A Little Saving Cents

Or sense...

Not too long ago I had written a previous blog and mentioned turning off our cable. When I had told some friends they instantly gave me the "eye", as though I were crazy (which I probably am, but that's beside the point). I even had a girl ask if I was turning into "one of those all natural freaks." The answer is no. We did it to save money... and in turn, our brains also.

Jonathan and I were never really good with money. I mean, sure, we knew how to spend it, but we were never good at saving it. We lived well beyond our means and put ourselves into a huge well of debt. We have been fortunate enough to have a great support system that was willing to help us rid ourselves of the ridiculous mess we had gotten in and they have given great advice for future financing struggles or plans. Of course, we've always known that you should have AT LEAST a six months salary in savings, and a rainy day jar, and we knew the importance of those things, we just never initiated them.

Even with the debt that we still have, we can save. Even a penny a day, if that's what we can fudge. Jonathan and I have talked many a time about taking so much from our checks and putting into savings. Nixing this, that, and the other, but we have learned that a savings account just doesn't work for us... We see it sitting in the account just waiting to be spent on the newest, fastest computer or the things I just HAD to get for the kids that were sure to be broken in less than a weeks time. We've learned through many trial and error situations that a cash savings has always worked for us.

Jonathan started a new job on September 1st. He will be paid October 1st. We are making initiative to REALLY start a savings. Basically our motto is "Don't need it, don't buy it." We are also going to start taking any extra money from our pay checks and save it since Jonathan will be making almost a dollar an hour more than he was at ANI. If we could live off of what he made then, we still can. Plus the money we'll save not paying for cable anymore. I do believe in the occasional splurge on a new t-shirt or something that will make you smile. But that's occasional and less than $20 a month! (I think I can! I think I can! I think I can!)

We still have fall/winter clothes to buy for the girls and the chilly weather is coming quickly. It was 60° this morning! The kids and I all ran back inside to see if our hoodies still fit from last year... And... They don't, but they work for the time being. I think know that we're going to do well this time. We have a lot more self control and we have our lives completely almost in full order.

Wish us luck and keep us in your thoughts along the way.

Lots of love and penny saving

          -Jaclyn-

Remember Those Days?!

The ones that were included in the thirty day challenge I was trying to complete?! Yeah... So obviously that didn't work out as planned. Lol

You didn't miss too much anyway. But I will go ahead and blog for day 29, which is Your Hopes and Dreams for the future...

Hopes and dreams... These are things I think about almost daily. It's like my mini bucket list. ☺

I will be graduating cosmetology school December of 2011 and it cannot come any faster. I'm so ready... I've been ready! I'm learning all the things that I didn't know about cosmetology that I wanted to know and I'm enhancing the skills of the things that I did do well. I've met great people and made new friends and am finally happy with the life I am leading.

I hope to have my own salon before I am 30. I am 23 now, so I've got seven years to get there. I've already got a name, the set up, all the plans and all the details are coming together. I WILL have this!

Jonathan and I have talked about having another child. (I'll have another blog about this soonish. There are some things and people I would like to address)

I want to take our family to Disney World! I've never been and Jonathan has not been since he was a child. Besides... We promised the kids we'd take them somewhere in an airplane ☺. I want it to be amazing.  Something they'll never, ever forget.

I want to completely rid ourselves of debt. Not only money, but debts by the kindness people have shown us and the help that those have given to us.

I want to be the best role model I can for our children. I want them to excel above and beyond in anything they set their mind to. Whether it be a sport, or finishing their first chapter book. (I swear Joseph has been reading the first Harry Potter for months now. :Þ) I am and will continue to be their personal cheer leader, cheering them on every step of the way. I will talk more than I will scream or yell... unless absolutely necessary (ie., A CAR! GET OUT OF THE ROAD!; PUT THAT DOWN, THAT'S DANGEROUS!!; BRING ME THE COOKIES... Lol... no... really, that's a serious situation now!) I will be the woman they are proud to call Mommy!

I want to be the best wife I know how to be. I will be his best friend. Daily I will let him know I love him more than words could ever express. I will celebrate his successes and help him see the beauty of his failures. I will encourage him to better himself. I will encourage him to excel. I want to always make him smile and proud to tell the world that I am his wife.

What do you hope or dream for yourself and your family?

          -Jaclyn-

Days 13,14,15, AND 16... Maybe

I really did make it all weekend long without logging onto facebook, blogger, or any internet period! I was kinda bored. Lol Monday, I did all of my "catching up", reading everything, commenting and messaging people back. A few people had sent me messages asking why I hadn't responded to their messages. Lol

We had a good weekend. Pretty laid back and slow going. We're always in a hurry to get somewhere or always have a plan to do this or do that. This weekend we let ourselves stay in our pajamas and watch movies and eat chocolate. The kids were loving it! We decided to turn our cable off (I'll write a seperate separate blog about that after I learn how to spell separate without spell check :Þ).

During our nightly story time this weekend we read a book titled, Dinosaurs Love Underpants by Claire Freedman. Kind of cute, kind of not, but the kids loved it. The first page says,  

Dinosaurs were all wiped out,
A long way back in history.
No one knows quite how or why,
Now this book solves the mystery...  

Then there is this picture 

 

 Amaya declares, "They are machine dinosaurs!"

Joseph and her argue for a minute about whether they're skeletons or machine dino's and we carry on with our story.

Obviously I'm skipping days 13-16, mostly because I don't find them interesting and I had to google fanfic (day 15) just to find out I have nothing to blog for that... Lol. Day 16 being a song that makes me cry (or nearly) and I don't have any of those either... It used to be Stay by Sugarland, but I have moved on... ... on to songs that make me shake my ass, make me sing, make me smile, or make me bang my head a couple times. I like things better that way!

Yesterday I had to make a complaint about a very disturbing neighbor. This man is usually outside his apartment, in his boxers, with his hand in them grabbing his crotch while the other is holding a cigarette in the mornings when I walk the girls to the bus stop. Then Sunday while unloading the groceries, he comes outside, pulls his shorts to his knees and grabs his crotch bringing it over his shorts (He still had his boxers on, but nonetheless it was inappropriate) and looks at me with a grin... Disgust! They addressed the problem immediately and I have seen him with his clothes on since yesterday and he was not outside the apartment this morning. What is it with some people?! I just don't get it.

 

Until tomorrow...

          -Jaclyn-

 

P.S.

Does anyone know of a good free dvd burner?

Day Twelve: Tickled Fancy= Clean freak?

Another whatever tickles your fancy post...

I have still been as lazy as ever since the kids have all started school... It wasn't an instant lazy, it was more gradual. Started with having nothing to do, so I did all of the cleaning and then had nothing to do again... Then I started to just do a little bit of cleaning every day so that I wasn't completely bored, and then it became what it is now... Pure laziness! I just don't get it! I have no motivation to do any of it either.

I used to make my bed every morning, now it's a rarity. I have needed to vacuum for the last two days, and yet, I have not. The tables are starting to get bills and random receipts and clutter atop them. I need to dust and organize and clean out crap, and I sit here, on the couch, in front of the laptop writing this blog, because I have nothing to do I have no motivation anymore... A little boredom lead to a lazy ass... I hate it! I am not a lazy person. My house was always clean and clear of clutter... I even made a list, room-by-room, of what needed to be done and I sat it next to the laptop for a little extra motivation. Things got done... slowly... and things were now marked off the list... However, those things now need to be done again.

I am now giving myself the challenge to get my energetic, clean freak self back in a week or less! I can do this... at least I hope so! Starting with banning myself from the facebook, youtube, twitter and blogger world for the remainder of today and into the weekend. Scouts honor! I am creating a schedule for any and all activities I plan to do for now on. All the cleaning, interwebbing, time for meals, and I'm even including time for exercising since I have seriously slacked! Even bathroom scheduling if I that's what it takes! Lol I have to get myself back!!!!! Wish me luck everyone!

Until Monday, at least...

          -Jaclyn-

Day Eleven

A recent photo of yourself...

Most everybody that is reading this is probably on facebook and has seen any recent photo's of myself... But for those that aren't...

That's me and our little prince, Joseph. ☺

          -Jaclyn-

Day Ten... Sort of...

A photo of me 10 years ago or older... Unfortunately, I do not have any on my computer and I do not have any currently in my possession. I swear I'm not just making that up! Lol...

So instead of that I have a picture that Amaya drew just the other day... And, well, the very hilarious story behind it....

While all the kiddos were in the kitchen coloring and drawing, Amaya brought Jonathan and I this picture.

"It's beautiful Amaya!"

"Thank you! Want me to tell you what it's about?"

"Sure. What did you draw?"

 "It is a water park, where we want to play." 

 "This is my name in the sky."

"This is the sun."

"This is me in the yellow dress playing."

"These are the ants playing because they are happy."

"This is you pooping in the purple dress."

"That is me cooking?" Seriously thought I had heard pooping, but wanted to make sure thinking maybe she said cooking.

"No. Pooping." I heard correctly... pooping...

Jonathan and I are now laughing and she is still very serious about her drawing.

"What?! Why am I pooping, Amaya?"

"Because you had to go THAT BAD, Mom!"

And then she nonchalantly continues with her story about her picture... Lol. Love my babies!

          -Jaclyn-

Day Eight AND Nine... Oops!

So I slacked off a little yesterday... It was Labor Day and I really just didn't feel like doing anything. Lol

DAY EIGHT: is a photo that makes us sad or angry... I don't have any pictures that make me sad or angry on my computer. Any picture of my high school days with friends makes me sad. After high school everyone goes their separate ways. Some for the better, others not so much. People move, some have passed on and others have isolated themselves. I miss a lot of my friends from school. I'm lucky if I ever talk to any of them. I guess that I can't complain too much because I still have my best friend, Whitney. We have been best friends since I moved to Missouri from California in the second grade. Even if I never hear from any of the others again, she'll still be there. She is delightful, creative, she is. We have so many things in common and we share many of the same disgusts. I am so honored and thankful to have a friend like Whitney. You have been with me when everything felt like it was falling apart. I love you beyond words. Love you and miss you Whit...

I have fortunately made some new friends since then. Beth. She is amazing. She, like Whitney, is so blunt and straightforward with me when I am making a stupid decision or being so gloom and doom. She is sometimes a pain in the ass because she is so much like Jonathan, but I wouldn't have it any other way. We are like peanut butter and jelly or pork chops and applesauce... Something like that... She smiles at me and means it. She holds my hand through drunken heart-to-heart conversations and she never fails to remind me that I am special ed.... I try to not be envious of those that get to see her everyday, but I wish I could dammit! Thank you Beth for being the bestest "new" friend. Love and miss you tons.

I didn't mean for that to turn into a ramble, but I didn't have pictures dammit! :P

Soooo... ...

DAY NINE: A photo that we took... Remember those lilies I was telling you about that Jonathan got me for my birthday?

 Aren't they beautiful? ☺

So that is day 8 and 9 in a nutshell. Hope everyone enjoyed their three day weekend!

          -Jaclyn-

Day Seven

A photo that makes you happy. Any photo of my husband or my children make me happiest.

However, these photo's make me happy.

This picture just for the fact that it's so genuine. She's smiling like she loves herself, and that is what I want for my girls and other girls/women. 

This picture always makes me smile. ☺I just love it!

Day Six: Tickled Fancy?

So day six is whatever tickles your fancy... Hmmm...

Jonathan started his new job on Wednesday. For the last few months we have both had some insecurities about the change and some tempting offers to stay with ANI, but we're glad that we made the decision to go to CMI. He likes the people he works for and the people he works with. The benefits are great, even though health insurance is just ridiculous, he is making 70¢ more than what he was at ANI, and the job security is a huge benefit in itself. There is a lot of stress involved with the job, mostly time restrictions and military perfection, but nothing I don't think he can't handle.

School is going well. Learning a lot and doing a lot which makes things more exciting. Oddly enough, I find doing pedicures relaxing... for me... weird? Lol Next week we learn to do acrylics and sculpted acrylics. I've never sculpted a nail before... Should be interesting. Only bummer is that there is so much stuff we have to buy for these classes. The school supplies us with a kit, but that kit doesn't include everything we need to make our grade. The schools are only required to purchase certain things. Anything else is our responsibility, and if we don't have it, we don't get the grade... So it makes it a little rough on the pocketbook especially when we still have kids' clothes to buy and when this is the month that we don't get paid because of Jonathan's job switch.... Somehow, I think we'll make it through...

Labor Day weekend is here and we have no plans, other than relaxing and not stressing. Tomorrow we'll go to the in-laws, (even though the kids have been begging to go today) and I'll be giving a hair cut, 2 mani's and a pedi. ☺

Hope that everyone has a happy and safe Labor Day weekend.

          -Jaclyn-

Day Five: Quote

So I chose to do this challenge because I am bored and have nothing better to do... However, it has been difficult with all of these "favorites". I don't believe I have ever favorited just one thing... So I am removing the "favorite" and just going to give my favoriteS. Lol

"A man who never made a mistake never tried anything new."-- Albert Einstein. 

"Give thanks for what you are now and keep fighting for what you want to be tomorrow."-- Fernanda Miramonted-Landeros

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine."-- Anthony J. D'Angelo

"The highest reward for your work is not what you get for it, but what you become by it."-- John C. Maxwell

Of course, there are a million more, but I must clean this house... This couch cushion is starting to get a permanent ass imprint.

Have a great Labor Day weekend everyone! ☺

          -Jaclyn-

Day Four: Book

Favorite book...

This book was one of the very first of Dean Koontz's that really grabbed my attention... Until the Odd Thomas series, or the Frankenstein series, which are really great reads. 

Intensity is basically a battle of wits between a serial killer and Chyna, the only person he's ever feared since he failed to "sense her" twice... The serial killer, Edgar Vess, is all about living life by immersing himself in sensation, living without fear, and living with intensity. At first Chyna's sole aim is to make it out alive until she finds another innocent girl that Edgar has kept alive...

They made a movie sometime in the mid to late 90's that was just terrible! Of course, the book is always better than the movie 99% of the time, but this movie was just terrible! 

Unfortunately, the last year Koontz's books have really sucked some serious ass... I don't know what's gotten into this man and his writing ability. Unless someone else is writing the books and Koontz is using his name to sell them. They have just been pure crap! Highly disappointed. 

I am now reading the Steig Larsson series; The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. I am only on the first book and so far so good!

What are some great books you recommend?

          -Jaclyn-

Day Three: Favorite Television Program

I don't really watch a whole lot of tv since I am usually just cooped up on the laptop, playing or watching Jonathan play some COD:MW2 or I'm reading a book. But when I do watch tv, I usually watch a lot of it! Lol

I watch A LOT of baby shows or any medical related show. TLC or Discovery Health have the best. I cannot stand reality tv (other than the baby or medical shows of course!)... Makes me ill! The things people do for fame and money and the people that watch them let them consume their lives or talk about them as if they knew these people in person. Can't stand it.

My absolute overall favorite is most definitely Fringe. It's a science fiction series that follows an FBI team who investigates fringe science (rare diseases, chimera, psychic abilities, etc). It's so, so, so neat... mostly if you're into the whole sci-fi stuff. This isn't the cheesy sci-fi on the syfy channel, this is SO much better! The first season started in 2008, I believe. The third season is supposed to premier September 23rd. I'm super excited. However, because of school I missed over half of the second season, so Jonathan and I are going to have to make a weekend plan to catch up on missed episodes. :D

I am slightly ashamed to admit that my current favorite is ............................................ *drum roll* .............................................

The Secret Life of the American Teenager 

I know. I know! It's terrible!!! It's just... so... darn addicting... I can't stay away from it! I was never so happy to see Ricky and Amy together again and I'm anxious to know if Ben and Adrian are going to work out or not and what their baby will look like! Gah!!!!! Somebody save me from this terrible addiction!!!!

Until tomorrow...

          -Jaclyn-

Day Two: Favorite Movie

This isn't hard for me at all... Except for the fact that I cannot just pick one. There are THREE!!! :D And I'll add some of my favorite quotes from them as well...

In no particular order, for they are all tied for first place. They are:

1. Erin Brockovich. This movie never fails at making me laugh and I just love how much of a bluntly honest smart ass woman she is.

"That's all you got lady. Two wrong feet in fucking ugly shoes."

"They're called boobs, Ed."

"I just went out there and performed sexual favors. 634 blow jobs in five days... I'm really quite tired."

2. Forrest Gump. I can honestly say that I still don't know what it is about this movie that makes me just want to watch it over and over again. It always gets to me.

"And 'cause I was a gazillionaire, and I liked doing it so much, I cut that grass for free."

"...Shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it... Shrimp kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that's about it."

3. Dirty Dancing. I remember watching this as a little girl and trying to learn all of the dance routines with my sisters. Lol. Those were the days...

"Me? I'm scared of everything. I'm scared of what I saw, I'm scared of what I did, of who I am, and most of all I'm scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I'm with you."

"Oh, come on ladies. God wouldn't have given you maracas if he didn't want you to shake 'em."

Until tomorrow...

-Jaclyn-

Perspective

I have had the great pleasure and extra confidence boost by being told I was good looking. Thank you. Thank you.☺

There are two occasions that I will speak of. Two very different men and two very different approaches, and of course my two very different reactions.

A few months ago I went to Wal-Mart to do my dreaded weekly grocery shopping adventure and had the pleasure annoyance of being complimented... I walk toward two men and a woman. One of the guys looks me up and down and tells me, "Damn girl! You are on FIYA!!! *Insert cheesy whistle here*" I had a million and one things I wanted to say to that pig! Firstly, thank you. Secondly, how dare you talk to me or "compliment" me like I am a piece of meat! I took and different approach and kindly walked away... I was so angry though and couldn't get over the fact that somebody had actually said that to me... I still can't believe someone would actually say that to anyone, period. It's men like that, that give all other men a bad name. This guy was probably in his early twenties and was just looking for a wham, bam, kind of ma'am.

Then today... while at the store, go figure. I walk toward a man in his mid forties who is smiling like he just won the lottery. As he gets closer he says, "Girl. You are so pretty. You have a nice day." "Thank you! You have a nice day yourself." Smiling like I won the lottery as I walk away. I will tell you what! I looked a hot MESS going to the store today. Pajama's, hair that hasn't been shampoo'd in 3 days so it's flat to my head, no makeup and a hole in my shirt. And he told me I was so pretty!!! I think I had an extra bounce in my step after that...

Then I started thinking about the first situation I mentioned and how differently I reacted. The first time all I wanted to do was tell that guy to **** off! Today, I smiled and thanked the man. I wonder that if the first guy had complimented me like the second if I would still react the same or if I would respond the way I did today. Is it correlated with the way the compliment is given or does it have something to do with the age of the complimentee (:Þ)? Most of the time that I have been given a compliment by a younger man, it's usually something that just screams asshole. However, all young guys don't act that way... Right?

Oh My GOSH!!! How could I not tell you this story!

This one more like creeped me out! Went shopping at like 10 o'clock this night because we had plans for all of the next day and I had no other time to get it done. I keep noticing this man following me around the store with his friend and I just kind of ignored it until they greet me at the van at 11:30 in BFE of the parking lot, just me. It was kind of the moment that made you think, Oh my god! Why didn't I buy any pepper spray when my mom told me to? Where are my keys, I can use those as a weapon? Anyway... One of the guys continues to his car while the other asks me if I play ball. "Play ball? No. Why?"
"Well, you were dressed sporty (I was wearing my gym clothes and sports bra.) and I thought maybe you played. So you really don't play ball?"
"I really don't play ball."
"Do you know of any night clubs around here?"
"Umm... Michael's is right over there by Hooters."
He is a black man. He asks me about the ethnic majority of the club since he's looking for something predominantly black.
Then he asks me if I want to join them at the club because he thinks I am attractive and he wanted to tell me in the store, but said I looked stuck up so he didn't approach me. Eventually, he walks to his car and they leave. WHEW! I had one of my biggest freak out sessions ever!

First off, why the hell did you approach me outside?! He even asked me if I was scared, which only freaked me out more. Of course I denied being scared! Even though I kept looking back to his friends car and checking behind me. Secondly, after I was home safe with my husband and family I am seriously bothered that he said I looked stuck up! I went through a million questions with Jonathan asking why someone would think I was stuck up because I am definitely NOT stuck up! I am such a people person! Then I was like, Hey, he said I was attractive.Definitely not the time, place, or way I want to be told I am attractive.


Anyway, Perspective, shmective...

Day One: Favorite Song

Because I am so bored at home everyday while the kids are all at school and I have been avoiding cleaning the apartment ever since my sister in law called me, I am starting a 30 day challenge.

For each of those 30 days there is a certain topic. Day one is your favorite song... So here goes.

This is actually really hard for me because I just LOVE music period. I don't know if I really have a "favorite" and I definitely don't think I could pick just one. Jonathan tells me that every song is my "favorite" song because I hear a song and it's instantly my "favorite." I tend to listen to a lot of "sad" or "depressing" songs. Growing up my dad told me that if i didn't listen to more upbeat music I was going to be depressed the rest of my life. Then when I did, he told me to quit listening to "devil music." Haha! Never can win.

Well, here's my shot at listing my "favorite" song. Or two... Or three... They're really those songs that I listen to when I think of the most important moments in my life.

1. Never Been To Spain- but only Elvis Presley's version ☺ R.I.P. Uncle Robert



2. My Letter- Flaw; Really a sad song, but it has a huge significance to my life.



So for an actual favorite song:

3. Prayer- Disturbed; This is the song that made me fall in love with them!



And really any song from the 90's (Haha!)

What is or are your favorite songs?

-Jaclyn-

Happy Birthday To Me... Yesterday

*WARNING: Rather lengthy, rambly post. Proceed with caution.

Yesterday I turned 23... 23! I think 25 is creeping upon me rather quickly. Lol

Thanks to facebook, my many friends and family remembered my birthday. However, my children didn't need facebook to remember for they had been reminding me every day since Sunday that my birthday was on Thursday and I was going to be 23 years old.

The morning of my birthday Joseph ran into my bathroom yelling at me:

"Mom! Mom! Guess what?!"

"What Joseph?"

"It's your birthday and you're 23 years old!!" (with a huge grin of excitement and surprise on his face)

"Yes Joseph, that's right. If you hadn't reminded me just now, I'd have definitely forgotten. Thanks for the reminder."

"You're welcome. I love you mom. Happy birthday."

"Thank you Joseph. I love you more."

Soon after all three ran and sang Happy Birthday once each, and then sang it once together. They were pretty proud to celebrate my birthday. And I was never happier having been sang Happy Birthday to four subsequent times.

Needless to say the day began rather well. Loaded the kids onto their buses and came home to try and sleep a little bit... Of course that didn't work out since I was already wide awake... Not long later I received a text from Jonathan telling me to be ready to leave at 11 o'clock. Being Jaclyn, I had to ask, "As in 11 this afternoon or tonight?" (Don't ask I have no idea what I was thinking!) "This afternoon! :)" was his response. So that scratched off my workout for the day since it was already 8:am and the workout was an hour and a half and I still had some school work to go over.

(Just a little FYI) I had quit the P90X after like 2 weeks because I started school, Jonathan's work schedule was getting weird with having to go lock up at night and all the kids were now home for the summer, so there really wasn't a whole lot of time to get it done. So I've finally started back on the P90X again since the kids have been back in school and it is going well. Wish me luck and completion this time around. ☺

At 10:am I start my workout, somehow forgetting that Jonathan told me to be ready to go at 11... I instantly freaked quit the workout and took a 3 minute (or less) shower and was dressed, hair and makeup done in 30 minutes... I had done it all with 30 minutes to spare. Then I get a text at 11:10, "Running late. On my way." All that rushing and he's now running late! Go figure!

Fifteen minutes later, Jonathan walked through the door redeeming himself for being late with some of the most beautiful lilies (my favorite flowers) I have ever seen. We went for lunch at a place called Sweet Peppers Deli. It was a first time for both of us and it was so delicious! We both ordered the Sicilian Panini, a grilled ciabatta bread with ham, pepperoni & salami, topped with provolone, red bell pepper, pepperoncini (not even really sure what that is lol), tomato & Italian dressing with a side of the pasta salad. The panini was so so so so so good! A tid bit spicy, but just enough. The pasta salad was okay... Seemed as though the noodles were maybe cooked too long or had been sitting in the fridge soaking up the sauce making them too soft, but the flavor was good. Then we headed next door to a place called Frosting. The place was SO cute! It was decked out in pinks, browns and greens and reminded me slightly of the Fairy Godparents! Lol They are a cupcake and pastry shop that had SO much to choose from! We missed happy hour (buy one get one free) by 30 minutes, but I did get a 10% discount for it being my birthday! ☺ I chose the white chocolate raspberry cupcake, and Jonathan got the very blueberry cupcake and if that wasn't enough we got a caramel hazelnut pastry that we have yet to try because we were so dang full! The white chocolate raspberry is a vanilla cupcake filled with raspberry cream, topped with butter cream frosting, white chocolate shavings and fresh raspberries! OMG!!! Not only were there probably a million calories in that thing, but it was so very delicious! The very blueberry, I will say was better since Jonathan let me try a bite :). It reminded me a lot of a blueberry streusel. It was filled with blueberries and topped with vanilla butter cream frosting and sugared blueberries. Yummm!!!!!! After we left, not only did I have to unbutton my pants, but I seriously wanted to vomit I had eaten so much and I still hadn't done my workout... Made it home without puking and laid on the couch.

At 10 minutes to 3 I got my shoes on to go get Joseph from the bus stop, only to find him at our window peeking in and walking away. What?! His bus dropped off early so he walked to the apartment and only peeked in the window and started walking away because he didn't see anyone (the windows are fairly tinted, so it's a little difficult to see anything from the outside.) He didn't even try to knock or open the door! Once I decided to let him in we had a nice little talk about what to do if he gets off the bus early. So this leads to the interesting part of my (our) day. The girls' bus has never dropped them off earlier than 3:30, so at 3:25 I walked to the bus stop. 3:45 comes, still no bus, which is not unusual because they have shown up at 4 before. The biggest and so far the only downfall I have with this school is their lack of a time schedule. The other Head start that comes through picks up at 7:25 and drops off at 3:00 EVERY DAY! Why can't Lynda Lyons get it together?! Anyway... 4:00 shows and still no bus. I call the school this is our conversation:

"Lynda Lyons Head start, this is so & so speaking."

"Would you happen to know if the blue tag bus is running late?"

"All the buses have made it back."

Keep in mind that the head start does not let the kids off of the bus without a parents ID. So I start freaking!

"So where are my kids?!?!"

"Who are you looking for ma'am."

"Amaya and Tressa Nissen." All the while, I'm practically yelling at the lady because I'm so frantic...

"They're right here at the office waiting for you."

"What?! Why did they not get on the bus?"

"They were on the bus. They waited at the bus stop and you weren't there, so they called you and you said you were on your way."

Okay! Did this lady just say what I think she said?!

"Look lady, NOBODY ****ing called me." Unfortunately I have a bad potty mouth, let alone when I become upset or angry, so please excuse all of the expletives. :)

"Yes they did. They called and said you were on your way to pick them up 30 minutes ago."

This lady is clearly out of her mind!!!

I quickly drove to the school. Not thinking about anything but getting my babies as quickly as possible and thinking about all the things I was going to say to this lady. They were going to get a piece of my mind!

I ran into the school and see Mrs. Knight (Tressa's teacher for most of the summer) and the head of education.

*Warning: Expletives ahead. Beware.

"Why was I not called?"

"We called you. Said you were on your way."

"Look lady, (showing her my phone log) NOBODY ****ing called me! NOBODY! Nobody called my husband, my mother-in-law (I called her on my way to the school just in case) or my father-in-law. You definitely did not speak to any of us."

"Ma'am that's what so & so said."

"What number did she call?"

"I can find out for you tomorrow."

"No. I want to know NOW."

"Let me get the book."

They bring the book and all of the numbers they have listed for us are correct.

"I'm telling you right now, she miss dialed. But it still makes no sense. Who the hell else has two daughters named Amaya and Tressa, in Gulfport, that attend your school and supposedly is on their way to pick them up?? NO ONE!! And besides, if you had ****ing called me, why the hell would I have called your ***es asking if the bus was late because I wanted to know where the **** my kids were?! And if I was supposedly on my way 30 minutes ago why didn't anyone call me again to ask where the **** I was?! Answer me that lady!"

"I'm just telling you what the bus driver told me."

"Well, lady. The bus driver is ****ing crazy, because she didn't call anybody!"

Mrs. Knight then says "It's okay. They're here. Nothing happened to them."

"Don't try to console me. I am PISSED OFF!"

I just then realize that I'm making a complete fool of myself and talking to these ladies so disrespectfully all the while my girls are watching me. I was just so angry. I was trembling, I felt my blood pressure rising, my blood was boiling and I wanted to know how and why this happened...

"I was at the bus stop from 3:25-4:10..."

"We got there at 3:20. I went into the office (of the apartment complex) and walked right back out because I didn't know if they wanted me in their office or not."

"You guys are NEVER there before 3:30! Don't ever think you can't go into that office. If for whatever reason I am not out there, please go in there and have them call me or you call me. And make sure it's actually me. I am 2 seconds from the bus stop, you can wait that long for me to come to you."

"That's why we tell the parents to be at the bus stop at 2:30 because there are times when some kids don't show up and we don't have to travel those roads."

"I am not going to sit at the bus stop in the heat for an hour and a half because you "might" show up before 3:30! I'll see you at the bus stop tomorrow morning."

"Don't forget you need to sign them out at their classrooms."

Seriously?! I just walked out and took my babies home...

I'd never been so happy to see my kids in all my life!

I debated on whether or not to go to class that night because I was still so pissed off about the whole ordeal. I did end up going. I haven't missed a day yet, so why not just go?!

I eventually calmed down and some of the classmates remembered my birthday :)

Melina got me some eye shadow's because she knows how much I love makeup and Zrondia (pronounced Zon- druh, weird spelling for that pronunciation, I know) went to Krispy Kreme and got me four donuts! Lol

Overall, I think I had a good day and I definitely felt like an idiot looking at Mrs. Knight (she is often one of the two bus assistants) this morning when they picked the kids up, but she still gave me her sweet lady smile and talked to me as though we were best of friends....

Thank you to everyone that wished me happy birthday you all made it special.

-Jaclyn-

It's been a while!

The kids have been back in school for almost two weeks now and the house is abnormally quiet. Joseph started first grade and loves it. His teacher is such a sweetheart and I think we'll get along quite well. :) The girls are in their last year of headstart and are a little upset that they don't get pretty backpacks or get to ride Joseph's bus, but I'm almost certain they've forgotten about those little differences now that they're in school. They enjoy their teachers, however, just a tad angry that they don't have the same teachers as before, as was Joseph too now that I think about it...

Tressa has always been a sensitive child and she has gotten a few heartbreak's in recent days at school. Mostly, just other kids saying that she isn't their best friend, but with some explaining and talking to, she's doing better now. ☺ Joseph got his first kiss!!!  (Read this post here to hear all about it!) He also made a 100% on his first ever spelling test! Overall, this school year has started out well... Let's hope it continues so...

COS 100 (Intro to cosmetology) ended and now we are in COS 109 (nails). I have never been so excited to do manicures and pedicures before! COS 100 was just so boring! Finally something fun and more hands on. We got 10 new students in our class and they are quite an interesting bunch. Very quiet still even after a week, but I think I have almost "broken them in."

We began giving manicures last night and I couldn't have been happier... Until my client Kimberly sat at my table with nearly no nails! She has a nervous tick and takes medication for stress and anxiety related issues and still she chewed her nails to nothingness! I mean seriously NOTHING!!! They were so red and just painful looking. I wanted to cry while pushing back her cuticles and all she said was "Oh, you're not going to hurt me, chewing my nails like this doesn't hurt." It doesn't?!?!?! OMG!!! After I finished her manicure I will say that her nails did look... better... but damn!

After completing Kimberly's manicure, Melina pampered me with one. My nails look so pretty! Unfortunately, they're slightly stained since I forgot my base coat last time I polished them since I was in such a rush to get them done and out the door. During the manicures I had a chance to learn a lot about both Kimberly and Melina and it was a nice change of pace. Of course we have talked every night of class about ourselves, but for whatever reason, the manicures seem to open women up a bit, and sometimes I realize this will not always be a good thing, but last night it was. And each day I learn a little bit more about myself, which is the ultimate reward for anything. At least for me.

These last few weeks have been very stressful, but Jonathan being the persuader that he is, has been doing a fair job at letting me know things are going to be okay and will all work out in the end... Still can't completely convince myself though... So think about us and keep us all in your thoughts.

Until next time...

Something "silly and nasty" ......

Yesterday, after I got home from work, Jaclyn and I went to the bus stop to pick up Joseph, Amaya, and Tressa...like any average day Joseph's bus was there about half an hour before the girl's...Joseph climbed into the van and said "I have something silly and nasty to tell you, but I'm gonna wait until we get home and tell you first mom where dad can't hear! And then I'll tell you Dad!"

So we ask him to go ahead and tell us...

Joseph: "No! Hehehehehe it's reeeallly silly and NASTY!! Hehehehe!"

We gave up momentarily and Jaclyn and I continued talking about our days.

We started asking Joseph about his day and unerringly it lead back to the silly and nasty...

He said "on the bus Serenity sat next to me and had chap-stick in a tube"..."it was pink and had sprinkles"..."she put it on her lips and pointed and said "Look at the ants!" and when I looked she kissed the back of my head in my hair!"..."Insert giggles here"...

Haha! Joseph's first kiss...and he totally fell for the "hey look over there" routine...classic!

Freedom of Christianity...er I mean Religion...

For the past few weeks I've noticed an alarming amount of protests and news articles about mosques being built around the country...most notably the one near ground zero of 9/11. There is one major point I don't understand. Where has freedom of religion gone?

So I recently read according to polls that the U.S.A. is 78% Christian, which is why this blog is titled such...Christians seem to think they deserve freedom of THEIR religion but other religions are not allowed the same freedoms our country was founded on.

Some fun facts about the mosque being built "near" "Ground Zero":

This mosque near Ground Zero is actually 2 blocks north of Ground Zero...it is to be a cultural center with a swimming pool, a 400 seat theater, an auditorium, and art centers.

There is a similar building built by the Jewish community uptown. It's called the 92nd Street Y.

There is going to be a Greek Orthodox church built on the site of Ground Zero, because it was destroyed. Saint Paul's Chapel, an Episcopal church, is across the street from Ground Zero.

There's religious institutions all over the place.

Only one of them is being harassed about building a religious building near or on this so called "hallowed ground."

Now comparing this to another religious building built on "ground zero"...the Hiroshima World Peace Memorial Cathedral...We "Christian" Americans bombed Hiroshima with our nuclear bomb "little boy" killing an estimated 140,000 people...Religion in Japan is mainly associated with Shinto and Buddhism. So why is there a christian cathedral memorial built there? Shouldn't Japanese citizens be outraged?? Wait...Japan, much like the U.S.A., has FREEDOM of RELIGION! Imagine that...the freedom to practice your religion in peace and without undue restrictions or criticisms.

On to another criticized building site:

In 1984 a group of Carmelite nuns announced their decision to construct a convent on the grounds of the former concentration camp. In this case Jewish organizations voiced their disapproval by launching an international protest.

Commentators complained that Polish authorities and the Church had not consulted with the Jewish community before embarking upon plans to construct a convent on the site. However, it was never satisfactorily explained as to why they should, any more than Jewish authorities would agree to consult with the Church if they planned to erect a small memorial temple on the site of Birkenau.

In fact, the debate surrounding the negative Jewish response to Christian prayer at Auschwitz was perplexing to Christians of all persuasions. Few Christians were able to understand the vehemence in which Jews generally responded to Christian prayers.

Just as assuredly Muslims are confused as to why they should not be allowed to build a church because it happens to be "too close" to a location associated with a terrorist attack by people claiming/deemed to be Muslim.

Ok so...

All across America anywhere there was a major battle between the Colonists and Native Americans any church within 2 blocks of that area should be torn down because it is a slap in the face to all the descendants of those Native Americans who were killed by the "terrorist colonists" who killed them out of anger and self justified motives of religion and "racial superiority".

But why stop there? Christians have killed millions in the name of THEIR religion all over the world...so any christian institution near any known crusade or wars in the name of Christianity should be torn down too...

Technically if you were to follow this methodology you would be hard pressed to find places that any christian building could be built without offending someone...

Also an important note...33% of our world follows some form of Christianity...23% of our world is Muslim...if those roughly 2 billion Muslims were all radical terrorists we would have suicide bombers on every street corner in the world.

The terrorists are a select few...and there are terrorists that would claim to be Christians...does that make all Christians terrorists?? Of course it does! Since obviously American Christians think that because 19 Muslims became terrorists and killed a few thousand Americans that ALL Muslims are terrorists!!!

No matter what religion or beliefs you have, think about this a second...There are good and bad people in every country, every religion, every race, every age group...we should all try to stop being so damned prejudice...

Comments? please post I'd love to hear them! ;)

The Stop Sign and The Gun...

The other day Amaya borrowed some of her big brother legos and built a Stop Sign and a Gun...




These legos sat on our dresser in our bedroom for almost a week, when Amaya decides to tell us "The Gun was gonna shoot, but the Stop Sign stopped it!" Haha! Priceless! Thinking about making (or stealing! :P ) a Stop Sign and just holding it up anytime I want something to stop!

Kids fighting...STOP SIGN!

Hamsters chewing on their cages...STOP SIGN!

Insert your own daily annoyance...STOP SIGN!

The possibilities are endless! Thus my child made me laugh, made me imagine the possibilities, and made me stop...and spend some time thinking about the simplicity of childhood and the complications of life.