Merry Belated Christmas!

Today is the annual clean up the Christmas mess day..... or for me anyways. This year I was just not into the "festivities" as much as usual. Can't really say why. Maybe I am getting older and getting tired of being rushed through everything. It's constantly run to this house, that house, this house. I don't need to tell you that dragging 4 kids, presents and food around to all of these places is..... ummmm... yeah a pain in my backside! I did manage to get one get-together here at our house and let me tell you..... it was SOOOO much easier and about 1,000 times less stressful for me and the kids. I can't complain, overall it was a very nice Christmas. The boys were very happy with their gifts this year (and the new way Santa has delivered at our house). I got a new car =)...... well it's our new car... but we all know who will be driving it more.... lol! I love it! We've never had anything new before!!! It had 450 miles on it when we picked it up and those were from delivery (it came from Ohio). I have been on cloud nine. It was the same jumble of family get together's this year.... where no one speaks to us (except my family and this year it was really only my sister) Everyone making snide remarks about anything related to us and our kids; we really might as well just walk in the door and hand our parenting rights to everyone else, because it's clear we don't have a say and that anything we do say is going to be twisted and made to be something bad. I would love to see any of them walk a while in our shoes.... might not work immediately but I guarantee they would eventually see things in a different light. Oh well.... enough of a rant. I am sure I will be back. Justin is working this week which leaves me home with all 4 kids...... SIGH... lol. 

and this would be the new baby =)

When do I get to catch my break??!!

Whew this has been a week for the books!! They say bad things happen in three's, so that means we should be DONE with all this nonsense! 

Monday was a crazy hectic day as it was.... Jared had a Dr's apt first thing in the morning, followed up with a few errands Justin and I had to run. Then picked all the boys up from school at lunch, to head to UVA for David's apt. We head home around 4 (way later than I hoped). Got home at 5:28 which left me 2 mins (yes 2 mins) to change and grab my stuff for school. So I get out the door just in the nick of time. I get to the stoplight below our house to get on the interstate, the light turns green...... the car in front of my stalls so I approach them slowly ... when BAM the girl behind me PLOWS me!!! I was really upset but gathered myself enough to call the police dept. thinking she would AT LEAST get a ticket for following to closely or failure to abide by road signs... something.... ANYTHING. Well needless to say she got nothing! The Tow hitch took most of the blow... which we thought would have twisted the frame enough to total it. But apparently not.... the adjustor said there's only $1000 worth of damage, which I find hard to believe. But I guess it is what it is...... The crappiest part is we had planned to trade the Expedition in on a new car this week..... PRIOR to it being rear-ended. So that kinda screwed that plan all to poop! I feel cheated... more than that... my back is still hurting and my head wont quit pounding for 10 seconds. I am supposed to take the expedtion to dodge  today and see how much they can offer with it being wrecked.... and go from there. I sure would like a new car that's for sure! Being hit twice in 2 months is a little too much for me! Of course I had to miss my FIRST day back to class too =( just major bummer. Things have to look up!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving (late) =)

Happy Late Thanksgiving! It was a VERY busy holiday for us this year. Justin and and Jared went hunting in West Va until Tuesday night and we ran errands wed.. Picked up the layaway for the boys, did some more Christmas shopping. Thursday we went to Justin's great-aunt and uncles for lunch , being places with so many people has a way of stressing both me and Brian out so I managed to talk Justin into leaving fairly quick (yah!). BUT that also meant that he, Jared and Nathan would head back up on the mountain sooner than later. They left as soon as we got home. Brian, David and I actually had a pretty good time. We missed them like crazy but we got a lot of little things done that needed to be done before I go back to school on Monday. Went through the kids clothes and toys to make room for new stuff  =), cleaned out the garage, made a crapload of cupcakes =) and cookies (still have more to make), and really just spent some much needed downtime with the kiddos. I lost a best friend this week and by "lost" I mean she made the decision in a round about way. I have always been there no matter what for her and I got the repayment of being dogged behind my back. There's a lot more to it.... but as the grown-up I decided it was time for me to move on. I have a husband and 4 children to think about. I don't have time for the needless drama. Plus, I have new friends and can hopefully find the time to catch up with the old. I feel like I have neglected her and hope so knows I didn't mean too! I managed black Friday shopping as well.... it was interesting. I didn't go because I had anything in mind in particular but more because a friend asked me to go with her. But I walked away with A LOT of awesome deals! Today I have a lot to catch up with as well and we go to my mothers for a late Thanksgiving dinner when Justin gets off work. I have enjoyed having a break with my family.... but I sure will be glad when school starts back tomorrow =)

I'm BACK!

Well..... I can't even pretend that I don't realize how much I have MASSIVELY slacked at this blog thing lately..... I know have (I apologize to the readers I used to have!) I have no excuse other than sheer laziness! So bad in fact that it took me about two weeks to realize that my entire blog had been deleted because the email I had used to set it up.... had been deleted to. HA kinda funny if you think about it! 

Anyway......I vow, today to make more of an effort to blog A LOT more! I am also making some changes from the last blog.... this one will be more about me (so I am sure it will be A LOT more boring! HA!), and it will not be private unless it becomes an issue. Hopefully not! 

So... updates???? HMMMM the kids are doing great! Brian is growing like a weed, David and Nathan are doing great in school. Jared is struggling a good bit, but I have faith in him. I know he is capable of the work, we just need to find a way to help him get motivated. 

I Just finished my 4th term in school, scary to think I am almost half-way through. That term was definitely one of the more trying ones. I passed with one "A" and two "B"s. Not bad, but I was still upset. I really busted butt this term and it didn't really seem to get me anywhere. But this just shows me I need to try harder! I applied for a job a few weeks ago that I was really excited about. My professor even put in an awesome word for me...... but I got a call back that I was over qualified for the job. I won't lie, that stung a lot! It would have been a perfect and wonderful opportunity for me and for my family. I guess everything happens for a reason. 

This week was supposed to be my week of relaxing .... classes start back up next week. But I just don't think it's going to happen. One of my best friend was in a car accident this past weekend. I have been stressed to the max wondering and worrying about her. Justin and Jared went up on the mountain Sunday evening and I am worried about them as well. I have never been alone for this long and it's taking a toll..... I miss them like crazy! I have had a lot of alone time ... and I will be honest. I don't like it ONE BIT!!!! 

The boys and I have decorated for Christmas and for once in I don't know how long....... We  are ahead of schedule! Christmas outfits have been bought for the boys, Christmas Pj's have been bought, Finished pictures this weekend (hopefully getting cards out next week), and the big one..... we are DONE Christmas shopping. I feel like I can finally breathe and enjoy the holiday! I put my foot down this year and demanded we have Christmas here at our house for his family. I am tired of running running running. I want to enjoy the holiday with my family, in my home. I am tired of being around people that do not like me and don't want me there. This is my favorite holiday and I should not have to spend it stressed out and uncomfortable. I am proud of myself =) It seems lately I am being tested in every way possible. Whether or not I am passing I have no idea. Everything has woken me up so to speak and just about everything I see with a new perspective. I can't wait to get back into the swing of blogging and hope to gain more followers this time =)

Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy!

 Silly Boys!!!

This is my  friend that was in the accident. 

Justin and I <3