Uninspired Bullets

• I keep thinking about things that I might like to write about...then I decide it's all just so boring and end up not writing anything.  But I feel the need to update.

• No more lost teeth but we have a wiggler...I think it will be at least a little while before we need to call upon the toothfairy again.

• Mike and I are still struggling with finances (nothing new there).  We recently applied to have our taxes reassessed and are also looking at options for our mortgage.  It's frustrating and depressing and just oh-for-the-love-of-heaven, can we get it together already?!?!?!

• I withdrew my acceptance of that last job.  Not interesting in getting into that in Facebook territory- sometimes it's just nasty over there (that's a whole OTHER item).  Looking into another option.  More on that when I know more.

• The above was 100% the correct decision.  Scheduling would have been a NIGHTMARE.  I have no good babysitter options (it would be way too stressful to rely on my parents for this), Mike's schedule is all over the place, the supervisor changed his message to me multiple times and my instinct was telling me "No, No, NO!".  That feeling had nothing to do with the actual work or taking time away from the kids...it was a feeling that the job was going to be incompatible with our lives at this point.  A feeling that was confirmed several times by the supervisor's attitude.  So I feel nervous from an income perspective but still completely at peace with the decision.

• A rather major factor in the decision-making is Michael and his epic tantrumming.  Adjustment to kindergarten?  I just don't know at this point.  But he is so over-the-top and then Liam and Chloe are just kind of there...having to deal with the disruptions, absorbing all the stress.  It's hard for me to figure it out.  On one hand, Michael really is a great kid and when he's on, he is really ON.  But if he gets worked up over something, I am spending huge amounts of time trying to discipline/soothe him.  Consistency is my goal but I feel like no response ever produces what I hope for.  How long have I gone back and forth about this?  Mike and I discussed the possibility of looking to into counseling- to at least get an outside perspective.   For a system that I've worked in for how long now, I sure feel lost!

• This school stuff is no joke-- I'm trying so hard to stay on top of everything--endless forms, homework, uniforms, field trips, extra activities, fundraisers, etc.  We are staying organized but the paperwork alone is enough to drive a sane person crazy!

• Tantrums aside, Michael is learning so much.  Thank goodness for that!  I did have another phone-call-from-the-teacher day...he was crying at school and refused to go to art class.  Nothing else since then but I'm still on edge about him.

• Liam is doing great at preschool and is enjoying his time as "oldest kid" while Michael is at school.  Liam really is a great companion on store trips/errands.  It's nice to take him with me, have our little chats, no screaming fits along the way....that kid spoils me with his sweetness.

• Chloe is a wild woman but talking more each day and putting together little sentences.  She sings and screams and runs and demands and plays and naps and is just really fun.  A bit of a quick temper at times but she seems to have also absorbed some of Liam's laid back attitude.  And she's still little so even her bad mood is easily resolved.

• So there you have it.  My brain just feels very cluttered these days and even a cute story that I'd like to document gets lost in that shuffle.  I need to stay off of Facebook- it definitely stifles my writing.