$600~~FOR REAL!!!

I am not above advertising for something, someone, or anything that has value to me...

So, I say this with "nerdy" excitement...I will save over $600 by switching to PROGRESSIVE Auto Insurance!!!! ~Did that sound like a commercial? Oh, well!

I had been watching a show that gave ideas about how to save money in these "tough economic times" and I had already been considering the move to another insurance company anyway...so, I did it! It was all online (BUT, I couldn't just do it~I had to call to ask a few questions~just couldn't make the jump without a voice reassuring me :) I am so psyched because it really is going to save us over $50/month!!!! Couldn't get any better if I tried and tried and tried!

On another note, Carissa is still "battling" or overwhelming fear of "all things that fly" and it is getting to both of her parents and her sister! We are trying everything~IF ANYONE HAS ANY IDEAS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!

Went for a 5-mile (give or take a little) bike ride while the girls were at another church's VBS last night...I'm not gonna lie~I felt it this morning! Still, I'm feeling pretty good today~got 3 loads of laundry done, cleaned the house here and there, and will probably go out and trim the evergreen bushes tonight while the girls are @ VBS...I feel a little guilty taking them because it's not our church, but they had a blast last night!

Do you think they were tired?!?!

Wow! What a summer full of crazy weather...

There have been some crazy storms here lately...Last night it stormed, today it was calm (But STINKIN' HOT), and tonight there has been constant lightning...and pretty severe storms!

We were supposed to go to Springfield to meet my Dad's plane at the airport...The girls had made signs and everything, but the flights were delayed, he missed a connecting flight out of Chicago and ended up taking the Peoria Charter bus back home! So, we didn't go to Springfield, but did get some stuff done in Decatur...

Home now, watching some shows on the DVR and listening to yet ANOTHER storm getting closer and closer...GOOD sleeping weather :)

Tomorrow WILL be a better day!!!!

Even though we've been home from Disney for 10 days, I have not gotten around to posting any pictures...but we've kept busy!!!

Today, well actually last night, Carissa and Jocelyn were doing their "bridges" from tumbling class and Jocelyn decided to "jump" on her. Well, I thought it was a typical "drama cry" because we had friends over, so I got her ice and let her relax. I gave them bathes and hoped that they would go to sleep early. The rest of the evening was uneventful and I had hoped everything was fine...

This morning, her arms looked different from the other...so, I took her up to the ER and they took an X-ray and we waited...the Doctor came in and said, "She broke her arm--at her elbow." I couldn't believe it! Seriously?!?! I had said all along that I thought Jocelyn would be the one to break a bone first--and as my brother said it: "She did break something first--it just wasn't anythinng of hers!" TRUE, TRUE, TRUE!!!!!!!!

So, we took a trip to Springfield, saw a ped. orthaepedist, she picked her cast color, and on it went...she will have it on for 3 weeks (June 30) but won't be able to swim or get it wet at all. She has developed a FEAR of bugs, so she thinks she won't be able to play outside the whole time! Crazy thinker that she is...here are a few pictures of the doctor's work...

P.S. To top the day off, while picking up Jocelyn from a friend's house, I closed the sliding van door on one of my fingers!!! Went home, tried to shake it off, but it just kept swelling...SO, you guessed it...I went to the ER, had my own x-ray and found out I broke my finger!!!! Seriously!!!! How could that happen to anyone else?!?! So. they relieved the pressure in my finger (I won't go into details about this), put it in a splint, gave me some pain medication and sent me on my way!

Before and After...WOW!

Carissa is now a KINDERGARTEN STUDENT!

The first few pictures are from her first year of preschool and dance...then the next ones are of her last day (yesterday) of Preschool...WOW did the time fly! And she looks more and more grown up every, single day!

Ahhhh, Mondays...

Graduation is over...and I am so happy I'm done with undergraduate work...HOWEVER, I start Seminary in the fall (I got a pretty great scholarship, so I thought I'd try to get a good start on the work). The first picture above is of Brian C., Kira M., and me SOOOO happy to be done and now considered COLLEGE GRADUATES!!!!

NOW, we are preparing for Disney World. We have been counting down the days and they are down to "single digits" and we are REALLY excited! Tonight, the girls are watching VHS tapes of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios--getting even more excited about the trip! Tomorrow we have Carissa's Preschool Field Trip to the Scoville Zoo, so we are going to rest up tonight and are really looking forward to the rest of the week and of course NEXT WEEK IN FLORIDA!!!!!!

DISNEY COUNTDOWN~4 days!!!!!!!!!!

What's Up Next?

I will be graduating in less than 4 days...I know they told us this would happen, but I'm already a little let down right now...not let down because I'm done, but wondering what is next?!?! I know I will start graduate school, but will I have the time/patience/ability to keep up on my schoolwork...
The girls are so excited for the upcoming events for us...Carissa's graduation, my graduation, tumbling show, dance show, and then...VACATION!! I know it will be crazy busy for us for the next 10 days, but it will be worth it!
Signing off for tonight...hope all are well and getting ready for a nice spring and summer ahead of us...

Disney Countdown~10 days (+/- a few hours)

Where has May gone?!?!?!

Yesterday, we had our hands full with "Dance/Tumbling" pictures...two girls+2 different outfits X 1 parent (me)=craziness!!!!! I think the girls did great, but it has been a long week.

The weather has been great nearly all week and the girls have been playing around like crazy! I love the warm weather and the girls getting to be outside and play!

Within the next two weeks we have: Graduation Banquet @ LCC, Carissa's Preschool Graduation, my Graduation, Graduation Party, Field Trip, Tumbling/Dance Rehearsals, Tumbling/Dance Shows, and FINALLY DisneyWorld!!!!!!! This month is already going so quickly!

Found out today that my brother and his wife will be having a.......GIRL!!!! They are due in September and we will all get to see them at my graduation, so the girls will be overly excited about that!

Life is flying by, but I am trying to focus on the "here and now" more so I enjoy the time I have with my FAST GROWING girls!

DISNEY COUNTDOWN~15 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bittersweet

I write this blog as I should be working on a paper...I just don't wanna do it! Is that wrong? I want to do it, but my mind and heart are not really into it right now...HOWEVER, it is due tomorrow. So, this will be short.

Today, I'm babysitting two kids besides my own two being home today too. Thursdays always seem to move the slowest--is it because of anticipation for the weekend? I have a lot to get done, hoped it would be nice weather (so they could play outside), but it poured all night/early this morning and we have pretty extensive sitting water. I have them outside playing in the blocked off driveway, but the weather says its supposed to start raining again this afternoon.

Rented my first two REDBOX movies this morning since the prediction was rain for the whole day, but the girls didn't seem too interested in anything...thankful there was a break in the rain for them to play in the driveway a little.

Tomorrow, will be a FULL outside-in-the-garage day in preparation for our yard sale on Saturday. What was I thinking? I was thinking--spending $$$$ for Disney World!!!

DISNEY COUNTDOWN~23 1/2 days!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bubble Night...

Tonight, we had "Bubble Night" in our backyard (well, the church's backyard, too) and the kids had a blast. Although, I think if we had just met at a park, had bubbles, and just let them play on the swings, slides and such they would have had just as much fun!!! We had about 15 kids and they had fun playing together!

After everyone headed home, Carissa asked to take her bath and said she wanted to go to bed early--nothing like wearing your kids out in a matter of hours, right?

Tomorrow, there is a slight chance of rain/thunderstorms, but we will hopefully be outside most of the day. Joe's going to work out at the golf course at 6 am (Crazy man!) and the girls and I will be home--probably most of the day! I hope they can be outside playing and enjoying the nice weather before all of our final "April Showers" finish out the month!!!
Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

DISNEY COUNTDOWN~28 1/2 days!!!!!!!!

Disney...we'll be there soon!!

All I can say after a LOOOOOOOOONG Wednesday is...

Disney World...we're coming...VERY soon!

DISNEY COUNTDOWN~31 Days!!!!

Warmer Weather on It's Way...

So, today we are inside...the girls were out on Sunday in the rain alot, so they both have runny noses and we have enough "stuff" inside to do anyway! They did "crafts" this morning...watching a little TV, and then lunch together...

This week we are going to the first screening for Kindergarten for Carissa!! I have written about this on Facebook, but not so much here. I am overwhelmed with feelings about Carissa starting school this next fall! I never thought I would feel this way, but I am really sad and excited for her all at the same time! I know she will to well, behave, and blossom--but I just can't believe she's ready for school (all day Kindergarten!!)

Well, this is the last time I want to think about it until August...I've got the whole summer with her and we will have fun doing everything!!! We are excited about planting flowers, trying our hand at a vegetable garden, and just "being" outside!!!

I have 3 more weeks of school, then graduation, dance recitals, zoo trip, and then vacation!!!!!!!

DISNEY COUNTDOWN~32 days!

Rough Draft of Portfolio--DONE!

So, it may have taken a lot of work pulling it together, but I have my rough (first) draft of my FINAL PORTFOLIO done!! Just saved it, have a meeting about it on Tuesday afternoon, and ready to finish up the rest of my work for the semester...it feels like just getting the portfolio done has lifted a huge weight off me!

We spent this morning outside, napped this afternoon, and then were outside again this evening. Cooked out on the grill, ate together, and just hung around the house today...

We have tried to take the "down" days and just spend them at home--not constantly running around trying to get as much done as we can!

I got to have an evening out with two friends last night--we ate together in Decatur, walked around Target, and then visited over a Starbucks frappucino (Strawberries and Creme--that makes it healthy,right? :) It was a nice evening, but I was happy to get home and see my girls!

We are off to Bloomington tomorrow afternoon to meet Joe's family--it's supposed to rain, but we will at least be able to visit for a little bit!

DISNEY COUNTDOWN~34 Days...right?!?!?!

Finally, two nice days in a row!

Whew!! I was starting to wonder if God had forgotten that it was almost the end of April?!?! I know He works in His time, but I will be one of the first people to say--THANK YOU...for letting us enjoy yesterday and today before Saturday/Sunday's rain. The girls had a playdate, picnic lunch, and LOTS of time outside yesterday. No naps, so they were asleep quite early last night.

I accomplished alot of paperwork yesterday...

-ordered VBS material

-got more than 1/2 way through my portfolio "stuff"

-scheduled a meeting to discuss my portfolio questions

-paid some bills...

-met with the "craft lady" for VBS and compiled our order for "Oriental Trading" supplies/craft kits!

-AND aside from paperwork, got all the laundry sorted and put away in the proper rooms...THAT is a HUGE accomplishment for me--usually I just reach into the basket and take what I need from all the clean, folded-yet not put away basket!

The girls got to help Dad with some yard work yesterday and doing the same for a little bit right now--but then they get a nap this afternoon! Grandma is coming to visit, eat supper with them, and stay while Mom (me) gets to meet some friends in Decatur for a belated Birthday dinner for one of them! Once we all became Moms, we have a difficult time coordinating a good time to meet--but its only 3 weeks after her birthday--that's not TOO bad, right?

Hope everyone's enjoying this BEAUTIFUL day...

DISNEY COUNTDOWN~36 DAYS!!!!!

WOW!

**Disclaimer: This is not my desk, but if I had one it may look like this!!

I just realized HOW MUCH work I have to get done in the next 4 weeks...

-4 reading reports (about 150 pages of reading--about Revelation!), read 10 entries of a website and write a summary of the entries, 7-10 reflection paper on "discipleship" in Revelation, and Old Testament readings!!!

-An independent study for Church studies (1 credit hour is missing in my grad requirements!!!) due May 1st

-My final portfolio for my college degree--1st draft due the end of next week and the final draft due before graduation (May 16th)

-Along with the everyday activities at home, church, and other areas of my life......

I know I can make it, but I just want to do well at everything...I need 2 days to myself to get a BIG chunk of this done...

Anyone wanna babysit for two days????? And clean, cook, and take care of my house for me???????

DISNEY COUNTDOWN: 39 days!

Distractions or Only Short Delays...

I've been busy, but sometimes it doesn't even seem like I've gotten anything done...does anyone else feel like that? I want so badly to be done with so much stuff, I find my mind wandering off...being distracted by the internet...breaking up arguments between the girls...cleaning...laundry...cooking...bathing children...cleaning up after children...

I wouldn't exchange any of this for any amount of money, but I just want to be focused...any suggestions? Should I give up blogging? Facebook? Unfortunately, I use these outlets to take time away from schoolwork, but I end up spending too much time here or there...

Just so excited about Graduation, The Girls' Dance Recital, and MOST excited about DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's hoping the weather gets better this week...it's supposed to, but who knows anymore!


DISNEY COUNTDOWN: 40 days!!!!!!!!!

Easter Extravaganza Weekend

Every time I paint, I mean when Joe and I paint, I forget just how long it takes to clean, prep, and prime the walls! I just want to "jump right in" and get the color on the wall. Today, upon returning from Lincoln, I finished cleaning the wall in the dining room, sanded it, and put primer up. I won't be painting it until tomorrow...LIKE I said, a lot of prep work for painting!

We got to visit with my parents, my brother and sister-in-law last night and this morning--very nice visit--wish we could do it more often. We are ALL always so busy, but it is great to get together and spend time just talking...

Since getting home, we have discovered that our weekend is definitely going to be a BUSY Easter weekend...Joe had Good Friday service tonight, dress rehearsal for the play afterwards, the play tomorrow night/with a visiting time following, Sunrise service at 7:30 am, Easter Breakfast (coordinated by yours truly), and the second performance of the Easter play for church @ 10am, and then OUT to brunch--that's right, not cooking after this whirlwind!!!!!!

Hope everyone is enjoying time together with friends, family, and the meaning behind this season--Our Savior...

Color, color, color

Today and tonight, Joe and I painted the master bathroom and scrapped the wallpaper/glue off the dining room wall...a lot of work, but the bathroom is done and looks GREAT--even if I do say so myself. The dining room will be pretty too, once the painting is done! It always seems like such an easy task, but once it gets started it feels like it will never be done--you know what I mean?

I have started working on my Final Portfolio for Graduation...its a little harder than I thought because we got a new computer halfway through my schooling, so I will be searching through two different computers for my documents!!! ARGHHHHH

The girls got to go to an Easter egg hunt at a local nursing home--the residents just loved watching the kids look for the eggs!! Its so nice that we live in a community where we can be a part of so many peoples' lives on a daily basis.

Today I walked 2 miles on the treadmill--for those of you who know me, this is HUGE!!! I have now been able to work up my time and distance over the last few days and I'm very happy with myself. I haven't lost any weight recently, but I know I'm getting into better shape, physically, than I have been in quite awhile. I don't mean to "toot" my own horn, but I just want to be able to play with my kids and chase after them too!

Well, enjoy the weather if its nice where you are and remember the reason for "the season" this coming weekend...

Countdown to Disney: 44 days!!

Ahhhh...the Signs of Spring...really?!

So, yesterday it rained and then we had some thunderstorms. Last night it started to get cooler...and this morning there was a light dusting of snow on the ground (for the second Sunday in a row!) Then throughout the morning there were periods of snow flurries, sun, snow flurries, and now just a cloudy afternoon...

Spring is supposed to have rain showers: "April showers bring May flowers" No snow is in that statement! Oh well! Its been an interesting weather week, but I am definitely looking forward to the weather warming up by the weekend! Easter is always a tough one to figure out because you never know if its going to be cold or warm--and they don't make warm Easter dresses for little girls! So, I've purchased the little white sweaters to have on "standby" and we are awaiting a visit with Brian and Sarah on Thursday evening/Friday morning...time with family and friends during this amazing season of remembering God's love for us...

DISNEY COUNTDOWN: 47 days!!!!!

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

When we were in Target on Tuesday night, the girls got to pick 5 things from the "Dollar Bins" at the entrance. This is partly due to bribing them to behave (each time they do something wrong, a thing goes back) but partly so they are able to learn to pick things that they want or will use!!!

Today, I opened two of their items--GLOW IN THE DARK STAR STICKERS! I've always wanted these and I was probably more excited about them than they were! Oh well...so I put them up today and now I just want it to be dark enough to see if they really work. We have textured ceilings, so they are on the wall, but I think it will look pretty cool!

Spring is still showing through today--not too cool, not too cloudy. Babysitting for little bit today and then another night at home--I could really get used to this! Volunteering at Carissa's school tomorrow and then SHOPPING on Saturday!!!!! WooHoo!!!!!!