Random things I've learned this week....

1. Change isn't always a bad thing.

2. I can't watch American Idol anymore. I cry after everybody's audition. I cry cause I'm happy for them, or I cry cause I feel bad. I hate seeing people's dreams crushed.

3.I can't be sarcastic with my kids. The other day Kaylee was getting ready for dance. She was in one of her not so patient, i'm really tired moods, therefore she was wigging out about everything. She hollered at me, "What am I supposed to wear under my leotard. I don't even have anything!" I replied to her, "Jeans Kaylee. What do you think you wear under a leotard?" She got quiet and a couple minutes later she came to me, ready for dance....in her jeans. I couldn't stop laughing, but she on the other hand just started bawling.

I made her put the outfit back on when she was in a better mood, just so I could take a picture.

4. I hate working out.  I thought I was doing ok, making a habit of it, then I got sick and didn't work out for about a week. Now I can't seem to get motivated again. I found this funny quote off another blog. It is so the dilemma I have in my head every day!

"I gotta work out.I keep saying I gotta start working out. It's been about two months since I've worked out. And I just don't have the time. Which uh..is odd. Because I have the time to go out to dinner. And uh..and watch tv. And get a bone density test. And uh.. try to figure out what my phone number spells in words.” – Ellen DeGeneres –

5. Kade has no concept of time. There have been a few things that he has really looked forward to. He wakes up in the morning (approx 7:00) so excited for the things happening that day. He will ask me, "When we going?" I explain to him it won't be until after lunch. He quickly responds, "Well, let's have lunch then!" I guess I need to figure out a new way to explain time to him.

6. My kids can be very motivated to do things around the house when they have something to look forward to. We started a "ticket" system at our house. They have their chore charts, and then various other things they can earn tickets for. They can collect their tickets and "buy" things with them. They also have a list of consequences that they can also lose tickets for. Their behavior has vastly improved. They have been so excited to help around the house, be kind, and reach out to others.

7. It's kind of fun to celebrate Valentine's early. The restaurants aren't as busy and flowers are less expensive. I was treated to TWO bouquets of flowers this year! I have made Mike promise me that he won't buy me flowers on Valentines, because they are way to pricey. Apparently if you buy them early, that rule doesn't apply.

8. I now have a running total of 7 different doctors who exclaimed (after looking in Kade's throat) "HAVE YOU SEEN THE SIZE OF HIS TONSILS???? Are they always like this, or is he REALLY sick right now?" "Um, yes I have seen them. And yes they are always that size." Poor Kade, his tonsils are so large that he chokes on them at night, can't breathe when he get's phlemy, snores like crazy, and is always getting strep. He has an appointment to get them removed on Friday. He's really looking forward to all the popsicles, ice cream, and bubble gum.

9. It doesn't matter what month it is, it will always be golf season. At first I was slightly ok with the sport because it was only 6 months out of the year. But oh no...that's not enough. Mike has officially already been golfing this year. Every night golf is on at our house, and someone (I won't mention who) is practicing their swing in front of the tv. And conveniently there is a new indoor golf facility, this is fun for the boys, but come on...getting old.

10. I really need to work on patience. I am so quick to get upset with my kids if things aren't done on my time. I tend to get upset about situations that I may not fully understand. I think I understand what I need and when I need it. That's usually not the case. But I do know that if I can be patient things usually turn out for the better. I have learned that my kids respond so much better. And I am always happier in the end.

“Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience.”

11. My kids prefer "Clifford" over our new car because we let them eat in there.

12. Eating all meals at home saves SO much money. For the last few weeks we have done so well at taking lunches to work/school, and eating at home every night. But after doing this for awhile you remember how fabulous it is to go out to dinner. Yum Olive Garden!

13. I'm not ready to head out into the working field. I applied for an in-home job, went through the interview, came home and cried, then sent them an email saying I didn't want the job anymore. I thought I wanted to do something, contribute a little. But I'm not ready for that.

14. There is never enough time for everything.

14. Everything happens for a reason.