Clean Smell

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the smell of a clean house. The aroma of mixed cleaning agents, swirling in the air, sends some kind of euphoric message to my brain. You would think that I would clean all day, every day because of this. Well I don't. I'm like any other sane stay at home mom and go through phases. I'll clean my house whole house, top to bottom, one day. Then I go 4 days without so much as touching the dishes. Why? That's the ultimate question isn't it?
Today, I actually had the desire to clean, because I knew how good I would feel afterward. I only got half the house done (in 3 hours!), but it's the half that visitors might see. If I do what I should do, I will clean the other half tomorrow.
Of course, as any house with kids living in it, not even a minute after I was done cleaning the kids had made huge mess. They found a box (we're still unpacking) with some Styrofoam in it, and went to town. It looked like it snowed! I guess I should have taken a picture for blogging purposes....

Logo

I have been wanting to create some kind of logo for myself. Especially now that I have started posting photos online. I thought it would be cool to use my name, since it is unique. My sister-in-law Angela helped with the logo by telling me how to spell "Jessica" phonetically. I plan to use this logo on all my art, photographs, and handmade stuff.

Dallas Blooms

The Dallas arboretum has their annual spring show right now. Me and my cousin Catherine and kids went there last week. I didn't bring my camera, and I wanted to kick myself. Well, Wednesday, Earl came over to the house and watched the kids for me so I could take pictures of the flowers. I didn't have a lot of time, but came away with some pretty good shots I think.

MyFragile Sanity

Last night I was so excited. Joe was coming home. For some reason he always plans his flights to arrive at 11.30pm or later at the airport, which is an 1.5 hour drive. I went to bed, with the sweet knowledge that I would wake up with my husband next to me in bed. I even vaguely remember him getting in bed.
That must have been a dream. This morning, no husband in my bed. No husband in the bathroom, and no husband anywhere else in the house. A little confused, I got on the computer and checked his itinerary. Sure enough, I was off an entire day! I couldn't believe it. Another day without him! He is my strength, my sanity, and the only adult I interact with - really- .
My only hope for my mental sanity; it was my turn for the kid-swap with Teresa. So I dropped off the kids, and headed to Target. Nothing a shopping spree won't fix right? We are doing family photos this coming week, so I wanted to get "matching" outfits. I found some great polo shirts for the boys, and cute lacy, eyeletty tops for the girls. I still needed some things and had 30 minutes left, so I headed to Old Navy. My other sanctuary. As it goes in any store, I came out with WAY more than I had come for. The winter clothes were on sale, so I just had to get some for next year. It's always hard on my to buy clothes, or anything else for that matter, that I don't need right away, but I guess in the long run it saves a lot of money when I get it on sale. Of course my kids will never have the coolest, trendiest clothes, but will end up wearing whatever the store couldn't sell, and had to put on clearance to get rid of it. That's all right, they don't know the difference (yet)

Sulking to a better mood

I had been dreading it all day. 3 hours outside, with nothing to do, and 2 kids to entertain. Tonight was T-ball practice for both Winter and Sterling, and they are back to back. So from 5pm-8pm my life is at a standstill. Well, not totally, because it's also good quality time spent with my kids. It doesn't happen often that I can give them my undivided attention. I am usually doing something.Sterling always plays first. He seems to have a great time, smiles a lot. However, he doesn't really get into the game. The coach often has to tell him to pay attention, and when the ball is thrown at him he doesn't always catch it...None of this matters to me though, as long as he is having a good time. I just think it's good for him to interact with other kids, and listen to other adults giving direction.

Winter and Ginger had fun reading books in the back of someone's pickup truck with some other girls that were waiting for their brothers.After Winter went to her own practice, Ginger entertained herself with bubbles for quite some time.I thought it would be fun to do a self-portrait of me at T-ball practice.

When I got ready to leave I noticed the flat tire. Oh NO!!!! My first flat tire ever. I guess I was lucky enough to have it at a place where some men could help me change it, and not on the side of the highway in the middle of the night.

Circle of Life

My whole life I've had 3 sets of grandparents. My father's parents got divorced, and both remarried when my dad was still little. I always had a strong bond with all of them, as my parents frequently let me stay over. My maternal grandparents were perhaps the most involved in our life. My Grandmother passed away today. She has been sick for the past couple of years, and her body finally had had enough. I am saddened to think I won't have to opportunity to see her again in this life, but at the same time rejoice to think I will see her again at some point. I also lost my grandma several years ago, and 2 of my grandpas last year, so now I only have 2 grandparents left. I am just glad that I had the privilege to know all of them, and happy to be able to spend some more (phone) time with the ones I still have.

Fundraising for school

I just got finished spending my whole evening fundraising with Winter for her school. Her school is holding a fundraiser by selling cookie dough and magazine subscriptions. I am pretty new to all of this, and decided I better do my part. When she gets a certain amount of orders she gets all sorts of prizes. We met our goal of 20 sales, so she can do the "build a bear workshop" and also dress it in whatever clothes she wants. Then, we were so close to the next milestone, which is 30 seconds in the "money machine", so we just kept going a little longer. This money machine will be fun for her, because she can put anything she gets in her Disney piggy bank. I am going to have a little practice session with her.. I'm not sure how.. but I think we'll be able to work out a good strategy. I am mostly motivated for this whole thing because Winter's school obviously does not have extra money to go around. There are a lot of lower income families in the school, so they really will be able to use this. Thanks for all of you who have helped her reach her goal!