How we miss our old trainer, as I’m sure you could tell by previous posts. Today was lesson #1 with the new trainer and it went so-so. There were things I liked about her, and things I didn’t. I had to keep reminding myself she isn’t Jacque and that she isn’t going to do things like her.

Honestly, she worked Brie hard. In fact, we opted for a half hour private lesson to get back into the swing of things. I’m really glad we did. She works them a lot harder, and I noticed isn’t quite as interested in safety as Jacque was. For the record, she was never in any sort of danger, it was just not the “same” so to speak. I liked that Brie had a hard lesson today, because I think it reminded her about what riding is all about.

Her next lesson is next Friday, and I am so hoping it will go well. It is back to her one hour group lessons and she will probably be happy to be back with her friends.

She cried about Jacque almost all the way home tonight, so the pain is still very real to her. She also had a terrible migraine which I am quite sure the crying didn’t help. She told me she didn’t want to take lessons with the new trainer again, but I’m encouraging her to try a few more. Just like me, she has to keep reminding herself that we can try countless trainers and none will be Jacque. So we need to figure out who the best is, and right now the new trainer is pushing her - to me that’s as good as it gets.

We really wanted to sign the kids up for VBS (Visual Basic Script) this summer, but our two oldest are well….too old. They still want to go, but everyone thinks 13 is too old. I hate that.

Tonight we got invited to go to the final night of V.B.S. (Vacation Bible School) at our friends church, and she wanted all five of them to go. They had a blast and we found a new church. Yay!

It was fun, and the church has a great children’s ministry so I’m thrilled that the kids loved it and they want to go back. Sunday will be our first church service with just Mike and I and my two kiddos, and then we will return next Sunday with all the kids (they are at mom’s this weekend). After next week we will evaluate and see if everyone is happy with staying and I’m really hoping they are. It’s a bit closer (not by a lot) than where we go, but its also bigger, has its own building and has a reputable youth ministry. Three things I was wanting. I’ve been praying and as usual He answered in a way that was clear as day for me. Things are definitely looking up.

Oh, and V.B.S. rocked!

I am sure it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out how all those things can combine to make one complete disaster. Yeah.

So I get this call yesterday from a number I didn’t recognize. I let the machine get it. I was surprised to hear my son’s voice since he is at camp, but they did tell us they let them call home whenever they want - it is the sponsors choice, and my son’s sponsor rocks!
First thing - I need to tell my son he needs to talk slower. I couldn’t actually get the phone on fast enough before he hung up. So I called right back. No answer. I continued calling for about two hours off and on, because I know the cell phones get bad receptions out there, so I was hoping the sponsor might at least look at his phone and see that some crazy lady had called his phone at least a half dozen times.

Finally my son called back. Now, first off - he was not the one that wanted to go to camp. If he could have sat in his bedroom and read books all summer he’d have been perfectly alright with that. Yeah. Not happening on my watch. So off to camp he went. I am happy to report that his teenage self is doing great and he is having fun. He actually has a couple of friends he is hanging with, and that in itself makes me smile and know I made the right choice.

However, he was calling with a mission. He got hit in the nose/eye/somewhere up there with a water balloon hard enough that it caused a bloody nose and his eye looks all red and puffy. Camp nurse informed him that he might end up with a black eye. I’m thinking probably not, but I’m glad they encouraged him to call home to tell me just so that I do know. Anyway, he was fine and was really talkative (which means he is having fun) and seems happy.

Guess what they ate for dinner last night? Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and spice cake. WHAT?!?!?! They ate better than us! I’m jealous. I asked how my step-daughter was making out there, but he said she’s ignoring him. Ahhh…sibling happiness. Just gotta love it. So I am assuming she is just fine, and I know he is just fine, so life is uhm….. almost normal.

Only three more days and they are back. Why couldn’t sleep away camp be longer than six days five nights? Why?!?!

Well, we got the kiddo’s off to camp today. The two oldest left this morning for teen camp so we have the other three home still. They go to the same camp in July.

My step-daughter was funny this morning. She told me that she had a dream that we couldn’t get her to camp and she didn’t go, and she woke up halfway crying because she has been so excited to go.  Totally the opposite of my son who would have rather stayed home, but was kinda made to go. They are both 13 in case you are wondering. And yes, it’s sleepaway.

Oh! Bit of advice - if you are taking your children to drop them off somewhere you’ve never been for them to leave on a bus to go to a camp you’ve never been,  that is a few hours away from your town and you decide to leave the house at 9am because they are supposed to be there at 10am, and it takes about 40 minutes to get to the destination you need to drop them off at because that is what the camp sponsor told you. And you are relying on Yahoo maps to get you there because again, you’ve never been to this church before and it’s supposed to be 40 minutes away. Don’t. Seriously. Do not (I repeat, DO NOT) rely on Yahoo Maps. We wound up 45 minutes East of where we needed to be! In fact, we wound up right where my son went to 5th grade camp several years ago. Yeesh!

We arrived at the church at 11:08am. An hour and 8 minutes after they asked us to be there. All the while of this agonizing 2 hours of horror, I am calling all four phone numbers that they gave me to call, and NOBODY is answering any of them - people why do you have a cell phone if you won’t answer it! I had to stop at this tiny gas station in the smallest po-dunk town, and lemme just tell you - these people were absolutely sweet!!

They enlisted customers, 411 information, and they used what little information I was able to give to them and a very old,  incomplete map hanging on the back wall to piece together enough information to get us there. I left that gas station at 10:52am.

We were literally praising God when we arrived at the church and the bus was still there. So, the two kids are gone and it’s actually pretty quiet around here with only three. But we did take full advantage of the rest of the day and went fishing (caught nothing), had a campfire, ate a dinner that the other two picky eaters won’t eat, and enjoyed root beer floats to round out the whole day.

I’m actually exausted. Now I’m sippin’ a Strawberry Margarita (which I don’t do often) and am about to hit the hay! Catch ya later!

Happy Father’s Day to all you dads!

It’s that time of year again, where everyone is spending time away from home visiting with friends and family. It is the perfect time for a holiday. However, taking the family with you can sometimes be a challenge. It’s important when taking family holidays to consider children in the big picture and not just thinking about what the adults want to do.

How many times have you gotten to your destination only to realize that the hotel you chose is not one of those family hotels, but is for those that are very obviously trying to get away from children? It is important to look for hotels that serve families well. If a hotel doesn’t appear as family friendly, it probably isn’t. There are usually proud to advertise this fact, so if it doesn’t - don’t go.

So, now you’ve chosen the perfect family hotel, but now what are you supposed to do? Planning family days out, is an important part of your trip or holiday. It is typically what makes your holiday memories. Make sure you keep your children in mind when planning your day out so they get plenty of time to do things they enjoy also. Try for family friendly things that mum and dad will enjoy right alongside with the kids.

And when it comes to mealtime on holiday, making your children sit through a meal at some fancy restaurant is silly. You need to keep your eyes out for child friendly restaurants and that is where you need to go. Remember that children have a difficult time sitting still, they need foods that keep them happy and servers that are used to dealing with children.

If you do these things, you will have a fabulous holiday!

Our trainer sent us this video and not only was it educational but fascinating too.

And my daughter thought cleaning horse stalls was tough!

http://videos.komando.com/2008/06/07/a-very-big-pet/

Where in the world has Nicole gone? I have been inundated by emails asking me where I went to. The sad part is, I didn’t even really mean to disappear. Isn’t that what everyone says when they disappear?

Life just got in the way, but I’m here.

Things I’ve Been Up To:

Camp Stuff
Our two oldest leave for Teen Camp on Sunday (yes Father’s day) so we have been busy trying to find all the crap they have to take to camp. Do you know it is nearly impossible to find ROBES (yes you read that right) in the middle of the summer that actually FIT children. *sigh* They are required to wear a robe if they want to leave their cabin in the evening to go to the bathroom. No PJs can be showing. Boys are not adhered to the same rules. We had to buy a crap load of stuff to get them ready, and the worst part is that next month the other kids go and we have to do this all over again!

Work
I took on two new writing jobs. They have required a whole new level of learning, researching and writing to work with the various systems I have been required to learn. In addition, it is taking up a LOT of my time because well - quite frankly I suck at time management. I’m getting there.

School’s Out
Summer break with five kids has been hectic. Trying to keep everyone amused isn’t as easy as it sounds. They joined the summer reading program, so that has consumed a lot of time (you know they just have to earn those prizes!) which has been nice and quiet. But when they get bored or they’ve spent a huge part of the day reading, finding things to do with $80 tanks of gas has not been pleasant.

Sad Stuff
Most of you who have followed my blog for any length of time have noticed that our family has a slight addiction for horses. And you would also know that my daughter is an English Hunter rider. Well, her amazing, wonderful, can-seriously-never-be-replaced trainer moved to New York. We were all devastated and she hasn’t had a lesson since. Friday is the day. Cross your fingers and say some prayers. I need her to love this new lady. I don’t want her to give up. I had no idea how much we loved her trainer until the day I read the words that she was leaving. It has been a really difficult past few weeks trying to recover from that unexpected blow. (heck I’m getting teary right now!) UGH! I have pictures from her goodbye party here.

Max Turns 1
My baby turned one. He is such a great little dog. So smart, so trainable and such a sweetheart. He turned one on June 4th. Happy Birthday Max. I baked him a doggie cupcake. He loved it.

Oh, and we’re currently raising tadpoles as if I don’t have enough things on my plate. LOL

I’m going to be back sooner rather than later.

Thirteen recent/random websites I have enjoyed lately.

1. 5 Minutes for Mom - This site rocks and I visit often. It makes me feel good about myself and I love reading the daily blogs. If you are interested in a possible job with them, be sure and visit this link and apply.

2. The Daily Dish - a daily recipe AND article dedicated to helping parents feed their families for less.

3. Horse Riding Game - a highly addictive game (even if you aren’t a horseback rider) that our trainer sent us. Too fun!

4. Mighty Optical Illusions - an awesome site that has all kinds of optical illusions. Our favorites are the sidewalk/street art. (see 3D Chalk Drawings)

5. The Archive of Misheard Lyrics - I don’t know why we love this one so much but we can sit and giggle for an hour or more looking through the lyrics. Some we can totally relate to.

6. Think Geek - Great website full of geeky toys. I just love this site.

7. Blog Writers - Imagine why I would like this site? Be sure and watch the video at the bottom of the front page. So funny!

8. CuppacinJoe - I love this guys blog, all about….coffee!! Yum!

9. The Lazy Organizer - This chick is cool, funny and motivational. I love the fact that she knows what a real person is like and makes organizing easier because of it.

10. I’m an Organizing Junkie - Another awesome organizing website. I just love her blog template and it makes me motivated to do things. Plus she runs menu plan Monday which I plan to start participating in. We are changing our eating habits and this will be an awesome way to incorporate that (and be held accountable!)

11. Kristine Kane’s blog - Love her. Enough said.

12. Simple and Delicious - Put out by Taste of Home. I just bought two magazine style cookbooks from them THIS WEEK! We’ve tried several things out of them and YUMMY!!!

13. Be Centsable - Want to learn to save money on food and other items. Here ya go!

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Most of you know I am a random surfer. I have a bunch of websites and blogs that I visit regularly, but for the most part I tend to surf a lot. Always on the lookout for new material, funny items and things to blog about. Yeah… just me.

I did a random search for something the other day and came across a web directory free of charge. While it had absolutely nothing to do with what I was looking for, I spent about an hour surfing through many of the websites linked to on this site. I also took the time to submit one of my sites.

It is a really nicely done directory too, and this is coming from someone who regularly submits to directories, surfs through them and reviews them as well. My thoughts on this web directory is that it is really clean and attractive. Very easy to navigate through, which is a really nice thing, since many of today’s web directory’s are a mess. In addition, while it isn’t jam packed with sites, the information is displayed in accurate categories, and browsing for whatever topic you are looking for, is as simple as clicking a link.

Something else I immediately noticed was how simple it is to get your own site included into this free directory. They have a blurb about how to do it on the bottom of each page that you access, and it seems relatively painless. Not to mention that they have a nice page rank still that was not affected by the most recent google page rank drop. (two of my sites were affected and made me mad!).

By far this is a great web directory and you should definitely check it out and be sure and submit your own site.