They're All Sleeping

Not even I can believe it. My kiddos are all napping right now. I know that probably sounds strange. But it's just after noon here. And we're usually trying to eat lunch. But I do believe, they're all tuckered out from this weekend. The heat also tires them out pretty quickly.

So I'm trying to catch up on the laundry. Not ours, but the laundry I do for work. It's already so hot out. The boys want to be outside all the time. But I really can't let them. After 10 days of 100+ temps, it's finally going to only be 97 today. Blah! This heat is killing us!

But things are going a little better. Counseling for the kids seems to be going in a positive direction. Hubby isn't allowed near us. It still saddens me that our life has become this. That he has changed so much. But I need to stay strong for my kiddos. They need and deserve a better life.

I probably should get some lunch before the baby wakes up. She likes to wake up half way through her nap for some lunch. And a little cuddling time with me. :)

110

Around here, it's been really hot lately. So bad, that I can't let my kiddos go outside. I have them inside, with the AC on as high as it will go. We're on our 3rd straight day of 110 degrees. Tomorrow, we're supposed to be 107. The weatherman said it's a cold front. Ugh!

I just wish that the temps would drop about 15 degrees. That is a lot more doable. My sons have been begging to go outside. The only time that it's really comfortable to be outside is between 5-8am. You can find us all outside in our pjs. :)

But I'm grateful for the people I work with. I work on a Ranch. And we're lucky enough, that we get to live on the Ranch too. There are lots of families that live here. And our boss, well his a good friend of mine. All the guys have been really good about helping me. Especially with this heat.

I do all the laundry for the Ranch. Even the animals blankets. The guys have been bringing everything for me in the evenings when they come home. And they take out the clean stuff and deliver it in the mornings. Otherwise, I'm not sure how I'd get it done. Because piling up 4 kiddos and all this laundry, in this heat, it has disaster written all over it. God, do you think we can at least dip back into the 90s? :)

Iris

About 3 weeks ago, I noticed these little green leaves starting to poke out of the ground. I didn't know what they were. But I asked my neighbor. She told me that they are Lirios. So I started to water them. We have them all the way around our house.

As they started to come up more and more, I realized they are Irises. Around here, they call them Lirios. It's the spanish name for an Iris.



Well, our flowers are getting pretty big. And all of them are purple! They've grown the stalk with the flower. But I would say they're still probably a week or so away from blooming. I can't wait to see them when they bloom! :)

Our New Favorite Book

The other day, I went to buy groceries. It's a little complicated with 4 kids. 2 of are babies, 2 are toddlers. And with the 90 minute wait in line, I had to keep the kids entertained. I found this book. You know how people just throw things around the cash registers. We really enjoyed reading it. Looking at all the pictures and talking about God.

Before, we didn't go to church. But I'd try to teach my little ones about God. Then today, I found this book. And it was such a Godsend. For almost 2 months now, we've been going to mass 3 times a week. And it's amazing. My kids love it!

This has been their book of choice every night. I really want to find a nice children's bible next. I think that would be amazing for them! You know, God really does work in the most mysterious and beautiful ways. :)

Exercise

One of my friends was amazing and lent me a few workout DVDs. A few days ago, I worked out after the kiddos went to bed. And it felt good. I slept so well that night. The next morning, I could barely move. Barely get out of bed. And let me tell you, I could feel every single muscle in my body!

I was in some serious pain. But 4 small kiddos don't understand that. And life just went on. That evening, I debated if I wanted to try it again. I figured I should. And I've been working out every night since.

Yes, it's been a slight pain. I've been sore. And I really have to talk myself into working out at night. But it's good for me. I'm in a better mood. And I have a lot more energy. I sleep a heck of a lot better too! See, exercise isn't all that bad. Now I need to get up and do some exercise! :)

Picnics

Lately we've been having real picnics outside. My kids are loving it! I try to do it everyday for lunch. Weather permitting. And on the weekends, we try to eat outside at least 1 day for dinner.

It's just fun. And unconventional. A lot more relaxing. And did I say fun? I just make lunch or dinner, take a blanket outside, and lay it under our big tree. My kiddos just love being outside. So it's a really fun highlight to our day.

We always manage to find a few ladybugs or butterflies. My kiddos especially like those little creatures. And we love to look at all the growing flowers. A little bit of nature is good for all of us!

Now for this picture. If only I could make yummy toys like that. I really want to learn how to sew. And I would love to make something like this for my girls. I think they'd really enjoy them when they're a little bit older. Until I masters sewing, we'll just enjoy our real picnics! :)

Exhausted

I'm feeling exhausted. And overwhelmed. I guess, I should expect it to come with the territory. I'm a single mom of 4 kiddos. Trying to balance the entire world on my shoulders. And it's starting to catch up with me. So I'm trying to take time out of my day for me. Like putting on makeup, doing my hair, painting my nails.

I know it sounds shallow. But I think I need to take care of me, in order to better care for my kiddos. Does that make any sense at all? I hope it does. I don't expect to go all out again. To be like that same girl I was 5 or 6 years ago. But I want to be a woman who cares again.

And I think that starts with better sleeping and eating. Eventually, I want to try and exercise. You know, just be a healthy person. I hope that helps. I'm so tired. And it's tough. I suppose, I just need to pray more. :)

Mac-N-Cheese

Something as simple as Mac-N-Cheese makes my boys so happy! We have a large supply of food at our fingertips now. We've never really had this much. Never close to this much. And it feels a little, dare I say it, shocking. I'm used to having a few things in the pantry. My hubby bringing home whatever, for the next day. But not a lot.

This afternoon, I asked my boys what they wanted to eat for dinner. Very excitedly, they jumped up and down when I opened the pantry. And they right away pointed to the Mac-N-Cheese. Yes, that's what we had for dinner. With a little salad and some ham. It was simple, but good. And exactly what we all needed! Oh, and I think it's the first time they've ever had Kraft's. It really is different from the no name brand. :)