Words of Wisdom

I used to think my Mom was nuts. She would say these...things...and I would just roll my eyes.

It's funny how your perspective changes as you grow older.

I remember when I was pregnant with Joshua and I got what I call "Pregnancy Brain." You know, where you are flaky and forgetful and it's a wonder you can even function? And I had to call Mom and I said to her, "Mom, I've lost my mind just being pregnant one time- it's a wonder you have a brain left after 7 of us!"

The wisdom I'm calling on today is what she used to tell me when we got bad news: "He will not give you more than you can handle."

I've had to call on this wisdom way too much the last couple years, but so far it's always been true. Let's hope it stays that way.

And yes, I know I'm being cryptic, but until diagnoses are final and treatment plans are in place, there is nothing to tell. Right? Miracles DO happen.

New Header!

What do you think? My cousin, Shelli designed it for me- cute, huh? And so ME! Thought the graphic was particularly appropriate with the whole Family Playbook thing.

More later, as I AM at work!

Thanks again, Shelli!

Is It Bedtime Yet?

This one isn't anything fancy, because I am whipped! Jacob had a basketball game tonight in Oologah. For you non-Oklahomans, yes, that's a real place. I can't make this stuff up. It's between 30 and 45 minutes from home, depending upon whether I'm in a panic when you ask.

So my evening went like this:

Got off work (in Broken Arrow) at 5:00

- realized I was almost out of gas on the way home.

- stopped for gas.

- called Randy to confirm which gym in Oologah.

- responded to various texts to tell parents which gym.

- got home and the babies are not dressed-Jacob is not in uniform-and no shoes on the boys. (!!)

- Randy is ready to walk out the door to work. (!!!!!!)

- I have a whopping 15 minutes until I need to leave the house.

- Randy says "You don't have to be there until 6:30."

- my head spins around- spewing pea soup a la Exoricist "It's at least a 45 minute drive!" I... reply. Loudly.

- discover Jacob's uniform in the washer, wet. Throw it in the dryer.

- dash around throwing clothes on various bodies willy-nilly. Randy wisely decided to stick around and help.

- load up the van with various trips back into the house for phones, scorebook, shoes.

- get to Oologah in record time. We're there 10 minutes early. (hehe Sorry, Honey.)

- nice guy at the door comments on how full my hands are and lets me in free. It's only 3 bucks, but hey, I'll take it.

- distribute babies to various moms and big sisters.

- as game time hits, we find out we're at the WRONG GYM.

- repeat frantic van-loading scramble from above.

- get to the other gym just in time for tip off at 7:00 (I have to mention here that the game takes about the same time as the drive to Oologah.)

But it was all worth it (I guess) because Jacob's team FINALLY WON!! 12-8 woohoo!

And after the game, I was scrambling again to let the other 4th grade team know they were at the wrong gym, too. We race home to get everyone in bed and Jacob announces he forgot his shoes. UGH! Hope they're still there Friday when we go BACK to Oologah. Seriously? lol

Welcome to my world. I love it, but it does get a wee-bit crazy some days!

Family Playbook

So yesterday I mentioned my famous Family Playbook (FPB). So some of you asked more about it. Well that's kind of like showing someone yourunderwear drawer. And frankly, my drawers were a little ratty. So I decided to grab a new binder on my lunch break today, and I found the cutest five tab dividers- so the FPB got a makeover!

See the cute tabs? $1 for a 5 pack at Target. $2.74 for the hot pink binder and $1-something for a purple velcro pocket thingy to keep odds & ends in until I file them.

The first thing I see when I open the Book is my weekly calendar. I keep two weeks right in front. Also, there's a handy pocket where I put the good coupons I get. I don't coupon as well as some people do, but I'm trying to use one or two each trip. My niece Becky is amazing at saving major bucks when she shops, but I'm just not at that level yet.

I also have a monthly calendar behind the weekly. And there's another calendar in the "Finances" section, where I keep track of what should be paid and when. I like calendars, I guess.

The weekly calendar shows practices, meetings, games, Randy's nights off and paydays. This page has the most critical information because if anyone in the family (Randy) needs to know something, they probably won't look past the first page.

Then it is the "To Do List" section. Sometimes I have more than one going. Especially if I'm planning any sort of special event.

Then I have a "Shopping List" section to keep track of various non-grocery items I need to pick up. Diapers, birthday gifts, clothes for the babies (that seems to end up on there a lot "black leggings to match the cute new sweater," etc).

And then the "Grocery List" has its own section. Keep in mind, I usually print these ten at a time, so I use one, throw it out, and I'm ready to shop again.

Then we get into the Football-Basketball-Soccer sections. It might make more sense to organize by kid, but that's just not how I did it when I started. Maybe something to think about.

In several sections I also have the clear plastic page protectors that work great to drop receipts in when you pay for football registration, soccer uniforms-things like that.

And my biggest trick/secret/confession? I pad the list. I list things that are easy to do, or are partially done, so I have something to mark off. That really helps me get started.

I don't know if this will help any of you, but that's how I'm doing it. Any one else doing anything that works?

Sad Sunday...

Don't panic, it's not THAT big of a deal to most of you- but my Chiefs lost. Dadgummit.

I got my grocery shopping done pretty much before it started and had chili made by halftime. Man, I love that chili recipe. Totally worth the extra work not making it from a mix. Also made up some applesauce for the babies.

I dragged my "Family Playbook" back out for my shopping trip. Some of you know that at the beginning of the school year, I put together this binder to keep track of...well, everything. We had football for Josh, soccer for Jacob and Jackson and with Randy and I working full time, communication and planning were crucial. It still didn't fix everything, but it helped. We got into the groove of all of that, and the Book fell into disuse for a while. But I feel things slipping again, so I busted it out.

I tell you all this to tell you that as I was loading the conveyor to checkout, a gentleman behind me was apparently admiring my open playbook with a comprehensive, detailed list including prices and coupons. He said "Wow, you look organized." I have to admit- I laughed in his face. "HA!" Then I composed myself and tried to not sound too rude. I explained "with 5 kids, I have to be." I need to be, but I'm just not. Maybe using the Book again will help? What do you do to stay on top of things?

It did help me, in that I didn't even spend $100 this trip. And I think I might have enough food for the week, aside from milk. This is remarkable for me, since I typically spend $175-200 a week on groceries. I HAVE to be missing something right? Stay tuned...we'll see how long we make it.

I need to get with it on these birthday plans- but I'm overwhelmed. I'll think about it tomorrow.

Sooooo close!

So Jacob's team ALMOST won their game today. We lost 12-10. And we actually lead in the 3rd and most of the 4th quarter. This is remarkable, since we've been losing with scores like 24 to 6. But don't they look bummed?

Randy is coaching- which is great for me, because I'm not expected to go to the practices. He has to be there anyway, right? lol Thing is- Randy has never in his life played a team sport. Never. Ever. With that in mind, he's doing a great job. The boys are learning and getting better every week. I'm proud of all of them!

And after the game, since the babies missed their nap, they had a late nap-and so did I! Woohoo! And after a quick dinner, I actually watched a movie for ME. It was the new Twilight movie. I haven't seen the others, but it wasn't bad. It did, however make me want to read the books again. So I am going to try to read a little before bed. Which makes this a pretty self-indulgent day. I'll have to get more done tomorrow. Goodness knows there's always plenty to do.

Whole Lotta Crazy

Can I just say that we have more than our fair share of Crazies where I work? It's exhausting.

And after all that crazy, I came home, made a quick supper, changed the babies, packed their bag and headed to a basketball game.

Jacob is playing 4th grade bball and Randy is coaching. Tonight he had to work though, so one of the other dads stepped up and coached in his place. We stunk up the place, but not as bad as usual. I'd love to post a picture here, but I am the scorekeeper, so I'm always far too busy to dream of taking any pictures. I'm lucky to keep up with the scoring- let alone who scored any particular goal.

And I have to admit, I'm kind of a sports snob. I really only like football. We do soccer and basketball too, but not by my choice. Not that I would ever stop the boys from doing something they wanted to do, but ugh. I love watching them. And I yell and go nuts at every game.

I used to like a lot more sports. Maybe I'll like them more when they get better at it? What do you think?

Here's a cute picture from last night. And yes, you might have noticed that they were wearing the same pajamas last night, from the night before. Apparently Daddy decided it was pajama day yesterday. So I gave the babies a bath and put them in fresh jammies. While they were waiting for me to dress them, they were sporting their robes. Very Hugh Hefner:

Did I mention I am exhausted? I'm going to wrap this up for tonight. More basketball tomorrow. Maybe I can get someone to take pics on my camera???