Some new venting for you!

Last time I vented on here, I got such a good response, I thought I would try it again. We have owned River's Edge(our sandwich shop) for the past 4 1/2 years. Mike works seven days a week in the summer, and gets Wednesdays off during the rest of the year. I get weekends off with my job, so that leaves a total of 0 days Mike and I have off at the same time. We have Thanksgiving day and Christmas day off together, and those are the only two days out of the year we have off together. If we want a day off together, we have to go on vacation (wich MIGHT happen once a year) or I have to take off work on a Wednesday. Our kids literally do not know what it is like to have weekends with both of their parents. I know that this is not incredibly abnormal, but I am sick of it. I am so sick of it, I have thought about just shutting the doors to the restaurant, and taking a loss. I would sell everything we own just to have 1 day out of the week where we can hang out as a family. Running your own business is not for everyone, and it is really not for us anymore. So we are trying to sell the restaurant! We are choosing our family's happiness over ANYTHING else, and it feels good. I know God will provide a way out for us, and that feels even better! This weight that has been on my shoulders for the past 4 years is going to be lifted off, and I can not wait! I am ready to laugh with my husband again and not talk about how much we made in a day, what bills need to be paid, what food needs to be ordered, who will be working, who called in sick, the list is never ending. The only thing about River's edge I am not sick of, surprisngly, is the food. Happy days, HERE WE COME!!!!

oh and...

Speaking of the school thing, I am pretty sure Scarlett will be just fine. We ordered a butterfly habitat online a few weeks ago and we got some live larvae, and we have been watching the metomorphosis process. Let me back up...on miss Spiders Sunny Patch Friends, the bug kids found a caterpillar. The caterpillar kept growing and eventually turned into a butterfly. This has sparked a few conversations about how caterpillars turn into butterfly's. So I just thought, what better way to show them, than by getting the catterpillar's themselves. Okay, this morning, the caterpillars were starting to "pupate"...(I think), so I said to Scarlett, "Look Scarlett! They are starting to build their cacoons!" She looked at me and said, "thats nice mom but it is called a chrysalis." Once again thank you to my daughter for knowing more than I do. And thank you miss spider for tryiong to make parents look like uneducated fools.:)

To homeschool or not to homeschool...

I have a little venting to do. I live in a town with very closeminded people who have an opinion about everything. We go to a church that we do not love, but it is good for the kids. We own a business in a struggling economy. Times are tough! Because of this, I have been doing a lot of reflecting on what are the important things in life. FAMILY! It is the most important thing in life. Raising a family that loves God and loves eachother. Nothing else needs to matter. I am really hating the direction this country is heading, and it really makes me scared for my kids. So I am really trying to decide whether or not I will home shcool. I am a firm beiever that kids learn at home, and it is up to the parents to teach their own kids. The problem is that parents are really dropping the ball on that. They are teaching their kids the ways of the world, and this is the problem we face. Our country was founded on CHRISTIAN Beliefs!!!!! People can argue that all they want, but the fact remains that this country has been and always will be in GOD'S hands. I don't want my kids going to school learning about the separation of church and state. I don't want them to think that because suzie has two mommies it is okay! I don't want my kids to be told that, we, the people are destroying the earth. I don't want them to think that public affection to your parents is gross! WE KISS AND HUG AND IT IS NORMAL! I will be kissing and hugging my family til the day I die! So get used to it AMERICA! I don't want them to be punished for opposing evolution and then being in trouble for stating their belief in God. I am in college, and last semester I was told if I stated anymore of my christian beliefs in regards to science, I would not get credit. Boy did this teacher not know who he was challenging! My sister in law is a high school teacher, and it is a rule at her school that is a child does not turn in an assignment, the teacher is not allowed to give them a zero. It might hurt their morale. I will tell you one thing, if one of my kids does not turn in an assignment, they better get a zero and have to work their little butts off to bring the grade back up. I want my kids to work hard for what they have! I want them to know that there are winners and losers in life, and if you want to be a winner you have to work for it. I have always said I was not cut out for homeschooling, but I don't know if I have a choice these days. Our local high school is going to have uniforms next year, and it has caused a huge debate in town. PARENTS are saying, "you can't do this to the kids, because the way they dress is how they express their individuality." This is so sad to me, the way a person dresses should never define them. Plus when you are in high school, you dress like all of your friends, so how is that being an indiviual?! I will be a public schools worst nightmare! So I am thinking about homeschooling. I still have a while before I am set on my decsion.

Fourth of July...

Was GREAT! The only downside to my fourth of July is that, as usual, Mike has to work. I took naps with the kids, my Dad and Step-mom came to see us, we went to a parade, saw fireworks twice, and went to a rodeo. (My first rodeo, and not my last) The rodeo was actually really fun. Mike and Owen had to leave early, but Scarlett and I had so much fun! Owen can never stay out late, because he is determined to be in his bed by eight, no matter what we are doing. Owen got his first look at fireworks and he was in AWE! He loved the fireforks. My parents, Mike, the kids, me, and some other friends and family, went to the top of this mountian here, and watched the fireworks. There were a lot of people up on this mountain, and our group was the loudest, because we all were laughing at what Owen kept saying. He would stop his feet and say, "OH GOSH!" and "OH DUDE!" and he was screaming. It was so funny. It was such a fun weekend with family and friends, probably my best 4th of July yet. It is sooooo awesome when your kids start getting old enough to enjoy things with you. I have tons of pictures and I promise I will post them soon.

Oh, at the parade, I stupidly decided to take Salmon. I will say, it is physically impossible to take two small children and a dog to a parade, and watch all three correctly. I was trying to hold on to Salmon's leash and keep my kids from running out into the traffic. Then I finally my Dad tied Salmon's leash to the bumper of a truck we were sitting on. There were 5 really cute kids sitting with us, and people kept stopping to comment on how cute Salmon was. WHAT! This is not something that makes mother's happy...FYI. Then some lady walks over to us with a bottle of water and says, "when was the last time you gave the puppy water? He looks thirsty!" Then she bent down and tried to make Salmon drink out of her hand, but he would not do it. He started licking it up off the ground. Then she says, "hummm, that is wierd, he won't drink it out of my hand, he wants it off the ground." She procededs to pour the water on the ground creating a large muddy puddle. The whole time I am thinking, "Duh lady, he is not thirsty, I gave him water before I left, and I have to pay attention to my kids!" Then Salmon decides it would great fun to roll around in the mud! So I would like to thank that lady for not using her brain, and getting mud on my dog.

Also at the parade, Scarlett took her easter basket to put candy in it. She was prepared, let me tell you. She set the basket by the door the night before, because she did not want to forget it. At the parade, she got a ton of candy! When Owen would get a piece of candy, he would just throw it back to the people in the parade. On our way home I took Scarlett's basket away from her because she did not need any more candy. She threw a fit, so I took her canday away for the rest of the day, and told her that if she kept whining about it, I would trow the rest of the candy in the trash.(Some might think this is harsh, but trust me, it is necessary sometimes) Later that afternoon, she came into my room and said(in these words exactly) "Mom lets just say that tomorrow maybe I wanted a piece of candy. Not today, but tomorrow, where would I find the candy basket?" I said "Nice try little lady, but I am not going to tell you where the candy is." This lead to another melt down, and candy was thrown away. Poor Scarlett!

California!

California was the greatest trip ever. We had such a good time as a family! The kids were great, the weather was not hot, and we had plenty of time with Mike's family. I am so thankful that we were able to get away together. We went to the Zoo in San Diego, the Aquarium, the beach, and most importantly had a ton of fun with a ton of cousins! My kids were EXHAUSTED by the end of the week! I know I said we were going to bring home two dogs, but my mother in law was having a hard time letting Katie go, and I did not blame her. We had decided not to take Katie home with us, and then Scarlett was hugging her and Katie snapped at Scarlett and it completely confirmed our decsion to not take her! In Katie's defense, she had just had puppies, and Scarlett was too rough with her. I might have snapped too if I saw a three year old coming at me, screaming my name, with arms wide open ready to attack. We did bring Salmon home with us, and my kids are the happest kids in the world right now. There were three puppies in the yard playing one day and Scarlett said, "Mom, I am going to yell Salmon, and the puppy that runs to me will be our puppy." So she did that and a puppy ran over to us, and the rest is history. He is actually the perfect little puppy so far. He does not whine at night, he lets the kids carry him and play with him, therefore he is perfect. He is so loving too. There are some downsides, he likes to poop A LOT! Scarlett already stepped in it, and we have only had him for two days. We are glad to have Salmon and we are so thankdul to Mike's Mom and Dad for giving us a puppy. I have a ton of pictures, and will post them soon.

All because of a little peanut!

We went to the doctor today, and confirmed that Scarlett is for sure allergic to peanuts. The good news is, as of right now, her reactions are not severe enough to cause anaphillactic shock (sp?). It could become that serious, but for right now, we just have to make sure she does not eat things containing peanut oil. We got her an epipen so we can be prepared if that ever happens. I am sad because I don't want her to have to be hindered by anything, but we have no choice but to deal with it. 25% of children grow out of it, so we are praying that she is in that 25%. The doctor said it is unlikely that she will grow out of it. I just have to be positive and tell myself, at least she can still enjoy things like chocolate, airplanes, and many restaurants.

Salmon and Katie!

We are going to California this week to FINALLY visit Mike's family, and take a much needed vacation! We can't wait to see everyone! I have not been out there in 2 years. The last time I was there, I was pregnant with Owen, and it was waaaay to hot for me to be there. We will be in Murrieta for a few days and then we get to go to San Diego for a little family vacation at a timeshare in downtown San Diego. Mikes brother, Paul, lives in San Diego, so we get to spend some time with him too. I can't wait for my kids to be able to hang out with thier cousins. That is the biggest downside to living in New Mexico. Being away from family is the pits! But we are very excited to go and we plan on makeing the most out of our time there. We will alos be picking up two new additions to our family. That's right, I the anti-animal girl, is getting two dogs. Then we are driving back to New Mexico with the two dogs, in a minivan, with two kids. I am actually so excited to get dogs, and those are words that have never come out of my mouth. I think I am a little more excited about Katie (the already trained adult dog). I can take her on walks with me and I don't have to train her. I think she might become my best friend. Now Salmon, that's right SALMON, is another story. I am a little nervous about a puppy, but I am so excited for my kids to have a dog they can grow up with! I am fully aware of the peeing and pooping on the carpet that will go on, I know that salmon will get into lots of things, but I have had two kids, and they do the same thing. Mike has been working hard on building a fence, so the dogs have plenty of room to run, plus we have plenty of places to take the dogs so that they can run free and chase balls. We told Scarlett that when we bought a new house, we could get a dog, and we also told her she could name it. For whatever reason she wanted to name him Salmon. I agreed to this, and am hoping we can shorten it to Sam. She told me last week that she wanted to name the dogs Humper and Dumper, and I said too bad! Katie is already named, so we can not go with Humper and Dumper. (not to mention, I am not yelling HUMPER and DUMPER!)Look, Salmon was the best of all the names, so we have to make this sacrafice. Sam is a name I can live with. The above picture is one of the puppies, and I don't know which one we are getting at this point, but that is what Sam looks like. I have always hated hearing about how people compare their dogs to kids, and blog about their dogs, but now I am doing it. What a hypocrite I am. Wish us luck, it will be the longest drive of my life...I have a feeling.