Fall seems to be starting tomorrow- I will go back to school, True is in his second full week of football practice, it is chilly in the morning!
Fall seems to be the time for new beginnings, I am hoping that we can get some legal things done, and get settled in as a family with two households.
Things that didn't get done in the past seven weeks- I didn't get my house all organized, I got a start and quickly got bored. With the house, custody, etc all up in the air, I don't feel at home anymore, it is hard to stay motivated. I have yet to file my property tax refund. Violet didn't get to have friends sleep over this summer. I didn't de-clutter- see previous comment. We didn't do much toilet training with Capri, I am just happy she is staying on her growth curve. She is now the big 25 pounds.
Things I did- started a book group with Ivy, then had school board meeting for two of the meeting times. I went to one, and Tasha went to one with her, I think she didn't care that we didn't finish, it was kind of a big, younger group at Southdale. Violet and I went to book group, at Penn Lake, for the first time together! We had a great time reading fun books together. We went to the pool several times. Promise read lots. I found a job I hope to continue this fall, at our church's daycare. I read tons of good books, and I got a tan, and talked to the kids. Cherish has fascinating things to say. I got True registered at Jefferson, his sports physical, and signed up for football. I got Ivy registered and counseled at Olson. I got the paperwork done for to transfer Promise back to Seven Hills. I got everyone at three schools signed up for free lunch. I have Capri and Cherish signed up for daycare while I have Nutrition class. I got the paperwork done to modify mine and Tasha's financial aid. I took out a student loan and registered for class. Ivy had friends sleep over. I canned pickles, froze zucchini, onions, peppers, and more pickles. I have everyone's back to school nights on the calender. I found tomatotes I can get on food stamps to can, from our farm share. I grew herbs this summer. Everyone has school supplies. We got to church with at least some kids most Sundays,
I keep thinking I should be setting more goals, but I think we all need to just adjust to new schools and schedules this fall. I got a very nice offer today, the pastor's wife and the secretary at church, both good friends of mine and fellow members of the the Ladies Bible Study group, Bad Girls, have offered to send Cherish to preschool. She will profit a lot from this, it is a very nice thing for them to do. With that, and Tasha having lots of credits and work and needing rides, we will have a very full schedule.
In the meantime, I am hoping to be patient and able to study and get awesome grades, and not forget anything in my schedule! I am hoping Capri and I can go somewhere and study while Cherish is at school. I suppose home. I wish there was still a playplace like there was at Eden Prairie Mall, that big area full of climbing things, or a playspace that was open, like Edenborough used to be. Any and all suggestions are welcome!

Okay, you know I am behind times when I am posting a Halloween photo on May Day- but isn't this beautiful, my son kissing his littlest sister?
Things have been rough around here in the money area, and the marriage area, kind of an off-shoot of that, I think. All the issues of a retirement, but with a lot of little kids at home, and the need to find jobs as soon as possible, and very few contacts back regardless of so many job applications. I am not succeeding at my marital relationship right now, having lots of thoughts about what to do, what is best, what I can do-
Complicated by losing a baby in August, and then my neighbor having her first just when I would have had one.
Life sometimes isn't so dramatic, just a little sadder. Her baby was born with a bit of a cleft lip, and she was talking about how that was a little upsetting, and I'm just thinking, as I hold her sweet baby, I would have loved to have had an alive baby anytime in this time, this is so minor. She does know that, also, and is very grateful for her little precious.
I know that times are hard for lots of people, and my worries are small compared to some, but at the same time, just when I thought that life would be kind of a little bit smoother, the loss of a primary income for almost a year and a half, with part time work, has really rocked our family boat. Add to that loss, and my job loss, and me going back to school, and not getting into nursing school next fall, and the kids' school closing, and needing to do some school changes for economic reasons- it all has felt a bit like I haven't been able to relax much, or enjoy life, or be myself with the kids.
Not a very optimistic blog, hope to report some more positive changes soon.
Soon it will be warmer, and I'll have three weeks off of school, and I'll be able to clean the house, hunt for work, rent a movie from Redbox, and read a book without feeling guilty that it's not my anatomy book. Comment with a good movie to rent-
Some positives- We enjoyed a quiet Easter, Capri had a nasogastric tube on her second birthday, a few days in Children's hospital, and has finally put on some weight. The tube is long gone, and she is eating better. She will sit in my lap and drink her Pediasure with a straw. Cherish is smart as a whip, knows how to spell some words at 4 years old. Recently we took her to the ER for a little bead in her nose, she very seriously told everyone there it rolled off the piano shelf and bounced in her nose. Promise has been thriving in the Lutheran school, next year she'll go back to a charter school with Violet, who is having three friends for a sleepover tonight. Violet won first prize in her science fair, for the fourth grade. Ivy is turning teen-ish, we ordered a dress on the 15 dollar store site for a boy girl dance at school, her first. It is black, too grown up for my baby lady, as we called her when she was a toddler. True is grumpy but then affectionate, going to the giant high school next year, from a small class to a huge one. His basketball team went to Nationals, we took a bus trip to Indiana, it was a lot of fun. They placed 2nd! Tasha was the only one to stay home, she studied some. She is going to Iceland this summer, we are trying to figure that out financially. We are hoping she will be a college grad this time next year.
Sorry I haven't blogged recently, life has been very up and down, and I don't know what to say for myself much of the time. I think right now it's time to go and enforce lights out for these ten year olds, they are giggley, it is cute as the dickens. Good night!

Photo from this summer- Christmas photo?

Black Friday shopping

Thought I'd post my buys-

I went to 7 stores!

Oldest dd and I wanted to go, we slept, and went at 9:30.

First stop- McDonald's to the Redbox, pick up Wal-E for dh and kids staying home, $1.07 for a one night rental. Did not get food, had a coffee at home before I left.

2nd stop- Grocery store, pick up Hancock for later tonight to watch with three oldest kids, and dog food on a gift card. Total out of pocket, $1.07, GRAND total- $2.14

We then went to Walmart, I got two pair of $8 jeans for ds, I will need to go trade for a different size, but he only had one pair of jeans and one pair of other pants. I think he has grown 4-5 inches this year. I bought 1 yo dd a cabbage patch baby for $10. I bought 2nd youngest dd, age 4, a playdoh set wtih 50 pieces for $10. I bought one of those flash drives that Ariana bought for $9, we have one in the house that 4 people share, it will be good to have 2. X men 3 double dvd for ds for $6. Time in a Bottle dvd for me for $2. 7 items, $55.55 Grand total $57.69 We were in Walmart one half hour, there was one person ahead of us in line.

Next stop- the bakery. A cherry strudel for me, custard stuffed chocolate glazed long john for dd. $1.95 Grand total $59.64

Then we went to Kmart, they were sold out of the knock em sock em toy for $8. I found a great toy for dd age 6, a toy dog with vet things that makes little doggie noise, she will love it, at $26.24. I bought boots for 9 yo dd, at $22.99 and then got school shoes, her's from a year a half ago are falling apart, I got these 50% of for a price of $4.99. She needs black shoes for her uniform. I bought dh 5 pocket t-shirts for $2 each. I bought flannel pj pants for ds for $6.49. Total spent on 9 items, $72.52 Total saved, $42.70 I gave dd her boots right away, I hadn't found any at Walmart yet. She was very happy. Grand total $132.16 We were first in line, no crowd. Three open lanes.

6th stop- Toy R Us. This is where it was crazy, a cop directing traffic, a long wait to get in. No parking, someone stole one spot. I sent dd in, to just get the rock em sock em's. I told her I thought there was a coupon, buy one get one free. She disregarded that while I circled the lot, to focus on getting the last one off a high shelf, she and the worker poked it off with board games, and she paid $19.23 for it. This is something I hope to find for a better price and return. I picked dd up, and we left that place. She paid in electronics, no line, vs long lines at the front. Total spent $19.23 Grand total $151.39

Stopped at home to drop off movie and things. Picked up ds, he wanted to get his present for his sister, who was with us.

7th and final stop- JC Penney's. Ds found a lip balm collection for his sister. I found a shower gel set for dd age 12 at the same spot. These were 50% off, for $10 and $6 after sale. Dd went shopping for clothes. She found a shirt for herself, $6.99 after discounts. I found a long sleeve henley for dh, $14.40 marked down from $36. Both the kids there wanted new pillows for Christmas, $3.99 after discounts. I bought a sleeper for youngest dd, $7.99 after discounts. I bought a set of socks for 1 yo dd, and a pair of tights for 4 yo dd. Everything had an additional 10% off, except the two bath sets didn't ring up 50% off, she took me back to the head of the line and credited and billed again, so I had asked about the 10%, but it wasn't credited. Good customer service, I won't quibble $1.71. Total spent- $66.14, then dd paid me back $7 for her shirt. Actually, I gave her $12.25 for the charge she made at Toys R Us. So I spent $59.14, saved 81.58. This was a good stop. Ds will refund me $6 towards his sister's present, money he made painting this summer. Total oop $53.14.

Total spent $204.53

I have a lot of purchases, and the vast amount of my shopping done in just a few hours, at very low prices. I still have a few things to buy, but it was very nice shopping! I think I'll go next year. I saved about $175-$200, I estimate. Each child now has something from us. Dh, ds, and some of the girls have some badly needed clothes.

Will have to go with dh to get things for his family, or he'll go. Will have to see what's on sale as Christmas gets closer, he is not good about shopping sales.

In a few weeks we will buy a tree. They are usually $20-$25.

Other news-

Just saw my sisters and their families, didn't get a whole lot of time with them.

CAPRI went to a pediatric endrochronologist, she has so far just some delayed bone growth, not as many teeth as she should have. She might go to a pediatric gastronologist next, for absorption issues.

TRUE did fine in his fall play, he didn't know his lines quite well enough. IVY was in the plays, also, she had fewer lines, is looking grown up.

TASHA is going to Colorado for winter break, Vienna for spring break.

VIOLET got an award at school for being empathetic and improving on her homework responsibility. She settle right into her homework after dinner.

PROMISE is enjoying her new schol, getting together with her best friend Grace from kindergarten at 7 Hills tomorrow.

CHERISH has one liners, like when Tasha asked her to stop something, she said, "Why, is it slowly driving you crazy?" Things you don't expect from a recently turned 4 year old. Luckily, both her hair, and Violet's bangs are growing out from being self-cut. We have talked now, several times, about not cutting your own hair, mom will cut it whenever you ask.

Have a good Advent season!

It's been a LONG time since I posted.
We have had a month or so of job uncertainty, starting the last day of school when Graham got a job offer in Iowa. Th kids were sad, and we all were relieved when it looked like something would work out in the cities. Those eventually feel through, but it was a month of waiting and not knowing, up until the Friday before Graham left for Iowa.
Our family has a lot of challenges the next few months.
Luckily, Tasha made it back from the Netherlands and is attending a local university and living at home next year, so she will be the other adult in the house. The big kids will be stepping up to help out a lot.
Needless to say, I've been a little stressed with the limbo around here.
Other things- the kids had fun in dance and swimming. True is going to camp for a week soon. We are trying to adjust to the higher price of gas and trying to prepare for higher utility costs this winter.
We have all been blessed with good health this spring and summer.
We are very much enjoying fresh produce from a CSA, although if I did it again I would buy from a farm that delivers to town, the trip out is too far to be cost effective. We just had one of my favorites, beets, and the lettuce has been flavorful and delicious.
Hope everyone is having a good summer!
An updated photo of me and Capri-
Tracy

posted in a forum

Thought I'd copy here-

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Some things my kids will learn this summer (We don't homeschool and they are off for three months)

Childcare- help with younger sibs

Cooking and canning- all help with these, from three up. Everyone packs pickles and apples. The bigger kids make customized jams. Everyone likes to help with stirring and cooking dinner.

Baking- everyone's favorite. We get out lots of cookbooks from the library.

Swimming for recreation at the pool, three will take lessons, reduced fee

Dance- 3 will take dance camp, $40 with a 75% reduction for free and reduced lunch kids, $10 each

Art- this year two will take darkroom skills. Last year they took fused glass and ceramics.

Reading- we take advantage of the free book clubs at the library, kid, teen, mother/daughter, and teen/ parent. Last year my son was the only boy in the teen/parent, we both agreed we don't like the sad teen girl books that were picked. This year we will do the community reads at least, and read a book with the city. Instead of the book groups, we might do the Barnes and Nobles read, or try an internet book group. Most years two of the kids are in chess club at the library, again this might be nixed this year in favor of more swimming. We usually go to the library at least every other week for books.

Sharing- one Wii, many children

Camping- some years a weekend at camp in a tepee or a wagon at Christian camp, or Girl Scout day camp. This year trying to get ds into a week of Christian classic camp.

Golf- Pat, this sounds genious, ds would like to caddy, I could take him to a few par 3 courses. This would prep him for his caddy interview Feb 2009

Business- the kids helped me run my farmer's market booth last year, they come with me to work at the childcare. This summer we will be posting travel info at colleges, with my travel agent website. Dh will need to make a flyer, we'll go post 'em.

Leisure- the backyard is the place for the afternoon, with the sprinkler, kiddie pool at times, sandbox, plastic adirondack chairs for lounging and reading in, or just sunning your face. It's the time for lazy plans and confidences, sending someone in for a tray of water cups or pudding pops. I hope to get our tire swing back up, missed it last year. It's shaped like a horse.

Housework- more time for loading the dishes, learning to do clothes, vacumning, bathrooms, etc.

Walking- evenings are for walking to my mom's , or the big kids bike. We walk to the park and the library. We like to walk back late sometimes and look for fireflies. Grandma usually walks back from her house with us, to help with her blood sugar and to be with us. I love seeing my mom more.

A tad bit of gardening- last year was just chives and patio containers of flowers, and a few tomatoes. This year a little more.

Seeng family and friends- usually we have a weekend at a cabin with friends. This year we might stay at a hotel in town one night, to get two days at the resort. This year we are going to visit dh's family in Chicago, the first time in almost 2 years.

Playing games- poker, life, sudoku, monopoply, family feud, chess, they all come out for the summer. Favorite last summer- Rumicube.

Summer List- We also make a summer list of everything we want to do- from see puppies- the 6 yo, to go on a factory tour, to pick strawberries, to walk around the lakes, to free outdoor concerts, the free rose garden, and frozen custard. We like to go to the 24 hours of free music at Orchestra Hall, usually two or three different very good, sometimes ethnic, music selections at a time, inside and out on the Plaza. We like to go to the Musem of Art-free- and find the pieces that were in Art Masterpeice in the schools every month. We try to do something from everyone's suggestions.

Summer box- a box of things the last day of school- to have fun with- this year a hot air corn popper from a friend, a four person bubble blower and whiffle balls from Walgreens, a dress up box that I'll put together, and a book for everyone. Chocolate lollipops I got for free.

Homework- I'm very bad at this, the kids usually get a Bridging Into ____ Grade, a $13 book avaliable at Barnes and Nobles, and the charter school expects them to do it. I really do not emphasis this at all. They get very few pages done- but they've learned a lot of other stuff. I'm happy with the way we spend our summers.

We love summer.

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A photo of the kids on a Sunday morning, Mother's Day.
Things are going okay, lots of questions coming to mind about the job situation.
Everyone is healthy, although Capri got tested for a bunch of stuff related to her growth.
One day in May has no appointments, etc on, hope to keep that one open!
Really looking forward to summer.