Alone Time

The hubs took all three kids camping on Thursday for one night. I ended up going shopping at the Woodburn Outlets with my friend, her MIL and cousin. It was a LONG day (11-6), but totally worth it. Her MIL had tons of coupons and I saved so much money. Her MIL is a sweetheart and bought Maddie two outfits so she could match my friend's daughter once school starts. I was touched to say the least. A very kind and sweet woman.

I got the girls so many cute outfits and am done with their Back to School shopping. I came home and graded a few papers while waiting for my other friend to come pick me up at 7. We went to PF Chang's and had a great time. We ended up at Marshall's so I could find Jaiden some clothes and I walked out of their with some great finds.

I didn't get home until ten and had about 7 hours of editing to do. Needless to say, I went to bed at 2:30am. I had to get up at seven to continue to work both my editing and teaching job (it was finals week) and then head to the office by eleven. I got home at 2pm just after Matt returned.

When he first told me he was taking the kids camping, I envisioned sleeping in and watching some TV, perhaps sipping some wine. LOL. That did not happen! Oh well. The good news is....I have the whole weekend off with no work!!

I don't start teaching again until the 16th which is nice, but I return to editing on Monday :) I am just grateful to be soaking up some sun this week! Summer has finally arrived in Oregon :) ~S

FAVORITES!!!

One} Favorite Food/Dessert for Take-Out
PF Chang's Shrimp w/ Candied Walnuts
Cheesecake Factory's Chocolate Coconut Creme Cheesecake

Two} Favorite Store to Shop
Easy! Costco :)

Three} Favorite Spontaneous Gift from Spouse
Earrings or Flowers

Four}  Favorite Bedtime Accessory
My baby blanket :))

Five} Favorite Vacation Spot
The Oregon Coast or Ensign Ranch

Six} Favorite Online Shopping Spot
Pottery Barn! I heart PB :)

Seven} Favorite Comfy Clothes
My red robe and yoga pants

Eight} Favorite Activity with the Kids
Going on lantern walks

Nine} Favorite Song
This is tough! I can't simply pick one. It's a toss up between Cough Syrup by Young The Giant or You Are A Tourist by Death Cab For Cutie

Ten} Favorite Color
Red :)

~S

Keeping Busy

The last couple of days have been a roller coaster, but I think I am doing okay and am happy with how productive we were. We had a great trip to the beach (I say great loosely due to certain events that I can now laugh at), got our glass door installed, the front door painted a new color, a door knocker ordered from Pottery Barn, the girls table assembled, wood shelves bought (we need to fit and stain them) for the pantry and had friends over for dinner.

Last week I went on two outings to celebrate my belated birthday and another friend's birthday with friends and got an awesome review from my employer. I find that if I keep busy, family stress (in regards to my mom and brother) is easier to handle. But I have noticed my body taking a hit. I have been tired, it has been harder to balance both jobs, the house, kids and so forth. I have acne from stress, have been overly itchy (thanks LS), have a canker sore and just feel crummy. I know I need to slow down and take a breather.

The next few days are finals for my students and I have a ton of grading to do, plus my editing job-especially if I am heading to MT shortly. I know I will get through it though. I am just grateful that I love the work I do. It is such a blessing to have money now to treat friends, buy gifts, have nights out, take the kids to do more activities and know that all those years of school were worth it. I am so lucky to have found two great jobs. In times of stress, it always helps me to think of all the positives in my life.

Tomorrow we are going out with friends for dinner and Thursday I am going school shopping with one of my best friends and her MIL-I am excited! I also hope to get some cuddle time in with my little one :) I have learned that you just look to the future, keep going despite challenges and push on.

Have a Great Week! ~S

Bad News

It seems like bad news comes in clusters-at least for my family. Last week, one of my older brothers was hit by a car while riding his bicycle and dragged. He is alive thank goodness and recovering. It was very scary for my family when we got the news.

I woke up today determined to rid my house of dust. My son has horrible allergies to the point that he gets bloody noses and so I decided to do a quick clean. I scrubbed every single wood blind in my house and dusted all the baseboards and six panel doors. I decided to take a break when my little brother called. My mom has been hospitalized-possibly for weeks. She is very ill. Like I said, just when you take a breath, the life gets sucked out of you again.

She has been sick for some time now. I knew a month ago she was bad and every time the phone rang, I thought it was "that" dreaded call-the end. Thankfully, it was not today.

My dad is also ill with Parkinson's and can't be left alone. So I will be heading to MT probably in the next few days. My brothers and I will take turns taking care of my parents house, my dad, and cooking. Stress always makes him feel worse as it does me.

Right now we are brainstorming about what to do with the little ones. Do I take them or leave them? I think it would be hard to take three kids and care for my dad. I'm sure it will all work out though. Thankfully, I can work from home at my dad's house and have no problem taking time off at my other job. Plus, I have friends that would be more than willing to take my kids.

Matt works two jobs today (literally a 15-16 hour shift) so I will do what I do best to occupy myself and keep the stress at bay-CLEAN!

Please keep my mom in your thoughts and prayers. She has only been this sick once and it was really, really bad on all of us.

~S

Back to School



I have a huge "to do" list to get ready for Back to School. Besides clothes & shoe shopping for three kids, I need to also get school supplies. Lucky for me, I have a shopping date with a friend :)

Part of getting ready for school is having a place for the kids to study. My son has a desk in his room, but my girls do not. I saw this table last year around Christmas time and since I have the ability to buy extras now due to me working, I decided to get it. I am really excited. I think it will go great in the girls room and we can use it for Thanksgiving and other holidays when we need extra seating for kids.

Good luck with your Back to School "to do" list! ~S

I love the different colored chairs :)