Time Flies...

I keep thinking I got things ready for school and then I realize I have a few more things to get. I ordered some really cute shoes for the kids from Payless online and was amazed at how unexpensive they were!! For $50 I got 3 pairs of shoes and that includes shipping costs....pretty good if you ask me!! I still have a few minor supplies to get for Jordon, 2nd grade seems to have the longest list!! I need to Jackson a few more pairs of jeans too but I have been holding off because he has a Spetember b-day and the granparents are good about getting clothes for the kids!! Julia is set to go so I am making some progress...hehehe! Before I know it it will be time to christmas shop and that is another ordeal with 4 kids!

Jeff called this week and now they are saying it will be December before we can get the house!! I am so frustrated now, the date keeps changing!! There is still nothing else here we are interested in and have looked at surrounding towns as well. One possibility is Colman as they are opening a new develoment there with lots starting at 12K. I don't really want to live in Colman but it would be nice for Brit and closer to SF and Brk! I hate the thought of being "here" that long and moving in the WINTER!! It's a tough decision for us but I am sure the answer will come.

Today Julia was practicing handstands in the living room with Janaya running circles and ended up kicking Janaya in the mouth. Let me tell you there was blood everywhere and a HUGE hole. I took her up to the hospital and had mom look and a few nurses. They called the doctor and he wanted to look to see if she needed stitches. It is very deep and right at the corner of her mouth. He said lets just watch it because kids tend to rub thier tongues on them and untie them. He also said even though the mouth is really germ filled infection doesn't usually happen so we'll see. She is definately hurting and that is rotten enough!!

I am having a rough time with my depression again over the last few weeks. I think it is a combination with school starting, the house and everyday stress. I am taking my medication and have been but it just seems to be breaking through. It is really rough to deal with everything when I feel this way but I keep going for the family. As selfish and unreal as it sounds I wish I could take a weekend or few days and just go somwhere calm and relaxing for myself, I know don't we all but if anyone is with me let me know!!

Well I hope everyone has a good weekend...

Check out my Slide Show!

Oh what a wonderful weekend!! I haven't had this much fun with my kids in a very long time!! We left Friday and arrived in Omaha at 5:30 and got all checked in! After we ate we went swimming for a bit before "trying" to get the kids to lay down for the night!! Saturday we got to the Zoo right at 8:30a and were there till 1:30. We walked and walked and saw so much amazing stuff. The experiences they had were absolutely amazing!! There are so many things we did and saw I can't possibly get it all on here, so there will be a slide show with lots of pictures to show you! If you haven't been there you should. Everyone was happy and so glad to be there. After the Zoo we headed back to the motel or was that tried, yes the hubby and I read directions wrong and got lost, not so fun! It didn't take us long to figure it out but it is such a rotten feeling to be lost!! We took all 5 of the kids to the Olive Garden for supper and they were so good it was great! I LOVE that place!! We swam again before bed and then gotup Sunday am and headed to Sioux Falls for groceries on the way home!! I must say I seem to spend more when I shop in SF then if I go to Brookings, why is that?? We got home about 3p and can't wait till we can go back to see the rest of it...hehehe!! I think this weekend was just what the doctor ordered!! Hope everyone had a good weekend! Enjoy the slide show, I know it's gonna be long try to bear with me!!

I just want to Blog...

If you haven't noticed I have not been blogging much lately....as it seems there is nothing going on other then the ordinary!! I mean who wants to say the same thing over and over again..lol! But I guess that also means nothing bad is going on so thank the Lord for that!! Today I will be packing as we leave tomorrow as soon as Brit gets home from work for Omaha. The kids are really excited now and it will be so nice to get away! So you will have to look for a slide show when I return.

I saw on the news last night about the bridge in Minneapolis collapsing...that is so sad and my heart goes out to the victims and there family's, also to all the rescuers and volunteers !! I just can't imagine what any of them are going through!! I have always hated the really "long" bridges over big bodies of water because I fear something like that happening but always tell myself it won't , how could it...and it does happen and a horrible tragedy!! Please Pray for the people there now as they are in need!!

I have been toying with the idea of going back into the workforce this last week. Income is always something we seem to need more of and my daycare is real slow right now! There have been at least 4 jobs I have been scoping that would be really good for me but the pay is not really enough to compensate for me going. Janaya would only be in daycare about 20 hours or so but I swore I wouldn't do that again! Oh what to do. The other issue is I would be losing income elsewhere and would have to make that plus enough to make it worth it. So I put out my flyer and will see if I can get a few more kids before I make any hasty decisions. I know the kids will be in school but I still like to be the one who sends them off and the one here when they return. And if they are sick or Jordon has issues at school I am readily available. These are hard decisions for me and hope I make the right ones for the whole family!

Well I am gonna get to laundry and packing, hope everyone has a good weekend and stays safe!!

Janaya's Preschool/ Well baby check-up

Wow do children ever grow fast! Janaya had her physical on Friday with Dr. Beecher! She is 39 1/2 inches (75th percentile) and 47.2 pounds ( >95th percentile). She asked her if she follows everything her brothers do and she gladly replied "yes"! She said her wait is something to keep an eye on for now but not to worry too much!! She asked Janaya a variety of question's to see what she knows and can and can't do! She answered her very well and accurately too. When she asked her if she can kick a ball Naya said..."yes but only by myself". LOL. Naya told her her favorite color is purple and she can dress herself, oh yeah and she can hear everything mom and dad say!! She had to get one shot, the chicken pox one! She didn't even cry at all! I can't believe how big she is getting and especially that she is gonna go to school!

Today we went down to check out crazy days and watched the Firemans water fight! The kid's like the grab bags and the jumping castle. That gave mom some time to look for some school clothes. I must say that it used to be much more and Madison definitely needs more for shopping!! I found a few shirts for the kids and a few for Brit but I think most of my school shopping will be in Brookings or Siouxfalls! After that we came home and the kids enjoyed the afternoon in the pool. For supper we grabbed some Taco's and went to the park and that was loads of fun!

Julia is feeling much better now that she has been on the oral antibiotic. She still has some draining but no pain!!! She even went to gymnastics this week!!! I am thinking she will be like me and need to wear ear plugs for swimming or this is gonna continue to happen.

I think tomorrow we might try the public pool for some afternoon fun. One more week till we go to the Omaha Zoo, we are all getting excited now! I just need some "Fun" before school starts which is just around the corner....too soon if you ask me!! Hope you all had a good weekend!!

Ear Infections....

Does anyone else here totally hate ear infections?? Of all the illness my kids have had the most trouble with this is it!! 3 of my 4 children have had PE Tubes in, Julia actually twice! Jordon has maybe had 3 his whole life....lucky him! This is something I have actually dealt with my whole life too and still get them at least every year! Julia did really well after her first set of tubes and then Dr. Todd put them back in when she had her tonsils removed in May of 2006. She got water in her ears a few weeks back and now has this horrible infection. I took her in today and they gave her Ciprodex drops to cure it. Janaya used them at least 3 times and they worked so I am hopeful they work. But today has been pure hell ( sorry) with her. She is in so much pain, running a temp and just plain miserable. She just cries and cries I hate that when you can't make your child's pain go away!! She is so drugged up right now too and is acting almost like she is hallucinating, weird I know! She is on Tylenol with Codiene and taking like Dimetapp to help with the fluid in her ears, she is snowed and I hate that to happen to kids!

Wow I am really fired up on that one!! Anyway on to more exciting news. We had planned on going to Brit's family cabin up in Door County Wisconsin for our big summer vacation but plans have changed and that is not possible now!! BUMMER!! But I mentioned the Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo to Brit we checked it out and agreed it would be good! I found good motel rates and we booked it so on Aug 3-5 we will do that! We will go up Friday and swim that night and then hit the Zoo all day on Sat and take in an IMAX theater show. Sunday we will come home and I think the kids will Love it! I am also gonna take Lydia (Jill's daughter ) with so that should be fun nor the kids too!! I think I am more excited than anyone right now but I think they are thinking like Sioux Falls Zoo. Not that that zoo is bad but there are bigger and better.

I have been trying to think about what Brit and I could do for our weekend with out the kids for our Anniversary, which is August 21st. They will be gone the 26th &27th of Aug so if anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them. I do know that I need to go somewhere where there is an Olive Garden because that is way over do....YUMMY!! Guess that is all for now have a good day!!

Weekend

Wow I can't believe I haven't posted for a whole week. I guess you can tell then that not much went on.
This weekend we went to Parkston to visit my brother Kenny and his wife Jill. My dad went along as well. There Mud Racing there and we thought the kids more so the boys would enjoy that so we tried it. They liked it but it was pretty warm so that made for some irritation to start with. Also between races they dig out the track and water it so it made for lots of sitting time and they would get restless and start to wander!! The kids had lots of fun with the misting tent and the fire truck that would spray the kids too. They got a flag, lots of candy and autographs from the winners. It was a good time all in all. They even offered to take the kids the weekend around our anniversary to we can have sometime together, I don't even know what that would be like a weekend with no kids!! But I am looking forward to it anyway! We stayed the night and got home this afternoon.

Don't have much planned this week. Julia has an ear infection and it's draining, those tubes are good for ears but when they do get an infection its really kindof gross! Hopefully the drops help and it clears soon. Well better get back to laundry everyone have a good week!!

Weekend news...

Wow the hot is back...uuggh!! Pretty soon we'll be saying it's too cold and want the hot...lol! This weekend has been great family time. We hung out Friday here at home and just took it easy! Saturday night we met Papa, Grandma and Grt Grandma Hoeke at the lake for some fishing. They caught quite a few "little" fish but had an awesome time and it's such good practice. Papa got a pole fixed up for Julia so she had a blast!! Janaya is still learning that you can't run around screaming and jumping if you want to catch fish...hehehe! With Brit and the grandparents helping the kids I got to have my own pole and fish for myself for the first time and I caught one...YAY mommy!! It was so much fun!
Sunday we cleaned in the am and then late afternoon headed back out to the lake (grandparents were camping) to do some more fishing along with grilling, swimming and of coarse smores...mmm..good!! They had such a good day and I love seeing all the smiles! Brit got in some good bonding time with the older kids and they love that! It was the first time Great Grandma Hoeke got to fish with the kids too!! I love wonderful weekends like this...Hope all had a good one too!!

Just Some Info!!

We looked at 2 houses tonight, the one by the lake is an absolute no go!! You couldn't pay me to live there let alone me pay to buy the place! The house on SW 1st was definitely a good one but we are having a hard time buying something with a higher price then the house we really want and it being less in quality! It was a nice house and it would work but what are you to do when your heart and eye's can only see your dream. Our other option is to wait for this house and the earliest we would be able to take possession of it would be October. I really hate to stay here that long but on the other hand we are always gonna wonder about the house we wanted and I really don't want to live with that!! So the plan as of now is to wait the 3-4 months for the house we want. Jeff told us that it should be 3-4 months before it's done and that we will still have the same deal as we did now! As hard as this is for me the thought of not having that house is worse! Such hard a decision this has turned out to be! I never thought buying a house would be this way. It just seemed easy the bank gives you a loan, you pick out a house and boom its done...WRONG! The problem is finding a house you like and that all the other ducks fall into place at the same time. I guess this is part of growing up and making responsible decisions in life, maybe you keep growing up as you get older and it's not something you reach and have it for life. I don't mean to bore anyone here or confuse you, if I did I apologize, I am just putting my thoughts in writing!

Ok on to other news....Jackson and Janaya appear to have foot and mouth disease. If you don't know what that is you can get sores (like little blisters) in your mouth and throat and on your hands and feet. Right now they both just have them in there mouths and Janaya's are worse then his but he handles pain way worse then she does. Julia had this when she was 2 and it was BAD she actually ended up in the hospital for a few days with a feeding tube, now that was rough!! Hopefully they won't get much worse and will clear soon!

Also I got a myspace page now and my sister in law has designed it really nice for me if you want to check it out the address is....http://www.myspace.com/barbboe

Guess that is all for today Have a great day!!

Now What?

Ok this is got to be one of the worst Monday's in along time! I talked with Jeff this am and the sellers have decided to build! Well the bad part is they are not gonna sell the house till theirs is ready which won't be till closer to winter at least!! So they told him we can either wait or find another house and that we are not bound to our offer anymore!! I am so devastated about this!! So we are looking again and have an appointment tomorrow night to look at 2 houses! I hope it goes better this time and if we don't find one I guess we know it will be for sale someday!

The rest of the weekend was nice on Sat night Brit and I went over to Flandreau to celebrate Lesli's b-day and it was fun! A good day to go to the casino...7 7 7....lol! On Sunday we headed back to Brooking's to pick up a few things for the van and a POOL for the kids! All in all in was a nice weekend!! I will post again after we look at these two houses!

July 4th....

I realized that I haven't posted since like Monday...YIKES! I have not been feeling so well at all this week! I think Tuesday I left the couch 3 times tops!! We went and bought the kids some fireworks on Tues night and then waited "patiently" for it to get dark. When it finally did we went out to the lake and the boys along with daddy did the little ones and then daddy put on quite the show of Artillery Shells for us...good show daddy it was fun!! Wednesday we headed over to my mom's as my step brother Jason was in town and we don't get to see him much. That brought Steph and Cody home as well! It was a very fun day with lots of family, water fights and some "fun snaps". We grilled out and then headed home to rest and bathe before the firework show, the kids loved it!!! This year was nice because Janaya is finally old enough to not scream the entire time!!

Not much else went on this week, today we battled the heat and headed to Walmart for some groceries and such! With the heat this weekend I don't know that we'll so much maybe the lake! Brit and I have plans to go out with my dad and step mom for her b-day tomorrow night so I am looking forward to that! I hope this bug or whatever I got passes by me soon, it could just be the heat anyway ....Have a good weekend!!

Music!

Ok ladies and gents I have been making a play list for me to use for many different uses! I ended up making 2 lists so they wouldn't take so long to load and to make error's less probable. Now I split them and posted both of them to the blog! HA now when you come into my blog 2 different song's will start to play, YIKES not cool and very annoying!! Until I figure this out pick the song of either list u wanna hear and it will stop the other ...LOL!

I pick most of my song's for a reason whether it be personal, life experience or just because I like it! I think you can tell alot about a person from the type of music they listen to! So if you ever want to know about a song I have chosen don't be afraid to ask....this could start a whole other realm of Barb....

Check out my Slide Show!

June 30,1997...

The title of this post marks the day 10 year's ago that my life was changed forever in the most amazing way I think possible! That was the day my precious Julia Ranae was born. She was so tiny weighing 7# 4 1/2 oz and was 21 1/4 inches long! She has brought so much joy and love into my life and heart, my life would not be complete without her!! She has always been such a good little girl and a joy to be around! I don't think I have met anyone who has not thought she is so beautiful and so sweet....I know I should stop the bragging but how can I not!

The last two days have been a whirlwind of parties and company! We had a party with friends at the bowling alley yesterday and she loved it! Today we had cake with family and of coarse b-day spankings from Papa!! It's been fun. I am happy and sad all at the same time, I just can't believe how grown up she is and how big she's gotten. I have been watching her baby video's today and just love it!! I will post a slide show with pic's....

Not Much to Say!

I guess I don't have too much to say today but feel like blogging anyway! I talked to Jeff today and he said the couple is actively looking still and so we are gonna leave our offer with them till at least July 1st and see what happens!

This is only Tuesday and the kid's are full of something! Not just mine but the daycare kid's as well. For some reason a few of the little one's have taken up biting and I think everyone has been bit at least twice now! I have never really had to much trouble with my kid's and biting so it's a bit frustrating. There is such a fine line here with me being Auntie to my "daycare" kids too. I have been a big part in Ely and Cooper's life so they are just like my own kids. With Natalye and Breayden I haven't been around so much. When they lived in SF they didn't come here to often and I don't go to SF so much and when I did it was a quick trip and get out, those people there scare me...lol! So needless to say even though they are my niece and nephew is has been a challenge. They are also very spoiled and attached to mommy and have never really been in daycare! For the most part it is going well and they are seeming to be comfortable around me and adjusting to the routine, it's just the biting now! They are 2 and 1 so it's kind of hard to get them to understand a few rules and DON'T DO'S...lol!

Julia is getting pumped up for her b-day parties this weekend! She is having a party with her friends at the bowling alley on Friday and then a big one with family on her actual b-day Saturday! I can't believe I am gonna be the mom of a 10 year old, do you realize that is a whole decade??!!LOL. We got her a new Mountain bike and gave it to her already so she has been enjoying that. My mom has been telling me I need to give her a bit of freedom and space so I have been letting her go to the park, and a few friends houses not to far from here. The other day she rode to Lewis with her friend to get a pop and she was so pumped! Scares the life out of me but I can't keep them locked up here with me forever! I know when I was her age I rode all over and played but I am just a bit protective I guess.

Well I guess I better go...I hear someone getting pots and pans out of the cupboard again......Have a good Wednesday!!

BUMMER!!!!!

It is hard to post on this positively right now so bear with me please! We got the call from Jeff last night about 7:30p and the seller's ended up getting outbid at the auction! We waited home all day with anticipation hoping and praying for good news. I was so bummed I couldn't help but shed a tear! He said they have something else in mind but we will have to wait to hear on that as they were just as heartbroken as we were! So now it's a waiting game again. I know that we just have to be patient but I am telling you it's getting harder for me to do that! Thanks to all my friend's and family for their continued support and prayer's we truly appreciate it!! Our time will come !

After that phone call we took the kids and headed to the lake for some "family time", we released our frustration by throwing rocks into the water as hard and as far as we could..lol! It helped a bit to tell you the truth! I think we are gonna go swimming here in a bit and I will keep you all posted as I hear!

House Update!!

We took our 2nd look at the house and still loved it! Jeff asked us to come right down to the office that night to make out our offer so he could present it the next morning! Tonight we got a call from Jeff saying they accepted our offer!! Now the rest of the sale is still contingent on a few more things, first they are going to an auction this weekend to try to get their house. I guess they have a good chance of getting it from what I have been told! The 2nd thing is it has to appraise a certain amount which is the case most of the time! So by Saturday night we should know if they got their house. If those two things happen then we will close on Aug 1st! Keep your fingers crossed and us in your prayers through the rest of this week please!!! LOL.

Julia had gymnastics again tonight and loved it again! She said it was easier this time and hopes she gets to do it next year...YAY!

I gave the boys a haircut tonight and they look so good and cleaned up now! I almost wish I could do the same sometimes to keep cool!

This and That's!

First of all when I read that title I realized that "that's" is not a word or at lest spelled that way but if you know me.... Well it has been awhile since I posted last so hopefully I don't forget to tell you anything!! This week has started out so busy! My sister Courtney moved back to town and works in Sioux Falls, she has two little one's that are 2 and 1 so they started here this week for daycare. That means I have two 1yr olds, two 2yr olds and then all of my own to chase around. It is really like having two sets of twins and holy buckets am I tired at the end of the day! Once we learn a new routine again I am hoping it will smooth out!

Father's Day was good. We made Brit a good breakfast and gave him his gifts. After lunch we went to the lake and tired hard to fish. It was windy and the fish weren't biting...but the flies were...and hard!! It was a good day though!

Jeff called yesterday and got us the Disclosure on the house so tomorrow we will probably take a second look and put our paperwork together for them! Getting closer I think...lol!

Today the AC has decided that it is not feeling like we should be cool so that is rough! I had the oven going almost all afternoon with supper and we are dying in here now! I opened the window's because it felt OK outside but that seems to have made it worse...go figure!

I hope I didn't leave much out...I guess I am just trying to post the "major" events ! I will try to post tomorrow after we meet with Jeff. I wish I could take some picture's of the house but that would probably not be a good idea...lol! Have a good Wednesday all!

Quiet Family Fun

Friday we decided was just gonna be a nice family evening at home. We first went to Mcdonald's for some supper, where I saw Tracy for the first time along time so that was nice! After a quick trip to Pamida we just went home and relaxed!!

Saturday was started by some cleaning and laundry by mom and dad! After lunch we headed to the lake as Papa and Grandma are camping and all the grand kids were there except one! We went swimming and then had supper. After supper Auntie Courtney took the kids to the playground and then we finished the evening with a boat ride!! The kids always have so much fun out there and then fall asleep before we even get back to town......lol!

Tomorrow is Father's Day as I am sure you all know...Happy Father's Day Brit!! We are planning to take the kids fishing so that should be fun! I think I will try to get up before Brit and make him a good man's breakfast!! Hope all are having a good weekend!!

Little Star In Training!!

Tonight was Julia's first night of Gymnastics. She did really well, actually better then I had expected! I have never seen my Julia break a REAL sweat but she did!! Her little face was so red it was so funny! She definitely has the body and is limber enough. She does need to get more strength in her arms but that will come and they sure do work hard enough at it...WOW! I thought this would be a gradual deal but to my surprise they start right into it! Tonight they did handstands, cartwheels, bars, beams, walkovers and a bit more!! The coach is really a nice lady and seems to know her stuff. She treats them like little ladies and I like her...I think Julia will too!! I posted a slide show of the picture's I took so hopefully that went through!!

Have a good one!!