Chores!

I've been giving my little ones more responsibilities and chores lately.  I think they are more than capable to do a little a more around the house to help out.  We're almost all caught up on laundry and I've let them put it all away.  They've also been helping unload the dishwasher as much as they can.  And today they raked the yard and picked up sticks.  They've finally mastered cleaning their rooms but I can't get them to do it quick enough.  Darcy loves to dust and make beds.  She likes keeping things picked up.  The boys aren't as excited about doing things. 

I made a schedule for the kids to go by during the summer.  Its also a way to help me be more productive during the day.  We have a small amount of chores and the rest is things like table time, reading time, outside play, movie/rest.  This week I think I'm going to break out the slip n slide.  We also have a few play dates scheduled with some friends.  Trying to make the most of our summer!!!

I survived!!!

The last few days have been full of emotions.  Jessica graduated on Friday night.  She was salutatorian and I couldn't have been more prouder of her speech.  She cried and others cried with her.  It was a heartfelt speech. She left this morning with her classmates and one chaperone for Disney World. 

I am so proud of her.  She's a good kid.  I worry about her safety being in the real world but I have to trust God.  I've raised her well and she knows right from wrong but its not those things that I worry about. I worry about all the crazies out there that do harm to others.  I can get myself really worked up thinking about all the things out there that could happen and I know I should even entertain those things.

On Saturday morning I ran my first ever 5K... it was more than a race.... it was an obstacle course.  Its actually called The Almighty Mud Run.  It was one of the hardest things I've ever done physically and mentally.  But I did it.  I didn't quit.  I wanted to quit.  It was hard.   I cried but I pushed through it.  I swam through mud pits, submerged myself entirely at times to go under logs.  I swam a freezing cold lake.  I crossed over three sets of narrow balance beams over the cold lake and didn't fall of.  I climbed walls.  I went through barbed wire.  I faced my fear of heights on more than one obstacle.  I pushed myself like never before.  I had support from my husband and friends... they cheered me on and prayed me through.  It was TOUGH! But I'm sooooo glad I did it.  I'm glad I didn't quit when it got too hard.  I finished it.

Lions, Tigers and Bears!!! OH MY!!

Matthew and I are actually taking the kids camping at a real park - not our back yard!!!  I'm a little apprehensive b/c my bladder needs to be emptied several times throughout the night and I'm not too excited about walking to a bathhouse.  We're going at the end of this month and we will also be participating in a primitive archery competition while there.  I've been browsing pinterest for ideas and tips for camping. I have also spent most of my morning on the Camping World website looking at all sorts of fun things that will make this experience better. 

10 days until...

10 days until my daughter, Jessica, graduates from high school.  I can't even begin to explain all the emotions that I'm going through.  I'm excited for her but at the same time I'm extremely anxious about her being away from me.  She's been with me for half my life!  To think that she might not every "live" here again makes me sick.  Oh the emotions!!!! 

Thank you Jesus for Friends!!!

I do better when I'm around people... sometimes staying at home is great but for me I tend to get lonely.  However, I'm pretty pumped about the next few days for me!!!  Tonight we're having some friends over for dinner who happened to be our pastor and his family.  Thursday I have a pedi/mani date with a friend and Sunday - whew Sunday is busy.  My little ones are getting baptized AND I have a lunch date with an old friend.  Funny thing is she's not really an old friend... just someone I've known forever but b/c of FB we've actually become friends. 

At some point we've got to finish our garden.  We've done too much work not to finish it as this point!!!

Its Official

Jessica has made her choice - Auburn University at Montgomery!!!  She's very excited.  She was accepted to UAB, AUM and Troy early on but she wasn't sure where she wanted to go.  After visiting UAB I think she quickly decided that was not where she wanted to be.  We went to AUM last week and she immediately fell in love with the campus and everything there.  Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful.  It wasn't too big and it wasn't too small... perfect fit.  She's going to be living on campus.  The rooms are really small but she's not complaining... I guess I wasn't really aware of how small those living spaces are.... I've been told that those dorms are bigger than others.  Wow! 

Please continue to pray for her as she adjust to college life.  And as we finalize everything. 

Spring Breakin it!

We're in the middle of our Spring Break.  The little ones are acutally with Matthew's parents today.  So far we've had a pretty good week.  Monday and Tuesday was a bust but Wednesday we went to the park and met up with my mom and nephew.  Tomorrow I'm spending the day with the kids while my mother in law comes to sit with Gmaw. I've thought about taking them to a movie.  Other options are visiting different parks all day long :) and pump it up.  I'm hoping it warms up a little more.  Jessica spent last weekend and the first part of the week at the beach.  I was able to plan a last minute get away to visit my dear friend Staci in Mississippi.  It was a great weekend get away.  This weekend Matthew and I are spending Saturday with the kids - maybe planting a garden :)  Sunday is Easter and everyone is coming to our house to celebrate Easter AND the boys 7th birthday!!!!  I can't believe my boys are going to be 7!!!!!

Gearing Up from Spring Break

Our Spring Break is next week.  Jessica is going to be at the beach the first half of the week with a friend and on Wednesday all the kids have dentist appointments.  I'm hoping to squeeze something fun in at some point in the week just not sure what.  Maybe a movie or a day at the park... gotta figure it out and plan in advance so I can get someone to sit with grandmaw.

I remember when Spring Break used to be at the end of April... I think they should move it back!!!  Its too cold to really enjoy it. 

Keep on Keeping On!!

2013 is a big year!!! 

Jessica graduates and goes to college! 

Matthew and I celebrate 10 years of marriage in September!!! 

 

And because of these two important things I've decided that I AM REALLY GOING TO LOSE WEIGHT!!!  I've started jogging/walking.  My route is 2.4 miles but I like to say 2.5 miles b/c it sounds better.  I've always thought runners were cool so I'm trying really hard to become a runner.  Right now I'm more like a fast walker with a few jogs occasionally.  It feels great and though there's some tough times mentally - overall I really enjoy it. 

New York New York

Jessica is graduating in May and we are planning a trip to New York City!!!  My mom, sister and I are taking her to New York!!  How fun!!!  So far I've submitted a request for Jay Leno tickets and I have a reminder set for Jimmy Fallon and Kelly & Michael tickets.  We will definitely be making a stop by the Today Show one morning too.  I watch the Today Show every morning from 7 till 11am.

Now if we can only decide which Broadway performance to see!  Any suggestions? 

Have you been to New York?  Any must do's I need to ad to my list? 

CORRECTION!!!  Jay Leno isn't in New York City - hahahahaha

Updated

I'm trying to get back into the swing of blogging but so much has changed and I'm still trying to figure it out.  I have taken time to update my profile.  So much about me has changed since I last time filled that out.  I guess as I get older my likes and dislikes have changed - duh. 

A peek at Us

For Valentines Day Matthew arranged for a sitter for the kids and grandmaw.  He booked us a hotel room down town and we had dinner reservations.  It was a much needed break and a huge surprise. 

Darcy would not buy this hat!  I thought she looked adorable!!!  I couldn't even get her to smile for a picute!  Her favorite store is Clairs.

This is the day that it snowed in Alabama.  I told my kids I'd check them out of school when the first snowflake fail and I did.  They were so excited but it never stuck.  Still holding out hope for snow!!!

My baby is graduating this year.  I can't even talk about it without getting emotional.  This kid has been a part of my life for half of my life!!!!  Its hard to imagine her being off at college.  Its scary. 

shocked?

yes i'm blogging.... to tell you the truth i haven't had home internet in months b/c we use our iphones for everything but we recently decided to get home internet so we could try hulu and netflix.  i don't know if anyone checks this or not...

its been a year since i blogged last and so much as happened but i'll save you the loooong post. here's a few things you need to know.

jessica graduates in May and has decided to pursue a career in nursing.  she's going to get a 4 year degree and at the moment we think at UAB.

Darcy, Jacob and Jeremiah played Upwards basketball this year and really enjoyed it for the most part. 

Darcy is in 2nd grade and has been tested for the gifted program.  She's a little artist.  Always painting, drawing or some sort of craft.  She loves to be the teachers helper.  She loved basketball... and is already begging to play again next year. 

Jacob loves cars.  He still takes a handful where ever he goes. He's doing great in school as well.  He's a ladies man and likes to have all the little girls attention. He loved playing basketball.  He likes sports.

Jeremiah's teacher asked us very early on about the gifted program... he's actually a grade too young but they think he should be tested too.  He reads like his daddy.  He loves to play video games and we have to really watch his time or else he'll play all day.  He likes to take things apart and figure them out.

Matthew and I will celebrate 10 years of marriage in September.  We also welcomed his 90 year old grandmother into our home at the end of January.  She has Alzheimer's and it makes for interesting times.  She cannot be left alone so I spend my days watching Gunsmoke and other old tv shows.  Its been a huge adjustment but well worth it. 

Maybe I'll have more time to Blog... we'll see. 

My baby is growing up!

I laid in bed last night with my 16 old daughter, she was overwhelmed and I could see it all over her face. The thought of graduating and becoming an adult is a little intimidating. Trying to figure out what you wanna be when you grow up is no easy task! There's a lot of pressure from everyone around. I try to be encouraging and listen to her desires but at the same time steer her in the right decision. I don't want to be overbearing. I want her to see all the possibilities.

She's taking the ACT again in April. I want her to take it several times before actually graduating. She graduates in May of 2013. We also signed up for a Campus Visit to Auburn in April. I don't care where she goes to college (although I prefer she not attend Alabama b/c I personally feel its just a big ole party). I think it would be best to start off at a local community college and then transfer but I'm going to leave this up to her for the time being.

We've gotta go buy a dress for her Junior Banquet.

785 to 39

my first year blogging I had 785 post - this year I've had 39

SLACKER

I apologize if anyone has missed my post - Facebook is so much easier and so when I have something to say I normally just post a one liner. Blogging was fun when everyone still did it - and I know that some still do. Its just not as much as we all did back in the day.

I can't think of anything to post here that wouldn't be a repeat of facebook - I realize Denise doesn't FB but she gets emails with the latest Brock happenings ;)

Darcy turned SEVEN! On the same day Jessica took her first trip to the ER. She passed out that morning, whacked her head and had a seizure (in that order). She's better now - she returned to basketball yesterday. She hasn't had any headaches in days.

Matthew has been working crazy hours - 80.5 hours last week actually. EIGHTY HOURS FOLKS!!! THATS CRAZY! Not to knock anyone's job but my hubby does manual labor and I can't imagine doing 8 hours - 80 hours is WILD! He's a trooper though - no complaints from him! I think he deserves everything on his christmas list ;) Which would be a new ipod!

The boys are wonderful - lately they've let me love on them a little longer. They keep me laughing.

Christmas is going to be great this year! Last year was pretty crummy - I don't think I posted it but we almost lost our house to foreclosure at Thanksgiving. We had all 4 kids in private school, I was driving 2 hours roundtrip every day to school and things were rough. Christmas was pitiful. I cried most of Christmas morning. I realize its not about the gifts but when you have little children - as a parent you want to be able to buy them christmas presents. This year we're both working and I've been buying a few things here and there for the past several months (small things). Anything is better than last year.

so forth and so on

I'm at work and I'm actually pretty busy but I'm stuck in between things so I have a minute to blog.

Work is still work - it puts money in the account. I like my job most days - sometimes I hate that I can't run errands when I need to or that I can't sleep in... or that I never get to watch the Today show with Hoda and KLG :( But I like the people I work with/for and I like what I do.

Matthew and I have been meeting with a guy from our church who specializes in counseling. We went to him for some financial counseling but it turns out its been so much more than just money. I've enjoyed our weekly meetings. Sometimes its painful but I appreciate what God is doing through him and my wonderful husband. I've learned (or maybe admitted) a lot about myself - my character and I understand more. I've let go of a lot. I have to make a real effort every day (several times a day) to not let something affect me.... ie someone cutting me off on the road, a random fb post that I swear is directed at me or the look that someone gave me. Its been really freeing. I don't want to sound cheesy. I just appreciate the things that are happening inside of me.

I keep telling myself that I'm not responsible for other people's actions - just mine! so who cares how they behave towards me.

When someone gives you hell you gotta give them Jesus - P.C.
Before I just wanted to give them hell right back

haPPy BiRthDay deNiSE!!!

I wanted to wish Denise a very Happy Birthday!!!!

In the 8 years I've known her I've only seen her 2x but she's a dear sweet friend!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DENISE,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOOOOOOOOU!

My Birthday Surprise

I'm a control freak - there I said it! I have to always know whats going on - I don't like to be out of the loop.
This makes it hard to pull one over on me.
My hubby called Jamie in Atlanta and invited ourselves over for my b'day weekend. I had no idea until what was going on but finally the night before things were supposed to happen I made him tell me. I was having a slight panic attack b/c he was telling me that he was going to pack for me and that we were all going out of town. Well, Jeremiah was still recovering from surgery and the kids were suppose to start their new school on Monday - I didn't think we needed to be going anywhere! Once he told me where we were going I was too excited to sleep! Jamie had been living in Atlanta for 2 years and we've planned to visit several times but each time something would come up. So FINALLY we were going!!! We had a blast!!! We stayed up every night past midnight playing games or talking. She waited on my like I was at a bed and breakfast! We spent 3+ hours at IKEA. Our kids played great together (although i'm sure the Boemer Boys were glad to see those Brock Boys leave b/c they were ROWDY!) I can't wait to go back!!!!



Okay so the weekend AFTER my b'day - sorry I have no pics. I had a long day at work. I had to stay a little later than usual. I had a lot of stuff on my mind and I came in the door a little grumpy. I started unloading all my junk on my hubby - during this time Jessica was up to something. She was trying to get me into the bathroom but she failed.
Normally I come straight in the door, go the bathroom and start undressing - NOT on this day. You see, my dear friend Staci and Tiff were hiding in my shower!!! They finally gave up and came out of hiding. They were there to kidnap me!!! I had only a few minutes to pack and we were out the door. We had dinner at Joe's Italian where we met Jamie - but I didn't know she was there. I had no idea what was going on the entire weekend.... I was just told to get dressed and lets go! We spent the night at nearby hotel where Crystal joined up for some games. The next morning we went to the Galleria and eventually made our way to Aveeda Spa and Salon where my other friend Amy was to meet us. We had pedi's. Afterwards we ate lunch at Johnny Rocket's then off to Amy's for mexian train dominos. We ended up seeing a 9:50PM movie and coming back to my house afterwards... That was late Saturday night. Sunday we spent the day sleeping. I can't believe my friends pulled one over on me. I was so touched by all the effort they had put into making my birthday special. I love those girls!!!!

Gotta Get em OUT!

Jeremiah had his tonsils and adnoids out right before school started. We went in to see the ENT on Tuesday and on Thursday we were having surgery. I didn't want him to miss any school so I pushed for them to do it right away - I'd been telling them for 2 years that he needed to have them removed! He did really well afterwards. We were told to expect the worst but he was great! He never threw up. He came home and ate right away - well other than falling asleep while eating :) His worse days were probably day 4, 5 and 6 and only because he was healing and when he woke up in the mornings it would be really dry.



This was after taking the "sleepy" med and waiting for it to work. He came back from surgery and said "You can't take my tonsils!" He had no clue it was already over!