Snow in San Antonio

Ok so it's not what I'm use too, but it is the closest i will get while we live here. It started out as I was feeding Ben and I was on Facebook, I noticed a lot of people wrote there was snow, so i asked dustun since he was up getting ready, he said there was, so i put Ben back to bed looked out my window and sure enough there was some white cold stuff on the ground and cars!! I went and woke up Candice at 6:00 am to tell her to come out and look, I though she was going to kill me, she never gets to sleep in and here i was waking her up to look at snow, lol oh well :) i got a few pictures snapped and then we all went back to bed, since work was canceled for everyone.

When the kids got up we went out side and walked in it, it crunched just enough to make me smile even more, I forgot how much I love snow and how much Ive missed it, I mean I was so excited over the tiniest amount, the major danger was the fact the roads was ice over the town was a giant ice rink, I heard there was a report 700 accidents, scary.
After that we all made a nice big breakfast, we had French toast, scrambled egg, oranges and hot chocolate.

It was also a perfect day, for pjs and movies, so that what we did all morning!
Our Snow day!!

Benjamin

My little man is 7 weeks old.

And everyday he stills my heart, with his smile, his cooing, with those big blue eyes that are only filled with joy and love.
Benjamin I love you!!

Birthday!

Abigail had a great birthday this year, she was so happy and just like always very cute!
I decided to do a Barbie them, so I made her a Barbie cake.
She had some cool barbie birthday baloons.
And of course her new birthday special Barbie plate to eat her cake on.
We invite over her other friend Dallyn over to enjoy pizza and cake, I was also happy to have my friend Ashely over.
She got some new pretty plates and bowls, some headbands, a happy birthday build a bear, a new school back pack, sippy/treat cup, books and some other little toys. From Dustun and I we got her a barbie, a pillow for her big girl bed and we gave her some shirts and pants a little before her birthday, and from Doug and Nancy we put the money they gave us towards Abagail's own little recliner for her room. (cant wait to see it)
After presents, we had some of the yummy cake! This year Abby was excited to see it, last year she was unsure of it all, Dustun film it, candice brought her the cake I was busy feeding Ben, so I took some photos.
After that we called Great Grandma Bartschi, had had her sing Happy Birthday, which of course made me cry and think if Ben will hear it. Then we Skyped mom and dad, Abby was on a sugar high and so was every one else so it was crazy! lol
Then we went outside and played in the ball pit, in the cars and on the slide, hey we had to try and wear the kids out and get rid of the sugar in the system.
Her best gift is her baby brother being here to enjoy it with her.
All in all we had a great day, a great birthday, I'm excited to see what new things Abby does in the next year.
From the Calrsen we say, love you!

Abby is TWO!!!

Has it really been two years since she was born?

Or really a year since she was one?

Now shew is two, and just as amazing as ever!

Bye Bye Binkie

Well I did it, I got rid of Abigail binkie, I have wanted to get rid of it since she was 6 moths old, but I always found a reason not to, such as, we are living in strange place, we are moving, she is teething, I am starting to babysit another baby, teething, well soon I was the one attached to it, every time I though about getting rid of it I would get nervous and be afraid of her not sleeping or her crying and me loosing my mind, I knew it was a quick fix, if she was fussy or tired i gave it to her an poof problem "gone" I have always been good about it, she wasnt one of those kids that always had it in there mouth, she got it in the car when needed, and always at nap/bed time, and sometimes just when she was a bit fussy. If you would told her to take it out to talk, she would, if you told her to put in back in her bed with her baby doll she would. I have gotten close and "tried" to get rid of it before, I almost cut the nipple so she would like it but soon my head got to me and I freaked out at the though of how she might be with out it, so i put the scissor down and popped her binkie back in her mouth and laid her down to bed.
I knew I had to get rid of soon I wanted it gone before she was 2, and all of a sudden when I laid her down for bed, I did everything we always do, books, song, prayer, gave her dolly and her sippy of milk, I told her she was a big girl and didnt need binkies, I gave her a kiss and walked out, I was scared i went downstairs in my bathroom turned the fan on to tune out the crying and screaming, after i read a few articles and I was hopping it was all over i came out, asked how long she had been upset, and to my surprise she didnt make a peep, later that night i went it and looked on her she was fast asleep, with no binkie.
That night I dreamt about finding binkies every where i tossed and turned, I never realized how much i really was attached to those things, The next day I neber said the "B" word, she had napped and sleeplt great, she hasnt ask fro them nor have I offered them to her. I am so happy to say my baby no longer has a binkie!

Birthday Eve

January 29, Today is Abby's birthday eve, I cant believe she will be 2 in the morning, my baby is growing to fast.Today we went to the mall and spent the money and gift card her Antie B and Great grandma Joyce gave her. Before we left for the mall, we made the cakes so they would be nice and cooled down for me to ice later tonight, the kids loved having some batter! look out bandit is on the prowl.
First we went to the Disney store, with the money she got from Great Grandma Joyce, she got some new princesses plates, and new play cell phone. she had so much fun running around grabbing everything she could.
After there, we went to build a bear since thats were Auntie B and Sheldon got her a gift card too, she had fun picking out her new friends, and her new clothes. She was so cute kissing the heart and putting it in the bear.
When we got all done since she did good, considering it was 6:00 and she hadn't napped all day, I bought a cookie for her to share.
Last picture of my one year old, wow tomorrow is another year of excitement , lets see where God takes us now!

A few things

So I have had a few things on my mind, maybe if I write them down I can get some insight and help or encouragement.
First thing is Abby going to preschool, she kinda is in one all ready but I would love to have a little mommy group were we all switch off on doing the weeks lesson at each other house, I wonder if anyone is doing this or teaches a class.
Also I have been thinking about becoming a substitute teacher I read this last night: http://www.nisd.net/hr/substitutes/faqs/preHire/
And from here say, you can make 75 dollars a day. I think this will get my foot in the door to see if I really want to be a teacher, and if I do then I can start school. But my question is, what to I do with my kids if I get called into work? Find a stay at home mom and have her be my back up?
My other thoughts are starting to watch a new kid, she pays 500.00 a month whether the kid is in my care or not, If i did watch her it would be from 2-10 pm M-F and she naps a little after 2 and goes to bed about 6:00, the mom is single and is on a swing rotation, so it probably wouldn't be any more then a few months that I have her. I would only have Abby, Benjamin and her for a few hours by myself, and I have been able to watch 3 klids before, then when samuel does come home from full time school, Candice will be home to help me, and dustun said he is willing to help me on his days off. I dont watch Samuel anymore, And for me I need to feel wanted and important and like I'm contributing to the house hold, I do undserstand that I'm raising two wonderful children, making sure the bills are paid, laundry is done, food is in house, and all is in order, but i want to have my "own" money to spend as I wish. I know people think that im crazy or that I might be taking on to much, but I kinda feel like I should.
And my last thoughts are Candice and Samuel continue to stay living with us, last week she went and applied for an apartment, and when i told dustun he was upset we didnt talk to him about it first, he was upset she and Samuel wanted to move, we as husband and wife discussed the pro's and con's of all of us staying living together we decide to them stay here, we know one of us will be getting orders to somewhere soon, so we will continue this living situation until one of us gets orders. We enjoy having each other around to help each other, yes it is crazy, but right now I cant think of anything better then having my best friend, my husband and Abby growing up with her best friend. Yes we get on each other nerves and there are fights, but you get that with any living situation.
So thats what in my mind currently, along with every other thing that goes along with being a good wife and mother.