"Stressful Shopping, Inconsiderate Gabbers, and The End of the World {again}"

We are finishing up our last few weeks of homeschool and enjoying the winding down.  If only everything else us was winding down as well!  It seems like once one part of our life calms down, the rest of it goes crazy.  I'm not one to love to run around constantly...I'm really a homebody.  I like snuggling up on my couch with a good book, my kids, and my dogs and just hanging out.  Don't get me wrong...I also love running around outside, puttering in my garden, and lots of other stuff....but nothing makes me happier than being all cozied up with all my kids (biological and furry!)

With our Virginia Beach vacation approaching quickly, we took some time this last weekend to shop for swimsuits and some summer clothes.  Cebelle adores shopping and she tried on like 15 swimsuits.  Since her one from last year still fits, we only let her get one more. She would love to wear a different one everyday, but I don't really think it's necessary.  Hayden picked out two swim trunks that he liked and then tried on two different sizes to see how they fit.  Then he picked one.  It took him about five minutes.  Cebelle's swimsuit shopping was almost a two hour ordeal.  Jeff and I were going to spend a sizable chunk and get them swimsuits from Lands End, but they grow so fast it seemed crazy to spend $40 on something that they might not even be able to wear all summer.  I tried on a couple of swimsuits, which made me remember why I hate swimsuits.  I ended up trying on a few just to check sizing and then ordering mine online.  It will be here in a few days.  I'm hoping that it all works out because I really hate trying them on and wearing them at all.  I discovered in this process that internet shopping is just as stressful as regular shopping for me.  According to sizing charts, I should be wearing three sizes larger than I currently wear.  If I hadn't tried on different sizes in the store, I probably would have experienced a complete panic attack.  As it is, I'm worried that the suit and the clothes that I ordered won't fit anyway.  And while we are on this subject...can we talk about how I wear like six different sizes?  It's crazy!  I can buy a shirt in one size at Old Navy and then need two sizes larger at a different store, or two sizes smaller somewhere else!  Pants aren't much better.  I currently have four different sizes of jeans in my closet that are cut mostly the same way but from different companies.  I don't understand why women's clothing can't be a universal size.  It's ridiculous.  Thanks to all the pencil thin perfect girls we feel bad enough about ourselves as it is.  We don't need four inches in variation that take us from a size 18 one day to a size 26 the next.....it's crazy!

And while I'm complaining....can I just continue about people who talk behind your back?  It really irritates me when it gets back to me that people are talking about me behind my back.  And I know that I shouldn't care what other people think, and the truth is I really don't.  What I care about is when people run around behind my back, saying things about me to others that aren't true or are taken completely out of context.  I am not perfect by any means, but I don't say anything behind someone's back that I would not say to their face.  If I can't think of something nice to say,  you probably won't hear a word from me.  And I sure as heck don't run around gossiping about family, friends, or acquaintances. I don't appreciate it when it's happening to me.  Say what you want about me, but say it to my face before you go around telling other people about my life and my business.  I'm pretty much an open book.  I will gladly tell you almost anything.  It's not as if I'm parading around and pretending to have a perfect life.  Guess what?!?!  I struggle with life: I fight and argue with my husband, my sisters, my parents, my friends; I make HUGE mistakes, I make small mistakes, I annoy myself most of the time so I can only assume that I annoy plenty of people, my children are not perfect, my life is not perfect.  But it's MY life.  And I wake up everyday trying my best to do right by myself and everyone around me.  I work hard to be the kind of person that my kids can look up to and the kind of friend, sister, wife, and daughter that would do anything for anyone who asks.  I try to look for the good in people and overlook their bad moments, because those moments don't define us.  How we handle ourselves in EVERY moment of our lives is what defines who we are.  So give me the benefit of the doubt.  I'm doing the same for you.  And pass it on to everyone else.  We all deserve as many chances as God will give us.  And, Praise the Lord, His love and patience is infinite.
I have been reading so much lately!  We have had rainy weather for about a week and I have finished almost two books a day.  Since I can read almost a whole 300-400 page book in about an hour, it's not as if I'm spending every waking moment with my NOOKcolor in hand.  I'm just stealing a couple of hours while my kids are playing or the daycare kids are napping.  And with almost 200 books on my NOOKcolor right now, I still have plenty of hours that can be filled!  I am thankful for my awesome husband and wonderful sister for giving me this awesome gift that was a late Christmas/early birthday & anniversary present.  I have used it everyday.  Now my NOOKcolor is updated and it has apps!  Not that I really ever use them...but it's nice to know they are there!
Our new basset hound, Copper,  is fitting in remarkably well!  It's like he has always been here!  He is a very sweet little guy!  Lately he has decided to start chewing on shoes...so we are working on it.  So far, the only casualty has been one of Hayden's Mickey Mouse crocs that he got at DisneyWorld.  It's really sad because he loves those shoes.  They aren't completely destroyed...but they definitely are not wearable!
I read a story online about the world ending on Saturday the 21st.  Apparently, people have sold their homes, quit their jobs, and have been traveling around telling others to prepare.  Here's my thought on that.....if the world is really going to end, how the heck do you prepare for that?  It fascinates me that these people have given up everything for what they believe.  In a way, I admire that.  It takes great courage and strength.  On the other hand, what happens of you do all of that and it turns out you're not right?  What happens the day after when you realize that you have quit your job, sold all of your possessions, and given up everything....and then it's Sunday?  And who knows?  They could be right.  Someone has to be right about the world ending at some point..
But the thing that resonates to me through all of these things is this:  Regardless of what others say or do, I will continue to spend every day trying my best to be the kind of person that God wants me to be.  I will NEVER be perfect, but by His grace I will live out my days at peace with whatever comes.  I wish the same for you!  God bless!

"Copper, Television, and {Improbable} Signs of the End Times..."

This has been another week of mostly the same stuff for the Hull family...with the exception of a few very exciting things!

The first of which is that we added a new furry family member to our brood!  He is an eight month old basset hound and we re-named him Copper.  

Isn't he absolutely adorable?  He has the best personality and is a very snuggly little guy.  He has fit in beautifully with us and we are so excited to have him!  

Another exciting thing was that Jeff and I actually got to go out Saturday night!  We picked up our friends and went to see the movie Thor!  Got off to a bit of a rocky start when we accidentally backed into someone (who was parked mostly in the middle of the road...but oh, well...) but what's the point in dwelling... It was an accident.  Nobody was injured.  We have good insurance.  It's already taken care of.  

The movie was pretty good.  Getting out and getting to spend some time with grown-ups was even better!  It's really nice to have friends who have similar interests and who are very loving and kind and terrific people that you enjoy spending time with!  In all fairness, I don't get to spend time with adults very much....I might have talked their ears off.  I spend so much time dealing with small people who always want something from me...it's a little difficult to transition sometimes.  Thank God that I didn't speak about myself in the third person.  I would have been mortified.  

I have been reading books like crazy.  Books that I bought for my birthday... books on my NOOKcolor...I need to get my priorities straight as I have now not crafted for like two weeks.  *gasp*  I know I just caused several people who know me to pass out with that sentence.  Me...not crafting....?!?!  It is sure to be a sign of the end times.....Honestly, I have just been really busy.  And if I only have 20 minutes or so, I won't pick something up because then I won't put it down and get done what needs to get done.  I promise after this week is done, I am not so crazy busy and I will post some pictures of the things that I have been working on.

We have also been spending as much time as we can outside!  It's been a bit difficult lately, and I would like to complain about the rain, but it's making our flowers bloom so beautifully!

The kids and I only have three weeks of homeschool left after this week.  Maybe another week to finish up some projects, but we are nearing the end.  Hayden has earned himself some summer school this year with Math because he is really slacking off.  He hasn't dropped below a B grade...he is still doing well.  But he is definitely not applying himself or doing his best.  Cebelle will be practicing her reading all summer.  She is reading some pretty big words now!  I'm very proud of her!  I am very proud of both of them for working so hard this year and accomplishing all that they have!  But, as their teacher, I am also very definitely looking forward to some downtime!  

I had to call and make eye doctor appointments for both of the kids.  There has been a lot of squinting going on here.  I am guessing that Hayden needs a better prescription for his glasses and I will be very surprised if Cebelle doesn't end up with glasses.  I had hoped that they would be spared that, but I guess they didn't have very good odds considering that everyone in the family has glasses!

Jeff and I have been using the evenings after the kids are in bed to try and catch up on our shows.  We have this new policy where we record almost an entire season of a show and then wait to see if the show is renewed before we watch it and get involved.  I know...its awful...but I would rather not waste my time watching something if it's only going to last for a few episodes and never a finished story.  I find that unbelievably obnoxious!  I can't tell you how many times we would watch a show and love it and then the show would get cancelled.  I hate that.  And it's a waste of time to watch something that goes nowhere.  So there really aren't many things that we watch on TV now.  (One of the exceptions is a show on ABC called "Better With You".  It stars one of Jeff's former students, Jake Lacy, who we have always loved and adored.  I hope his show stays on the air because Jake deserves to be really successful!)  And we are watching Stargate: SG1 from the beginning on Netflix.  

Jeff's last play will be opening on the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend.  I love what he does and love that he is able to offer so many kids the awesome opportunity to do work in theatre....but I am definitely looking forward to having him home with us for a couple of months!

Well, that's about all the excitement that has been happening here!  Not actually exciting by nearly any standards...Just a normal, everyday life filled with lots of ups and downs.  But by the grace of God, the downs never last long and they teach me valuable lessons.  I wish the same for you!  God bless!

March 1 or "The day that tissues did their job"

Holy cow!  I slept until almost 9 this morning.  Even more amazing, Hayden slept until almost 9 this morning!  That hardly ever happens!  I woke up and the first thing that I noticed, much to my elation, was that the sinus headache that has been plagueing me for the past few weeks was gone!  No pressure, no pain, and no swollen eyes!  I should have known that with Hayden sleeping so late and then wanting to snuggle and the no sinus headache was not a signal of wonderful things to come...
I sent Hayden to get dressed for the day and hopped in the shower.  Literally, as soon as I stood, my nose started running.  I used tissues and hopped in the shower, thinking how glad I was that all that ickiness was finally leaving my body, thereby causing my head to not hurt.  Except ever since I stepped out of the shower, I have been reaching for one tissue after another in a constant stream.  I have gone through nearly two boxes.  Now, I am NOT complaining about all of this....even if that is what it seems.  I am happy to be feeling better, but I am completely grossed out by having to blow and wipe my nose all day.  It is just so nasty and unladylike!  Also, even though I have tissues with lotion, my poor nose and face are a sore, raw mess.  And my hands are cracked and bleeding from the constant washing and sanitizing because I do not want to spread my germs to everyone else.  I have been using all manner of lotions, creams, and ointments today....but still.....ouch.
As for Hayden, turns out he isn't feeling too great either.  I know this because he has been bouncing off the walls wild and crazy all day long.  Cebelle is also not feeling great.  I know this because she has been whiny and clingy all day long.
So of course, homeschool was a bit of a trial.  All three of us are a bit crabby and short with each other, and the smaller ones are having issues with their listening ears....But thank God, all the schoolwork was finished and all the lessons learned.
I tried to do some cross-stitching, but quit after about an hour.  I have no interest in reading or knitting, either, and that is very unusual for me.   I really hope that we aren't all coming down with something.  I don't feel badly, just very tired and worn down.  Hayden says that his head hurts and Cebelle said her ears are itchy, so I am thinking that some Claritin and an early bedtime tonight might do everyone some good!
I think I'm going to make some comfort food for dinner-Mickey Mouse chicken nuggets and some french fries.  I will probably eat my nuggets diced up over a salad....or on a sandwich.  I had some peaches and cottage cheese for a snack earlier, so I am not terribly hungry, but in order for early bedtime we are going to need an early dinner.
Today was trash day, and I forgot to take the trash out this morning.  I think that the garbage men must get completely annoyed with me.  Our company calls us if we forget to pull the trash out to the end of the driveway.  Honestly, they have to call me at least once a month.  I feel bad because it must be very frustrating for them.
I got my Schwan's home delivery today.  I got one of their frozen fruit blends that have pineapple, mango, strawberries, and peaches.  I thought that it would be really delicious stirred into my Stonyfield Farms French Vanilla Yogurt with my toffee almond granola.  I LOVE yogurt and granola for a snack.  It's filling and good for you and it satisfies a craving for sweet.  I sometimes get Bare Naked Granola in chocolate and Stonyfield Farms Chocolate Underground Yogurt and then strawberries....it's to die for.  So delicious!
People are generally surprised by how healthy we eat.  We don't generally have a ton of junk food around.  Dad loves potato chips and diet soda, so we always have those around.  I don't really care for potato chips.  I would much rather have tortilla chips with some great salsa or something like that...or some Wheat Thins or Triscuits.  I don't generally drink diet soda.  I find that if I drink one, it generally makes me crave some really unhealthy foods.  So if I want soda, I will drink a regular soda.  I allow myself one a day, though I don't always drink one everyday! Mostly I drink decaffeinated iced tea with a little bit of equal.  Cebelle is mostly a vegetarian (she will generally only eat chicken...occasionally, we can get her to try something else....but we are working on it!)  so we eat a lot of legumes...we love beans, lentils, hummus, etc.  We also eat salad with nearly every lunch and dinner.  My kids love most vegetables, fresh and cooked, so we usually have a salad plus two more cooked vegetables at dinnertime.   They usually don't eat much veggies for lunch except for olives, cucumbers, or carrots with dip.  That's not to say that we don't have a junky meal once or twice a week.  But, when we have that meal-I try to make sure it's the best that we can do.  Our Mickey Mouse chicken nuggets are breaded in whole grain...and the french fries that I get from Schwan's are actually pretty low in fat and calories compared to other brands.  Hopefully, I can teach them to eat well and keep making good choices so that they never have to struggle with weight like I do.
I am very much looking forward to Jeff getting home.  Mom and Dad took off for their casino trip today since the both of them were feeling much better, so I have been alone with the kids all day.  I very much need a quiet moment or two.  My kids have no sense of privacy, even though they made signs on their bedroom doors that say, "KEEP OUT!"  For some reason, they don't think that it applies to them.  They will even bust in while I am going to the bathroom, even if there are three other adults here to help them. The irony is that it is never anything very urgent.  They come busting in and will throw out something like, "Can I watch my favorite show in two hours when it comes on?" while all breathless from running. Since we have no locks on our bathrooms, the dogs are also able to open the bathroom doors.  If they can't manage it, the kids will help them out.  So often for me, a quick trip to the restroom ends up in a party with two dogs who stare and make me very uncomfortable and two kids who need to ask me an urgent question about something happening within the next six months.  So, quiet moments are hard to come by for me.  Having Jeff here to keep everyone out of the bathroom for five minutes is an awesome thing...even if it is very small!  Truth be told, I can't function without the madness, though.  I have to have a tv on to go to sleep because quiet weirds me out.  The day that I went to the allergist and spent over two hours in a quiet room by myself, I nearly had a panic attack.  So, while most of the time, I'm glad for the craziness (its where I'm happiest!), I need a break from it...even if it's just for a few seconds.
I hope your evening is spent in your happy place!

February 11

Yeah, so it turns out, I AM allergic to the white faced hornet after all.  You may be asking yourself, "How could she possibly know that?"  Well, to answer your inquiring minds...its because when I woke up this morning EVERY single place that I had been poked/injected (except for the control) were big, red, itchy bumps.  If you haven't been keeping track...that means the row on my forearm, the two rows on my right upper arm, and the one row on my left arm.  That's a total of 18 swollen, red, itchy bumps.  Nice.  I looked like I was attacked by a very large and very precise mosquito.  So I have now signed all of my paperwork that says I know I could die from treatment and put it in the mail.  I am also contemplating moving to Antarctica because I'm relatively sure there are no stinging insects there.  But I'm not sure I would get cell service there....so I'm still just thinking about it.
School went relatively well today.  Cebelle got a perfect on her phonics assessment.  Hayden needs a bit more practice with this weeks spelling list.  I'm trying to get him to break the larger words into sections to help him remember.  It seems to be working pretty well for him.
I have cornered Ruby about a half a dozen times today.  She keeps trying to get into the trash. I don't know what's up with her naughty self today.  She is feeling very defiant.  I'm assumming that it's because I was gone most of the day yesterday.  Like my biological children, my furry children get pretty angry with me when I am not here to meet their every need every moment of the day.  Ruby will usually find mom if I am busy and she needs love and affection (which honestly, for her, is quite often) but I suspect that since mom was really busy with Hayden and Cebelle yesterday that Ruby didn't get a lot of attention.  Today is payback for that.  She's such a stinker.  You might be wondering "why do you let her get away with that?" Well-for heaven's sake...look at these faces:

Now be honest...you would probably let them be stinkers too if they were sweet and lovable and made those faces at you all the time.  

We went to Rutland when Jeff got out of school and picked up a few things that we needed.  After nearly 3 years of waiting.....Jeff is finally the proud owner of and iPhone.   He is so unbelievably excited.  We ate at Taco Bell and had a great time with the kids.  I got some new rubber stamps for my paper crafting at Michaels.  I paid 47 cents a piece for them and they are going to look terrific with my embossing tools!  Nothing like a great crafting deal!  Mom and dad and Jeff and I are getting ready to sit down and watch Predators.  I took two benadryl because my arms are still all polka-dotted and itchy.  I'm betting that I turn into a total drool monkey about fifteen minutes in.  I'm trying to counteract the effects with caffeine....but not much luck.  I hope you all have a fun and adventurous weekend!

January 19

So what were my adventures today?  I don't even know where to begin!  Do you ever read the thing on Facebook that says, "what's on your mind?" and then feel completely overwhelmed?  I would say that normally happens to me at least 5 days a week!  Honestly, it's not that my life is insane or that I am so boring that I can't think of anything.  It's that so many thoughts occupy my mind on a daily basis that sometimes it's difficult to pick a single one of them out.  I am many things to many people everyday.  My parents live with us, so I am a daughter, a wife, a mother, a teacher, a daycare provider, a friend, a maid, an artist, and I could think of a thousand more.  But that's not unique to me!  I think that every mom out there faces those challenges.
But today-one of my dogs puked.  On the only carpeted floor in the house.  Twice.  He just has a little tummy upset-no worries....but I can tell you that there were major freakouts all around when he heaved.  I am not ashamed to say that I was among the first to freak out.  And then I wonder-with all the other rooms in the house-why did it have to be the carpeted one?  Because now-in addition to the normal cleaning that I do on the weekends, I have to shampoo the freaking carpet.  (And what I mean by that is my husband will shampoo the carpet because he loves to do that....but, still!)
And so much for my dieting.  Because we are going to Virginia Beach on vacation this summer, I wanted to lose weight so that I don't feel so gross in a swimsuit.  But thanks a lot to mother nature and her inopportune timing, I am now eating everything in the house that includes chocolate, salt, cheese, or potatoes in the ingredients list.  No control whatsoever.  Sheesh.
And yet-as I am getting ready to close this and tuck my kids in bed, none of it matters.  They will kiss me and hug me and if I'm lucky for the next couple of years they will still believe that I am the most beautiful, wonderful mother in the whole wide world.
Until they become pre-teens and hate me desperately just for existing.  But that's an adventure for another day.....