and we're off...

Life has become a race. I feel like I am running, running, running... The days are flying by. I blink and a week has passed. Crazy!!

Kendall has started school since my last post. She is doing well and enjoys it. Both Kendall and Brooklynn have made a number of friends at school. It is still weird to think that I have children in school. How did this happen? Speaking of crazy things... I turned 30 this last week. How did THAT happen? I just don't know where the time has gone!

I started work this last month at Starbucks. I managed a few store in the Springs in my pre-baby years, but have't worked in 5 years. So, I started a few weeks ago. It's been going pretty well. I really enjoy working and love it when I am there, but then when I come home I am having a hard time. Does this happen with every working mom or just because I'm new at this? The roles in our home have completely changed. Jay is staying home with the kids... being mister mom and he is doing an amazing job. I am so proud of him, but at he same time I miss being the "mom". My kids come to me and say "daddy, oh I mean mommy..." and it makes me sad that they now think of him first when they need something. I feel bad that this this how I feel, but I can't help it. I am used to being the one that everyone needs something from. It used to annoy me, but now I long for that.

Funny how I can never be content with what I have at that time!!

I know this is just a season of life.

I know I will be back at home with my kids in time.

I know this is where the Lord has led us and I know that Jay worked a job he hated for a couple years because he needed to support us.

I at least really enjoy my job!!

I guess this is part of being an adult!!

Kind of stinks.

Jay started school. He is going full-time on line. It seems like there is something always going on here. I am rushing out the door to work, he is leaving to go somewhere to study in quiet, he is leaving for something at church he is in charge of, Brooklynn and Kendall need dropped off or picked up from school (two different locations) and we are trying to keep a little normal life around here for the kids. Oh, and we (or I should say Jay) is still working on the floors, so that is a constant burden hanging over our heads. I guess it's just a little overwhelming right now. Again, just need to remind myself that this is a season of life... this too will pass. We are figuring it all out and I know once we figure our new routines it will be a little easier.

Anyway, this is my quick little update and gripe session!!

I'm a slacker!

I am so terrible at this blog thing. I keep telling myself I will do better, but then don't.

We have had quite a crazy few weeks here. August 5 was Jay's last day of work. That morning, I went to start a load of laundry and later found that the sensor on the washing machine was broken and never stopped filling causing a flood over a lot of my main floor and down into the basement (which thankfully is not finished!) We had to have the floors taken out in our laundry / bathroom, kitchen and some carpeting in our hallway as well as the vanity in the bathroom.

The NEXT day, our hot water heater started leaking. At first we weren't sure it really was because it seemed very coincidental that it would leak the day after our flood, but indeed it did. Jay had to replace it for us... not a cheap endeavour.

The NEXT day, one of the toilet on the second floor started to leak at the valve going into the wall. Jay also had to replace that. Not very fun!

So, for now, I think we have all our water issues under control. We are still living on ply wood and decided to pull up the carpet in our eating area and lay tile throughout. Jay is hoping to start this weekend, but is confident it will take a few weeks or so as he will only be able to do it in short periods of time. He tiled our bathroom upstairs when we first moved here, but hasn't done it since and that was only about 50 sf... this is about 350 sf. I just really want my laundry back. My sister has graciously allowed us to use her washer and dryer and while I greatly appreciate it... it is still a huge inconvenience for a family of 6 to have to bring our laundry somewhere else.

So, good news...

Brooklynn started kindergarten this last Wednesday. She is enjoying it so far and has had no tears which was a great relief for me!! She is extremely shy, but came home the first day and said she talked to her teacher and then yesterday said she talked to one other little girl. Those are HUGE steps for her!

Wesley had his two month appointment yesterday. Two months! Where has the time gone. I can't believe it! I think time goes faster with each child! Anyway, he was 12 lbs 13 oz and 24 3/4 in. long. He has grown so fast. The girls have always been small and very slow at growing... he is very different. I was just telling Jay last night that I have never had to learn how to clean between rolls at bath time!

I got a job at Starbucks this week. I don't start for about a week and a half, but I am very excited to go back to work there. Jay and I are changing so many of our roles and in some ways I am a little anxious to be working after being at home full time for five years, but in other ways I am very excited and looking forward to being out of the home some and doing something that doesn't involve diapers, screaming children and continual messes (oh, I guess that will be there, but it will be different!)

So, I think that sums up most of the last few weeks. I again, hopefully will be better at this... but I wouldn't count on it!

update...

Life is changing a lot around here. Just wanted to share a little of what is going on and ask some of you to be in prayer for us.

Jay has always known that he has a calling into full time ministry. About a year ago, we really felt the Lord was calling us to commit to him going to seminary. We started the journey last September, but quickly learned that it was extremely difficult with his work and all his traveling... he was traveling about two weeks a month. His classes were online, but when he travels he works such long hours that it was still too difficult and stopped taking classes in December.

In the early spring he went before our church board and asked for a paid position as an intern at the church. After much prayer, they felt that they were not to spend the church's money in that way at this time. We very much respected their decision, but was still in a hard position to figure out how to accomplish what God was asking of us.

In April and May both Jay and I felt the Lord speaking to us and sharing the same message with both of us... "do what I have asked you to do... even when it doesn't make sense. Don't make it be practical."

After much prayer and guidance from friends, family and pastors, we felt that Jay was released from his job and that he is to go to school full time. So, tomorrow is his last day at work. He is going to a leadership conference with our pastors and has started an internship with the church (just not paid) and will be starting school full time in a couple weeks. We very much feel that this is what the Lord has asked of us, and when we are focused on Him, we have peace, but it is easy to take our eyes off Him and then the fear of the unknown takes over. We don't know what is ahead of us. School is three years and as of right now, we have no income. I am looking for a job, but will probably not make enough to pay our bills. We don't really know what the Lord has in store for us, but trust that He has a plan and that He has not called us into this to allow us to fail.

Please pray that we will continue to hear His voice and trust in Him fully. I know when times get hard it will be easy to question our decisions, so pray that we will be reminded of His calling.
I will keep you updated as we start this journey ahead of us. Thanks for your prayers and support.

Morgann's birthday

Yesterday was Morgann's second birthday. I can't believe she is two already. I think time just goes faster and faster every year!! Since we've had a crazy week with Wesley being born we have had meals brought to us, so last night a friend of mine made homemade doughnuts and brought over a candle for us to celebrate.

We love you Morgann and are so thankful to have you as our daughter!!

Here are some pictures of our night last night...

Wesley Jay Hawes

I have a new baby!! Wesley was born Wednesday morning at 4:41. He is perfect and we are loving having him a part of our family. The girls have been great with him and love taking care of him... even Morgann who I was a little nervous about.

He was 8 lbs. 2 oz and 22 inches long. Morgann was my next biggest baby at only 6 lbs 15 oz so this was quite a change!

Here are a few pictures:

so proud...

This last Thursday night was Brooklynn's pre-k graduation. It was a lot of fun. They had a slide show of the year and then called each student up for their diploma and then had a cake and punch reception following. Here are a few pictures...

Just to brag...

I haven't been very good at keeping up with my spending on here and probably wont really do that much anymore, but I couldn't help this. This is what I got for free today.

19 tubes of toothpaste
27 packs of Mentos gum
7 bottles of dial soap... oh, these were not free, but $0.30 a piece
2 bottles of BBQ sauce
3 bottles of steak seasoning

so I'm a little behind...

I think I missed a week of posting, but this was from last Saturday...

King Soopers:
Original total: $186.00
saved: $ 98.43
paid: $87.57
% saved: 54%

field day

Brooklynn had field day this afternoon with her preschool. Kendall was able to participate as well. They had a lot of fun. Here are a few pictures...

so cute...

savings...

King Soopers:
original total: $130.73
saved: $63.79
paid: $66.94
% saved: 50%

King Soopers: (yes, I went there twice in the last couple days...)
original total: $33.42
saved: $15.36
paid: $18.06
% saved: 47%

random pics

Here are a few pictures from the last couple days...

The girls bowling on the Wii.

me and my girls

Morgann and cousin Joel

Fun at the park.

free stuff!!!

Jay thinks I am a nerd for getting this excited, but this is all the stuff I got for free this weekend! I love it!! It's so exciting for me to see the things my family needs be "purchased" for nothing!!

8 woman's deodorant (some of which I will donate),
3 men's deodorant,
4 hand soaps (they were out, but I will be going back for 8 more that will be free),
4 bags of rice cakes....

Here are my totals for this last weekend....
King Soopers:
Original total: $132.79
saved: $70.10
paid: $62.69
% saved: 54%

savings...

King Soopers
original total: $133.30
saved: $48.48
paid: $84.82
% saved: 37%

Albertsons
orginal total: $81.90
saved: $43.28
paid: $ 38.62
% saved: 53%

Easter fun...

We had a great weekend for Easter. Jay come home from a business trip on Friday, so we waited to color our eggs until Saturday morning so he could be a part of it. The girls had a lot of fun...


Morgann watched some TV like this...



Later we went over to my sister's house and we had our Easter dinner on Saturday afternoon. My parents came up from the Springs and we had a great afternoon and evening of food and games. Julie had to work on Sunday... that's why we did it on Saturday.

Sunday, we had our Easter egg hunt at our house and then were off to church. We had a wonderful church service and loved the time to reflect on what Jesus did for us. Thank you Lord!!!

Brooklynn and Kendall in their "princess" dresses.

Morgann would not give up her bowl of Cheerios.

This was our best attempt at a family picture!

When we came home, I made resurrection eggs with Brooklynn and Kendall. It was a fun way to teach them more of the story of Jesus' death and resurrection. I did forget to take pictures though.

I hope you all had a great Easter weekend and that the thoughts and thankfulness of our salvation would not end now, but continue all throughout the year. What a blessing we have been given in the gift of Jesus Christ!!

savings...

King Soopers
original total: $227.37
saved: $123.77
paid: $103.60
% saved: 56%

False alarm...

This morning I was at church and received a call that the burglar alarm was going off at my house. I called them back... they said the motion sensor was set off in our living room and the police were dispatched. So, I got the kids out of their classes and took off for home.

The culprit... a helium balloon. Needless to say, the balloons will be in the trash later today!!

today's savings...

Albertsons
original total: $38.70
saved: $22.19
paid: $16.51

savings

So, I mentioned on here awhile back that I am working on saving money using coupons and tracking sales. I have gone up and down with motivation for this throughout the last number of months, but someone suggested that I use my blog as accountability. So, whenever I go shopping I am going to give my "stats" on here. You all will be able to see how much I am spending... not that you really care, but, you will also be able to see how much I am saving. I will post everything that we shop for excluding clothing. This will cover groceries, cleaning supplies, toiletries, diapers, toilet paper, etc... anything that is needed to keep my home functioning.

So, here we go...

Today:

King Soopers
original total: $157.54
saved: $74.67
paid: $82.87
% saved: 49%

Today was a pretty good day which is why I was probably motivated to start this today... I like to brag a little about it! You will see that I have good trips and not so good trips. My goal right now is to always save at least 35%.

By the way...

I know I am terrible at keeping this up. I warned you all in my very first post that I may end of slacking off!! I will try harder, but for now, this is what you get! Sorry.

My baby is five!!

I can't believe that Brooklynn turned five this weekend. It makes me kind-of sad. It feels like such a milestone.

Five.

How did this happen?

Next year she starts school, those years will go fast and then she will be off by herself... ok, maybe I am getting a little ahead of myself.

But seriously, she is no longer my little baby... well, she will always be my little baby, but you know what I mean. I was teasing her all week before her birthday that we were going to pretend she was only turning one and that for her birthday I was going to give her diapers, bottles and a crib to sleep in. She didn't like that idea.

Did anyone else feel this way at five? Am I being completely crazy?

Anyway, so this weekend we had some birthday parties for her. Saturday afternoon we had her "friends" party. This was the first time we did this. In the past we have always done family parties, but this year I let her pick who she wanted to come. We had 12 little kids here. They had a lot of fun. The kids were able to decorate their own cakes, we played musical chairs and opened presents.

That evening my parents, sister and her husband came over and we did the family thing. It was very nice. My mom made dinner, which was a blessing to me, and we had cake, ice cream and she opened more presents.

Anyway, here are a few pictures. I still have to get some from my parents camera as I was too busy to take many, but this is what I have for now.

It's a boy!!

I had my ultrasound today. We are having a boy! We are very excited... Jay is completely beside himself! The baby looks very strong and healthy. We have been so blessed with healthy children and I pray that for this child as well. Seeing the baby made it so much more real that I am really having another baby. I am due at the end of June.

Six years...

Today has been six years since we were married!!! In some ways it seems to have have gone so fast and I can't believe we are already at six years and in other ways, I can't remember my life before Jay.

Six years...

three and a half kids
two cross country moves
major career change
loss of parents
miscarriage
vacations
many laughs
many tears
buying of two homes
selling of two homes
four churches
motorcycle accident
making new friends

so many major things have come and gone. Jay, I love you more than I did the day we married. Thank you for sharing all this and much more with me. I look forward to many years to come. I love you.

Cleveland

This last weekend Jay and I went out to Cleveland to visit his family. We had a great time relaxing, talking, laughing and eating lots of food!!
I just had to share this conversation with my airline attendant on the way home:

her: when are you due?
me: June
her: so, it's February, then March, April, May June... so about four months left?
me: yes
her: (pointing at my stomach) don't you think it's a little big?
me: (kind-of taken back) no, this is baby number four so I guess I get a little bigger faster??????

... and then I walked away.

How rude. I actually have been feeling pretty good about my size so far, but thank for telling me I look like a cow.

Crazy.

Holidays...

Well, the holiday's have all come and gone. I seriously don't know where my time went. I usually can sit back and enjoy the month of December, but this time, I feel like it went so fast. I feel like I just set everything up for Christmas, which may be why it is all set up still! I'll get it down one of these days.

We had a great Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve at my sister's house along with my parents. It was fun. We ordered Chinese food, which as become our Christmas Eve tradition, and opened presents from my side of the family. When I was growing up, my family celebrated pretty much everything for Christmas on Christmas Eve, so we are trying to keep that tradition alive by doing all the Galaszewski stuff that night.

The next morning we got up and had fresh baked cinnamon rolls, opened our stockings, had quiche for breakfast and then started opening up presents from Jay's side of the family and from Santa. My parents joined us this day as well. It was wonderful to have them there. We like to open presents slowly, one at a time. I figure, we wait all year for this one day and I would hate to have it done in 10 minutes!
After presents we played some games and then had a large ham dinner in the early afternoon. Overall the day was great... very relaxing and laid back.

For New Year's we went down to Colorado Springs to spend it at my parents new house. They closed the day before so it was fun to stay in their very empty house as they still have not moved in. Julie, her husband and baby came along with some family friends. We ate lots of food and played games until midnight... then we were all ready for bed!! Yes, we are a little pathetic!

I am now trying to get my house in order. I need to get Christmas down and put away and somehow messes are growing at a faster rate than normal and I am having a hard time keeping up. Hopefully in the next few days I will feel a little on top of things again!!

I am feeling really well. My energy has returned a lot and I am not feeling sick. For those of you who know my past pregnancies, I am getting my "black outs" again, which I hate, but I hope they will pass soon. They usually don't stick around too long.

The girls are doing well. They loved all the holiday excitement. They had so much fun at Christmas and loved opening presents and being with family. They also learned a lot this year about giving as they made presents for my family this year and were so excited to give them. They seemed to understand a little better this year why we celebrate Christmas and why it is important to honor Jesus though it all.

In December, Brooklynn was asking a lot of questions about how Jesus gets in our hearts. It was very exciting to see her heart and mind have a desire to know Him. She asked Jesus to come and be in her heart, but she stressed that she doesn't just want Him in her heart, but to go everywhere with her and be a part of everything in her life. It was so precious and melted my heart!! I pray that as she continues to grow up, that she will truly grow to know and love Him in a very personal way and that she will follow Him with all her heart.

Well, I think that sums up our holidays. I hope you all had a great Christmas season.