Recap of Conferences- Kelly is doing well all around but we need to work out a few areas like she cannot answer questions when called upon, she willgo off topic. Kelly basically doesn't talk much. Very shy. So shy that it is hindering her education.

So after talking with her teacher we are looking into getting some special services for her. Mostly just language and comprehension. I'm not sure what those will all entail but we should be having meetings in the next couple of months. The only area that had a NI for needs improvement was Displays Confidence (self-esteem).

It was kinda cute that they actually give out grades.

A= has a handle on the subject

B= work in progress

C= just learning concept or struggling

Kelly had 2 C's in Grammer- She talks about herself in the 3rd person and Science- no comment.

There were 3 A's- Spelling, Social Studies (that's my girl!) and Phys Ed

Then we have 5 B's or B+'s- Math, composition, penmanship, reading, spanish

Also Last night was Kelly's first Girl Scout meeting!! Mrs. Watt her teacher agrees that this might help Kelly abit. So we are starting Daisy's. Kinda excited and the troop leaders are looking for ideas that these girls can do.

So maybe I'll do a little research and talk to a friend of ours from church who does scouts also.

So that is all for now. Sorry no new pictures. I'll be doing that tomorrow.

Have a great weekend.Carrie

And then...

I have days like today.
Granted I woke up at 4am but it was a good morning. The kids were in a good mood with little fighting or arguing with me. Ate breakfast, got dressed, dropped kelly off, went to the grocery store for milk and came home and did my quiet time. Good so far.
The kids are spending the night at Grandmoms and Daddy and I have Kellys 1st parent/teacher conference. I am eagerly anticipating what the teacher has to say. So I will update that later.
Have started making Christmas cards, I'm soo excited to finally get this done. I mean I've talked about it for years and now I'm doing it. Now let's see if they get mailed out. Hehe. they will get mailed out.
Off to pack up the kids for their night at G'moms.
Ciao

pity party for one please

good Monday!!

Ya know, I check everyones blogs almost everyday but I have been failing to update my own and it's at the top of my list!

So I wrangled the kids and took a couple of photos before I was ready to strangle them, uploaded and started to blog.

Can I just say that we have hit that point in young Kelly's life where I am ready to trade her in for another model. The back talk, the looks, the NOT LISTENING, I've had enough. As I write this Kelly is in time out because she ran her scooter into her brother and spilled all his candies. Now, yes she apologized but it was the evil grin that went along that apology that got her into hot water.

I do not know how to deal with stubborn children. I am learning real fast that I'm becoming a control freak because I seem to nag, nag , nag all the time. It took me more than 30 minutes to get Wyatt to pick up the crayons he dumped on the floor. He flat out refused and cried, yelling no over and over.

Let's just leave it there.

This past week and even the birthday party that Kelly attended Sunday are frought with stubborness, fights and tears from all three of us. I feel like I have lost all control over my holigans, but the funny thing is how everyone (outside of family) compliments about how "good" they are. Granted most of this is only at home, but dang it when I say no I don't expect you to sneak and get it anyway, and then when I catch you hide it and smile at me. I'm not stupid.

So that is part of my problem lately, compound that with finances and Christmas coming I'm strung out. I never thought I was a jealous person until I couldn't do my own "thing" but other stay at home moms could. Yes I could go back to work, but God told me to quit work and everything would be okay. So I ask myself, "am I asking too much? This is hard for me to type out because in my head all these thoughts and counter talks (pros and cons) and trying to look at it from all angles keep swirling around. I pray about it daily but so far all is quiet so I am sitting in my pain.

I'm stopping.

I could keep going and part of me wants to but- so that in a month or even a year I can come back and see where I was struggling and be true to myself. This is my blog and if I'm having a shitty month and want to burp it all up that's my choice. Am I genuinely happy for my friends who are doing well. sincerely YES. Am I looking for ways to make things better YES. It jsut feels that right now I am being made to question my faith. Lots of little things keep throwing me curve balls and I like the straight path.

I really am stopping.

Thank you and love you Carrie

Here come the Holidays!!
Seriously November 1st is like planning for a wedding. Who is coming to each holiday (Thx, Chris) who is hosting? Who is bringing what food? Decorating inside and outside, Gift lists, and, oh yeah, where is the money to pay for all this coming from??
Since money is tight this year (come on Publishers Clearing house!) I am going to be doing some different type of presents. Can't reveal details, cause you know why, so I'm keeping things close to my chest.

Had an experience yesterday.... I was putting finishing touches on a couple of layouts and putting them away into scrapbooks. Left the pile on the table and went to pick up Kelly from school. We come home and I sit on the couch and start reading a book. Kelly is doing her usual artwork/coloring at the table. At one point I get up to head to the kitchen and see that she has written Kelly 12345 and other stuff on two of my layouts. I cried. Oh how I cried. I asked Kelly to go to her room until I could talk to her.
Yeah okay I should have put them all away but she has NEVER shown me that I should be worried. Kelly loves to look at the layouts but I haven't seen her ever trying to take a pencil or marker to a page.
After I stopped crying I asked Kelly to come talk to me. I didn't yell, I was just so sad. I told her that what she did was wrong and that it hurt my feelings for her to draw over my pictures. She apologized and I sat there and thought about what I should do. Do I redo? Or leave them as is?
I decided that I would put a little journaling sticker on each one and leave them as is.
This is life right?? Scrapbooking is about ALL aspects of our life not just the fun stuff. So both are now finished and into protected albums. Rob suggested that I put the books up out of reach but then who would look at them?? It thrills me to no end to see Kelly and/or Kelly showing Wyatt pages I did about them.
So the books are back in their normal spot for all to look at.

** Just so I won't forget..... Kelly went through most of a pack of construction paper in one sitting the other day drawing pictures for her friend Abby and writing scribble lines. If there is a blank piece of paper anywhere Kelly will find it and draw on it.

Happy Post Halloween

Been very busy around the Ross house lately. On Tuesday Kelly went with her class to Bucklew Farm to pick a pumpkin and then after school we went to Brian and Andy's pumpkin stand to get Wyatt a pumpkin. That pumpkin stand was really cool. It was almost as good as going to a farm.

Once the kids got home Nina showed up and the kids helped her fill the bags full of candy bars for the trick or treaters. Of course we ALL had to have a sample. quality control, ya know.

Mom always buys the good stuff.

So treating was fun this year. Mike, Amanda and the boys came over and went treating with us. We did both sides of our street and then went up to the church on the corner. they were doing a trunk or treat with free hot dogs, water, popcorn, cotton candy. After the church we went over to Pop's house to get treats from him and Kristen. After all that we went home to relax and get ready for bed.

The kids' costumes are as follows;

Kelly- Cowgirl Jessie complete with lots of yee-haws

Wyatt- Thomas the Tank engine with lots of choo-chooos

Clayton- Blue Power Ranger

Donovan- Thomas the Tank engine

On a side note it is funny when Wyatt will ask you to take his picture but he won't look at the camera.

Sooo. we didn't end up going to the pumpkin patch on sunday. We plan on this saturday but even that is kinda iffy right now. The best laid plans don't always work. Money is super tight till next week so I have to mind my P's and Q's.


I haven't taken many new pictures so we are picture less today.


I will say that my brother Mike and his girlfriend Amanda have officially announced their engagement at church last Sunday. They have asked me to be matron of honor.


speaking of wearing a dress in front of the whole family. I need to lose 30-40lbs before their wedding on Feb. 22nd.


Picture this...... The groom is 6'5" the matron is 6'0" both of us kinda heavy and the bride is like 5'5" and maybe 120lbs. looks funny I'm telling you. Amanda comes up to my shoulder. Two giants over the fair princess.
These pictures have Amanda sitting on Mike's lap. see what I'm saying!!
I'll be doing their engagement pictures soon. That is gonna be a fun shoot and I might exploit the size difference.


So I'm off to see the wizard.
Carrie

Happy Friday

Today has been a fun day so far and we didn't do anything out of the ordinary.

The kids and I went to the store, then picked up the new tires for the landscape trailer. Then we came home and I made pancakes for lunch (hey, they asked for them). I have played email tag with my buddy Julie, that was fun. Went outside to try and take some pictures of Kellys hair and now I'm blogging before I go prep for scrapbooking tonight.

Thought I would try and show a few pictures. Boy I really need to practice. Of course when your child is flying around on her scooter it gets kinda hard.

We plan to go to Agua Linda Farm this Sunday for their Pumpkin Festival. Hope it is lots of fun for the kids. I'll have pictures on Monday!

Otherwise be safe and have a great weekend.

Love,

Carrie

Happy Wednesday.
I have much to be thankful for.
My friend Julie is doing well in her surgery recovery. Very happy for that.
My freezer did not go caput on me. Boy did I do some heavy praying for that one. So thankful.
My mom finally got a new porch put on her house. So now it is safe to actually step outside her door. Those steps were treacherous.
I got to scrapbook yesterday and completed two layouts. I have since then continued to go through my scrap crap and found seven more layouts that need to be put away or fixed so that they could be put away.
I also found several layout in various states of doneness and I am putting them in an evelope for me to finish up at the Scrap social this Friday.
So I have a stack of magazines to go through and cut up for ideas and I think I'm going to ask Rob to put his drums back up because, 1. It's been a month since I got my shelf and most of the room is ready 2. If he doesn't I'm gonna end up using the WHOLE room 3. Rob needs to practice 4. It will make me finish the room so that I can get to my stuff.

So on Monday night Rob, the kids and I head back to the school playground to play frisbee and lets the kids play. I brought my camera to get more shots in the great sunset light. So I whip out the camera to get this cool picture of Kelly and guess what??? I have no memory card!! I took it out to upload on Saturday and forgot to put it back in. What a waste. I was hoping to get some good shots of just Rob or Rob and the kids. Better luck next time.
So sorry no new pictures.
I'm off to finish laundry
Carrie

Good Saturday Morning!
We have been productive for the Ross household this morning. I have in the last load of laundry, the kids and I cleaned up the back yard and we even walked to the school, a few streets away to play on their playground.
Now we are home relaxing and watching some cartoons.
I want to give a shout out to Kristie and say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
The old broad turns 31 this year. I know your gonna go party so have fun and be careful. Love you girl.

I also want to say congrats to my buddy Julie who had surgery a couple of days ago. She is recovering and doing well. Can't wait to see the changes your about to make.

Kelly is on vacation this week so we are going to do some clothes shopping and just playing around and relaxing.
Today I'm reading the Organized and Inspited Scrapbooker. I hope to fine tune some of my organizational needs so that I might actually use my scraproom. Would be nice huh? I also need to find out about colors and clutter. As in what colors work good for me and what I might find distracting. It's interesting to say the least.
I hope to do some scrappin later this afternoon.
So for now enjoy your weekend, have fun and stay safe.
Love C

Thoughts and Prayers

As I was sitting here for my quiet time I suddenly felt overwhelmed by all the people I am praying for. After calming my mind down, I asked the Lord to hear my heart and to lift up all the people that are running through my mind.
Especially today.
Today my friend Julie is having weight loss surgery. I will admit I am a little nervous. I also feel bad because she called yesterday and I didn't get a chance to call her back. I'm sorry Julie. I hope you are doing good. Please call me when you feel up to it.
I sometimes wish I had the healing hand kind of power. That people I prayer for or lay my hands on would be healed or given the wisdom they need. Yes I know that is reserved only for Jesus and God but just sometimes I wish I could do that also.
I feel like I am stumbling a bit right now. I know that back in July God told me to quit working** and he would provide. Which he has done every month. Last month the van was deemed unsafe to drive so it now sits. This morning I went to pick up some meat at Sunflower market. When I went to put it in our freezer I noticed that the door hadn't shut from the day before. Now I'm afraid the compressor is shot and that would cost hundreds to replace. I have been praying and asking for forgiveness all morning because it is my fault, and we can't afford to get it fixed if something is wrong. After talking to Rob, I put a cup of water in the freezer and we will check it tonight. Then I will know wether to be worried or not.
The reason I go into this is because I sometimes feel this is a test to my faith. That I must look at the bigger picture and know it will all work out. Sometimes that seems kind of hard but I believe that my faith is strong.

** I just found out that Tres Amigos is closing all of it's Phx stores by the end of this month and that sales in Tucson are really slow. So I know it was the right choice for myself to leave. :) And here is an example of the bigger picture.
In love,Carrie

I am trying to post a more recent picture of myself and the stinky old blogger won't have it. This can be so frustrating.
I can't believe I haven't posted since last thursday. yikes. Sorry.
Does anyone know if the new scrapstore is open on River?? I'm jones'en for a scrap shopping fix.
Really, as of right now I have nothing interesting to say.
I didn't get any shots of Kelly. The scrap class that was on last Sunday, the person didn't show up. I'm STILL trying to clean the scraproom.
I have decided that I need a night out to scrapbook. Rob has gone out with the guys several times this last month and I've been home. I want a night out with anyone who wants to join me to scrap.
I'm very boring today so I'm gonna sign off.
C

I survived!!
No seriously it wasn't bad at all. For the most part it was fairly easy, by yesterday they were fighting like brothers and sisters.
This morning after dropping Kelly off at school little man and I went and mommy got a hair cut. nothing extreme, just a trim so that I can grow it out.

Ya know this wireless has it's good and bad points. Yes I can sit on the couch and surf the web (albeit slowly) but all my "stuff" isn't on the laptop it's on the PC. I cannot receive email on the laptop so I have to power up the pc to check EVERYTHING. Maybe this will be my computer now and Rob can keep his slow a$$ laptop. Except the pc can't follow me into the kitchen.
Oh what to do.......
Ya know, 15/20 yrs ago none of this would be possible anyway so I'm gonna quit my complaining ;)
I'm hoping to take some pictures of Miss Thing this weekend. I'll post if I do.
c

Well howdy there strangers!

Lots have been going on around the Ross house.

A week ago we had miss Kelly's 5th birthday party, then just the four of us on Wednesday with the leftover cupcakes and ice cream. We had one day with no internet because Rob was having issues hooking up the wireless. I actually worked a couple of afternoons for my friend Karen doing more courier work. Hopefully I'll get paid this week for that. Friday I got really sick with my asthma and ended up at the doctors to get my very first breathing treatment.

So now I'm back. Granted for the next few days I have some extra company. Kenny and Chloe are two kids from church that my kids have classes with. Their mom and dad are in Rocky Point Mexico till Wednesday so I'm learning to have and juggle 4 children. It's not that bad so far the kids are all pretty much getting along. (keep fingers and toes crossed) I really want things to go smoothly and everyone have a good time.

So here are a few shots of Kelly's party.

Just a reminder for myself that Kelly cheated at pin the tail on the donkey. Yes she had her eyes covered but she could see from underneath.

Loved having the cupcakes, so much easier for everybody.

This was also the best and fastest party we have ever had. The party started at 2:30 and parents were picking up their kids at 4. Well we really didn't get started till 3 and we ran through everything but that was fine cause we kept the kids' interest.

The kids I think had a great time. Lots of goodies from the pinata and then the cowboy hats and the little star gift bags. I talked to the twins' mother and she says that Kelly's party is all her girls will talk about. This makes me happy that they had a great time.

So for posterity, or whenever I get around to scrapbooking it the guest and family list included: mom, dad and wyatt, nina, uncle mikey, aunt amanda, clayton and donovan, grandpa frank, hope gainey, faith and graham, Abby and Elle from school, david and vera beil and samuel and jaden.

Grandmom Ross came the night before and brought your gifts cause she had to work the next day.

All the kids were fantastic, nobody cried and barely fussed or whined.

**I might edit to add to this later, not sure

Hugs

C

shh..quiet me hunting wabbits

no not really just staying off the computer.

I have been working on getting my scrap room cleaned up so I can actually take a picture.

Plus I have a certain young lady that is driving us insane about a special day next week. Oy vey!!

So besides finishing up cleaning I have been doing some courier work for my friend Karen and getting paid some big bucks on that. Soooo I have been extremely lax in the ol' blog department.

Mom and I had a great time in PHX on Friday and even though I got lost(kinda) twice we still made it home before 8pm. That's going to the convention, 3 scrapbook stores and IKEA.

Oh and yes I love my new bookshelf. That room looks so different and lighter than before.

Now if I could just make the stuff I don't want to deal with disappear that would be awesome.

So here is a little something to blackmail Wyatt with when he gets older. The boy is wearing butterfly wings and playing with his trains.

Yup that's my kid alright. In touch with his feminine side.

I'll be working on Kelly's 5 year pictures this weekend so maybe I'll show you a few.

Off to continue the cleaning.

UUUGGGHHHH!

C

Oops she did it again.
Yes I'm talking about Britney Spears. Dude, i would so love to go to LA and knock some sense into her. You have to work HARD for this job that you have. You can't go party and then to go on stage without rehearsal. You are ill prepared and a spolied brat to boot. You now have two children that you need to take care of.
Five years have gone by since your last album, re-invent yourself. Take out the damn weave and use the short hair to your advantage, look at Pink.
Put some dang panties on and act like a lady!.
Phew that felt a little better. Seriously I am so tired of hearing about what she has done wrong. Why won't these people stand up to her? There is a reason you(Britney) are being told to do something and you get paid A LOT of money to be a sheep and do/go where you are lead. These handlers/people are not out to hurt you but make you suceed. Listen to them!!!

Vent over
Okay, my bag is ready, the truck is gassed up and I've got some moola in my pocket.
I'm off to Phoenix baby! Mom and I head out 7am tomorrow to go to CKC and then hit three additional scrapbook stores before we make a last stop to IKEA and pick up my bookcase. eeeee!
I have a list of things that I am looking for and hopefully will find. I will be polite and stay in a happy frame of mind. you know me and crowds sometimes don't mix well. We are going to have a great time tomorrow. Say a prayer that we will stay safe.
love carrie

Contemplative

Some things that I'm thinking about right now
1.I was looking back this morning and I have been consistent with my quiet time since the end of July. Yes, I miss a day or two but I'm right where I need to be. I have the want to do quiet time not "I gotta do this" type feeling. No guilt even if I miss a day.
2. Julie mentioned on her blog where she was when Hurricane Katrina hit. For me it was my 30th birthday, I love a good storm but I was in know way prepared for the devastation that was hitting New Orleans. For days I was glued to the tv.
3. I would like to get some new dishes- you know, not handme downs .The fact that my "style" has changed and I want something that I have always looked for. Well OUR sights have settled on Fiestaware. Ever since I saw it at the owners of Buffalo Exchange home I have liked it but wanted brighter colors. Well the time has come. On Monday we went looking for dishes and found THE ones at Macy's. Now ususally seeing something that I want and can't have puts me in a mini depression. But this time around I have been okay with not being able to buy. I dream, I plan but I'm sincerely okay with not being able to get every piece right now. Yes I know it's expensive but it's the ONE.
I'm wondering why I haven't gotten upset. Is it my faith? Is it realism?
Serious people. I don't got to the mall if I have no money cause I see things I would like to buy and I can't. I haven't walked into a scrapbook store for this reason but I'm okay.
Maybe scrapbook shopping shouldn't count because I'm going to PHX for CKC next Friday.
4. Rob and I were talking the other day and we both wonder why when good people have good intentions that they can't be blessed with the opportunity to fulfill those intentions. make any sense? We would love to be able to help more people with joy in our hearts than not being able to help because if we do we might not be able to pay a bill. make more sense? thinking about this alot lately.
5. How in even small circumstances how truly blessed and lucky we are.

So this is what is rambling around in my brain right now. That and the yard sale tomorrow morning.
I'll try to be a better blogger. I want this to go a bit deeper and not all fluff.
Hugs C

I'm singing in the rain

Oh yeah you know I'm in heaven. This is a beautiful day. Dark gray skies, a steady rain. Oh am I in heaven. The house is all opened up and the fans are on low to keep everything nice and cool. I'm wearing jeans and sneakers and I'm loving it. Give me a couple of days of this and all will be right in the world :)
I love rainy days.
smile, smile, smile
C

No I did not forget I have a blog

I have a cold. I want to sleep.

Will the kids let me.....NOOOOOO

Bless my MIL she paid to get the AC fixed on the van on Saturday, when we finally drove it on Monday the dash went nuts and we are told we need a new alternater and battery. WHAT!!!!@!There was nothing wrong with it before we had the AC fixed. Well all day Tuesday she sat at the shop and they could find nothing wrong (typical huh?), so when we went to pick her up......she(van) wouldn't start!! I laughed myself silly. Come to find out after buying and returning a battery that there was nothing wrong with my old battery it was just a little dirty and didn't have a good connection. Praise God saved me $90. Let's hope when I drive it to the store tonight that we have no problems.

You know this is one of those afternoons where Kelly and I are really butting heads. We have been working on her homework and she gets frustrated so easily. I'm sincerely trying to figure out a way to teach/coach her to keep her interest and willingness to get the job done but she doesn't want to follow the directions on the paper and will chuck her pencil across the room whenever she gets mad at me. And before you ask no she doesn't throw things at school. She is quiet and respectful. I wish she was more like this at home. sheesh. So we will wait for Daddy to come home to work on writing her letter A's.

Oh and guess what?? Picture day is Monday!!! $#&@@!!! Have you seen her bangs???

Ignore the purple on her forehead. This photo was just taken 5 minutes ago and grouchy didn't want her picture taken. Oy vey those bangs. this isn't the best shot of them because they are lopsided. I think I will wet them done and use a hair clip to pull them off her forehead so hopefully you won't know we have this problem. Rob and I will sit down and talk about which package we want to get and then he wants me to do a photo shoot for more of her 5yr pictures.

I know school photos kinda suck but who says I'm any better?

I sincerely need some tutoring on post processing a picture. I need the software to do it and some one said I need to calibrate my monitor.

Calgon take me away!

Will someone please come to my home and teach me this crap??? (vent over)

I need to go start dinner.

Bye, C

It was one of those days where you wanted to forget it was your birthday.
Kelly was sent home sick because they said she threw up. She was FINE. She preceded to torment her brother the rest of the afternoon. That child is very emotional and moody. Sounds just like me.
I guess I'm just in a slight funk.
I kept thinking about posting a message and then thought what for?
Maybe I'll try to scrapbook, I started making my list for shopping at CKC in September. And working out the kinks (where everything is going to go) in getting my new bookcase.
So I'm in a rut and a funk.
Oh crap, I just got off the phone with Rob and he just got done talking to his mom was has offered to get the AC fixed on the van. She thinks it's ridiculous that I have to drive Kelly to school in the morning with the van (because it's cooler) and I pick her up in the truck in the afternoon because it has ac.
I don't mind the car switching and it will be getting cooler soon and dang it all I should be able to do this myself.
So of course I started crying and told Rob to let me think on it. Now I'm getting of the computer so that I can think about it.
C.

I can't do this anymore

Stupid me, really stupid me. I can't get up at 3:15 in the morning and then go back to bed for a couple of hours. I feel and am exhausted!! I have such a tired headache. I took Kelly to school and then the mommy group came by for a couple of hours and then I crashed after lunch and tried to sleep. EVERY time I would finally drift off the phone rang (not just you mom!) So now I'm sitting here and I'm trying to hurry so that I can go and lay down again. No more all night parties for me!

It didn't help that I woke up every hour to check the clock and then once I finished I couldn't go back to sleep. Can YOU tell me why I do this???

The sad part is that I'm not that happy with the lunar eclipse shots because 1. I wasn't awake enough 2. the moon was almost too dark to get a clear shot.3 I probably should have stayed up all night and tried to get different variences of the eclipse 4 I wasn't awake enough (I said that right?) 5 Don't wear your glasses when try to look (glare) 6. Need a longer lens and better glass (yeah that's it ;)

So to all I'll talk at you tomorrow! It's a special day!!!!!