A Mother

Written By Brandi

A mother is someone who supports
whether she is tall or short
Someone who gives birth
to a monster or a little squirt

A mother is someone who cares
helps when things get tough or life dares
Every moment she cherishes
whether it's nice or embarrassing

A mother is someone who loves
like an angel from up above
When bullies make us cry
you'll straighten them up, you're not too shy

I love you mom! You are so awesome and nice.

Brandi's New Glasses

Recently, Brandi got glasses.  She was having a hard time reading books, which is really odd for a child her age.  The eye doctor said she is very far sighted, and gave us some exercises to do with her eyes to help her learn to focus on objects close to her face.

Boo looks adorable in her glasses. She is on Medicaid, so the selection of glasses we got to choose from was very limited.  She wanted something colorful and funky, but they didn't offer anything like that.  I told her we would check out the eyeglasses on zennioptical.com to find her a pair she likes.  She had fun looking through all the choices, and finally decided on these:

They are cute, and I think she would look great wearing them.  The best thing I like about them is the price.  They are only $12.95! At that price, I told her she could pick out two pairs.  I also like the idea of having several pair of glasses for her, just in case she loses or breaks one of them.  I am not all hesitant about ordering from zenni, because I know several people who have gotten glasses from them, and they all have only good things to say. Plus, the glasses themselves are not cheaply made, which is what I was thinking since they are so reasonably priced.

Have you ordered from zenni? If so, let me know what you think.

Picmonkey

I am sure most of you know that picnik, my favorite photo editing website, will be closing down this week.  They suggested trying picmonkey to edit photos, and I love it! Right now, everything is free, but I have a feeling they will soon implement a membership, just like picnik did.  I was playing around on picmonkey, and they have a lot more options.  I love the way the picture above came out!

Smile!

I've had my camera for almost a year now.  I never read the book that came with it, and every now and again I discover a new feature I didn't know about.  A couple of weeks ago, I was at my moms, and the girls and I were messing around, taking silly pictures.  I pressed something on my camera, and it suddenly started taking pictures all by itself.  After checking out what setting we had it on, I discovered that my camera is pretty smart.  I have a setting that will take a picture automatically whenever it detects a smile.  It's the coolest thing!

It captured this smile pretty well, didn't it?

Christmas Money

I am desperately trying to come up with ways to make a little extra money in the next couple of weeks so that my kids will have a few more gifts under the tree Christmas morning.  I know there are odd jobs to be found, my problem is finding something I can fit into my already tight schedule.

A friend of mine does house cleaning, which sounds like it would be an easy way to make extra money, but I honestly don't know if I have it in me to clean a stranger's bathroom.  I mean, I used to have to clean the restrooms when I worked fast food, so I guess it's not that much different.  Right?  I also know someone who cleans office buildings at night, which would be okay if I could find someone to watch my kids.  There are places like green cleaning oklahoma city who hire people to clean commercial businesses, but I think I would want to find places on my own, that way I am paid directly.  Does anyone know if businesses do that?  Hire people off the streets to vacuum their floors and wash their windows?  You might need to have some type of license or something.

I know Christmas is only a little over two weeks away, so I am probably out of luck.  I do have gifts for the kids, though not as many as I would like.  The good thing is, none of my kids believe in Santa anymore, so they understand that I did the best I could.  In fact, Brandi found my stash of gifts and admitted to me that there wasn't a lot there.  When I told her I wished there was more, she said to me, and I quote, "Christmas is about family, not presents, so it's okay, mom".

I seriously have the sweetest kid in the world!

The Birthday Boo!

Quite a beauty, huh?

Brandi Loves Kids Reading Games

Brandi had her MAP testing the other day, and she scored a 224.  Her goal was a 217, so she did better than expected.  She was so worried that with everything going on around here she wouldn't be able to concentrate on the test.  Her teacher recommended that she practice online by playing some kids reading games.  All of my kids love the computer, so it was easy to get her to sit down for an hour or so and do it.  In fact, she even asked the day after the test if she could go back to the site and play some more.  I love that she loves to learn.  I just hope she continues to be like this until she graduates.

*this post is sponsored by kabongo.  All opinions are my own.

A Day Off

 Gotta love that smile!

We didn't swim today.  I needed a break from the sun and to get my house clean.  Thankfully, both things have been accomplished.  I did run up to the grocery store with Junior, and I am happy to be back in the AC.  It is hot outside!

My Little Diva

Last weekend, we went out on my dad's boat. The kids had a blast, and I found it totally relaxing. We cruised around the lake...Brandi even got to drive for a little while. That drove Ryan nuts because he wanted to drive, too, but he's a little too big to be sitting on my dad's lap. As we eased back into my dad's dock, Brandi got a little too comfortable...

My Poor Baby

Brandi is sick, yet again. Another upper respiratory infection. She is out of school until Friday, and I am not sure yet if I will even send her then. She has been running a low fever, and I like for the kids to be fever free for 24 hours before they go back to school.

I ended up taking her to the ER, because we couldn't get in to see our doctor due to therapy. After three hours and a couple of chest xrays, we were finally on our way home with a prescription for Robitussin plus codeine (or some type of special stuff), which of course her insurance wouldn't cover. Thankfully it was inexpensive, and we actually had the money to fill it ourselves. So, right now she is medicated, and trying to not fall asleep so she can watch Wizards at 11.

I don't think she is going to make it.

Boo And Her Daddy

Here's another shot from Kasi's concert the other night. This is one of those rare moments where Brandi is not beating up on Junior, and actually showing her affection. Usually, the two of them are picking at each other mercilessly, and to be honest, it is quite amusing. The combination of insults they throw at each other crack me up. People who don't know us think they're crazy, but that's okay.

Those who do know us think they are crazy, too, but they love us anyway!

I Am Such A Sucker

Look at that face!

This morning, the alarm went off at 3:15 like usual, so I could get Junior up for work. Unlike other mornings, the alarm woke Brandi. I tried to get her to fall back to sleep, but by 4:30 she was still up, and wide awake. We got out of bed, and she watched some iCarly and Drake & Josh, and was ready for school by 5:30. I should mention that she didn't fall asleep until around 10 last night, because her throat was bothering her.

We walked to the bus stop, and she was complaining that she was tired. I mean, I could understand, since I am no good on 5 hours sleep, either. As soon as the bus rounded the corner, she started to cry. She said she was too tired to go to school, and that her tummy hurt.

I know I was being played, but I let her come back home with me. We both laid back down and slept a couple more hours. I know I haven't been feeling well lately, and I think she might have caught a little of that from me. Besides, what is it going to hurt if she misses one day of school?

Who Lives In A Pineapple Under The Sea?

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate SpongeBob Squarepants? I mean, really, really, HATE him? I think it is the stupidest thing on TV, and will not let the kids watch it if I can hear it. I can handle Drake & Josh, iCarly, Suite Life, and Hannah Montana, but not him. Not ever.

BUT...I'm a good mom, and he's what Brandi wanted on her cupcakes for her birthday for her class. So I did it. I pasted his face, and Patricks, on 22 cupcakes.

And how sad is it that I know his friends name?

My Girls

Aren't they beautiful? I think so. I love this effect. It's the pencil sketch option on picnik. If you haven't tried picnik yet, you should check it out!

Stuff, Stuff, And More Stuff

I think I'm beginning to rub off on my family! My dad's wife has started her very own blog. It's called camp carney. You guys should all go over and tell her hello.

Yesterday, Ryan got all my Christmas boxes out for me. It is my mission today to have everything decorated around the house, so that next weekend we can do the tree. I have so many decorations, and such a small apartment, I have no idea how I am going to make it all fit.

I finally decided on a date for brandi's birthday party. I always have a hard time with hers, because December is such a busy month for people. I wanted to do it during the day, not at night, so that if it is nice enough, the kids can play outside. Again, this apartment is way too small for everyone to be cooped up inside.

I posted pictures of our first gingerbread house here. Me and the girls worked hard on it, and I think it came out cute!

I guess I need to get to dropping my ecards. I have too much to do to be stuck at this computer all day.

My Terrific Kid!

In recognition of demonstrating a positive attitude, good character, and responsible citizenship, this certificate is presented to....

my little booger!

I am so proud of her!

This is the second time she has won this award.

See the first time here.

I always knew she was a good kid.

It's nice to know others think so too.

I've Got One Terrific Kid

My Boo brought home this award today. Turns out the teachers at school think she's pretty special. I knew it all along!