Early Morning Seminary...

I've reached the pinnacle of parenting...Early Morning Seminary. And yes...it is EARLY!!! Class starts at 6am which means I need to wake up my oldest at 5am to be ready. Are you serious? Yes, yes I am. As it turns out Corinna is excited about seminary and learning more about the gospel. She loves the fact she can study the scriptures every day...Huh?! I am excited for her. After class she walks to school and I might add, in case you were thinking I was a super awesome parent, she was not so thrilled I wouldn't pick her up and drive her to school. To be honest, her high school is less than a mile away and all the seminary kid walk together. It's exercise at a time of day where the heat doesn't drive you inside. Yes, the mean mom I am...insisted she try it out....for a semester.

Now, seminary wouldn't be a shock to my system but looking at my schedule it seems my sleeping will be done in shifts. This will give you the idea:
5am- Wake up Corinna
545am- drive her to seminary
6am- return home
630am- wake up the other two
745am- drive other two to school
815am return home
845am attempt to gain more sleep.
1100am- wake up...again
1130am- get showered and ready for the day
noon- eat breakfast & cook dinner for kids
100- organize my things for work & leave if I need to take bus to work
230pm- leave for work if hubby giving me a ride
330-midnight- work/ call kids on all breaks
1230am- clean up kitchen- I hate ants
1am- bedtime
5am- begin again!!!

I don't know how other working Moms have made it through, but my heart goes out to you all for what you do for your kids!!! I can't wait until Saturday to hang out with my kids...and sleep 8 hours in a row!!

Long Week...

No, this is not what the poor computer at Mariott looks like, but what I felt like making it look like isntead. We were told the second week of training would be the hardest, but as usual...I don't beleive people when they tell me these things. Why should it be?!?! It's training!!! So, needless to say I went along my happy way during my training. Unfortunately, I was tested..my patience and all...tested to the ends of my very nerves. Our seats were switched and beleive me the two people I was sitting next to are fabulous wonderful sweet people...and I mean it. However...you knew that was coming... the person on my right kept asking me questions...every other minute...and I am be quite literal on this. Bringing my rate of learning lower. I couldn't take it. I was starting to lsoe it. Not that he didn't need answers. He's a smart man and he is going to get it, but the program is self paced. I was two lessons ahead of him and now he has nearly caught up to me. Besides, the fact when he couldn't understand a concept he cursed just loud enough for both of us on either side to hear. It is frustrating to say the least. Why do I feel like this? I mean really. I DID stop to help someone else. What's so wrong in that?! Maybe my progression was held up, but I was helping someone along. So, as I left...over 1 1/2 hours later than most of the rest of the class who opted to leave earlier I felt I had done everything I could. I did talk to my trainer about the frustration and she understood and let me know the whole class was being shifted again on Monday. I know I shouldn't have got frustrated and that my co-worker simply needed help. I know I am so far from being perfect, but sometimes I find frustration has joined me.Any ideas on what I can do?! You all are smart wonderful people! I know there are answers for me...and don't think I hadn't thought about earplugs.

Of Nerd Glasses and Gremlins...

The first day of school...I'd love to post pictures...but I have none! Why?! Because my youngest...my baby...now in 7th grade has to wear a uniform along with my 8th grader. Now please, understand, it's not like a "cool" uniform for a private school. No, according to my sweet daughter they were "Nerd Clothes." Everyone in the school looks EXACTLY the same. I don't know what the problem is, but she has declared she looks like a nerd. So, this morning, being the tactful mother I am, as we were walking to our car I pretended to get all teary eyed and she looked at me.

"Oh, look how sweet my little nerd children look," I sniffed. She was fairly unamused. I'm sure a comment will arise here soon when she reads what I wrote.

As for me, Work is great and I am learning soooo much!!!! It keeps me busy and waking up at the break of dawn to get my kids out of bed and ready for school. I will note that unfortunately with my training schedule the way it is I only see my children for 45 minutes in the morning as I wake them and drop them off..I'm not liking it!!! I can't wait for the weekend to give them the love I want to give them!!! However, on facebook it has been brought up that I am morphing from the cute little cuddly Gizmo to the wildly outlandish Stripes. Seriously, the fact I remember these characters names from this movie is amazing to me as my brain feels like goo. However, this morning a new face greeted me at the mirror...much closer to the scaly green guy than being cute and cuddly. I guess 5 hours a sleep each night does that to a person. Boy, I can't wait until seminary starts next week. THAT means I can now get up earlier!!! If only I believed in drinking energy drinks!!!I do have to add that I am so truly thankful for my children. If they weren't such good kids this wouldn't work. They are my heroes...perhaps someday they'll think up a magic potion to push the scales away and my cute self will come back.

Hi-Ho! Hi-Ho!!!

It's off to work I go!!!
I will tell you now I made the most complete and utterly wonderful decision of my life in job choices..oh yes, there were choices!!! I am so excited because there are so many different avenues for growing with the company and like one special friend told me before I started...Marriott LOVES their employees. I've never in my life felt so welcomed by a company I worked for. Sure, there's always a welcome of pleasant words and encouragement when you start training....however, never has such wonderful people surrounded a class and welcomed us in a way that I am feeling valued and I just started!!!

The best part. I can literally go anywhere in the world I choose to work with the company. Can I just tell you I love that!!! I am a travel junkie! I admit it whole heartedly. I love walking into a freshly cleaned hotel room and daydream of the adventures I will have with each trip!!! FABULOUS!!!!

I am loving my job and finding that I am really getting to know my fellow employees...well a few since there are 600 of them in the office. I look forward to transitioning home and working from my desk here. I am looking forward to many different aspects of my job and loving every minute of it!!! So, I walk into my job happy, carefree, desperately trying to learn all the different material...much of which will take time to sink in through this thick head...but I find when you love what you do...it's so much easier!!!
So, forgive me dear friends for not being in contact earlier...I', enjoying my job and trying to learn how to sleep...Getting home at midnight can be tough on a morning person!!!

Next week school begins. I have a high schooler, which means seminary starts..6AM!!!! and two middle schoolers now who will literally need t take care of themselves at home at night. I know they can do it. I'll leave dinner ready for them before I leave for work and all will be well. I am excited for them. They are great steady minded kids and I love them dearly!!! All is well my friends...I'm nearing the top of the peak and ready to start on my way down of this trial...I pray Mount Everest isn't on the other side!!!!

Another Early Morning...

No, school has not started...just registration. If there's one thing you need to know about me. I detest, hate, loathe being late. If I'm not 15 minutes early then I'm 10 minutes late. Everywhere I go I have to be early. n fact, last night we drove to my sister-in-law's house for dinner and they thought we weren't coming or they gave us the wrong time ebcause we were 7 minutes late. Yup! That's me! So, when I had to go and register my younger two for middle school you'd better believe I was going to be there when registration first started. In fact, I was the second one through the door at 8:02am...they apparently weren't ready until then. So, there I sat, my hand cramping filling out each paper in duplicate trying to make sure not only my son but daughter had everything filled out completely for them. Ahhh the fun and excitement!!!! We go back Wednesday night to pick up books, schedules, pictures and everything while I do the same with my high schooler tomorrow morning. We managed to get them both registered and I think it is a good thing. I can breathe now...of course I don't have that penciled into my schedule until Saturday, but I have a few minutes now. It's time to get into the groove of it all because next week starts work, the following starts school and the following starts seminary. AHHHH!!!! Glorious Parenthood!!!!

Because....

Going through the craziness of our lives I'm sure you all have felt it. You know, those days when the "Why Me's" outnumber the "We thank thee, Lord's." I know they've done it for me lately. On the outside I put on the happy face, but this trial has been one of my hardest personally to go through. It's more mental than anything. However, after asking the "Why Me's" for awhile you begin to feel redundant and then your eyes are opened. the "Why Me's" are now replaced with the answer "Because."

Why did we give up so much to move so far?

Because

Because why?

Because you were willing.


Ahhhh! Gotcha...




***As a side note- I am a little geeky when it comes to the internet. When we moved I kept glancing back as we drive int he rear vew mirror saying good-bye in a way. Well, the internet is the same. I would type in www.lds.org and then sign in and see our old ward's webpage with my name still there. But this morning as I typed my name in something happened. No longer was my old ward there. And the quote for the ward read:
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me..." Matthew 11:28-29.

I guess sometimes Heavenly Father has to tell us to stop looking back. A lesson to be learned for sure.

Gearing up for Monday....

The final days of this week are exapected to march on fairly quickly, at least with soem entertainment. Today we are relaxing around the house, with one quick trip to the market. Tomorrow brings us to a quick day of work for Don, who has to wake up early, and then we enjoy some time with our ward members getting to know them and attempting to actually learn some names. A nice quiet day on Sunday is always a blessing which drops us straight on Monday's doorstep. Hubby works later in the evening but our main event will be starting bright and early. Molly abd Bryan will "finally" be signed up for school. It's hard enough to sign one child up for school...now double it. Ugh!!! Not to mention the fact that this entire week is filled up with running from one place to another...all in the name of school.

Tuesday is Prep Day for Corinna
Wednesday is Prep Night for Molly & Bryan
Thursday I finally get to take a deep breath
Friday we drop Corinna off at Freshman Ram Camp- to learn about her school from the upper classmen, then we pick up hubby's paycheck, run errands, pay bills, pick up Corinna, & buy a few items for school clothes.
Saturday I sleep while hubby runs off to work
Sunday is my day of rest...in which I will create fabulous cupcakes for Molly bee for her 12th birthday...drop hubby off to work, take Corinna to her back to school seminary fireside, pick up hubby...see I told you it was a day of rest...and prepare for my first day of work the following day.

I felt a bit guilty that I was starting my first day of work on Molly's birthday, but this morning I felt better when I saw hubby's schedule and that he has the entire day off with our little girl...ahem...Young Woman...Already?! Sigh!!!

This is where I stick my head in the sand and join the ostriches hiding from some major facts...
#1 It sucks to see your baby growing up
#2 I truly hate signing my kids up for school in new schools
#3 I am a mother of a high schooler
#4 This fall promises to deliver some great friday night lights games!!!

In A Rut..

I'm not sure how it has happened, but here I am...in a rut. perhaps I'm caught off guard by not having the money right now to go out and see the sights. Trust me...there are plenty of sites around here to see and I am dying to see them!!! I've been to the Alamo and really had a wonderful time wandering the small area....it looks so much bigger in the movies. I am dying to spend the day wandering and I have to admit I am looking forward again to date nights. I know what you are saying. With date nights you can do so many things without spending money...Yes, but we are watching our gas very closely until my life with Marriott starts. For those who have never lived in an area of high humidity...neither had I until now...it takes time to adjust. I've given me that time and I look forward to being fully adjusted. I do admit I no longer feel it as much except at the height of the hot day.

I also admit I am somewhat sad that I won't be here for the kids when they get home from school and it bothers me. I love to be here when they get home...that way if they have a question I can answer it. I AM grateful however that both the high school and junior high my kids are attending have a homework hotline in case help is needed. I am incredibly excited for their new adventures. AND I will be coming home by mid-November to work so that will make me feel so much better when that comes about. The best part..no traffic. I like it that way. I am also looking forward to when my honey and I have the day off together in the middle of the week. Perhaps when the "cooler" weather comes we can wander around the riverwalk or even go on a date to Sea World while the kids go to school. Sounds like fun to me. Nothing more romantic than petting dolphins and smelling like fish. Insert romantically kissy face right here.

Yes, I confess I may be losing it, but that's all right. I've been caught up in my writing again and soon I will have the first chapter done. It is a love of mine that keeps me going, keeps my mind active.

So friends...if you see my marbles rolling on by wave as they roll off onto their next great adventure...you never know where they'll appear next!!!

Month 1...Done!!!

It has been one month since arriving here in Texas and I've thought back to how I've changed:

#1- I no longer believe there is any other temperature that hot outside and I doubt very highly that it ever gets cold here in Texas.

#2- Dancing in the rain is so much more fun when it isn't 40 degrees outside.

#3- I can make it to the third floor walking up and downstairs several times a day...my heart still pounds and I still require a tall glass of water when I get to the top, but the Paramedics no longer need to be called.

#4- Condensing our home from 2100 square feet to 1200 square feet sucks, but it really simplifies things.

#5- Flexibility is the key to everything.

#6- Good people are all around.

#7- I make a pretty mean loaf of sourdough bread

#8- My kids are pretty awesome!!!

#9- Life is full of curveballs, you'd better learn to work on your batting stance.

#10- Without friends...life would be impossible!!!

Some of my favorite things...

I don't know if anyone else does this, but when I travel I like to bring something special home to remind me of the fun and feelings I had wherever I was. One of my favorite things is my Zulu basket.

No, I didn't make it to South Africa...yet, but I picked this up in Disney World. I am one of those people who loves baskets, but not any baskets...different types of baskets. At the time this little basket was perfect size and cost to fit my busget and my house. It is different and always makes me smile as I remember we were eating at a restaurant in Animal Kingdom when I saw them. They were sweet enough to send it to my hotel and I picked it up 2 days later. I always smile remembering the good times we had there. The best part...the basket I bought is a beer basket. Yup!!! The Zulus make their own beer and store it in this basket. I began to laugh. It was like the last time we were in San Antonio, before moving here I saw some fleece blankets on sale and bought them for my kids without actually unrolling them...bad idea. Molly's has martinis all over it...she still uses it and it makes me laugh.

My family tends to laugh at the items I come home with. In Maui I came home with my own tiki who watches over my family. It's only 2 feet tall and heavier than heavy can be! In Italy I brought a vinegar and oil set. I hand carried it home to the states. I hand carried it from California to Texas.
My family rolls their eyes everytime, but they understand.

What do you collect...or am I the only packrat left in the world?