Somethings gotta give!

Does this sound familiar?

The funny part is that there are so many missing pieces of this day, I have to laugh, otherwise I would start to cry...and it's not a pretty sight...let me tell ya!

Ready.....

Get kids up, get them their juice, get a cup of coffee for me, get on Maggie to get going, make our bed, get on Maggie to make her bed, get the people some breakfast, make Maggie some lunch, make sure everything is ready for the little miss to go off to school.

Hop in the shower, remind Max to get dressed and to make his bed, for the third, maybe fourth time, get myself ready in record speed, do a few chores at home, like a load of laundry or vacuum, and as most of you know, I always do the morning dishes before I leave the house (or at least try my hardest!)

Check my email, log-in to Facebook, write a blog post (what's that you ask?! I know it's been hit the hardest). Then I'm off to the gym or to church or the store, just enough time to rush around before I have to be back to get Max some lunch before he's off to school for the day.

Drop Max off at 12:15, try to remember to have some "me" time...what's that?! Run to get this, stop to pick up that, I'm just going to run in....and before you know it, it's time for me to pick up the "big kids" in the carpool.

Pick up the "big kids" then drive to get Max, drop of the kids I can...bring the others home :) Get them a snack, help with homework, make a few phone calls, dinner? oh, right! Get dinner started, get the laundry that's still in the washer from this morning, back to dinner, eat a peaceful dinner with my family, clean up the dinner, then off to soccer, birthday party, church, wherever it may be that night.

Come home, get the kids in the tub, get clothes laid out for the next day, make sure everything is ready for school in the morning, get the people in bed, say prayers, and then take a deep breath.

Then the best time of the day. For me, it's a hot bath (or really really warm if you are my doctor) and "mom-only drink" and it's time to curl up with my book into my nice warm bed (got my heated mattress-pad out today).

Say a prayer and get ready to start it all over again tomorrow!

So that's why I'm so tired all the time...who knew!

Oh, and honestly, I'm not complaining one little bit, I wouldn't trade it for anything! Just need to vent every once in a while.

Honestly, I'm going to really try to get back to blogging, but for now, somethings gotta give!

Happy Birthday Andy!

Wishing my sweet hubby a fabulous 38 birthday today! It's race day, so wish him luck!

That didn't take long!

Maggie lost her first tooth yesterday. See it, it's the lower one on the left...where that sweet little space is?! Isn't it the cutest thing you've ever seen. Okay...maybe not the cutest...but I think it's pretty darn cute. Of course, there's a story that goes along with this cute picture. ~Wow, that was a lot of the word "cute"...sorry about that.~

So yesterday, I just happened to be walking up to the school as the kids were getting out. (normally, I'm not allowed to exit the vehicle for fear of someone seeing me...per the kids!) I was helping to pass out fliers for See Ya At The Pole (that's tomorrow morning, by the way!) and I was trying to catch the kids I pick up so that they didn't go on and try to get into the locked van. I finally saw Maggie walking out with the other girls and she had been crying.

My first reaction was, "oh, no...she was doing so much better with the school thing. Had she been crying all day? What happened to make her cry?" Then, when I looked at her, she did a little half smile and that's when I saw it...that sweet little missing-that-cute-front-tooth-grin. Instantly, I shouted, "Oh my goodness, you lost your tooth!", she smiled and then told me that she really LOST it!

Apparently, it fell out while the class was sitting on the rug after recess. She said she had it in her hand and then it wasn't there. She was so worried that the tooth fairy wouldn't come. I told her several times that is wasn't a big deal, that we would just write the tooth fairy a note and that she would still come...kids loose their teeth all the time, literally.

A few seconds later, the substitute teacher came running out of the school to find Maggie. She said that she said a little prayer, "Lord, please let me find this sweet little tooth for this sweet little girl..." and wouldn't you know...she found it! Maggie was so excited!

She decided not to place the tooth in it's nicely labeled bag under her pillow last night, she wanted to look at it a little bit more. But tonight is the night. Hopefully the tooth fairy will appreciate nicely labeled snack-size Ziploc bag with a tiny little tooth it in...I know I would!

Pumpkin Parade Pictures!

Good old family fun!

Round Two!

Not too many pictures today...we were too busy swatting gnats last night...they must really LOVE the pumpkin fest.


Max is way to big for this ride...he was smashed in the back...it was the only spot left. He didn't want to wait in line for the "next go around"... such a man!

Daddy finally talked Max into going of the Ferris wheel ...he loved it just like Maggie!

We found another Daddy we know...who talked his sweet girls into the Ferris wheel as well...Charlotte wasn't too excited at first...but she was waiving like a princess by the end of the ride.
Our little friend, Caroline talked Maggie and Max into going on the tornado...they LOVED it!

Max got up in the firetruck and got the try on the big fire hat...it was dirty so he didn't want to get too close...but we were able to snap this shot...how handsome!

Another great night tonight...more fun to be had!

Round One!

She's almost too big for this ride!

It wasn't too long ago that we had to go with them both!

Sharing these fun times with friends is what it's all about!

Grandma driving the bumper cars...look out!

Daddy and Maggie on the Ferris Wheel!

From the top of the Ferris Wheel...

Waiving at Mommy and Max!

We had a great "night number 1" of the Pumpkin Festival, we are looking forward to seeing even more friends tonight!
Oh, and a big "thanks" to a few of my girls for introducing me to Uncle Bud....yummo!

It finally happened....

Maggie has a loose tooth. I think she might be the only kid in her first grade class that hasn't lost any teeth yet....

I'll keep you posted!

Traci's Troops!

A great team...

New and not as new friends...

Family...

Cute tiger faces...

An emotional little speech...

A great hubby and kids...

More family...

Lots of laughter...

Beautiful smiles...

A gorgeous, gorgeous day...

and my church family...

What more could a girl ask for!

Thank you all for making Traci's Troops a huge success! Donations are still rolling in and as of this morning...Traci's Troops has raised over $3800 for MS research. You are truly amazing!
Blessings to each and every one of you!

Orange, Orange Everywhere!

It Pumpkin Festival time, and getting out all my pumpkin stuff is like having a full time job. Where do I put them all, cleaning while I rearrange stuff, seriously...I totally need way more shelves and ledges just to put them all out.

Pumpkins aren't the only orange themed event going on in this house....I have a huge box of these:

Traci's Troops t-shirts...have I told you lately how excited I am?


Here's a sneak peak for those you who aren't able to attend on Sunday. Just imagine a large group of people in bright orange t-shirts walking together...(I only have 50 shirts so if you coming on Sunday make sure to get there early so I don't run out!) It's going to be an awesome sight. I can't wait to show off lots of pictures.


Of course, I'm also making little snack bags....Cheddar Chex mix is already orange and looks cute all on it's own...regular Chex mix with the addition of orange m&m's (the kiddos had fun picking out only the orange ones) and candy corn....it's a cute combo. We also needed something sweet for all the sweet people coming out to walk with me, so maybe the orange frosted cupcakes I'm planning to make tomorrow will work for that!


I can't wait to see so many of you....and those of you who can't attend....wear a little orange on Sunday and be with us in spirit.

Miss Magpie!

Once again, I need to thank you all for the kind words and encouragement during the first weeks of school.

This week is going much, much better and I think we are finally heading down the right track.

During those days, I had pulled out my "favorite little book" several times, but I guess I was looking for the wrong thing, or maybe I wasn't supposed to find it, it never popped out at me...until now.

Protection:

"The Lord your God will lead you and protect you on every side."
Isaiah 52:12

"We all have fears - fears of harm, fear of losing a child, fear of being alone, fear of failure. When your fears rise up and threaten to overcome you. When you feel sick in the pit of your stomach and your heart aches with anxiety - remember this. God is with you, every day, every hour, every moment. Focus on Him, really focus, and you will see that your fears are nothing more than speculation that is swept away in His presence."

It goes on to say:

"The Lord watches over all who love him." Psalm 145:20

"Like any loving parent, your heavenly Father keeps you in His constant care, never letting you out of His sight. You have no reason to fear, for He is always with you, ready to face whatever comes your way. He will not fail you. In some cases, He will warn you ahead of time. In others, He will supernaturally remove you from a dangerous situation. And there will be times when He will hold your hand as you walk through fire. He is you God!"

Even with all the thoughts and worries consuming me over the past few weeks, I knew the situation would work itself out. I knew this was just a little bump in the road. There are so many people out there dealing with much bigger, worse situations, that my little worries seem like nothing. But when its your child, even the littlest things seem big at the time and handing it over is a hard thing to do. (at least for me!)

A positive attitude has also been helpful. As many of you know, I wear my emotions on my sleeve...right out there for everyone to see...including my little miss. She is very intuitive and I think she was reading my every worry as if I was telling it to her directly. So I have decided to be nothing but positive and encouraging and I'm trying my very best not to get frustrated.

One more thing...as we were driving in the car the other day...we popped in the VBS cd and the first song that came on was this:

Click here and then click on #1

Maggie said, "Mom, this is going to be my new favorite song, and I'm going to try to remember it ~if~ I get sad at school!"

God is so good!

Max's first day of "every day" Preschool!

Yesterday was Max's first day of preschool for the year. He is going every afternoon! He was so excited. Oh, and did I mention that he is going ~every~ afternoon! I'm so excited for him....and a little for me too!

Of course, as any good mom would, (I almost forgot...shhhh) I took a few pictures of my little stud muffin with his backpack before his big day. Something is up with my camera and all of the pictures turned out blurry, and as my luck would have it, my least favorite picture is the most clear...what's up with that!


Just so you know, he wanted to sit like this, I didn't pose him like this. I'm hoping that my handsome little fellow is just remembering this pose from his big sister's first day of school. (as shown below)


At least he has two good arms to start out this year. Last year he broke his wrist in two places over Labor Day weekend...this is what he looked like last year on the first day!

Glad you are having a great time at school Max, they sure do you love you there!

We Did It!

Together we have done some pretty amazing things.

Who's we, you ask?

YOU and me!

Together we have raised over $3000 for the MS society. And just in case you didn't know...my original goal was to raise $500. I'd say we went way above and beyond! Can you tell I'm excited?

You know what else we did....we raised enough money to be in the top 3 teams for FUNd raising. How awesome is that!

Oh, and guess what being one of the "top 3 teams" means....we get to have a "Traci's Troops!" tent! We get to decorate our tent, bring snacks to our tent, play games...whatever we want. We are going to have such an awesome time.

If you are on my team and planning to walk on Sunday...please watch for a MS Walk email later this week with all the details of Sunday's event...and if you have made a donation to my team...I thank you once again. The outpouring of support has just been so awesome!

There are so many of you that can not attend, but I know you will be thinking of us, saying a prayer for some nice rain-free weather, and will be there in spirit. Remember to watch for some team pictures...I'm sure there will be a lot.

Once again, a great big "Thank You" to all of you...I totally couldn't have done this without you!

**Oh, and by the way....Tonight on WMBD, Channel 31 is doing a spot on the 5:00 p.m. news about the walk....yours truly will be on LIVE. **