Update!

So I went to Ooltewah Elementary School to have Thanksgiving lunch with TC today. I haven't been able to spend alone time with TC away from all the other kids in a long while. I really enjoyed talking with him and I could tell he loved having my undivided attention. He was also excited to show me the top runners in his class. He keeps getting third place and is so hard on himself. After lunch I gave him a hug and told him I would see him after school. As I walked away, I looked back and saw TC look around the corner to watch me leave. I cried all the way home. I guess I just remember times when my mom would come to my school and eat with me and I cherish those memories. I really loved being able to spend time with T.C.

AJ is my little helper at home. He helps with the chores and has such a good attitude about it. He always tells me how much he loves me and how pretty I am. I think it is so sweet. I think he will be very ready for preschool next year. I can tell he is getting board of being at home all day and needs an outlet. Maybe gymnastics. He jumps around, climbs the furniture and swings from the top bunk constantly. How many times do I have to say stop? I think we need bars in our backyard.

Dakota is definetely showing so much personality. She loves all the girly things. I am not used to this. She wants to wear makeup, put lotion on all day. She loves high heels, purses and anything that might resemble a bracelet. The cutest thing is how her little bootie shakes as she walks/runs. You gotta burger to go with that shake? I also love how she throws fits about what she wants to wear. Tennis shoes would be the most practical thing right now but she wants pretty dress shoes to wear. She also loves skirts. I guess I will have to start letting her choose her own outfits.

Jaxon is still the perfect baby. I guess that might give my other children a complex but I don't know how else to describe him. He sleeps so great, he eats great, he loves to play around on the floor and rolls everywhere. He is so ticklish and laughs out loud when I change him or talk to him. I can honestly say I know what it must have been like for Mary in the song "Away In A Manger" No crying he makes is totally possible.

Having two babies to take care of and three still at home all day gets very overwhelming but I do love my babies. I think I changed 5 poopy diapers today. Can't they just get it out just once and be done? I so look forward to Steve coming home in the evening and I so enjoy my walks. They destress me.

Also, Jaxon had his 4 month check up last week and I guess I am just used to hearing that my children are in the 95% in height and 50 - 75% for weight but I just look at Jaxon and can't help but think he is definetely my biggest baby. He just seems like a giant already.

Please share!

So, after I got Dakota to sleep, I took Jaxon outside for some fresh air. I was wearing a short sleeve top and thinking how nice it is that in November, I can wear short sleeves. Now, on the contrary, I remember wearing a sweatshirt on a June or July night in Colorado and Idaho and thinking that was great. I have to admit that I am loving this great weather.

This past Sunday was our family dinner day! Every month during the year, someone in the family has everyone over. No, I haven't taken my turn yet. I'm afraid that everyone would feel claustrophobic. Anyway, I spent some time talking with a couple of my sisters-n-law about organization in a big family. I think my last 3 children came so fast that I never had time to think or readjust how I was doing things. What might work with 1 or 2 children, may not work with 3 or 4. Needless to say, I have felt very disorganized since our move.

How in the world do I move from a 3 bedroom apartment to a 5 bedroom house and not have enough space for everything? Well, I started to break it down. Where are my problem areas? My laundry room and my desk are the biggest. Oh, and lets not forget my closet and the hall closet. So, how do they do it. I got a few tips.

1. Keep all of the kids socks in the laundry room and don't worry about mating them. I love the idea of keeping their socks down here in their very own little rubbermaid drawers. Although, I do have to mate TC and AJ's socks. I KNOW that TC doesn't care to wear an ankle sock on one foot and a crew sock on the other. Hence, the mating will continue.

2. Stop folding underwear. I guess that I might just be a nut but yes, I fold everything. Anyway, if I want to be successful at keeping a household together, then I must let a few things go. That includes folding underwear.

3. Go paperless with your bills. Online billing can be great. I was halfway there but I might take the entire plung!

4. Buy a new front loader washer and dryer. Ok, that isn't quite reasonable for me right now but when I ever have to buy a new washer and dryer....oh, yeah! I would love to get all of our jeans washed in 1 load.

Just a few tips but man it has helped me a bunch this week. I realize that we have to make things work for us and all of our priorities are different but I hope that maybe you could share a few of your time saving tips and organizational tips with me. What can you not live without?
How do you keep things tidy?

Enjoy!

AJ enjoying some Xbox time.

Dakota being Dakota! At least she wasn't getting into trouble!

TC getting his year end trophy for football.

Dakota

Jaxon has had a lot of teeth come in overnight!

happy halloween

Happy Halloween!

We have had great fun this week. Monday night we carved pumpkins for FHE. TC drew the face on his pumpkin and didn't enjoy cleaning out the goo! Too slimy! Dakota had her fair share of grabbing knives off of the counter and always trying to run away as fast as she can so that she doesn't get caught. What a stinker! If I can survive while I get her raised, I think I will be able to accomplish anything.

Wednesday night we had Trunk or Treat at our church. I had to laugh at Dakota because she about threw a fit when I handed her a pumpkin to put her candy in. She threw the pumpkin down on the ground and screamed at me. I guess we just assume that they will get excited about these things. Anyway, she felt very pleased to sit with dad and hand out candy while I took AJ to each car. Why not TC, you might ask? Well, TC was just a little too fast for us. The kids made out pretty good, though.

Friday night, we went to Derek and Marcie's for their halloween bash. I wish that I had taken pictures of all their decorations because they did an awesome job. We had dinner and all kinds of fun snacks while we were there. At about 6:30 we took the kids to Darrin and Jennifer's neighborhood so they could go trick or treating. I think TC outlasted all of the other kids. He ran from one house to the next, to the next. I had to keep yelling for him to stay with the group. I guess football must have whipped him into shape. We all went back to Darrin and Jennifer's house where we hung out for a little while, until the kids started getting sleepy. We also had to go pick up Jaxon from Grandma's house. She was kind enough to keep him while we did our trick or treating. It was so different to be out at the end of October and not freezing to death. I think TC has always had to wear a coat and mittens to go trick or treating. What a fun halloween and yes, the kids have way too much candy. I'm sure it will last a very long time.