practicing what I preach

In trying to get my house ready for company, one of the things that I have MOST dreaded, is cleaning.... Ez and Ashers rooms *duh duh duuunnnnnn* I don't know why, but for some reason my 2 youngest boys don't understand "clean". They see it in every other room in the house. They have to clean their rooms and their bathrooms every day. They have to vacuum and mop every day. But for some reason, it never really gets fully DONE. It will finally get to where I finally say "good enough" but it is never DONE. One of the things that I have told other moms for a LONG time is that kids will do what is expected of them. No more, no less. As much as I say, "they can't do that yet" or... "they aren't old enough yet" or.. "they aren't ready" They will happily sit aside and not do those things. I mean hey... more play time right?  But if you say, this is how you do it, this is what I expect, and this is the consequence if you don't, they will do it! I have found myself guilty of doing to Ezekiel something that I always HATED when my parents did. I had my Ezekiel standard, and my every one else standard. I decided tonight, that enough is enough. I told the boys that I want their room spotless. I mean, under the bed, in the closet, I want it vacuumed even in the corners. Trash taken out, laundry taken down to be washed tomorrow, Like totally and completely CLEAN. I then sent Asher to start and told Ezekiel, you are the older brother. It is up to you to make sure it gets done. If it doesn't, you are the one that will be punished. You are almost 12 years old, you should be able to get a room clean like I expect it to be. Well guess what?? It was DONE totally and completely clean!!! I could see carpet! Even under the bed and in the closet!!! Just proves once more, you expect it... and they will do it!!  YAY for one less thing on my list tomorrow!!!!

Date night

I got a date night last night with my "little" boys. Saturday night is my date night with hubby, but he was busy last night so the boys and I went!

I mean really, can you think of any better or more handsome dates????  We went to Olive Garden which is a favorite of all of us. I think we spent the same amount we would have for hubby and I too, because he and I like to have a drink and usually go to a more pricey place! :D

My goofballs. I just love these kids!! I truly believe that date night is NECESSARY!! Especially between mom and dad. It is SO IMPORTANT to have that one night a week put aside for just time for just you! If money is an issue, you can go to chili's and get chips and queso and a soda for less that 20$. Or, you can go to the park and just take a picnic basket. You can even have "date night" in your own home. Make sure the kids are in their beds at  a reasonable time and make a special din din just for you and daddy and be just married people again like you were before the little goofballs came along!!!
I also think it is important to "date" your kids! They all need to feel important and loved and have one on one time with mom/dad. I mean not just take them to mc donalds where you are going to meet friends and they are going to be running around playing. I mean, take them somewhere that doesn't have a play place and just sit and talk to them!!  Maybe both of you order off the childrens menu or let the kid order off the adult so he/she feels on the same level as mom/dad. Go someplace fun and talk to them and let them know that you love them!!  Not just ya mom loves me she tells me and she takes care of me.. but my mom LOVES me! She takes me out and we have special dinner together and I can talk to her without my siblings talking over me or taking her attention away!!  Super important and fun time!!!
Ok, stepping off my soap box now. I am going to post a couple more pics of "date nights" with my guys!

college kid

Well, this is all about Ethan. He is my oldest baby. He is 14 and 1/2 and is finishing his Sophomore year of high school. Which makes him able to do the early college start at ACC. He can take 2 classes a semester for free. Thats right.. FOR FREE!!! He did really well on most of his entrance test. He didn't do as well in the math section as he could have, but he can retake that. All that means, is he won't take any math based classes this summer. But that is ok because I want him to take fun classes to start with so he can get used to being in a classroom situation for the first time in his life. And get used to being taught. So, he is taking an acting class and logic. Anyone who has heard my hubby's favorite joke will understand that decision. He is happy and excited, and we are too! I am excited that he is growing up and moving on to the next stage of life. I am happy that he has been able to get through the things he needed to and do well enough to be able to be starting college classes right now. Lord willing, I would love to have him as close to done with a degree as possible by the time he is 18 so he can just get on with his life and get a job and just be done with school. God is so good!! Keep praying for us!

Mothers day

Yesterday, was mothers day. I had such a GREAT DAY!!!  My boys spoiled me rotten! It started on Saturday. They left me here to relax while they went shopping. They were gone for a few hours. I started to think they were lost!! I texted Ethan and told him to make sure they got me something good! He said they would get me bubble gum if I was good. :D After a while I decided to go lay down in bed and rest until they got home. When they got home, Ez and Ash came upstairs to "keep me company" while hubby and Ethan brought my present up to me. A few minutes later, they came up the stairs struggling under the heavy load of a big box. They were grunting and sweating. They were talking to each other about the best way to get this big box around the corner at the top of the stairs. They stopped outside my bedroom and said that I needed to come out to see it cause they couldn't carry it anymore. I went into the hall and took the tape off the top of the box... with complete excitement I opened this box that was so big, I could have fit comfortably in it sitting up! And there, wrapped carefully in plastic wrap, was my roll of bubble tape! HAHAHAHA I was sooo happy!!!  Just what I wanted!!!! Then they suggested that I come downstairs with them to enjoy my gum. I came down the stairs and looked in the living room and there was  A NEW CHAIR!!! They got me an extra wide rocker/recliner chair!!!!! I LOVE IT!!! I can rock.. I can put my feet up. I can lay ALL THE WAY DOWN!!! flat!!!!!! It is amazing!!!  Then, hubby took me out to dinner for a date at what has become my favorite restaurant here in Austin. Then yesterday, we went to church. Then I got to rest in my new comfy chair all afternoon. Then my boys took me to dinner at IHop!! yayayay!!! That was my mothers day. I hope every one else had a great one!!

New house arrangement

I am excited to report, we have a new home for our playroom!!! Up until now it has been downstairs in what should be our formal living room. For those that know us, we are NOT formal people.. so it isn't about having a formal living room. I just need to have my house to where I don't feel like I am living in a messy hole all the time. :D  With all the kids toys and stuff upstairs, I have my whole downstairs to be "grown up space".  I feel like my house is more of a grown up house now! :) We are going to put a TV in the office with the computers so that the video games and all that can be upstairs too. And they can watch their shows up there. They are excited. I need to take a picture of the "bed room" now cause there are 2 double size beds in there.. and then Gavin's little bed. lots of bed... NO floor space. hahahaha Gavin is THRILLED to be included in the bed room. Fun fun! And... ITS FRIDAY! I get my honey for 2 days now! :D  yay!  Happy mothers day weeked!

Baby Asher turns 10!!!!!

So, it has been 10 years since I had my last little baby boy. I can't believe that I am finally to the point that I have no little ones any more. No one in the single digits!! Big steps!!  I am so happy to be here!!
Asher is so smart, so happy, caring, giving, precious. Of course he has his... ahem... moments... but so do I!! :D  I love my sweet baby boy!!  I tried to put up lots of pics.. and it didn't work. So, for now.. just this one recent one *although he has gotten a hair cut now* hehe
I love you my sweet baby boy!

Here it is

Can you believe it? I did it already!!!  Here is my new blog!!!

http://wordsofthankfulness.blogspot.com/

Please "follow" me.. read it.. help me!!  I will continue to use this one for updates/pics/ and posts about the family and our daily lives so don't erase this one!!!  thanks friends!

Changing things up.

I am deciding to change things up a bit here on my blog. I have been trying to blog about life... but my life just isn't that interesting.. hehehe so... I am going to change things up a little and play and try to get a new look and a new site and everything... Instead of trying to have it just about family life, I am going to make it a little more personal. Talk about my personal life journey that God has me on. I am not leaving blog spot.. I will just have a new title and I will let everyone know. I will still use this one too for updates on the kids. Like Asher's birthday on Tuesday :)! If anyone can suggest things I can do and ways to personalize it better.... that would be great!