Taygen is 3 years old and in her first year of preschool. 

I was sad, but happy at the same time. I am a stay at home mom, so for her to get instructions from someone else and be able to listen to another person is really important. I was sad the first day.. She got upset when I left her at school. The second day she did a lot better! I was sad and happy at the same time on the second day. She put her backpack away then sat down on her spot, like a big girl. I was so proud of her for not getting upset, but at the same time I was sad because she didn't give me a hug or anything. But she's in good hands and loves it, so I feel much better! 

This is Aden's second year of preschool. That means he will be going to kindergarten next Fall :(. He's getting to be such a big boy!

He just had his 5th birthday on the 9th of September. It just doesn't seem like he can be 5 already! Oh well, better enjoy them little while I can. I hear it goes super fast. 

Keira started 1st grade a couple weeks ago! She really likes it. She does have homework every night, but she loves doing work. 

There are a couple boys that she likes. Oh boy! Am I in trouble... I should say her dad is in trouble! ;) 

Here are my 10 ideas for celebrating Spring and ringing in the Spring Season.

Spring is my favorite season. It's not too hot and it's not too cool. My most favorite part of the season is doing/redoing the landscaping and just making my yard look fresh for the season.

1. Organize, organize, organize

     Be creative! Reuse old things or paint some old items a new color

2. Spend time with a friend

      Everyone needs their day to catch up on things. Why not use this time to get to know your friend more.

3. Have your first Spring picnic outside

     You are cooped up inside all Winter. Why not have fun and have your first picnic of the Season.

4. Update your house with Spring colors

     The Spring colors will make your house fresh, relaxing and it could have a calming affect ;)

5. Hang your clothes out to dry.

     Brings back memories of hot summer days

6. Work on your landscape

     Makes the house feel new and more welcoming

7. Clean out your closet

    Hardest job for me, but I feel so much better after I do this.

8. Patio furniture out

     Almost makes you have to sit outside ;)

9. Spring Crafts with the kids

    Kids love doing crafts, why not make a flower centerpiece?

10. Throw a Spring themed party.

     We all need a reason to get friends together, right?

I know it may feel like Spring will never get here (hint, hint Spring get here!) 

If you are anything like me, you love to clean. I Spring clean in the Winter, just to have an excuse to clean out the closets or organize.

I will give you some helpful tips that will help make Spring cleaning easier...hopefully ;)

• Make it easier on your self and do one room at a time
• Make a detailed list of what needs to be done in each room. It makes you feel less overwhelmed when you walk into that specific room.
• Break the cleaning down between 2 days
• Do the upstairs rooms (bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, etc.) the first day and the downstairs rooms (kitchen, living room, family room, etc.) the second day, or visa versa
• When working in the kitchen, wash all appliances (big and small) with soap and water
• Organize kitchen cupboards. Most people don't think about this. When most people think about organizing, they think of closets, so most people miss this step
• Wash all blinds and curtains
• Wash windows while you have the blinds and curtains down (a lot easier)
• Dust every crevasse
• Wash jackets/coats and hang them in your coat closet
• Clean out closets and put Winter/Fall clothes away or get rid of anything you don't use anymore
• Open the windows and just let the air in 
• Wash your door mats or buy more Spring like colored mats
• While you are vacuuming your floors also vacuum your couch and chairs 
• Put away all comforters and heavy blankets. Make sure you wash them before you store them
• If you have a curio cabinet or if you have shelves, update them with Spring colors and items
• I also rearrange my furniture in most of the rooms. When rearranging furniture make sure you do not put furniture in front of large windows. This lets you open your curtains, letting the natural light and fresh in. 

The most important part is, don't stress about it, have fun with it. Look at it as a whole new beginning for your house. You can make it fresh, bright and feel new again. 

Anytime I clean, whether it be Spring cleaning or just my weekly cleaning duties, I always have my music on. It makes the time go faster and I have more fun that way. I love opening up all the windows and front door and just let the fresh air in. It makes it brighter and makes your house seem bigger. Another fun part is when I let my kids help. The kids get so excited about helping. Yes, they have their own daily chores, (making beds, picking up their floors, picking up toys off the floor) but it makes them feel more important when they have more responsibility. They love to dust and dance around to the music. 

When you read a book to your child, you think, "that looks so easy to write, why didn't I think of that?" Well, I did! I have written a Children's Book! I never thought I would say that! I have told Dan a couple times that I was going to write a book about being a stay-at-home-mom ( I still am, but later in the future!).

My book is called 'Silly Moon'. Keira Jade inspired me to do this book! We were coming home one night from the Y at about 5:30 p.m (it was still light out) and Keira looked out her window and saw the moon and said, "Silly Moon, what are you doing out during the day?" And I got to thinking about some words and later that night I sat down and wrote a 8 page book children's book.

Now, you watch the movies and think writing a book is so easy. I'm going to use Private Practice as an example... One of the characters had a horrible experience and writes a book about it. You see she has the manuscript and talks to people about publishing it, bam! The next show she has it published....NOPE, not that easy. Believe me!

I Googled publishers in Lincoln, Ne. and got a list of about 10. I picked out what I thought was the best 6. I called each of them the next day and told them what I was looking for and only one of them (because 5 of them are not publishing any more) gave any kind of advice, that was Infusionmedia Publishing, if anybody is looking for a great publisher!

I thought, hey, I can just call a publisher here in Lincoln, schedule a meeting, take my manuscript (drawings and everything) there sit down and talk about my book and by the next month it would be published. Not exactly....I finally got some answers from my infusionmedia publisher and she said that I needed a Literary Agent and before I met with them I had to have a proposal (which is a 1-2
page query about my book, myself, and what I want to do in the future with my book).  This is
someone who does everything for you, finds an editor, illustrator, then finally finds a publisher and gets it published for you for 10-30 % of your profit that you make off the book. Or...I could do it myself for thousands of dollars and still get no where in the end. So, of course, I told her that I wanted an agent. She gave me advice to go to my local library and check out a book (buying the book would cost about $80) to look up children's book literary agents. I don't really have time to go to the library so I googled it. I didn't find much, I did find one in Lincoln, but of course they are not doing that anymore, just my luck!

So, with many hours of looking up agents and how to write a proposal for an agent, I was exhausted and feeling quit down about even getting a chance to get my book out there. Dan was sitting beside
me and he knew I was getting upset (sad not mad) he was playing with his iPad then showed me an
app to write my book on and get it out there on ebooks. I still get to write my book(s) and get it/them viewed without going through all the trouble of paying 3 or 4 different people to get my book published and probably not make any money off of it anyway. This way I can spend less than $50, get my book out there, and my book will be "Published" in my mind. Keira drew all my pictures.

Keira turns 6 in a week. I can't believe how much she is growing up.

Her height is in the 15th percentile at 43 1/8 inch. Her weight is 40.6 and is in the 25th percentile. Her BMI and blod pressure were good. She didn't have to have any shots.

We did get some bad news though. I talked to her doctor about the idea that Kik might have asthma. The doc said that there was no actual test for asthma that she had to use an inhaler. So, she has an inhaler that she has to use whenever she does any kind of physical activity.

She's doing really good in school. Had parent teacher conferences a couple months ago. Her teacher is really impressed with her 'age level reading.' Her teacher is using Keira as a tutor wherever needed, so she doesn't get bored with her daily work.

She as an eye dr. appointment with the specialist to see if her eye is any better on Tuesday.

Well, it's that time of year again....the Holidays. My favorite time of the year.

I have been super busy and haven't had the time to update every other day like I have wanted to. Just because I am a Stay at Home Mom does not mean I have all these extra hours that I can just sit down. Actually, as I type this, I am sitting at home with all 3 of my kids here in front of me asking me 50 million questions so, instead of it taking me 20 minutes to do this one post, it will take me an hour. I'm not a "working" mom who can sit in their office or sit over lunch break (where they have peace and quiet) and update my sites, nor do I want to be.

Anyway, just a little rambling before I get to the point.

This day is just like any other day. I am saying that because this is the one (and only) day that everyone says what they are thankful for....that should not be the case. We should consider what we are thankful for each and every day, not just a day that is set aside for family and friends to get together and chat about thankfulness. Just like Mother's Day, it's the only day that mothers are observed. There shouldn't be a specific day to tell your mother that you love her. You should let her know somehow every single day.

Okay, I think I'm done with the rambling... I think.

Here it goes... What I think about every day. I am thankful today as well as each and every day for...

You guessed it! My kids! As most of you know, I am a stay at home mom. It is a very stressful and rewarding job. I sometimes get jealous of my husband because he has sick time, vacation time, Holiday time, and personal days off of WORK. I consider what I do a job or work (what SAHM doesn't?). Where are is my sick time, vacation time, Holiday time or personal days off of my job?

Yes, I said stressful. Sometimes the kids don't listen, in fact, the cats listen better than they do sometimes ;) but I still wouldn't trade being a stay at home mom for anything. No, my kids aren't perfect like I would like them to be and try to raise them to be, but they are kids and there is plenty of time for them to be perfect later in life ;)

The kids are getting older and more independent. The girls are playing with each other more and more and Aden is starting to do more boy stuff ;)

Keira- Keira has grown up to be such a talented, smart young lady. She teaches me new stuff every day. She is a great influence on her brother and sister and keeps them in line most of the time ;)

Aden- Aden is such a handsome little man. He is so sweet and innocent. One time he burped. I said, "Did you burp, Aden?" He said, "I don't know, it came out of my mouth." Then he said, "what is it called when it comes out of my bottom." I said, "that is a toot." He loves to help his sisters when ever they need him.

Taygen- Taygen is a whole other story. She is only 2 1/2 (will be 3 in March), but has the mind of a 5 year old! She is too smart for her age. Some of the things she says, just makes me laugh. She's getting into playing by herself. She will go into Keira's room, shut the door and start playing pretend with her strawberry short cake and ponies (gotta get her some of that stuff for Christmas.)

They all have their good and bad moments, but I want to be the one that sees all those moments and for that I am also very thankful that I am able to be a SAHM.

I am also thankful for the hubby. He gives me the time that I need when I am having a bad day or just need to get away for a couple of hours. He is the one person that is there for me when my friends shit on me! He always know when I need my bubble baths ;)

All for now...gotta run.