The Queen’s Chronicles

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The week before the first week of school officially wore me out!
On Monday morning the PTO kicked things off by providing a breakfast for the Creek View teachers and staff.  I’m always really jealous when I get there and see all the yummy food everyone has taken time to prepare!  This year I made this sausage breakfast casserole recipe compliments of Mix and Match Mama.  Thinking ahead I made an extra for one of our dinners this week and the hubs gave the thumbs up!  Win..win for me!  I actually had assistance from this little man who doesn’t like to eat much but seems to love helping me make things if it involves cracking eggs.
My anxiety was pretty high Monday morning which is really not my typical Monday.  I do not do well on little sleep and the new puppy has definitely cut into my zzzz’s.   I also planned to take a few days off work this week to tie things up at home before school gets started but there were quite a few T’s that still needed to be crossed before that was going to happen without more anxiety.  I arrived at work to find this yummy goodness on my desk compliments of a dear friend.  When I was pregnant with Carly we worked in the same office and every time we had a holiday his wife would make these.  Now every time she makes them he remembers how much I loved them and brings me a sample!  You have to love people like that….and it really turned my day around!
On Monday evening we have been taking Dutch Buddy to Puppy 101 training.  Tonight was super special because we actually saw two of his sisters! We are partial and think we still got the pick of the litter..seriously…just look at this face!
And I wore my sassy pants and denim jacket from my friends online boutique!  You can find her on facebook under Burlap & Pearls.  Cute clothes…even cuter owner!  I’m lucky enough to live right around the corner.  Shhh…don’t tell the hubs.
We finished off the day with a 7th grade football meeting and then my son went to TEEN night at a local game center.  I thought I was ready…but I’m rethinking.
Wednesday morning I had to take Dillon in for a few shots or he was not going to be allowed to start 7th grade!  He is currently 97th percentile in height….and he has been drinking milk like crazy!  Mostly straight out of the jug because evidently his dad told him if he could finish it he could do that.  Really?
Finally Thursday arrived and I had a day off work!  I started the day at the gym with my workout buddies.  Only leg day and these girls could make me get up at 5am on my day off! Finding a style of workout you love is important but having someone to workout with that will keep you accountable is even a bigger deal to me.  If I’m the only one that knows I’m suppose to be there it is much too easy to find something else to do!
I actually took two different cars to the dealership for oil changes before taking Miss Carly for a much needed haircut!  Sweet girl has her moms unruly fine hair with just enough curl to make a mess but not enough to wear curly.  She was a happy camper after getting a few inches taken off.
And then we took Dutch Buddy for his 2nd round of shots and I quizzed the vets like a first time mom!  All the excitement really wore him out.
We spent the afternoon swimming with some friends before heading to Carly Jo’s meet the teacher night.  It is always so exciting to find out who will be molding my sweet girl each year and we were definitely happy to find out we are on the Watson/McCallay team.  You really can’t go wrong with the teachers at our school and thankfully my kids are very flexible.
On Friday morning Carly, Dutch and I headed out for some Fuzzy Tacos while our cleaning service took care of our house.  Hiring someone to clean was really hard for me but I finally bit the bullet two weeks ago and I am so thankful I did.  It has really helped me to keep things in order and kept the load off my mind so I can focus on my family in more productive ways.  Carly said Fuzzy’s has the BEST breakfast tacos.
We also picked out faucets for the bathroom today!!  I’m so excited…I picked out granite about 3 months ago but have not had time to stop and look at faucets.  Craziness…the faucets really cost almost as much as the darn granite!
Saturday morning the boys got haircuts and then we headed to Katy to Bass Pro Shop to stock up before dove season next weekend.  Hunting license is ready and I even picked out a new camo shirt.  When Keith & I were dating and early in our marriage I went hunting with him but have not gone for the past 6 or so years.  The kids have school on Labor Day but I took off work and the hubs and I are going to have a date shooting some birds!

Dillon has been saving for a deer decoy to practice bow hunting so he is a happy hunter!

And no trip down 290 is complete with out icees from Buc-cees!

We started Sunday off right with a trip to Brazos Fellowship.  So blessed by this church and the new series Soul Mate is going to touch so many hearts.  I spent so much of my life expecting some other person to fill my heart and give me happiness, never realizing only Jesus could fill that spot.  I can always pin point when I start moving God into 2nd place and trying to put something or someone in 1st.  I start to get angrier in my marriage, more frustrated with my kids and with work.  The quote was used today by C.S. Lewis “Put first things first and we get second things thrown in; put second things first and we lose both first and second thing.” I have come so far with my faith but still have so far to go.  Thankful for a God that offers lots of grace on my journey.
We did lots of prepping for the week in hopes of making our first week back to school an easy transition.  Items for lunches have been packed individually so the kids can easily grab and go and Keith and I can as well.  I also made some egg muffins in hopes it makes breakfast for Keith and I a little less intensive but still somewhat healthy and a good start for the day.
Meals for the week are also planned and hopefully there will not be any need for me to hit the grocery store!  I also created chore charts for the kids.  We will see how this plays out but I really think if they have a visual reminder it may help.  I found these cute printables on Pinterest and had them laminated.  We used dry erase marker to write the chores for the week and I used command hooks to hang them with a clipboard on the kids bedroom doors.  We will see how this works.
My kids of course immediately asked how much they would be paid.  I totally believe in giving kids responsibility with money but I also am just not going to pay them for doing things they should be responsible for doing around the house.  I always point out that I allow them to live here for free and provide all their meals and they always roll their eyes.  I would be happy to offer a monetary reward for other chores that would help out the family but are beyond their norm…maybe washing the car, cleaning out flower beds, etc.
And finally….a little something for Carly Jo’s teachers tomorrow.  I will send gift cards from Walmart or Target in the near future for Dillon’s teachers….no way was he taking some crazy Pinterest inspired gift for his teachers tomorrow!

Looking forward to a great week!  Sleep Tight!

Be Blessed,
Shelly