anniversary/changes

Good Monday morning!

Just returned from my anniversary trip with J. We had a great time. It's amazing to me that after nine years, he can still surprise me! We dropped the kids off with my parents Sat. afternoon and went to see "Pirates of the Caribbean - 2". A great movie - almost as good as the first one, in my opinion. He then took me to The Boulders, a really beautiful resort in Scottsdale. We had so much fun. They had resturaunts on the property, so we ended up eating there and walking all around. Picked up the kids Sun. afternoon and had lunch with my parents. The best part was that he saved his money to do this, so nothing went on credit! WHEW!

It was nice to get away and relax with J. We haven't had a lot of time to do that and we probably won't get to do it anytime soon again.

For those of you who don't already know, we are closing Aion. J started his new job with Viejo Construction today. He is starting up a brand new division of their company - General Contracting. So, he will still get to do the gas stations, just under their name instead of ours. This will give us much needed stability, both emotionally and financially. We are on the verge of bankruptcy, so we are both glad that we will have some income coming in for the first time in about two months. I am in the process of looking for a part-time job...hopefully something that won't take me away from Wil too much.

So, lots of changes coming our way! Cais and Sam start school a week from today. Not quite sure if I'm ready for all this, but they are both so excited to be going back. If I do get a job, my mom will take Wil for the times I have to work. But, if that doesn't work out, there are 8 million daycare centers around! I'm feeling sad that I might have to do that, but I think Wil will be fine. He is such a happy boy and very social. He loves his "people" (that's what he calls his family), and you would be amazed at how many of you are included in that!

Have a great week!

vacation

Well, we're back! We had a great time. It was nice to see Dave, Traci and the girls as well as Betty. We stayed in an amazing resort and were pampered and spoiled to death by Betty while we were there. All in all it was a lot more fun than I expected it to be....Las Vegas is a blast!

Here are a few pics of the "experience":


The kids all together at the Bellagio.


Our resort - called the Cancun...awesome!


Caesar's Palace...the whole inside was incredible!

The resort had a HUGE pool with four waterslides, so Cais and Sam has a blast. Alice is so tall....she is almost as tall as I am! YIKES! We spent two afternoons at the Strip, walking around looking at the different hotels. We went to a buffet one night and to a shark reef at the Mandalay Bay too. There was lots to do...we almost wished for one more day just to see the rest! I was prepared to see a lot of nastiness, but I didn't really. That surprised me the most! We will definitely be going back....maybe when the kids are just a little older. An experience we won't soon forget, and a MUCH needed vacation!

viva las vegas

We're off for a four day vacation to Las Vegas! We won't have phones or computers, so I'll talk to you all next Monday!

no more diapers!

Glory hallelujah! No more diapers! Wil is finally potty trained! I have to say that I am lucky, it only took about a month with each of the kids. But, we are done and I'm so glad. Wil's made it through naps and nighttime dry for about a week now. I know that we still may have an accident here and there, but for the most part it's all over! HOORAY!

my baby

First of all, I have to say that my kids cracked me up today. While in the middle of Kohl's, my three children walk up to me decked out in movie star type sunglasses and say, "What's up Baby Girl?" AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I went school shopping with my kids today. Not generally my favorite thing to do, as my kids could really give two flips about what I have to get them for school. I was alright until Sam was trying on backpacks (courtesy of my mom - thanks!) and I realized that my baby really is going to kindergarten in about four weeks.

I know that Sam is not the baby of our family, but he is my baby. He has been through the most (ear tubes/breathing problems/adenoid and tonsil removal/ear tube removal/pulled tooth...etc...). I feel a certain amount of dread going into August 4th. While I'm excited that he is going to FINALLY get to go to school, I am also aware that our relationship will change. That is what is hard to deal with.
Right now, I am his favorite person to be with. Soon, friends and teachers will be the ones who get to see him more.

Sam is my one patient, tolerant and easy-going child. Cais and Wil are just like me, high strung and emotional. Sam is more like his daddy, willing to let people be who they are and hang with that. I don't want the world to change that in him. I am glad that they are going to Destiny, at least they will have somewhat of a Christian influence there.

I know that many of you are dealing with this same thing. Aiden, Tristan and Alannah will all start kindergarten as well this fall. For some of you it's the last one there, others it's the first...but I have to say that even with your middle it's hard... it's just not going to be easy to see my first-born son walk away from me and into a whole new world just waiting for him.....

4th of July

Hope you all had a great 4th!