Never thought I'd be upset with Children's hospital....

Cause I've always loved them, they were wonderful with the care and teaching when our son was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes... but I found out yesterday that dd had been to the clinic for a routine check up & I guess when the nice folks at the clinic saw that she was from "youth home" that translated into " parents who don't give a hoot" so they proceeded to give her every immunization that she could get..... NO ONE NOTIFIED OR ASKED ME, HER LEGAL GUARDIAN (AKA MOTHER.) The thing is she was not behind on her shots at all... the things given to her are some that are recommended but not required. She was given hep A, menactra, and daptacel. (sp?)
When did they start giving these to our children without our permission?? Just because she is living at youth home doesn't take my parental rights away! I am mad about this and you better believe I will be talking to the folks at children's. Autumn didn't need these shots and they should have never been given. Gurr..

Wow! we've had a busy week. On Tuesday hubby and I took both the boys to our state capital for home school day (hubby kept reminding me that technically we weren't homeschooling at present..) anyway it was great. We took a tour of the building & had a wonderful tour guide that told lots of stories. The boys got to see the Senate and House chambers along with the Governors office & reception rooms. After having lunch at the capital cafe we headed to the inland maritime museum to take a tour of the USS Razorback submarine. This was great! our tour guide served over 11 yrs on a sub just like her, he was very friendly and good with the kids. What a great way to bring history to life. They are getting ready to start giving overnight parties on board the sub. Z's already got his sights on having his 13th there. I can't believe how cramped the service men were on these submarines, they sure earned all my respect for giving so much of their lives to protect us. We took lots of photos. Here are the highlights...

our state capital building

over looking the house chambers, flags from all 50 states sitting at the Governor's table

Then on the Razorback... going down into the sub...

you can just make out the plastic cots along the sides in the second photo, can you imagine living for months at a time here, with 60 or more of your buddies!!!

the Razorback was named after the razorback whale ( all submarines were given names from marine animals.) The sign below shows the 12 battles she was in, the 6 Japanese ships she sunk (the larger middle sunburst stand for battleships) the five flags above them represent the 5 downed U.S. pilots she rescued. We are Lucky to have her here in Arkansas, (we were chosen because of her name.)

After our tour we all went to visit sissy, she was going to go out to dinner with us but she started coming down with the stomach bug and was vomiting.. :( So we had to cut our visit short. We are planning on going back Sunday for dinner with her. She is doing really well and seems to be learning coping skills for changing her behavior. We all miss her so much, I can't wait till she comes home.

I am proud to say that I have stayed in budget this month on groceries. Some of you may not know but I have set a goal to keep our grocery/ household items at < 75.00 weekly. This has been a challenge as our amount was usually 150.00 or more. This $75 includes all stuff like toothpaste, paper towels, shampoo, razors, dish soap, ect.... everything except pet food. So far for February I am just under $300 and I have everything needed for meals the rest of the month, except I will have to replace milk as needed.
Here is what I have planned for suppers.
-Spanish rice (hubby's fave.)
-BBQ meatballs, taters, green beans
-pizza (homemade)
-chowder
-fajitas with homemade tortillas, salsa & chips
-fish patties, mac & cheese, broccoli, warm vanilla pears over ice cream
-chicken & dressing, taters, gravy, carrots, green beans
-pasta with meatballs, salad
-SDC skillet
-pork chop, rice, broccoli slaw
-sauerkraut (sp?) & weenies

lunches are soup & sandwich type or leftovers ect..
breakfasts are cereal, oatmeal, eggs with biscuit & gravy, breakfast pockets, french toast or pancakes with sausage.

Even with this budget I have been able to stock up on supplies that we use by using coupons and doing walgreen's sales. I feel very blessed to be able to do this for my family. I have even been able to bless friends and family with items that I had several of. The Lord is so good to bless us even when we forget so often to be thankful. :)

Feeling a little down these days, Caden started public school this week. I feel really mixed up about it and I honestly don't know if this is going to work out or not. I truly feel in my heart that homeschooling is the BEST way to teach my children. But I also am being real in the fact that for that last statement to be true mom has to be able to put effort into it. College classes and studies take up a good bit of time from my school planning, but the biggest problem I think we face is that I don't like Caden being the only one homeschooling, if Z decided to homeschool again it would make it better. As it is I feel caden gets board most of the day, with no one to play with.. he is such an active boy, he loves to run, wrestle and romp outdoors. It's just not so great when your the only one... he misses his brother. Once a week homeschool groups just aren't enough. I won't force Z to come home though, he is very social and enjoys public school very much and at his age (12) he doesn't want to be 'different' from everyone else. I will be taking this to the Lord in prayer very often over the next few weeks and seeking his direction in this matter. I hate being home ALONE. I MISS MY CHILDREN! :(

Great walgreens deals this week....

These are the things I got this week (2 razors and the shout spray are not in the pic, long story)

2- Drano max gel (yeah the bathroom sink drains again !!)

Windex multi-purpose spray cleaner

Shout stain remover

2- Joy dish washing liquid

2- Colgate toothpaste

5- Bounty basic paper towels

3- Gillette fusion razors

3- Schick disposable 4pk razors

paid with a gift card (previous rebate)

my out of pocket cost was $10.50

got $12 RR to spend next week and a rebate of $4.50 to put back on my card.

I will also send in for a Windex rebate and get back $2.50

:)

FOR TODAY... FEBRUARY 11TH

Outside My Window...drizzle, rain, maybe some t-storms today. Lots of mud in the yard & drive.
I am thinking...about seeing dd at court tomorrow, looking forward to the visit. She is doing ok, I am hopeful for seeing a positive change in her.
I am thankful for... my aunt (AJ) is going to be ok. 2 weeks ago she was in a car wreck and suffered severe head trauma, among other injuries. GOD has shown mercy and PRAISE HIM she is going to be ok. She will remain the sweet lady we all know and love. (So often this is not the case with head trauma). All indications point to a complete recovery!! My family is so thankful to still have her with us.
From the learning rooms...Caden will start kindergarten class this next week. I am sad that I won't be homeschooling for a little while. I truly feel this is best for now, while I finish my nursing degree. I am so blessed to have a tiny local school & to know that the teachers are wonderful christian ladies. Caden is reading CVC words and most blends, adds & subtracts, we are planning a trip to our state capital next week. science is about the oceans, land & plants (day 3 creation)

From the kitchen...we had sausage, eggs, toast this morning. tonight is meatballs, mashed taters and veggie. (we are all tired of chicken)
I am wearing...gray cotton pant, green top, bare feet

I am creating...3-5 index cards for each of the homeostatic imbalances in my A&P book.
I am going...to clean house today
I am reading...textbooks!!
I am hoping...to get my house clean and in order today, then I need to work on my truck (its a mess)
I am hearing...Caden play on the piano (bang on it really)
Around the house...I have to get the stairs rails stained this week.
One of my favorite things...a rainy day to stay home and relax.... :)
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: study, visit with Autumn, take Caden to the valentines party at school
Here is picture thought I am sharing..

. samples of leaves Caden collected from the yard during science.