NYE

Isn't it a true sign you are getting to old for the New Year festivities when you have your kids in bed before 10:00pm and you are shortly following. Well then count me an old fart because I'm sure I'll be in bed before the clock strikes midnight. 

Afterall today has been like any other day besides waking up in a New Year. Kept laundry going, lounged around with the kids, baked funfetti cupcakes that we had since Christmas, and in bed before 10. Sounds like a normal well almost normal chaotic day. Except the only chaos we encountered was the fact that no matter what I cleaned up my kids were soon to destroy again. It's amazing how life changes over the years. 

With all the clutter in my house the next event I can't wait to partake in is income taxes. I'm taking some of the money and buying storage bins for this house. We are a four person family that has a lot of stuff. Still don't figure out how my parents house stayed clean with 4 people mainly just 3 since my sister was out on her own at 16. 

Well quess Im gonna curl up in bed and remind myself in a few hours I'll have to write 2015 on my checks. 

Do you still go out and party? 

Has your New Years Eve plans changed since having kids? 

New Years

Do you make a new years resolution every year like most people? Do you stick to it? (Considering the last nine years I've vowed to quit smoking, I'd agree I'm horrible at sticking to them myself.)

I'm necessarily don't want to make one this year after many failed attempts, but I  have.

Mine this year.....*drum roll please*  is budgeting and save money.

We do good paying our bills but we both like to spend. Therefore paycheck to paycheck is how we live.  Giving a fresh start to organize better is the best way to go.

We have gotten a head start....some of our Christmas money has been put up. We have three things this year we'd like to accomplish.

1. My hair show in March
2. Go on a small vacation in July.
3. Disneyland in November.

Not sure if Disneyland will be accomplished but not this year definitely next year.

None of this will be possible without dedication of budgeting and saving money.

Have any tips on budgeting money?

Christmas Festivities & More

Christmas Eve was on Wednesday and three days later we are still celebrating.  Christmas Eve we opened tons of presents at the grandparents (my parents), had Christmas dinner there, then we went home and watched them open their gifts from us. Needless to say they are two happy kids. Ry was extremely pleased with all of her gifts along with her new cell phone and her other big gift was her compound bow!!! Brayden was a new big boy bike and his other big gift was skylander trap team.  Once we opened our gifts here, Ryleigh and I went and trimmed my sisters hair which ended up being a cut because she got almost three and half inches off. 

Opening presents at Nana and Papa!!

One of their big gifts was $50 a piece. Thats what my sister and I got as well. I as far as I know didn't get a picture of ry opening her phone just a video. 

After we finish Christmas eve off, we went to bed at decent hour. 

Christmas Day

After three hours of picking up and packing. We were on our way to grandparents # 2. Who lives 6 hours away, in a small town outside of Chicago.  We arrived there shortly after five pm.  We weren't here very long before we began opening presents.  We drew names this year since everyone is on a limited budget.  I will explain what everyone got that I can remember. 

Not quite sure all that Aliya got since I we didn't have her name. Then Nona and Papa bought all the grandkids extra presents from them. 

Brayden got a ninja turtle from one of Edsons daughters then a bunch of tous from Nona and Papa. 

Not sure why I remember a lot of Rys mainly because she was right in front of me. One of Sandys and Edsons daughter had Ry and they got her a monster high art set. From Nona and papa she got a picture collage thing, bag of goodies, and Daddies favorite Hair Chalk.  

Ken's mom had my name and she got me a shirt that says pretty in pink dangerous in camo. Along with an owl necklace.  We had Jason and his mom, Jason got a razor kit and his mom got a picture collage thing. Edson had Ken and ken never put what he liked so Edson gave him $20 bucks. Brayden had Andy and Andy got a knife. 

Friday following Christmas Day

That's when a lot of after Christmas sales are. The kids both got $50 each to spend. Needless to say Brayden bought like $20 bucks worth of crystals for his game. A book, he got Marshal and Rubel plush toys from paw patrol. And a ninja turtle shirt. Ryleigh got a purse (so she can be a big girl and carry her wallet and phone) a lanyard, and a duck tape kit. She had $20 left and on our way home Sunday wanted to buy her own lunch. 

I was extremely excited that the Wal-Mart in Morris had my owl sheets I've been wanting for two months now. They had them in our bed size. 

Can you tell I love owls? 

Then we went to a few other places and took his mom and sister out to eat.  After that we spent the afternoon with his family again. We went home really early well back to the hotel about 8. Got kids showered and ready for bed. 

Saturday After Christmas

We had his big family get together. I still don't know everyone but I always talk to his cousin Nicks wife. So found her on Facebook and added her. We seem to have a lot in common.  We passed out Christmas cards and received some as well. His grandpa gave us money for Christmas. Which is nice and we are investing in a great way. 

Since we only had the hotel for two nights and decided to stay three. We ended up staying our last night at his moms. Mainly so we didn't have to get up from his sisters pack everything to head to his moms. 

Sunday After Christmas 

We spent the morning with family. Then we headed home. Seemed liked the longest drive ever this time.  We got home cleaned up a bit then went to bed. 

Aftermath 

Hehe, it's now the Monday after Christmas and I'm still not fully unpacked. Nor am I any wear near having Christmas organized and put away.  Good thing I am off from school until Thursday. 

Operation get my house back in order has begun. Along with studying over Chapter 3, which is Anatomy. 

Anyways, that was our Family Christmas activities, do you have anything special you did? 

My 9 Year Old Got What....

Before everyone flips their lid, yes Ken and I know our daughter is 9.  She has begged and pleaded for a cell phone for a year now. She has worked hard at maintaining her grades to continue to be on Honor Roll.  This was bought not only for her enjoyment but to teach her to respect things and along with people.  Ryleigh has never been a horrible child but like most she is a pre-teen little girl who on top of raging hormones that sync up with mine every month is red headed and has a mouth.  This phone we feel as parents will teach her to respect things and us as her parents. Ryleigh has alwaysbeen given   everything she wants by not only me but a lot from her grandparents especially her papa.  When it broke papa had the money to go get a new one. But over the past two years has learned mommy and daddy do not have the money Papa and Nana have.  She understands she has  this phone for two years and once its broke its broke. There is also grounds for getting it taken away. 

1. Respect my authority! (No back sas)

2. No hitting my parents out of reflex when I'mgetting spanked. (Spanking a child is normal, beating a child is abnormal. There is a huge difference between the two.)

3 LISTEN to my authority. When your told to do something there will be mo fit thrown over doing it.

4. Continue bringing home good grades.

I wanna say there is a few more but Ken daddy is sleeping. Therefore I can't ask. 

But these rules are grounds of getting her  phone taken away. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Eve. Goodnight to All. 

The photo above is a screen shot of a message I got from my babygirl. This shows me I'm doing everything right along with her Ken Daddy. 

Six AM comes early....

I really should be in bed right now....considering 6 am comes extremely early.  It never fails my insomnia acts out on the night I need to get into bed early. I am lucky the kids are break and I have to get them awake just long enough to run them to their aunts.  However, my middle name should have been..........*drum roll please* ....PROCRASTINATION!!!!!

That is right 101 things to do in the morning and I am just now getting ready for bed.

1. Gotta pack kids clothes in case the go somewhere.
2. Gotta packs food.
3 gotta get ready
4. Gotta ice cupcakes and break the candy I made into pieces

Ugh maybe I should set my alarm for 5:30!!!!!

Who out here suffers with insomnia?

Along with being a procrastinator?

now am ready for bed, as long as I can get Ken on his side of the bed.

Hunting Elves

Looks like Anna and Harper are ready to go hunting. We found them white handed on dad's guns. 

Family Traditions

From as far back as I can remember we have always been allowed to open one present early. Also as far back as I can remember I have always opened presents on Christmas Eve. When my kids And I moved out we made it our tradition to open them on Christmas morning at no given time just as soon as we got up. Needless to say my kids were up at the crack off dawn. Duh!?! Who would not be up that early? 

Tonight they opened their gift 

Excuse the order of the pictures for some reason they are backwards.

Brayden got the Mr. Potato head that he wanted. 

Ry got pink Camo shoes. 

Do you have any family traditions? 

We have a few. 

Goody Bags Galore

That's right my floor is throwing up Christmas candy right now.  I have done 36 bags and 17 more to go.  Which I will finish in the morning because I'm extremely exhausted.  

I absolutely love Christmas but in reality I hate this time of year.  Stress, the cold weather, and I added Cosmo school. That blog is a long blog. I'm not sure if it's the added stress or what's going on but the last few days I wanna cry. Normal? I don't know. But once I figure it out I will let you know. 

Happy Cutting

Most of those that know me well know I have never even attempted to cutting my hair off. I have gorgeous locks. Well 2015 i am starting out the new year with a swing bob. I went from hair way past my shoulders to hair that doesnt touch the neck of my shirt. 

That Moment....

That moment you raise up from turning off the Christmas tree  lights, turn around, trip over a shoe, fall into the tv, while your toe is throbbing because you smacked the coffee table when ya fell into the tv. To stand up proud like nothing happen while making sure you didn't just elbow the flat screen. Then walk off limping like a champ. 

Eventually my loving boyfriend will build a huge shoe rack for his daughter.  Before this MOMMAS toe doesn't exist. 

My daughter has an abundance amount of shoes. Why an obsession over shoes I will never know because mine is purses. 

May no one else have to trip over shoes. 

Goodnight, mom with a throbbing toe. 

Is It Spring yet?

Not in southern Missouri it isn't. Matter of fact not sure what season we are in. I mean considering Sunday was low 60s and we are a week from Christmas. To Monday possibly Low 50s and raining to back down in the 40s. Hello pneumonia. Seriously before we know it we will be under a snow storm.  But with all the weather change; my daughter is congested, my son just got over the flu, and Lord help me Ken and I, nor Ry get it. 

Yes, not only have we hit a baby booming year.  Lord help us we have hit a flu epidemic. The flu in our area has been so bad that the pharmacies are running out of Tamiful. Which if you haven't ever had to use it, it's the miracle drug. Within the first 24 hours of taking it my don was back to himself. Also very expensive, Thank God for insurance. Because without it the medicine is for two bottles was $295.00. That my friends you read right. 

Considering that it is winter for the next few months, I have to stock up on lysol and pray for the best. 

On that note, I shall head to bed. Goodnight my loves!!!!

Hungry Elves

Instead of Hungry Eyes, how about Hungry Elves. 

Anna (Ryleighs  Elfette) and Harper (Braydens Elf) flew into my pantry. 

Anna was found in the granola bars box. 

Harper was found mingling between the sugar and cake mix, resting on the spaghetti sauce. 

Remember the elves report back to Santa.  The past two days Brayden at home has been a wild man. At school he's been great. Ryleigh has been pretty good. 

Happy Holiday's!!!!

Christmas Shopping...

.....wait for it!! 

Almost done, however the kids Christmas is complete.  Minus movies. Ryleigh is getting Maleficent and Brayden TMNT (which comes out tomorrow).  Might see if my mother wants to partake in buying those considering she keeps asking what the kids want.  Also we do have one of Brayden's gifts to get. That being his wonderful yet unobservant at the time Ken Daddy, picked up the right game for the wrong console during black friday.  Brayden wants Skylander Trap Team and needless to say we bought it for the low price during black friday for $37.00 but my loving boyfriend grabbed one for X-Box one and needless to say we have an X-Box 360.  The following day I took the game to exchanged and was prompted to just do a refund. Once I got back there to electronics the game was not there for our game console. The branch manager told me as long as I have my receipt he would price match me.  So the waiting game has continued. 

I do still need to get for my parents and my aister and her boyfriend. As well as my person I chose in Kens family. 

I'm hoping to be finished by this Friday. *fingers crossed*

Have you finished all of your Christmas shopping? Do you believe in presenta for Christmas? 

Our Holiday Events

We seem to be getting a late start but here goes our Holiday Plans. 

Last night December 13, we went to Ken's work party.  It was a decent time.  Didn't last fairly long. The enjoyable time was we got to spend the night just us. (Very rarely happens!) even if it just ended us grocery shopping. The kids stayed with Nana and Papa.  

Today December 14th, was the Taylor Family Christmas party. It was nice to get everyone together even if it's once or twice a year.  Today is also ️My Nephews 19th borthday. 

The rest of our events are the week of Christmas. We are doing Christmas at my parents house Christmas Eve then heading to Kens families Christmas. 

That's about all this year. Maybe next year can be filled with my daddy side of the family. 

Spring Fever

We are just about through our first week of December and I'll be danged if I'm not ready for spring. Not extremely hot out yet, not fridget, just right outside. Kind of like the Fall we never get. Who am I kidding we hardly get but two seasons. We go from Summer to Winter and winter to Summer. At least that's how it seems. 

Since we are still in Winter Month of December and I'm only experiencing Spring fever. Does anyone have any up coming holiday plans? 

We Do, We do. 

Not to spoil any of the fun just yet. You'll have to come back and read my upcoming blog "Our Holiday Events". 

For now this momma who enjoys her occasionally chaotic life does not enjoy sharing sickness with her kids but the good    mother that I am. I have come down with a sore throat, sniffles, and feeling drained. (Thanks Ryleigh and Brayden.) :) 

To all a Goodnight!!!!

Elf on the Shelf

In our case "Elves on the Shelves" are a very cute traditional idea. There are many elves out there with names ranging from something simple like ours (Anna & Harper), to the obvious name for an elf, Elfie, onto the ones whose name is Glitter Twinkle Toes.

No matter the name they all have the same purpose.  That purpose in my opinion is to keep the tradition of Christmas Alive.  Stated before in the "It's starting to look a lot like Christmas" post so many kids at young ages have began to realize that Santa isn't "real".  Who are we to say if he is real or not because that is what we were told?  That's right there is no significant answer on if he's real.  Therefore why tell our five year olds he isn't. 

However Christmas is all about giving not receiving but most importantly it's Jesus' birthday. 

Back to the "Elf on the Shelf", i have read articles as well as comments on how "retarded" this elf is, how time consuming, and my favorite how much it cost.  The elf with the book is $30. That is a one time fee unless tour kids are teenagers and could teally careless or ya are like me you lose everything. (So far haven't lost the elves.)  

My questions to these comments are as followed: 

Why are they retarded? Is it retarded because you have to take three minutes of your time to place the elf someone else. What's time consuming? The elf is a light weight doll that depending where "flys" for the night or the mischief it may get in, takes a little over a minute to remove it. Price, really? $30 one time to make the kids happy. (Yes, I know people  don't have the extra money to spare.) but I am talking about those that complain about not having money to do extra things for their kids but always have their hair done, money to club, or my favorite money to buy the new outfit along with getting hair and nails done for one night or every weekend club nights. As for the money issue in realiy when buying the book by itself your paying $24.99 therefore your getting the elf for roughly $5.  

No I am not trying to tell everyone to goout  and purchase one. I'm just stating that if it's something that your kids want and it's going to teach them to still believe. What harm is it doing?  

I absolutely love watching my children scatter theoughout the house trying to figure out where their elves have been. Last night Anna hide in the tree and Harper in the lamp shade. It's all about keeping the spirit of Christmas alive and showing them that somehow these elves move and to them it's because santa has given them special flyinf magic to fly around.

Wandering what mischieviousness the elves plan to get into tonight.

Happy Holidays to Everyone. 

Black Friday

This year Ken and I saved about $300 to do Black Friday Christmas shopping.  As stated in the Thanksgiving Eve Eve post that I would come back and let you in on what we got. I will start with Ryleigh.

Ryleigh
*Monster High bedding-comes with the comforter, sheets, and pillow cases. Bonus is it comes with a tote bag.
*Socks &Jammies
* Her big present is, drum roll please, a Galaxy S4! (I will go into more detail later as to why my 9 year old is getting a phone.)
Brayden
* Same bed set as Ryleigh except his is Ninja Turtles
*socks and jammies
*Skyander Trap Team (His Ken Daddy accidently got the game for Xbox One instead of a 360. So we are waiting for them to cone back in.)

Ken and I 
*both of us got tablets.

We also got his niece some jammies and his moms Christmas presents.

Doesn't seem like a lot but we saved love $400.

Starting to Look A lot Like Christmas

Thanksgiving "eve" was the last time I posted. Not because I want to leave everyone in the cold of what is going on but we have been preparing for Christmas along with two sick kids and mommy has been under the weather.

We have decorated the outside. Mainly just the porch. They are dancing lights and when they are set just right in a weird way it spells out LOVE. (You can kind of see the beginning of it in the picture below.) 

*excuse my red heads-head*

Along with decorating the outside we have decorated the tree in which I haven't gotten a picture of it yet!!!!

On to the funniest tradition of all, we have the "Elf On The Shelf" times two.  Our elves names are "Anna & Harper". 

They arrived with an important letter from Santa, reminding the kids that he is watching as well as teaching them that Christmas was the day Christ was born. 

Ryleigh wants a compund bow and a cell phone. Santa brought up ways for her to be good to be able to get these and not a "lump of coal". Brayden wants Skylander Trap Team and Santa let him in on the secrets of being a good boy. One is learning that he doesn't always get his way and throwing a tantrum isn't the eay to go about it.  

The picture above is the third day the elves have been here. Anna is above the picture frame and Harper is to your write. Can you tell me what they did? 

That's right they took dry erase markers and gave them all mustaches. Except for Papa he has a full grown beard so his got colored red. :) 

Indeed these elves can get into a lot of mischievous stuff but in reality it keeps the spirit of Christmas alive. Kids are getting younger and younger where they start questioning Santa. Why ruin it for them at such a young age? Hells bells I'm 29 and I still believe in Santa. But I am also teaching my kids that Christmas is so much more than receiving presents. 

With that being said I will move on over to the sickness that has come around to my house. This past Sunday ( November 30) ryleigh came down with one of her famous hacking fits. The hacking fits continued. I took her to the only wxpress care that was open on Sunday. Lord all mighty I believe everyone had the sick bug. There was at least 20 people in that waiting room wearing mask. I approached the receptionist and asked how long the weight time was..she replied two to three hours. With that reaponse there was no way I was sitting in there with mask covered people who all had symptoms of the flu. Went home and went to bed. Ry and Brayden both woke up sick. Both got into the doctor at 8:45 Monday morning. Brayden a sinus infection and an ear infection in the left ear. Ryleigh a horrible case of bronchitis to the point doctor said that if we would have waited any longer she'd admit her to the hospital.  Finally though after two doctors visits due to cough medicine not working we got her put in a Zpack and Nitquil.  Day 4 and she's doing tons better. Brayden is doing better as well. 

Wednesday December 3, i went to the doctor because of the same symptoms as my kids. On top of waking up not feeling my toes in my left leg alone was numb and my back had shooting pain.  Well since I hadn't had any known trauma and the only thing I could thing of was my spinal almost 6 years ago, she decided to do a x-ray. The xray determined that my lower back muscles are so tense and are contracting together so hard and it's been doing it for a long time that its causing my spine to curve. I have to so muscle relaxers and an anti inflammatory for a month and if that doesn't alievate the pain I have to go back in for an mri to see if it's a herniated disk. 

That has been the eventful Thanksgiving Break I have had. 

Stay tuned to hear more about the elves and what Black Friday Deals we scored.