In Their Own Time

I have one of those obsessive/controlling personalities where when I want something done, I want it done on my time.  When you have kids, that just flat out won't happen more than likely.  


Earlier this summer I signed Chris and Logan up for the Kids Skate Free program.  It's a wonderful program.  They contact skating centers all over the United States and encourage them to sign up with their program to allow kids to skate for free this summer.  Luckily for us, our local skating rink signed up, so I was able to let Chris and Logan participate.  Each week, they get two vouchers that can be used on days determined by the skating rink.  


We have been taking Chris and Logan to skate at least once, if not twice, a week since the beginning of June.  Before that, we hadn't taken them skating very often.  It can get pretty pricey.  


Since the boys were not able to skate very well, they both started out in the plastic baby skates that you strap on over their shoes.  A couple weeks after that they graduated to the skates that have wheels that don't roll very fast.  They stayed on those for a few weeks.  


Then a couple weeks ago they graduated to regular skates.  They really struggled with those at first but finally got to where they could stand up in them without falling and even got around the rink while holding on to the wall.  


Enter said obsessive personality.  I encouraged them to let go of the wall and skate.  It was okay if they fell, everyone does at some point.  In my mind I'm thinking, "Shouldn't they be able to let go by now?  Why aren't they doing it?"  


Now, I *know* children do things in their own time.  But there's just no reasoning with said obsessive personality.  


I kept encouraging.  Kept reminding.  It didn't do any good.  They sailed around the skating rink....holding onto the wall.  


I have two of the absolute most stubborn children you'll ever meet.  So finally, I stopped saying anything to them.  Told myself to relax.  Breaaaaathe.  


We took them skating tonight and at first they were both doing their usual hold-onto-the-wall skating.  I was cool with that.  Then all of a sudden Chris disappeared.  I found him in the "kiddie" skating area, practicing.  Hmmm, interesting.  When he ventured back out into the main skating area, he took his hand, pushed off of the wall, and did this.....

Ohhh how my heart filled with pride.  He LET GO!  


Of course, after seeing his big brother doing it, guess what Logan decided to do?  

Those little stinkers.  


Note to self:  Chill out, obsessive personality.  They *will* catch on to things.  In their own time.  

Annoying Sounds

Monday Listicles.  This week is 10 annoying sounds. 





We all have those sounds that drive us absolutely out of our mind, right?  You know, the ones that nearly drive you to needing one of those special jackets that make you hug yourself?  Surely it's not just me, right?  ;)


Here are my top 10 annoying sounds. 

1.  Any kind of sound associated with eating - slurping, smacking, silverware scraping against a plate, etc.  Might as well be nails down a chalkboard.  Just thinking about it makes me cringe and shudder.

2.  Dog barking for hours on end.  Seriously? 

3.  Whining! 

4.  Chris and Logan playing so loudly it sounds like they are reconstructing their room and making additions to the house.

5.  Construction.  Especially in the early morning hours.  There's nothing like being woken up to a jackhammer going outside your window. 

6.  Music playing in a car so loudly that it vibrates *your* car and you are several ahead of them.  Hmm.  I didn't know my van came with vibrating seats.  :) 

7.  SNORING! 

8.  Teeth grinding.  Oh, how this hurts me so.  It's seriously almost painful for me. 

9.  Sniff....sniff....SNOOOOOORT.  Yuck!  Blow your nose, please.

10.  Janice on Friends.  Oh.My.God. 


 

Friday's Letters

I know, Friday is almost over.  But never late than never, right?  :)







Dear Joanne, thanks for having me over tonight.  I enjoy our Grey's Anatomy marathons.  Let's do another one again soon, k?!

Dear yellow jacket, sorry if I scared you when I screamed bloody murder, but I tend to do that when being attacked by gigantic bees!  Sorry hubby killed you.  Well.... I'm not really sorry, actually.  I have no desire for me or my two kids to be stung.  I'm sorry that I'm not sorry you're dead now? 

Dear Jenkins and Oakwood, seriously?  School starts on the 7th.  Can you hurry those letters along?  I'd like to know who Chris has for a teacher and would like to know when they have orientation.  Chop chop!  :)

Dear Eric, good luck on finding a new job.  Hopefully one will come along quickly.  I'm sorry you are having to leave Pierre.  I know you really liked it there.  With no more hours than you are getting in though, they haven't left you any other choice. 

Dear readers, I'm so thankful and appreciative of each and every one of you :)  To the new ones, welcome! 

Dear weekend, so glad you are finally here.  For some reason this week just seemed to drag on. 

Dear Crystin, congrats on your new baby boy!  I am so happy for you :) 

It's Okay Thursday

This is my first time doing the It's Okay link-up.  And what a great day to start, too!  Today is the one year anniversary of It's Okay Thursdays :)  Click the button above to go check it out. 


It's okay......


that I am totally not a summer person and I'm really not enjoying all of these hot temps we've been having.  Bring on fall and winter, please! 

that Eric is going to have yet another bad check this week.  He keeps losing more and more work.  But we'll get through this. 

that I'm looking forward to school starting for Chris and Logan.  They are so ready and mommy needs a break ;) 

that while I'm looking forward to school starting, I'm also a little sad.  I won't have anymore babies at home :( 

that I have major baby fever.

that I had McDonald's for breakfast because we didn't have anything else in the house to eat and I had to run out the door this morning to get Chris to the dentist. 

that Chris gags every.time he goes to the dentist and had to be given nitrous.....again.  Some people just have a strong gag reflex, I guess. 

that I'm a total nerd. 

that I can talk to someone online for hours and see them in person and clam up.  I'm extremely shy.

What's okay with you this week?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

*  I'm loving that I got to make another trip to the site where District 12 was filmed in the Hunger Games movie.  District 12 was filmed in Henry River Mill Village in NC.  It's not very far from where I live.  My friend Abby hadn't been there yet so we decided to go up there together to look around.  It's so awesome getting to be in the same place a movie was filmed. 

Me, Abby, and our kids standing in front of Peeta's family's bakery.  This building did actually use to be a bakery so it was perfect for that part of the movie. 

my boys

had to be a nerd and take a pic with the sign ;)

*  I'm loving that I got to see two of my best friends today.  Abby went with us to HRMV this morning and then we saw her again as well as my other bestie Erika when we went skating this evening. 

at the skating rink this evening.  My sons Chris and Logan and Abby's daughters Brooke and Rachel.  hehe, Rachel is being silly

*  I'm loving (still) that school is getting closer and closer to starting.  Chris and Logan are getting so tired of each other, haha. 

*  I'm loving that payday is almost here.  Gotta pay those bills. 

*  I'm loving that Eric is looking for a new job.  He isn't hardly getting any hours so they really haven't left him any other choice. 

*  I'm loving that I'm going to see my bestie Joanne on Friday night.  I'm going to go over to her house so we can have another Grey's Anatomy marathon.  Yeah, we're cool like that ;) 

*  I'm loving that the above ^^^ means that I'll have seen everyone in the Fab 4 this week!  Woot!  For those of you who don't know, the Fab 4 is my group of best friends.  There are 4 of us, hence the name ;)  Abby, Joanne, Erika, and myself. 

*  I'm loving that so many of my friends are getting ready to have a baby.  I'm so excited for all of them. 

*  I'm loving Cookout's Oreo milkshake.  Y-U-M!  Speaking of milkshakes, I need to make a trip to Rita's to try their new ones. 

What are you loving this week? 

 

PS.  You should head on over to see Amanda at Bringing Up Allie.  She has an awesome giveaway going on right now so be sure to check that out!  

Back In Time

I went on a little walk back in time tonight.  I came across this pin on Pinterest that listed 290 reasons why being a 90's girl rocked.  This brought back sooo many memories.  I had a lot of fun looking through all of them. 

Here are some of my favorites. 

What's a childhood without some Doug?!  :)

I would play with this thing for hours. 

F.R.I.E.N.D.S!

Now and Then.  I love that movie

I literally had hundreds of these things.  It makes me cringe a little now to think about how much money was spent on them.

Scrunchies!  What little girl didn't have these?

Lisa Frank.  I had just about every Lisa Frank item imaginable.  All the girls in my class were jealous :)

Oh my gosh, these things were SO good!

Quints!  I absolutely loved these things.  I had a girl set and a boy set.

I remember riding my bicycle to the store just to get the newest magazine :) 





Friday's Letters



Dear Abby, congrats again on your first link-up!  Can't wait to see you join more.  We are so super cool ;) 

Dear Check Engine Light, you've been around for a week now.  I think it's time that you move on, don't you think? 

Dear allergies, *you* have been around for wayyyy too long.  You have overstayed your welcome.  Please find somewhere else to go.

Dear Pierre Foods, thanks for being such a sucky company and making it so hard for us to pay our bills.  Eric is looking for another job now.  See ya!!!

Dear Mr. Black, thank you for listening to my concerns about the bully from last year.  You sounded a little preoccupied though so I hope you were right when you said you were pretty sure the boy would not be in the same class as Chris this year.  Because if he is, we're going to have a meeting.  Very soon.  That's for sure. 

Dear homeowners insurance agent, thank you EVER so much for making my children sad when you made us get rid of their trampoline.  Pretty much the only thing they had to play on outside.  You've gone down in their books as a "very mean man".  At least it's nicer than what I called you ;) 

Dear readers, sorry I haven't posted much this past week.  I'm going to try to get back into the swing of things.  (and welcome to any new visitors!)  :)

Is That Normal? Women vs. Men

click the button above to go check out this fun link-up :)



This is my first time linking up for Is That Normal? so I'm pretty excited.  This week's edition seemed like it would be really fun.  Along with answering the questions ourselves, we have to get our man to answer them along with us!

I asked my husband Eric these questions while he was getting ready for work.  He seemed a little scared/hesitant when I told him what I wanted him to do, but he participated like a good little hubby ;) 

(after I told him what it was about)

So, will you do it?

.......sure, I guess. 

Okay.

Do I have a choice?

Not really.

Didn't think so.  Well, hurry up.  I gotta leave soon.

Okay, but make sure you give more than a one-word answer!

....okay.  (smarty-pants!!)

1.  Is it normal for 2 men to hug?
Me:  I don't see why not.  It doesn't mean that they are gay or anything.  What's the big deal? 
Eric:  No.  Not really.  (Why?)   We just don't. 

2.  Is it normal to gag on your toothbrush while brushing? 
Me:  I've never done it, but I know people that do.  I guess it's normal if you have a strong gag reflex. 
Eric:  No.  That's just weird. 

3.  Is it normal to wear the same bra daily?
Me:  I don't.  But if you don't sweat a bunch, I could see why some would wear it for a couple days in a row. 
Eric:  I have no idea.  (Seriously?)   I guess not.  I don't know!  (collapses backward onto the bed dramatically) 

4.  Is it normal for grown women to frequently use "like" or "um" while speaking? 
Me:  Not really.  If you forget what you were about to say or are nervous, I can see saying "um" a lot, cause I do the same thing.  It's not really a bad thing unless you use them every other word.  Then it's just annoying.
Eric:  No, you're no longer in high school. 

5.  Is it normal to eat cake batter/dough? 
Me:  I guess so.  I know a lot of people that do.  I don't, though.
Eric:  I have before, I don't know if it's normal or not. 

6.  Is it normal to go commando at work/in public?
Me:  No! 
Eric:  Noooooooo.  That's just weird and not normal.

7.  Is it normal to have long toenails?
Me:  No.  Cut those things!
Eric:  No, you're not a circus freak. 

8.  Is it normal to try on an article of clothing in the middle of the store? 
Me:  No, unless it's a jacket or something. 
Eric:  Not in the dressing room?  No.

9.  Is it normal to tell someone to be quiet or "shhh" someone in a quiet setting?  ie. church, movie theater, meeting, etc.
Me:  If they are being overly loud, why not?  I've done it before. 
Eric:  I guess, yeah.  I've done it before.  

10.  Is it normal to change multiple times before leaving the house? 
Me:  I think it's probably normal for a woman to do that.  I've actually done it myself.  I didn't think I looked "right" in what I was wearing, so I changed until I was satisfied. 
Eric:  Women?  Yeah.  Men?  No.  Women care, men don't.  We wear whatever as long as it doesn't smell. 

alrighty. 

You done?

Yeah.

Okay.  I gotta go.  Bye.  Love ya.(says as he's walking out of the room, not even giving me a chance to respond)

:P

Link Parties

Monday:

Tuesday: 

Wednesday:

Thursday: 

Friday:





Saturday:





Sunday:

Friday's Letters

linking up with Ashley for Friday's Letters.  Check it out!

Dear besties, looking forward to hanging out with you girls tonight!  Getting our kids hopped up on sugary donuts?  HA!  We all know that'll be wild and crazy :D

Dear Pierre Foods, seriously, you're really starting to make me mad.  Quit sending Eric home early!  Believe it or not, we need money in order to pay the bills. 

Dear Chris and Logan, please please please stop fighting.  Mommy is really getting worn down.  Give mommy a breeeeeaaaaakkkkk.  Please? :)

Dear allergies, could you do me a huge favor and go away soon?  I'd really appreciate it. 

Dear readers, just wanted to let you know that I appreciate each and every one of you! :) 

Dear weekend, I am sooo so glad that you are finally here.  It's been a long week.

Dear self, you have *got* to learn how to not stress out so much.  Everything will be alright, k?  Mmkay.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

*  I'm loving that school starts back in a couple weeks.  I've enjoyed having so much time with the boys and doing fun things with them this summer, but they're starting to get bored and the fighting between them has almost become unbearable.  Yikes! 

*  I'm loving that we've had MUCH cooler weather this week.  It's been rainy as well, but I'd much rather have that then feeling like the life has been sucked out of me every time I step outside.  Not fun.

*  I'm loving that I'm getting ready to take a plunge through my to-read pile.  It's been sitting for ages now, taunting me to conquer it ;) 

*  I'm loving that I have some new followers.  Hey guys!  Welcome to my little spot in the blog world.  Glad to have you :) 

*  I'm loving that I've been able to sell some things the past few days to make a little extra money.  Although it seems like as soon as I get the money, I have to turn right back around and spend it on something we need. 

*  I'm loving that I'm going to take the boys outside tonight to play with some sparklers.  We have a bunch left over from the 4th of July. 

What are you loving this week? 

This is my little family. :)

First, there's my husband, Eric.  We've been together for 8 years and married for 7.  He works a lot of hours so we don't get to spend a lot of time with him.  He is a stacker at a manufacturing company.  They make the food for big chain stores like Wal-Mart, etc. 

Then there is Chris.  He is 6 years old and will be going into the first grade this year.  Chris is as sweet as can be (to everyone except his brother ;) and even they have some sweet moments together) and is very laid-back.  He enjoys playing his leapster, watching movies, playing outside, Batman, Spiderman, Iron Man, and things like that.

And last but not least there is my little 4 year old firecracker ball of energy, Logan.  He's full of attitude but I have no doubt he'd do anything for those he cares about.  He's always sticking up for somebody :)  He never seems to stop moving.  He enjoys doing all of the same things as Chris.  

That's me, Jackie. 

I've been married to my husband Eric for 8 years and I'm a stay at home mom to my two sons, Chris and Logan.  You can learn more about them in the 'family' section of my blog.

Some random things about me? 

My birthday is June 21st.  I'm now in my late 20's.  I've lived in North Carolina my entire life.  I am terrified of spiders, bridges (especially over water), and pretty much any kind of "creepy crawly".  I'm one of the nicest, most loyal people you'll ever meet.  I'm super sensitive.  I'd like to think that I'm funny.  I give my relationships everything I have.  I haven't decided if that's a good thing or not, because I've been burned a lot because of it.  I'll randomly laugh at something that happened days or even weeks ago.  I'm a total bookworm.  My blog doesn't have a specific "theme".  I'll blog about anything and everything.  I love sweet tea, quiet nights at home, acting silly with friends and family, the color pink, taking pictures, junk food, nail polish, lip gloss, candles, reality tv, and lots of other things. 

I'm just me :)

Hope you decide to stick around and follow my journey through life!

Sunday Funnies

linking up with Kara again for the Sunday Funnies! 

go check her out :)

Riiiight?!  ;)

Can't count the number of times I've done this

done this before too :D

aaaaaand this

let's just say I've done them all :D

Sunday Social

linking up again this week with Neely and Ashley for the Sunday Social!Go check them out :)     

1.  What is your favorite TV show of the past? 

Hands down, that would be FRIENDS! 

We own the entire series on DVD and every once in a while we go through and watch it again from the start.  We're actually doing that now.  We just got past the Ross/Emily relationship.  Yuck, by the way!  I couldn't stand Ross with Emily. 

Source: 25.media.tumblr.com via Jackie on Pinterest

2.  What is your current favorite TV show? 
Grey's Anatomy!!!  LOVE love love that show. 

Source: pint-erest.blogspot.com via Jackie on Pinterest

Can't wait until the new season comes on!  <3


3.  Which reality show would you never do? 
Probably anything on MTV or any of the survivor and dating shows. 


4.  Which reality show would you LOVE to do? 
I actually wouldn't mind going on the Biggest Loser, but I don't think I could handle being filmed all the time.  I don't even like having my picture taken, lol.  I'd love to do the Amazing Race, too.


5.  What is the TV personality/character that you feel is most like you? 
I can be pretty OCD, so in that way, I'm a lot like Monica from Friends. 


6.  Which TV character would you want to date? 
Ha, this one doesn't even require any thought!
Derek Shepherd, of course ;)