I said no

Last week, I went on my second job interview for a great company. They asked me back for a third interview. It is a really long story but I said no.

I have had a hard time with it. I want the money and an office and all of it. But, I want this more.

I want lazy afternoons playing in the blow up pool in the backyard. Even though my kids fight with me and each other and I would love to attack our debt more aggressively, I want this time with these two cuties more.

She's crafty

Look what I made yesterday. And I took down my Christmas wreath, too. Stellar day.

Right now

I am snuggling with this guy. I can't get over how cute he is. I love his freckles that dot his nose.

Poor puppy

Can't you just hear Dug from the movie Up saying,"I do not like the cone of shame".

He came home from being fixed and he has to wear this for 14 days. He was woozy from the anesthesia and he ran into the back of my knees about 7000 times last night. It was pitiful.

He can't fit into his kennel so he got to sleep on our bedroom floor last nigh. Steven took him outside this morning and he hit the walls of the hallway over and over again. Maybe after 14 day, he will be able to navigate a little better.

Golf cart king

While we were at dad and Lisa's house, patrick decided that he wanted to drive the golf cart. Maggie and Steven were playing golf so I took him out.

He was thrilled. Patrick begs to drive our car everyday. If I tell him to get in the car, he climbs in the front set and offers to drive for us. So, this was a huge thrill for him.

We drove down to re end of the street where there was a cul de sac. I took these pictures over his shoulder while he was driving. Surprisingly, we are still alive.

The things they see

Yesterday was a long day. We drove and Patrick was fussy and Maggie was feeling nauseous and I just wanted out of this stinking car.

We made a game plan before we arrived at the hotel. I would take the kids swimming and Steven would unload what we needed, get dinner and get gas in the car.

When we got our swimsuits out, I pulled out a new pair of swim goggles and handed them to Maggie. I bought them at the end of last summer but kept them somehow!

She was so thankful and said, "mama, you think of everything."

It was such a sweet thing for an eight year old to say.

We got to the pool and there was such joy. We are out of the car! Maggie swam like a fish and Patrick has no fear with his ca chow life jacket on his white skinny chest.

The water was warm but it was cold outside. By the time, Steven got back, our lips were blue and we were so cold. We wrapped up the kids in white hotel towels and ran back to the room.

Steven had laid out our pajamas and gotten pizza and bread sticks and coke zeros. He got all my stuff out of the car and started charging up all the dying Mac products.

It was all so thoughtful and Maggie said, "man, daddy thought of everything for us while we were swimming."

I want her to remember moments like this on this crazy road trip.

Day 5473.6

We are heading home now. I feel like I live in this car. And this car is disgusting. We left the Monroe family this morning :( and started driving to flagstaff.

I made the mistake of mentioning swimming. We have only heard about that for 8 hours.

But... We are in a good mood. I rented some movies on redbox and the kids are happy.

Patrick learned one of Maggie's road trip games. She took off the arm rest covers and put them on her feet. Her brother thought this was hilarious and put his on, too. His look like little slippers.

We are about three hours from swimming and watching veggie tales. Patrick said that bob looked like a squishy fruit snack.