Impromptu grocery shopping. Lesson learned!

So I'm in the schools carpool lane when I realize I have nothing to make a proper dinner and take out is out of the question, I'm poor. Along with my poverty I'm also a student who has class at night. So now I realize I have to run to the store with all three wiggly boys cause I cant do it that evening. Can't be bad right Z & E are older its all good right? Well here's how my impromptu trip went! I had no paper or pen to make a list & forgot my phone so I couldn't use the notepad on it. SO I repeat to myself...Bread, Butter, Milk, Eggs, Grd Turkey...Bread,Butter,Milk, Eggs, Grd Turkey if I get anything else it's extra but I really need these missing ingredients. Walk into the store repeating my list to myself Bread,Butter, Milk, Eggs, Grd Turkey. Z: "Mom you know what someone yelled out at lunch? FART!" Haa haa haa 

Bread,Butter, Eggs, Grd Turkey in my mind.

Me: " funny but don't say fart so loud"

E:" You said Fart."

Haa haa haa

Bread,Butter,Eggs,dang!! Grd Turkey oh MILK!

E:"Mom can I have this?"

Z:" Mom guess what?"

Me: "Boys! Love your stories but give me a minute to grab some things before I forget."

Both boys:" K mom."

Grab Butter,Bread,Eggs & Turkey. 

Yeah forgot the milk...Dang it!! As Im walking frustrated to the SUV boys..." Mom knock knock", "Hey! Quit trying to fart on me!", "I didn't!!", " ok, ok you know on Spongebob...." Sigh I couldn't take it out on them & I WAS NOT going back in! But there in the parking lot I suddenly felt grateful, grateful for talking boys. Took them so long to find their voices. Now they have them, use them and I love it! Even if they do use those voices to say "Fart" way too often in public.

Note to self? Keep pad in paper in vehicle or bite the bullet & drive through Taco Bell next time.

Just a pic of guys & girl. She & I are horribly out numbered.

First Day of school 2013.....and the break down!

Boys started school so far so good. Teachers are amazing Praise God! Boys are quite the celebrities due to their lunch boxes this year. They have R2D2 and it makes that beep boop beep noise. Their Grandma Lupe fell in love & had to buy them. Funny thing is I feel in love with it at Disney World but was not spending 26.99 per lunch box....insane! Good Ol Target had them for $13... What a value! So their first week was fantastic my first week not so fantastic. I realized I have all the  classes needed to apply for nursing. But my GPA needs work. Only option is to take more classes to bring that bad boy up & try my best on the Hesi exam. Then fill out that application and give it all to God. Cause this I know, I WILL get a degree this I can promise you. But before I had this clear thinking I broke down crying. Just the thought of another summer & year of school before I can apply to nursing. I made myself sick all day. My nerves shot, baby running a low grade temperature and I have homework that at the moment looked like blurry lines instead of words. Nick and my cousin made me see the light & told me not to give up. Nick told me I was allowing the devil to get the best of me. I was not giving it to God. Thankful for a Godly husband. So after a shower, nap and curling up in the fetal position all is good. YES! I'm this crazy. It's tough being a mom to 3 kids and going to school not to mention my professor this semester has a serious accent, don't get me started on that!!

Summer 2013.....I survived, barely.

Summer was well.....an adventure. Right before school was out Pops & I set out on the scariest of adventures. What's  that you ask? Well we tossed all our $$ into starting our own business. I type this while sitting in a cardboard box. I'm kidding but seriously praying I don't end up there :/.  Let me start in The beginning... Summer Day one ( seriously, not gonna timeline it day by day): Day after school lets out we whisk off to Disney World for 4 days courtesy of Wish Connection, nonprofit organization that grants wishes to children with learning disabilities, Thank You Wish Connection by AT&T!! We love it, boys are loving Star Wars week. Well our flight gets delayed several times, a woman puts her life in danger by making a nasty remark about Baby A crying on the plane. I put her in check real quick! It was almost midnight, flight change due to no fault of our own so my baby was tired, kids were tired, I was losing it then Miss. Most likely has no kids, no responsibility besides herself, sleep in, can have wine at all hours, knows what a hot meal  tastes like sits there grumping?? Oh Hell NO! Better believe I put her in check! Don't fly coach on bargain airlines then Miss. Priss!! Fly First class or get to your destination by Burro!! Choice Is Yours!! But don't sit next to an exhausted mom who is coming home to reality that there's been no income cause business hasn't taken off & start running your mouth. Your lucky I let you keep your teeth. Ok on to the next thing. Our return home we hit the ground running, homeschooling the boys, making them do daily readings, teaching them a second language of Spanish and working...a lot! Work meant putting on our work shirts stuffing all 3 kids in the truck & going dealership to dealership giving our sales pitch. Want to feel like gum under a shoe?? Try convincing used car managers to give you a chance, yup gum under shoes. Not all were bad some were pretty nice. We also baptized Baby A, stress,hit the water park a few times ( Another shout out to AT&Ts Wish Connection!!), stress,cousins came to visit,stress,Grandma & Grandpa came to visit,stress cause they are leaving,  aunt Lori came to visit,stress, 4 teeth jumped out of Baby As gums, stress,birthday sleep over with tons of little boys,stress, Trip to Six Flags, stress, boys homeschooling & readings became sleep, video game, too much TV and frozen pizza feasts and I just gave up. But never gave up on prayer. He's the only reason I'm slightly sane. Oh did I mention our vans dying & I'm way too poor to fix it? And I'm returning to night classes since having baby A and am scared to death? My nerves are pretty shot too. Of all things for my baby sister & I to inherit, my grandmas severe anxiety & depression. Why couldn't we have inherited her beautiful teeth, gorgeous smile, knock out shape & sass for wearing heels??? Ok baby sister can rock some mile high heels. Anyway with all that's hit us God blesses me with a new morning everyday & a fabulous husband by my side every night. Parents who love & support us & remind us through prayer all is possible. There you go I survived Summer 2013....barely. Now bring on the school year! I have a fighting match with this exam our crazy state insists on torturing our kids with called STAAR. I've got my gloves on, I'm ready.

This place....

This place is where it all started, this very Animal Clinic right here.

I had just turned 20 and was working on a research paper for my Clinical Pathology course, my topic "Rabies in Texas". I was living with my aunt and uncle and looked up near by vet clinics, found one and decided to call. I needed pamphlets on Rabies vaccinations/prevention and this clinic I called told me I was more than welcome to pick some up. So my aunt and I got into the car and off we went. I pulled up to Edgefield and found them to be rather busy. I was helped by a sweet girl whose blue green eyes were stunning! Oh just the site of them! I remember thinking how they looked like Christmas ornaments and how I wish mine were such a color. I explained how I had called and was told to come pick up some pamphlets. She looked confused but told me she would ask "Doc" as soon as he was done with his current patient. When he finally came over to talk to me it was very clear.... I was at the wrong clinic! They were very understanding and "Doc" even offered to let me use his library to look up info. Though I only needed pamphlets, my report was already typed up and completed. He then asked if I was bilingual and looking for work. I was both! That following Saturday I went in for a "Test Run" on the job and was hired. That pretty girl with the Blue green eyes is now my cousin by marriage. About 4 months later I was to meet my now husband of almost 12 years while watching "Grease" at Miss Pretty Blue Green Eyes house, Aka Stacey. Nick and I drove by this past weekend after dropping some clothes off at a church donation box. And it just hit us....we met, married and have children all because I drove up to the wrong clinic that afternoon. "See now who says theres no God?" commented Nick. Yes we know he had a hand in this or I would of driven to the clinic I called to begin with, so glad I didn't, so glad we had no GPS back then too! Oh I can't believe I walked in there 16 years ago.....where does time go??

Pass me the Xanax please!!

This time of year gives me mixed feelings. Happy summer is upon us but scared to death of tornado season. Those who know me know that I am C-H-E-A-P CHEAP! But that's not stopping me from giving up my desire for a fancy and pricey Canon DSLR and directing funds towards a storm shelter. I know silly ol Liza but ya know I'll be running into that sucker a few times a year. Gift that keeps on giving right?! So while we were under potential Tornado watch I baked, Pops idea, not that he had a hankering for chocolate chip cookies or anything.
I even let the boys put their homework on hold and help me bake....YES homework.on. hold like I said, I was scared. Well storm weakened before it reached us so we got some yummy warm cookies!

My baking helpers during the rainstorm!

Baby A wasn't bothered one bit by the rain, he blew raspberries the whole time.

 

Everyone one was doing great while I dreamed of this! Yes my underground shelter. You can donate to my "Fraidy Cat Fund" if you'd like ;).

And FYI I don't take Xanax not that I wouldn't of popped one in if I had one but I don't....unfortunately.

~ Liza

Summer is almost here!!!!

With the arrival of summer first things first.....  DISNEY WORLD! Followed by frequent trips to Hawaiian Falls, Zoo trips, play dates, swimming at Maw maw & Pa paws, trips to the lake and stay in our PJ's all day kind of days. So for now we are doing our pre-summer thing!

Boys last baseball game, I was so proud of them!!

A little Sunday at the park fun!

Relaxing pool side like a Rockstar! Mamaw and Papaw reserved him his own Cabana! ;)

Already teaching Baby A the way of video games, nothing like a little Angry Birds on the ipad...sigh.

Yeah we are definitely ready for summer!

~ Liza

Just a bit crazy.....

Home life's been a little insane..........

Baseball......

Baby who can now use jumper......

Trying to eat healthy (McDonald's Oatmeal...yum! It's like breakfast crack!)......

Not to mention its Teacher Appreciation week which means I didn't clean and on top of that boys have switched to the guest room so now the boys old room is our guest room which in turn the old switch a roo has left our house like this.......

So we look like we belong on an episode of Hoarders but at least our Teachers were treated to a little something everyday this week. Now who would like to come tackle this mess for me cause I'm going to bed!

Little of this, a little of that.

Our weeks been full. Preparing for a new family adventure (stay tuned for that), boys had STAAR testing, and Pops and I have been on the hunt for a truck...know of one for sale?? When you have a set budget for a vehicle the hunt becomes tricky. All together I'm trying to get back into running, boys have their Saturday baseball games, and I can't wait for summer VACATION!!

For my love of running.

I'm a runner. I have been since I was 11 years old. I'm not the fastest, I'm not the best but still I am a runner. My runs are usually 5Ks with the occasional 10k. A few weeks ago a childhood friend of mine decided she'd fly into Dallas and we could run a 1/2 marathon together I'm very excited! Later that week little E had required reading about a boy and his family preparing for their moms big race. He asked when I was doing a race again (it's been a while). I explained my own big race plans and he got pretty excited. Then this past Monday my heart broke over Boston's Marathon bombing. How can people be so callous? Hearing of the hurt, the deaths, runners who've lost limbs its been just too much for my heart, my runners heart. Every time I see news footage I see my own family at my very first race. Z was only 5 and Little E was 4. Nick had them on the side lines pointing out at me as I crossed the finish line. Then we celebrated with complimentary beer, bagels, fruit and dancing. Not to mention the free carnival afterwards. It was a happy ending, not a nightmare. We stopped for dinner on our way home yesterday they had more news footage. I must of looked sad or disturbed cause Pops asked if he was going to have to change seats with me so I didn't have direct view of the television. I just can't shake the ill feeling or the sadness of it all. So I'll do what I can do and that's pray. Pray for the injured, the ones who lost their lives, the families, the ones responsible for the acts... they need the most prayer.

After our Warrior Dash Run.

Donut Fridays

Every Friday I wake up extra early prepare & leave a bottle ready for Baby A (pops takes over baby duty, pun intended). Fridays are Popcorn Day, I'm in charge of Popcorn Day for our PTA. Not only is Friday a day I come home stinking of popcorn & pickles but Friday breakfasts have become a ritual. I stop by the donut shoppe order 1 dozen donut holes...with sprinkles! And a chocolate and a glazed donut and some chocolate milk ( doesn't it sound fabulously healthy?). They usually eat on the go but sometimes we eat at the shop. I love eating at the shop. Watching their chocolatey smiles makes this non morning person look forward to her Friday early morning rise.

Giddy about summer, baking, learning...

So Baby A took a nap! A REAL nap and not in my arms. So what did I do? I baked of course! I made empanadas, it's like a fried pie but its baked. I had all the ingredients on hand so I figured why not? I grew up with these and I used moms recipe, SUPER yummy! I also am deciding on what kind of bird feeders to put out. Baby A saw a bird on our Crepe Myrtle outside our kitchen window he was in awe. Love how he's starting to soak life in its amazing to watch. Pops and I so feel so blessed to be given another opportunity to watch a little sponge absorb his surroundings. So YES summer outdoor activities are a must! We're getting out, dirty, exploring and learning before he can even start to walk. Plus I have 2 little helpers who'll enjoy the fun! I can't wait!!

Great weather

Weather was beautiful yesterday it felt so wonderful to step out in it. Ashton & I picked eggs, he squealed at the chickens. Picked E up from tutoring where we drove home with the windows open. We wrapped up written homework and Z finished his spelling practice outside in the Fort (thinking homework in the Fort is a Spring must from now on). Z kept studying, Pops pushed Ash on the baby swing, E showed me his mad jump rope skills, Nie acted crazy and all the while I just soaked them all in. They are quite a sight. Someone keeps trying to knock us down but it's hard to stay down when you have so much to be grateful for. And right now I'm feeling extremely grateful.

Maybe

My sister is going to homeschool my nephews this coming Fall. I applaud her. I'm envious. I'm proud of her. Teaching is hard....too hard. My boys are in public school and both struggle with learning disabilities which means A LOT of tutoring by Pops and I. We work so much with them because our boys will have every opportunity every other child has but just with a few quirks. But that is what makes them not just them but an AWESOME them. With that said my goal was to homeschool in the beginning. But they thrived on the interaction with other children. Their speech improved and they are excelling beautifully. But now there's Baby A. This is where my dilemma is creeping in. Should I homeschool when his brothers attend public school? If the boys choose homeschooling too I will be all for it. I feel they have come so far due to the one on one they constantly receive at home can you imagine if they had all day one on one? (Aside from the fact that I'd loose my hair). Alas it's up to them since they've already been in the school system all this time. Guess I'll cross that bridge when I get there. For now I'm researching again. Getting a feel for it all. Do know this I will homeschool Baby A for preschool, I can't wait! So I leave with this awesome Homeschooling pic I found on Pinterest. Ryan Gosseling... Need I say more??

Like a big boy.....

Someone sat with us at the dinner table for the first time yesterday. I wonder who??

He has risen.

Yes The Lord died for you and me. He paid the ultimate sacrifice because he loved us so. So I leave this post with that. Hope you had a blessed Easter holiday with your loved ones.

Master Bomber!

So I'm thinking Little E might still be attached to my hip. Why you ask? Seems like every time I try to take a photo or figure out what else this iphone can do photo wise he's right there, sneaking up behind me. That boy is a Master Photo Bomber! I must admit I absolutely love it, love him, love my boys just loving a lot right now :).

This guy.....

This guy was just a teen when we met. This guy proposed to me on his birthday 14 years ago. This guy and I have been tossed under the bus more times than we can count, all it did was make our faith and bond stronger. This guy is a fantastic father (our boys are truly lucky). This guy is a fantastic husband, I'm one lucky gal. This guy is the reason I waited 21 years to fall in love for the first and last time. This guy celebrated another birthday this past weekend. May God bless him with many more. Happy Birthday Nick hope you enjoyed your day.

Spring Break Day 3,4 and 5

Spring break feels like a blur. I was crazy enough to head to the zoo just the boys and I where we ran into their cousins. Of course they ran around only seeing maybe 3 animals shoot could of gone to the park for free. We ended Spring Break with a day camping trip with extended family where the boys had a BLAST then the night at the lake house. Next day boys had a little lake side fun. Pops taught them to skip rocks, we had ice cream at our favorite outdoor shop and most importantly enjoyed mamaw and papaws company.

Spring break 2013 day 2

Our day? Boys spent most of the day at a friends house,THERE Little E's not bored. Followed by line drying diapers, tending to chickens, dog obviously digging to China or as Pops put it "Digging her own grave", being locked out of the house with baby and dog inside alone! Day ends well with me not having to make dinner and boys devouring their favorite dessert that's ALWAYS a perfect ending.

Spring Break 2013 day 1

First day of Spring Break and the boys are finally over the stomach virus but Little E's already complaining that he's bored. So I told him what every mom before and after me will and have responded "Clean your room if your bored." Yeah you know he walked away and fast! Won't stop him from mentioning it yet again this week. Though he decided to kill his boredom by dressing up and giving his mom a good laugh. While he was silly, Z attacked zombies, and Baby A let me kiss him ALL.DAY.LONG. These boys have the yummiest cheeks they're magnets, magnets for my lips!

Hope your Spring Breaks illness free and fabulous!

~ Liza

Dearest Lysol.....

First time our family was hit with the stomach flu the boys were babies It.Was.Awful. Well they got it again a week later I was beside myself. Pediatrician told me to fill the tub with water a bit of bleach and toss their toys in there then to just wipe the whole apartment down, see??? Awful! I actually got online and prayed there was such a thing as Lysol Bombs. But ya know ,no such luck...Boooo! Fast forward almost 10 years later we are hit with a stomach virus yet again and what?! No Lysol Bombs yet?!? Get with it Lysol people! I would not only stock up on this but so would every mom EVERYWHERE! For now Clorox is banking it with all the wipes I've used these past few days. I just might have to buy stock in it. Thankfully it's only a 24 hour virus, that is of course if your child doesn't vomit for 5 hours straight through the night not once waking you therefore severely dehydrating himself warranting a trip to the ER! Thankfully my sweet Z is doing great and Little E was vigilantly watched when his symptoms arose. Now Pop's is down and I'm praying Baby A is spared. After this I need a vacation!! I'll accept a child free Target trip, that's just as awesome ;).

Lovely Sunday

Sunday was honestly a lovely day. We went to service followed by lunch at a restaurant I've been going to since I was in college, Nicks been going to since high school, so yummy! Where its located was small and quaint. It's grown so much and I love how family friendly it is. Boys even put down their hand held game systems to play hopscotch! Nick & I loved watching them. We soon headed back to our neck of the woods so Pops & the boys could get some baseball practice in. Baby A and I kicked back in the sun & cool breeze followed by a sweet walk around the park. See, perfect Sunday.