New Job

I started a new job at the beginning of Jan. It's a nice childcare center but I make very little money. I found a new job that is only 2 miles from the girls' school and $2 an hour more than what I am making now. Plus I don't start until 9 a.m. so there is no need for morning childcare for the girls and the school is letting me leave at 3:45 to pick up my girls and bring them back with me until I get off at 5 p.m. So I do not need childcare at all in the afternoon either! Just with the pay raise and no childcare costs I am looking at over $600 extra in my pocket each month. That's not to mention the money I save in gas and I can eat lunch at the preschool too. I start Mar. 10. The hours will be so much better for the girls. They are exhausted. They've been spending 10 hours a day at their school. Last night after we got home I had to make dinner, help with homework for 4 girls, give baths, trim bangs on 3 girls and cut finger and toe nails. They girls did not get to be until 9:30. Waaayyyy to late. So just a week and half more and our hours will be so much better. Things are slowly looking up and I am feeling good and positive about things. The school that I am at now wanted me to stay and offered me $1.50 an hour more but I will still have to pay for childcare for the girls. Now I just need to find a part-time job for when the girls are with their Dad so that I can have health insurance.

The girls are doing well and Abby was Star Student of the Month for January!!!! She got a new dress and hairbow for the occasion. Her Dad even showed up! I'm tickled because she works soooo hard at school. It doesn't come easy for her but she sure tries. There have now been 3 Star Students in our family. Caroline is patiently waiting and hoping she gets chosen soon. :)

Speaking of Caroline, the girl loooves fruit. Any kind. The more exotic the better but her favorite is kiwis. Last night I bought a King cake to have for Mardi Gras. It had cherry filling in it. Caroline was in hog Heaven and said, "I'm not a vegetarian. I'm a fruitatarian!" The girl's a mess!!!! She has the most unusual take on things but definite makes me laugh.

Megan's last cheerleading game is Friday. It has been a long haul and I am glad it is winding down. Her coaches bought everyone pizza at practice last night so megan was thrilled. She continues to do well in school. Every single spelling test she has had this year has been 100% or better. Only once has she gotten just 100%. Every other test has been 105%. She just gets it. Spelling and reading come easy to her. She made the Advanced Program for next year and is just really bright.

Brigid was chosen in her Kindergarten class to read a passage aloud to the school about Harriet Tubman for a Black History Celebration. (My girls call it Brown History Month because they say people have brown and peach skin not white and black) I didn't get to see it (had to work) but her Dad showed up and said it was really cute.

Things for the girls' Dad continue to be rough. I don't post when there are negative things to say about him but he is having a rough time. He is without electricity at the moment and has been for almost 2 months. I've given him info on how to get help paying his bill and I am hoping he gets it back soon. I think this is the first time in over 3 1/2 years that I actually feel sorry for him and hope he gets himself together. It makes the girls sad that they can't have overnight visits with him. Say a little prayer for him.

I'm still in my house. Don't know when I need to leave but I am sticking it out to the end and trying to save money so that when I do move it won't be a hardship.

That's about it in my crazy world. Hope all is well in yours.