11 years old!

We had a GREAT day today! God couldn't have made the weather any more beautiful! Today Mariah turned 11 years old!! We started out the day by giving her a new outfit to wear for school. I picked up Mariah for lunch and we ate Steak N Shake on the back patio!


Grandma came over with gifts! Joshua planted his sun flower seeds...

We played outside after nap time....

We had a spaghetti dinner as requested by the birthday girl and then we played outside again after dinner....

Mariah went to awanas and came back with a bag full of candy haha! It was a great day!

Going CRAZY!

I used to find it hard when there was only Mariah and J.C. to correct and discipline, now we are in over our heads! I have lost control over my children (two in particular) Mariah and Joshua, my biggest challenge! I think when we added Sierra and then Kaylee to the mix, my time became very limited and discipline no long fell at the top of the list. The phrase "pick your battles" always came to mind but now I'm regretting that deeply!
I'll start by a summary of the other children first! J.C. is not a problem child at all! She is usually very helpful! My biggest problem with her is attitude but perfectly normal as a teenager for that! I do, however, worry about her intense interest in boys!
Sierra is two and into EVERYTHING right now but as far as being defiant, she's not too bad. I do find her picking up the habits of the older ones and that bothers me a bit but I'm sure if I can stop their behavior, hers will too!
And Kaylee, well... she's 9 months, enough said!
Mariah was by far the best baby/toddler! she was never fussy and never went through the terrible twos! I guess I'm paying it for it now! She has become entirely too mouthy! She back talks at every chance she gets! If I ask her to do something she may not want to do, I get a fit and not just any fit, a fit like a two year old would through! She crys and stops and yells and says "everyone hates me! You hate me!" What really scares me is she's recently started getting violent about it. She will scream blood curdling screams and pull her hair. She will attack Josh and hit him, she's even bit him and that's NOT normal for an almost 11 year old. Today while her and Joshua were supposed to cleaning there room they were arguing and she said to him "How bout I knock your teeth down your throat." I was appalled and sad at the same time. What happened to my sweet little girl? I don't know where all the violence has come from. We do not spank her, Chad and I do not getting into physical arguments.... I have lost control with her.
Joshua is a name caller and he says No after everything! He usually says stupid to anyone and anything he is mad at. When I ask him to do something even the simplest things he immediately says "NO!" even if he's in the middle of doing it! It's so frustrating! He also wines a lot! Everything is a wine and he'll ask me the same question 10 times even if I'm on the phone or busy, if I don't answer right away he just keeps asking.
The two of them are ALWAYS tattling! UHG! OK so now what?
I've lost all control here and I need it back, fast! Anyone, please give me some advice! I NEED it! I know I need to be consistent but what else can I do? I am always quick to get angry and I HATE that! I feel like it just runs in my blood like a poison I can't get rid of! Lord, please help me to lovingly correct my children and regain their respect! Help me to have the strength to be consistent and wisdom to handle these situations.

When it's warm.....

we like to go outside and play! Last week we played with sidewalk chalk! We also, skate boarded, played tennis, basketball, did some gardening, and grilled out. It was a really nice week! Then the weekend came and the weather got stupid but we still had a good time.

My weekend

J.C. came over a day early (Thursday) because she did not have school on Friday. After all the kids were in bed and Chad went to work, I stayed up talking to J.C. until 2:00am!! I LOVE talking with her and feel so greatful to have that relationship with her! We panted our nails and watch stupid youtube vids while we talked. On Friday Mariah and Josh went to Grandmas for an overnight. J.C. decided to stay and hang out for the midnight release of New Moon! We spent Friday morning cleaning. Ria, and Josh left in the early afternoon hours so J.C. and I took the babies and went to the mall. We shoped for a birthday present and looked for an Easter dress (no luck). We ate Culvers for dinner (a rare treat!) and make hair bows all evening! At midnight I went to Walmart and picked up a copy of New Moon! Walmart had a huge line for the movie! I thought I'd just be able to run in and get it, luckily the line was moving quite quickly. So J.C. and I ate nachos and watched New Moon until 3:00am! Sheeesh! Another long night. I had a lot of trouble getting out of bed Saturday but some where around 10:ooam I felt wet kisses on my cheek! I love those kid of wake up calls! Poor Sierra had woke up with a fever so she hung out with Daddy while I took all the other kids to Ava's birthday party at 5 points! We had a lot of fun swimming! Then we came home, made dinner and watched New Moon again! It was a fun weekend! Look forward to more fun this week. hopefully this coming weekend I can start prepping my garden and make it to church! Then the next weekend is Easter and hopefully Mariah's birthday party. She will be 11 years old on March 31!