Desperately Seeking Susan?....or Something Like That

Sanity. Oh yes, that is what I'm looking for. I knew it was something that started with 'S'. ; )
~Goodness, it's been a busy spring. Moving, gymnastics meets, friends and family moving, parents coming and going. Working 3 jobs in addition to my 'regular' stuff. It's no wonder I'm overtired and grouchy. (oh no, I really AM grouchy, just ask the boys) I've even BOUGHT bread recently *hangs head in shame* I know that's funny to most of you, but to me, that is a huge red flag. I gave Dan the "I'm tired, I'm tired of being tired, I'm tired of being tired of being tired' speech and thankfully, he took it graciously. He promised me some time to MYSELF in the very near future, as soon as we can work it out. Have I ever mentioned how much I love him and the way that he looks out for me?
~In related news, I gave my 2 weeks notice at Kohl's *hurray, hurray, hurray* Not to imply that I haven't enjoyed my 4 years at Kohl's, but the reasons that it worked so well for our life no longer apply, I need more sleep that I used to apparently (I'm not 20 anymore, ya know) and if Dan ends up working out of town again in the near future, well, it's just not as good of a fit as it used to be. So, farewell Kohl's, I shall miss my discount for sure~ *winks* and the great people that I've worked with. The Ad Set team rocks. And that's all I have to say about that.
~Dan joined a gym yesterday so in no time at all he will be even more deserving of the nickname Hercules. He's so hunky! I think it's good stress release for him, and I suppose it should be more motivation for me to get my rear in shape. Maybe I will be able to get a work out in while he's at the gym, D is at his gym and the younger two play outside or watch a movie.
~In the good news department, a dear friend had twins yesterday. Two healthy girls. They didn't know it was twins and I am SO excited for her family!
~In the bad news department, another dear friend found out that she has thyroid cancer. Thankfully they caught it early and her prognosis is good. Please be in prayer for her and her family as well.
~We are loving, loving, loving the new house although I will say it feels strangely empty since Dad and Mom departed last weekend. We miss them already, and they miss the bathroom. HA! In that same vein, we have an empty bedroom that is attached to a great bathroom in case anyone wants to come visit. I'm just sayin' ; )
~I think that's all the news that is news for now. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Lost boys, I am really missing you all this week. Hugs from Mama K. I LOVE YOU
Blessings, ~K~

PS. I know this is a tad random, but just wanted to share whatever came to the top of my head. There it is...the flotsam and jetsam of my overworked brain : )

October Catching Up Post

Goodness, has 3 weeks gone by AGAIN without a single post? Phew, life gets busy here at the Man Crew house sometimes and living life is more important than blogging. Anywho, just a quick recap of the last few weeks. Let's start with...

GREETINGS FROM SUNNY AND WARM NEW MEXICO. We're still enjoying upper 80s and low 90s temps most days, but truly enjoying low 60s for the overnight hours. Great weather!

• Dan is still looking for work, although he's staying busy working on projects with friends, helping people move, hanging out with the boys, and enjoying some extra sleep here and there.
• David turned 14 on the 3rd of October. Where DOES the time go? He enjoyed his birthday game night, and we went camping the weekend of his birthday.
• Pat is getting so tall and is already looking forward to his 13th birthday that is rapidly approaching. He's really missing James and Titus each day now that they aren't coming as often. His drawings are getting better, and he's loving our weekly trips to the library. He always checks out his fill of cartoon books, plus 1 educational book (per my request) 2 movies and 1 CD so he can get to know some new music. He's such a creature of habit (little like his mama that way)
• Derek is really liking school. We're making crafts, writing letters and sounding out words. So. Much. Fun! He's busy as usual with riding bikes, enjoying game night, jumping on the trampoline, chasing his brothers, playing with the cat, and just being him : )
• I finally got that rest I've been wanting. Spent last Saturday evening at the ER with what I thought was appendicitis. Turns out, thankfully that it was *just* a viral infection that was making my lymph glands in my abdomen swell and mimic the symptoms of appendicitis. So I got a lovely script for some Vicadin and spent the next two days laying on the couch drooling on myself. Dan and the boys took excellent care of me, cleaned the house and kept everyone fed and happy so I could rest. The next few days were led mostly from the couch as well, and I've now got 'real world' experience that school can be done from the couch, instead of just a hunch : )
• I also talked just this week with a dear 'old' friend (like from high school days) that I recently re-discovered on FB, and she called this week and we laughed about old times, where life has taken us and how it rarely becomes what we think. GOOD TIMES, what a wonderful time of catching up it was.
• My parents are COMING!! They've been saying for years that they're going to become snow birds and stay the winters here in NM, but it's just never panned out. This year seems to be the year, and even though it's still 2 months away, I find myself stopping at least once a day and thinking aloud, "They're coming! They're REALLY coming!!" Not only for my own enjoyment of course, but for the kids, they miss PaPa and Grma so much, and can't wait for them to get here.
• Game Night lives on. Some weeks we have 8, sometimes 20 and no matter how many we have, it's always fun. Uno, Farkle, Skip Bo, sometimes Chess, Bananagrams, Fluxx, Phase 10, Spades and a few random others grace the tables. We eat veggies with dip, chips with salsa, bean dip or cheese goo, cake if it's a BIRTHDAY Game Night, and laugh ourselves silly. It's great!

I think that's it for major updates, and I'll post some pics soon. Thanks for the love.

Blessings,

Kristy and the Man Crew

God Bless the Parents Who Drugged Us...

I didn't write this one, Mom, I found it on my cafemom site and asked for permission to copy it here...I just loved it. Hope you all enjoy it too!!
GOD BLESS THE PARENTS WHO DRUGGED US..
The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question. "Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?" I replied, I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather. I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me. I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flowerbeds and cocklebur's out of dad's fields. I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed. Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place. God bless the parents who drugged us.