Buying a House and DNF reviews

Hey guys! I've been steamrolling through the Red Queen series, haven't I? Well, I am starting War Storm today! However, my parents are visiting from Pennsylvania, and we are in the process of buying a house so I'm hoping that I don't book stall again. It's our first time buying a house and there is so much to it. You have to talk to so many people and make sure everyone is on the same page. Thank god for my realtor, she is amazing! The kids have been pretty good while we have been looking from house to house which was a huge plus. I'm so worried about the schools these days and finding good schools. But I also want to get more value for my money too. I don't want a small house that I'm going to feel cramped for the next however many years we are there. It's tough. I think the house we chose we found a good happy medium. Something with enough space for us, plenty of land for the kids to have fun with, and most of the schools are good. It really is extremely stressful! It's the second most stressful thing in my life so far. Other than waiting to give birth and then the giving birth and post birth too I guess, it is horrible. LOL. That whole time period sucks, plus with all the medical issues I had during it all it was rough. 

A couple books ago I had mentioned that I started a book. I'm not sure if I want to review it. Hear me out. I didn't finish it. I got to chapter five. I find it boring. The characters are not interesting. I see this book has good reviews, but I'm not sure if it's teen fanboy/fangirling or if I need to keep going farther. I feel like by chapter five I should get a good feel for the characters, and the pace of the book. Since I haven't actually read the book, I don't feel like I could review it. I don't have enough to go off. Just because the characters are boring to me doesn't mean that they won't speak to someone else and hold a place in their heart. Does that make sense? I feel like writing a DNF review is just too brutal sometimes. I actually have two books that I have been stalled out on. One is a NetGalley review and the other just a paperback I picked up one day because I had read other books by the author. I don't know, ugh. Maybe I will push through. I just feel like I'm taking too much time to read them, and there are others that I would be more interested in and read faster. We will see.

This month is going to be crazy. We have a few appointments coming up that involve the house we are buying, plus it's BOTH MY KIDS BIRTHDAY MONTH AHHHH. She is going to be four, and he is going to be two. I can't believe it. They're getting older and I don't like it. So it's going to be a long month that's going to go fast. probably.

Some Normalcy in My Life Again

It Super Bowl Sunday! This mean I'm gonna fight my minions to be quiet so I can watch a little tv today. Only so I can remember what it was like to watch football every Sunday like I use to. I just need a break from Paw Patrol and all those other goodies.

The end of December into January was a shitty time. Our little family of four is still living in my mother in laws house to try and catch up on debt. The problem has been the noise that comes with having a three and one year old. Her house is a nice slightly older house in North Carolina. That's empty of curtains and wall hangings in most rooms. It has hardwood floor so every toy car or barbie that hits the floor sounds like a mini bomb going off. It wouldn't bee so bad if my brother in laws didn't live here also. One has slightly random schedules and sleeps whenever he wants, and the other has zero schedule and plays video games all day. They're not young. The zero schedule brother lives in the downstairs. So yep, all the noise carries down. Needless to say this has caused some conflict because god forbid kids make noise, or even worse you actually get onto them for doing things. 

So there were a couple minor conflicts that caused me at thirty-two years be homesick for the first time ever. Have I mentioned that I grew up a military brat. When you grow up moving around a lot as a kid you develop this weird feeling of you don't have a home location. I had even taken vacations away from my parents for a month at a time, states away. Never once did I feel so upset that I wanted to run away to home, wherever that may be. 

I did this time. I wanted to take my two kids and run home to my parents house in Pennsylvania. They wouldn't have the space and my mom wouldn't be able to handle the kids being around for such a long time with her post cancer meds making her tired and stuff. Those things and the fact that there was a blizzard expected to hit made me decide to do the next best thing. I talked to my husband and my best friend (and her husband) in Maryland and we spent two and a half weeks there. 

I regained so much while I was there. I got my balls back. They are my kids and I will what I can to the best of my ability. I won't be taking suggestions from people who only spend 10-20 mins a day with them. It is not fair to the kids to not be allowed to make noise because someone is sleeping from 6 am to 7 pm for no specific reason. I will not allow myself to be driven crazy, well, other than the normal my kids drive me crazy crazy. I can't over stress about what noise level is ok, or if they drop a sippy cup would it wake a bear. I got my kids to be nice to me again because I'm not constantly yelling at them. I gained feeling like a human again instead of a mommy machine. Of course that happens anytime you are with your best friend. I just only get to see mine three times a year.

Things have also gotten better since we got home too. My one brother in law has taken a job across the US. That freed up his downstairs room so our family is living in downstairs which is literally like its own apartment. It has been really hard trying to get the kids to sleep in a room together but they can play and do what they want again. The other brother in law who works sometime normal hours doesn't hear them at all. I've been able to sit and do one on one with my daughter again to try and get her ready for school. I couldn't before because my son was not contained and would be climbing or running around somewhere. Plus I would always feel judged by my husbands brothers. They're sort of know-it-all types... who don't have girlfriends, kids, homes of their own... (the one just got his license back after almost 10 years.)

My husband has been amazing through everything. He completely understood and agreed with me. I felt horrible pitting him again his blood vs our family but I think that is just one of my own character flaws where I feel guilt for things I shouldn't. Well that's what my friend likes to tell me all the time. I always had this fear that I would lose my husband or my kids after moving down here. He was just amazing. He said I could go away for as long as I needed to go. To take time for myself. It was dual beneficial because it gave the two brother in laws and mother in law a break from my little darlings. I think he knew I was broken and scared.

So things have been crazy. The kids are still kids and my son is still climbing up every box, couch, table, and gate he can find. My daughter still competes for attention and is an instigator. But it's normal. We have our own space, and we are out of the way. The kids are almost back to where they were before we moved here in September. So I just need to keep doing my thing. Working with my babies and keeping us on a normal path.

Finally...

Finally, my little family seems to have gotten into a routine. We moved from the "Keystone State" recently which had its ups and downs. For example, my family hated it, because I had to leave their area. My husband and I have moved an eight-hour drive away from them. It sucks definitely and I do sympathize. However, with my dad making me move constantly growing up, I don't feel as upset. I feel bad that my kids won't have the closeness that I see my cousins have with my grandparents. I feel bad for the loss of them being around when I need them. But they are not gone completely.

I think about me and being so far away from family that I don't even know anything about my cousins, and I totally get it. See, my dad was in the Navy. Yes, we did move a lot, not as much as some but just enough to make my teenage years hell. And my relocation from duty station to station didn't stop there no. My husband had joined the Marine Corps and right after I was finally on my own from my parents relocating here and there, then it continued. So basically my whole life up til my mid 20's was moving around leaving people behind, and trying to beat the pain and sadness from losing everything you had built for "X" amount of years. So when I say finally, I don't mean finally forever. Nope, because I know that things are going to change soon enough, and to not be comfortable just yet.

We got to North Carolina not too long ago. The kids are settling in really well, especially with seeing two of their uncles and grandmother every day. I am still getting use to trying to cook for three more people on top of our little family of four. I cook because I feel like I am contributing. Living here with them is working out really well and actually better than I thought. We are starting to save up money, and have even paid off some debt. OH SNAP! I swear it's like each time a bill disappears, it feels like a 10 lb weight is lifted off my chest. We are still having some issues with health insurance but his previous job is all to blame for that. Fun times... But we have all the address changes, the license, some doctors for me because I had some issues right after we moved down here, and even the car stuff has been taken care of.

Currently, I am spending everyday half in shock at how rotten my own kids have gotten. I have tried so many methods and it seems like it just makes it worse for each thing. Here's to hoping they grow out of it. I have gotten back into reading because let's face it, I've been a little busy. I had to pack a house, and unpack just enough to be able to live out of. I had missed reading because it helps me mentally get away and not have mommy breakdowns. Yep, laying it out there. So I'm getting to put a dent into some of my collection here. So if you read this ( my maybe one day reader ) make a note to keep an eye for more book reviews. Ha!

My husband is no longer in training for his new job and now actually on his set schedule for what his working is going to be looking like. That is nights from 6 pm to 6 am. The plus side is that he only works Friday to Sunday. For him it sounds like a great opportunity to work for, an amazing company setting, and good pay with overtime if he wants it. Here come Holidays, Here come Holidays, right after that raise.... that came out like jingle bells in my head.

So finally it feels like since I got pregnant with my daughter that things are starting to come together. The pieces are falling into place like someone who isn't me is doing this life puzzle. I guess you could say my husband is doing this life puzzle... Since I just stay at home with the kids.

Just have to

I just have to talk about a book I just read. Indecent Exposure by Tessa Bailey. LOVED IT. I can't stop thinking about it. I received an ARC from the publisher and I will be posting my review closer to the books release date. But that isn't until JANUARY 2018... and I have to talk about it now. I just keep thinking about the main character Jack and how much he changes through the book. It was beautiful.

I posted a snippet of my review to Goodreads.com because I've been a Goodreads user forever and I feel like I have to say something there. So below is what I posted to Goodreads.com:

Indecent Exposure is a prime example of how I think a New Adult genre book should be composed. When I think of New Adult & College books, I expect to feel hopeful for love or the chance of falling in love, almost still like you're in high school. When you read it, you want to feel like the characters are mature enough to be confident or at least responsible in their lives as if they are finally beginning their life as an adult. Tessa Bailey has captured the time of being hopeful to fall in love and the maturity of having more confidence in yourself and the responsibilities of being an adult.... The rest of my review will be posted onto my blog closer to the books release date: Rozzie ReadsRelease Date: January 30, 2018 I WILL SAY FOR NOW - BUY THIS BOOK

Slack a Lackin'

I am slacking. I am not reading all day every day. Recently my best friend was in town. We dyed both of our hair, and for the first time in twelve years did a girly face mask night. I just picked up a thing at CVS. It was in their Korean Beauty section. It felt amazing and since I am definitely NOT a beauty expert or person by any means, this felt like a little self-gift. It this steam/cold mask thing from JJ Young. I loved it. My face felt clean like it has never felt before. I AM SO BUYING MORE KOREAN BEAUTY STUFF. Have you seen the people from South Korea they are gorgeous and look way younger than their true age. Here is to hoping some of that will rub off on me. JJ Young Pore Steaming and Cooling Pack 

I've had to go grocery shopping and the normal family things (cooking, baths, laundry). I started setting up my outline and figuring out my ideas a lot better towards writing my book. I've always wanted to write a book. I am finally going to actually start. Now obviously it isn't going to be good, and it isn't going to go well, but I am going to do it. However, with tonight being Game of Thrones night for the new season premiere, let's just say that tonight won't have much progress.

Currently, I am reading:

1. Indecent Exposure: The Academy by Tessa Bailey - I am so lucky to have received an Advanced Reader Digital Copy of this book from the publisher to read. So far as of this post, I am only starting the book. I am just starting Chapter Two of the book. So far I am amused by Jack's internal monolog. He is such a guy full of himself and his own arrogance.

Just a note

I have a busy weekend ahead of me. My best friend and her husband are coming to visit us for a couple days. I love our time together. We only get to see each other three times a year. We have been friends since 2004, and as far as our kids are concerned we are family. She's my kids' aunt and I am her four kids aunt. Thankfully, her four kids are not coming. I love her kids but my house is WAY too small for another crew of six people here with our little two bedrooms and family of four.

Family doesn't always mean blood.

The only problem is the cleaning you have to do to prepare for them to come in town. You know, washing the guest sheets, giving the bathroom an extra scrub down, the things like that. The extra corners that have that dust you have been avoiding because no one goes in that room.

There must be no dust. Lol

Needless to say, I am probably going to be a little behind on some of my blogging goals. My current goals are set to blog at least three days a week. I am trying to work up to daily reading but my one and three-year-old like to challenge that during naptime lately.

My Currently "attempting" to read books are:

1. Indecent Exposure: The Academy by Tessa Bailey - I am SUPER excited about this book because I got an ARC copy of this to read from the publisher, HarperCollins. This book is going to be released January 30th, 2018. So keep an eye out for my review in the future to see if I think you should pre-order your own copy. (Paperback Pre-order Link)
2. Wife by Wednesday by Catherine Bybee - This I picked up because it seemed higly rated, it was a Kindle Unlimited book, and it also had audible included with the Kindle Unlimited. I really wanted to try out the audio part of it. I hadn't listened to a book in a while so I wanted to do that.
3. Serial Hottie by Kelly Oram - This I picked because I need round out with a young adult type book. I have read and reviewed a book by Kelly Oram and loved the book. This is also a Kindle Unlimited book. The book from before was Cinder & Ella which was a new telling of Cinderella. It was more current day and I really liked it. It may be why I really wanted to start a blog.

I will say that there is a good chance I may add or remove books before I actually get reviews out for all these. So keep your eye open for future posts.

**Post Edited: 7/14/17 to remove a book from my list. I am no longer interested in reading that book.**

Two days to pack!

We had planned a road trip for two weeks to go to my in laws in North Carolina. Our plan was to leave Thursday. Well today my husband has decided that we are leaving on Wednesday. So after their birthday party this weekend, I now have two days to get me, the kids, and the house ready... what a dick.

So I am going nuts of course. Book reading is on pause again. Although I do have a Review to post today after I fix it some. It's laundry and packing chaos in this house people. Let's go!!

The drive to my husband's mothers house is suppose to be an 8 hour drive. However driving with a one and three year old should add roughly two hours. Diaper changes, lunchtime, and bottles.

Have kids these said it will be fun.

I think this time though I am going to keep my camera on me in the car so maybe I can take some nice pictures on the road.

Birthday for My Babies

Yesterday was my daughter's birthday and we did a joint cake day for our son also. His birthday was last Saturday. I know my kids have a one week difference in their birthdays. Would it freak you out to know my best friends son shares the SAME Day as my son?

Yep both the boys are June 17 babies. One was born 2016, and the other 2015. My daughter was born 2014. It's actually pretty cool for me and my best friend but I will never do a joint birthday again for my two if I can avoid it. Just too much going on. I didn't get hardly any pictures that I wanted to. I just can't handle chaos beyond what my kids bring. Haha. 

I did manage to get a picture of the cake that my husband tried to write on for the kids. "Cam and V are 1 and 3" 

So due to the whole birthday weekend thing I am not reading hardly any book right now. I am working on one by Kendra Elliot that I am halfway through that I am super hooked into. Review to come.

☆If you want to know the current book I am reading, click here to see it on:

• Goodreads: Hidden (Bone Secrets. #1) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18799585-hidden
• Amazon Kindle Unlimited is a free read it is also $2.00 to buy: Click here to Go straight to Amazon

Editted: 6/27/17 for better formatting.