Wonderful Weekend W-happenings...Uhh...

Yeah, yeah I know, I'm a cornball. Call it what you will, but I couldn't think of a good "W" word to follow...
Anyway, so my weekend didn't get any better--in fact it was by far the worst weekend I've ever had, but I'm not going to bore you with those details. Instead, be bored by these: :P
Okay, so a couple of weeks ago (like 3) one of our dogs...let me clarify by saying my dog is no longer with us so I take no responsibility for this!...brought in some animal. My brother thought it was dead, but couldn't be too sure. The dog--so youthful in her young age, yeah right--escaped my older brother...the old age of 33...and he wasn't sure what happened next. He told my mom, but it was late at night so neither of them knew what to do.
Fast forward to this weekend. (Okay I guess I am boring you with weekend details. :P Deal with it!) My mom was going to make breakfast and as she went to get a pan to cook eggs in, she discovered a load of--ahem--poop under the sink. She told my dad about it, went out and got new pots and pans and threw away the old ones.
Okay, that was Saturday. Now it's Monday--in my story anyway. :D I started working 7-3 instead of 8-3. I don't have much time to eat breakfast, I'm not a morning person so I wake up at the latest possible moment. Anyway, before I digress too much...I went to the downstairs freezer to get my breakfast sandwich. I walked up the stairs. There are two "flights" with a landing connecting them;they make almost a right angle. At the side of the top "flight" there is no wall on the one side, just open to the downstairs. We have a cabinet against the structure though, so you can only see about 4 inches from the top of the cabinet to the bottom of the shelves.
Okay, do you have a semi-mental picture? (I wish I took pictures because this was priceless! I'll have to try and get pics of the set-up to clarify my "fabulous?" description.) As I was walking up the steps, it took me a few seconds, but I realized I saw someone...or something looking at me. Sure enough, I backtracked a few steps. There was A POSSUM just sitting atop the cabinet staring out. I went upstairs and announced there was a possum. My dad went down and...well, let's just say there's no more possum. Maybe he trapped it and set it free, maybe someone came in and rid us of it...maybe there's another explanation. Who knows?? I'll just leave this one a cliff-hanger. ;)
Good night all, I need my rest! Last night I didn't get to sleep until 11:30 and was wakened by Mikey. He didn't want to go back to sleep until 4:30 and I didn't get to sleep until 5. I have to be up by 5:45...I didn't make it this morning. (Though surprisingly, I was actually EARLY for work!)
I...need...to...get...some...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Fanta-bulous!

Okay, so I didn't say which weekend I would update. :P
So much has gone on since I last posted that I don't even know what happened, when. But what I do know, is that I don't think it's in the cards for me to have one full good day! Every time my day is going well and I think things are finally looking up, something brings me crashing down! Take, for example, today...
My morning started out a little rocky, but I forgot about it until now...sitting here pondering my day. Anyway, work was pretty quiet which is probably the first time this week that has happened. I came home and still things were copasetic. I knew I should have avoided a phone call I made, but it had to be made. I didn't get an answer, but left a message thinking it wouldn't be returned.
Much to my surprise it was and I was cussed out for the next 15 minutes. (That's not a lie, I checked my call timer after I hung up, it was so ridiculous.) And it wasn't even anything I did, per se, nor any of that person's business what was going on. In fact, if everything went the way it was supposed to go, it wouldn't even have been an issue. But, of course, things didn't go as planned so steps had to be taken.
Not knowing my situation or what I've been going through these past few weeks (well, months actually, but for the story, I'll stick with weeks), OR even the fact that the issue with a third party had been rectified, this person the phone call was with just went off yelling and cussing and accusing...the whole nine yards!
When I finally got my five seconds--enough for her to take a breath before going in on it again--my side apparently wasn't good enough. I tried not to let it get to me, but it did (a character flaw I've been trying to work on for some time now). She told me she would call me back because she was mad and starting to cuss and needed some time to cool down...she called all worked up, it's not like it was a process. She still hasn't called back and I'm sure she won't. (She accused me of not calling her this past month when I left her a long detailed message of things and she never returned the call!)
Anyway, it's not really all that important anymore because it's done and over with and next time it won't go on for that long...I hate hanging up on people, but I also hate being walked all over. The only reason I let her go on for so long this time is that I figured she needed to get things off her chest and vent--whether things were my fault or not.

On a happier note...last weekend I got to visit a good friend of mine and her little boy. It was so nice to see him and my boys playing together so nicely. Despite the closeness in distance we don't see each other that often so it was great to catch up! I need to get better at keeping in touch with people and visiting and all that good stuff. One of these days I'll get there! ;)

I was offered a full-time position at work this week. Work has been great! I work with some of the best people you could ask for. If there's something that's just too much for you, they jump right in, without even hesitating! I was pretty fortunate with the group of kids I'm working with too! I guess they're not really kids since they're 19 and 20 years old. I'm just so glad it's been a positive experience so far.

I can't really think of much else that has been going on lately. As crazy as things have been, it's pretty much the same old same old. Nothing too new and exciting to report. LOL I'm sure though, once I close this post and shut the laptop I'll remember something else to post. But for now, I'm going to call it a night.

For Vickie!

I just wanted to let you all know--and Vickie--that I am still in the land of the living. I know it's been a while since my last post. Things have just been so crazy around here that I haven't had a chance to blog.
Tomorrow is a big day...the last day of my first full week at work; pay day; Elijah's last day at VBS, closing program. Saturday I'm hoping to get together with some friends...so depending on how that day goes, I may be updating afterwards. If not, I should be definitely updating Sunday. (I've always been told don't count your chickens before they hatch, so I hope I'm not eating my words come Monday.)
I hope you all have a great weekend!
*SMILE*

Oh Happy Day!

So today was a success...I was so nervous about Mikey going back to daycare. I've actually been dreading it the past couple days.
I dropped him off and he wasn't too pleased. But his teacher (Miss Michael--same birthday as Mikey too!) assured me things would be fine and that I could call later in the day to check up on him. During my orientation, we got 3 breaks...2-15 minute and 1-hour for lunch. I was going to call at the first 15 minute break, but opted out. I couldn't not call at lunch time, I was going crazy. LOL
I forget who I got a hold of, but they told me that he was having a good day and ate lunch well and was now napping. When I picked him up at the end of the day, I was told he had a fabulous first day and one of his teachers even said she had never seen a baby have such a wonderful first day! :) I was so happy and relieved to hear that!
As far as the job goes...I have never been more bored in my life! That's an overstatement but I say that for dramatic effect. ;) It was all right as far as orientations go, but it just D-R-A-G-G-E-D on! I was so glad when the day was over. Eight hours is just too much to sit through lectures. And I have 9 more days to go! Well, I guess 6 because we have 2 on-site days and then the last day is hands-on. I just want to get to work! I'm really hoping that there's something permanent available so I don't have to do the whole job search again in 2 months. ;)
Well, it's getting late and I'm seeing double. LOL I guess that's my cue to go to bed! :)
*SMILE*

"...one is silver and the other's gold"

So I get real lazy when it comes to calling people sometimes, even friends. And it's just gotten worse lately...almost like I isolate myself. Anyway, I finally called one of my friends tonight that I haven't talked to in a while. It gets easier to not call people and make excuses sometimes than it does to call them. I know that sounds stupid, but whatever. I've never been a normal person, deal with it! ;) Let me just tell you it was so good to talk and catch up. I always try to make it a point to keep up with keeping in touch. Sometimes I do, but sometimes I don't...and when I do, fall back into the same patterns of not. I can be a very lazy friend and LOVE my friends for not holding that against me! :D
And I think that's the end of this blog as I hear Mikey in the other room crying...at 11:00 PM. What's up with that?! LOL
Well, until next time.

Looking Back...

Okay, so I know the last one was a long one...so I'll try to keep this one short, not to mention I'm exhausted!
I found myself really bored and looking at old pages. I mostly just check email, keep up with online banking or go to "social network" sites (ie, MySpace and Facebook). I also like to keep up with my friends through their blogs and find myself, ironically, frustrated by the lack of upkeep. I know, people get busy...myself being my own example of this.
Anyway, I've been reminiscing a lot lately. Old friends I lost touch with, old friends I still talk to, exes I haven't heard from in years, and exes that have recently re-surfaced. Anyway, as the title states, looking back I wonder what life would be like if things turned out differently.
There was one potential that I didn't give a chance, and lately he's been on my mind--and I have no idea why! I, on Facebook, sent a message to a past hopeful...anonymously...and he found out! The thing is, I've always considered him the one that got away. Our paths crossed many times throughout the past 10 years after we first met. (Some of you may know to whom I'm referring.) Anyway, I feel awkward even messaging or emailing him anymore. He's in town for the next couple weeks and I'm contemplating doing such. *Wish me luck!*
And some of my exes I wonder...WHAT in the world was I thinking?! I know everything happens for a reason, but why is it that sometimes we don't know that reason? I mean, if it's happening for a reason, shouldn't we be privy to this reason? Maybe it's just me over-analyzing again...who knows! And maybe I don't know now, but it will become clear later down the line.
Well anyway...thanks for listening. Sorry, I know you could have spent the past 5-ish minutes of your life doing something more constructive, and I can never give you this lost time back...but please keep reading! I enjoy hearing comments or knowing that you are following along.
Much love....
Oh yeah...Happy 4th of July!!!

Long Overdue

Okay, okay...so I've been asked for an update and—I'll admit—it's MUCH needed!What have I been up to these past few months? Well, I did it again. I thought I met “the man of my dreams”. He sure was a charmer, I'll give him that. We started talking in February after he contacted me online. I was real hesitant at first, but didn't know why...hindsight is definitely 20/20!
Long story short, he turned out to be psycho. I ended up losing my job, lots of money—I didn't really have to lose—and almost my car...not to mention respect from friends and family as well as my own. Luckily though, I did not lose their love!
Since then, I've been home (which is still at my parents) trying to rebuild my life. I got a job which I will start this Monday at a school for kids and adults with special needs. I'm SOOOOOOOO looking forward to it! I can't wait. I'm actually a little disappointed because I was supposed to start two Fridays ago. I got everything in order though, am finishing up paperwork tomorrow, and am just waiting for Monday to come...I even forgot that it's the 4^th of July on Friday.
I had the boys in a daycare that I thought I was satisfied with...until about a month or so ago. They've always called for silly reasons when it came to Mikey. Mostly it's due to his teething symptoms: tugging at his ears; drooling; cranky; and my favorite (yeah right)...ahem, uncontrollable BMs. Well this time they had gone too far. They told me that I couldn't bring him back until I had him checked out by the doctor and brought back a doctor's note saying he was okay.

I refused to take him, because I knew he was teething and the only “symptom” he had was the BM. If he was pooping all day with no end in sight...okay, maybe that's exaggerating. If he had more that one, or other symptoms, I could see their concern. But he had one crazy poop...and that was it. That's like going to the doctor and saying I know I ate something I shouldn't have eaten, because every time I eat it my stomach acts up. Well, my stomach is now going crazy. Am I sick??? NOOOO, moron! If you want to eat it, eat it but just know that you're going to have indigestion.
He's teething! I'm not wasting the doctor's time or mine...not to mention toting a teething, miserable tot along...just to get a note saying so. I called and asked if they could fax a letter saying so, but stupidly called the school after that. They told me he had to be seen by the doctor...period!
So I just didn't take him to the doctor, his teeth came through, and we've been spending our days together since then. I don't know how people are Stay-at-Homes and don't go crazy...I really don't. I mean don't get me wrong, I love my boys...but they would drive me MAD! :D
I was trying to get a daycare where both of them could go, and that I was satisfied with...as well as pleasing to my bank account. Well, it's down to the wire, but I DID IT!! It is the cheapest I've found, with THE best program. It's a flat rate for each kid, no matter the age; 10% discount for each kid, 10% discount for paying 7 days in advance. Sweet deal! The older kids get to go on trips, they're taught Spanish, have computer classes...they all have play time—twice at the inside playroom and twice at the outside playground. Lunch is provided and includes all of the toddler staples...mac n cheese, PB n J, hot dogs, pizza, grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, and one I'm forgetting. :P And the owner seems super cool...not at all uppity about being the owner, ya know?
Mikey will start on Monday when I start work, but Elijah starts the week after that. The reason being that he's on vacation since this past Monday until next Sunday—not this coming—with his dad in Indiana. :( It's only been 3 days and I'm missing him like CRAZY!!!! :'( He checked it out last Friday and loves it though, so that's a plus! His teacher at the old daycare is going to miss him though. She was so sad when I told her he wouldn't be coming back after vacation.
She was an awesome teacher! I hope she is the beginning of many. I can't believe he'll be going to school soon! With this program he'll be in Pre-K. It's in their school building. Oh yeah, I didn't tell you. Not only is it a daycare, but they have another building for their academy. It goes up to 10^th grade right now, but they're working towards 12^th. I am totally amazed by the program, if you couldn't tell. ;)
The Friday before, we celebrated Elijah's graduation from the Preschool program. He was decked out in his cap and received a diploma...it was so cute! (No I didn't cry, but I came close.) I'm so proud of my little man!!

Well, I guess that's more than enough for one update. I promise to try and keep this thing updated better than I have been. I just haven't been in the mood for much of anything these days with everything that I've gone through and all. I hope you all are doing well.

*SMILE*

PS...Mikey is a walker now! :D

Way Past Due

Okay, so I've gotten really lazy about keeping up with this blog...for that I apologize.

Anyway, here's the update. You would think that would make this ridiculously long, but alas, I live a boring life. ;)
Let's see--I was MIA for about 2 months due to really bad decision-making. I'm not going to go into all the "juicy" details because A) it's a little too personal B) it's a really long story C) most of you I've already shared it with and D) I'm just that lazy. :D
So I'm back now and I've just about got my life back to some sort of normalcy--almost! I'm still not working, but will start training for my new job June 20th. Hopefully I'll remember to update you on that. Everything I lost, I got back. I'm still waiting to save enough money to get my phone turned back on, so if you've tried to call and couldn't get through I apologize.
I finished the semester but haven't gotten grades back. I know I failed Education but haven't heard from my Psych professor yet.
I've started going to counseling to sort out the sordid issues of my life, but my therapist is a nut job herself! I have to look into a different practice or at least someone else at this practice. Hopefully I'll find someone soon who takes my insurance plan. Therapy is just way too much money. ;)
The boys are doing well. I'll have pics of them up soon. Elijah is getting to be quite the negotiator around here. Mikey is almost walking. He takes steps, but would much rather crawl...he gets pretty fast when there's something he wants. And he never stops eating! LOL I think he's making up for Elijah's lack of appetite. Elijah started computer classes at school and was playing a puzzle game online the other day. He looked over at me and said, "That's a drop-down menu Mom". He's too young to be talking like that. ;) How fast they grow up!
Well, it's getting late, so this is me signing off.
*SMILE*

Where did the time go?

So it's been a while. Part of the reason for the break in blogs is because I'm lazy. And part of the reason is because of what's been going on.
Let me briefly update you on what's been going on...me and this guy moved in together and it was the worst move I could have made. It turns out he was psycho-controlling and things just got worse. I finally got out of that mess and now I'm left to straighten everything out at home. If there is another break in postings, don't worry...everything's okay, I'm just overloaded. I'll try and keep everyone in the loop as much as possible.
I hope everyone is doing well. Feel free to drop me a line and let me know what I've missed.
*SMILE*

Where Are The Sunny Days?

So today I should have just stayed in bed. The further into the day I get, the worse off I am...
Mikey hasn't been sleeping very well through the night--he sleeps a good stretch, don't get me wrong, but it would be nice if it were longer. Then when he does wake at 2 or 3 in the morning, it's like he just wants to stay up. When I get him to sleep--and myself finally dozing off--he wakes up again. I mean, sure it's about 2 hours, but that's just torture! :O
Anyway, Elijah has been going through this phase and I'm not sure what it is. He's become very whiny, sensitive, tired, cranky, lack of appetite...it's very strange. And I have no idea what's going on with him because he won't tell me. So that adds more to the pile of stress!
Anyway, so I was woken up at 6 this morning...Elijah followed at 6:30...three people in a twin bed, just doesn't work, I don't care how small some of the dwellers are. Elijah for whatever reason woke up cranky--he fell asleep at 7 waiting for me to come up and put cartoons on in my room--and was happy with Mikey. I had no energy to take Mikey downstairs, let alone be a referee. At one point, Elijah was wailing about Mikey's foot being on his leg.
So then it was breakfast time--every time I sat down, Elijah would ask for something else. Then he didn't want to eat...then he didn't want to get dressed...then he didn't want to play with Mikey. I don't know how we made it through the morning, but we did--thank God.
So now it was time to go--I'm using my dad's truck today because Elijah has a doctor's appointment later on. Everyone was ready to go, I packed everyone in the truck and realized I forgot my jacket. (It can get pretty cold in the office at times, even with the heat going.) I drove the boys off to school, started heading towards work and realized that I didn't have my work keys! Sigh...back home to get the keys, but where did I put them yesterday. It was so unusually warm yesterday that I didn't have my coat...they weren't in my pants pockets...they weren't in the little bin I keep them in at home. Finally, I accepted the fact that they were in my bag--that I almost brought to work, but at the last minute decided to leave...I had enough things to juggle without worrying about my bag. I really didn't think they were in my bag, but it was the only other logical place...at least I hoped it was.
I jumped out of the truck, still running and ran into the house...door flung open. My bag was nowhere in sight. You're got to be kidding me!?!? Finally I caught sight of it and was grabbed it hoping they were in there, not even checking. I think that was the only good thing that's happened to me today...I really don't remember placing them in my bag though, but who am I to complain?
Oh, and before I realized my keys were not with me, I had enough time to stop by Wawa for a coffee...definitely needed today! I got the coffee, got in the truck and it started leaking. I figured it was out of the spout thingy and kept going...only to realize I got a defective lid or something. By the time I got to the office, I had coffee dripping all down my hand!
Now I'm at work, I have all kinds of deadlines for things and I'm just about ready to SCREAM!!! (Hence the sanity(?) break.) And it's not even me who has to keep to the deadline, it's other people...they are just getting worse and worse at getting things in on time. I shouldn't even have to send out reminders when things are mentioned each week, but I do.
Okay, sorry to keep grumbling. I'm glad I got that out of my system...:)
On a brighter note, I have a really strong chance of having my own vehicle in the next couple weeks. I'm really looking forward to that because I really hate having to rely on other people or not being able to get out for a bit and breathe.
Okay, I feel better now...back to work! :P

*SMILE*

Silver Lining

However small it may be, I have seen the silver lining. And not a minute too soon either. Last week I was informed that the reduced-tuition for the kids at daycare was no longer an option. They just couldn't afford to keep them on the rolls. And I had received a letter that same day saying that I was terminated from the Child Care Assistance program. (Talk about a bad day...) And the reasons for this was not complying to procedures. I didn't submit payroll information for a job I haven't worked at for about 3 months and there was a typo for my check from the job that I do still work at.
Anyway, I asked if they could give me until this Friday to figure things out. Last Friday I had finally got a hold of one of the workers and he gave me some information. I was finally, after about an hour of phone calls...yes that was plural...they told me to mail everything in "corrected". I did a return receipt on the mailing and received it back yesterday. I figured I would give them some time to look things over and call them today. And call I did...many times, to no avail.
I finally got a hold of someone around 4 saying that she would do some in-office research and call me back. She never did and it was time to pay the piper, so to speak. (Sorry for all these cheesy analogies.)
So I went to pick up the kids and was going to avoid the matter all together. I got through the doors and the director's door was closed so I assumed she was home...then I saw the assistant sitting in the hallway. Oh crap! She told me she had news for me and I waited in anticipation. Funding went through for Mikey...Praise God!!! Still not sure what's going on with Elijah, because they said they've never seen this happen before...where one kid gets it and the other doesn't. I'm hoping it got lost along the way somewhere because it starts this coming week--and I could really use the extra money right now. If things work out well, I may even be able to go and find a nice little place for me and the boys! :D How excellent would that be?! (I don't want to get ahead of myself though...but it's a thought.) :P
Anyway, I guess there is still some hope left in the system after all!

Staying Sane

Okay, so yeah it's been a while...I don't even remember what I've posted and what I haven't. The way my mind works, I'll probably re-blog the things I have written and leave out the things I haven't yet included.
I heard back about Child Care Assistance. The same day I got the letter saying I would be taken off the waiting list because I didn't comply with policy--yeah I thought it was an acceptance letter too--the daycare director pulled me aside and told me that they can't keep giving me the discounted rate they've given me. So that pretty much sucks!
I've been spending a lot of time off from work because every time I turn around, Mikey is sick--it turned into a double ear infection and then a couple days later, his ear was bleeding. The doctor said it was due to the ear infection and it happens "all the time".
Elijah had his birthday last weekend. He had a lot of fun. After his party, he played with his toys a little and then we went to a play with some friends of ours. It was a production by a group that some of my friends helped start...it was a little off the wall, but it was cute. Elijah thinks he wants to be in a play when he gets big. :)
The other day, he was pouring water into a sippy cup...my mom gave him a water bottle, but he wanted it in his sippy cup. It was right before bedtime and he knows he's not allowed to have a drink right before bed. Anyway, he says "Mom, how much can I have--3 ounces?" (Ever since Mikey has been around, he been fascinated with ounces...) I said, yeah sure. He took the bottle, placed it over the cup and tipped it once..."One"...tipped it again..."Two"...and once more..."Three--wow, three ounces is a lot!" he said wide eyed. We all had a good laugh at that! I guess it's true what they say about kids--they really do says the darndest things! (Later that night, he SOAKED my bed...we're going back to NO drinks after 7 o'clock.)
Mikey has been crawling around like a...I don't know what like, but he's so fast! It amazes me sometimes. He's also learned peek-a-boo ( aka "Where's Mikey?") and to blow kisses. It's so cute! He's quite the lady's man at school to, they tell me. One of his teacher's has her daughter in the class. One day when I picked him up from school, she said that there was a problem. 'Oh great, what now?!' I was thinking. She then proceeded to tell me that Mikey came over to her daughter, leaned in and gave her a kiss on the mouth. I'm gonna have my hands full with these boys! :D
I've been going crazy lately. With Mikey being sick, I haven't been getting much, if any sleep these past couple of weeks. I have to learn to go to bed before 10 o'clock now that he's feeling a little better and starting to sleep through the night (8 o'clock until about 5:30/6 o'clock--WOOHOO!).
Oh yeah, classes started. I had my second week this week. I have Psychology and an Education class. The Ed class isn't that bad...could be better I'm sure, but starting next week, the students are teaching. That should be interesting. I guess since we only have to lecture for 30 minutes, though, she's going to take up the rest of the time. Pysch seems interesting! I didn't think I would like it because I was thinking it would be a whole lot of mumbo-jumbo and a LOT of reading! I don't know if the second part is true, but the prof seems really down-to-earth. He makes a lot of jokes, keeps you awake--it's a 2 1/2 hour class, 8-10:30...PM!! :O
Well, it's getting pretty late. I don't know that there's much more to post about me anyway. I'm not getting into anything government-related or dealing with Michael. I've had enough of both of those situations this week and I'm not letting them get any more of my time. :P
I do have to say that I'm a little disappointed in myself though--my New Year's Resolution was to keep in better touch with friends...and besides this blog, I don't think I've kept in touch with any of them! (And that's only to assume that my friends even actually read this thing!) Sigh...well, it's a new day tomorrow, maybe something good will come from it. As always...
*SMILE*

Unexciting me...

So there really hasn't been much going on that's very eventful.
We celebrated Elijah's birthday, we went to a play...his first. Mikey was really sick--most of the reason for the lack in blogging.
I've just been feeling really down lately. A high point, though is that I met with a really good friend today. I've talked to him here and there, but today we sat together and had a good chat! It totally made my day, and then my family came home. LOL (I got yelled at for keeping the door open for 2 seconds.)
Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know out there in cyberland that yes, I'm still alive...I'm just feeling very consumed by life at the moment.
Hope you all are doing well...I will try to post again soon!
*SMILE*

I credit Vickie on this one...thanks!

The Recipe For Rebekah

3 parts Panache 2 parts Glamour 1 part Recklessness Splash of Silliness Finish off with a little umbrella and straw

What's the Recipe for Your Personality?

Long time coming

So Mikey's been really fussy lately--which means I've been real irritable. (Logically, Fussy baby + No sleep = Irritable mommy...check the math texts, it's in there.)
This past week, I think I got one good night's sleep. All the other night's I've gotten about 5-6 hours and then dealt with a really fussy Mikey. I tried changing him, feeding him, singing to him, rubbing his back...nothing! One night he actually screamed his head off from 3 AM until around 5 AM. (Not sure when exactly, because my wonderful mother stepped in and took him downstairs with her.)
This morning, again at 3 AM. I got him to sleep around 4:15, not too much noise, but moving around a lot...think of me as a bed he's tossing and turning on--for a visual. It was not much fun, but I was so relieved when he went back to sleep.
Then I heard a noise, looked at my phone (for the time) and it was only 5 AM!!! Why even bother going to sleep then?! I brought him into bed with me, and after much squirming, got him asleep again. Then again he awoke at 6...this time very stinky. (Not fun trying to change a messy diaper with a very irritable, very squirmy baby.)
My mom took him while I cleaned up and when I sat next to her I caught a glimpse of his gums. He has a tooth breaking through!!! It was a relief to know that there wasn't something wrong with him and it was just teething (like the angst of teething can be downgraded), but still left an irritable mommy.
Elijah is very excited about turning 4--I don't know if I posted that yet. He keeps asking me--every day--is it my birthday yet??? It's so cute to see his expectation and excitement, but it's getting a little redundant to mommy. His birthday is on the 26th. :) He even whispered to me one morning, 'It's almost my birthday, Mom.' in "contained gitty-ness". So I told him this morning that once he turns four he gets a job--help mama with the dishes. He thought that was so cool! He said, '...now??' LOL Oh how I wish we had time. I would have said, 'Yes, let's get to it!' but we had school/work to get off to. He's growing up so fast and I don't like it.
At school they have a wipe-off board outside the door telling what the class did that day. The other day it said 'Practice writing in our journals.' It makes me proud that he's learning so much, but at the same time it makes me sad...he's not my little baby anymore. :( *sniff* *sniff*
Okay, enough sentimentality. :P
Sidenote....................
Sharon left yesterday for Ohio; Kentucky on Sunday. In an attempt to not incriminate myself, I will leave it at that. :)
*SMILE*

Holiday Update

I just realized that I didn't post an update on the holidays...first Christmas. We has a fabulous time! The kids really had fun--even Mikey. My mom bought him a push along walker thing, and he loves it! He gets so frustrated when he is blocked off though. He ran into a laundry basket, couldn't figure out how to get around it, and started screaming! (Typical male driver) :P

Elijah stared on Christmas Eve, looking everywhere for his presents! This was a first and I think it's because he was at Josh's the weekend before Christmas so he had a preview of things to come. We really had a good time!--even with presents that weren't ours! :P Here's one of Eli with his cousin's drum set.
And this one actually is his. ;) He loves this toy!
I'll post a picture later, but New Year's Eve, I let Eli stay up and we made cupcakes! I didn't think he would make it past 10 PM, but he did...and then didn't want to go to bed afterwards. ;) Luckily for me, it didn't take to long to get him down. I let him sleep in my bed, so I think that helped a lot.
I was so glad that the holidays didn't turn into a disaster or a toddler sized meltdown--which doesn't sound that big, but...believe me, it is! :) Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...and God bless us every one.

Happy Freakin' New Year!!

First I apologize if that offended you...
There has seriously got to be a better way for this government to be run as it's being run now. I really don't have much hope in our system as it stands right now. I am in the unfortunate position to have to rely on the state to survive--my boys and I receive government health care through medicaid (or medicare, I can never remember which), I receive Food Stamps and WIC, I qualify for Child Care Assistance (though still have not heard back from them), I'm receiving a big chunk of Financial Aid for college, and I receive child support from Elijah's dad (through garnished wages).
Now the idea of all of these programs is GREAT! But the actuality of them is crap! You have to go through so much red tape, dot your I's cross your T's and then it goes through a computer and it spits out an answer. When I was fired from my job over the summer, I couldn't receive unemployment because I received too much in child support--under 100$ a week. How am I supposed to support my family--a pregnant me, a toddler--on less than 100$ a week??? Besides, that child support is from Josh to support Elijah...not me and my new family! (I don't include Michael in that equation because his check barely paid for him while he was living on his own...) And when I inquired about it, they said "I don't know, that's what the computer told me." I thought computers were supposed to be an aid to us, not run our lives?!
So anyway, the insurance covers a lot, which I'm grateful for, but you get the bottom of the barrel when it comes to doctors, care, and respect. I'm sorry I'm in the position I'm in and you're in the position you're in, but does that really give you the right to treat me like *#%!$ ? Financial Aid is, so far, a big help...I'm waiting for the day they tell me something was wrong with the application or rules changed or something or I did something wrong and they revoke that! Although, they didn't inform me that the aid would cover parking fees for the college parking garage. I did find out A DAY PAST THE DEADLINE about it and they denied my request! (If you would have informed me about it, I would've already applied!)
I have no complaints really about the Food Stamps or WIC...I'm thankful for them. (I'm thankful for all of it really, but they just screw you over and you're supposed to sit back and take it and I'm SICK OF IT!) WIC isn't bad except the Nazi Acme lady I ran into.
I applied for Child Care Assistance...tuition is more than I make, and if it weren't for my parents taking me back in, we'd be in a shelter right now...I keep hearing that they don't know when the monies will come in and that they're waiting on the computer to tell them something too! So for now, I keep hoping and praying that somehow I'll have enough money to pay their daycare, buy diapers, formula, food, clothes, etc... I would really like to be able to take my kids to these agencies and have them tell my kids why they can't have certain things or why we can't go places like their friends do. (And that's another thing...there are so many different people, case numbers, buildings I have to go to, remember, deal with. It's insane!!) I really don't know how people work the system like they do...if they would screen them as strictly as they do me, maybe things might be a little less insane!
Now to the real reason of this post...the Child Support. It's garnished from his wages and that's fine...I really don't think he'd pay if it wasn't--well except for the threat of jail-time if he didn't pay. Anyway, recently I've been having trouble with the money coming in. I wouldn't be complaining except twice now I've been overdrawn on my bank account due to this incompetency! (Let me case worker not be paid on time and see how pleasant she is then! I've never liked her from the start--she's just about ignorant.)
So I can go online and check the status of my Child Support account. I checked it and it said due no later than December 28th. NOW that the shoe is on the other foot, they want to negate the relevancy of the computer...real nice! She tells me it goes every two weeks from the last check paid...uh, I don't think so. If that's the case, why would people pay regularly. The government is the only system I've EVER seen that happen in. If my bills aren't paid, they want their money...YESTERDAY! Let me start charging a late fee for every time I don't receive my Child Support on time. Then they tell me, since there were two holidays in between to give it time...to wait now until Friday when last time she told me wait until Wednesday. And not to call because how can she do her job if I'm calling her? Uhh, because there are 8 hours in your work day, I'd be taking up 5 minutes getting an update.

God bless America ???

On a happier note though, Michael is in Philly and says I won't hear from him anymore. (I'm not holding my breath on that one though...)