Hectic First Week of School

Hello, friends.

This past week had been so busy around the household- lots of running around. My boys are back to school. Yes, they're both in special programs. So far, Gabriel's speech and communication skills had greatly improved since he worked with a speech therapist since he was 2 and now the pre-school program. My two year old Jaden is doing that too now, hoping it will help his speech delay as well.

Anyway, this afternoon is also Gabriel's first soccer game. I can't wait to see him play. It's one of those 4-5 year old soccer games where there are really no rules. They just play and kick the ball, although they have a coach too and they're all going to be in cute uniforms with their team name on it and all. It'll be so cute!!! :)

It's really been hectic. I wish I had a little time to myself to go shopping, check out some Black Friday deals or something, or have my nails done. But it's okay. This coming weekend I will have time for those. The boys will be with their dad and I can finally use the massage gift card I got from my sweetie on my birthday last year, lol. Too much to do, too little time. But at least I'm getting there.

How are you all? Hope you're all having a fantastic weekend!

Getting Back

Hello, friends. I'm glad to be back. I can't believe it's been three weeks since my last post here. As you well know, I'm very active on my other blog where I write reviews for products that I test. I'm playing catch up on my writing commitments there. But as super busy as I am right now, I'm still not going to totally disregard my personal blog. :)

Anyway, thank you all for your heart-felt encouragement over my 'separation anxiety' with my kids. We've all been back from our trips since last Sunday. I've missed the boys so much I had to go pick them up from their dad's house an hour after I arrived from my trip to Colorado- no matter how tired I was. That night, I cried with joy and thanked God the two weeks of not seeing them was over.

Okay, on a happier note. I had a fabulous time both in New York City and at the Epic Summer Adventure experience in Colorado the week after that. Dan and I took tons of photos on both trips, and we sure had a hell o' good times! It was my first time in the Rocky Mountain High, so I was on top of the world the whole time. It was just perfectly amazing! ;)

Right now, I'm back to my mommy routine. The laundry doesn't look too good right now, but I'm taking it one day at a time.

How are you all? Hope everything is well.

Gabriel is going to be Four

It's been a year this month since my boys Gabriel and Jaden and I visited my family in the Philippines. It didn't seem that long ago. We even got to celebrate Gabriel's 3rd birthday there last year.

This Friday- July 3rd, Gabriel is turning four. Dan and I decided to give him a Chuck E. Cheese party this year which we're doing one day ahead- tomorrow. We've invited a few friends here in Woodbridge and their little kids so it should be so much fun! I'm always the last minute preparer of things so today I went to the local Safeway and ordered a "Cars" themed sheet cake. Cost me about $32 but I figured it's better to have more than enough for everyone. There will probably be about a dozen kids and a dozen adults who are coming. I also went to Party City for party hats, favors and confettis.

I'll be sure to post photos of the birthday party by the end of the week, I promise! :D

Hello

Whoa! The past week went by quick. Let's see...

Besides trying to get more organized around the house, my boys who were on and off with fever and coughing kept me busy all week. Running to pick them up from daycare, to the doctor, then tending to them at home. Not so much with Gabriel, but more with Jaden. He hasn't eaten well, so I had to make sure he eats so I kept him at home. Thank God yesterday he looked better and he started eating like normal again. So today they both went back to daycare. Hopefully they will be fine for the rest of the week.

Weather-wise, it's been raining here in Virginia in the mornings for the past two weeks and my boys go to daycare every morning at 6:30AM. So yesterday afternoon I went to OshKosh (kids' clothing store) and bought them new rain jackets. Good thing they had a half off sale, so I only paid $20 each instead of $40. Whew, their clothes are actually more expensive than mine sometimes, LOL. :)

On a brighter note, I had a fantastic time with my honey (Dan) and his eleven year old son (Jordan) in Virginia Beach last weekend. I will try and post a few of our photos on a separate post with details about our fun weekend trip. Meanwhile, let me look at some rubber stamps that I want to get for Dan's office. :)

Surprise from my babies today

I had a really cute surprise from my little guys today (Gabriel, 3.5 years old and Jaden, 2 years old) when I picked them up from the daycare. They made me beautiful Mother's Day cards! :)

I wish I could post it here but my camera is still broken. I might try the phone camera later though. Anyway, the cards so touched my heart. I received two separate MD cards from my babies- the very first time ever.

Anyway, tonight and the weekend they will be staying with their dad. I am going to finish up decorating their bedroom at my 'new house'. I was at the Home Goods store today looking for discount lights and boys' room decor. I found some cute blue storage baskets instead for their closet.

For Mother's Day, me and Dan will be picking up the boys in the afternoon and take them at a state park close to where we live. Then go to dinner together with my guys. :)

Thoughts On Being A Stay-at-Home Mom

So I know a lot of us blogging mamas are stay-at-home moms- just being home and take care of the kids. Personally, since I had my two boys ( three and a half years since my eldest son Gabriel was born) I have just been a stay-at-home mom. I did a couple attempts to go back to work full time but it always failed. The kids get sick and the daycare doesn't take them and I end up missing days at work. I am unfortunately not surrounded by family or close friends to help me out in those times. So I end up quitting the job.

Anyway, I keep getting these emails from a few computer companies here in Virginia for computer positions. I am not a techie or know anything about Javascript or troubleshooting computer or POS system problems so I don't even know why they would be interested in contacting me for a job.

I did get an email from the company I worked for in the past scoring national tests at home. It was great and now I get to do it again in the comfort of my own home. So yayy! for that. :D

I mean, who doesn't need a little income these days? Even when you're just a stay-at-home mom like me.

Frugality

I was watching the news this evening and one segment that interested me is about this really young mom with 6 kids and pregnant with her seventh child. They were showing the ways that her family stays frugal and the way that they spend money on their daily necessities such as food and clothing. Like, she goes to thrift stores for clothes and makes her own flour to bake bread. Wow! Very interesting. I guess I don't have to feel too bad about myself giving up a recent health care career to stay home and take care of my two kids. The whole time I was watching the feature I kept thinking how she manages her household with 6 kids and pregnant at the same time. Gosh, she must need a lot of caffeine to keep her sanity. I know I do. :D

I mean, I have nothing against women with tons of kids. In fact I do admire them. But keeping it real, people. I know I won't have the energy or time to make my own flour with 6 kids and all. Honestly... would you? ;D

New Blog Makeover

Hello friends,

How do you all like my new blog header?

Guess what, Cathy over at My Design Workbench gussied me up. Wow, isn't it fabulous? Which suits me better now that I'm going to be a full-time working mommy again soon. Yes, I am going back into the workforce and I start in less than two weeks. Ugh. The challenges of motherhood and trying to earn a living. No hard feelings though. I love being a mom and I know it's not going to be easy trying to keep up a career alongside mommyhood. At the same time, I do have to pay the bills like everyone else.

Okay, so much for the new job. :)

So by the way, if you all need a new blog design makeover, contact Cathy. She is great at what she does and her prices are very affordable! :)

To-Do List

Today is just going to be a "stay home and do my to-do list around the house" day. Sounds fun, isn't it? ;D

I wanted to actually check out this new play gym for kids to take my boys to earlier this morning. It's got all kinds of cool play things in it that I am sure my boys will enjoy. I've never seen indoor wooden swing sets as huge as this one we saw at this new play gym. But it's a little chilly out today and I really, really wanted to finish up working on my to-do list for the week. Gosh, I always wonder if I can even get half of them done. But I guess I just have to keep trying, right?

So how is your Wednesday? Anything special today or have you got a never-ending to-do list you gotta do like I do? :D