TLC, Parent-teacher conferences, and such

Ok so a week ago we got "the call" from TLC, we've been selected to be featured on one of their reality shows, YAY! Right? WOW, this is so much work! Who knew it right? First they needed 5 photos, no problem, ummm except when they are going to network TV. Is this picture clear enough, is this what they are looking for... yada, yada, yada... STRESSFUL......

Next, they want a video, the video, umm yea... video interview with my family... well they are getting a video, I am not sure that its what they want. I wish it was!!! So, it could break the deal I'm not totally sure how its going to go, but we shall see... hehehe

The kids are bathing and hubby is chilling in bed, I am catching up on daytime soap operas and blogging while I await sendspace to upload the files...to send to TLC. Such a tedious project. But it'll all be worth it in the end.

Parent teacher conferences were tonight... Defintely interesting. Drea's on the gifted curve so hopefully she'll get moved into that program next year... Payge is having a problem with a particular child in her class... Hopefully we can resolved this asap.

I am trying to figure out this whole menu planning stuff.... I thought I was doing good HOWEVER.... we are going to the church sweetheart dinner on Saturday evening... FREEBIE yay, but in planning saturday nights dinner and sundays ended up being the exact same thing... GREAT, back to the drawing board I guess...

Love,

Amanda

I'm gonna miss this...

I have had this feeling lately, I really wasn't sure what it was... And then I read ASHLEY's blog and MckMama's blog, and it came to me! I'm going to miss this!!! I look back over the years and there is so much that I wish I would have captured about my children... I can't believe that Ondrianna is 7!!! She's my baby... I think this year was the hardest in letting her go to school. My dream, stay at home and home school all of my children. I truly hope through prayer one day this will be a reality. I would even consider if I could work from home... I hate to say it but sometimes I feel bad because she is the oldest that she oftern gets a lot of the burden on her.... I will work on this, maybe this should go on my 101 in 1001 list... Miss Drea, mommy loves you very much I hope you know this... you are my shining star.I love how my daughter comes to me every evening... several times just to say I love you... I'm going to miss this! 2010 has brought the realization  to listen to those words and cherish every time that I hear it!

Ah and then there is Payge... my poor Payge, I wonder what life with her will be like in 8 years... she is a pistol now,  thats what makes her special! She is a spitfire who's personality is what makes her... I'm sure when she's older... I'm going to miss this. :) She's a snuggler, while there are plenty of things I should be doing, snuggling sounds so much better doesn't it?! I've missed MANY opportunities to just curl up with an episode of SpongeBob Squarepants and my Payge... Note to self 2010, live for the moment, tomorrow is never promised, do things that are important rather than what is "IMPORTANT".

On a side note as I am curled up typing this blog, Josey is in her room playing her piano, Sera is standing on the couch singing All the Single Ladies and watching Little Miss Perfect. Drea is telling me how she just can't sleep... We'll be returning to the doctor for that soon... Payge, like her mommy, passes out the moment she can. She's tucked into her bed amidst the chaos.

Now comes my Sera Bug... She has such a VIVID imagination... From her fairy like actions as she floats from place to place, or to her hundreds of kisses and hugs... I'm going to miss this!!!! She is my little miss perfect pageant queen she'd never have to attend a pageant to be my queen. This child is such a hoot, I wish I could freeze time and keep them little forever...Oh and daddy taught her how to spell ANGEL. Sera how do you spell angel? SERA mommy! I'm going to miss this!

Finally Miss Josey, oh Miss Josey, she is as bull headed as they come, I have to say though she's definitely Daddy's little girl... Of all of our girls she's that one who is the definition of daddy's girl. Her personality is so vibrant. Now that she is learning to talk much more her words are so funny and her little twang is so cute... I'm going to miss this!

All that said, while each of them are  special in their own way, I love them all the same... I'm going to miss these little moments... Not all that long ago at work someone asked me which one I loved the most... Clearly she does not have kids, and heaven help us when she does, BUT I was in shear amazement that she assumed that I had a favorite, clearly she wasn't her parents favorite...LOL! Sorry that was mean, but as a mother, my fangs came out. How dare you tell me that I have a favorite. Of course I guess I should consider the source when someone with a cat tries to give me parenting advice!

To my girls... I love you all very much... You are so special to me each in your own way...One day I hope you know this!

Lack of posting last week-no my fault! :)

So in my 101 in 1001 I said that I would be blogging more. I had been doing really well, until Tuesday hit. All week I sat in my cubicle feeling horrible, but not knowing why. Tuesday evening I stopped by the grocery picked up my RX and really needed a few other things, but just couldn't bear the pain so I walked straight out the front door of Kroger got into my car, picked up my kids and headed home.Wednesday I awoke, got ready for work, and simply could not stand so my husband helped my back into bed. This pain was not pregnancy pain this was something that I had never felt before, I felt as though I was going to die! Later that morning I called the doctor, he said to proceed to labor and delivery so I complied. How silly did I feel and look at 10 weeks walking into Labor and Delivery... The hooked me to IV's and began running tests, however they were not listening to where the pain was, FINALLY at 4:00a shift change the most amazing nurse, Charla started hearing what I was saying she called the doctor and we were on our way. He ordered an ultrasound and more blood work. I got to see my little peanut, its growing so big, little arms and legs a beautifully round head and a very strong heartbeat. I have always been excited about ultrasounds, but after two miscarriages this simple little test is so much more amazing to me. Needless to say I have a "sludgey" gall bladder... EWWW! That is what was causing my emense pain. A few IV drugs later and viola I was feeling better, until they switched me to oral... they do not work nearly as well! After four long days in the hospital, I am home and back to blogging.

New for 2010- Monthly Menus

I have determined that when cooking for my husband, our four children, my mother, and my pregnant self it is time to start planning ahead so that EVERYONE can help!!! I am making it my goal to A.) clean out the cabinets and start using what we've got. B.) reduce our food expenses. C.) have more well rounded meals.

Today I have been filling out the calendar for January, tonight I will go home a make dinner and then it will be time to scout the cupboards to find every last thing that I can that I need, and not buy it again!!!

I have been following several blogs which are recipe blogs. They are great. (Once I learn to link them I will edit this post to share.)

Wish me luck!

New Baby Wish List

Ok so I know this seems a bit selfish, but I am at the point that its time for some new things for this new baby. Will I get all of these things, probably not, however they are wishes. Things that will make the new baby feel welcomed and what not. Nearly all of my girls have always used hand-me-down items and items purchased from the second hand stores... Which is definitely not a bad thing, but there are a few things that I would really like for this new baby, boy or girl.

The first, I saw on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. This was something that the family had in their original house, but they knew it was special. It is a crib. I absolutely fell in love with it. I've never had a new crib... I really adore this one. Below is a picture of the concept. I would definitely change up the dressing, but I LOVE this crib style.

The next item on my list is cloth diapers, I know right! How could I possibly have time to worry with cloth diapers when I have four other children? Well there are a lot of things that I really want to change in my life, as you can see by my 101 in 1001 listing. One of those things is to become my environmentally friendly, what better way than to start with cloth diapers.

The next two items I would like are for convenience. I think you would completely understand once you see them. :)

AND at minimum this:

Ideally I would LOVE to have a stroller big enough for all of my children, but at the same time the older ones are getting bigger and don't mind walking as much! :)

PopATot

This little contraption is just like the folding chairs that you would take to the bonfire or ballpark. It is nice because you can fold it up and store it away with minimal space. I also like that it is versitile and that you can use it indoors or out.

Next I really want 2 of these.

As I said all of these things are simply a wish list, how many I'll actually end up with is yet to be determined, but it could happen I suppose. :)

I intend to add more items as our little bambino grows. :)

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

In keeping with my 101 in 1001, I need to continually post new photos... Here are a few that we recently had taken of the girls.

Merry Christmas from the Nihiser's!

Ondrianna

Payge

Sera

Josalynne

101 in 1001

So recently after viewing some other blogs I stumbled across a concept that intriged me. It seems to be a process that could prove to be very beneficial. The concept is simple: create a list of 101 things that you want to complete in 1001 days. 1001 days equates to about 2.75 years so if I can't adequately complete these things in this amount of time, there is something seriously wrong! :)

Mission:
Complete 101 tasks in 1001 days.

Criteria:
Tasks must be specific and clearly end with a result.

Simple enough! So here we go...

Begin Date: December 18, 2009
End Date:   September 14, 2012

Updates will be made throughout the process so that identifiable progress can be noted.

For my health:
1.) Exercise regularly for my health but also for a healthy pregnancy.
2.) Each more fresh fruits and veggies
3.) Increase my daily water intake
4.) Cook healthy meals 5 evenings per week
5.) Upon delivering baby #5 loose weight to be no more than 118#'s

For my wallet:
6.) Rehash my obsession with coupons. Begin using them as much as possible.
7.) Increase my 401K contributions by 10% annually
8.) Increase the amount being deposited into each savings account
9.) Meet with my insurance agent regarding additional savings plans (IRA's etc.)
10.) Collect all spare change and place it in piggy banks for family vacation each summer
11.) Begin packing my lunch more to save money
12.) Pay off all debt and begin a new debt free lifestyle
13.) Start 529 plans for the kids

For my mind:
14.) Read one book per month each on varying topics
15.) Meditate three times weekly
16.) Begin learning French with my family
17.) Learn to change a flat tire
18.) Have a girls night once every other month
19.) Make a daily to do list and complete it
20.) Pray when I am stressed

For my soul:
21.) Read one chapter of Psalms 3 times per week
22.) Read one chapter of Proverbs 2 times per week
23.) Join a women's study group
24.) Lead a women's conference at church
25.) Complete daily devotionals
26.) Make a list of 100 things that make me happy
27.) Pray for my family
28.) Say thank you for 3 things daily

For our home:
29.) Find a new home!
30.) Purchase new appliances from the very little to the very big. :)
31.) For the new home: install Geo-thermal heating
32.) Plant a garden to supply us with plenty of veggies for the majority of the season
33.) Organize the childrens items and label in totes
34.) Spring clean- three times per year
35.) Create a to do list for daily chores and do it
36.) Clean carpets
37.) Organize basement
38.) Clean out cabinets
39.) Paint
40.) Landscape yard

For others:
41.) Throw a baby shower for Bailey
42.) Donate 3 tubs of clothing to those in need
43.) Send 10,000 grains of rice through http://www.freerice.com/ (1500/10,000)
44.) Say a prayer daily for those I know and those that I don't who need a prayer
45.) Pray for my blog friends
46.) Clean out old household items and donate
47.) Pay for the person behind me in the drive thru
48.) Send a soldier a care package
49.) Send 5 postcards or letters letting someone know I care.
50.) Write an apology letter and hand deliver it.

For my blog:
51.) Blog at least 3 times per week
52.) Find a new template to update my look
53.) Post more pictures
54.) Find 5 new blogs to follow

For my marriage:
55.) Institute date night 2X per month
56.) Leave a encouraging note for my husband once per week
57.) Perform Love Dare type activities into our daily life
58.) Visit my husband while he is away on military duty
59.) Let one thing that makes me angry go: once per week
60.) Daily hugs and kisses
61.) Celebrate our anniversary alone
62.) Take an overnight trip in a secluded place
63.) Make sausage and noodles once per month
64.) Rub his feet once per month
65.) Say "I love you" daily

For my children:
66.) Find a free monthly activity to take the kids to
67.) Read to my children nightly
68.) Take each child on an alone trip once per month
69.) Say "I love you" daily
70.) Create a memory book for each of my children
71.) Make an annual photo album for each child
72.) Go to the beach
73.) Pray for my children daily
74.) Convert to cloth diapers
75.) Attend Family camp
76.) Go to the Indianapolis Childrens Museum
77.) Go to story book forest
78.) Let my kids fly
79.) Take my kids to the pool 5 times in 2010
80.) Let my kids decide one activity they want to do and enroll them.
81.) Have family game night once per week
82.) Have family movie night once per week
83.) Let each child plan dinner once per month
84.) Create chore charts and stick to them!
85.) Pray with my children

For the environment:
86.)See # 74 its good for baby and the environment: also wipes
87.) Increase my use of reusable bags
88.) Start recycling cans
89.) Plant a tree
90.) Reduce the use of bottled water

For me:
91.) Purchase a "good" camera
92.) Take up photography
93.) Get a massage every other month
94.) Plan meal menus weekly so that I don't go crazy :)
95.) Purchase a new bed set. Something elegant that makes you feel warm.
96.) Have a 3-D ultrasound done of this baby
97.) Print my pictures and catalouge them
98.) Get a passport- so we can see the world!
99.) Watch a monthly movie with my best friend
100.) Organize my closets
101.)Create a new 101 list and start over.


So... Here we go!