Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year!

Phew! The month of December sure flew by for us. Between school (for Monster Boy and I), finals, work, holidays, birthdays (Monster Boy is now 7 - guess I need to update that sidebar!)and just general craziness, it feels like we haven't had time to breathe in weeks.

We are having a nice, quiet New Years Eve here at home this year. Daddy Mac has been plagued with stomach issues the last few days, so we are doing a movie/game night with the kiddos. I'm kind of looking forward to it.

I'm excited to report that Miss Sunshine has been in underwear for 8 days now, with only 2 accidents - one of which was during naptime so it really doesn't count. She is doing great, finally! I'm excited and sad all at once. I'm not ready for my baby to grow up yet.

Monster Boy is doing great, too. Ready to get back to school and see his friends, but having a good break all the same. He got suitably spoiled for his birthday, and has been enjoying playing with all his new gifts.

I finished out my first semester back to school with a 3.93. Darn plus/minus grading scale - I got an A- in one class, which kept me from a 4.0. But I still feel like I did great this semester and I am feeling better than ever about my choice to go back.

Here is hoping that 2012 continues to bring happy news to our family (I will update about Miss Sunshine's IEP evaluation next post), and that it is wonderful for all of you as well! Happy New Year!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Breathe...

I can't seem to stay caught up on here.  I apologize for that.  (Not that I think that many people are reading or are really bothered by that, hahaha.)

I'm taking ten minutes tonight to breathe before it's back to the grind again.  Tomorrow starts our week of absolute insanity and it shapes up something like this:

Monday:  Daddy Mac works
               Monster Boy has school
               Mommy and Miss Sunshine have Mom's Day Out
               Daddy and Monster Boy have Boy Scouts
               Mommy has to study for Philosophy final
               Miss Sunshine goes to grandma's for the night
Tuesday: Daddy Mac works
              Monster Boy goes to school
               Miss Sunshine has Mom's Day Out
               Mommy has Philosophy Final
               The whole family goes to Monster Boy's school concert
Wednesday:  Daddy Mac Works
                     Monster Boy goes to school
                     Mommy and Miss Sunshine go to work at the nursery
                     Mommy has a Chemistry Final
Thursday: Daddy Mac works
                Monster Boy goes to school
                Miss Sunshine goes to Grandma and Grandpa's
                Mommy has a Psychology Final
                Mommy, Monster Boy and Miss Sunshine go to work at the nursery
Friday:  Daddy Mac works
             Monster Boy goes to school
             Miss Sunshine and Mommy go to Mom's Day Out
             Mommy and Miss Sunshine go for Miss Sunshine's IEP evaluation results
             Monster Boy and Miss Sunshine go to Great-Grandma's
             Mommy and Daddy Mac go to Daddy Mac's work holiday party
Saturday:  Daddy Mac works
                The whole family has Monster Boy's birthday party complete with roughly 20 7 year old guests
                The whole family goes to see Christmas lights with Aunt, Uncle and cousins
Sunday:  The whole family goes to mass
              FINALLY we get a day with no other plans.  Although I am sure something will pop up by then...

Are you tired?  I'm tired just typing it out!  This time of year is just total insanity for our family and it seems like we don't even get a chance to BREATHE until well after New Years.   Between all the school stuff, for both Monster Boy and I, all the work stuff for Daddy Mac and I, all the family Christmas get togethers, Monster Boy's birthday, New Years Eve plans, and all that fun, we are just go go go the entire month of December.   I keep telling myself things are going to get easier and every year they just seem to get busier.  One day soon, I know things will slow down, and then some crazy part of me will probably miss this craziness.  But for now, I'd just like a chance to breathe...

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Family Time

In the craziness that is our new life with me going to school, working, Monster Boy going to school, Miss Sunshine going to Mom's Day Out and play dates, and Daddy Mac working 12 hour days six days a week, there is very little time in our lives for "family" time.

It's sad, really.  But, I also know it is temporary.  And come January, I will no longer have night classes, so that will make a huge difference in our time together (HOORAY!).

Last night, though, we had a little break.  Normally we go to dinner with my Grandmother on Fridays.  (Yes, my children are incredibly blessed and have not one, but THREE, living great-grandparents).  Last night, however, she had plans, so we had the evening at home.  I made dinner (baked pork chops and fries - because I was tired and it was easy!) and we all sat at the table to eat as a family (we ALWAYS eat together.  No TV eating in this house!).  After dinner, we got the kids in their Jammie's and then all headed downstairs.  Daddy Mac built a fire in the fireplace that we finally, after four years of living here, got around to having cleaned.  Then he popped up some popcorn for all of us.  And we snuggled in, with Christmas tree lit and fire burning, on the couches together and watched "The Polar Express".  It was wonderful.  The kids had a great time and it was so nice to just have a bit of bonding time together.  Then we sent the kiddos off to bed, and Daddy and I cuddled back on the couch by the fire and watched "A Christmas Carol".  We don't get to do this nearly often enough.

I think that family time is always important, no matter the size or make up of your family.  After all, what can be better than spending time with the people who matter the most?