It took me 1 1/2 hours to fill out all of these papers for the school for Carson.

Here is to hoping things get moving forward.

 

Today Nadia was cleaning the kitchen today and started singing Give said the little stream.

Today was a great day. We went to our old ward for a homecoming. It was like we hadn't skipped a beat. We walked in and sat down in our regular seat and carried on like it hasn't been six months since we had been there.

I looked at Joe on the way home and said, how can something be so right, but yet feel so wrong? I know that we are where we are supposed to be yet, I miss our old ward so bad and it felt so good and right to be back there. Why couldn't we find a house in the same ward?

I know that it will take some time to make this place home or at least to feel like it is home. I am not sure how to make it better.

 

 

 

This was at family dinner tonight.



Today was a pretty laid back lazy day. We sat around and watched Christmas movies.

We do this every year during the Thanksgiving break.

 

At about 4 everyone started asking if they could go to friends houses.

Quynsie and Nadia were the only ones that were able to go, but they went for about 2 hours or so.

 

My daddy made this for me. I have been waiting for this shelf for a couple of years. I am so happy to finally have it. Thanks Dad!

Aren't these babies so cute? I made these jammies for them for Christmas. They finally got the package in the mail and they were so excited to show them off. I miss this family so much.



Last night we were singing to Frozen in the car and Carson told his dad to stop singing because he is annoying.

This morning's conversation with Carson:

Carson: Dad, dad, dad daaaad

Joe: Just a minute buddy

Carson: I don't got a minute.

I think we have said this to him way too many times.

We got a new Christmas tree this year to go with our new house. I have been begging for awhile to get a new tree and it finally has happened.

I went and got these wreaths from the dollar store and they look absolutely amazing hanging up along our new house. I still need to get the bows on the railing and the lights up, but other than that, I am happy with it.

This is how I fee about my shopping habit this year.

We had Thanksgiving dinner with Joe's mom tonight. The kids behaved pretty well.

In fact, I'm really impressed with my kids this year. During the holidays it usually is hard but this year they kept themselves together. Well at least they kept themselves together while with extended family but we did have a few melt downs at home. I'm ok with that. It is a big improvement. Great job kiddos you have done awesome during Thanksgiving.



 

Carson and Kaden

 

 

Me picking on Deserrae

 

Quynsie and Deserrae

 

Jazmine and Nadia

 

Quynsie cooking with Great Grandma Bonnie and Grandma Torri

 

Joe, Raven, Carson, G-grandma Bonnie, Grandma Torri, Quynsie, Nadia and Grandpa

 

The kids got to meet their G-grandma Bonnie for the first time today. Joe and I had just gone to Vegas 2 or 3 weeks before we got the kids and we have not been able to go since. She finally came up here so it was really awesome.

She really seemed to enjoy the kids.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is all of the Sly cousins.

Back row: Aiden, Ryleigh, Quynsie, Carson

Front row: Nadia, Raven, Trevor and Nate



A little bit ago, the 3 littles where downstairs and I heard some fighting going on, so I hollered for them to come upstairs and I hear Carson say, "It wasn't me this time, I didn't get into that mess this time."
Clearly, Carson is usually the one in the middle of the fights around here. I had no choice but to laugh and tell him good job buddy I am proud of you for staying out of it this time.

Yesterday I sent Quynsie out to finish up her job she was supposed to do (rake leaves)and I went to make dinner. I look out the window and I laughed. I came out and asked her to get me the lawn mower. She did then I said had you been thinking to go get the lawn mower yourself this would have been done by now.

I am so tired of people promising that they are going to stay in contact with my kids and then they don't keep that promise. I have been trying to stay in contact with this one person and he has not answered my text messages in about a month. It breaks my heart. Keep doing what you are doing and Quynsie will not want you to be a part of her life period.

I forgot to post this yesterday. I had to buy this shirt for him because we have 3 ninja's in our house. I can't wait for a free dress down day that he can wear this to school because I think his teacher would get a kick out of it.

 

Today, Joe and I finished up the final touches for the kids Christmas. We pretty much have extended family done as well. We still have a few things, but nothing expensive or anything.

 

A few years into mine and Joe's marriage, Christmas or holiday's in general had been a sore spot for me because we didn't have kids to enjoy it with, but now that we have kids, it has restored the magic and the glory of the holiday season. I love seeing my kids faces light up on Christmas morning and when they see what they have gotten.

This is year is going to be the best one yet, or so I hope anyway. We really tried to get the kids some pretty awesome presents. I really am excited.

 

But, every year at Christmas time, I get frustrated with my kids birth family because they have taught them that Santa Clause is not real. Thankfully, for Carson and Nadia, they were easily persuaded to think other wise, but Raven has never been persuaded no matter what we say to them. I mean, who doesn't want to experience the magic of Christmas with their kids? I am afraid this is going to be the last year with Raven and the magic of Christmas. When I was a kid and my parents told me about Santa, Christmas just didn't seem as fun anymore. The surprise of it all was lost. No Christmas is not all about the presents and what not and I am hoping we are teaching our kids that it is about Christ, giving and serving others, but for some reason it took away from the suspense of things when I was a kid.



I got to drive Joe's car for the entire day today. He took mine to work and then stopped and got the tire sensor fixed when he got off work.

But, I have to admit that even though I enjoy driving Joe's new car, I sure do love my van more. I feel more safe in my van and I don't feel like I'm sitting in the ground.

 

This is how we go grocery shopping. We play where is waldo...I mean Carson! He loves to get food pilled on him as long as he has a phone to play, he is good to go.

 

Our karate shirts finally came. We have been waiting a couple of months for them. We should have had them for bushido, but they didn't get here because of some storm back east or so the company says. Either way, I am excited to finally have them. Now I can look official for being the professional photographer.

I need to find a night vision adapter for my camera. I am more comfortable using my own camera than I am with using other peoples.



Sorry I have not blogged all week. I just have not had the want to or the care to.

I have been busy trying to get all of the kids Christmas figured out after they go to bed and by the time I finish that, I am just too tired and want to go to bed.

I think we have all of their stuff ordered and figured out. I now have my stuff figured out as well. We just need to get Joe's stuff figured out and then a couple of family gifts for extended family and we will be done.

Go me....I am never done this early.

I miss my walk in closet, where I could hide all of their stuff because I could lock it, but here at our new house, we don't have that option. I am not sure where I am going to hide it all when it starts showing up. They are in the garage way to much to hide them there. Maybe I will have to wrap them and take them to my moms and hide them in her trailer.

 

MONDAY

On Monday Carson had a heck of a personality. Quynsie went in his room to wake him up and she didn't even have to say anything and he screamed"get out".

 

 

I told Carson to get in his seat and get his seat belt on. His response: why do you have to be so bossy every day?
Ummm because I'm your mom

 

TUESDAY

I can already see how the day is going to go with Carson. We were already in the car and backing out of the driveway when he said go back I forgot my gloves. I said no and had he listened to his mommy all morning he would have had time to find his gloves. He responds back with well that has nothing to do with it. And your not my boss.

 

Raven with the dog at therapy.

 

WEDNESDAY

So Quynsie comes home yesterday and says that a teacher is planning a trip to Florida and that we have to have a $100 deposit turned in by Friday if she wants to go.

My response: I laughed so hard and then calmly said um Idon't think so.

Her response: the whole trip is like $2000

...

My response: um yeah NO

Her response: but mrs. So and so said we don't even have to pay cash.

Me: so your telling me to use my debit card or a check which by the way does not have that much money in the account or are you asking me to go take out a loan for you to go on this trip?

Her response: well it would be my Christmas present.

Me: Laughing really hard again... um yeah not happening. Sorry!

Her: but then it could be my Christmas for the next 3 years and my birthday too.

Me: did I not make myself clear? I said NO NOT HAPPENING! SORRY!!!!

Her: but

Me: NOOOOOOO

 

THURSDAY

Ugh not feeling so great today but I don't got time for that. Carson somehow made it out the door without a school approved shirt and then Quynsie called as soon as I got home from taking Carson a shirt complaining her jaw hurts so back to the school I went to pick Quynsie up and now we are sitting at the dentist. Then I have to pick up the other kids fix dinner take Nadia to piano and then it is karate night. I think I may just hide in my bedroom. I don't feel very social today.

We are not sure what is going on with Quynsie's mouth right now, but we are thinking that with her sinus infection and her wisdom teeth starting to form and push their way up that that may be the problem, but there could also be a lingering infection somewhere in her jaw so they put her on a very strong dose of antibiotic.

 

I hate Walmart Pharmacies. It doesn't matter which pharmacy, they all suck. I would rather drive clear to Provo to my favorite pharmacy than go to a Walmart pharmacy, but because I was not feeling so well, I decided to go to Walmart. Big mistake...

 

Did I mention I hate Walmart pharmacies? Oh I Did huh? Oops.... Well in case your still wondering I ended up having to leave empty handed without Quynsie's prescriptions because it is getting close to having to pick kids up from school.

 

Six hours later, we finally got her medication.

 

I love our mountains, I am so excited to be able to see them every time I look out our front window. We live so close to the mountains at our new house and I love it.



I think the stress of the past couple of weeks have finally caught up with me. I slept half the day away. Not to mention I think I may be getting the sinus infection that everyone else has had.

 

 

 

 

 

Family dinner chaos at Uncle Bronson and Uncle Sonny's house.



It was a crazy day yesterday.

Joe and I had a meeting with the school about Carson and what we want to see happen.

The meeting went well. I think we got everything out on the table and we are headed in the right direction.

 

After we left the school, we headed to our credit union and got pre-approved for a new car loan and to refinance the van.

Having a 2nd car loan makes me want to vomit, but the truth is, we have been in serious need of a car for a long time.

The truck just is not going to last forever. It has 300,000+ miles on it and we really needed something that was better on gas mileage for Joe to drive back and forth from work, plus when it is just Joe and I or a couple of the kids with us, we can use the car.

I think Joe and Carson's dreams have come true. They both have always wanted a red muscle car/sports car. This is the best we could do for now. An acura.

The look on Carson's face after school was priceless. He even screamed, "Dad, you got us a new racecar?"

BOYS AND THEIR TOYS!!!

 

At dinner last night I told Quynsie She couldn't go to a friend's house today and Quynsie said ok. So then Nadia chimes in and says good job you didn't through your teenager temper tantrum.
I laughed so hard and just about spit my dinner across the table.

 

 

Normally I go to my sister to get my hair done, but she is so busy at her salon and she has been really sick this week, so I booked my appointment with a lady that is in our ward. She did an amazing job and I am in love. I do believe that I will be seeing her again in the future.

She made me laugh, she said, I will write down the color I used so that you can use it again. I said, no point, I don't ever use the same colors mixed together more than once. I am always changing the shade of something.

Thanks again Char!!! Your awesome.

 

Now I am laying in bed watching my Utah Utes game! Go UTES!!!



I completely believe this.

 



This whole school year I have yelled at Carson for making us late for school when in all reality I think it is raven. Carson is up dressed had breakfast and is doing his homeschool stuff and ready to go to school. Raven on the other hand has been awake for 30 minutes and hadn't gotten dressed ate breakfast or made her lunch or fine her hair. We leave in 30 minutes.

 

Tomorrow is our big meeting with the school to get everything out on the table and tell them exactly what we want.

Joe is going with me and I am relieved because to be honest, I am tired of doing it all by myself. I know that he probably won't say much, but the idea of him being there to help support me, means everything.



I know that we have been all over the place with the decision to homeschool Carson or not, but when it came right down to un-enrolling him from regular school, I just couldn't do it. I took him with me because he wanted to say bye to his friends, but he just had a serious melt down and begged me to let him stay at school. I let him stay in the classroom while talking to the principals and the enrollment lady and I was set to take him home. He begged me and cried so I went back and talked to everyone and told them that I just couldn't do it after watching his meltdown. So we did not go through with un-enrolling him and we rescheduled a in full depth meeting with the entire team on Friday to discuss everything and get it all out on the table. As long as we can resolve the issues at hand, then I have no problem leaving him at school.

 

I am so exhausted emotionally and so stressed out over this decision because in all reality, I just want what is best for Carson.

 

I do have to say how thankful I am to all of my friends at ALA. They have been so supportive in whatever decision we make but at the same time they are trying everything they can to keep our kids there. I do think they have our kids best interest at heart even though I have been really frustrated. I'm hopeful that we can get past my biggest issue and move on. Carson wants to be at school. He wants to be with his friends and to be honest that is what I want for him as well.

 

This is how I feel about Carson's teacher right now. But I am hopeful that we can move on from this and put it behind us. She has caused some serious painful problems for us in the past couple of weeks and I am having a hard time getting past that. I feel this teacher needs to be more educated on kids with trauma.

 

Quynsie took this picture.

 

This is my emotionally drained and stressed face.

 

This makes all of the fighting I do for my kids well worth the fight and stress.

 

Carson's prayer: dear heavenly father please bless us and our family that we will be safe from harm and please bless Cody that his arm will heal. In the name of jesus Christ amen.