The good life

Things have been great lately. I'm finally used to not working, and I don't miss it quite so bad (but yes, I do still miss my students!). Several of them email me pretty regularly, though, and it's nice to hear from them. I'm amazed that I've been every bit as busy not working as I was when I worked! I just don't like to have nothing to do, so I stay busy. I've worked a lot in the yard. Sean went to Oklahoma for a week, two weeks ago. I wanted to surprise him and have lots done in the yard. I planted a dwarf bing cherry tree, a plum tree, blackberries, and blueberries in the backyard (Damen and Zane helped; they love to help). Then, I put new mulch around the trees in the front yard and bought the stuff to make a fountain. I also planted two gardenia bushes (they smell sooooooo good) and a lilac bush. The week before, we put grass seed in the backyard and 7 holly bushes in the front. My bulbs that I planted in September (I planted 100 of them) are coming up in the front, too. I have pink tulips and daffodils, crocus, and a few others that are blooming.

Then we got hit with the major snow storm..... I'm hoping my bushes survive. Those stupid gardenia bushes are $25 each! They had only been planted for a week and were still in shock, so I hope that the snow wasn't too much for them. I put plastic over them during the snow, so hopefully that helped. I post pics of a few of my flowers (in the diff stages of growth), and my fountain.

We had fun in the snow. I didn't get to have as much fun as I wanted, because of Zane. I tried to go out in the backyard with him and he got fussy, saying he was hot and he took off his gloves, snowboots and socks! We got 18" of snow and the kid's running around barefoot in it! Geez..... so, needless to say, I had to bring him inside, since I couldn't keep clothes on him. Since he very rarely naps, I didn't get the chance to go back out. Sean built a nice little igloo, though. We all took pics in it. Tristin and Ryan built a really cool igloo, too. I have to go out and take pics of it today, assuming that the sun hasn't melted it. We're supposed to get hit with another snow storm on Monday and Wednesday, too (just in time for Tristin's birthday).

It's hard to believe my oldest will be TEN on Tuesday! Man, time flies... If the weather cooperates, we're going to Cheyenne to hunt candy eggs and then taking a ride in a helicopter for his bday, on April 4. Then we're going back to my sister's for cake and ice cream. I'm making him a Bakugan cake; it's really cool. I'll post pics after his bday of all that fun...

The boys got report cards a few days ago. It was both of their highest grades yet, this year. Tristin got straight As. Ryan got 2 As, 1 B, and 3 Cs....so he's improving. The teacher said he's totally smart enough for fifth grade; he just needs to work on turning homework in more consistently (he's very lazy). The teacher likes him a lot, though, and says he's doing well. Keep in mind, he's only supposed to be in the 3rd grade this year, anyway, but is in the 4th with Tristin because I used to home school them.

Zane's been talking in sentences for a few months now. It's really cute. He's still real beyond busy and ornery, especially when he's tired, but he's sweet, too. He'll be two the end of April. Kid's quite the character and way too smart to be almost two. Damen's wishing it were his birthday coming up next instead of Tristin's. He's starting to grow up, too, and growing out of Thomas. He's wanting to be like the big kids and watching Bakugan and Goosebumps and all of that. He's totally OBSESSED with sharks. He's quite the little helper lately and even cleans his room by himself. He made my mama a bday cake (by himself) last month. I'll post pics of it; he did a GREAT job. He even decorated it himself. Not bad for a three year old!! It looks better than mine. haha He called his "the fudgy, fudgy cake".

Sean's doing well. Supposedly doesn't have to go out of town for work for awhile now. No over time still, but supposedly we'll have some next week (because that's when Tristin's party is, of course). He's still playing hockey on Fridays in Windsor and Sundays in Greeley. He's gotten much better. He's really zippy and is always right up there, fighting for the puck. He's pretty aggressive about it; I wouldn't want to play with him! haha He looks pretty durn sexy out there skating, too, if I do say so myself (and I do!). His muscles have doubled in size since last year and his hair's growing back and getting more blonde to it again. He's pretty yummy.

We're going to Vegas for our anniversary. (Not sure if I mentioned that in my last post). Mama's coming to watch the boys for three nights. We're flying out May 4-7. Meeting up with an old friend from college while I'm there (she happens to be there at the same time). Pretty cool! I'm sure we'll have a blast, but I never leave the boys and that's gonna bug me... but it'll be really good for Sean and I. Never hurts to bond more and get alone time!

I'm enjoying my time off. Boys are on spring break (started Thurs, thanks to the snow). I've been working on scrapbooks again (haven't gotten to do that in a couple of years!). Ryan and Damen made their first ones, today. They did really good! I have pictures from 2000-2004 that I need to get on the computer, fix them, and put them on my website and get them ordered so that I have copies of them, also. I plan on doing that over the next few months, along with the scrapbooks, and making home videos. I made a home video when Zane was brand new and when I was preg with him, but besides that, I haven't done one since 2000 (and we all know how much I video tape!). I seriously have about 10-15 8 mm tapes completely full (maybe more than that), that I have to make into videos. I also want to read a book or two and I want to completely finish writing my novel. I started it around Halloween 2007, but I only wrote on it for two months. I haven't touched it since right before Christmas 2007!! I really want to finish it, but I haven't been motivated or inspired, and I haven't had the time between school, work, and four kids...

I just finished my last class about 4 days ago. I have no more school now until at least January 2010 (whenever I get accepted into the surg tech program and they only accept 12 people, once a year). I plan on taking full advantage of this time to get caught up on everything important like baby books, pics, and videos (and my book). I'm also gonna spend lots of time making crafts with the boys and of course, cooking and baking! I've had more time lately to keep my house clean, so I'm loving that.

I also start babysitting on Monday, for a little extra cash. We have to get as many credit cards paid off as possible because we're refinancing the house either the end of summer this year or the beginning of spring next year. We were going to do it now but our payments would actually go UP because of adding in taxes and insurance (right now we pay those out of pocket). Anyway, I need to get those suckers paid off so that we will be in even better standing next year, and help us that much more. :) Oh, but this week, I babysit an 8 month old and 8 year old (he's on spring break), and after that, just the 8 month old until school's out. Then this summer, I'll watch all three of them- baby, 8 yr old, and 10 yr old. Whatever it takes to get a little extra cash to help out.

Still having to go to the chiropractor each week for my neck. It hasn't gotten much better; it hurts pretty much all the time and is almost impossible to fall asleep at night! I can't complain, though. It could always be worse. I'm thinking of going to Greeley Stampede (me and Sean; my sister's gonna watch the kids for us if we decide to go) to see Kid Rock, July 3. Haven't decided for sure yet, but it'd be fun. I love him!

I have to have a cleaning done on Monday (my teeth), and a root canal afterwards. Then Tues is Tristin's bday and I'm having two fillings done on Wednesday. Then supposedly, all of my cavities will be taken care of.... My insurance will be completely used up and then some (about $1000 out of pocket afterwards). I still have to have 5 crowns put on my teeth, and I need 2 implants, so we'll start working on those next year. Dentists are EXPENSIVE! I wish we'd gotten to go to the dentist more when we were kids, and my teeth wouldn't be so screwed up, but oh well. Also wish I'd had braces as a kid. One less expense! Tristin's supposed to have braces put on any time now and Ry will be needing them this fall, so there's another expense.... just another reason I need extra income! :) Our teeth, alone, take any "extra" that we have and now you know why we need credit cards.....yuck!!

Well, I'm gonna go for now. I have to scrub the couch. Already cleaned the rest of the house, but have neglected that till now. It kills my hands!! (The joy of rheumatoid arthritis). Okay, I'm gonna post some pics and then get back to work! Hope everyone's doing well!! :)