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So nice to have a relatively unproductive day but a very productive night lol

Today is my due date!

I am learning how different each child is. What works for one does not always work for the other.

Lately it has been a battle with my second to oldest girl. She sneaks into the kitchen at night to get food or snacks and hides it in her bed. She has been lying, hitting and biting to name a few. Time out or spanking just doesn’t seem to work like it does for my oldest. Abby could care less about time out and while she hates spankings and throws a huge fit if you go to do it, I don’t think it phases her at all after it’s done.

So I’ve been at a total loss with her. It’s gotten to where I almost ignore her bad behavior because punishment doesn’t seem to work. I realized I had to stop that right away! Then I went and let my pregnancy hormones overtake me and I bawled my eyes out for just how horrible of a job I have been doing with Abby.

So I got online (pinterest) and started looking for other options. I was raised more traditional with spankings and time out and that is how I started with my kids. I’m not saying it’s not the way to go, but it just doesn’t seem to be working for my Abby.

So I found a few things I really liked. We already have a chore system in place where they have daily routines and chores and earn ‘reward tickets’ for doing them so when I saw this discipline board that used a ticket system I thought we would give it a try and see if it could incorporate will. Here a link to the website HERE. I printed off their ‘rewards and consequences’ PDF for now but if it works then I will go ahead and make my own.

Then I found another printable HERE that has bible verses and consequences for different actions. Last night I printed both of these and got them up on the frig.

So this morning I talked to them about the how things were going to change and what they could expect. We also started back up the daily routine and chore board to go along with it.

Today has been tough to say the least. Poor Abby has lost quite a few tickets and privileges today. I’m not sure how it’s going to go. I will give it some time and see if her behavior improves at all because before it was just going down hill.

Today she has already gotten in trouble for hitting and kicking, bad table manners, acting up bad in public and lying >_< she has lost a lot of tickets and cried more then usual.

But on the upside I have been able to speak a lot more scripture to them for their actions, there has been zero yelling and no spankings. So for me, a lot less stress! And Abby has came to me and asked what she could do to earn tickets back,

She currently has a lot of tickets she needs to earn back so before bed she has some catching up to do.

I am crossing my fingers this works for her because I really need something to help us.

This morning i thought 'oh I can't wait to be able to sleep on my stomach', thinking about after the baby. Then reality hit.... Heh.... Like that will be happening any time soon! There is to much nursing and baby holding a newborn that sleeping arms free enough to sleep on your stomach is an immense luxury.

I’ve seen many different list of age appropriate chores for children pinned on pinterest. Most all of them say that kids as young as 5 years old can help with loading the dishwasher and putting clean dishes away. I had personally let my oldest (5trs) put the clean silverware away but had never gone as far as putting the rest of the dishes away, let alone loading the dishwasher. Today I decided to give it a try.

 

First I had Abby (4yrs) scrap all the lunch dishes. This was something they were use to doing so no big deal.

Then I had Anabel scoop the lunch food into a tuber ware and put it in the frig. They love to help with chores in general that adding another task was very exciting to them. Usually I don’t have them do to much in the kitchen in less it is a designated time where they help me make cookies or something.

Then I had Anabel get up on a chair and had Abby bring her the clean dishes in the dishwasher for her to put away. Abby was like ‘We are doing team work!’

Then Abby took her turn on the chair at the sink. I showed her how to rinse the dishes and hand them to her sister which in turn Anabel would put them in the dishwasher. I took time to show and explain to them how we fill the dishwasher to get the most dishes in at a time ect. They adored this! Anabel even learned how to load the soap and turn on the dishwasher.

It did take a little long then if I was to do it by myself but I felt it was so worth it and I was very glad I gave it a go. I’m not saying I’ll always have them help me do the dishes but I think it was a good chore for them. I also think that Anabel is so detailed oriented that she will learn the correct way to load the dishwasher fairly quickly.

Overall very successful!

I am freaking miserable!

I’m not sure what is up today but baby keeps pushing on me, way below there, and it hurts especially into my back! He’s been doing this off and on for hours and he’s doing it so close together that it’s making me super edgy and….. not in a good mood to say the least! I want him to stop

Yesterday I had to take our little kitty Ellie to the vet to get spayed, shots and nails trimmed. I had to be there between 7:30-8am and the place was 45m away from us, so I have to get everyone up early!

Since I don’t make it to the big city very often, I decided to make a day of it. After I dropped the kitty off we picked up some breakfast and waited for the Dollar Tree to open.

I adore the Dollar Tree. I find so much stuff there that I can use for several things. I love finding school supplies there. Check out my post on my homeschooling blog about what I found this same day that I could use in the school room HERE

 

I have been wanting to get to the Dollar Tree to find things I can use in busy boxes/bags for when the new baby comes.

Here are some things we got:

• Two girl coloring books
• Two boy coloring books
• Two activity books with paper dolls in them
• Two puzzles
• Two metal contraction sets
• And a game.

Here they are separated and put in zip lock bags.

I still would like to figure out some more activities for them. Trying to come up with some more.

 

Then I found some things I decided to use as gifts for the two kiddos that is coming up.

Matthew ADORES Curious George and I was excited to find some Curious George items at the Dollar Tree. Then I found this minion activity pack and since their party is Despicable Me themed then I had to grab it.

Then I grabbed these things for the Rabbit House I want to make the girls for Easter. You might not be able to tell in the picture but the brown tube there is actually wood grain contact paper. I’m going to use that for some flooring in the house. I also want to use the carpet piece as flooring too. The other two contact papers I was thinking could be wall paper. The fabric will either be curtains or pillows or something. The little coaster I thought could be cute rugs! And last but not least the moss rocks, want to place them in the ‘yard’, think that will be cute!

I have been also planning Abigail’s ‘mermaid’ party that will be in July. I looked up shells and man are they expensive! I saw these are the Dollar Tree and while her party is a long ways away, I know that the Dollar Tree’s stock changes constantly so if I wanted these while they had them.

 

Then at Wal-Mart I hit the jackpot on Lalaloopsy dolls! Mark down from $10 to $2.50. I got one of each color they had. I’m stuffing this in my gift storage and going to give these to Abby on her birthday. She loves Lalaloopsy! So she is basically covered, gift wise, for her birthday! Yay!

Things have been a bit crazy these last few months. Pregnancy, sicknesses, getting behind in homeschooling (ugh!) then things happening with my hubby and his job… more pregnancy fun… sicknesses that won’t go away! And so on!

I am currently (as of tomorrow I guess) 33 weeks along with this little guy! I think we finally named him, although we aren’t letting anyone know till he’s born!

I’ve been sick for a looooong time. It started with my second daughter who just couldn’t get over her couch and now I was blessed to get it as well lol. I cough so bad I throw up (sorry TMI). My midwife let me know that it is straining my stomach muscles badly and causing issues she thinks with the baby flipping into the head down position here on Tuesday I have my next appointment and hopefully there is good news, that he has went head down! I’m still coughing though I take my meds but still got it!

 

The biggest news though is that possibility that we might move. Some different things happened at the hubby’s job that caused him to start looking for another place to move on it. We a possible job, not 100% but the closest to another job he’s gotten so far. It would require so to move though, almost 2 hours away. This would mean selling our home, leaving our church and looking for a new home to buy. A HUGE step.

I’m hoping that by making a move, that we possibly could find a place to by in the country. It is wishful thinking but maybe!

It’s daunting to think about. We adore our church, I love our home. We have made so many mental plans of what we want to do with this house. I would be content to live here a long long time but I also know that sometimes what God has planned for us isn’t always to stay in one spot our entire lives. I want to go where he wants us, no matter what the means.

The thought of moving is quite stressful. I’m sure anyone who has owned a home knows what I am talking about! Plus this was a fixer upper when we bought it. We have done a lot of things to the house: privacy fenced in the back yard, but a front porch on it, put a new roof on the home, installed a raised bed garden area, redone a few of the bedrooms, but we are still living on subfloors in most of the downstairs and there is still a ton of things that need to be done. To get it in shape to sell we are talking about doing a lot of things that are on our dream list to do…. only to do them for someone else it is a bit of a downer.

We would have to move into another fixer upper probably and one that is most likely going to be smaller. It’s doable and I kinda look forward to the challenge of downsizing as long as it means upsizing the property line hehe.

In the end God knows what is best for our family and we need to trust him and pray he guilds our foot steps. Until then with a baby coming, holidays and birthdays coming, we have a ton on our plate!

I am feeling at the moment excited about our future, what ever that may be. I really am. I’m trying to stay positive, which hasn’t been so easy for me lately with these ‘unknowns’ lingering, pregnancy hormones and so much on my to do list it is crazy!

 

The invite I made for the party.

 

I have done so much searching and planning! I think this party will turnout super cute!

I’ve made up little signs that will be printed and put in stand next to the food:

(Aka cheetos)

(Aka donut holes)

(Aka cotton candy)

Then for table decoration I worked and worked on this idea. First I thought about buying some despicable me stuffed animals to have set on the table as decorations but I figured that was far to expensive. Then I moved to creating my own super large minions out of poster board. I still think that idea would have turned out super cute, but with all the things I have to do and the baby coming and such, well both me and Hubby thought that would be to much work.

So I found a solution! I found wall decals that I decided I would cut out poster board in the shape of the decal, adhere the decal and make a little stand so they sit up. I found on Amazon a set of 31 different decals for less the $12 on prime. The came today. Yes two months in advance but I figured I was going to need to start way ahead if I was going to get everything done!

I’m so excited! I can’t wait to start making these! I figure the bigger ones with go on the main dessert table, then a few on the craft table and then the littlest ones will go on the tables that everyone will sit at.

I’m hoping they will turn out cute >_< Because if so then I think I will do the same idea for Abigail’s party too.

 

Then on ebay I found these cloth Despicable Me bags that I thought would be perfect to use as gift bags since they are cloth and can be used after the party as well.

I always try and do some sort of outfit for the birthday person. This year I think Matthew will be just in a yellow shirt and jean overalls, but for Anabel I bought her this outfit:

 

I have several games planned that go along with the theme as well and little grab bags for all the kids. I have other décor items in my shopping cart waiting to be purchases on Amazon as well but I don’t have to rush on those.  My plan is to keep this party at about $100. For a double party I think that is cheap, for décor, games, food, piñata and grab bags. I’m hoping I can pull it off >_< Not sure if I can. Maybe with money from surveys and such I can pull it off!

I think it will be super cute!

Long time no typie! It's been forever since i updated my blog. This blog in particular is mostly therapy for myself. I get to get stuff inside me out and just pretend i'm chatting with my closest friend.

SURPRISE! I'm prego with baby Risch #4! This pic was taken about 10 days ago. I'm not a day away from 17wks along.

This surprise has really throw me off whack. First three months were terrible, i practically lived on the couch... i was much of a mother... definitely not doing good with homeschooling (so we are quite a bit behind the schedule i had all set up *tear*) Because of that lovely first three months everything around me fell to shambles. You know (ok you might now) but i'm not the greatest house keeper.... just ask my husband >_< and since becoming pregnant well.... it's bad. Now that i am over the 24/7 morning sickness and starting to get a little energy back i am trying my best to get the house under control. Little by little. I take two steps forward and then three back it feels.

Lately i've been trying to downsize a little. I went through my sons toys which are currently all being kept in the living room since his actual bedroom is upstairs. Having them in the living room can drive me nuts some times but their really isn't a better place.
Today i focused on the girls room. We use to have a system in the girls room. I organized all the toys in clear plastic bins and put them on a high shelf in the girls 'toy closet' which also had a door on it. They were allowed to get 1 bin each to play with but if they wanted another toy they had to pick up all the toys from their current bin before they were allowed to get another one. That worked great until i we did some changing after Christmas of last year. We made them a kitchen set and it had all the dishes and food.... that was in their main room and not where it could be shut away. Also we brought out the barbies in a special compartment. That sounds all fine and dandy right? Well when you end up having barbies, barbie cloths, play food and tiny play kitchen utensils EVERYWHERE you no longer have a clean room LOL
On top of that my dear husband opened the toy closet one day during my sick months and the girls ended up climbing up and getting every plastic toy bin off of the toy shelf and dumping it into the floor..... it took until today for me to finally get it put up. FINALLY.... after a couple months >_<

Today i downsized their toys.... i do try to do this about this time every year in preparation of the Christmas season and knowing they are about to get a bunch more stuff. I usually have to do this again after Christmas because family tends to spoil them lol

Their 'toy closet' is quite large and bright... they like to play in it, so i decided to do some rearranging. I moved their kitchen set into the closet and also hung their barbie storage in there on the wall so i could get both of those out of the main area. I moved out the book shelf that was in the closet before and put that in their room, that way they would still have some storage and places to set things. By putting the kitchen set in the closet i had to bring out their storage bins with their dress up cloths. I figured this was a better switch off because they love to dress up the best (they live in their dress up dresses) Now everything is tucked away nice and neat and i am going to go back to our normal rule about the toys. I will open the closet and let them play with kitchen set but they need to clean up when they are done and they need to make sure everything is put away before they are allowed to get out any bins. I'm crossing my fingers this will help us.

I had no idea at the time that this was considered a Montessori method, to only let your kids have limited amounts of toys and put up the other toys up, out of the away. I know this was a great thing for my 18m old. I thinned out his toys and he actually spend more time playing with the toys i left them he normally would do before. He spent forever working on putting his train tracks together which before he never really attempted. So it was quite nice.


I have been sooooo excited for Christmas season! I wanted to decorate for Christmas right after halloween but my hubby stopped me. He made a good point and said i should start that till the house is clean >_< ugh! He also added that i had to wait for the week before Thanksgiving even if the house was clean. Boo on him! I've been trying to get the house clean so i can decorate. I've got some great ideas this year i am hoping i can pull off >_<

There for awhile i was stressing out about how we were going to pay for Christmas gifts period. A lot of unexpected things popped up and i was super stressed out. Then God provided! Hubby won some logo design contests on 99designs.com and got some extra cash for us and then i found surveys! LOL sounds stupid but i found this great survey site where you can earn cash quick. I've been doing surveys a couple days over a week now and earned $25 dollars on one site.

So far i have been able to buy 7 gifts for $6 dollars, thanks to my amazon points we earn from paying our bills with our amazon credit card and also the survey money.

We have a chase amazon credit card where you earn points. We use that card fro everything we can, bills, food ect. Then every month on pay day we pay off the card. When you pay off the card you earn points. We earn $20-$40 dollars a month buy using our card to pay for our bills and it also had made our credit very nice! Total our 7 gifts should have been $83.27 but only paid exactly $6 for them. Isn't that awesome? So exciting! Plus i was able to win a Kiinde breast bump kits for free (normally about $40 i think) through this awesome page i found on facebook that tells you all the recent giveaways and drawings you can enter.

What is even more great is i was able to share this survey site with my friends and family and one of my friends that is having it rough to this year has been able to earn money to buy presents for her kids, I almost cried when i read that! Makes me so happy!