What I know.......

This is what I know that is going on right now in our busy life.........

I know that Cailyn is as spunky as ever. I know I wish that more people got to see the side of her I get to enjoy everyday. She is growing up so fast and I don't know how I feel about it. Cailyn is also starting to be more interested in learning her name and alphabet, so that makes me happy. She has also found a love for her "magazines" the Highlight magazines that my mom got her, she loves to sit and look through them over and over. And truthfully I don't know so much if it's the magazine, or the one on one time she is getting with us. This is something she's not gotten too much of cause she is the youngest and we are also so busy with the older girls. Kind of makes me sad to think about :(

I know that Josie is LOVING school. She is telling me about caterpillars turning into butterflies. Reading buddies, show and tell, rhyming words, had been drawing me some awesome pictures, and last week she was child of the week! That was exciting! She hasn't been too difficult to wake in the mornings, I'm very surprised. It's been nice that Tim now gets home in time in the mornings to help get the girls up and fix them breakfast. That really helps me out in the mornings and gives me more time help do their hair and make it all cute! Josie is also doing good at soccer. We've played 2 games and she is enjoying every minute of it! She is also getting excited for Halloween, and is practicing already to be a cheerleader. We have watched a couple of Rachel's Volleyball games... and you can hear Josie loud as can be shouting...."Go Falcons"!! It's so funny! She is full of team spirit!!

I know that Amberlea is also doing great! She is trying to work on her study habits cause she has found 4th grade to be a little more challenging. She is doing good and pretty proud when she sees her hard work pay off. We are all proud of her too. She is still a ball of energy!! Always running around and giggling, or has some story to tell!! She is enjoying soccer and is looking forward to the Family Fun Fest this weekend along with her sisters! She is still a big help anytime I ask.... and I can't tell you how much I appreciate that! She loves anything she can do to be with you, either working or playing, she just loves any kind of attention!

I also know that Rachel is doing very well!! She is really Loving volleyball!! They lost their first match last night, but it was a tough game and they did good. The other previous teams haven't been much competition, so this was good for them to lose one. Keeps them on their toes! She is still doing great in school. I love the fact I don't have to hound her about her homework and can trust that she is getting it done. She asks for the occasion help, especially on the big projects, and I am always glad to help out... (if i can...ha).

I know I love all my girls for all their different personalities! They are so much fun! I miss Rachel and Amberlea often we they are not with me and wander how their day went, and how they did on this test or with that activity?? It's hard for me at times. But they are just a phone call away. I don't chat with Amberlea as often as I should, but Rachel and I keep in touch with our texting back and forth. That's nice. I know some people may disagree with her having a phone at such a young age, but I've really seen how it has actually brought us closer together when we are not always around. I know her Mom would agree with me on this too. Plus we are building trust that she will do whats right and take the responsibility that comes with it, and so far, she is doing awesome!

I know that I have yet to mention that I have started a new business a couple months back. It's been difficult getting it going, but I'm excited at the thought of what it may be like when it takes off! And I can't say it's my own business, I joined under my best friend that does it for a full time job and Rocks at it!! I started selling Pure Romance products. I have been hesitant to say much about it, never knowing what people may think. Being a mom of 4, PTO board, member of the catholic church. But I'm slowly getting past this. I really believe in this business and the products they offer! If you've never been to a show, you are missing out!

I didn't go out thinking this was what I would do, never in my wildest dreams! But I'm so thankful for the little push I got from my friend. I wanted an opportunity to make a little extra money, something to get myself out of the house and socialize (i'm thinking a part-time job at wal-mart..ha), and knowing how she has made a full time job from PR and has the flexibility to work when she wants, I gave it a shot. Let me tell you it wasn't easy. I never thought in a hundred million years I would be able to stand in front of a room of woman and talk about something so private and help others. I'm very shy when it comes to expressing myself in this way, it was the way I was raised, and there is nothing wrong with that. I've since come to see what a boost in confidence it has given me. I still feel nervous, but every time I have another show, it gets better. I am bonding with woman out there that do have questions and concerns and and are just the same as me and are looking for ways to improve their relationships. It's really a wonderful experience. They have so many products from massage to beauty to spa to romance enhancers. It's really a great company, very tasteful, professional and is proud of what they offer and I'm proud to be a part of it!

My goals are to work on my business, get my name out there more, and hopefully some day... make it MY full time job! I'm excited for now getting to travel here and there and meet other woman. I hope that in the future I will get to travel even more. PR has taken my friend Tonya to several meetings states away, to Florida recently, Vegas and she has won a cruise to Alaska even! That's incredible to me. I've barely been out of MO, so the thought of seeing other places, makes me extremely happy! Tonya is working on her way to making it to Italy, can you believe that? wow... jealous... and I believe she can do it!

Well... that's enough about me... now you all know a little more about what I have also been up to. I'm looking forward this weekend to spending some time with the kids, Tim will be taking them to the Family Fun Fest alone though, this bothers me, I'd like to join. But I had the opportunity to attend a training meeting in KC with the CEO of Pure Romance and learn more about the company to help build my business. They don't do it often in our area, so I am going to have to miss out on the fun with my kids, but I hope they understand in the long run. That has probably been the hardest part of it all, cause I don't often have to miss anything of my kids, but I am doing this for them, for us.... and for ME! I don't often choose my own needs or wants before theirs, but I am working on this too. They say if Momma ain't happy..... no one is. Not that I'm not happy, but I hope this helps me grow and build confidence in myself that my kids will see and admire! (not that they know what mommy is doing, they just think she has lots of meetings to attend right now...lol).

We have soccer games tomorrow morning and might attend the NW game in the afternoon. Busy as usual at the Auffert house! Thanks for catching up with us. My camera is giving me fits, so I don't have many pics to post right now. Hopefully I can get that worked out and add some more soon.

Have a great weekend!

Going Pro....

Ok, maybe not PRO, but here is a picture of Rachel in her first ever real Volleyball uniform. She looks so nice, and beautiful, and competitive, all at the same time. You never know... she just may go PRO! We can only dream, but I would guess she'd love to do that in BBall more than Volleyball, either way, she is enjoying the sport. And that's all that matters.

Rachel had a good weekend with us having a friend all last weekend to hang out. We did a little shopping together, she has money to spend and thought she had to have new jeans. Well, she was right, and not cause hers were bad, but cause she has grown an inch over the summer and slimmed down 2 jean sizes. She was feeling pretty good clothes shopping! We are so proud of the wonderful young lady she is becoming. She is doing awesome in school and staying on top of the homework, even weeks before it is due....(lol), balancing school, activities, socializing and the family time. Rachel has been pretty easy to "get along" with too. No crazy hormonal teen fits... ha. Let's hope it stays that way!

Her first games start next week! She is so excited! I'm sure I'll be taking lots of pictures to add on here.

Until then....

No time to Blog

Sorry about my time off from blogging.... it has been one busy week.

Last weekend Tim was gone to Bristol, and it is amazing what I got accomplished around the house. I was pretty busy. It included 2 trips to st joe and an evening at the rodeo. It was a lot of fun, I'd never been and so it was all new to me. The girls had a good time, my brother and his kids came up and Gina, Mike and Tanner also came out. They were so cute all the kids playing in the dirt and watching the horses. Tim had a great time in Bristol, he got back home later in the evening on Sunday night.

Tuesday was Tim and I's 8th Anniversary. It was spent at a PAT water night and then the kids went to Grandma and Grandpa's so Tim and I could have supper together. It was a nice time, nothing big, maybe by our 10th Anniversary we'll do something real special, plan a trip together, but we'll see if that works out or not. I won't hold my breathe, this time of year is always so crazy for us. A little recap.... married August of '01, broke ground to our house Aug '02, Josie was born in Aug '03, Aug of '05 Cailyn came along. August is a special month to Tim and I, many celebrations including Tim's birthday and with school starting, it's not easy to find time to ourselves to celebrate. But that's ok. We have much to be thankful for.

Wednesday Cailyn turned 4. Very exciting for her, I definitely don't have any more babies around the house. She is so full of energy these days. I see her changing so much with Josie headed off to school this year. She has really stepped up to be mommy's little helper, and I'm really enjoying our time together. Cailyn has always been so laid back, never really had interest in learning typical things most toddlers do, doesn't ask too many questions, much different than Josie. I hope to work with her more and teach her some of these "big" girl things, but it's hard to teach someone who doesn't care to learn. It's so funny, she is very smart, she is very artistic, she definitely has her own way of doing everything, and that's just fine with me. Cailyn is ok with not growing up, not that she is a baby, but she tells me she never wants to go to school or be away from Tim and I, she might just live with us FoReVer... lol.

Josie turned 6 on Friday, and she'd probably move out if we let her...ha. She is so independent, she was thrilled to get hang down earrings for her birthday to wear to school. She tries so hard to be just as big as her older sisters, that it scares me at times. I wish at times she was more like Cailyn. She knows too much information that I don't think a 6yr old should know. Nothing bad of course, she can just hang out with older kids and is perfectly fine with that, sometimes kids her own age just don't interest her. That's not always good.

Josie is doing GREAT in school!! I got to talk with her teacher briefly the other day and she said that Josie was doing wonderful. That's good to hear, according to my "know-it-all" 6 yr old, there have been several kids in trouble at school. She keeps telling me she hasn't got in trouble 1 time, I believe her, this is how she always was in preschool too, but I know my Josie, and she can be a trouble maker at times.

Both girls had wonderful birthdays! They were very happy with the presents they got and we made some special treats to celebrate. I always make sure all my girls get some sort of special dessert of choice to celebrate on their birthday. I didn't want to do just cake cause I would be making that for their parties, so Cailyn picked homemade cinnamon rolls and Josie a big cookie. I enjoy baking, and I had my fill this week. I made a cake for Cailyn to have with the daycare kids, cinnamon rolls for that night, Josie wanted dirt pudding for her class at school that had to be in individual cups, then a big cookie that evening and I then created a castle cake that ended up taking me 3 mixes and 3 batches of frosting, but I was pleased with it and the girls thought it was so cool!! That's all that matters.

I got the house all ready to go with the help of my mom and dad for the Princess Party on Saturday. Mom had all the decorations I could want, so she came back and helped me turn my basement into a beautiful princess ballroom....lol. Again, the kids thought it was great... I liked it, it was a success again! All the girls had a great time. We played a couple games and Rachel and Amberlea helped me out with doing makeup and nails, and I did their hair. I thought it went great, some of the other moms thought I was just crazy for doing it, but I thought it was no big deal, I was used to handling that many kids... no problem. That part didn't stress me out at all, it was getting ready for the party that drove me crazy!

That's about it for now. I'll leave you with some pictures.

Cailyn's rolls with purple frosting!!

Josie opening her Hannah Montana movie!!!

The Castle Cake I created, the kids fought over who got the icecream cones I used for the towers.... who would of thought??

Some of the princesses getting a little pampering.

One of Josie's classmates playing the kiss the frog game Amberlea came up with. The girls thought it was pretty funny!!

All the princesses at the party!!

Busy times

This time of year is always so busy for me. I help get things organized for soccer in Maryville, have to help get volunteers for school lined up (which never goes well and I put off as long as possible), school starting up, Tim's bday, next week is our anniversary, and both the little girls' birthdays. So there is a lot going on in August for us.

I'll start with school starting on Tuesday. Josie was very excited, as Tim and I were. She looked so big and all ready to go to school. I made sure I worked it out with my daycare parents that I could go with Tim on her 1st day of school. I wasn't sure what to expect from myself, somethings upset me easily, but other things don't bother me. Well, Josie was more than ready to be there she could of cared less that she was leaving us. That's how Josie has always been. So, it was hard to get all sappy and cry when she just kept telling us bye, she was ready for us to leave. She wasn't like some of the other children clinging to their parents legs not wanting to let go. So, that's good I guess.... I wouldn't of minded a little bit of clinging though, to make ME feel better. I think Josie will do AWESOME this year at school! I'm excited to see how much she learns.

Rachel and Amberlea also had great 1st days. Amberlea seems to be very excited about 4th grade. She keeps telling me it's going to be awesome! So, I'm glad. Rachel is rachel.... not ready to get back to all the homework, but she does love to be with her friends and get more of a chance to socialize. So, she deals with the work... she is also starting VB prac today. She is excited about that! She is going to do great! She has been cracking me up the last couple days trying to "work her abs" with her dad. She got pretty good last winter, but isn't in the shape she was then ..... and let's just say, she is sore, but determined to work those muscles again. She is so funny!

* Rachel also gets her bottom braces off today!!!! YEAH!! So, I'll post a pic of the new, expensive, beautiful smile she has today!

Tim has left me for a few days.... not quite sure what to do. Ha... not really. I love my husband, and this will be the longest we will have been apart so far after almost 8 years of marriage, 4 days. But, I know he is so excited about his trip to Bristol, TN to watch the races. He has been talking about it for months now. He is like a little kid in a candy store.... about to bust! He is going with 3 other guys he is good friends with, also big race fans. They got free tickets... and they still don't know what all is included in them... he can hardly wait to find out. The guys know that they are ABC tickets that came from...ok follow me now.... one of the guy's brother-n-law is a brother-n-law to Dr Jerry Punch... (i hope that name is right) anyway, this Dr guy is an announcer for ABC that is on TV. When they called about the tickets again to see what all they included, this "guy" wanted to meet Tim and everyone and give them the tickets personally. So, they are all excited they get to meet him now too. .... Boys, I swear.

So, that leaves me alone with all the kids. I will have Rachel and Amberlea part of this time too. It will be fine. I don't mind having all the kids to myself. My only thing I don't like is listening to them cry about missing Tim. I'm glad they miss him, but it upsets me too. Cailyn has already had to call this morning and talk to Daddy. I remember when Tim years ago would go on bowling trips for like 2 days, oh.. I would be so upset and cry and cry.... not a tear this morning... lol... what does that mean?? I'm just teasing... I will miss him too... but I'm alright having my time to myself.

I am trying to plan the girls' party for next weekend... I have ideas.. I just need to get to st joe and see if I can find what I need for it. That has left me very busy too. Not sure how I'm going to get that all done.

Short update

All is going well in the Auffert house. Tim's birthday was yesterday, didn't really do anything special. It was open house for St. Gregory's and all the kids take their supplies in and meet with teacher and all that fun stuff last night, so we did that with all the girls. And had supper together for Tim's birthday!!

Josie is counting down to her 1st day of Kindergarten. She asks me first thing every morning how many more days till school. They start back on Tuesday, so I'll let you all know how that goes. I'm pretty sure it is going to be harder on mom than Josie.

Cailyn is sure acting up lately too, her spunky side is really coming out and I predict that with Josie going to school all day, she is going to really step up and be mommy's helper and just love having all the attention.

Rachel and Amberlea are also doing good, getting ready to get into a routine again. Rachel is trying to get herself organized for school and Amberlea is set and ready to go. Amberlea is a little nervous about this year (as I am) cause this is the year they "transition" from elementary to being able to handle going downstairs to "jr high" I'm not really sure Amberlea is ready for that. Could be a big eye opener for her. Or I could be completely wrong. Last year Rachel decided she was going to do good in school (not that she didn't before) but she set goals to get all A's and it wasn't a fight to do the homework and she did awesome! I didn't see that one coming at all. ha Hopefully she'll do that same this year!

So another year, with 3 kids in school now. We will have to start to balance homework, activities (rachel has VB prac everyday after school till 4:15, Amberlea and Josie soccer) and games on the weekends. It will be quite interesting.

As for myself, I've been working out still when I can. Dropped those pesky few pounds I gained back over the summer. That is good! Been kind of a wierd week for me. In some kind of a funk. I don't have much motivation, and am feeling a bit overwhelmed... hope that passes soon. Can't really pin point what is up?.... maybe I just need a little break away from home and the kids for a bit, get my sanity back. lol ...Not that I don't love my job and kids, but everyone needs and deserves a break every so often.

Hope everyone is doing good. Take Care

A quick update

Sorry, it's been a little while, but there hasn't been a whole lot going on.

We got back Sunday from our adult float trip. It was a great time like always, a little chilly on Saturday due to some small rain showers, but the sun came out and all was good again. There were a lot of us, and when I get some pics from my friend Tonya, I'll show you our huge barge we made by tying 17 canoes together. There were several couples I didn't know, but I always feel the more the merrier, it was really nice for me to spend so much time with other adults, not just children all the time. It was very needed.

This week has been busy with PTO mtgs, soccer mtgs, and I FINALLY got back to the Community Center this week. I'm pretty sore today. But it felt great to get back in and work out again. I just need to keep it up. I have another goal I want to reach. I had my annual Dr appt this week and spoke with my Dr about it, and we have a game plan, and he says my goals are reachable, so I will do my best to stay on track and hopefully get moving in the right direction again. I'd love to lose another 20 (plus the 3 I put on this summer....lol) before Christmas. That might be tough, but I'll just throw that goal out there... and I'll do my best to make it happen.

All the girls are getting pretty excited about school starting. Amberlea is ready to go, supplies and all. Rachel went on a big shopping spree with her Mom this week and made out pretty well. Rachel's body is changing and so pretty much everything she tries on, looks so cute on her.... and she "has to have it". I know this from experience and I'm sure Jenni was having the same issues with her while they were shopping together. Josie and I are going to get school supplies this weekend. She is pretty excited about it. And so am I. I'm not sure if she knows exactly what to expect with going to Kindergarten all day, everyday.

We are going to have to start getting her to bed much earlier next week and start to get her broke in, or she'll never make it.... ha. I've have her spoiled here at home with me for the last year and she slept in some mornings if she wanted to, well, a lot of mornings. She has her dad's sleeping habits, so I already know it's going to be a struggle. Can't wait.

I hope everyone has a nice weekend, Rachel is having a friend over tonight, and the rest of us are just going to hang out. I'm looking forward to it.

Fabulous Four

I think this is what I should start referring to my girls as the "fabulous four". They bring me so much joy with their wonderful personalities and I can't tell you how much I enjoy spending an evening with them all together as a family.

I would of never thought 8-10 yrs ago when I was in my early 20s and hanging out with my friends every Friday night, thinking that life revolved around being with them, partying and just having some good times, that now my Friday nights consist of hanging out with my kids, and I can't be happier!! Not that I don't mind an evening out with friends, but I'm quite content hanging out at home too.

This past Friday was another "pizza and poker" night at the Auffert house. It was a ton of fun. Both Rachel and Amberlea play with Tim and I and Josie "helps" Tim by putting in what chips he needs and then Cailyn sits with us making patterns and shapes out of her chips, very entertaining for her.

Let me tell you a little about Rachel and Amberlea. First..... Amberlea, as I mentioned before or any of you know Amberlea, she is often in her own little world. (a world I would like to visit just once...ha) But during a fast moving game of poker, this could be a problem. Every time she is dealer, we have to remind her, that she is the one dealing, after each card she flips over. And then we have all placed our bets, and she will just bet or do whatever, not really knowing what is going on. It is pretty funny!!

And then there is Rachel, who bets, just cause she knows she is going to "get lucky and win". Half the time she is right too. Drives Tim crazy! It's so funny. I was cracking up from her on Friday night. We all laughed and laughed the entire night.

The girls' favorite song right now is "Poker Face". So we had the music going while we played poker and heard this song several times. The girls and I were trying to perfect our own Poker Faces, but we weren't so good at it. Here's a few picture of some of our fun!!

This is rachel's not so good poker face, she couldn't quit laughin'.

She got her dad's hat and sunglasses...... and then realized that she couldn't see with the glasses on to know what cards she had or the chips. lol


Here she is getting serious.
Who do you think she learned it from.
"Why do I have all these girls on me?? I'm trying to play poker here"....lol

Saturday evening was a nice date out with my hubby to see The Proposal. It was very good! It was a nice evening just with just Tim and I , well, those 2 hours we went to the movie that is. We just ran the girls to my sisters and went back and got them afterwards, but I'll take what I can get.

I also got almost my entire list of "to dos" done this weekend. I am proud of my accomplishments! I'm dreading my last task, and it still might not get done for another week cause I and the girls all have VBS this week and I'm off on another float trip this weekend, adults only. That's exciting. I won't be a big baby this time when we leave, I hope, this time both Cailyn and Josie will be staying with Grandma and Grandpa, and I won't feel so bad about leaving my kids behind.

Hope everyone has a nice week!! Thanks for checking in on us.