Well, I am exhausted and have no time to myself but I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. As for an update, medical tests came back with positive results even tho I will probably need surgery in the future. I can deal with that!

After months and months of looking for a full time job to take the place of 2 of my 3 jobs, today I was offered a full time position. I am thrilled! The mom in me is sad because I will no longer be picking the boys up from school but on the up side, I won't have to work any more nights and weekends! I start on April 7th.

Taylor has been in drivers education classes the last 3 weeks. I can't believe he will be 16 next month and able to drive this summer. He is growing up so fast!

We will be heading down to Indianapolis for another state championship game -- this time The Bishop Luers Knights basketball team. (Taylor's high school) As some of you might recall, we followed our football team all the way to the state title this year and now the basketball team is trying. Go Knights!

Even tho it is suppose to be spring, I saw snow tonight and got to drive home in freezing rain. Wanting those spring flowers to lighten up my wintery misery.

I will try to be on more now that I have some of my nights and weekends back! Got to catch up on my ER stuff before it comes back -- hopefully bringing my John Carter back!

Happy Easter to everyone!

Why does it seem like I always seem to be waiting for something. I am still waiting to hear if I got a position that I interviewed for over a week ago, waiting to be able to quit my part time night job so that I can see my family again, waiting to have some medical tests done and then waiting for results. My life is a waiting game right now.

I've got the winter blues and spring is not close enough in my sights to see that "light at the end of the tunnel." I'm exhausted and fragile and moody. And it's not just me. The boys can't even say one nice thing to one another. Oh wait...that's not just now..that's how it's always been!

And I gave up pop for Lent so I don't even have my crutch to lean on. And the valentines day chocolate is gone.

What's next? Only God knows..and I hope He lets me in on his plans a tiny bit to keep my sanity! Or what's left of it!

I have to say, maybe by putting this in writing, I will work harder at trying to change some things in my life. Accountability is the thing, right?

First, I need to learn to say no. I never am saying no to anyone but myself! And I have had enough! I am declaring war on my schedule.

I want more time for prayer and devotionals. I NEED more time for prayer and devotionals. I am a very blessed person and I don't give credit enough to the man who makes it all possible.

I want more family time. It seems like Taylor is busy with his high school stuff and he is growing up so fast, he will be gone to college soon. I want game night back. I want a fast game of War. I want to play Yahtzee. I want to play Spoons and Uno. I want to do look and finds with both of my boys, not just my eight year old. I want to color. Do you know how long it has been since I stopped and colored a picture?

Of course the health things, weight down, high blood pressure down and excerise and healthy eating up. I will try. Again.

And last but not least, I want to learn more patience with everyone in my life - whether family, friends or people I only meet once. I want them to take something from our encounter and I want it to always be positive.

Thank you to all of the wonderfulpeople that I have made on this site for standing by me, praying for me and having faith and confidence in my. It means the world to me, my friends.

I have bored you enough..now get on with your day! Bless you all! {{{hugs}}}

I don't mean to bum everyone out during the holidays but you guys are like a second family to me and I am in need of your help to get through a tramatic event that happened to our family.

Christmas Eve, we were dropping my mother in law off at her apartment and heading to midnight mass, when we were robbed at gunpoint. Thank God, my husband and family were not physically hurt. As a mother, I feel so horrible that my children had to witness this. And seeing a man put a gun to your husband's head really puts things into prospective. We are all getting along okay. We need some continued prayers to help us get mentally "put back together." I am terrified of the night now and am constantly worried about our safety.

Just please keep my family in your prayers for comfort and peace during this new year's holiday.

Thank you to all of you who have made me feel special and loved on this site. May you have a blessed New Year.

God bless.

Well, just updaing on my life. I start my second part time job tomorrow. I accepted a job at Yankee Candle at the local mall. Not only does it look like a great place but I get a great discount! Guess what the family is getting for Christmas!!!

Tonight, me and hubby have date night (which hasn't happened for a long time) which we have tickets for Celtic Woman and dinner at the Outback. I am so excited I can barely stand it. Hopefully the boys won't tear each other apart before we get back.

Taylor's high school football team (no, he is not on the team) is climbing their way up the ladder to state. It has been so much fun going back to Friday Night High School football games.That's one big advantage to having a freshman in high school. The down side? The additional gray hair from worry!

Travis is practicing already for the Christmas play at his school. They have 3 songs and their teacher told them that the success of the play depends on them. Now, I feared that my 2nd grader would be scared but nooooo, he is thrilled that he has that much power! He was Payton Manning for Halloween but his true goal in life is to be a professional WWE wrester and play for the Chicago Cubs. Big plans for such a little man!

Toby is cute, adorable and such a blessed addition to our family. Before we got Toby, Taylor read somewhere that buying a dog makes a home happier. I didn't believe it, but it really does. Other than the boys fighting over who has to take him outside in the cold, Toby has adjusted and we love him to pieces.

Gotta go for now! Thanks for checking in on me!

Today I want to send my condolences to Rhonda, Megan and Rochelle. I have met a lot of wonderful people on tv.com and these are three of the best. I was heartbroken to hear the news of Dennis illness and was so touched that Rhonda took her precious time to let us know how he was doing. Through the last month, I have cried, I have cheered at small successes, I have prayed throughout every day hoping for a miracle for Dennis, Rhonda, Megan, Rochelle and all of their families. But Saturday, God had other plans for his newest angel. I am comforted by the fact that he is happier than any of us can imagine right now with his Father. I know that he is the newest guardian angel for many, many people that his life has touched.

Rhonda, Megan and Rochelle, please accept my continued prayers for your healing as this difficult road continues for you all and your families. My God bless you and keep you tight in His loving arms. If you need anything, PLEASE just let me know. Know that Taylor and I wish that we could be with you tomorrow. We will be thinking and praying for Dennis and each of you.

Below is a poem that we received after my husband Mike's dad died. I hope the words comfort you as they did us.

In God'slove, Cindy

The Broken Chain

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name.

In life we loved you dearly. In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone;

For part of us went with you, the day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide;

And though we cannot see you, you are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same,

But as God calls us one by one, the Chain will link again.

Rest in peace Dennis. You did a great job here..now rest.

To start off, Toby has been sleeping with Travis and we have only had a few casualties -- some WWE wrestlers lost some heads and limbs when Travis left them on a shelf to low, a plastic toy, and a tiny Cubs helmet! But what a precious site to see them sleeping in the morning.

After months of HARD work on our fall festival for our parish, it is finally completed! The weather was scary at first but almost theentireday turned outto bedry. We had people at our silent auction, kids were playing games, and our live auction started at 1 pm. My wonderful hubby and I donated our time for everything and even helped a ton with other people's responsibilities.

Drum roll please... our total money raised directly by our hard work and many, many donations is $7,131 for our parish and our school! I think it is the most raised and this is only awesome hubby and I's first year! And boy did we party and dance at the adult party that night. My margarita cup was not empty all day... thanks tosome wonderful friends who helped in the auction. And just when I thought it was over, it wasn't. We are continuing to have people stop us to tell us thank you and tell us what a wonderful jobwe did. One older lady said she had been attending for 40 years (it was our 60th annual this year) and she felt it was the best one yet!

But I must give credit where credit is due. God called me to take this over and help and I worked very hard getting donations. God was by my side all the time. There were a lot of hard times through the planning stages and taking over not knowing what I was doing, but God was there. I am glad that God found a way to use my gifts to help my parish church and school. May God bless all of those who made donations. They made my job very rewarding! I should also note that I have been sick the whole weekend and week before the festival, but He gave me the strength to do what needed to be done.

That night, we always have the kids taken home after mass and we have a live band come in to party during the "adult hours". It was a night ofloads of fun, as well asmosquito bites! The beer and margaritas were flowing. A friend I have known since we were 9 years old was there and we had a great time reminiscing. We graduated high school together, he caught the garter at my wedding, and we are still close after all those years. What a blessinghe and his family are to me. Between his dad and mine, they are the life of the party. My dad was waltzing the ladies off their feet and my friend (Jerry)'s dad, well... let's just say, I can never look at pole dancing the same without thinking of him! (Can you tell which drank the most?!)

Now onto the finishing touches to my 20 year c lass reunion. It's on September 29th.

Also, I am preparing Taylor for his confirmation into the church. Please send Taylor tons of blessings for his special day!

Sorry it's so long but I haven't been on for awhile and wanted to explain why. Can't wait to getposting on all of your blogs!

Okay everyone. I need your help. I am trying to convince my husband to let Toby sleep with Travis on his bed even though the vet and breeder said not too. Travis has a plastic cover on his matteress so if there is an accident, it is easy cleaned. Travis has really been begging us to let them sleep together. Right now, Toby is in a cage in Travis bedroom but Travis is afraid he will hurt himself because he bites on the bars to try to get out. I still don't trust Toby to run the house but they sleep with the door closed anyway so if there was any problems, it will be in one room and we will put him back in the cage. But when Travis has slept in on Saturday or Sunday morning, Toby goes in a lays on his bed until he wakes up. It is so precious! What is everyone's opinion on this? I have bad allergies but I have been fine around him, but my doctor said don't let him sleep with me. But I think we should let him sleep with Travis since Travis is "the best friend and owner." Thoughts?

Well, I did it! I got a total of 14 inches of hair cut off tonight! I had a good friend from church cut it. He was the only one I trusted. He was very honored and excited. He spent almost 1 1/2 hours showing me tricks and how to care for the layered hair. He said it was the highlight of his day to cut that much hair! His wife could not believe that I was cutting it off. I told him the only bad thing about having him as a hair sylist now is that he will know when I am running late for church and throw it up in a ponytail!! I donated the hair to Locks of Love that makes wigs for cancer patients. It is a really weird feeling to run my fingers through my hair now! But at least it won't get pulled up in the seat belt holder when I take my seatbelt off. And it won't be shut in the car door when the wind is blowing. And Toby had taken a liking to jumping on my back while I was on the computer and biting my hair. No more. Now he can't reach. Taylor did not want to go and he wanted his hair cut closer to the start of school, so my husband came with me a took a few pictures. Enjoy!

This is a story of a birthday party for my Mom's 60th birthday last night. My Dad was going to throw her a surprise party but he didn't think we could do it without her , so he ended up telling her.

Quick run down of the family..I know my parents love me very much but their is always the one daughter that can depended on to do things and one that still needs babied even though she is 34! My sisters family was the royality for the night, sitting and chatting with old family and friends, eating, drinking, laughing. Then the Pauper family (us). Taylor and his friend Mariah were asked by my Mom to sit at the drink table for 5 hours to pass out the pop. And my husband and I were asked by my Mom to stand behind the food table, refilling food and dishing out cake.

I was fuming by nights end. My sister was looking all refreshed and pretty, I was hot and tired running around. I don't think some of my Mom's church friends whom I did not know, even knew I was her daughter. I have a say, at least a couple good family friends came back and talked to me over the food table for awhile. Good thing or I would have missed seeing them all together.

Then the princesses' family left around an hour before it ended all smiles and waves. I let Taylor, Travis and my hubby go. My husband was so fumed by that point, I figured his was going to say something he would regret to my parents or keel over with a heartattack. The party was over at 10 pm. A friend of mine since elementary school was there and thank goodness because he was a tremendous help with the cleanup. We didn't end up getting out of the hall until after midnight! And of course, we were in the basement so we had to carry everything UPSTAIRS to the cars.

I was SO tired by the time I got home. I won't even tell you about the struggle getting 30 inflated balloons into the back of my little Saturn! When the princess has a mini van with collapsable seats. I might start crying again!

Ok..that is my pity party for myself. I try to tell my husband some things will never change. Once a princess..always a princess. Once a pauper..most likely will always be the pauper!

Well, as most of you have already heard, we got a puppy. Toby is doing a lot better than I expected so we are really able to enjoy him. I teased Taylor tonight that Toby gave The Office two paws up! Both boys are doing great in helping take care, play with, and watching Toby. The vet said he has all his teeth, but that is not stopping him from chewing on cords, furniture, etc. In time, this too with pass.He is VERY loving though and a blessed addition to our family.

Another change is my banner. Taylor helped me put it together. I was very impressed over how much he knows how to do on the computer!

I would love to start the reading group's new book but when I went to put it on hold at the library, I was 192nd in line!!! So I got the one week checkout and I don't know if I am going to be able to read it that fast or not. We will have to see. Auction and C lass Reunion are moving along nicely. Right now I am helping my Dad with my Mom's 60th birthday party on July 20th. It's always something with me because I NEVER LEARN TO SAY NO!!!! Definately have to work on that.

Hoping to get a call for an interview for another part time job in the next few days. I am way over qualified but I really want to work for them. It's a florist shop and I LOVE flowers and plants. Hopefully they will interview me anyway and fall in love with me. Right now I work part time at Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne campus and I love it!! It's great interacting with all the students and staff. I stumbled across this florist job, just by accident so I feel maybe God is the guiding hand. I would never leave the university and it would be nice to put in a few more hours in a different environment. Keep your fingers crossed.

Also, send good thoughts to hubby who will be racing AEP's go cart on Saturday. It's always a lot of fun to watch but I have also seen some nasty injuries. So the wife in me gets very nervous. But he has a lot of fun doing it. He has done the race for 10 years now.

Hope everyone has a blessed and fun weekend!

PS. Below isa fewof my favoritepictures of my boys..hence ProudMom147! Don't be mad Taylor! You guys are adorable!

How come it seems that every time I complete one thing, I end up with 10 more to do on my list! It is so frustrating! I really have to learn to say no..and quickly! We have been so busy every weekend that we haven't even been camping yet! People at hubby's work have told him that we went camping more when we had our tent! Now we have this nice camper just sitting in our driveway waiting patiently. I am going to block out the months of September and October so we can go at least in the fall. (My favorite time to camp) Travis got his cast off on Thursday. Good news for him but now Mom gets to worry. The same afternoon he got his cast off, he made an obstacle course, jumped on his bike and fell off twice, ran into our fence once and ran into one of our patio chairs once! Not to mention attacking me several times to invoke a WWE wrestling match! He is our monkey for sure! Nothing like his big brother.

We are gearing up for our annual Three Rivers Festival next weekend. My boys love to go to the parade but I hate the crowds. My husband races a go-cart every year in the JA Grand Prix race which will be on the 14th after the kick off parade. Should be a very fun filled day for us! And hopefully a safe one for hubby!

Hope everyone has a very fun filled weekend!