Truth is... between tending to my recent injuries due to my iron man training, and all that is children, I forgot all about Thursday. *hangs head in shame*
Truth is... every year the office takes on 3-8 foster families to play Santa for. Normally I collect all the money for those who don't want to shop,
Truth is.... I was sitting at the kitchen table with oldest holding my head from the migraine that was taking over when my son looked at me and said...
"Mom? Are you OK?"
"Yeah buddy, just a head ache"
"Did I give it to you?"
Truth is...
Truth is...
Truth is... I found Bonus brother a driver's ed school that runs over Christmas break. He'll stay with us and I'll bring him to and from around my work schedule. And since his other parents can't make the extra class, I'll be taking the parent class. He's also talking college. I can't figure out weather I am beyond excited of the prospects of touring schools and campuses, or having a seizure over the cost. Maybe a little of both.
Truth is...
Truth is... I already have a tree set up. I entered a contest for a live tree and figured it would be nice for my sister if I won. And don't you know, I won.... two days after my sister bought her tree. But, never fear! My really good friend, submerged in her chaotic life of six kids and having her seventh child this week, had not even thought of a tree yet, and was thrilled when I offered it to her.
It gave me the warm and fuzzies to know that I could do this for her family.
And isn't that that one of the real joys of the season?
Julianna, I can tell from the photo that your gift for the baby is adorable. I have a couple of little pieces of college advice for you. Bonus Brother should apply for every scholarship he, you, and his school guidance counselor can find. The parents (I admit I don't know if it should be you and your husband or the other folks) need to fill out a FAFSA online, which will help you know how much and what kind of financial aid he can qualify for. At every college where he applies, he needs to fill out whatever papers are necessary to apply for scholarships given by the school. Getting a good scholarship from a particular school can make the college decision easier. When he knows where he wants to go, if the college has offered him a scholarship, call their financial aid office to extol his virtues and ask if they can please increase the amount. If he doesn't have a scholarship offer, call and say he wants to go to school there, but is there any way he can get a scholarship. Someone I Love ended up going to the college that offered her the best scholarship, and when I called and asked if it could be increased, the financial aid officer managed to find a few thousand more/year for here. You have to be kind of pleasantly pushy in the college game.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Lola
Lola's advice is great - we have 4 older ones that fall under the "yours, mine and ours" category like you do - so the parents that claim bonus brother on their taxes are the ones that need to fill out the FAFSA. They can be done online and for best results [and the most amount of aid/loans/grants] get it done as soon after January 1st that you can - which means the taxes have to be done first. The deadline for the FAFSA is March 1st for the following school year. I hope that makes sense - we have been through it so many times, it really gets easier each time. Email me if you need help. [And not to disagree with Lola, but honestly? I am the least pushy person you will ever meet and I didn't find that I had to be in the "college game". I found just being nice worked wonders.] Also, it is nice to help the kids, but they need to do a lot of the stuff themselves [applications, scholarship apps, etc.] It is a very exciting time.
ReplyDeleteI adore the present you made for the baby. I know the Mom will appreciate the world out of it - so clever - and a snowsuit! What a brilliant idea.
Take care and if you need anything you know where to find me.
Hang in there, baby. :-) Some day, you won't be so busy -- and you'll miss it!
ReplyDeletePearl
It's the biggest joy of Christmas! I really enjoyed this post of yours today. I hope you are doing well this holiday season. (by that I mean take care of yourself so I can stop being a beast and hounding your constantly. :) )
ReplyDeleteAs for the money towers at least it's harmless. The basket/ snowsuit was genius and darling@ Well done.
This gift is sooo creative! I LOVE it :0)
ReplyDeleteReally great idea for gift. Sounds great about college. Keep posting.
ReplyDeleteGreat baby gift! Sorry about the migraines, I get them too. Don't forget to take 2 minutes after the kids are all asleep and the house is quiet to just... Sit. Breathe. Watch the lights twinkle on the tree.
ReplyDeleteThe mess and dishes isn't going anywhere, and you can spare 2 minutes. It'll feel good. :)
Okay, you are just the nicest person ever, with the cute snowsuit gift (you should do a tutorial post or something to show us how to do it--you have plenty of time for that, right? haha!) and giving someone the tree you won, and taking the parent course for driver's ed. i did have to laugh at your son asking if he gave you the headache.
ReplyDeleteYou? You are awesome! Your children have a wonderful example of love, compassion and how to have fun even when things suck.
ReplyDeleteTruth is I forgot to post Truth is the last two Thursdays...oh well.... I am not trying to be perfect that is for sure!
ReplyDeleteTruth is, I met a man who live in California...and he will be my new mystery man....
Truth is, I love Christmas but I hate commercialism...
Truth is....I wish I could get on a bike and ride, but my big Italian ass hates bicycle seats.....
Truth is...I rather be doing the hortizonal mambo as my form of exercise.... (tramp)
Just saying....
Do you anything for you?
ReplyDelete((hugs))
you're amazing
I'll have to remember that baby gift. GR8 idea!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you and I both had a case of the " warm and fuzzies."
Yes....GIVING when you are able to.... does that to you. :0)
(((hugs)))Pat
Sorry I'm so behind on reading posts! Truth is, I've had a cold...waaaaaa!
ReplyDeleteIf you want, I can send Peanut your way for a while...she'll girlie up the place for you.
Giving really is better than receiving, huh? I don't think I realized that fully until I had children, but now - I give as much as possible, too. Good for you :)
ReplyDelete