So, the boys went back to school today!!! I had a hard time getting them all out of bed as, even though it is a week later, they still aren't used to the time change. It was nice being at work today not having to wonder whether the house would still be intact when I got home. Iz picked up Chris from school today and sends me a text telling me that Chris is telling everyone Iz is his "uncle-dad". Chris just asked me last week if Iz was his dad. I wasn't exactly sure how to explain it since we are not married, but he has been in Chris's life since he was one. I told Chris that Iz was kind of his step-dad. Of course, at five years old, I didn't really think just how confusing this would be to him. So, now Chris's friends know Iz as "uncle-dad". HAHA...the way their little minds work!

I had a team parent meeting tonight for baseball. Have I mentioned that Tyler roped me into this lovely job? I am thinking by the end of this season I may have no hair left, or as Iz pointed out today, the grey is increasing. What man in his right mind tells a woman that her grey hair is getting more obvious? Obviously one that knows he can get away with it ;) Anyway, I now have the tasks of sewing on patches to shirts, making concession stand, scorekeeper and announcer schedules, not to mention snack schedules. Iz's mom said she is making a banner, God bless her! I am supposed to help in the dug-out with batting order. This is definitely a crash course in 101 of Baseball!

We are still doing amazingly well at the store. We doubled our goal today again! The weather was beautiful so that may have had something to do with it. Whatever the case, I couldn't be happier with sales.

Tomorrow is gonna be crazy. Iz also told me today that a friend of his is a car salesman and has a few suburbans for me to take a look at. We are going to Kerrville in the morning to take a peek. I'm not getting my hopes up, but it sure would be nice to have a car that we weren't constantly having to fix something on. Then I have to be back by 3 to pick up my co-workers son, then Chris at 3:15. Cole has tutoring til 5, then he and Trapper have baseball practice at 5:30. Tyler has a scrimmage at 5:30 as well and I have to have a meeting with parents regarding everything from tonight's meeting. Then everyone is done at 7 and we will have to rush home to eat, take baths, finish homework and read and try to be in be by 8 which I'm sure will end up being 8:30. But you know what? I wouldn't give all this chaous(however you spell it) up for the world. I sure love these men in my life!

Well, it's 10:15 and I still have some laundry to do, so til next time...Adios!

Spring Break

We have had a record spring break at the store!!! I am fearful I may run out of merchandise for the weekend. I have more landing tomorrow thank goodness. I am so blessed to have an amazing crew to work with. They are really putting in the effort that is needed to make everything go as well as it is.

The boys were with their dad until Wednesday. That was so helpful. Colton stayed the night at Mom's tonight and Tyler went to the restaurant for a while to work with Iz. Man they are growing up so fast. Tyler actually grilled our dinner while he was there and it turned out really good. Maybe he will take up cooking too. He was really excited to spend time with Iz in a grown up setting. Tomorrow they will all be with their grandparents for a day of fun. I think they may have lost it though. They are taking the boys to Trade Days with them, yes, all four boys!!! I know they will behave, but I don't know if I would try that ;)

I hope this weekend turns out nice. I would like to take the boys fishing on Sunday since it is the last day of spring break. Hopefully we won't be too exhausted from work to go. Chris got in trouble last week at school for locking bathroom stalls and then crawling out under them. When I asked him why he would do that, he told me, "Mom, I don't want to be here. I want to be fishing with Izzy." How do you get mad at that!? Guess he really needs his fishing time.

Well, I better get some sleep so I can be ready to tackle the crowds again tomorrow.

Woohoo!!! The restaurant is open!

After a full weekend of hard work on Iz's part getting everything ready, the restaurant is open for business. He sent me a text saying he had his first customer. I am so excited and happy for him. I went by earlier today and he is in his zone. There is nothing like having your own space to cook in. It's nice too because he cooked lunch for me and he didn't even mind. I definitely think this is a good thing.

I have four days of baseball practice this week. Yesterday, I spent the afternoon going thru all the baseball stuff and organizing everything, putting names on everything, and making sure each boys had his bag with all the equipment they need. Iz's mom has been so great in stocking the boys with bats, batting helmets, gloves, and cleats. She even brought Chris baseball pants and a shirt so that he can feel like part of the team. We even have four teeball bats to use for him. Tyler is very excited about the catchers helmet and chest pads that she brought. I think we have enough equipment for the whole team if we needed to supply them. I don't think I could have afforded everything without her.

Texas spring breaks started today. The weather was awful here this morning, but cleared up this afternoon. Now, it is starting to look like rain again. Only in Texas! This is really affecting the foot traffic at the store. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and 78F though so maybe we will be busier. Next week is our BIG week. I can't wait. I love to have a store full of people. I rearranged again this weekend. It just doesn't stop around there.

My 30th birthday is in 3 weeks. I don't know why it seems like a big stepping stone, I never thought I would care, but I do. I am not quite where I thought I would be at 30. I feel like I need to re-evaluate my life and see what I need to do to get things moving. I know that I still have over half my life to live, but I really thought I'd be a little further along. Oh well, I will get there. I have the drive, I just need more time I guess.

I didn't have a lot to say, just wanted to catch up on my blog. Until next time....

I think I've lost it...

Trapper and Cole's practice went very well on Tuesday! They seem to have a great coach and very good assistant coaches. My high school math teacher is an assistant coach. That's so crazy! But they definitely enjoyed themselves and actually got along really well.

Today I had a conference with Tyler's teachers this morning and Colton's teacher this afternoon. My boys are normal!!! I was so happy to hear that they are not the only one's goofing off. Does this mean I will get more lax on them? No, but at least I can breath a sigh of relief to know that it's not something I have done wrong.

Tyler had baseball practice tonight. This is his coaches first year, but he really seems to have a good spirit and I think we will have supportive assistant coaches. I knew I had no time to be a team mom, so I promised myself I would not take that role. Then, he asked for a volunteer and no one wanted to do it. I am now team mom!!! What happened to the word "NO"? Iz laughed because he knew I said I was not doing that this year. Oh well, I will make it a fun part of my schedule.

I found out last night that Chris is indeed old enough to play t-ball. I just don't think I can handle anymore right now and I have already told him that he would get to play next year. I hope that doesn't make me a bad parent, but I just have a lot on my plate at the moment.

The restaurant has it's health inspection tomorrow. I think Iz is a little nervous. He has been cleaning things up there all day and has gone back tonight to clean some more. I know he will be so relieved to get this initial setup over with.

Tomorrow I have vowed not to go to work or get involved in anything outside the house. I have got to get things clean and back to normal. If these floors don't get cleaned, I am going to scream!

Spring break is in two weeks. I still have no clue what I am going to do with the boys. I have to work as this is the kick off to our tourism season. I just know the boys are going to be bored out of their minds, but what do I do?

Well, I am going to go finish up the laundry for the night and find something to read. Y'all have a good night!

And baseball practice is off...Cole and Trapper have their first practice tomorrow, Tyler has his on Wednesday. I went to the sporting goods store this weekend to pick up some final items needed for them. Ummmm...someone should have warned me I'd be having to pick out cups for my sweet angels. I didn't even know where to begin, much less know how I am going to tell them how to wear them. Hopefully this is something Iz can help with.

It was so cold and rainy all day today. The store was slow because of it and that left me with a lot of time to think about the changes we need to make to increase sales. I just keep rearranging things. But it is fun and my local customers enjoy coming in to see what I have done each week.

Iz's kitchen is just about ready to open. They are the official residents as of today. They had a small issue with the stove before they could pass inspection, but I think they have gotten that taken care of. I'm so excited for him. I know this is the first step in his dream. Hopefully this will open doors for him to see what his full potential really is.

The boys went to their dad's this weekend and have come back with the same disrespect they do every time. I don't know how to get them to use inside voices. They talk so loud and we have wood floors, so it echoes. It just seems like no matter what I say, the minute I walk out of the room, they are laughing at me and screaming again. I know boys like to wrestle and that there are four of them, but am I asking too much for them to keep it down when they are inside? Yes, it has been cold and rainy, but come on guys!!! I can't take it anymore! Then, all Christopher has talked about this afternoon is some game they played this weekend where they stole cars, killed cops, and stabbed old men. This is not what I want them playing, but what do I do? He obviously doesn't care that I have rules against these types of games. Parenting is just so hard! I know I am at the easy stage too which leaves me little hope for the next 13 years.

I really want to start going to church too, but I am having a really hard time choosing one. I went to a Baptist church as a child, joined a Lutheran church in high school and have been visiting non-denominational churches lately. I want something that offers a good youth program for the boys and I like the new contemporary music. I think the only church Iz will go to is one of the Lutheran churches here, which does have a good youth program, I just hope I fit in there. I guess you can't have it all though.

Obviously, I am just rambling tonight, but I have so much on my mind. I can't seem to calm the storm going on in my head. I am trying to figure out if I should invest more money in bonds or just hang on to it. I want so badly to plan for our future, but I just don't know the best answer to make it all happen. It's hard to plan for something you just aren't sure about. I mean, I can't imagine life with anyone but Iz, I can see us growing old together. I have never felt this way before. Everyone says when you find the one, you just know it. I can't explain it, but I just know it. I never felt this way about Mark, never envisioned us being old together, I just figured that's how life was. You picked someone and tried to make it work. But that's not it. I don't have to try to make it work with Iz, it just does. Yes, we have lots of stress, but we just deal with it. The only crazy thing is, he doesn't want to get married, ever. That sure makes for and unsure future. It's not really the paper I care about, more the commitment it symbolizes and the reality of family that comes with it. It's the pride that it brings having the same last name, knowing I have a husband, not a boyfriend. Maybe I'm still old fashioned. When I divorced Mark, I thought I never wanted to get married again. I didn't want the same thing to happen to me ever again. I wanted to be so independent. Now, I see that it was because I was with the wrong person. I know I will be with Iz forever, married or not, there is just a sense of security that he would never leave in a marriage. I really believe he has the same values as me. I think that's why he doesn't want to be married. He doesn't know for sure that we will grow old together. Maybe one day he will be as sure as I am, until then, I will live with things as they are.

Anyway, I reckon I better get some household chores done and start the boys on their baths. Hopefully this "let go" will help me sleep tonight. I could use it.