On my own again....

I don't know if I mentioned it before, but I'm on my own again. The husband is at WOBC. Graduation is supposed to be in May. We wanted to fly the kids and I to Quantico for his graduation so that I could finally be part of some kind of graduation/promotion, and then we could spend a few days doing the tourist thing because I have always wanted to see Washington DC and all the historical stuff. I have loved history for as long as I can remember, but particularly US history. Unfortunately, I have resigned myself to the fact that this trip is not going to happen. Becoming a Warrant Officer costs a lot more money than one might think. We won't really see much of the raise in pay until next year probably. Between uniforms and dinners and all the other crap they make them pay for, it's almost like we are paying them to to give him a promotion instead of them paying him for taking on the responsibility. That's our government for you.

So, as disappointed as I am that I'm not going to get to go, it's just like pretty much everything else we try to do. Things just never seem to work out exactly as we wanted them to. It's kind of tiring.

Happy New Year!

I realize that we are already half a month into the New Year, but it's taken me a while to get into this. My mojo is seriously lacking. Could be because I miss my husband. Could be many things, I suppose. I can't exactly put a finger on it. There is so much to be done around here as far as the house goes. So much I'd like to do decorating wise. And just honestly, so much more upkeep than I can really keep up with all by myself. And I've been letting it go. For more than a week now. I started getting it together the other day. But, yea, that didn't last long. At least school is going better than the housekeeping. We have been doing good since the holiday's have been over. We are on a good roll. I would, however, like to find a different program for Killian to learn reading. I don't actually think we are making the progress we should be. That and I feel like he should be getting some kind of speech therapy. I've tried to find something online I could use, and yes, there are all sorts of things I could buy, but they want a lot of money for most of them, and I don't want to buy stuff that doesn't work. Of course, the husband and other's seems to think he will outgrow most of it, and while he has gotten much better, I'm worried that he won't speak correctly. Insurance will not cover speech therapy, so I'm not even sure what I should try next. I'm not putting him in public school just so he can have an hour of speech therapy every week, that's ridiculous in my opinion.

There is probably a lot more I should talk about, but this is going to be it for tonight. Maybe I will start doing this regularly again at some point, I don't know, the last year or so blogging just hasn't really been my thing. I don't know why. I have a lot that I want to say and put out there, but I constantly feel like I have to censor myself for certain people. The more opinionated I get, the more I have to censor. I could choose not to censor at all of course, but I have a feeling I would make many many more enemies than I currently have. I just don't need that kind of drama.

Anyway, until next time.

Not keeping up....

I know it's been a while since I've blogged. I seem to have trouble keeping up with this thing...it's all I can do most of the time to keep up with life and my kiddos. This year has seen a lot of huge changes for us though and I just know they are going to keep on coming. 

We are no longer in 29 Palms. I am both happy and sad about this to be honest. Yes, it's in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the desert, but on the other hand, I met some really great people. Of course along with the really great people, there were those that weren't so great, so like everything else you take the good with the bad. But, we have finally purchased a house of our own! With the housing market in Las Vegas as bad as it is, we totally took advantage and got a mother of a good deal. We have a house that is big enough for us forever, and in all honestly once the kids are grown, it may be a little big, depending on how close they stay to us. But, there are so many things we would like to do to the house, it should be lots and lots of fun! And I'm sure we'll never run out of things to do around here. No, the hubby did not get out of the Marine Corps yet. He still has a ways to go until retirement. So, we bought him a travel trailer. You might think this is a terrible thing, why aren't we with him when we can be and all that good stuff. Well, we aren't that far apart, and sure it's not going to be easy, but even when we are with him, it's never easy. He is going to be at schools and deploying and all that stuff, and he works late, the time he spends with us on his time off is more quality then when we are living with each other. It's hard to believe for some, but it's true. The time we have together is always precious, but sometimes the day to day gets you so screwed up that you forget that. Not being together all of the time, you learn to remember that. 

That being said, he is now on leave and will be home tomorrow until after the New Year! We plan on having a wonderful holiday and enjoying the time we are together. After his leave the time will be very short and he will be leaving for Quantico to attend WOBC. He should graduate in late May, the kids and I are looking forward to our first trip out to the east coast to see his graduation and do some site seeing! The hubs and I think it will be a great educational trip for our oldest, not sure if the younger 3 will get alot out of it, well, maybe the 6 year old, but the other two won't remember it. So maybe one day we will get to go back for them, but we'll see. 

I hate the men that he is currently working for, so I am looking forward to him getting to his new shop in June. And I'm looking forward to spending some quality time at the beach here and there too ;0) Taking some actual trips in our new travel trailer instead of him just living in it all the time!

Well, I have more stuff, but it's getting late and my thoughts are getting jumbled. So for now, I'm going to go.

Later! 

Summertime.

Well, it's summertime. I don't know where the time has gone, it just seems to have flown by in the blink of an eye. And I know that it is only going to go faster the rest of the year. I've already purchased some of the kid's curriculum so that we can begin our school year already. So, once it gets here we will be starting, so that we can take breaks whenever we want. And to catch up on a few things as well. I'm going to probably have to buy Meghan's math program new because I can't seem to find a decent used price on it. If I'm going to pay almost full price for something, I might as well just spend the few extra dollars, buy it new and get free shipping. That's how I think of it anyway, maybe I'm wrong. I did get a bunch of the books, like social studies, Killian's math, and Meghan's language arts, and science used, I ended up spending a total of $46.00 including shipping, which is a quite a savings. There are still a few more things I need, but like I said, not too shabby. Waiting for it all to get here is a killer though. I hate how slow the mail is. Anyway, here are some of the books we are going to be using: "Mathematics Their Way" for Killian, it should take him all the way through second grade. It's supposed to be very hands on and give him a good handle on the basics. I really wish I would have known about this book with Meghan. She did Kindergarten and 1st grade in public school and whatever they did, didn't give her a good foundation of the basics, so now we are needing to go back. But, I digress. We are going to use "Social Studies through Children's Literature" for both Meghan and Killian, I'm just going to give them activities that are age appropriate, but the information will be the same. Meghan and I are also going to do a unit study on the Founding Fathers with the book, "Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence". and once we finish that I'm hoping to do the book about the lives of the signers wives and families, if I can get my hands on a copy of that book. Then for Meghan we are going to do our whole Language Arts program all rolled into one, using "Learning Language Arts Through Literature". This is actually the program I'm most excited about. I'm really tired of having to do spelling, vocabulary, grammar, literature, and writing all seperate. This will tie everything together, and in the long run, I really think it's better. Meghan is more likely to retain what she is learning. I'm still looking for some used reference books, but it seems like encyclopedia's and such are more and more on the computer instead of in sets. Like Grolier online and Encyclopedia Brittanica. I'm not sure what we are going to do computer-wise. My desktop is dead and I use my laptop most of the time. Casey doesn't use his daily, but when he needs it he needs it and when he travels he takes it with him. And he is going to be gone quite a bit here and there for more classes and schools and whatnot, so I'm thinking that it may be time to give my laptop to the kids and maybe, just maybe get myself a brand spankin' new one. I'm not real keen on getting another desktop, I don't know why, I do like having a nice big screen to look at, but at the same time, it's just a PITA and takes up a lot of space that I just don't have. They are all eventually going to need their own computer time, and as time goes on they will probably need their own computers. Luckily, as expensive as they are, they aren't as ridiculous expensive as they once were. You can pick up a good one that will go online and do simple things for under $1000. My LCD is messed up in the bottom corner of my laptop, but luckily, it isn't affecting it's functionality, so the kids could still get lots of use out of it potentially. Casey would like one of those little bitty laptops, to make it easier to travel with, so we may be getting him a new one at some point in the near future as well. I guess we'll just see where it all ends up. For now, we are plugging along with what we have. I can't wait to one day have a room just for the kids' school stuff/office/craft area. With lots of storage options.
It's looking more and more like Casey will be taking time off he didn't plan on taking this summer. We are still in the getting it approved stage, but they don't seem to need him at work anymore so, we are hoping that attitude holds over into getting it signed off on. He loved work, he really enjoyed this shop and then he went away for two weeks, came back, and things have just gone to shit with the new command. Figures. I mean we knew it was coming. You can't have a bunch of East Coast guys come in, take over, and NOT have things go to shit. It's that whole East Coast mentality that if it doesn't suck, it's not being done right bs. You may think I'm stereotyping, exaggerating, or whining, but really, I've seen it for myself first hand. I'm not saying it's everyone from the East Coast, and everyone from the West Coast is just smarter (obviously not or CA wouldn't be broke). I'm saying the mentality is totally different in how people handle things. There is a reason the shop out here was one of the best. It worked. I just pray that things work out in September and we get the word we're waiting for OR that we can get the heck out of Dodge another way if it doesn't. And that's all I'm going to say for now.

Busy Busy Busy

If there was ever a time I just wanted to stop, and think, and take a breath, I think the world might just end. That's what it feels like sometimes. I wish for more peaceful moments in my daily life. But, sometimes there's just none to be had. If I just step out to the garage or out to get the mail for a minute, all heck tends to break loose. It's like there's this switch in everyone in the house and as soon as I am more than 10 feet from them, it goes off and says, "Mom's not here, where's mom, let's scream, and hit each other, and jump off the couch and bark", etc. etc. Kids and dogs go nuts. There are times I can get a shower without worrying about who's taking what from who and what not, but then sometimes it's that "too quiet" worry. They are too quiet what are they doing now??? Usually it's something like taking a sharpie to the wall, or feeding the bulldog their apple or all of the snacks that were left in the bag, or putting a whole roll of toilet paper in the toilet or stringing it through the house so the bulldog can then get a hold of it and "help" make it even messier by tearing it up into little pieces. And of course, the older kids, never realize that the younger one is up to no good because they are too busy doing whatever they do and not including the little one so she is left to her own devices, even though I asked them to watch a specific cartoon and color or play such and such toys nice and quiet just so I can get a quick shower. So, you might ask why I don't just take a shower when the husband gets home. Well, that's all well and good, and I do do that on many occassions, but he's an EOD tech and a Marine, he's away from home A LOT. I have to be able to get a shower when he's not here, so the kids have to be able to behave for 10 minutes while I do it. So, we keep trying. Sometimes it goes well, and sometimes, as demonstrated above, it doesn't. Such is the life, I suppose.

I have decided that this summer I am going to take some days and just drive around to all the different little thrift shops up in this area and see if I can find some reference books for the kids. Since we are dropping the charter school after the end of their year, and we are going on our own, I am going to need a few things. And while I think the library is a good thing, I'm just not a good library patron. Dragging all the kids there, trying to make them be quiet, and then picking out a few books, only to not take them back on time because I just can't get out of the house, I forget, or whatever. I prefer to have my books, I prefer to be able to keep them, and if there is a book I don't like or don't want, I can always sell it to someone else. In fact, I don't mind buying used books, either. So, we are going to need a set of encyclopedias, not too ancient, but not new enough to cost a lot. My parents used to have these two sets of books, one had lots of stuff like each volume was different, one set had volumes on marine life, land animals, reptiles etc. and then the other set where different volumes of fairy tales, nursery rhymes, etc. I used to love those books when I was little. Before I could read I would just look at all the pictures and stuff, and when I could read, I did. I read them all the time. I used them for reports and lots of stuff. Now to just see if my parents remember the names of the books, because I sure don't, lol... But, I think maybe if I have that kind of stuff in the house, it can only help. Being able to look up things they want to read about, and reading just because, will be great. For the little ones too. I'm excited for summer to come so I can begin my search....

Baby

I recently did all of the kids spring/summer wardrobe shopping and purging the old that no longer fits, put the winter stuff away, all that good stuff. Well, I think I did pretty good. I'm probably going to have to get a few more things in another month or so, but I got us a good start. The one thing that I never think about when buying clothes is pajamas. I don't know why. Maybe because I don't really wear them? Maybe because my kids don't really wear them. They just sleep in a clean shirt and underwear, unless of course we go camping or stay with family or what not. Regardless, I bought no pajamas for anyone. Well, it's still rather chilly here at night and the sleepers I had for the baby, well, they just don't fit her anymore. And really, they are kind of a pain. I really like her infant gowns, but she outgrew those. Onesies were still a little bit not quite enough, if you know what I mean. So, I looked and looked for something. And you know what I found? Aden and Anais. I thought, well, it's a bit pricey, but they look so cute and comfy, lightweight yet better than nothing. I bought two single layer sleeping bags and one four layer sleeping bag.  I am so hooked. I absolutely love these bags! If I could afford to buy four more right now, I would. I put her in a onesie, short or long sleeve depending on how the temp in the house is, and put her in the sleeping bag, and she stays nice and comfy all night. And the best thing is that she can't kick it off. My kids are notorious for kicking off their blankets every night, this totally takes care of that. If they made them for my 10 year old, I would buy her one, too! lol. And the four layer will be perfect for when we go camping and in the winter time. Anyway, I will probably be buying more soon. I want to have at least enough for a full week. It's not that I don't like washing clothes, but with 6 people now in this house, laundry can be a full time job as it is, and only having enough for a few days, means washing more, and well, that just doesn't always happen...even if I'd like it to. 

I finally bought a new vacuum. I went with a Bissell. I could not spend $400+ on a vacuum right now, but I had to have something different because it wasn't picking up the bulldogs hair at all. Well, it's too soon to tell exactly how happy I am with this vacuum. I need to give it a few more uses to really say. I can say that I'm leaning toward sending it back or exchanging it right now. It's a very nice vacuum, but it doesn't seem to be working exactly like I was expecting it to. It works better than my current Bissell, but not seemingly as well as the bazillion reviews I was reading. I am impressed with everything except for the pet hair pickup. So, I will let you all know in a week or so what I really think, and if it's going to be a keeper or not.

So, the husband is home right now. He will be going to visit some family in Oklahoma at the end of April and the kids and I aren't going with him, too expensive for us all to fly, and he didn't want to drive. So, instead the kids and I are going to hang with my parents for the week. It actually worked out quite well, because I will get to spend some time with some awesome friends from Texas whom I haven't seen in about 2 years. It's hard to believe it's been that long at the same time it seems like it's been forever. My third child was only 9 months old when we last hung out and now she is almost three and my fourth is here and almost 7 months! It's just amazing the amount of things that can happen in such a short amount of time. 

Anyway, after he gets back from the visit with his family, he will be slammed with work for the rest of May, and  he'll have duty, his chain of command will be changing and we aren't really looking forward to his replacement coming in, other than the fact that he won't have so much on his plate, but that can be a good or a bad thing. Then in June he'll start travelling. Most of our summer will be spent with him going here and there and everywhere. The oldest goes to camp the first week in August, and then there's another course for the husband which is like 6 weeks at Pendleton. So, while he's Stateside, he's not really here. I am grateful that he's not deployed right now, I've really just had enough of that for a while. I know it's coming again, but we have a while yet. I'm just at the point where, I'd like him to go away for a little while, but only because I just don't know what to do with him when he's here. I don't know what he wants from me, and what I give him never seems to be enough. I love my husband, but sometimes, I just wish living with him was easier. I know he wishes the same of me, and I would really like to help him with that. I'm tired of being resentful all of the time. But I'm working on it. I'm working on improving myself, and I guess that's all I can do.

A good friend of mine is starting Curves, since the one here in 29 Palms is offering a smashing military deal right now. She did it before and she really liked it. I've heard mixed reviews from other people. So, if you've done it/do it what did/do you think. She wants me to do it with her and we would then be able to hold each other accountable. I'm just not sure. I don't want to spend the money on it and have it be a waste because it sucks and I don't do it. 

Anyway, I'm watching a guinea pig do facebook and can't concentrate on what I was saying, so I'm gonna go. The weekend is over and we have lots of school to accomplish this week. I have a new list of books for next year for the oldest and my son, I'm really looking forward to doing some more research. I want this next school term to be fun and educational. I know it's possible. I just have to find the right things.....

Time to Blog

I've pretty much come to the realization that I'm not going to blog as often as I would like. As much as I use Facebook, and the amount of energy I put into my comments and whatnot, I just don't have much left for daily rantings here as well, lol. And that really seems like all that I am good for lately, ranting and raving about everything. I started a written journal today. I miss writing. There is nothing wrong with typing, but from a young age I would write and write and write. The other day I found my journal from high school. I can hardly believe that it hasn't bitten the dust at some point during our many many moves. Before the internet became such a daily thing in my life, I used to write letters upon letters and journals.  My oldest definitely didn't get my love of writing. Getting her to write anything is like pulling teeth. Like I'm torturing her. Of course schooling at all right now is like torture, for the both of us. She hates the work, I dislike the curriculum very much. Which is what my journal is about. It is going to chronicle my journey to finding a curriculum that I like, that works for each one of my children, and that helps me teach them the things they need to know academically and life skills-wise. 

I get to start blank canvas with my son this fall as he will just finally officially be starting kindergarten. We've been working with different preschool things off and on for the last year and a half, but we get to be official this fall. And my oldest will no longer be with the charter school we are currently with as she goes on her own as well. Of course I will have to file our private school affidavit this fall, I'm wondering if I can use the same school name I registered with previously, or if it will send up all sorts of flags since I didn't file this year because we went with the charter school? Guess I have to do some research. I kinda liked our school name, so hopefully we can keep it. 

So, while I am researching school names, and curriculum for both children, I am also reading and learning myself. Right now, I'm very much into learning the history that I didn't learn in high school...or college for that matter. I took two history classes in college and still didn't know some of the things I'm learning now. I'm particularly interested in how we got on this progressive path we are on, our Founding Fathers, and learning more about the progressives, liberals and how they think, and their "forefathers" so to speak. Right now I'm reading about FDR and the Great Depression and his New Deal, and I'm also reading a book by Saul Alinsky. It's rather dry material, but I definitely like the history book rather than the liberal book, lol. To think like a liberal is very tiring. There is no rationale, the thinking goes round and round and doesn't really stop in any particular place other than they are the correct way of thinking and how to get everyone to agree with them.

Anyway, so as I do all this I'm trying to also figure out ways to save money while home schooling. I dislike the library. I like to keep books. I like to have them to refer back to, I like to be able to take as much time as I want with them. And if a little one marks in it, I don't have to cry and pay for it anyway. That being said. I'm not against used books. I would especially love to find a set of used encyclopedias, good dictionary, thesaurus, and other reference materials. I have some smaller books that I've bought over the years, but it would be nice to have something that is kid friendly and that I didn't have to pay an arm and a leg to have. Of course, in order to have all of these books, I would have to have a place to put them. I don't, right now. But, I'm working on figuring that out. I really need a cabinet that I can lock and keep the little ones out of, and the bigger ones too, for that matter. My supplies are always disappearing, and when I need them, are no where to be found. That gets super annoying.

Anyway, now that I'm starting to ramble, that means it's getting super late and it's time for me to stop. 

I'll be back...