You know that movie.. “Finding Nemo..” Everyone knows that one famous little line.. “just keep swimming, just keep swimming…”

That’s what my life feels like right about now.

The boys had been suspended from BGC for 1 week, and Tuesday was their first day back, and guess what?!!! They both got in trouble, for different things.

Austin called another child a bad name. Not sure why.. Not even sure where he heard the word, to be honest.. I know I never use that word, so.. hmmm..

Adam threw a stick on the ground, it bounced, and hit a kid on the head. When asked by a staff member why he did it, he started crying and said “life’s hard.” He’s absolutely right. Life IS hard.

That same day, Autumn’s teacher sent me a note through the Class Dojo app, that she had told a group of students that her teacher had died earlier that day because she fell into a volcano… not sure how she makes this stuff up…. or why…

The very next day, Austin decided to shut down at school, and not do any classwork, AT ALL. So, he was awarded a 1/2 day in school suspension. I received a note to sign and return the next day, which was today. We’ll see if that note makes it back to his teacher. He’s notorious for hiding things… especially when it’s a negative report.

I also decided to take him off of his medication for ADHD, to see if that makes any difference in his performance in school. So far, his teacher reported that he’s smiling more and is more outgoing. Classwork is still not improving, but maybe in a day or two, it might?? Being hopeful here..

In the meantime, Allie has a job shadow next week, with a local author. Should be exciting!!!

So, since the boys are suspended from the Boys & Girls Club, my step sister is picking them up from school today.

When I received a call from April, and Autumn was on the phone, I was taken by surprise. She said she had missed her bus to the BGC because she was in the bathroom, which I did believe. But, she ALSO casually mentioned, that there was a girl who had threatened to KILL her when she returned to BGC again… now THIS part of her story, I just find super hard to believe.

I will get to the bottom of it, no worries.. if you know Autumn at all, you know that you can only believe about half of what she says.. I hate to say that, but that’s how it’s been the past several months. She lies just to lie. It can be big things, or very insignificant things.

She told my mom while they were making cookies once, that our family doesn’t like frosting on cookies, so they had to leave most of them unfrosted. that’s a story… everyone likes frosting on cookies.. lol

She’s got quite the imagination, that one.

The conversation at home this evening should be a rather interesting one…

So, this week, the boys were suspended from Boys & Girls Club for a week… this is the 3rd offense that involves toilets.. The staff actually walked in on them this time.

Apparently, Adam was just having a good old time, trying to stuff paper towels in the urinal, while Austin stood watching with amazement.. One of the staff members walked in and questioned them. Adam told them that he didn’t think what he was doing was wrong, until he got caught. Austin just stood there quietly, but not ratting his brother out, by any means.

I know I have my hands full with these 2…

Punishment at home involves no electronics until they go back to Boys & Girls Club. They also have to CLEAN toilets each day until they return to Boys & Girls Club, since they have this infatuation / curiosity about toilets…

The final punishment involves NO Sugar… no desserts, no treats, nothing additionally sweet in their diets for fun. This is a big one for me to stay consistent with, and I’m doing great with it so far…

So far this week, Autumn has been doing much better with attitude, homework completion, and giving me more respect than usual. I greatly appreciate and welcome that change.

Allie got a new phone this evening. I don’t know who, but I suspect Adam changed her password on her phone, and she wasn’t able to get in it. AT&T said they couldn’t help either, and it was about time to upgrade her anyway, so we did that tonight, and that was definitely the highlight of her week!

I had to take half day PTO today because they boys have counseling twice a month that involve me, so I was going to be at the school for that, but also, they have to be car riders while they are suspended. This is definitely inconvenient for the parents when this happens, but I have great support with my step sister. She is going to cover all the days, except today, which worked out great anyway.

After I picked them up from school, we ran errands, and ordered Adam’s birthday cake from Sam’s Club, ran by the bank, got Allie’s phone, I called and ordered balloons, and we even ran by the library to get the boys set up with their own library cards. They had to get their pictures taken, and they actually cooperated for that too. I let them each checkout books on their own. They were so excited!

So, yes, life is fun.. there’s just some hiccups along the way, and you have to learn to adapt and breathe… don’t forget to BREATHE…

I haven’t had much time to update this last week, because it’s been CRAZY.

Last week, on Tuesday, right after I finished working out at the gym, and I was on my way back to work, I got the dreaded call from the school nurse. Austin had just thrown up in his classroom, all over his desk. He must have eaten something that upset his poor little tummy. I called work, and told them I wouldn’t be coming back. I was worried about how this afternoon was going to go… but, I got super lucky. He didn’t throw up anymore, and felt perfectly fine the rest of the day. I just felt super bad for his teacher and classmates, having to deal with that.. 😦

Adam had belt testing that same evening. He did really well, and I’m super proud of him. He did say that sparring was his least favorite, because it’s hard. But, he’s on the journey, and hopefully sticks it out.

The next evening, was Free pie night at Village Inn. That was an experience to say the least. Poor service, kids were acting a bit fidgety, and when it came time to order pie, 2 of them were indecisive. The waitress had the audacity to say “I DO have other tables, you know..” my dad was with us, and he said NO tip for her.. geez!

Thursday evening, Allie had her first stripe test in preparation for Black Belt testing in a few months. She was doing so well, and then she forgot a move in the tiger set, and completely shut down and started crying. She was overwhelmed with stress and anxiety because there was only her and one other in the class that evening. All eyes were on her, and she couldn’t mentally focus and finish. So, she will have to get the courage up another time, and schedule to test again. The instructors are amazing with her, and she’s ok. She will get through this mental block. Black belts are earned, not given, so she knows what’s ahead here.

Friday morning, Autumn wasn’t feeling very well. I went ahead and let her stay home, but we had a doctor appointment for her scheduled that afternoon. This doctor appointment was to address behavior issues, and it’s a pediatric therapist, recommended by her pediatrician. After her annual physical, it was strongly recommended. She is struggling so much with respecting her elders, obeying, listening, being kind, and major anger issues. I think it all stems from the divorce, and she just doesn’t know how to handle what she’s feeling inside. So.. we have an appointment in October (or sooner, if we can get in), for a full evaluation of her behaviors. We’ll see how that goes…

Saturday, I had a lunch date with Allie, and arranged for a babysitter. I took her to get a hair cut, stopped by a flea market that was closing in the next week, and found an amazing deal on Noritake fine china. I had to get it. It is a full 8pc setting, and it was 50% off. so beautiful. Allie and I went to lunch and then she wasn’t feeling well at all. We were supposed to also go shopping, but she wanted to go home.. so we cut our date short, and I took her home. 😦

I took the kids to stay at my dad’s Saturday night, and then Sunday, we all spread mulch in the garden beds in front and on the sides of the house. I bought gloves for each kid, and told them they would get ice cream at the end. They all complained at first, but ended up having fun, and now they are proud of their work. I make sure to point out how good it looks every time we come home.

Autumn had an award assembly this morning, and received recognition for meeting her reading goal for 3rd qtr, which is HUGE for her, since she doesn’t like reading… I’m proud of her for doing that.

Adam & Austin have award assemblies tomorrow morning, so we’ll see what they accomplished for this qtr. It’s fun to attend these, because they do different applause for each group of student awards. It’s cute.

Hoping to go to Silver Dollar City this weekend, but weather might delay that adventure…

stay tuned…

It’s what you have to do as a parent. Keep it together.

Life is demanding, in so many ways.

I took both girls in for their annual physicals last week. My 10 year old gives me the business with her sassiness, attitude, mouth, and argumentative ways CONSTANTLY. She didn’t let up at the doctor visit either. She showed her true colors to the doctors and nurses also. This caused us to have to schedule an appointment with a pediatric psychologist next week, as well as a 5 hour psych test in October, which is the earliest we could get an appt). The doctor even mentioned that she might have Oppositional Defiance Disorder… WOWZA!! Fun times for this mom right here.

Spring break was last week, so it was a nice breather. But, here we go back into the daily grind. We will see if I get any calls, notes, or comments today from teachers or counselors after school.

This morning, was a classic example of what I’m going through with these kids.

Allie was in her room, so she didn’t see what happened, but she came out, and noticed her mouse for her computer had been messed with, and she thought it was broken. She had an open container of slime, and someone had put something in it, and her name plate on her desk, had some letters taken out of it. NO ONE admitted to doing these things, when asked. Austin said we need a security camera. I said, I shouldn’t have liars in the house, only truth tellers.

Adam finally admitted to him and Autumn being guilty. They are both grounded for 1 week from electronics now, and probably more things when we get home tonight.

Parenting is fun, but challenging.

I’m still going. not giving up. EVER!

This blog is purely my journey and “journal” so you can enjoy it with me, stress with me, and feel free to comment to me.

Thanks for reading, and until next time.. Cheers!

I could just jump up and down with exuberant joy over here!

I am LOVING the daylight savings time with the extra light in the evenings.

I’m loving the spring like weather that has FINALLY graced us with its presence.

It’s making for a happier and calmer mommy, therefore, it should be making for a happier and calmer home, right?

I think so…

This week is Spring Break week for all 4 kids.. I have to work, so there is no fun travel plan, but we are doing what we can during the week, to make it more exciting than the typical routine of a week.

We went out for FREE Pie night at Village Inn last night. Just us 5.. it was great. The kids seemed to enjoy it. Then, went home, and they played outside until it was dark.

I plan on doing the same thing tonight with them.

We have company coming in over the weekend, so it should be a pretty fun time for all.

Grilling, playing outside, possibly flying kites, going to a Harry Potter Convention, and an adult party Sat night.

I am hoping for a great finish off to this spring break week.

I do have to mention, the kids went to their dad’s over the weekend, and I had a full rejuvenation of a weekend. 🙂 sigh of relief.

It was much needed, and I sure hope it makes me more of an appreciative mom. Appreciative of those special moments with the kids, responding more with patience and kindness, rather than the stress and anger that I had in previous months. I really need to curb that.

Enjoying this lovely weather to the fullest….

Sometimes a change in the weather can cause feelings to change inside of you.

I feel completely refreshed today. The sun is shining, there is a chill in the air, but it’s alright. There is so much to be thankful for today.

I woke up feeling like a new human being this morning.

I didn’t feel overwhelmed with the morning tasks, AND I slept in for the extra 5 minutes.

I was more patient with the kids, had everything down for the day. It was like it all flowed nice and smoothly, the way it should be every morning. I don’t know why it was this way, but gosh, it felt amazing!

I needed this.

The kids go to their dad’s this weekend, and I don’t even have any real plans…

I guess I better get on that. haha

You must have a village of support surrounding you, if you are a single parent with 4 children. I say this, because I have that, and couldn’t imagine surviving without it.

Not only a village is required, but also you must be a warrior.

Single parenting is NOT for the weak.

You must be strong, push through those days when you feel like everything is going wrong.

You must persist beyond your limits.

Giving up is NOT an option.

I say all this to encourage.

Remind yourself why you are doing this parenting thing.

Do you want to have children that grow up one day, looking back in awe of all that you did for them, with them, all while showing them what persistence looks like?

Do you want to have a relationship with your child, where one day, you can take them to their favorite place that you used to take them when they were a kid, on special “dates?” Talking about special memories, fears, dreams, ideas, or goals? Keep the focus, and keep on keeping on….

There are going to be those days when you let them snack on junk all day on a weekend, let them stay in their pj’s and watch movies & play video games… just be lazy with them AND enjoy it!! It’s not like you do this everyday.

Life is demanding, you must take a moment to breathe!!!!!!

I need to take more notice of the individuality of each of my precious babes.

Austin noticed in his fortune cookie the other night, that it said “You will do great things in business and make good friendships.” He pointed out that it should say “I” instead of “YOU” because he was reading it in his head, and it’s referring to himself. Deep thoughts for an 8yr old boy.

Austin also wanted to sleep in the top bunk of the bed with Adam last night. So, he took the heated blanket that he’s been sleeping with lately, and let Adam experience that, and he got to experience the top bunk… super cute for him to think of his brother, and sharing.

Autumn came home with some writing that she wanted to share with me regarding a story on going to the park. It was typed, so I as I was reading through it, I questioned whether she really wrote it herself. It was really good, and almost felt like it was an adult who had written it. I was WOWED!! She is an awesome writer. Details, the words she used to describe her experiences, just amazed me. It put a must needed smile on my face. I told her I was super impressed with her writing. She has quite the imagination, but it was on how we, as a family go to different parks, and how much she enjoys it when we go on adventures together. I just LOVE that. It really does help me realize just how important going and doing these things together truly matters!!!!

Who said life is easy? ummm pretty sure NO ONE!

I am going through some pretty tough times right now, as a single mom of 4, I must say.

It’s not that I can’t handle it, but my mindset is a bit off these days.

I struggle more with patience than I have ever in the past.

I struggle with understanding why my kids don’t listen or obey when I truly need them to.

I struggle with being able to focus on the task at hand. Instead, I’m seeing this HUUUUGE mountain in front of me, and I collapse, thinking this is impossible. I am not able to achieve everything right this second.. but, I feel the need to be able to do so, and successfully!!

Why do I set myself up for such failure here?

Kids are kids… they cannot be expected to know what I’m thinking, why I am thinking the way I’m thinking, have the same priorities as me, and be as mature and handle all of the daily tasks with such positive attitudes.

I have super high expectations, and the letdown of it all, when it doesn’t play out the way it should, I freak out.

I lose my cool.. big time.

Trying to do better each day, but I feel like I’m getting more overwhelmed.

I need reset…

a mind reset…

Last week, no one got in trouble. THIS WEEK, everyone is getting in trouble.

I knew last week was too good to be something that would last.

Cheers to Wednesday!!!! 🙂 haha

hoping for a better tomorrow.