Monday Again!

Gee, Mondays just keep coming! LOL! Well this weekend was hard on me. Austin turned 8 Saturday and that is also the anniversary of my grandfather's death, 10 years ago. Then on Sunday, Austin went to his father's mother's house for the party over there. So, needless to say, it was a stressful weekend.















Today was much better. Austin started back to school and Alexia and I had a wonderful time just the 2 of us. Alexia will be returning to school a week from tomorrow. So that will give me time for job applications and interviews. I am still waiting on Head Start to make a decision from last weeks interview. I should know by Thursday.

Manic Monday!

Well today I finished the laundry, cleaned Alexia's room and the bathroom, folded and put away all laundry, took the kids out to eat where Austin's grandma works.....I had Mason, Austin's cousin last night and grandma wanted to see the boys once more before school starts, so I took them there to eat and then took Mason home.

Austin was very hyper today, good thing it is time to increase his meds by a dosage. He did not do very many of his chores today and he kept screaming, yelling, hitting Alexia, and kicking things.

Alexia was a terrible 3 year old today. Like my sister says, "If you think 2's are bad, you have never had a 3 year old!" Three's are worse and I can't wait until Alexia out-grows it. I only have 4 months left til she turns 4!!!!!
The kittens are doing great and will be able to go to good homes this weekend. Sylvester is a maniac, running and jumping on everything. And, Smokie has started trying to climb my legs. They both are litter trained and eating kittie food. However, they still nurse once in awhile.

Ok, now for my crochet projects.....
1) Afghanistan Project items
2) Started Hats for Covenant Medical Center NICU
3) Maintaining Totals at Bev's Charity Challenge
4) 3 Baby blankets

And, of course, finishing up my WIPs so I can work on Christmas presents all of October and November. I only have 4 trivets left to finish.

A Good Week

Well Tuesday Austin and I went to Davenport to see our psychiatrist. Alexia went with and that might be the last time I take her. She was bouncing all day. Well, Austin is back on Concerta and he put me on Strattera. Strattera was made for Bipolar, but they found it works better for ADHD. So hopefully this will be a good choice. I am on day 5 with it and I have stayed at a normal mood, well, as normal as a woman's mood gets. I have cleaned almost every room, except the bathroom and Alexia's room. I also have managed to make several preemie hats for charity and a hat and bootie set my my cousin's baby shower that was yesterday.
Austin is doing so much better being back on Concerta. He has cleaned his room and has calmed down tremendously. I think his body only needed a break from it to be able to work well again. Yesterday at the baby shower, Austin used his manners, helped without being asked, and was thoughtful to others and their needs. He got drinks for those who needed them and he helped pass out the cake..... On to the cake.....It is the one my Aunt and I did



















See it is much different from what the original was but everyone enjoyed it. I think the frosting colors could have been a bit lighter to match the baby blocks on top. We also did a few cupcakes but they were eaten my Miss Pregnant herself before I was done unloading!!!! However, I did not mind. The shower was great and I now have 3 orders for baby blankets. Nicki, Miss Pregnant, now has everything but a crib and will be getting that in a few days. Needless to say it WAS a great shower. For my presents to her, they were a baby afghan, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding book, a few book marks, a home made baby sling, had a hat and booties set. Here is a PIC of the afghan.....

Now I have to make 2 girl ones and another boy one for soe of the guests sthat were so in love with the afghan. So, Next Friday they are all taking me shopping for the yarn...Look out Hobby Lobby and Ben Franklin....We are buying out the yarns!!!!!

Alexia's Trip!!!

I just received the PICs from Alexia's trip to MN with her sister, grandma, and grandpa. The went to The Mall of America, the Zoo, and Valley Fair.Here they are.
Her and her sister Alissa look so much alike.

It's Been Awhile!

I can't believe that I haven't posted for almost a week. Things have been hectic here.
Austin's new meds are not working like they should and Lexi spent a week with her dad's family so I am going through what I call, "Deprogramming" with her. They both are fighting with eachother and I can not seem to get much done when I have to go and break them up. "Time-Out" is not working with Lexi and I still can NOT seem to get either of the kids to clean their rooms. SO, I am going to remove all but 3 toys from their rooms and see if they can keep it clean that way. I should have both rooms done by Sunday and hopefully it will be the last time I have to clean them!!!!!!! Then if they can keep their rooms clean, every week I will add 1 toy back until they stop picking up again and that will tell me they have too many toys. After I know how many each can handle I will rotate the others in and out, so not to get them bored with the same toys day after day.

I alos have to find homes for the lil' kitties. They will be ready to leave mom in about 2 weeks. I can always take them to the local pet store but I would rather find them good homes. They are climbing all over, up and down the couch and in and out of empty boxes I recieved yarn and other goodies in. They love the boxes. They also love playing with eachother!!!!
















Aren't They Cute???????
So very playfull.











As for crochet projects, I still have about 5 unfinished and I added another to my list. So, I am drowning in projects and hopefully I will catch up someday!!!!!

HELP!!!!!!!

My kitchen is so disorganized. Below are the PICs from every view. Please comment on them and give me some advice. It is a very small kitchen.

Long Day!!!

I got up this morning with all intentions of finishing up the house work. Well, needless to say, it didn't get done. My aunt and I went to every store that carries cake decorating items. However, we did not find what we were looking for. We still have the rental/party place to check. We are looking for the stands and items to make Wilton's Baby Go Round. My aunt is expecting her 2nd grandchild and we are we asked to make the cake and this is the one we both agreed on. This was the 1st time my aunt and I spent quality time together since my mom passed away. It was a great day.

Austin spent the day with grandpa and he enjoyed it. He has been in a good mood ever since he got home. No arguing or yelling. What a great treat for me.

I am in the process of getting 10 6" Granny Squares done for one of my groups. We are making them for a another member. She has problems with her hands and wanted to make her daughter an afghan for when she returns from active duty in the military. We are sending them to one of our other members and she is going to put them together. This on top of our regular monthly ministry.

So tomorrow I will pack up everything that needs to be mailed, address them, and put them in the van so on Monday I can ship them out. I have 4 packages going out. One with 2 lapghans, one with hats and booties, one with the Granny Squares, and one with a pick me up gift for a member of group that is having a hard time. The post office will just love me come Monday morning!!!! I am using a Flat Rate Box for the hats and botties that are going to the NICU at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics so it should cut down the price of all the shipping and the 2 lapghans and the granny squares are going to the same person so I will try and fit them together.

Life is Getting a BIt Better!

First, here are the PICs of the kittens, taken today!!!!


They are lil' monkeys, climbing up everything!!!!!












NOW, I have gotten the kitchen, livingroom, and my bedroom all cleaned. I still have the bathroom, Alexia's room, and to finish Austin's room. Hopefully I will have it all done before Alexia gets back on Sunday!

Another Murphy's Law Day

Where to start?
Lets see, Austin had his friend Katie stay last night because her uncle, Steve, had his final day of trial today and her mom wanted to be there. The trial was going great until yesterday. Well, as today went by, I was getting worried since I hadn't heard anything until around 4pm. The jury had a few questions and then finished deliberating. I got the call at 5:30pm. He was convicted on all 3 counts. Knowing him for as long as I have, I new he would have never done what he was accused of, but the jury thought otherwise. I rushed the 1 mile to the court house because "mom" as I call her was having troubles, she has heart problems and I was worried I was going to have to get her to the hospital if no one could calm her. That would not help her son. Luckily I got her calmed down enough I felt she would be ok. Then I had to break the news to Katie's older sister, who was very close to her uncle. Steve had told everyone close to him that if he was found guilty he would commit suicide. So, I also had to make sure the county jail new to put him on a suicide watch. I think this is what finally calmed down everyone. Well, the family is all at their homes and doing ok. Thank GOODNESS!

As, for the rest of my day, I did not get any house work done. I got a bit of grocery shopping done but I still need to get more groceries. I basically did a 2 day shop trip.

Austin was very aggressive and bossy today. I have no idea why. He argued with me about everything. Nothing was what he wanted or not what he wanted to do.

Now, Austin and I are home alone and it is quiet. Austin is sleeping and I am going to relax in a bath. A much needed relaxation for me. Hopefully I will have a better, less stressful day.

Austin's Birthday List

DVDs


Halloweentown 1-3









































Legos- Star Wars
Clothes
Undies- sz.6
Jeans-sz.7
T-Shirts-sz.8
Other
Scooter

Good Day!!!

Today was pretty good for me. Austin was good too, even though he is missing Alexia. I miss her too. She will be back Sunday afternoon. I can't wait, even though I know I will complain about both the kids and needing a vacation, but I do miss her. She is my angel and Austin is my lil' man no matter how they behave or how much I complain about them. I wouldn't trade them for anything!

I got the Livingroom cleaned today and had to set up a make-shift play yard for the kittens. They are running around and need more space. They are 3 weeks and 3 days today!!! Here are the pictures of the play yard....















And here are new pictures of my lil' climbers....














They will be ready for new homes in about 3-4 weeks. I hope I can find good ones for them. I will hate if I have to take them to the local pet store.

Tomorrow I will work on the kitchen and go to the grocery store and stock up for the month. I can't wait to have everything here so I don't have to run to the store to get something for dinner. And tomorrow is the day to pay all the bills and mail out my packages for my Yahoo! Groups.