Night Blogging

Ok, this is weird. I'm blogging at night. Normally, I blog in the morning when I wake up because that's when I have the most down time. Steven started 2nd shift last night, so I have at least 2 whole hours to myself between the time I put the kids to bed and the time he gets home from work. Last night I had a bunch of laundry to do, so I didn't get to enjoy my time. Tonight, I made sure to get everything done while the kids were watching TV before bed. Now, I'm sitting here with a cup of tea...just relaxing. I can get used to this! 

Today was actually one of the most stressful days I've had in awhile. I have decided to bring a nurse back in during the day for a little extra help. In order to do this, I have to be put back on the Medicaid Waiver Program. I cannot believe all of the hoops they are making me jump through. I spent the entire day getting all of the documents together that they need. I'm not even kidding...they asked for bank statements, insurance cards for every member if my family, and even copies of the titles and registration for our cars! What?! I know it's because they want to figure out how much of a spend down I will end up with. When Steven was out of work, they didn't ask for anything. They were like, "Oh, you aren't working? Here's everything you'll need to get by." No wonder some people live off the system all their lives! I for one, don't think that's a very rewarding way to lie your life, but there are so many people that make living off of government assistance a lifetime opportunity. It is meant to help those who need it when they need it. Maybe if more people treated it that way, it wouldn't be so hard for people like me to get it without having to sign over their first born during the application process! Ok...end rant.

Now that I'm all stressed out again, LOL...I think I'll watch Dancing with the Stars and read a bit before my husband gets home!

Spring Clean!

My mom just left after a long day of helping me clean. I can imagine she's pretty exhausted! We did every room except my bedroom, because Steven has to work tonight and he is in there sleeping. I'll go in there once he wakes up and get to work! Everything looks and smells awesome. Its nice to know that the furniture has been moved and cleaned under, windows are clean, and everything is exactly how I wanted it. What a relief! I took some pictures with my phone, since I've never really posted them on my blog. I'll take better ones when the master bedroom/bath is done.

(Master bedroom/bathroom photos coming soon...)

It's amazing how a clean house can change your entire mood!

Steven got word last night that starting on Monday he will be moved to 2nd shift. Its 2:15pm-10:30pm. I don't know how I feel about it. I was just getting used to 3rds. Now I have to re-psyche myself up. I will have to do dinner/bath/bedtime by myself Monday-Friday. Even though I'm Italian, the "good cook" stereotype is not one that is true. Steven cooks dinner every night. I just clean it up. He also helps with bath/bedtime most nights, so I will definitely miss that. I just have to keep reminding myself that we are very blessed that he has a job at all. Everything will be ok...but it will take a lot of getting used to. It will definitely be nice to not have to sleep alone!

A Little Overwhelmed

Every year around this time, I get really overwhelmed. The weather is getting nicer and I start to realize that its time for Spring Cleaning. Ughhhhhhh...I love once its done, but I hate doing it. There are a few things that I can't do on my own, so I have to ask for help, which I kinda don't like to do. I would rather just do it myself, at my own pace...on my own terms. I think that's the most overwhelming part. No matter how long I've had to get used to my disability, I don't think I'll ever be ok with depending on others for things I'd much rather do by myself. Either way, its the hand I've been dealt, so my mom is going to come over tomorrow and help with some of the more difficult things. Hopefully we can team up and get it done and over with in a relatively decent amount of time. Then I can breathe!

I have a dentist appointment on Wednesday. That's another thing I've been up to in the 8 months I've been away from blogging. Before Steven and I got married in 2006, I went to the dentist to have a few cavities filled. I had a really bad experience...the dentist drilled and filled an entire tooth when I could still feel it. Even when I said something, he told me "You're ok. You're doing great." So, from then on, every time my 6 month cleaning time would roll around, I made excuses why I couldn't go. This went on for 6 years. My front teeth were in great shape, so you couldn't tell anything was wrong...but my molars were a mess. My wisdom teeth had started breaking and I was in a lot of pain. I finally couldn't take it anymore and I found a dentist in my area that specializes in a "Pain-free experience". Even though I was terrified, I bit the bullet and made an appointment. I am so glad I did. My first appointment lasted 4 hours and consisted on extracting 3 of my molars on my left side (2 were wisdom teeth) and drilling/filling anything else that needed it. Then he put temporary bridges over the left side so we could finish them at a different time. The next week, we did the right side. Then I went back in for 2 root canals. I still need 2 more, but they can wait, since they are protected by the bridges. Wednesday, I will have the temporaries removed from the bottom on both sides and have permanent crowns put in place. Then I can go back to get the top done...then I'm done for good! All of this pain and discomfort just because of one bad experience...how dumb?! But I can't even begin to tell you how much better I feel now that my mouth is healthy! And I won't lie...being on the laughing gas is never a disappointment!

I got my van back on Saturday! It looks awesome. Not only did he fix the damage from Walmart, but he also put new clips in my door panel (which has been broken since I got the car.), repainted the ramp cover underneath, and fixed a scratch from a door ding, which I got about a year ago when a cart hit it in (none other than) the Walmart parking lot. It looks like a brand new car on the outside. Maybe I can get my mom to help spring-clean the inside for me while she is here!

OK...I'll leave you with a video that just melts my heart. We went to a friend's 30th surprise party and I caught this video of Steven and Brookie dancing.

I am blessed beyond measure...no matter how overwhelmed I may get.

Date Day - Butchino Style!

Steven and I were able to take a very rare date day yesterday...just the 2 of us. We dropped the kids off with my mom, grabbed a quick lunch and headed to the most romantic place we could think of...the gun range! Country girl at heart right here! He just bought me a new Ruger SR22 complete with a pink grip as an early birthday gift. I couldn't wait to get my finger on the trigger! Just because I'm disabled doesn't mean I can't find a way to do something I love! I live by the saying "Where there's a will, there's a way." So even though I have an unconventional way of shooting, I'm not half bad.

I was able to kill a zombie, too! Walking Dead style!!

Now, that's what I call a date!! There's nothing better than doing something you love with your favorite person in the whole world!

In other news, I should be getting my van back from the body shop tomorrow. Its been there since Monday. While we were in NY a couple weeks ago, I took it to have my tires rotated at Walmart TLE. Sure enough, they wrecked it! Ran it right into a tire machine! So, they are taking care of all repairs as well as giving me a rental allowance. Its been a pain in the butt, but I did get free lifetime tire rotations out of the whole ordeal...if I decide to take it back there!

Anyway, we are having a lazy day today. Eating junk food and watching Wreck It Ralph in our pajamas! These days with my babies will end all too soon.

Check out the updated "About Me" tab to the left!

Tuesday Tidbits - One For Mama!

I was doing a little online shopping the other day and received an email from the Coach Factory Outlet about a sale they were having. I had to scurry to swipe it up because the sale was only going for about 10 more minutes, but I managed to get this gorgeous Ashley Leather Swingpack ($169) for only $59!!

Score!! A lot of people don't know about these sales because they are for members only. Signing up is easy! Just go to coachfactory.com and become a member! You will receive super secret sale emails and save tons of cash! You can thank me later!!

For more Tuesday Tidbits, head over to Kelly's Blog, oxboroughchaos.com! 

I'm Baaaaaack!

(And I need to catch you up!)

It's been awhile. Almost 8 months to be exact. This is what my kids look like now...

Still as cute as can be...obviously. (Maybe I'm partial.)

We've had a lot of changes since last time I posted. (Including a change from thebutchinofamily.net to thebutchinofamily.com.) Steven is still working for the same company, but just went to straight 3rds, Sunday-Thursday. It hasn't been easy, but we make it work. He used to work 3 to 4 days a week, 6:30pm-6:30am. Now, its 5 days a week, 10:15pm-6:30am. I think I will like these hours better because we have more time during the day to spend together and I'll have help putting the kids to bed every night! Also, he will always have weekends off...which it was every-other before. 

Brooklyn has still been doing pageants. She's been having a blast and is an absolute natural. 3 weekends ago, she won a Haily's Choice Award (which is a Supreme Title), Best Smile, and Best Personality. Then this past weekend, she won the 2-3 year old division, Best Eyes, Best Dressed, Best Personality, and Top Model Look. We are very proud!

   

Carter is getting huge!! He turned 4 in October and there's nothing he loves more than monster trucks and his daddy! The two of them just went to Monster Jam a few weekends ago and Carter got to meet a few of the drivers and got their autographs. He had an absolute blast!

As for me, I'm still taking photos. Mainly just for friends and family. I don't have much free time to make it a full-time thing. But I love doing it, so I'm generally happy doing it wherever and whenever. Two weekends ago, I had the honor of photographing the wedding of my very dear cousin and his new wife. Other than that, I've been busy running a household. Sometimes it gets overwhelming, but I am just thankful to have the opportunity and the ability to do it. This time 2 years ago, I required in-home nursing and my husband was unemployed. I'd say we've got it going on right now!

I really missed blogging and feel like I need an outlet, so it wont be another 8 months before you hear from me again. Maybe after I get the kids to bed tonight, I will start on a new layout. I'm thinking a new look is definitely in order!!