A New Year, and a New Post!!!!

I have a tendency to think that no one wants to hear what I have to say or that everyone already knows the things that I know. I forget that I have figured alot of this stuff out along the way, and that I got my information from other people. So, partly inspired by my cousin's super duper inspiring blog, I want to try and blog about the things that I do. I'll be focusing on organization, parenting, and maybe some cooking. I will not be giving you advice on cleaning :-) Maybe, in the future. But, I do not excel in cleaning right now.

I am terrified and excited to say that John and I have decided that I will be homeschooling David next year in kindergarten. I've been teaching him this year, but this will be the first year that is state mandated. I took some pictures of our "school room." It's really messy right now, so we'll call these the "before" pictures.

I decided a while back that I wanted to get a pocket chart holder. Boy, are those things expensive. I found a deal on this calendar pocket chart online for 6 dollars. So, I set out to look for a pocket chart holder. Later, I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with the clothes hanging rod that I bought for my maternity clothes. It was way too flimsy to hold up more than like one dress. So, I thought it might make a great pocket chart holder if it was shorter. My greatly talented husband agreed to cut the poles shorter for me, and ta da: instant pocket chart! I'm really excited with how it turned out.







This is our craft closet. It used to be organized until we got more stuff for Christmas which I haven't found a home for yet.
















This is our school supply closet. Same thing goes here. It was organized until we got more stuff.
















This is our school table. I kinda wish I had a kidney table, but this works.












Okay, it's time to get the kids up, so that it all for today.

The new Family Dollar

I've always been one to give people the benefit of the doubt. Everyone was complaining about how cheap the new FD in Woodruff looked. It was a big metal eyesore to the home town feel of Woodruff. But, I thought it might be nice having a store like that on main street to get all of those little things that you might need. Also, the new FD was advertising that they were going "green."
So, the boys and I went there today.

The first thing I noticed was about 4 empty spots near the front of the store. I thought, oh that's nice, maybe they have a mother's with children parking spot or at least a pregnant parking spot. Nope. There were two spots for "alternative fuel vehicles" and then two spots for "carpool vehicles." Why do people who just happen to have enough money to buy an "alternative fuel" vehicle need to be closer to a dollar store? Soooooo, me and my two toddlers parked waaaaaaay behind the building and made the trek to the store.
Next, we got in a buggy and made our way to the door. It was not automatic. This makes it really difficult for those in wheelchairs, or with small children. Once we got in, I felt like I was in the Dollar General right down the road. They didn't seem to have anything more than the DG, and might have even had less. I will say that the employees were nice, if not very knowledgeable.

Ugh!!!!! I will not be returning!!

Ten on Tuesday

I stole these questions from another friends blog, and I thought it would be an easy way for me to get started blogging again.

1. Growing up, what was one favorite item that you had to have with you at all times?
I did have a blanket that I carried around until Patrick was born and Mom let me choose another one so i would give it up. (I believe it was in scraps at that time.) But, I think my favorite item was my thumb. Yes, I was a thumb-sucker.

2. Being an adult, what is one favorite item that you have to have with you at all times, and what happens if you do not have it with you? Do you lose your sanity or just go back home to get it?
My cell phone, because I like having the ability to get in touch with people at any second. If I forget it, it's usually too much trouble to go back and get it unless I'm still sitting in the driveway when I remember. I'm also pretty lost (literally) without my GPS. My sense of direction is horrible.

3. Where is your favorite place to be to just hide away from everything and breathe for a moment?
If I'm being truthful, I think that I "hide away" on the computer, either on facebook, or watching something on hulu. I was going to say the bathtub, but I haven't had a lot of time to do that lately, and then of course, I would need to clean it, which would defeat the purpose.

4. What is your favorite thing about your partner? (If you don’t have a partner, then someone who is very close and will always be in your life.)
I love the way he is with the boys and seeing how much they adore him.

5. What is your favorite thing about your job? (If you don’t have a job, then what is your favorite thing that you do during your day?)
My job is taking care of and teaching my children. I am so lucky. I know I complain alot about how tired I am and how I long for adult companionship, but I wouldn't want it any other way. I love watching my children learn something new. I love it when they spontaneously hug or kiss me. I don't love all of the cleaning and stuff that comes with it :-)

6. What is your favorite lesson that your parents taught you growing up? Looking back, is it something that you want to use to teach your children when they reach that age?
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul and your mind. And, love your neighbor as yourself."
I will absolutely teach it to my children.

7. What is your favorite song, that will always bring a smile to your face and make you think of something happy?
I can't pick. Maybe, "I Have Confidence" from "The Sound of Music." It's loads of fun to sing in the car at the top of your lungs!

8. What is your favorite thing about being an American? (If you are not American, what are you proud of in regards to your country?)
I think that freedom is the best thing about our country, but I know that I do not appreciate freedom like so many families that have lost loved ones in recent years, or that have given up family members for extended periods of time to serve our country. I am very grateful, though, for those that have fought in the war to make our lives here what they are. (Okay, I stole this answer directly Rhonda's blog, but I liked it.)

9. What is your favorite meal that reminds you of being a child?
Pizza Inn!! Yum!

10. Name 3 things that other people would say are their favorite thing about you.
I don't know. Maybe my friends that read this blog could help me out with this question.

The Ward boys

Aren't my boys the most beautiful boys in the whole world?!!? Well, I think so!

A Visit With Will

Will -2 Harrison-1 David-almost3

When did David become a boy and not a baby?!?

He's doing it! David is pee peeing in the potty! I never would have believed it. He still needs to be reminded or he forgets. And, we're having some nap issues (that include poop). But, go David!! I'm so proud of you!

Guess what!?1?

We've had a break-through!! David has discovered how to pee in the potty!! He's only had one or two pee accidents in the past few days! Poop seems to be another story all together. He has pooped in the potty a few times, but he still forgets that he needs to sit on the potty to go until afterwards. I'm so proud of him, and so is he!! We're still not sure how to go without getting pee all over both of us, though. ....baby steps!!!
More to come.