27 weeks & counting...

Well 27 weeks & 2 days. I can't believe I will be 7 months pregnant, next Saturday. This pregnancy is just flying by. I am really starting to show. I can actually wear my maternity pants now! lol Emma is doing good. She's been moving around alot & making herself very comfy in there. I missed my 6 month appt-gasp! It couldn't be helped, as it was a few days before Christmas & I couldn't afford to miss work. But I have my 7 month appt this Friday. I'm curious if I've gained any weight yet. I feel like I'm eating, but haven't been as hungry as I usually am pregnant. Between my mom & I, we actually have done really well on baby stuff so far. I really only need to pick up a new carseat ( pink of course), a double stroller, and, hmmm I guess that's all I really NEED. I would love to replace our playpen in a girly print, and of course some crib sheets & blankets in beautiful butterflies, flowers & other girly things. I can't wait to go bow shopping! lol

January? Really, are you sure?

I am in denial. It can't be January. That would mean a whole new year, and it can't be 2010 already. Yet, when I look at my email, it has that infamous January 2010 stamp on it. As I sit here, in my few stolen minutes, I reflect back on this last year. Many things are still the same- still working fulltime, dh is home with the kids, everyone is healthy. But some major things are in the works- our first daughter & 6th child, will arrive in April sometime, hopefully dh will be starting out at my dad's work in the next couple of weeks. We are patiently waiting on W2's & Unemployment paperwork to come in so it get us closer to a new van, catching up on bills, and baby shopping! January also means new resolutions. I'm not a great resolution maker or keeper. I don't know many (0k, I actually don't know of ANY)people that do keep their resolutions. So I've decided to make some goals instead.

Molly's Goals for 2010

1) Work on the blog. I really want to write at least once a day. About anything really. The baby news. Funny stuff my kids did. Reviews. Whatever is floating my boat at the time. Maybe even have a giveaway or two. Woot! lol

2) Stay strong with my Sweepstaking. I slacked off some last year- working my fulltime job kind of gets in the way sometimes. I've doing really good the last month or so, winning "something" every few days, so I just need to keep it up. I've been a member of OLS, Online-Sweepstakes.com for almost 4 year now & LOVE IT! The wonderful folks there have made it possible for me to win some really great stuff over the years. It's one of my fave hobbies.

3) Spend more time with the kids. This one is a bit harder to do at the moment, working the hours that I do. I feel like I don't even see the kids some days. I want to take them to fun things, like Disney on Ice, Legoland, and Monteray Bay. I miss sitting with them, reading to them. Things need to change, somehow this year.

4) Get my house organized. With so little time, and so many things to do, my poor house has piles of "stuff" everywhere. Not Hoarders style piles. Manageable tubs of Ebay clothing, or stuff that has to go back into the garage. If I can just get over my tiredness, I might be able to tackle some of this stuff.

Hmmm.......I think that is it right now. I have alot of things I want to do this year, which aren't really goals, exactly. Like doing the storage auctions with my brother, or finding a bigger house. But I will keep you updated as I work on those things.

The evils of Facebook....

It used to be Myspace. Oh the fun of setting up your layout, picking the perfect profile song, and just the right pic for your front page. Then Facebook popped up. What's this? Fun crazy quizzes to take, Pick my 5 favorite subjects in school? I can do that! Play fun addicting games like Bejeweled Blitz & beat my friends scores? I can do that too, and try my durndest to come in first place this week. Update my status with something both witty & thought provoking. Done! Facebook is now in my top 3 sites that I hit up every night when I get home from work. It gives me a chance to catch up with my friends, and see what is going on in their lives. So my hat is off to Tom of Facebook, I drink a toast to your wonderful, yet addicting site. Bottoms Up!!!

ps..........I WILL beat Michelle's Blitz score.............:D

Fill out those papers carefully...

If you have to deal with any of the government offices, and fill out paperwork, please remember to fill everything out carefully. Or else you could screw yourself over. Around 2 months ago, Matt filled out his unemployment paperwork. Yep, my first mistake. :( Usually I fill out all papers, and then have him sign where needed. It's just easier that way- at least I know all I's have been dotted & T's crossed. Well turns out he didn't check the little box that said he looked for work, but filled out the places he did look for work. That little box threw a monkey wrench into the works & we had to fill out appeal paperwork, since they said they didn't have to pay him. Two weeks ago we received a letter saying he would receive a hearing. Yeah, two weeks ago. Called today & found out that it can take up to 12 weeks to GET a hearing, then another 2-6 weeks waiting on a decision. So maybe if we are lucky, we can get his money by September. I just don't know what the hell we are going to do. We still owe my parents $350 for helping us pay our Smud Bill. The tags are out of date in the car, there is stuff around here we need to fix,and the kids bdays are coming. This really sucks. :(

A Saturday off.....

After working for almost a year, I finally have a Saturday off. Woot! And I am making the most of it. I woke up at 6:40am, went & worked out with some friends. Will be getting ready to go garage saleing with my mom in the next half hour or so. I even listed some stuff on Ebay last night. I am quite proud of myself. lol The kids had fun yesterday at the Disney Christmas Carol Train Event, in Old Sac. Even after waiting 2 hours in the hot hot sun to get on the train. It was cool, and better yet- it was FREE!!! ( well other than gas money to get down there, & parking)

Recent Wins

I've been horrible lately about keeping track of my Sweepstakes wins. Not that I've have tons rolling in- as I've been a busy bee. In the last couple of weeks, I've received a cool GearHead Digital Keychain that holds 56 photos, Susan Brown's Baby Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer, a 3 book set of kids books, and a Bubble package complete with coloring pages, a bubble music cd & bubble maker. Not too bad for my $30 yearly membership, especially considering the Digi Keychain has an ARV of $50! :D I've been a member of OLS now for over 3 years & couldn't be happier. If you are curious about sweepstaking, or have any questions, please feel free to ask. I've won tons of little things, and a few big things. Definately a fun hobby!

It can't be June......

Can someone please tell me where the heck Spring went to? The kids finished up their last week of school last week, and we are full into Summer break. Another way I can tell the kids are out of school, is by the fact that there is no food in the house. lol You don't fully appreciate the fact that 3 of the kids eat breakfast & lunch at school, until they are all home. Haven't been able to do alot lately, because it seems like all I do is work. :( Don't get me wrong- I like my job, and am happy to HAVE a job. It just interferes with all the other stuff I like to do, like um, live. lol But at least starting this week, I will have Friday & Saturdays off. Woohoo!

A giveaway that we can swing about...

With the nice spring weather, my kids constantly want to go to the park. Now normally I'm all for taking them & letting them wear themselves out on the swings, slides & monkey bars. But unfortunately, time doesn't always allow us the luxury of the park. Dad Blogs has come up with a solution for us. They have partnered with Kid's Creations Swing Sets - Wooden Swing Sets Accessoriesto give away the wonderful Three Ring Adventure Swingset (ARV $4995.00). We're talking rock wall, tire swing, rope ladder, 3 swings, slides & lots more!!! As if this wasn't already a fantabulous giveaway, they are throwing in a Canon Powershot SD1100 Digital Elph too! So now you can send Grandma & Grandpa pics of your munchkins playing on their new playset. Want to check out this amazing giveaway, just go here-Dad Blogs - Directory and Social Network for Dads and Dad Bloggers - The Big Spring Contest at Dad Blogs

I want to say good luck to everyone, but I secretly am hoping our family wins this. With 5 boys, we really need a sturdy swingset like this. We used to have a Little Tykes 8 in 1 structure that my MIL had bought years ago. But had to sell it when times were tough last year. :( With me working fulltime, and the midshift, it's hard to find time to get to the park. It would be so nice to be able to sit on our backpatio, watching the kids & their friends playing on this amazing set. Please Please Please & Pretty Please, pick our family for this great set, that otherwise would be financially unattainable.

Easter Baskets

The Finished product

Where the hell are the eggs?

Remind me never to go looking for eggs the night before Easter. I had my bases covered in that department, several days ago. Picked up 5 dozen eggs in anticipation of the coloring eggstavaganza we had planned with the kids. Got home from work tonight & Matt started the water to boil, setting the eggs on the kitchen counter. Not even 2 minutes later, a loud noise, and Joshua vocalizing to us in his very smart one year old language, that something had happened. Somehow ( yeah, we aren't exactly sure how) all 5 dozen eggs were on the ground! If I wasn't so damned shocked, I would have grabbed my camera. lol Fast forward to tonight, Saturday, night before Easter. Matt & I ran up to Walmart to go pick up some more eggs, drinks for the bbq tomorrow at Dave & Roxanne's, and some more candy for the baskets. Walmart was swamped! And NOTHING left that resembled Easter, bunnies,or even chocolate for that matter. :( So we pick up our drinks, wait in line for 30 minutes,and head to the next Walmart. They must have some Eastery Hershey Kisses left, right? Yeah, don't think so. Can you believe that they didn't have anything left either? Ugh. Thank god Raley's still had some candy left. Woohoo for the grocery store! :)

So many things, so little time...

I really wish I had a few extra "days off". It is so hard to fit in everything I want to do. So far today, the only thing checked on my list is sleeping in. lol Oh wait, I did manage to get a few loads of laundry done, and started the dishwasher, that Sam was supposed to do. What I should have been doing today, is cleaning out the garage, getting my stuff together for the Just Between Friends sale in a few weeks, listing stuff on Ebay & Craigslist to clear out some of this crap sitting around the house, and getting our Easter stuff together. The rain outside definately is not helping. It's cold & rainy out- two days ago it was mid 70's and gorgeous. Ugh. We were going to color our egss tonight, but I might just wait until I get home from work tomorrow.Yeah, that sounds like a plan.lol I wanted something yumilicious for dinner that didn't come out of a box, or had to be microwaved, so even now as I type, I can smell my roast cooking......drool........... And for after dinner, I let Brandon pick out a Stawberry Cake thingy. I wonder how many calories I can burn by coloring Easter Eggs? ;)

We are taking the kids over to Dave & Roxanne's on Easter Sunday. They are bbqing & doing an egg hunt for the kids. I have the day off (insert happy dance). After giving birth last Easter, it will be nice to be able to spend it with the family.

I traditionally go waaay overboard on the kids' baskets. Buying too much candy,toys & other odds 'n' ends. This year, we are a bit financially challenged, so it will be something simple. I've picked up some superhero kites & air balloon rockets for cheap, and the requisite sidewalk egg chalk. Also picked up peeps for each of the kids. I still need to get some chocolate & a choc bunny for each of them. And maybe a gc to 7-11 for Sam.

A Gross Initiation

Well it's official- Joshua is now a card-carying member of the "poop eating baby club". I told you it would be gross. Serves you right for not believing me. lol The kids know the drill- shut the bathroom door at ALL times. Well tonight Brandon kind of forgot this rule. After realizing the baby wasn't sitting next to me on the floor, you can guess where I found him! :( ***warning****** Next part might be too graphic for kids aged everyone. Reader discretion is advised. Unfortunately, it couldn't only be toilet water that he was playing in. Nope. When I caught up to him, he turned away from the toilet & smiled a "shit-eating" grin. Ugh. Eww. Just plain yuck. I did what any other mother would do-started rinsing out his mouth, while yelling at his 5 year old brother. I know one of the other kids managed to do the exact same thing when they were younger, but I don't remember which one. Or I blocked it out. lol I don't think he will have any long term damage from this. I spread some of the kids toothpaste in his mouth, and googled "baby ate poop". Thank god for the Internet! :)

I'm dreaming of an Etsy Christmas...

If you've already discovered the magical world of Etsy, then you know you can quickly blow hours away by skimming thru all the wonderful items for sale. Where else can you buy chocolate dipped treats, personalized name crayons, cutsie cards & gorgeous necklaces, all on the same website? The best thing about it, is you are supporting small businesses. As the recipient of several Etsy wins, it still amazes me that there are so many talented people out there. I consider myself pretty crafty, but I don't hold a candle to many on this site. If you have no idea what I am talking about, head here- Etsy :: Your place to buy and sell all things handmade- after you finish reading my post. lol

In honor of Etsy & Christmas, Busy Mom of Busy Mom Blog and More, is hosting an Etsy shopping Bonanza! Two winners will share $750 worth of goodies from several Etsy shops, including paper crafts, jewelry & edible yumminess. Just visit Busy Mom Blog and More for all the fun details, but do it soon, as the contest will be ending on Saturday the 6th of December.

Here is the complete list of participating shops:

This and That, Red Pajamas, Baby Luv Gifts, Baby Bears, My Custom Baby Boutique, Baby Goin Places, Layla Legs , Second Story Window, Inspiring Color Tie Dye, Baby Peas, Abby Chase Designs, Tadpoles and Tutus, Make it and Love It, PiggyTails Boutique, Four Dog Day, Jupita , Zeba, Jodi Horgan, One of a Kind Custom Jewelry, Across The Pond, Kerstin Hanson, Krug's Eco-Logic, Indulgent Creations, koko candles, Dazzle Dott, Mary Zoom, Maggie Sue Designs, Gaia Conceptions, BoojiBoo, Stones of Healing, A Sugar Affair , Cakebox Cookies, A Thyme 2 B Comforted , Double Dipped Sweets, KE Cookies, AngelPie Cookies and Cakes, Meg's Creations, Cookie Art by Sarah, Paper Treasures 4 U, Inkspot Workshop, Take Note, Articulations

I think I am in love.....

Yes, as a married mom, I will admit it. I'm in love with Robert Pattinson. Or better known as Edward Cullen. lol Twilight opened tonight & of course we (myself, Sam, Baylee & Nick) had to be there! From the first minute he walked into the cafeteria, that tusseled hair & those gorgeous eyes made my insides melt! If it wasn't 3am & Baylee having my book, I would be sitting here reading it again. The movie was great, although there were things I wished they would have kept in, and other things they wouldn't have just mentioned & glossed over. All in all, I was happy though. Now to wait for the next one.......

These durn Holiday Commercials...

Does anyone else get teary-eyed watching the holiday themed commercials? I just saw a Pillsbury one, with a little girl closing her eyes, clicking her heels together & dreaming about pillsbury crescent rolls. At the end you see the whole family sitting down together around the table, and the flash the words "home is calling" on the screen. sniff sniff. Yeah, I'm a sucker this time of year. I spent a good hour & a half yesterday watching Christmas light videos on YouTube. I don't know what it is- heck it isn't even the weather this year. It's almost Thanksgiving, and it was in the high 70's today. I finally put the kids' shorts & tanks away last week. Crazy, eh?

Gasp! I'm in a new age bracket....

Well it's official. I am no longer in the 25-34 age group. You know what I'm talking about. All the different online forms, when you have to check your age. Turning 35 on Friday, officially bumped me to the next category. How did I get here? It seems like only yesterday, I was attending the NKOTB's original concerts, clubbing Thurs-Sat nights with Tiffaney, and actually being able to talk with my oldest. lol I've decided to made a list of 35 things I want to do before my next birthday.
1) Become more involved in the kids' schools. All aspects. I want my kids to look back & know that I was an active participant in their school careers.

2) Visit Disney World. I dream about going here, eating Tonga Toast, having the magic hit me full force, and drinking a lapu out of a pineapple. lol

3) Visit with my online friends. I had such a fun time with Chelle, Michelle & Mel 2 years ago. I would love to plan a meet. Or maybe a closer one, with Tig & Courtney.

4) Lose a couple of dress sizes. Being an 18-20 right now sucks. :( I want to get down to at least a 14.

5) No matter how crazy my children drive me, make sure to tell them I love you everyday!

6) Read to my kids a few nights a week. Even the ones that can read themselves.

7) Start dating my husband again. Bring back the excitement of getting to know each other again, rather than let the everyday pressures affect our relationship.

8) Get myself financially in a better place.

9) Blog regularly.

10) Start an Etsy shop with all the crafty things I have in my head.

11) Take my mom to a Play. I had soo much fun going to see Phantom this last year, with her & Chad.

12) Win a trip to New York.

13) Win a trip to Vegas.

14) Take the kids to the park at least once a week.

15) Keep in touch with all my friends better. Don't wait until they call you.

16) Take a class, even an online class.

17) Buy a sewing machine & learn how to sew.

18) Become friends with my oldest again. I miss knowing what is going on with him.

19) Pamper myself once a month. Get a massage, a pedicure, or have my eyebrows waxed.

20) Take the kids to DisneyLand, Legoland, or Sea World, or all 3.

21) Learn how to Photoshop, so I can make my own cool siggies. lol

22) Print up all the pics that seem to collect on my computer

23) Have a Halloween Party. I have wanted to do this for several years now.

24) Attend the Exotic Erotic Ball. Another thing that I have always wanted to go to.

25) Send out Cards to people. Birthday, Get Well, etc.

26) Plan better meals for our family. Healthy eating has to become a way of life for us.

27) Support my dh. We definately have our problems that we need to work on. But I know he craves the love I can give him & praise that will help lift him up to be the man I know he can & he wants to be.

28) Wear makeup. I want to look my best everyday.

29) Hit up the midnite showing of Harry Potter in July. :D

30) Plan & totally surprise at least 3 people this year, with something they would never expect

31) Work on my patience.

32) Find better ways to communicate with my children.We do waaay too much yelling in the house,and it isn't healthy for any of us.

33) Visit my Grandparents, my Uncles & my MIL's gravesites & leave flowers.

34) Do more random acts of kindness, to do my part in making the world a better place.

35) Plan something exciting for my 36th bday. :D

Guess it's time to pop open some wine & toast to the upcoming year! Happy Bday to me!

Fun things a'coming.....

So many things are happening this month. This Saturday, we are having our 50% off of everything in the thrift store I work at. Ivolunteered to work 12 hours that day. 4 hours overtime= xtra Christmas cash! It will be a looong day, but should be lots of fun. What I am most excited about though, is that we can come in early that morning & shop before the store opens. All the body parts that are capable of crossing, have been crossed that the one item I really really want, will still be there on Saturday. We have a pretty nice Dell Inspirion laptop (w/wireless) for $400, which means only $200 smackaroos on Sat! This would be perfect for my WoW playing 14 year old! It will be nice not to have to share my computer. lol

On the 14th, I will be turning 35. I would love to hit up the casino that night, thinking I might hit the big one. lol But knowing how my bdays have been in the past, we will prob stay at home & do nothing. Ugh.

And everyone should know what movie comes out on the 21st. I cannot WAIT to see Twilight! The kids are out of school on that Friday, so I might get tickets for Sam & I to catch the midnite showing of it on Thursday. Not sure who else will be joining us- my niece def if she is in town, and possible Sam's friend Damier. If you haven't read the books yet, omg- go out buy the first two right now! (You will need both of them, because when you stay up til 4am that first night, finishing Twilight, you will be glad to New Moon in hand to start. Yep, talking from experience here.lol)

Our first ever cookie decorating party is scheduled (well scheduled in my head anyways) for Monday the 24th. Each of the younger kids will get to invite some friends over to ice & decorate already made up sugar cookies. I'm trying to decide on what else I want to do with them. I'm on the lookout for a cute easy Christmas or Thanksgiving craft. We will prob have kids aged from 2-7, and around 13 or 14 kids. I think I will pick up pizza & def want apple cider going in the crock pot. I can't wait! It should be lots of fun!

Thanksgiving of course, I will cook a big Turkey dinner for our family. Thinking of doing it buffet style this year & putting an open invite out to friends & family. I love having lots of people around, and want to foster this in my kids lives.

Black Friday- My favorite shopping day of the year! lol I actually don't "need" anything this year. But I def want to get some cheap movies for us & for gifts. And I can always count on Walmart & Target for some cheap toys. I really hope that Leapster games are on sale this year. I know some people would sooner cut off their left pinkie finger, than go out that day. But I love it! It's a tradition to go out with my brother Greg, and sometimes my sil. We head out super early, hit tons of stores & always get lunch. We meet the nicest people inline too. It doesn't snow here, but man it gets chilly out!

The Chaos of Prop 8

If you have called California your home for the last month, than I'm sure you've heard up to your eyeballs about Proposition 8. Well, unless you've been living under a rock. I don't remember past Props getting as much media attention as this one has. It seems like every time I turned the tv on, listened to the radio, or went anywhere, I would get bombarded on how I should vote. We all have our opinions on what we feel is right. Which is great- another reason to live in the great country that we do- democracy rules, and everyone's voice counts. I personally will say I am sad that this passed. I feel that EVERYONE deserves the same rights. My dh & I were allowed to get married, put each other on insurance forms, and are automatically the "next of kin" if something were to happen to one of us. Alot of people voted Yes on 8, because they don't want it taught in school. How do they think it is going to come up in school? I highly doubt that a course on gay marriage will be a requirement for high school graduation. What if your child comes home & tells you their friend at school, has 2 moms or 2 dads? What would you say to your child? Would you tell them that it is wrong? Isn't that teaching intolerance? Or Discrimination? I would really like to hear people's views on it. The world is changing, & we need to keep up with her! What should we ban next? Interracial marriage? Personally, if you want to "save & protect" marriage, ban celebrities from marrying! Getting married & divorcing 2 months later just because you can, in my opinion, is hurting our children's image of marriage far more than gay marriage.

The North Pole

Did you know to go to the North Pole you need a fast rocket or a flying car? It's true, because my 5 year old told me. And he is really smart. He is so smart he did his whole homework packet, for the week, in one night. Child takes after me, you know. ;) I guess if it takes Santa some magic to "get out" of his magical home, it makes sense to use some magic to get there. Who wouldn't love to sit and have some yummy hot cocoa & scrumptious cookies with the big man himself? I love this time of year-seeing it through my children's eyes. To see them watch the beloved Christmas movies that I watched myself, growing up. Decorating cookies, the way we did w/my mom & grandma. To watch the awe in their faces, as we go Christmas Light looking. Yes, I love the hustle & bustle of the holidays! Now if I could only find someone with a flying car.......

Have Luggage, Will Travel

Finally, a nice win for October.

Contest Second Prizes (4): Set of Eddie Bauer Luggage (ARV $582)

I received email notification today, and the contest ended yesterday. Now I need to win my New York trip. I would so love to take my mom at the beginning of December, to New York for an actual Broadway Play. And it would be awesome to be in the snow & see all the holiday festivities. It could happen.......