an eye for capturing the spirit behind the picture. I am dying to see more. Unfortunately, her father has taken a turn for the worse and she had to head out of town. I am saying an extra prayer daily for their family. This has been so hard on them. I love this lady and her family so much.

Tuesday - I had to run to drop off the billing from last week, do some last minute shopping before the big sale was over and hit the library. Errands with no kids = quick, stress free time for mommy!! We went to a birthday party at a local bounce place in the afternoon - our second party here this week. The kids LOVE this place. It is fun to play with them at places like this. J stayed home with Daddy since it's not much fun for him yet. I ran to Target after the kids were in bed for some fun deals, got everything on my list, went to pay - NO WALLET! I could have run back but they would have been closed or close to it so I ran back on Wednesday. Things were crappy anyway with the situation with my mother. I sent out an email to my homeschool group and got a text and a phone call almost immediately. They were both just what I needed. I was on the phone after 10 o'clock with a dear friend who called concerned. I was touched by the immediate phone call following my email. I have been blessed with REAL friends. The kind that don't take "I'm Fine" for an answer when they know better.

Wednesday - We had homeschool group over for some fun Thanksgiving craft time. We tried to do a leaf rubbing. L was totally into it, as was GS & TG but my S and most of the other boys could care less to be sitting at a picnic table, outside in the gorgeous weather, rubbing with crayons. No sir - they were doing what boys do best... playing in the dirt and having fun! I love having our group come over. It fills our home with lots of noise and laughter and I dig that : -) We had pizza from Papa John's, fruit from one of the dads (thanks JS for cutting up all the fruit!!) and for another fun craft, we made pilgrim hats from marshmallows and fudge striped cookies. Daddy Piper enjoyed having another dad join in the fun today. It's neat to see him get involved with this group too. The afternoon was filled a Target run. I did some amazing coupon deals and got $75 worth of stuff for $4!!!!!! The kids will have a great Christmas.

Thursday - Daddy Piper had to take care of some stuff so he took off for them morning. We got schoolwork done right away so there would be plenty of time to enjoy the weather. I put J down for a nap and we headed out to play. Our neighbor popped over and invited the kids to come play at his house. So they went over for a spell. I was alone for 45 whole minutes (minus a sleeping baby). I ate an early lunch, showered and then felt completely lost without anyone to take care of or anyone needing me. The feeling was short lived since they were home soon for L's live lesson. I suppose that's what it would feel like if the kids went to school instead of being homeschooled. I didn't like it much after the first 15 minutes. After dinner, I headed to the grocery store for a quick deal run and then got my haircut. I cut it all off again - 9 inches. I love it. I wasn't too sure about it when she cut it. She cut it before I could really tell her how much I wanted off. She did a great job though. It's easy to style and looks way better.

Friday - Library run while J napped (poor kid always get left home or so it seems). Kids got Thanksgiving books and a couple movies. Soccer practice and tacos for dinner. Not much today except for hours of playing outside!!!

Saturday - Daisy event in which things were not scheduled properly so it included lots of driving around and not getting anything done. Oh well - these things happen. I got to talk to my best girlfriend though so it was not time wasted. Then we headed to S's soccer game where we got dumped on. It rained so hard on us!!!! They didn't call the game though. Thankfully it dried up about 15 minutes into the game. S wasn't into the game much for some reason. His dad gave him a stern talking to on the way home, I guess (we drove separate). I don't always like these talks. I think Daddy Piper can be too hard on the kids when it comes to this stuff. I do back him up though and talk with him about it later.

J is walking and talking like a mad man these days. He loves to be outside playing with L & S. He gets so spitting mad when they go out without him. He is getting better about not putting things in his mouth so being outside with him is more fun now : -)

S is getting a better grip on his temper. Yesterday when he proceeded to get mad and was going to kick something I asked him what he should do instead of kicking and he told me "Use my words" and then explained what happened. I know he is absorbing what I say, so that's good. I know his behavior changes are linked to our home life changes. Things are a bit more tense than normal around here with the lack of work and stuff. I know the kids pick up on that stuff - even if we don't talk about it in front of them.

L has been so super sweet lately mixed with a mouthy teenager all rolled into a 5 year old's body. She can swing from one side to the other super quick. Her and her dad have crossed each other twice today with bad results. He sent her to time out for lying and then this evening she got a spanking for not listening. It has been a rough few hours for her. She can be challenging at times for me. We are a lot alike. I do try to remember though that she may act more mature and have the language of an adult, she is only five.

Crappy issues with my mother. We had some drama with her earlier this week. It really affected things on Tuesday and Wednesday. There is some mental issues going on. I can't fix her or her situation. It's not a healthy one. I hope things will work out but mainly, I have to thing of myself and my family at this point.

So my attitude is better. We are going through a valley in our lives. We are trying to work out plans if work doesn't improve here, like heading to my husband's home town for the summer next year since there is work there. I am just trying to live day to day, enjoy the day and not get caught up in the big picture too much. Can't plan that far in advance, though I would like to since I am a planner.

Speaking of planning, I am walking the 3 day next year (either here or up North). And we found out another friend is expecting a baby. I was super jealous and filled with horrible envy when I heard the news followed quickly by elation for her. I want another baby too!!!!!!!

I need to go to bed. We are going to early church tomorrow so I need to be rested :-)