Ribbon Photo hanger

I made photo ribbon hangers today they turned out so cute I should laminate the pictures but I think they will be okay not laminated.

I also bought frames for my other black and whites by the sea that were 5x7. I hung the 2 frames up with three pictures in each one.

I haven't gotten my larger pictures yet but did find frames for them at walmart. I like that are not terribly expensive and do the floating look.

I did buy Black foam board to see how they look hung on that too.

I am liking that I am getting the pictures up and making the apartment feel more like home

Christmas is over

I got the house cleaned up from Christmas. The tree is down. The wreath put away. The toys are all put in their new homes. The house is clean. It feels good to have the house back to normal. I cleaned from 8 am till 6 tonight. I have to go grocery shopping tomorrow.

I cleaned the kids room and got it all adjusted. The new toys have their homes. The kids have played Monopoly, Uno Flash, and Connect 4 today. They played well. I did get the dresser I ordered from Slumberland 4 months ago. Dustin brought the van in and we picked it up. It helped with the organization of the kids room.

I put away laundry that I washed at mom's house this weekend. It saves me $20 a week to wash my laundry at mom's house because we don't have a washer and dryer in the apartment. It is crazy how expensive it is to use the laundry mat. Then the clothes are not clean and they don't dry all the way. I can't believe that people actually pay to do it too. It is frustrating to wash your clothes there.

New Years Eve I don't really have any plans. The kids and I will stay here and play Wii and order pizza. I will get some junk food for tomorrow night. I think my brother Rex will be comming over to hang out with us.

I have been debating doing the Angel Food Ministries. I am going to get one box this month and see how the food is. I will let you know how it goes with that. It is $30 and supposed to feed a family for a week. http://www.angelfoodministries.com/
If I got it and used it for one week I would save almost $50 in one week. Makes one say WOW! It is alot of shoes I can buy. :)

New pictures of me from Christmas Day

Christmas Day I actually got my picture taken by Courtney so I added some new pictures of me. I had broke an egg all over my sweater and changed into my mom's shirt. I broke 2 eggs on myself while I was at my parents house. It must have been something with the eggs she has. LOL They were slippery.

Pictures of all 5 kids

I have pictures of all five of the kids from today. I will do those and then send pictures of the rest of Christmas. :) Then the picture of Tyler and Tommy together. I did get individual pictures of the boys but they need turned. Tyler and Tommy spent the night last night and played games and watched movies here.

Courtney is still in her jammies. She got them for Christmas from Grandma Weeks. They have been taken off to be washed twice and put back on to be worn till her mother tells her she stinks and needs a bath and new clothes or jammies.

Courtney Sending Daddy a message

Harm this is for you.

My Goofy daughter

Last night as we were going to bed Courtney looks out the window up in the sky, I asked her what she was doing. She answered, "Just looking for Santa" I answered, "Oh, what do you think he is doing a test run?" Courtney "Yes"
Crazy girl.

I keep looking for my Christmas spirit. I keep repeating that song, "Where Are You Christmas?"

I am trying to keep my Christmas Season. It is hard to make myself push my remember that it is important for the kids.

I have all the presents wrapped. The house is clean. Some cookies baked.

The weather looks to be good. There is supposed to be no snow. It is snowing here now and it snowed last night. It is supposed to snow tonight. It is warm. It is going to have a high of 28. YEA!

I heard a song today it was really nice. It was "Another Christmas" I am not sure who sings it. He was on American Idol.

GA Ocean Pictures Edited

This is my favorite of Caleb, this is in GA at the ocean. This is the first time they have seen the ocean.

Blizzard

Well we are having a blizzard here. It is crazy how the snow is drifting. I hope the snow goes away for Christmas. We are supposed to have 2 more storms before Christmas. UGGG

Boys Birthday

The twins turned 12 yesterday. It was a weird day. We got slammed with a snow storm. It was 6 inches if I remember correctly. There was no school. We cancelled their party because of the snow. There is lots of snow and ice. Hard to believe 12 years ago I started on this crazy journey they call motherhood. I remember when they were born they were so small. They were only 3 lbs. It was so hard to deal with the problems of premature babies. I remember I was so scared because they were so small. I want to find some pictures from when they were babies. They were beautiful. They had full heads of hair. When Courtney was born she was bald.

We went to the Gangus Grill last night. The boys loved it. I am glad we went. Then we went to Sonic for a ice cream desert. The roads did get better after a while. We are going to do the Planet X thing on Christmas vacation.

Our microwave was acting really wierd this morning so we went to Walmart and got a new one. It was snapping and sparking not a good thing. Fire Danger! So Courtney and I went before a ton of people were there Christmas shopping. We checked out fast. I was thinking it would be busier the last Saturday before Christmas. It was really easy to get in and out. My cashier had no one maybe it was because it was only 9 am and everone was sleeping.

I stayed up so late last night talking to Harmand. Man I miss him so much. It is difficult to have Christmas comming up and then still keep the holiday spirit. I am trying to stay up beat for the kids. I hope they don't notice.
Christmas is only a couple days away. I think once the holidays are gone time will go fast till Harmand is home. I hope summer comes soon. I need to decide what to do about school.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Chrismas Party

Courtney and James Kids

Courtney and I

Courtney and Sharon her Big sister

Colton and James

Caleb and Shaun

These are pictures from the party a couple of weeks ago. LOL

2 weeks no sex or no intenet

On today this morning they were saying women would rather give up sex for 2 weeks or 2 weeks without internet. I guess I have given up sex for so long I wouldn't give up my internet. LOL I can go with out sex but don't take my internet! :)

Saturday

I love that Saturdays are so easy going. I did not do much at all today. I cleaned and did some laundry. It makes for a great day. I watched Christmas movies. I guess I am having a hard time with the holidays. Harmand being gone makes it hard to make it through the day. I have been missing him so much.

St. Louis Pictures

This is from a couple of years ago. I found the pictures on my hard drive and messed with them. LOL Lots of fun stuff on my hard drive.

More Photo Edits

These photos are from our trip to GA. I am having a hard time deciding what photos to get made into prints. Any ideas? I can't wait to do the ocean pictures with the kids. It was so over cast on the days I took these pictures. But it gives it almost a dreamy feel.

This one has the little house just peaking out of all the trees. I bet it has a great view.

Boy am I really missing the green right now. What I wouldn't do for some! I hate all the snow outside.

Man I am loving not being in school. I have gotten a lot of art things done. I did go to Kmart today and get a bunch of stuff for the tree and Christmas decorations.

I am off to work for a while. I am looking forward to going.

Photo Edits

This one I took in GA at Tybee Island there is a Fort there. I colored the flag. I liked this one. I think it will be beautiful on the wall.

This is a picture from GA. We went last Feb. I took lots of pictures and I just got around to editing them. I am going to hang pictures on my walls. I am doing many different pictures in matted frames and then use that for my wall hangings. I enjoy doing the editing. I loved this picture in GA. It is off Tybee Island.

I have been feeling sick

I have been feeling cruddy. I don't know if it is because of the lack of sleep from being sick. Or if it is that I am getting Courtney's cold. My chest hurts.
I went grocery shopping anyways today because we are supposed to get a snow storm over night. 3 inches is what they are saying. YUCK!

I need to start to prepare to move. I have to inventory the house. Can you say again YUCK!

sickness

Well I feel like crud, Courtney gave me her cold. It sucks. My chest hurts. I took some musinex to get rid of the congestion. SUCKS to be sick!
I don't want to take care of anyone else because I am sick. Courtney is not feeling very good still. She is doing better. I hope she can go to school tomorrow.
We are going to have another snow storm tomorrow and tomorrow night.

Well Courtney is sick again

Courtney is sick again. I didn't take her to the Dr because it is just a cold but I am watching her carefully. I did get some pictures added.

First day of school Colton Courtney Caleb.
Caleb and Colton
My brothers and me and the kids.
The last one is of my brothers parents and my kids

IT IS FINISHED

Well I have finished my finals. YEA! My AA is done. I am happy that it is over. LOL. My HRM 240 project was difficult. It was so hard to do. I should have chose another field. but that is okay. I am so happy I am done! YEA!

I made Black Bean Soup for supper tonight. It did not go oever at all. I hope tomorrows recipe will be better. :) I am so craving coffee. I want one but it is 9 at night I can not because I will not be able to sleep.

One final done

Well I am done with my capstone discussion question and final assignment for my international business class. Whoo! I am happy I got one thing done today. It has been hard to work and finish up my classes. I am under a deadline to finish by Wed. So tomorrow I will work all day on my Human Resource Managment class. It is a huge project. Parts are done which help. I have a checkpoint to do for that class too. I thought I would finish one class today. :)

Amber's mom had a stroke over the weekend. It is bad. She is having difficulty communicating. I feel so bad for her and Amber. I can't do much because I am trying to finish my homework. If it had been next week it would have been okay

We got 3 inches of snow here last night which made the roads a mess around here. I did walk outside for a few minutes. It was really slippery. I did not get my paperwork turned into work. I will have to venture out tonight or tomorrow to turn it in. Not looking forward to that. I hate driving in the snow.

I hope to add pictures one day to this blog but it doesn't seem to happen :) Oh well It is good for me to just write.

Harmand is supposed to be working on the paper work for the AIP. I hope we get the stuff done to move quickly. I don't think he wants to stay in S. Korea.

Looking over the last Year

I have been thinking about the last year. Thanksgiving always gives me time to reflect. I have been thinking about how hard this year has been.

February We lost Pink, the beloved dog. Courtney was crushed by this event. It was hard for her.

June 13 Our town was flooded. We lost our home, and most of our possessions. This was difficult but the real hard work started after that.

June 15 We got into our home and started the part where we tore everything out and cleaned it out
June 28 The kids left to go to their dads
July 3 I flew to GA to spend time with Harmand.

July 8 Harmand and I got back to Iowa

July 26 the Kids got home from their dads house.

July 28 Harmand and I got married.

Aug 1 we moved into our little apartment

Aug 16 Harmand left for Korea. That was extremely hard to put him on a plane and watch him leave.

Aug 21 Caleb and Colton start Harding middle school

Oct 5 the house was removed now there is just a basement.

Novemeber I survived a Thanksgiving without Harmand at home.

This year has been almost surreal. It feels like a dream.
Boy am I glad it is almost done!

Looking back

I have been thinking about the last year. Thanksgiving always gives me time to reflect. I have been thinking about how hard this year has been.

February We lost Pink, the beloved dog. Courtney was crushed by this event. It was hard for her.

June 13 Our town was flooded. We lost our home, and most of our possessions. This was difficult but the real hard work started after that.

June 15 We got into our home and started the part where we tore everything out and cleaned it out
June 28 The kids left to go to their dads
July 3 I flew to GA to spend time with Harmand.

July 8 Harmand and I got back to Iowa

July 26 the Kids got home from their dads house.

July 28 Harmand and I got married.

Aug 1 we moved into our little apartment

Aug 16 Harmand left for Korea. That was extremely hard to put him on a plane and watch him leave.

Aug 21 Caleb and Colton start Harding middle school

Oct 5 the house was removed now there is just a basement.

Novemeber I survived a Thanksgiving without Harmand at home.

This year has been almost surreal. It feels like a dream.
Boy am I glad it is almost done!

Nap time is over

Well we have had the turkey, eaten pie and taken a nap. What is left to do on Thanksgiving? I have my homework done for the week. I do need to check into my classes this week. I am glad I am almost done with school. Who knows if I really want to go and get my BA. I am so tired of the school work. Then there is the money part. I don't want to take out loans if I don't have to. I am on my last week of classes for my AA next week.
OH YEA I AM HAPPY!

So I am checking the adds to see where we will go shopping tomorrow. I don't need any more presents but if I find some good deals for the kids I will buy it. I still need to get a present for Melissa and Jason on our family exchange on Harmand's side. I got the presents from Harmand. I got the Christmas gifts for the kids. I also got my birthday presents from him. He sent me a beautiful scarf and some comfy slippers. He also included notebooks.


Mom and I are leaving at 3 tomorrow morning. Early start to shopping :)
We will stay overnight at their house again tomorrow.

I didn't get to talk to Harmand today. I did on Wed. That was nice. I miss him so much. I feel like a piece of my heart is missing. I still go on day to day but part of me is not there. Sometimes I wonder if the kids can tell.

Iowa Game on Sat

I was watching the news tonight and they were talking about the Iowa game on Sat. Well I guess 2 people were having sex in a bathroom stall. Guess what when they were released they were given to their girlfriend and she was given to her husband! OMG

What is the world comming to!?!

I have 3 of my 4 assignements done for the week. I still have to answer my DQ questions. I know what I am taking for food Thursday and Sunday. I am working on my Lunch and Learn Project for International busniess. Sounds like fun huh?

Courtney went to the men's basketball game for Iowa tonight. She said it was fun. She was with Sharon all day today. It gave me lots of time to get my homework done. I am glad I got a lot done.

My dad asked me this weekend if we were going to have any more babies. UMM NO! He said well I want another granddaughter. ASK one of your sons! LOL and you can't just put in an order for a girl. I don't even get to do the thing that causes a baby with my husband. :) HELLO you have to be together to have a baby.

Why are home values in Cedar Rapids raising 3.23% in value? It is odd. Everyone else's are going down.

LL Cool J & the View

I was watching the View today. I usually don't like the View. Whoopie Goldburg actually said something good today! Wow! She was talking about what about Thanksgiving. It feels like there is no Thanksgiving. I think it is a shame.

LL Cool J was on today. He is actually very cool. He is helping sears with their program to help vets have housing. It is a good program. He is supposed to be making a clothing line that will fit all types of bodies. We will see.

Dustin's Surgery

Dustin had surgery on his foot today. He was in good spirits when I left. He was just very hungry. He was getting grumpy with out food. His foot didn't hurt because of the block.
Iowa City's University hospitals are CRAZY. There were so many people and it was so busy. It was crazy getting there.

There was an awful accident on 380. It took 20 minutes to go 2 miles. There were 4 cars in a pile up. Someone died in the accident. It was awful when I drove by it.
http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081119/NEWS/811199992/1001/NEWS I feel bad for his family. It is so sad.

The kids have the whole week off school next week for thanksgiving. It has just flown upon us. I can't believe it. It will soon be Christmas. I can't wait for the kids to open their presents.

I hope things go well and we are able to move. I am looking forward to being with my husband. If I could i would just pack the house up an move our clothes and go. But Dan hasn't even filled out the paper work. UGGG!!!! He says he hasn't gotten it. I have to find the receipt for when I mailed it.

Thanksgiving

Well this year we are going to Thanksgiving at mom's house. My cousins decided that they wanted to get together for thanksgiving, my mom did not want it at her house. She said with all of mine and Rex's stuff there she couldn't. It is so true. With all of our things there and what we have gone through this year. My cousin has only called 2 of my aunts to let them know and to decide what to bring but not contacted any one else. Agrivated. I tried to call her and she didn't answer or called back.
OH WELL I guess I don't have to bring anything :)

Christmas tree

Well we put up the Christmas tree last night. Harmand got to watch us put up the Christmas tree 7000 miles away. The internet is so cool. We video taped a little bit of the Christmas tree being put up. Courtney was the reason we did it so early. She had to have the tree done now! She wanted to do it tonight and not wait at all. I had dug out the Christmas orniments as I went through the closet to see what we could get rid of and I put all of Harm's clothes in suitecases this got rid of boxes and made it much easier to store his clothes. Sorry the video is so dark.

Christmas Presents ALREADY!?

Well I have Harmand's Christmas presents wrapped and ready to go. With him being so far away I have to send them early. I will send it out next week. I hope he really enjoys them. I will not say any more because he could read this. LOL

I got the boys Christmas and birthday presents today. I am so excited about birthday presents and Christmas! I need to wrap them tomorrow.

I got an awesome buy at Aldi's today. They had a 4 gb card for 9.99 you can only buy one at a time, I think I will go back tomorrow and get another one.

Dec 4 there is a holiday parade at night. I really want to take the kids to it. We have a holiday party Thursday night for Big Brother's Big Sister's. I will miss our big brothers and sisters so much when we move. :( It will be hard to leave our family and friends when we move. It is so hard to think about.

Harmand doesn't know if he wants to stay in Korea for 2 years. I am still waiting for him to get the paper work for us to get a command sponsorship.

Over the weekend we went to my mom's house and had my birthday party. I got lots of really cute things. I got an cool hat. I am waiting for the pictures from my mom so I can show it off.

Tomorrow I am going to get the Christmas tree out.

Christmas

I don't know what I will get the kids for Christmas. I hate it when the kids have birthdays so close to chrismas. I am fresh out of ideas.

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Another day has come and gone

I have had another day where the day has come and gone. I don't know where the time has gone. I really miss Harmand today. I don't know if it is because my birthday is tomorrow and I am missing having him here for it. But It will all be okay. It is just being alone on holidays. I know that right after my birthday is Thanksgiving and then Christmas.

I normally look so forward to the holidays and love to get in the spirit. We lost most of our Christmas ornaments in the floods. That is kind of depressing. I wish I had been able to save them.

I mailed my swap partner her ornament today. It was a fun swap. It was very cool, It was a snowman that was wearing an Iowa Hawks scarf and hat. I found it at a craft fair.

I worked today. Thankfully the girl I work with is feeling better. She is in good spirits. YEA! We had a great lunch together.

I got the kids closet cleaned out. I took any clothes that would not fit them next summer. I am getting rid of lots of things I don't want to store or ship. The thing is there isn't much to go through here. Most of it is at my mom and dad's house. There is so much to go through there. I will do some of that this weekend.

I work tomorrow again. So hopefully we will have a good day. I will go to Women's Fellowship.

Cold Meds

Well I got the homework done! YEA! I am happy. I am done with homework for the rest of the week. I do have to turn it in tomorrow for attendance but I am just happy to have finished it all and move on to the weekend.

Friday is my birthday. I don't know how I feel about it right now. Isn't that odd? I remember when I was a kid and I couldn't wait for my birthday. Now it is hold off as long as possible, hope no one remembers and hope the day goes quickly. :)

I am feeling much better now. I took sudafed. I hate the way it makes me feel. I feel like I am on speed. I can't sleep and I am always on the go. That is probably why my homework is done the house is clean and I am still ready to go some more.

Courtney got her birthday present from Harmand today. She was so happy. I will add the pictures later. She enjoyed getting presents from Korea and is going to show her class tomorrow.

Last night Dan called. We had to go because of the concert. The kids did not want to call him back afterwards. They didn't even seem like they wanted to talk to him. It is odd. I guess it is normal but I think they are starting to distance themselves from him. Maybe I am reading more into it than I should. When he calls they really don't talk much. Oh well.

Colton's Concert

This was Colton's performance! It was a little squeeky. :)

Courtney's confrence went well. She is doing good. The teacher says she doesn't talk enough in class. HOW ODD? She is such a chatter box when she is at home. :)

I am feeling a little better except I am really medicated. I can't sleep because of the medison.

I have done some laundry and cleaned the kitchen. I feel cruddy but can't sit down. LOL

Life is a ride be prepared

I have been so busy with life it seems that we never have the time to do what we need to do and want to do. Today we have Courtney's confrences and Colton's Concert. All in one night. I will add Colton's Concert video later. I am glad we have that little digital camera. It comes in really handy.

I made Black Bean Burgers last night they were so GOOD!

I use the food processor. I process about a 1/4 of an onion and 1/4 green pepper I put 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, 1 can black beans drained, 1 egg, and bread crumbs like 1 and 1/2 cups or enough to make it really thick. Then fry in a skillet or grill on a grill. I use about an ice cream scoop to make them. Cook them 2-5 minutes in skillet. My kids love these. I am thinking you can make a "meatloaf" from it.

This is inexpenisive to make. My kids loved these. I am saving this recipe!

I have been getting things ready to move to South Korea. Everyone thinks I am nuts. I don't think I am. I will update on how that goes! I am waiting on paper work from Dan.

I am almost done with school. Dec 7 is my last day YEA!

I am feeling cruddy today. I have a head cold and it is just sucking the life out of me. Making me very lazy. I am going to the Dr. tomorrow if I don't feel better.

My husband sent me 2 e-cards today. That really brightened my day. Boy do I miss him terriably.

I did finish the Chrismas Cards we are going to send. I am ordering the post cards. Man is that the way to go. It is cheeper to mail them and to buy them LOL.

Well I am off to get some homework done. Got to pass these last two classes!