New Years Eve!

I might like New Years Eve better than Christmas these days.  We have some really fun great traditions and my kids aren't all selfish and wanting presents all day long.  It's a really great family day!

We wake up and have a great breakfast.  Then, we head down to the Children's Museum for their kid's countdown.  The kids get to have a great new years celebration that ends at noon.  They make noise makers and confetti poppers and hats, dance and play, and then they count down to noon.

We come home after lunch and do naps.  After naps, we have dinner and then sit by the fire making s'mores and drinking hot chocolate, watching a good kid-friendly movie until they get too tired to stay awake anymore.

My little one goes to bed around his normal time.  This year, my big girl is going to try to stay up until the ball drops.  She's so excited!  She says this is her "best day ever."

So, do you see any reason why Christmas is better than this?  For now, when they are too young for me to really ingrain in them the spirit of giving, this holiday is definitely better.  When we can make Christmas a giving holiday and not a getting holiday for our kids, then Christmas will be back in the running for the best holiday. But, for now, New Years Eve is way better!

Christmas Eve

It is an hour and a half from Christmas Eve, and there are a few very excited people in this house.

My daughter, 4 years old, is very excited.  The girl lives with the "best day ever" attitude with every day that greets her.  With tomorrow being Christmas Eve, it is definitely going to be the best day ever, until Christmas, of course.

My son, 1 year old, is very excited.  He sees the number of presents under the tree growing.  He sees his big sister telling him that the big one is for him.  He wrapped the present he got for his Papa, and he can't wait to help him open it.  He is waiting for his best day ever and hoping that Santa brings him a woo-woo truck.

Me.  I love the look on my kids faces when they are excited.  I love making a big meal for my family.  I love trying out new recipes. I also love that there will not be any more elf on the shelf posts on Facebook for another year.

My puppy, 1 year old, is very excited.  Why wouldn't she be, though?  She's getting presents and laps to sit in.

My husband, is very excited, for Christmas to be over.  I think the stress gets to him more this time of year than any other.  Hopefully in future years, he'll be better because we won't have just moved.

So, with the excitement bubbling over in our house, Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night!

Looking Back

So, I installed Timehop a little while ago and it is making me quite emotional, happy and sad.

5 years ago this week, I was put on bedrest while pregnant with Jade.  I worked my last day in the corporate world 5 years ago.  And now, I'm preparing to go back.

4 years ago, Jade was getting ready to celebrate her first Christmas.  It was such an exciting time!

3 years ago, I just experienced my second pregnancy loss.  I lost this one at our annual trip to Hollywood Studios to see the Osbourne Lights.  Of course, this makes me sad for a couple of reasons.  The obvious, but also the fact that we are no longer in Orlando and won't be doing the annual trip to see the Osbourne lights anymore.

2 years ago, I was pregnant with Maxwell and getting ready to meet that sweet boy.

1 year ago, we were having Maxwell's first Christmas, and we were having our first Christmas away from Orlando, in our new city, San Antonio.

That's how long I've been on Facebook, 5 years.  It has been a very scary, exciting, and terrific 5 years. We've had a bit of a bumpy road, but every bump has been worth it, getting us here to this wonderful point in our lives.  We have two beautiful children and a wonderful home.  Christmas is here and we're spending it in our new home, another exciting adventure!

Christmas is coming!

December 5, 20 days before Christmas.  My Christmas cards are out.  All of the shopping for those outside of my house is done. In most people's standards, I am doing great. But, I feel like I am so far behind.

We moved 3 weeks ago.  My house still has boxes all over the place.  I haven't finished the shopping for my kids yet, and presents from others are showing up, making the clutter of boxes even worse and growing.

I still haven't finished shopping for my family.  Plus, the demands for treats are starting to come around. Jade's school wants 2-4 dozen cookies.  Jeremy wants me to cook in a chili cook-off.  I have to make boxes of treats for all of Jeremy's co-workers.

But, that's not all. I have what every parent has to go through right now ... Christmas pageant time.  Jade has a Broadway showcase and two school programs all in the same week.

But, that's still not all.  My health hasn't gotten any better.  6 months ago, I had to get a filling, and after that, my tooth hasn't been the same.  I just found out this week, that that dentist cracked my tooth while doing the filling, so now I have to get a crown.  And, the heart problems continue.  I have a follow-up with my cardiologist to talk about the medication that is making me feel worse.

But, what I'm most excited about is that my husband's office is having a Christmas party!  I love getting all dressed up and spending time with adults. This is going to be one of the most exciting nights in a long time.  It's been 7 years since our last Christmas party.

So, Christmas is in less than 3 weeks.  I love Christmas.  My kids are so excited and it excites me to see that. I just hope that I can make it there!

It's fall!

I'm not a big fan of fall.  My favorite seasons are spring and summer, but fall means the coming of a great holiday season (fall and winter's redeeming points). And our fall had kicked off pretty well.

Halloween was a huge success this year.  The kids painted pumpkins and Jade even helped carve the big pumpkin this year.  The family dressed up,  Jade was batman, Maxwell was robin, Jeremy was the joker, and I was Harley Quinn.  We even went to our new neighborhood to trick or treat, to meet some of our neighbors.  Maxwell was a pro trick our treater.  He wasn't scared at all.

Now, the move begins.  We have a month to get out of this house and into the new one.  Thanksgiving is on the way.  The weather is getting cold (which I could do without). Then comes Christmas and the little ones' birthdays. A lot of fun is on the way.

Will I survive busy season? We hope so! 

We're officially Texans

We officially bought a house in San Antonio.  I'm pretty excited about it.  The house is very nice and I am so excited for my family.

Now for the awful process of moving.  The next month is going to be hectic and crazy, but at the end, we will be in our new house and happy and comfortable.

Jade is excited to have her room that she can pick her own room color.  She loves the idea of not having to climb the stairs anymore.

Maxwell keeps asking to go to the "house" whenever we go anywhere.

I just can't believe that we are officially calling Texas our home for a very Long time.  I don't exactly fit in here.  I just hope that I can find some good friends for my family and we can be accepted and live here happily.

So much going on

So much has been going on in the past month, I don't know where to begin.

Jade started soccer a few weeks ago. She was so excited to be playing and to have papa as her coach. Then came her first game.  It was unusually cold that day.  And she started out okay.  But then, someone stole the ball from her.  She broke down.  Tears everywhere, screaming like she just lost her best friend.  I couldn't get her to go back and play the rest of the game.

Second game wasn't much better.  She didn't even want to go on the field. She used to love soccer, and she still loves practice, but she wants nothing to do with the games.  She says she wants to stop and do gymnastics instead.

Maxwell started dance class and he loves it! He won't dance with momma like he's supposed to, but he puts on the tutu and wiggles around the room.  He is so happy!
Other news coming soon, about our living situation and about my health, both with lots going on.

The first week of school

Jade started pre-k this week and she is so happy and so silly.  I am surprised by her every day.

On the first day, she came home and she said that her day was awesome.  Then, I asked her for details about her awesome day.  She said, "I don't think my teachers are very good. We didn't do any math today. " I had to explain to her that she would do math, but not every day, and explained that counting and learning numbers was math.  She was frustrated because she already knows her numbers and wants to add.

On the second day, she said it was so fun, but she couldn't understand why they couldn't go all day. She was so mad at these short days. I had to explain to her that the first week was short in order to let the kids get used to school. "But we were here last year.  We know the school. "

On the fourth day, she came home and said that she got to read the gingerbread boy book to the class.  She said that Ms. Tammy sat on the floor with the kids while she read the book to everyone.  I don't know if I believe it, but if it's true, I am so proud.  She does have a wild imagination, but she has been doing great with her reading.

So, week two starts Monday.  She is so excited and so am I. I am so proud of my little girl.  I can't believe how grown up she is getting.  I'm so not ready for them to grow up. I just want to hold on to them and keep them small.

School starts this week

Jade has been asking for 2 months now when she could go back to school.  This is so happy to hear but also a little sad.  I love that she likes school and learning.  I wish she were my little baby for a little longer.

This week we had a meet the teacher meeting and I was very thrilled. Her teachers this year seem very nice and very good.  She's also very excited that her friend Johnny is in her class.  She is devastated that her best friend is not in her class.

So, school starts on Tuesday.  She will be going to school 5 days a week this year.  I know this is what is best to prepare her for kindergarten, but I will miss my little girl.

I can't believe she's growing up so fast.  She's started reading.  She's adding.  She's growing up faster than I am prepared for.

I miss my babies.  But I love watching them learn new things.  I love seeing the excitement in their eyes when they do something new.  There is nothing better than being a mom.

So, two days until the start of pre-k. I'm almost ready!

Down in the dumps

So, as You've read, Texas has not been very good to me.  I moved here in November.  I got appendicitis in February.  I got mono in April.  I got bronchitis in July.  I feel like I'm always sick and it is so hard to keep up with a 1 and a 4 year olds when you are always sick.

Well, I've been better for about a week now and I've just been down in the dumps.  I feel like I am the most inadequate mom on the planet.  I cook 6 days a week.  I do laundry 6 days a week.  I clean when I can, but I feel like it is never enough.  No one in my family seems happy with me right now.

Problem is: it's all in my head.  Maxwell is as happy as can be and he is thriving.  Jade is happier than she's been in a while, and although she acts up a bit, she is learning so much and doing so well. Bailey loves everything and is doing well.  Jeremy is having struggling with finding the perfect job for him and he's trYing to quit the nicotine lozenges, so he's a bit cranky at times. But I know that he's happy and doing well.  

Why do I feel like I'm not doing enough?  Why do I feel like I'm not good enough?

I'm under appreciated.  has anyone Told me my cooking is good?  Has anyone thanked me for their clean clothes or for running all over town for camps and play dates?  Did jade thank me for taking her to the frozen party?  You guessed it.  No!

So, I'm feeling like I'm a horrible mom,  But in actuality, they're a horrible boss.  When I was in the corporate world and I did a good job, I was told so.  But, not here.  These bosses just expect me to keep going and not get any thanks.  I just need to adjust to my job.  I need to stop being so selfish and maybe my example will rub off on them.  I need to be even more grateful than I already am. 

Best sandwich ever

So, I've been playing around with this new sandwich, and here is the latest rendition. Jeremy and the kids all loved it. Zucchini bread, hummus and spicy Stubbs spread, smoked turkey, bacon, cheddar cheese, and a fried egg.

Enjoy!

Still can't stop coughing

2 weeks later, and I still can't stop coughing.  I went back to the doctor and they've run some more tests, so I'm waiting to hear back now.  Do you know how difficult it is to chase after your 4 year old and 1 year old when moving makes you cough? This is killing me!!!

My best friend got married last weekend.  We had a very nice family trip to Atlanta and the wedding was absolutely beautiful. I am so happy for him and was so excited to see him and his new wife so happy.  I love weddings.

Of course, traveling with 2 kids while coughing all of the time is quite difficult. But, we had a wonderful time and my kids were on their best behavior.  Sometimes I think my kids are the best kids ever!  Of course, then I remember other times when they don't listen or do what they are told and I still think I have the best kids ever, but I know they are just kids.

I'm very excited for another weekend now.  Hubby is on his way home and the kids are just getting up from their naps.  We're going to kick off this weekend and have some fun!

Am I allergic to Texas?

For the last six months, I have been sick at least one week of every month.  It started in February.  I got appendicitis. So, I was sick in February and March recovering from that. in April, I got a cold.  In May, I got Mono.  In June, I had a fever for a couple of days. Now, in July, I have bronchitis.  Do you know how hard it is to take care of a 1 year old and a 4 year old when you can barely breath?  I feel like I'm dying for half the day.

Why?! I've been taking such good care of myself.  I've been working out at least 3 times a week. I'm eating well. Maybe my body doesn't like me trying to be healthy. I wonder if I started eating like crap and stopped exercising if I would get better.  Not that I'm going to do that.  I have stopped exercising.  I can't really run if I can't breath.  I hope the coughing will go away soon so I can get back to it though.  I really don't want to be set back too far on the progress I have made in my stamina.

So, what is it that keeps making me so sick? Why can't I get better?

On a better note, I made a couple of awesome meals that my family just loved.  First, I made zucchini bread and my husband smoked turkey breast.  So, I put the two together and made a smoked turkey club on zucchini bread with a jalapeno cream cheese hummus spread.  It was so good.

A new site, but the same good stuff

I've decided to make my husbands life easier by using Blogger, instead of my old site that he was maintaining for me. So, here I am. I've moved over all the great content from before, so you can refer back to my informative posts whenever you want to.  I also moved over the recipes too, although they are intermixed in with the posts. I'm trying to figure that one out so you can find them easier in the future.  I'll keep you posted.

I hope you enjoy Slippers in the Kitchen.  Our life is very exciting with lots of changes happening all of the time, so I'll try to keep at it as much as I can.

An ending, but what begins?

Note:  This is a message about breastfeeding, so if you don't want to read about it, stop now.

When will the screaming stop?

My son is 16 months old.  He has just reached the stage where if he doesn’t get when he wants, he screams.  And, it’s not a cute, quiet scream.  It is a blood-curdling, I’m-going-to-die scream.  It has been going on for a few weeks now, and it’s killing me.

My daughter, now 4, went through this stage, and it lasted about 2 weeks.  Maxwell is twice as loud and has already passed that mark.  So, what’s the difference?  By the time Jade was 16 months, she could clearly say about 35-50 words.  Maxwell, on the other hand, speaks about 15 words, and not very clearly.  He’s having trouble communicating what he wants and it is getting to him.  Therefore, he wants everyone to know when he is unhappy.

Now, I’ve been sick for about 3 weeks now.  It started out with a fever and has lingered with a terrible headache, swollen glands, pains, and more.  So, when my sweet little boy screams, the headache just gets worse.

But, I know the last thing I should do is to give in to him when he screams.  And, thinking quickly has become very difficult.  So, we’re struggling.

When everyone is happy, we talk a lot and I try to get him to communicate with us.  But, he doesn’t seem to want to talk.  Jade would sit in her crib and practice her words at this age.  Maxwell is pretty quiet.

So, I’m looking for ideas on how I can get my sweet little screamer to want to talk more.  Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Another holiday in Texas

We’ve been in San Antonio for almost 5 months now.  We’ve celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, 3 birthdays, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and now Easter.  It’s kind of nice being alone with my perfect family, but it is a bit lonely not having any family around.

I’m loving it here, actually.  Sure, I miss Disney.  Sure, I miss our friends.  Sure, it’s tough being out here with no help.  But, Jade’s school is great!  She is learning so much.  There is really so much to do, that we’re busy all the time.  I like a lot of the nice people that we’ve met.  We’re making some good friends.

I really wish Jeremy were happier.  His job is not what he expected it to be and he’s feeling stressed.  I want to see him happy, and I’m trying to figure out how to do that. I just don’t know what to do.  I know it is not my responsibility to make him happy.  I can be here for him. I can take care of him.  I can give him everything he wants, but it is up to him to make himself happy.  I just wish he could find a way to be happy.  It sucks!

So, we’re in Texas, and we’re having a great time being a perfect family of 4. Our holidays have been so fun and relaxed.  We’ve set our own pace and done our own things.  We didn’t have to rush around to make everyone else happy and meet every one else’s expectations.  We played with our kids.  We ate meals that we wanted.  We enjoyed each other!  I love it!

Surviving the 4-year-old

I heard all this time that the 2s were the worst age for kids (until the teenage years).  Well, Jade was an angel at 2.  Then, my friends said that the 3s were the worst.  Jade wasn’t so bad, but toward the end, she started to get a little “fresh.”  Well, now we’ve hit 4, and she is uncontrollable.  Does it get any better?

Today I heard, “I’m the ruler of this kingdom. You have to do what I say. I don’t have to do what you say.”  She’s 4!  Really?!

I did it, and then I thought I was going to die, alone

I ran my first official 5k, the Disney’s Cinderella Royal Family 5k.  I ran it in 42 minutes.  I was very excited and so very proud of myself.

I was in wave 3 of 5.  16 minutes after the first runners started, it was my turn.  It started in the EPCOT parking lot and I started out strong.  I passed by a bunch of people, and was passed by a few that took off fast.  Everyone had told me that there was so much excitement and music, so don’t wear headphones, so I didn’t turn my music on.  The first mile was quiet and through nothingness.  It was tough and I was starting to doubt my ability to do it.  I passed mile 1 and slowed down a little bit so that I could turn my music on to give me some momentum.

Shortly after that, I entered EPCOT, around Mexico.  That is when there was music and cast members cheering and all kinds of excitement (of course, right after I turned my music on).  I ran around EPCOT, past Norway and China, by Germany, Italy, Japan, Morocco, and France.  I walked for about 10 seconds up the hill heading over to the United Kingdom around mile marker 2, but picked back up the run.  We ran behind the United Kingdom and came back by Canada.  We ran up to the front of the park, around Spaceship Earth and then back up toward it and out the side of the park into the parking lot.   I saw mile marker 3 and knew that I was almost there.  I rounded the bend and saw the finish line.  I felt okay, but all I wanted was to see my family.  I kept running, but I kept looking and then I saw them – my wonderful husband and my two beautiful children.  That gave me everything I needed to cross the finish line.   I finished and I got my medal!

We had a wonderful vacation until the day we were returning home.  Then I started to feel horrible.  I had terrible abdominal pains.  Then I threw up the entire flight home.  So, we went to urgent care straight from the airport, and they sent me to the ER with appendicitis.

So, here I am 2 weeks after my first official 5k, with 3 holes in my abdomen.  And they say running is good for you.  I am here to say, it is not!

1 week until my 5K

I’ve been running for about 10 years now.  But, I could never get past the 2 mile mark for the longest time.  I try and try, but my chest tightens up, phlegm starts to build up in my chest, and I start coughing. I find it hard to go on.

2 months after Maxwell was born, I decided that I was going to run a 5K.  I started running, and the same thing happened.  But, come a few months later, I decided that I was going to do it, no matter what, and I registered for the Princess 5K at Disney.  I’d have a year after Maxwell’s birth to get it.  I found that, once I hit the wall, even stopping didn’t matter.  The coughing actually got worse when I stopped.  So, one day, I just kept running, through the pain … through the inability to breath.  And, surprising enough, after a half mile, it got a little easier.  I finished my first 5K.  When I got home and sat down, I still felt like I was going to die.  I coughed all day long.  I could barely pick up my kids, I was so weak.

Then, 3 months ago, we moved to San Antonio.  It’s harder here to run.  The hills are just too much.  I haven’t been able to run a full 5K since we moved here.  I have to walk up the bigger hills, but my pace has been close to an acceptable pace over-all.  I’m just very nervous about next week.  Plus, the benefits I was hoping for when I started this haven’t come true.

I’ve now run/walked a 5k, once a week for the past few months  now.  Do I feel better?  No.  Am I healthier?  No.  I’m actually less healthy.  Since I started running, I’ve gained 10 pounds for each mile that I added.  So, in the past 4 months, I’ve gained 20 pounds!  Does my daughter see someone she can be proud of?  No.  In fact, on my last run, while I was pushing the 60 pound stroller up the huge hill, coughing, she said to me, “Mommy, why are you going so slow?  Why aren’t you running?”

So, I’m 1 week from my 5K.  I still don’t know if I’ll be able to finish, or if the “your going too slow” cart will pick me up part way through the run.  I need to finish.  I need to see my daughter’s face as I cross the finish line.  I need my husband to be proud of me for finishing.

But what next?  The reason I started this was to get healthier.  But, 20 extra pounds later that hasn’t happened.  I couldn’t imagine pushing myself further and gaining more weight. What’s my new goal? I’ll keep you posted when I figure it out.  I’m open to any suggestions, especially from my fitness friends!

Contemplating returning to work

When I had my daughter, there was no question. I couldn’t imagine leaving her all day.  I quit my job in an instant.  Now, 4 years later, I still feel the same way, but there are other factors that have me here today.

We recently moved to San Antonio.  So, now we have a mortgage to pay as well as rent.  Things are more expensive here than what they were in Orlando.  We have a nest egg that is going to slowly dwindle away to nothing if we don’t do something. And, there is a job opening up at the company Jeremy works for that would be perfect for me.

Maxwell is only 1 year old.  The thought of putting him in day care tears me apart.  I would probably cry for the first month at the office.  Jade is 4 and starting full-time preschool in the fall.  She is having such a hard time to adjusting to everything already, that me leaving all day would be very hard on her too.

I know we could make it work.  I know I would get through it.  I know the kids would adapt.  They are strong.  And, we would be making enough money to be able to focus on family time on the weekends.  I’d greatly appreciate any thoughts from my readers.  What would you do?  What do you suggest I do?

Happy Birthday to me!

Well, I’m another year older!  I’m not one of those people who is afraid of getting older. I love my birthday.  How did this one go?

I’m 38 years old, just 2 years away from the big 4-0, and my husband will not let me forget it.  But, I’m not bothered by that.  Everyone has to get older. But, luckily, I have 2 very small children that keep me very young.  I don’t feel 38.  I don’t feel old (well, except for the aches and pains).

This year was tough.  Back in Florida, I had just started to get some real friends over the last few years.  I had people who were there for me when I needed them, who would call me to do things.  But, just 2 1/2 months ago, we moved away, to San Antonio, TX, where we know nobody.  So, this birthday, there was no dinner with friends, there was no party. I started to feel sad.  I got 6 phone calls and 4 texts.  1 friend called.  None of those friends I thought I had in Orlando called or even texted me.  None of them sent a card.  I got Facebook posts from them, but when you are someone’s friend, you would think a text message would be sent.

I at least have 2 wonderful children and 1 amazing husband.  They took very good care of me on my birthday. I am so lucky to have them.

Happy Birthday to my kids!

The birthdays are finally over and I have 2 very lucky and very happy kids!

We traveled to Orlando this past week to celebrate the birthdays of my 1 year old and 4 year old who have birthdays 8 days apart.  First, we had cupcakes on my 4 year old’s birthday with the family that was in Orlando.  She loved it!  And, the next morning we woke up and took her to Magic Kingdom where we let her be a sorcerer of the Magic Kingdom.  After a few missions, we went and had lunch at Cinderella’s Royal Table at the castle.  She had the best seat in the house because every princess came straight to her when they entered the room.  5 princesses in one lunch, plus she got to have frosting in a cone for dessert.  That was one happy girl.  After that, I had scheduled fastpass+ experiences with Rapunzel and Snow White (Jade was dressed as Rapunzel).  Then, the new talking Mickey sang happy birthday to her.  We ended the day with Enchanted Tales with Belle.  It was wonderful!  She was so happy.  I don’t know what made her happy, her day at Disney or getting a Kindle Fire of her own.

The next day was the big 1st birthday party for Maxwell.  It was themed after the book the Very Hungry Caterpillar. I made a caterpillar banner that stretched across the food table and had a picture of Maxwell for each month of his first year.  The food was all the foods from the book.  Apple, Pear, Plum, Strawberries, Oranges, swiss cheese, salami, sausage, pickles, cherry pie, cupcakes, chocolate cake, lollipop, and green leaves (spinach).  It was a huge hit.  Maxwell did great with the cake (and got frosting everywhere).  He handled being passed around by all of the family very well too, as long as someone was feeding him.  The crafts for the bigger kids were a huge hit (they made butterflies and colored).  I forgot to read the book, but it was a great party.  It was nice seeing our friends and family.

But, I am so glad it is all over now.  We have two very lucky kids, and I feel so blessed to be their mother.  I love throwing parties, but planning and throwing a party 1100 miles away from your own home is difficult and stressful and I am glad it is over.  Next year, I am looking forward to 2 parties a week apart for a 2 year old and a 5 year old!

Can you go home again?

Tomorrow we’re headed back to Florida to celebrate the kids’ birthdays.  Jade is super excited, although nervous that someone is going to take her stuff while we’re gone (more on that later). I know it is going to be weird being there when we don’t live there anymore.  How will the boys do, that is what I’m most nervous about?

I moved away from Michigan when I was 18. That first time I came back to visit my family, it was weird.  Although I had only been gone for a few months, I clearly didn’t belong there anymore.  I had moved on, and the people there had moved on it.  We didn’t need each other anymore.  This is what happens when you move away. So, now that we’re going back to visit Florida tomorrow, I’m hoping my family will be okay to see that everyone has moved on and survived without them there.

Jade has already said some things that really make me upset.  First, she said, “when we go to Florida, I want to stay there.  I don’t want to come back to Texas.”  She’s clearly not as happy here as I hoped she would be. I know it is going to take her a little longer to get involved and to make some friends, but it is tough to see her struggling, because she’s such a sensitive girl.  Second, when she asked if we were leaving our stuff here, and I told her yes, she said, “you need to make sure that every door and window is locked so no one can come in here and take my toys.”  I don’t know where that fear is coming from.  But, I’ve assured her that we will not let anyone take her things.

Jeremy is stressed with work (you know, a new job and all, plus he’s worried he isn’t meeting up to their expectations).  So, taking this weekend to leave town is going to be tough on him. I hope he can put it aside and enjoy the time with our family.

So, I’ll let you know how the family does next week when we get back.  I know we’re going to have fun (lunch in the castle with the princesses, Maxwell’s birthday party, and so much more).

Adventures with Customer Service

Moving to San Antonio has been a challenge, to say the least. First there was the car problems on the drive out. Then, we had problems with our Sears delivery of washer, dryer, and refrigerator. And, since the day before Thanksgiving, we’ve been dealing with a furniture store, trying to get a good quality bedroom set. Now, a month and a half later, and 7 visits later, we still don’t have a quality bedroom set!

I hate (and I don’t use that word flippantly) talking to customer service. I have been on the phone with these people way too much. I am stressed just talking to strangers, and I have to be on the phone with these people at least once a week. I get all emotional when they aren’t helpful and take it personally that these people don’t think I deserve quality furniture. I sit on the phone for sometimes over an hour at a time, with a 4 year old (well almost) and a 1 year old (again almost) tugging at me, climbing on me, screaming, singing, etc. almost in tears because they don’t seem to want to help me at all. Just thinking about it again has me almost in tears.

And, after today, it looks like we’re going to have at least one more visit sometime in the future.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A BEDROOM SET WHERE THE DRAWERS ALL WORK AND THE BACK ISN’T FALLING OFF?