Whatever

Last weekend Elyse and I went to the coastal cleanup down at Dauphin Island. It was a really nice day. The beach was beautiful. I'd say that Elyse picked up more shells than she did trash, but we did our fair shar of work too.

Zane has started Taekwando. He's done 2 weeks now and is doing well. He's super cute especially while doing the kicks. Wish I had a picture, but I didn't feel comfortable snapping a one in the small quiet room. Might try next week.

Charlie leaves for Pennsylvania tomorrow. I'm not going to enjoy that. We took a couple of family pictures today I'll post the best one.

Not much going on with me. Read Midnight Sun. Need more. Will try to read more of The Host. Trying to help out around Zane's school. Should be reading this week to his class. He has some pretty cool kids in his class. Went to Robot club with Elyse. Wow do I feel stupid / out of place in there. Not sure how long we'll keep that up. She's doing so well in school. Just need to find the extra carricular activity that fits her pesonality and my budget. Ari seems to need a little something extra too. She gets so bored.

This is just Elyse Zane and Sammuel being there silly selves. Thought I'd share it since so many people don't get to see my kids true selves.

updates

Finished reading my books Wednesday evening. They were great, but now that I've been done for a while I realize how much I haven't gotten done lately. Maybe I shouldn't be a reader. Can't seem to prioritize. I am on a waiting list at the library for yet another book.

I'm looking forward to Alabama games again. I get so emotionally involved. Last year there were several games I thought we were going to win and when we didn't I was furious. So I tried to distance myself, but so far this year is going well.....

Cat still didn't come home. Guess she never will. Killer keeps getting sores. Think he's getting caught under the fence and digging it into his back. Gotta fix that.

Charlie just got back from working out of town since Monday. So glad he's back. Don't know how single parents do it. I would be the meanest mom in the world. Also missed being able to just go to him and ramble like I do. Don't think he missed that part.

School is going well for Elyse and Zane. She has joined the robotic team - for now anyway. I'm hoping she sticks with it and that the meeting times aren't too difficult. She's doing well in her classes which I'm happy about since I've always heard the magnet schools were hard.

Of course Zane went back to cub scouts. I love that he gets that interaction. He's got all A's so far. I'm proud.

Ari is a wild maniac that likes to talk a lot and ask a lot of questions. I'm learning patience. She loves games and is really good with the computer.

Actually all 3 kids love games and are good with the computer. Charlie has gotten Elyse and Zane hooked on world of warcraft and they fight on who gets to play when.

I suppose thats all I've got for now. I'll put some pictures below of our every day life.

We did an experiment and found That Ari's head is way way harder than Elyse's.

Ari and I were princesses.

It just worked so much better on her.

Zaney enjoying world of warcraft.

Bad Bad Maureen

So I've been so busy reading lately I haven't been able to blog or visit anyone else's blog. I don't ususally like to read, but when I do I'm extremely devoted to it. These Twilight books are very interesting and I'm about a third of the way through book 4. If I didn't have children and stuff I'd have been done a while ago. Stinkin' Kids! : )

Just wanted to see if my video would work.

Goodbye

Disclaimer: okay so I'm not crazy. I just sometimes like to write stuff down in the hope that it will help a little. And since I have this blog thought I'd share it. Yes I know she was just a cat, but she was part of the family for a long time.

If it hurts this much missing your cat
Losing a child - I couldn’t deal with that
Kitty’s been around for 13 years
Now I guess I must accept my fears
She’s not coming back at least I don’t think
And into sadness Charlie and I sink
Not knowing - I feel is the hardest part
And writing this hopefully will mend my heart
Give me the closure that I’d like so bad
By fondly remembering the life she had
When she was new she was bouncy and wild
In a way Kitty Schmitty was our first child
How can someone just disappear
After being here year after year
Where did she go what steps did she take
When we shut the door did she make a mistake
Does someone have her in their home
Did they pick her up when they saw her roam
Would they harm her at all or treat her kind
So that she may someday our home find
Was it her time to go did she mean to leave
That’s what I’m trying hard to believe
She made a choice perhaps - she was kind of old
Cats will do this is what I’m told
I see her in the window - curled up on the floor
Hear her tiny paws scratching the door
When will that pass and I’ll no longer obsess
When will I have the peace I want to possess
I took her for granted we had her so long
She was the smartest cat and really strong
Hardly ever got sick or was badly hurt
If she got messy she’d just lick off the dirt
Once she lit her tail from a candle

But there was no trauma she couldn’t handle
When Elyse came along and started to play
She took it in stride and just walked away
Same with the other two she never hurt a kid
And pretty much whatever we asked she did
Starbuck Skye Sandy Killer and fish
I’m fairly certain away she did wish
Now whenever I open a tuna can
I’ll always remember how she ran
The way she crawled up on Charlie’s shoulder
And how she loved for him to hold her
Precious kitty kitty we miss you so much
And will always wish for just one last touch
To tell you goodbye and what a good friend you were
And to pet you once more to hear your purr

Random Thoughts

So things seem to be going well at school for both kids. I'm always driving it seems and putting gas in the car. Chickasaw is far far away, but when I pick up Elyse and she's had a good day its all cool. She's made a good friend and is doing well academically so far. Zane says school is boring, but he's always said that and he doesn't talk about his class in a bad way. They are still reviewing and I think that's why he's bored. Seems crazy that all I write about is my kids. I suppose I need to get a life. I did vacuum the car and the house so far today. That's exciting, right?
Kitty is missing. I'm afraid its for good this time. I think I see and hear her all the time, but she's just disappeared. Its hard because she was sort of our trial run for having children and she was with us for so long. I'm still in denial though, and I won't put her food bowl away. Cats can be gone for a while and still return???... She's a sharp one.
Carpool at school is still insane. What's with the middle lane never moving? Why can't we use the extra lane on the other side of the railing? Why is it so freaking hot out?
I am so thankful though that I get to stay at home and help / be with my kids. I'm grateful that Charlie has a job that he's happy with. I'v got a super family, some good friends, and decent schools for my kids to attend. Just don't want everyone to think all I do is complain. I have the life everyone should wish for and I appreciate it.

Realized I left out 2 very important members of the family. First there is Kitty. She's been with us for 13 years and is the smartest cat ever. She comes when she's called. She never has "accidents" in the house, doesn't even need a litter box. She has put up with all three kids in their toddler years and various other patience trying pets. Kitty rocks!

Then there is Vicious Killer Dude. We call him Killer or sometimes not such nice words when he's been bad. He is part beagle part hound part terrier and probably a few others. He really is a smart dog. Today he protected me from a stranger at the door. He thinks he really is vicious and might be if given the chance. He acts like a puppy but does as he's told most of the time. He can fetch and sit and shake and go to his room (which he practices often). He's not as sharp or well behaved as Kitty but he's fun.