The Good Stuff, Day 26

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 26: JANUARY 30, 2017

* I GOT THE HOUSE CLEANED AND STRAIGHTENED BY NOON

* I WENT TO THE STORE FOR A FEW THINGS AND DIDN'T FORGET ANYTHING I WENT TO THE STORE FOR

* TANIS' GROUP IN FOODS WON 3RD PLACE IN A SANDWICH COMPETITION

From what it sounded like, they had a bit of a competition like Chopped and shows like that. Out of 8 groups, Tanis' recieved 3rd.

* IT WAS SHAYLYN'S 15TH BIRTHDAY

* I TRIED AN ICE CREAM CAKE THAT I SAW ON FACEBOOK FOR SHAYLYN'S BIRTHDAY AND IT WORKED

And the kids seemed to really enjoy it and ate lots and there is no more left. 

* WE FINALLY SAW TROLLS

While I don't like the way they changed the trolls looks, much - it wasn't a horrible movie. True, it wasn't the best movie I've ever seen either. The reviews I had heard previously had me worried, but I liked it enough.

* ZACH FELL ASLEEP IN MY ARMS

It's been a long time since that baby has settled down long enough to let me snuggle him. He usually realizes he's falling asleep and stops himself. I also had to change his diaper after falling asleep, but after giving him a bottle he went right back to bed.

The Good Stuff, Day 25

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 25: JANUARY 29, 2017

* AILEY CHOSE TO GO TO CHURCH WITH ME

We woke up late again and I was in a bad mood. I didn't feel like getting everyone ready, especially since Eric was already staying home. But Ailey said she really wanted to go to church and I couldn't not take her. 

* MY PRIMARY LESSON WENT GREAT

This class is amazing. They were interactive and actually involved and enjoyed answering questions. It was awesome.

* WE WATCHED INFERNO

Eric noticed that Walmart had it while we were out shopping. When he grabbed it I didn't realize what movie it was. While it isn't the best in the movies from the Dan Brown novels, it's still a good show. Eric and I realized that it works to get the attention of the 3 older kids quite well. Lex is all about the action, Shaylyn is into the art and Tanis is into mysteries. Each of them is excited to see the other 2 movies.

* WE WENT TO VISIT MY SISTER AND HER NEW BABY

I was in a bad mood most of the weekend and I needed something to get me out of it. I figured giving snuggles to a baby would work. Plus, the kids hadn't gotten to meet the baby until then. Lex was super excited to meet Alexis. He really likes that they share a name.

* WE TRAVELED TO AND FROM SAFELY

My sister lives about an hour away and it requires the freeway most of the way. I always get nervous when we're on the freeway, but we made it there and home with no incidents..

The Good Stuff, Day 24

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 24: JANUARY 28, 2017

* LEX DIDN'T FREEZE TO DEATH

He also got home a couple hours earlier than expected. He also had a lot of fun.

* TANIS AND I PLAYED WOW

WOW stands for World of Warcraft and it'd been awhle since Tanis had played. But I needed something to do and wanted to spend time with him. We got starting characters up to level 8.

* I DID A FAVOR FOR A FRIEND

It required driving her vehicle and taking her boys to the Game Store, but I was headed there anyway, so it totally worked out.

* SPENT THE NIGHT AT THE GAME STORE WITH ERIC

It's pretty much our date night every other week. It's fun to see him interact with the different friends he's made there.

* ERIC DIDN'T COMPLAIN TOO MUCH THAT WE HAD TO STOP AT THE STORE

We're usually short on something, so he usually has to stop on his way home anyway. But he was in pretty good spirits about it and didn't complain too loudly at my aimless wandering.

The Good Stuff, Day 23

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 23: JANUARY 27, 2017

* I GOT MOST OF THE HOUSE CLEANED

* I FINALLY GOT THAT FRAME HUNG UP ON THE WALL

* SENT LEX OFF TO GO CAMPING IN THE SNOW

I think he's crazy, but I was glad to see that he wanted to go and participate.

* WE CELEBRATED SHAYLYN'S BIRTHDAY WITH HER BEST FRIENDS

We took her and 6 of her friends to a place to play Laser Tag. They also got $10 cards to use at the arcade. Totally worth the cost and Shaylyn said it was the best birthday ever.

* EVEN THOUGH ZACH WENT TO BED FAIRLY EARLY, HE SLEPT ALL NIGHT

* I'M MAKING GOOD PROGRESS ON MY BOOK

The Good Stuff, Day 22

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 22: JANUARY 26, 2017

* COSMO SEEMS TO HAVE FIGURED OUT WHERE HE LIKES TO GO POTTY

This is huge. It means less time wandering the backyard in the cold. He pretty much goes straight to the corner, does his business and then he's ready to go back inside.

* I ORDERED A $50 DRESS, BUT GOT $10 OFF

I LOVE the dress. I'm nervous it won't fit me, but if not - hopefully, it will serve as motivation to lose some weight so I can wear it. I was really on the fence about buying it, but Eric was super supportive and liked it. And then I saw it on someone in person (on a video) and fell even more in love with it. And because I had recently gotten something else from the same place, I had a $10 off coupon. I love when I can save money.

* I MADE MYSELF GO TO THE STORE

Lex is going on a winter campout this weekend and needed a few things. Instead of bugging Eric to grab things for me on his way home, I actually went myself. (Well, I took Lex and Zach) The store didn't have EXACTLY what we needed, but it had the essentials so I think Lex will be okay.

* WE DIDN'T HAVE TO GO THE ER

At dinner Ailey was complaining that her wrist hurt. When we looked at it, it was red and a little swollen. Eventually she fessed up that she had kind of bit her wrist (in an effort to make the pain lessen), and that explained how red it was. After a little bit the red had lessened, but it was still a little swollen. We watched it for a few more hours and before bed it looked better. Pretty sure she just bruised it somehow.

* ERIC AND I TRIED A NEW GAME

Eric had sort of played before but wanted to introduce me to it. We enjoyed it, even though we technically lost. But since they have you play a tutorial game first, they don't let you lose.

* THE KIDS WENT TO BED WITHOUT A FIGHT

I love the nights when they actually go to bed when they are asked to and they don't try to find ways to stay awake.

The Good Stuff, Day 21

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 21: JANUARY 25, 2017

* THE DOG ONLY WENT POTTY OUTSIDE

He didn't go every time I took him outside, but he didn't go inside either. I count it as a win.

* TOOK CARE OF A CHORE THAT WAS OVERDUE

* READ A FEW MORE CHAPTERS IN MY BOOK

* GOT THE VIDEO SLIDESHOW PUT TOGETHER FOR ZACH'S BIRTHDAY

* PIZZA ARRIVED BEFORE THE KIDS WENT TO MUTUAL

Even though the time on the email had me worried that'd I'd be gone dropping them off when it arrived, it arrived about 10 minutes before we had to leave.

* ALL 3 OLDER KIDS WENT TO MUTUAL

Lex doesn't usually mind going, but it's hard to get Shaylyn and Tanis to go - for various reasons. They went sledding so I thought it'd be something they'd all enjoy. Lex was the only one that really sledded. Tanis and Shaylyn spent the night talking to each other....

The Good Stuff, Day 20

THE GOOD STUFF - DAY 20: JANUARY 24, 2017

* GOT THE MAIN FLOOR CLEANED BY 11:00 A.M.

* MY VISITING TEACHERS CAME

* ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS VISITED FOR A FEW HOURS

True, she's also one of my visiting teachers - but after her companion had to go get a kid from Kindergarten, my friend stayed and we had some wonderful conversations.

* I CLEANED UPSTAIRS

The upstairs had been turned upside down by the kids and it was making me crazy. I got most of what needed to be done, done.

* I READ A LOT OF CHAPTERS IN MY BOOK

While I can't say that I'm loving the book, it moves along at a decent pace and keeps me interested enough.

* THAT FRAME I BOUGHT AWHILE AGO? I FINALLY PUT PICTURES INTO IT.

Hopefully I'll get it hung at some point and share pictures.