Quirks & Weird Habits...

I saw this on someone else's blog and thought it looked fun.... listing all your quirks and weird habits, etc. Kinda crazy to think of all the things I overthink or that bother me!





*****My foods cannot touch on a plate. I don't like sauces or juices getting onto another food. And when something wet gets on bread/buns and make them soggy? That's the worst!

*****Speaking of foods-- I always eat each thing on my plate, one at a time. Finish all of one food then move on. Not sure why I do this!

*****I am completely freaked out with things/pictures with lots of holes all together. Like honeycombs, and those lotus flowers.... this is a legit phobia.. they have a name for it online, but I am NOT googling it because then pictures will pop up and haunt me forever. When I look at something like that I feel uneasy and sick on my stomach. Please tell me someone else has felt this way? Arnold thinks it's so weird but I'm not making it up.

*****Everytime I go get gas in my van it has to end on an even number. If it goes to a number I don't like I add a little more.

*****I swear drinks taste better in styrofoam cups or glass bottles. And McDonald's has better tasting coke than anywhere. I've heard other people say that too, so maybe I'm not crazy?!

*****When going to sleep at night, I always lay face down on my stomach and have my right leg scooted up with my knee up. Arnold hates this because I usually am getting that knee right in his side, haha.

*****And speaking of sleeping, I always have to have a blanket on me when I go to sleep! Even if it is a short nap in the recliner, something has to be covering me. Even if its 90 degrees outside! I just feel strange if I don't feel covered up!

*****I hate the sound of someone popping bubbles with gum. I always cringe and want to cover my ears.

*****When out shopping and I want to buy something, I never get the first thing on the shelf. I reach behind and get another one. I guess I'm afraid someone touched all over the first one, or tried it out or whatever, but I always think the first one is bad.

*****It bothers me when I see drawers or cabinets open. Arnold is the worst at doing this! I am always walking around closing them!

*****I just hate it when I get interrupted while reading or have to go do something real quick and I have to stop reading in between chapters. Even if I can stick my bookmark there, I hate it. I like to start back up reading at the start of chapters.

*****Whenever I go somewhere that I go on a regular basis, like work, church, school, etc. I always tend to park in the same spot. I have no idea why, I just noticed I am always picking the same spot. If the spot is taken, it bothers me. I guess that has to do with my love of routine!

*****I do not like to feel sweaty/dirty. If I am sitting outside and start sweating, I feel gross. If I'm on the beach and sand gets on my feet or legs, I feel gross. If my hair starts to get the tiniest bit greasy, I feel so gross. Getting in a pool make me feel gross. This actually makes me sound like a germ freak, but I'm actually not. I just don't like feeling dirty at all!










Wow that looks like a lot of quirks! haha... I promise I'm not TOO weird!

So be sure to share with me crazy/weird things about you! Especially if you agree with any of mine! ;)

Weekend in Review

We got some nice weather and I got to take the kids to the park down the road to play!

The most exciting news of all is I got a new job!!! I have been looking for something for awhile, and been praying for something that was actually decent hours, pay and that I would actually enjoy doing. Out of nowhere Thursday evening I got a message from someone I go to church with, who said there was an opening at her work. So I went in Friday morning to talk to the directors and ended up staying almost 2 hours and interviewing! I am now an infant teacher at their preschool/learning program! The job is FULL TIME, Mon-Fri and so that means I get to have the nights and weekends with my family! And of course I get to work with BABIES which I love! There couldn't be a more perfect job for me! Arnold and I spent the weekend trying to work out the details of the kids after school, and thankfully our parents are going to help us Mon-Thursday. Fridays I only work a half day! (another perk!) I did have to give up my volunteer gig at pregnancy care center thursday nights, since that is my one night I have to work late. I will miss it, and everyone there.. but sometimes there has to be changes to work good things out, and I know they understand. Plus, I don't mind still being an occasional fill in. This job is just such a blessing for me and Arnold because we had no idea I would be going into full-time work right now. I know things will be a little crazy around here and I will have to become even more of a morning person for those early wakeup times (6am or earlier now! wow!) But I am thinking this is going to be amazing! 

Speaking of good weekends, Saturday Arnold and I celebrated our 11-year anniversary! I can't believe we are starting on our 2nd decade of marriage! He surprised me and made a slideshow at work, set to a song that is very special to us, and lots of pictures of us over the years. It made me cry and was totally unexpected! Good job honey! ;) It also rained on our wedding day AND our anniversary this year, so that has to be good luck, right?? :) 

Mom and Dad watched the kids overnight so we could go out on a date. We went to the movies to see The Ressurection of Gavin Stone. It is a comedy, but Christian/inspirtational based. It didn't get a lot of advertising and I know not a lot of our friends have heard of it, but it was amazing and better than expected... I would recommend seeing it! I was laughing in the middle and tearing up at the end! (in a good way!) Then we went to dinner at Olive Garden-- one of our favorite places. There was such a long wait, so we went shopping a little and ended up not eating til nearly 9pm, but it's all good--- we didn't have kids! ;)

We bought a piece of the chocolate mousse cake for dessert but we were pretty stuffed, so we took it home with us. I ended up eating it in bed, haha! It was delicious! 

Sunday morning we got to sleep in a little bit later than usual, then get ready for church at our leisure. No yelling at the kids to get their clothes on, behave, and eat their breakfast before we had to run out the door! It was nice! Then we worked our classes like usual, and I even had a new baby stay this weekend, a friend's son... and he did so great! After church we went to pick up the kids, and finished watched The Secret Life of Pets which my mom had put on for them. Then we went home and took naps... it was a rainy Sunday and just relaxing and wonderful! 

What a Week!

We have had a great week with pretty exciting things going on! 

Brooke started tumbling class at a local gymnastics center. She has been wanting to do this FOREVER and for Christmas my MOm signed her up and paid for her first couple of months. She has gone a few times with a friend and has expressed interest in it over and over so we knew she was ready. My mom also  picked out some cute workout clothes for her to wear to class. We all went to her first class to watch her together, and she seemed to really like it.  She is a beginner and there are lots of girls there that have way more skill but I know she will get there. We go to class every Tuesday afternoon at 4:30. It's a little far away from our house, so we don't get home til around 6 pm those nights and it makes us a little rushed, but its ok. Brooke is loving the class, she just says she is a little sore. We hope this class will help her gain more skill so she can try out for the middle school cheer team. I can't believe my baby will be in MIDDLE SCHOOL this fall! 

Brooke also had the 5th Grade Science Fair this month which was nerve-wracking. We came up with an idea-- which gum flavor lasts the longest, and tested out gum. We wrote up all our findings and made a big project board for her to present in class. Well we were very very surprised to find out she won 3rd place!!! And of course she made an A! I am so very proud and excited... it always boosts your confidence when you do so well in something. I think it helped Arnold and I  with our's too ;) We were just trying to get through it and survive! Haha! So this was a pleasant surprise.  

I know-- lots of Brooke this week. She had her 1 year  ortho appt to check out her braces. They are doing a lot of good work in her mouth and have fixed her jaw alignment significantly. However the orthodontist noticed she has lost ALL her baby teeth, and he said that is very rare in someone so young. So they had been planning to wait to start the next phase of treatment until she was older, but may do it soon. They said the plus to that is she will be finished with braces a lot sooner than most kids and not have to worry about it later! Arnold says he hates it because she will have a gorgeous smile to go along with her personality and he will have to beat the boys off in the near future.. haha! But anyway, we have xrays next months to determine if we should move forward. And this pic is comparing her to her first day in braces to now. I can't believe the change, and even in her face, she looks so much older now! 

I decided to cut my hair off! I had seen a lot of people posting about it lately, so I decided to go ahead and do it, too. I actually prefer shorter hair but always let mine grow out long before I ever get around to it. I went to the salon alone and it was so nice. She cut it to shoulder-length and put some layers in it, and it much easier to deal with and has more body. When I got home Brooke said ah! I can't believe you cut your hair! But I think she will get used to it ;) That same evening I also went out to dinner with my good friend Jess. We have been friends since highschool but we both have kids and busy lives now so dont' get to see each other as much as we'd like! We went to OCharleys and ate and caught up and it was really nice to have a girls night and relax :)

We had wellness coaching and bloodwork at Arnold's company for our insurance and benefits and stuff. I hate going to do that because obviously the stick in your finger sucks, and you also feel pressured to lose weight and stuff when the skinny girl coach is sitting there counseling you to be healthy, haha. When I showed up for my appt Arnold was finished and I brought him lunch and he sat outside the door eating FRENCH FRIES.... I mean seriously? Be like a normal person and wait til you get to your office/car to eat the food in secret! ;) Haha.. we thought it was a perfect picture opportunity. And yes, the lady did open the door right after this and see him eating and scold him. But my blood work turned out fabulously actually, and I was proud.. although I do have a lot of weight to lose, but I will get there.......

Poor Rachel wasn't feeling well and got sent home one day... they were worried she might have strep like her sister had the week before, or even flu or something.. so I took her to the dr. Thankfully she just had a cold but she was pretty pitiftul and the bathroom was covered in mountains of tissues she was using to blow her nose. She also had a funny voice for about a week. But we were relieved it wasn't more serious! So she got a special day at home with Mom.. that I think made the other kids jealous, haha. 

Monday was MLK day and the kids were off school. Caleb had spent the night with a friend. And Brooke headed out to a friend's house around lunchtime (they are too cool to hang out with me anymore!!) So when Caleb got home I took him and Rachel to Sweet Frog to get a treat-- perfect for the dreary day. And then we went by Michael's and I finally picked me up a Happy Planner! I am glad I waited because they had them on doorbuster sale for $10! I love planners and always hope they will get me organized, but I am still totally scatter-brained!! 

What We've Been up to Lately...

We had a wonderful Christmas. Arnold was off work for 2 weeks, and the kids were off school. It was (mostly) fun, until everyone got restless and bored! My brother's family came in all the way from Florida, and stayed for a week! We went over to my parents' house several times to visit and have dinner and stuff. My sweet nieces got so big! Cecilia was awake a lot of the time and smiling all the time at us. The kids passed down their power wheels jeep to the girls to take back home with them. We opened Christmas gifts and shared snuggles and stories and had a blast :)

Over the break Caleb got to shoot his very first gun. A lot of the guys in the family went to my Grandpa's house a few days after Christmas to shoot for fun. My brother brought up a gun that he said was safe for Caleb to try out. He said he had a lot of fun. No I did not get involved with this, and I have never shot a gun but hubs keeps saying I need to learn! Even my mom has shot one now! 

I got a lot of nice presents from family members. My aunt got me this awesome owl birdhouse since she knows I love owls. Arnold actually hung it up inside because he said it was too pretty to go outside, haha. I really do love it. My parents got me a fluffy Soma robe, pizza stone, sonicare toothbrush and waterpik, and some giftcards. I was really spoiled this year! And thanks to the new oral care stuff my teeth have never felt cleaner ;) Ha! 

Caleb has been putting together lots of legos he got for Christmas. His big gift this year was a BIG Jurassic World set that I had to admit how much we spent on it! But he put it all together on his own and he was proud. He has mostly moved away from toys now and loves all legos and video games now. 

The kids got giftcards to the movies from their Aunt so we took them to see SING one day on break. It was a really cute movie. We haven't see Moana yet but we hope to see that soon as well. Since we hardly ever get the over-priced snacks there, the kids were thrilled to get some stuff with their giftcards. Caleb got a huge ICEE and the girls got soft pretzels. Ok so I got an ICEE too ;) Caleb and Arnold also went to see the new Star Wars movie over the break, which they said was good. I have never seen a Star Wars movie (I know, I know!) 

We celebrated hubby's 35th birthday. He was the new years baby in 1982. We had a low key new years eve, we went to dinner at Chili's, then came home to enjoy some family time, games, and movies until we made it to midnight to ring in the new year. (I fell asleep before like usual! ;) Then the actual day of his bday we went to church, then to lunch at his favorite place, Village Inn, and stuffed ourselves with pizza! That night we had some dinner at home, I bought his favorite beer and cupcakes and we had a small family thing. We were going to have a party with friends and family this weekend but we had bad weather. 

Of course I've already hit up the library in the new year! I picked out 3 new books to read. I also ordered a few new books with the Barnes and Noble giftcard I got for Christmas, and cant wait for them to be delivered! I will make a post soon of the books I read in 2016. It was only around 50-- disappointing for me! 

Brooke came home from school the other day saying she felt bad, and she had an 100 degree temp. We kept her home from school the next day and took her to the dr, and she had strep. They have her antibiotics and she felt better pretty quickly after that. Poor girl, she was so pitiful. She missed 2 days of school and stayed at home with me to rest. 

It hardly ever snows where we live, but Friday night it snowed a bunch and we woke up Saturday to everything COVERED! The kids were so excited. We only let Brooke go outside for a few minutes since she had been sick, but Caleb and Rachel played for awhile, and made snowangels and sled down the hill. It was really, really cold this weekend! It even got down into the single digits over night. 

I will admit I hate snow and Winter, but I loved this picture of our backyard. It is so beautiful, especially with the snow in the trees. And that is hubby walking back up the hill with the sled. He worked hard to shovel out our driveway so we could get to church Sunday. (then no one even hardly showed up!) :) 

2017 Goals and Plans...

As 2017 is now upon us, I am writing out my goals for this year. I don't know how well I'll do with them, but these are things I really want to be intentional about, and I like writing down lists (go figure) and so here are my goals and plans for 2017....





1. Read 60 Books (at least)- I read only 50 some books this past year and that upset me. I know it is a silly thing to be upset about, and people laughed at me, saying they maybe only read 2 or 3 at most this year. But reading is my big love and I want to make the time for it. Plus the nerd in me likes seeing a nice long list accomplished at the end of the year ;)


2. 1 date a month- Arnold and I have tried to do this in the past and I think we did ok with it this last year.. I don't remember if we got one every month but I know that time with your spouse is important. It's easy to get caught up in the routine every day stuff like kids, homework, housework and everything else, and forgot about the two of you as a couple. I want to plan that time out and make marriage a priority. One day the kids will be gone and it'll just be the two of us again, and I don't want to wake up one day and wonder who my spouse is!


3. Great Wolf Lodge Trip- I was hoping this would have happened by now but time has slipped away, and we keep promising to take the kids. That kind of thing is right up their alley (and so not up mine!) They would stay in water 24 hours a day until they were pruny from head to toe if we would let them-- an indoor waterpark where they can splash around when it's 30 degrees outside is perfect for them.


4. Read Through the 1-year Bible- I know reading the Bible is important and I read things here and there, but I am overwhelmed with the whole thing, never knowing where to start and what to read. I know I love to read so that sounds weird but it's a lot to take in at once. A  lot of people at our church read the 0ne-year bible, and I hear its broken up into easy to read parts every day, and picks sections out for you, and you can even read it on your phone if you want to.By the end of the year, you have read through the whole thing. I hope at night Arnold and I can make this a part of our routine before we go to sleep.


5. Cook more at home- Because we all know it's cheaper, healthier, and all-around better. Most of you know cooking isn't my favorite thing, and it is not one of my strong suits (I would have seriously failed at being a 50's housewife-- just being real here!) But I know it's for the best. A month or so ago we ate a home at lot to try to save extra cash for Christmas gifts, and it was going pretty well, and we saved a ton of money. Going out to eat with 5 people is so expensive these days! Especially with kids that are starting to eat more and more every day (when we have 3 teenagers in the house we'll have to work just to support our food bill!) Anyway, I guess I need to stop whining and start meal planning, haha.




BONUS-- I am really, really, really, really, really hoping this happens by the end of the year, but I want to GRADUATE by Christmas! This college journey has taken so much longer than expected but I am still trucking along and I can actually see the end in sight. I am starting classes next week, but not doing many because of some financial aid issues, and I have a full load to take in the Fall and an internship, and who knows if I'll get it all done like I want to, but God willing, I WILL! I want to finish up, proudly walk across the stage and receive my diploma in front of my hubby and kids, and then start my medical office job. Being a college student at 31 isn't what I expected I'd be doing at this point in my life, but I know at the end it will be so worth it for me and my family.




Cheers to 2017.

Life Lately: December!

Yet again slacking on the blog! But here is what we've been up to this month!

We finally got our Christmas tree up and decorated. It was later than usual this year... and the kids were bummed, but it got done! I love pulling out the ornaments and looking through them each year. And yes I bought myself another new owl ornament this year--the tradition continues! ;)

Mom and Dad's dog hurt her tail somehow and they had to take her to the vet to get it looked at and they had to remove a lot of her tail :( It was so pitiful. She was on painmeds and wearing a cone the day we went over to have mom and dad watch the kids while I went to my work christmas party. But the girls helped out and took good care of her ;)

I got to go have lunch with the kids, and they were happy! Brooke was kindof embarassed I was taking this picture, and I didn't even get a pic of Caleb at all.. they are getting so grown up! Rachel was in a crazy hyper mood because she was getting to sit with her best friend, Allison. 

Rachel is doing so well in school and can even write her name in cursive now! 

My BFF Joanne and I went to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert together last week! A family member of hers WON tickets and gave them to her,and she picked me to go along with her! (so sweet!) We made it to Charlotte without really getting too lost (ha) or hurt and after standing in a really long line to pay parking (who knew they had machines to pay now?!) we finally got in about ten minutes after they started. 

It was my 6th time going to one of their shows, and Joanne's 1st. We had a great time! We were sitting reallly high up, thank goodness we can handle heights! And the show was amazing as expected! Everyone should go at least once-- highly recommended. It was a fun girl's night out :)

Joanne also gave me my CHristmas gift early. I love my owl and have added him to my Christmas decor. The kids loved them too and I think the were trying to steal him away, haha.

My niece Bekah turned 12!!! I cannot believe that! Arnold and I started dating right around the time she was turning 1 year old! She is such a sweet girl, and loves to read like me!! ;)

Bekah had her birthday party at this really cool painting place. She picked the layout, an owl, and they had an instructor show the kids how to paint it and follow along. There were only 2 boys there so they got different colors and kinda went off on their own, but everyone did great and had a lot of fun! Even the adults were getting in there and watching and helping.. including my perfectionist husband ;) We can't wait to go back sometime and maybe do the "Mom and Me' or "date night" painting sessions. We hung the owls on their bedroom walls when we got home :)

The other night I FINALLY got to hold one of Erika's twins! They were born a few weeks ago of course, but have been in the NICU! Actually Rylee is still there for a few more weeks, but Reagan had gained enough weight to come home! So when I finally got my hands on her I was in heaven! Be praying for Rylee, I know Erika wants all her family home together soon! :)

We had our lifegroup Christmas party the other night and had a mexican dinner and a white elephant Christmas gift exchange. We had to bring something from home that was funny or unloved and wrap it up and chose by numbers. Arnold actually got a WHITE elephant.. it was hilarious. BUT, it ended up being stolen away and we ended up with a Who's Who of the Bible book ;)

Our crazy lifegroup! Everyone was holding up the gifts they got. THere were some CRAZY ones like a half eaten cake, and a used retainer! (gross!) Those people are creative! And I love them bunches! :)

Thankful!!

I haven't posted in forever, but with it being Thanksgiving, I wanted to write my yearly list of what I was thankful for this year.....




1. My amazing hubby who works hard for us every day.

2. My 3 wonderful kids, who I love to the moon and back. Brooke is so sweet and friendly to everyone she meets. She has been dealing with a mean bully this year but has really learned to stand up for herself. Caleb is just like me, and has even been getting in trouble lately for reading during math class (ha.) Rachel is our sweet little clown, who will still curl up in my lap and let me read her stories. I love it.

3. My brother and his family get to come into town this year for Christmas! I cannot wait to cuddle my new niece and get to play with all of them! I am having a fun time picking out Christmas gifts for the girls.

4. My CFA job is going pretty well. I have had to miss some time due to a kidney issue, but my boss has been understanding. The people I work with feel like family. We have a good time talking, laughing, and bringing in treats for each other to eat.

5. My kids have amazing teachers this year. I think this is my favorite year so far in the school years. The teachers all care about our kids just like they are family, and are helping them learn so much and really make sure they are made to feel special.

6. My BFF Erika recently had her twins, Reagan and Rylee. They were 7 weeks early but actually were bigger than they expected and doing well! They are having to stay in the NICU for at least a month, but at least they are in good hands with some skilled drs. We went down to visit them one evening and unfortunately didn't get to see the babies that day, but got to visit with Erika. I miss her and hope they all get to come home soon!

7. Speaking of friends, I really have some of the best friends. They are supportive, fun to be with, and always listen to me whine or freak out (which I do alot!) I made a new friend recently, Rosie, who works with me at work. I am so thankful for her because she makes the days go by so much quicker, and we're always chatting about the kids, and Christmas and stuff... she is very crafty too and has already made Rachel a special bow and necklace :)

8. Always thankful for my parents, who do so much for me I don't even deserve. With me working so much this year they have saved me so many times. Mom basically raised the kids over the summer while they were off school, ha. They have taken the kids to dentist appointments, and picked them up from school when I was working late-- brought me meals when I had particularly hard weeks-- just everything I could imagine and more.

9. Our church-- We really have found a great church and are part of a big family. We have had to step back from lifegroup this season due to being so busy, but hope to start back eventually. We love everyone there and I love getting so close to everyone's babies. I love those babies like my own!







And a few other little things I'm thankful for--


~ Mom and Dad's delicious thanksgiving meal yesterday, that I didn't have to cook ;)

~No cavities for Brooke or Rachel at their dentist appts this month!

~This season so far has been warm-- I really don't like it being very cold!

~Extra Christmas money this year from working

~Getting to go to the TSO concert with Joanne on Dec 8th!

~Fuller House Season 2 is coming to Netflix next month, ha!

~Black Friday sales on books--time to pick up a few new ones! ;)

~Getting our Christmas cards ordered already-- at a great deal!

~Brooke's doing pretty great at the 5th grade so far!