Lexulous and Poop

My newest obsession is an online game called Lexulous. It's basically Scrabble by a different name. You play with a friend (or 2), and receive notices via e-mail when another has made a move. I play all through out the day with Amy, Misty, and Jason. So if you are ever home, hanging out on the 'puter, and want to kill time, let me know I'll be more than happy to set up a game :O) I have become something of an addict!!

Poop, I'm so tired of it. One of the curses of breastfed babies is they poop...like crazy! My son not only poops, he poops up his back, ALL THE TIME!! Today he was in his 3rd outfit by 11 a.m. Crazy huh? In addition to the 3rd outfit he pooped in his carseat and bouncy seat. So it's all in the wash. Fun Times! You sure you still wanna have a baby Shannon???

I'm going to brag, and I don't care....

I have the best husband ever. I won't bore you with a long list of how awesome he is, but if you've ever met him or been around us you know. He rocks, plain and simple. This was shown again today when I e-mailed him and told him I accepted the DB position for pay WAY less than what I'm worth and it's part time. He replied this:

Well, it gets some money coming in until we can find you a good full time job.

The frickin market sucks now.

We might just end up both working part time when I go to school.

We can do it though.

I LOVE YOU!!

What you do for our family is AMAZING.

YOU ROCK MY LOVE!

SOOOOOOOOOOO PISSED OFF!!!

I called the IRS today to check on our refund since we never received it, and you won't believe what they told me. THEY NEVER RECEIVED THE INJURED SPOUSE FORM!!! Do you know what that means?? DFAS got our whole freakin' tax return!!! I can still fill out the form and mail it in, but I have already lost 2 weeks! I'm so freakin' pissed off. I want to go kick them in their yoo-hoos! GGGGGRRRRR.

On a happier note, I had another interview today. It was a group interview with 3 other people. All 3 of which had a degree, but little personality. At the end of the interview the interviewer asked everyone to choose 1 person in the group that they would hire based on the information given during the interview. 2 out of the 3 choose me!! They have 2 positions open, and have been looking for 3 weeks! That seems like a long time to not have found anyone. They have a pretty rigorous process though. There is the phone interview, the group interview, one on one with the campus director, then one on one with the national director. WOW! The job is close to home(10 minutes), pays decent, and the hours are OK(9-6). It's the best one I have interviewed for so far. i have been avoiding the DB lady like the plaque, not sure what I am going to do about that. I don't want to turn it down in case this doesn't work out, but I don't want to only work there for a week then quit. AGH! I need to check my powerball ticket....

So happy my Grammie is taking me to Logan's for lunch tomorrow!!

I Love Blogging

I used to get upset that people didn't update as often as I did. That they didn't leave comments when I knew they had been here. That me not updating for 3 days is a travesty, but they could go weeks in between blogs. Then I decided. Who gives a crap?? I enjoy blogging. It's as much for me to get my thoughts out as it is for others to catch up on my life. I like sitting down and thinking of something to write about. I make time to do it. My life is in no way exciting, but I always find something to write about, and ya'll must love it b/c I get at least 30 hits a day. I have readers who read and never comment(Michelle and Delta!) I know you're there and I don't mind. I'm flattered. I blog stalk. It's kinda cool to know I'm being stalked too.

Don't forget AI tonight!!

Tired

Is an understatement. Harrison is still not feeling well and was up most of the night last night. I think I slept about 2 hours, and I don't mean straight! It was 20 minutes here, 10 minutes there. Exhausting. He's snoozing now, but of course the big kids are up and awake, dishes need done, laundry needs done. A mother's work is never done...

We had an awesome time Saturday night making Sushi. My brother cam over and stayed the night. He had never has sushi before and enjoyed trying it for the first time. Jonathan even broke down and tried it. Savannah has always loved it. I think I like the Spicy Tuna roll better than the philly roll. It was fun to make our own combos.

The manager of the retail job I interviewed for last week called today. She said they like me and I have a great personality, but I lack retail experience for a management position. Soooo, she offered me a part-time sales position. It's not really what I want, but I suppose it will do for now. I need a full time well paying job by July. I can't put Jason through nursing school on a part-time retail paycheck. It works OK for now though b/c I won't have to be away from H as much and Grammie will probably keep him so he won't have to go to daycare. One day at a time. I'll worry about the rest later.

I LOVE MY FAMILY

ME AND MY BOY

YUMMY FINGERS!

SERIOUSLY, COULD HE BE ANY CUTER??

HALLOCK SUSHI BAR

RICE, NORI, CREAM CHEESE, SALMON, TUNA,

CUCUMBER, AVOCADO, CRAB, AND SPICY MAYO

JASON AND RYAN MAKING THEIR SUSHI

ROLLING

SAVANNAH FEEDING UNCLE RYAN SUSHI

After my rough night with Harrison it was wonderful to get this e-mail from my hubs this morning:

I LOVE YOU:

I love your smile
I love your devotion
I love your mommy skills
I love your dedication to our family

I appreciate everything you do for us.

You Are My Girl.

I'm a lucky gal :O)

A Lil' Somethin' New

On this fine valentine's day we decided to re-arrange the living room.

Only a few more hours until sushi!!

Looking in the living room from the dining room-BEFORE Looking in the living room from the dining room-AFTER

We uncovered the window to add more light to the room.
Looking from the front door into the house-BEFORE
Looking from the front door into the house-AFTER
We moved the shrank to the back wall where the painting was.

Looking from the hallway into the living room-BEFORE

Looking from the hallway into the living room-AFTER

Can I tell you how much I can't wait until we get a sofa. The living room is much brighter and more spacious now. Yay us!

Going to do sushi about 6. More pics later :O)

RSV

For 20 minutes(while we waited on the test) they thought that was what Harrison had. It's enough to scare the daylights out of a momma!! He's had a nasty cough for a couple of weeks, so I finally took him to the Dr. Thankfully, she said it's just a normal cough due to cold. He is eating okay, sleeping okay, and sucking on his pacifier, all indicators of a baby that feels decent. She recommended a cool mist humidifier. Grammie was going to let us use hers, but decided instead we needed our own, so she bought us one. I've always wanted to get one but have always been to cheap to fork the money out. It seems to be helping. Harrison hasn't coughed as much since I set it up. He even slept for almost 3 hours after the appointment.

Of course since my last name is Hallock, we did not get our return. I doubled checked the routing and account number to be sure it was correct and no one else got our money. The website says I have to wait until the 18th before calling them, so that's what I shall do. I should have known better, if it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck.

I didn't hear back about my interview :O( I guess it's back to career builder for me. BLAH.

Hoping and Praying

I checked the IRS website to get the status of our tax return and was shocked to see it said:

Your tax refund is scheduled to be direct deposited on February 13, 2009. If your refund is not credited to your account by February 18, 2009, check with your bank to find out if it has been received. Please wait until February 18, 2009 before you contact us again because we are unable to take any action until then.

Wow! Don't they know that their own website states 11 weeks to process returns with an injured spouse claim? Don't they know we still owe the Army $3,500? They must b/c under the above statement was this one:

Your refund may be reduced to pay a past due obligation such as child support, another federal agency debt, or state income tax. If this applies to you, the Financial Management Service, who issues IRS refunds, will send you a notice informing you of any offset they have made. The details of the debt are not provided to the IRS. Please do not call us to inquire about the details because we will not be able to answer your questions. Instead, direct any questions you have about the offset or debt to the agency identified on the notice.

So what does this mean?? Hell if I know! I'm just hoping we get our tax return tomorrow and it's at least 1/2 of what we are supposed to get, but I'll be freakin' ecstatic if all gets deposited!!

Savannah is staying at Grammie's tonight so I decided to tackle her room. She is a bonafide slob! Jason says it's the artist in her, I say it's she has a mother who will clean up after her! Anyway, below are her before and after pics! I threw away all those damn pixos she got for C-mas. What a bad idea that was!! Plus a bunch of drawings, and other crap. I'm guessing it will stay clean for...about 3 hours...

Happy Friday Folks!!

Haslet???

The tracker says I have a reader in Haslet. I thought it was my friend Debbie, but she didn't have my blog addy(until now!), so I don't know who it is.... Feel free to leave a comment Haslet, the more the merrier!!

Last night at parent/teacher conferences we received a not so good report on Jonathan's behavior...One of his punishments was this....
BEFORE
AFTER
Yup, he had to get a haircut. He looks happy in that picture, but he was not happy at the salon. He cried the whole time. Not the loud drama sobbing, but the silent crying where the only way you knew he was crying was b/c of the tears silently rolling down his face. It broke my heart. Every time I said "shorter", he would let out a little sob, then return to silent tears. It was as horrible for me as it was for him.

My interview went OK, it wasn't great. The DM asked really tough questions. I will know tomorrow if I got the position. I hope so. Jason scheduled his campus visit at WSU today. Whoo-hoo! The kids are home until Tuesday b/c of conferences and the holiday...let's hope I don't lose my mind in the next five days!!

Our future's so bright...we gotta wear shades...

A fabulous thing happened yesterday. Jason received is eligibility letter from the VA regarding his GI Bill. In 2008 the GI Bill was re-vamped a little. Amazingly enough, it's for the better. Jason will have almost $80,000 at his disposal for college. If he attends an in-state school that is more than plenty to finish his BA(he's 1/2 way there) and to get his MA.

Initially we thought we was going to have to attend an online school to be able to make ends meet and get the education. The new bill that goes into effect August 1, 2009 will allow him to go to classes while I work.

It covers:

-Cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state undergraduate tuition at a public institution of higher education (paid to school); **School gets paid 100%**

-Monthly housing allowance equal to the basic allowance for housing payable to a military E-5 with dependents, in the same zip code as your school (paid to you); **This is a little over $1,000 a month. How great is that? It keeps him from having to get a job to make ends meet while in school**

-Yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 per year (paid to you) **Of course he'll need this**

I will have to work while he's in school, but I have been looking for a job anyway, so it's not that much of a change. Once he graduates he will be able to earn double what he does now, and will have no problems finding a job in that field. It's a means to an end. Work for 3 years and then never have to work again, unless I want too! Hell Ya!

Jason is so excited he can't hardly contain himself. August will not come quick enough for him I'm sure. He called VA today to verify he is eligible for the new program, and he is. So now he just has to apply and start getting stuff in order. I will continue looking for a job( I have another interview tomorrow) and start the process of saving and prepping for this new adventure in our lives.

American Association of Respiratory Care

Who are you???

No Scrappin'

I ended up not scrappin' b/c we got an obnoxious e-mail from the woman who gave birth to my husband, and I ended up chatting with my friend Amy for 2 hours! Kinda sad I didn't get around to it, but I love a good girlfriend convo too!

Not much else going on. I have another interveiw on Wednesday. I had a one one Friday too. I'd prefer the job I intereviewed for on Friday, but it's less pay and farther from home. We will see how it goes, hopefully God will choose for me and I will only be offered one of them.

Kids are good. We have parent/teacher conferences on Tuesday. Then they have a 5 day weekend next week. Crazy, I know. Whatever will I do with them???

I can't wait for Valentine's Day. We are going to continue our traditon of making our own Sushi Rolls!

Soooooo....

Savannah is staying the night with a friend....


Jonathan is staying the night with a friend.....


Can you guess what I will be doing???


Yup....


Starting Harrison's scrapbook!!!

I love me some us!

Hallock Family Super Bowl Predictions

Jason-Arizona Cardinals 31-27
Angel-Arizona Cardinals 23-17
Jonathan- Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24
Savannah-Arizona Cardinals 27-20
Harrison-Arizona Cardinals!!

Hiatus

• A period of time where one is on a break

In case your not my facebook friend....

1. My life is full of grey area
2. I have many friends, but truly trust few
3. I married the man God made just for me
4. I'm not as bubbly as I used to be, and I hate that
5. I love to shop, love, love , love it. Only for bargains though, I rarely pay full price for anything
6. When I'm down, Jason can always make me feel better
7. I never thought I'd have a 3rd child
8. My friends live in my computer! LOL!
9. I am a crier.
10. 30 wasn't as traumatic as I thought it would be
11. I haven't seriously scrapbooked in years
12. My hubby has turned me into a huge football fan! Go Cards!!
13. I love to sleep
14. People love me or hate me, there isn't much in between
15. I'm am loyal beyond measure
16. I love grease and fat, I could live the rest of my life without brownies or cake, but not cheeseburgers and onion rings
17. I love the color orange
18. I hate judgemental people, you haven't walked a mile in my shoes, so shut the hell up
19. I love to cook.
20. I love to clean, but HATE laundry
21. I am sentimental and a pack rat , it's BAD! If you've given it to me, I have it!
22. I love to read, when I have time
23. I believe what I believe and love a heated discussion as long as the other person can leave it at the end of the conversation(most can't)
24. Closed minded people are ignorant
25. I am getting at least 2 more tattoos, an orange lily and something matching with Jason

Now you need to go did it!!

This made me smile...

I know not all ya'll were McCain fans, but this made me smile today :O)

What a great weekend!!!

This weekend we went to visit April and her family in Clay Center. Too fun!! It was awesome! We sang karoke, played pool, darts, and cards. Not to mention just hangin out and relaxing. I am soooooo happy we went, and I can't wait to get to gether again!!

Jason and Danny singing, Jason is getting into it!!

Singing with no arm swinging
Jonathan taking a break from pool!

April's daughter Monica and Savannah are only a year apart and it off great! Jason decided he wanted to call Monica Harmonica, and Savannah already goes by Banana so here is Harmonica and Banana prepping for there 2021 world tour!!

April's son is only a year and a half older than J. They had a great time too. They spent most of the visit on the Wii, but here they are taking a Wii break to play a little DS while the old foogies watched the Food Network.

April and Danny chillin after breakfast. Life is nothing with out a little Sunday morning snuggling with your hunny!

Monica and Savannah right before we left.

Me and April. She is going to HATE that I put up this pic, but how could I not?? I'm so happy that we found each other again after such a long period apart. We still have so much in common and had an awesome time catching up. Not to mention we beat the boys in Spades one game. By beat I mean wiped the floor with them!!

Before we left Clay I had to drive by the house my Grammie and Grampy lived in when they lived there. It is one of my fave houses ever. This house is the back drop house for every book I read. Then I adjust the house as the author describes it. This house rocks. It has ahuge spiral staircase. A dual front fireplace that is in the formal living room and study. It has the best kitchen ever with an island to die for!! I mean it's HUGE. I would love to purchase and restore this house. It contains so many happy childhood memories for me!!

On the way home from Clay we stopped in Abilene for a little bit. Yesterday was my baby sister;s 22nd birthday. We hung out for awhile and had cake and family time.

Jonathan and Codey. Codey has gotten so long. He's not as chubby as he was at Thanksgiving. He's still cute and squishy though!! Auntie Angel loves her some Codey!

Savannah and Elizabeth playing outside at Mema and Pop-pop's

My baby sister looking so pretty. I love her new hair cut!

Tiff and her 20 week prego belly. At her appointment on Thursday the Dr. said he thinks it's a girl!! I said I like Angel Rose as a name :O)

Tiffany and Elizabeth

Savannah and Aunt Tiffany

Me, Tiff, and H

Savannah and Codey

Elizabeth playing outside

Jonathan and Aunt Tiffany

The kiddos were wiped out from their busy weekend. They slept almost all the way home!!

36 out of 99

Let me know if you do this, so I can see how exciting your life is compared to mine. Just bold face the items that you HAVE done, and leave the rest normal….

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29 Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33 Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41 Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45 Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China (I built the Great Wall of St. Robert in my yard)
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60 Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64 Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66 Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67 Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79 Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee