Time Flies...

I can't believe how long it has been since I wrote a post for this blog. I have noticed that I have gained followers during my hiatus and I think that is awesome. I love that people think I have interesting things to say.

Our little blended family here in Oklahoma has really become my joy. I can't believe how much I enjoy taking care of the house and the kids. The ticket system works so well. If you need something to help your children start doing chores and giving rewards you should head over to Executive Homemaker to download and print it out. If you have publisher you can download it and customize it to meet your needs. We are using it with preschool kids through teenagers so BELIEVE me it works. Follow through is important and I am not always the best with that but I am really trying hard, and the kids are giving me some slack.

I am letting go of my perfectionism one little chore at a time. One of the keys to the system is not expecting them to be perfect. They are working hard and that is all that really matters. I am so proud of all of them.

Chris is traveling so much. He had an unplanned trip to New York this week, and next week he will be going back and probably to visit some other plants so he will be traveling all week. I am glad I have a family to be with while he is gone. I miss him so and I know he misses us. It is difficult, but I think it would more difficult for both of us if I wasn't here. He would be worried about me being alone and I would be sad that I was alone all the time.

One last thing...I even got a new follower on my other blog! I am excited about that. I need to post over there it has been awhile. I need inspiration.

New post tomorrow...it is our anniversary...another year gone by!

I am PUBLISHED!!

Well yes I know that this is publishing too..but... :)
I am writing for Examiner.com head over here to read my first article. I am working on the follow-up right now! It is fun I enjoy writing about what I know...kids! :)

Monday Morning Musing

Now that I am staying at home I am cleaning EVERY DAY! I mean seriously...every day! I rather enjoy it though. OMG...did I really just write that down? I enjoy cleaning the house. It takes about an hour every morning but it is simply the most rewarding hour I spend all day. I enjoy cleaning and thinking about the kids, Chris, and Jeannie while I do it. I say a little prayer for each of them while I clean up after them. I feel like it is a pleasure to keep a nice house for everyone.

We did also start a little chore system for the kids. Their behavior and lack of gratitude for the things they have had totally gotten out of hand. So we started a little ticket system to help get everyone back on track. The kids are actually LOOKING for things to do around the house so they can earn tickets, and they are getting along. As long as I can follow through with it I think it is going to work really well. I do get tired though. I need to really pray about staying the course I think.

I wrote my first article last night. I am waiting for it to be reviewed and published. I will let everyone know so you can head over there and read it.

Enjoy your Monday!

Random stuff and a couple of pics

So some of you live close to me and know a little bit of what has happened in my life but some of you have no clue so I thought I would fill you in on a couple of changes that have happened in our lives.

First of all, we have moved to Oklahoma for a little while. Chris is traveling so much with work that we, me and the kids, decided to move to Oklahoma to help out Jeannie. Since I have no job and really no job prospects for awhile I am here so she can work and have a vehicle until she can afford to get one. We have all four kids living in the house and I am the stay-at-home mom that I always thought I wanted to be. I am a little bored really. It is amazing how fast I get the house work done when the kids are gone and I do it everyday. But, despite my silly complaining I am happy. I am happy I can be here for all the kids when they leave for school and when they get home. I do enjoy the role I am playing here. I feel a little guilty because I am not a wife really to Chris except on the weekends, but in reality he wouldn't be home for me to be a wife anyway. He is in Atlanta today, and leaves on Sunday for New York, Newark, and Chicago.

I have decided to only do the freelance writing stuff because the online tutoring just didn't work out with the changes we have made. Too many responsibilities with the four kids and I now keep two more in the afternoons.

Kids are both going to school. Emily is in a head start program for pre-k that she is LOVING! She gets to ride a school bus there and home and really loves the independence. I guess she is just like her momma. Except I HATED riding the bus. Ben is really loving kindergarten here in Roff. He gets to spend his afternoons with Brighton, his new best pal. I love watching the boys play and listening to them.

I am at home all day and this is what I have wanted for a very long time, but I will tell you be careful what you wish for. :) I love it but I have to start sewing again because if I don't I am going to go a little nuts I think. I have learned how to crochet I just need to learn how to read a pattern, I have been doing some cross stitch, and I have read two books. Lots of praying and trying to hear God's will. So this is my window right now. I am trying to rest in Him. This is where He has lead me for right now. I will let you know when I start doing the freelance because it is an online thing and you can head over there and be a reader, if you are so inclined.

Here are a couple of gratuitous pics of the dog. He is a worthless, lazy thing, but he sure is cute! :)