Baby 5

Just a new video of baby 5. Not terribly exciting from a viewing point. Lots of shots of the wonderful brain in baby 5!:) 34 weeks!

INTERNET FRAUD

Well, it was bound to happen. I finally was a victim of internet fraud! I have shopped online for years and have never had an issue. And now...it hits.
I searched and searched for just the right backpack for sweet Bubba! I mean, he really needed something that said, "I am a boy...I don't need anymore pink in my house!" So I found this!(PS: The CrazyDazy, which I got the pics off of is in no way part of this problem. I don't know anything about this company, 1 way or another)


I was so excited! I ordered it in time to have in for Corbin's official first day of school, Thursday! I kept trying to track the order on their website, and could get no information. I called them, emailed them over and over. I was charged for the items. Finally today I was getting a little anxious. I started to research the company a bit. I found item after item that stated consumers never recieved their items and where charged! I was so mad! I called my bank to find out how to handle this, and they told me. My mother actually found out the shop she monograms in, had the lunch box. So I went ahead and got that from her. I went to the brand's website and pulled lists of "retailers" in the area. I just called one after another. Finally, I think it was like #25, I hit the right store! They had it! It actually was the Kid to Kid resale shop in Plano! And then on top of it, I remembered I had credit there from bringing in a few bags of clothing to resale, last year! So, I threw the kids in the car and rushed over! I was so excited and the owner was so nice to me! And, I didn't have to spend too much on it bc of the credit! How perfect!
So, Mr. Corbin will look so darling off to school! With his packpack as he calls it, and munch box as Anabelle calls it.... Of course, I was slow in getting a nap mat, so it looks like he will be taking Chloe's old one! Luckily it is not pink. Just red! Uncle Neal will approve!
So here is my warning.. watch out! In the mean time... we found this information. I of course had to call the number at 11:45pm their time... just to make myself feel better!
from another consumer-
'I made a $103 purchase on June 14th and it is now July 27th and I have still not received it. Believe me I am making Dan Corkery's (owner) life a living..... Did a little research on the company and found out the following info:

D&S Giftware (mookiegifts.com and peanutgallerygifts.com)
Owner: Dan Corkery
Home Phone: 573-814-0601
Home Fax: 573-814-1760
Home Address: 8000 N. Marigold, Columbia, MO 65202
Dan's Day Time Job: Vision Works (visionworks.com)

The biz address on the website is a Post Office Box @ a UPS Store. I have submitted a complaint with the BBB, E-mailed him @ his work, e-mailed his co-workers to warn them that they work with a thief and have called his home phone. I encourage everyone that has been scammed to do the same! '

So, if you are bored:)

Baby 5

Not to trump the first day of school, but I got a peak at the newest soon to be addition of our family. Baby #5. It is just a face and a foot:) But I think this one is a little Chloe look alike! Soon we will see!

First day... Smiles and tears

>

Monday started the week with a back to school Worship day. It was so amazing. I just felt so at peace by the end of the night that we had made the right decision to be at our school. There were so many options around us. And so many of them terrific schools. There were different things that pulled us to each school...but in the end, we both know that our kids are at the right school. I questioned our choice off and on during the summer. Various things came to mind, but the families we are with and the people we are around.....the Lord's hand is all over this decision. When you make a decision and you truly feel that way, it is just an amazing feeling.

So then we head into Wednesday morning. Chloe was so excited the night before she couldn't sleep. The last thing I told her was, "Sweetie, if you don't go to sleep you are going to be so tired in the morning!"

So, Fred and I got up and had breakfast and everything ready for her....I walked into her room...video camera in hand(ill post it later) and the first thing she said, "Mommy, you were right, I am tired!" I laughed and assured her she would perk up! So dressed in her precious uniform that she had talked about all summer, she headed downstairs. She lit up when she saw her official PCA breakfast! I loved making it for her and she was grinning!

We got the little kids up and just got them dressed.


Fred and I took separate cars and got to school. Mom took the little kids for me to McDonald's so we could enjoy dropping Chloe off alone. But before we got out of the car, the girls and Corbin said a prayer for Chloe. It was precious. Of course I cried.

Fred, Chloe and I held hands as we crossed the street to her building. It was like crossing a threshold! It was a step that will precede all the steps she will take from this point forward! We got in the door and saw all the parents dropping kids off. It was so fun to see such happy faces. I expected to see more tears from kids...but they really all looked happy...maybe a little scared...but smiling! So off we went to find her class. We stood outside the door and the 3 of us knelt down and prayed. Fred prayed for Chloe to have courage and strength. He prayed for her education and her teachers. It was such an amazing touch to the morning. It wasn't planned, it was just meant to be. She just looked at us and smiled. She thanked me for signing her up for Kindergarten! Kisses and hugs, she walked in her room. Set her backpack down and started doing her thing! I was crying and holding it together. She kept telling me...don't cry! I know it is happy cry mommy!

So off Fred and I went to a little "Boohooo/Yahoo" breakfast. It was fun to mingle with the parents and hang out with Fred. I stopped by the office to drop something off and saw Chloe's class head up the stairs to another room. It was amazing. It hit me. All day long she will do stuff I have no idea is going on. Things she won't tell me and I won't think to ask! Ahhhhhh. It is like taking the calendar away from someone after 5.5 years of planning! I headed to McDonald's to get the little ones. They had a great time and thought it was such a treat!

The little kids and I came home. We made a special cake for her and Ribs for dinner. She was so excited to invite her Aunt GiGi and Uncle Neal...and of course Ninny to dinner!

We picked her up and the little kids were screaming her name as she walked up to the car! She had so many things to tell me about the day, but mainly they learned the "rules!"

I thought that was it for the emotions. What I didn't realize was how hard the second day would be for me! I went in her room to wake her up, and she wasn't there! Her bed was made and she was dressed and in her bathroom! I couldn't believe it. We ate and left. Today was the first day she would be walking into the school without me. We sat in line, and again the little kids and I prayed. We pulled up and the teacher opened the door. There she went. She just got out of the car and went. I did remind her to kiss me! I asked the teacher if there were people to tell her where her room was. She said plenty! I saw her walking, back to me. Another little girl walked up and they were talking. I was BALLING! I mean couldn't see, pull over balling! Corbin was laughing and clapping. L&A said, "Mommy, you have to be a happy mommy!" What is wrong! I promised them I was happy and just being silly! They believed me:) I called my sister and she couldn't even understand me. Just 2 minutes before I was on the phone with her and fine! I got myself together and we headed home with a few stops for errands.

Picking her up was so much fun today! Again, her fan club was screaming her name!

I just can't believe all of this. You would think we have 5 years to prepare, but it felt like 5 minutes!

Well, the first day of Kindergarten has come and gone! In a flash, we went from supervised walks to the mailbox, to walking all the way to our classroom on our own! How did this happen!

colossians 3:17

17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

And we have join the club!

Wow, we are now in a new club. The club of school! The club of being somewhere on time 5 days a week! The club that looks forward to Labor Day so we don't have to get up early! The club that doesn't get to spend the majority of waking hours throughout the week with your children!
This is the club of Kindergarten! I say we have joined, because we, as a family, are in Kindergarten. We, because it now is a part of every one's life. Of course the most important is Chloe. She is the one leading us there. The one that is in Kindergarten. Then there is me. I am the one going through more emotions then I know what to do with. Worrying that I might have forgotten something, or making sure she remembered her modesty shorts! Then there is Corbin. He is loving it because he gets out of his crib earlier. Because we know all must be moving so early in the morning, my little early riser isn't left in his crib for 45 minutes making noises! Then of course, Laurel and Anabelle. Kindergarten to them is having to get up early....and then come home by 8:30 only to stare at each other. They are so use to Chloe planning the activities for the day! They are exhausted by the afternoon, but happy to see their Chloe. And Daddy. You would think he is least effected by this...but he has to deal with all of us when he gets home! And starting next week, he will be helping take our Kindergartner to school! So, it is a family thing... we are now in Kindergarten!

Julie vs Target (But I have a secret weapon they don't!)

Especially written for Lisa and Carrie!

So, for mother's day my sisters and I got my mom a new digital camera. I of course was in charge bc I live here. We agreed on a price for the camera bc we already had something else for her. The great daughter I am, I was buying it at 9pm on May10th. Mother's day was May 11th. I have a photographic memory. I may not remember the exact phone conversation or a lecture. But if I can pin point what someone was wearing or looked like, I can remember the event with decent detail. It drives Fred crazy when I say, "Yes I told you about that meeting, I remember I had on a blue top and brown sandals and you had on your 'cool guy' shirt". He doesn't get how I associate those! Anyway, I went to Walmart and they did not have the camera we wanted. I went to Target because it was across the street. So that means I was at Park and the Tollroad. I picked a camera. The young guy ran off and came back with the same one, but a new version and it was pink! It was more then we agreed on so I remember calling both of my sisters and talking to one of my brother in laws. He was giving me an ear full about my sister being out. Kidding of course. So, I made the executive decision to buy it a little more then what we agreed on. Then the guy said it was on sale. The camera was going to be the same amount as the one I originally wanted! What are the chances! So, I buy it, wait to buy the warranty. My mom has issues with digital cameras. So I SPECIFICALLY asked what the return policy was. He said 90 days with a receipt or card I bought it on.
So off I go. I get home to charge it so she can use it on mother's day. Sure enough, no flash card. I remember sending Fred to the store with a piece of paper saying what type of card to get. It was easily 10:30 by now.
Now we fast forward to July. Mom starts off liking the camera but then various things she doesn't like. Among the firmware issue, she didn't like the screen. It was difficult to see. I agree. So we decided we would return it. I look and look for the receipt I so carefully placed in the receipt gathering area of my house. NO DICE! I am so frustrated. I didn't have time to return it before heading to Denver for the 4th of July, so I took it with me. I go to Target there and they can't pull it up on any of my cards. After a while I think this is stupid and I can deal with it at home. I get home and take it to Target in Frisco. Same thing. No one can find it on my card. I start to question myself that maybe I paid cash or a check. That would be odd. I went home and pulled up our bank statement. I was very sure of the cost and sure enough found a debit card transaction to the Plano Park and Tollway Target on May 10th for the amount I remembered. Not only that, but there was a second transaction for groceries, I remember making that as well.
So, the next day I go to Target in Plano. I end up with the manager, who I believe truly wanted to help me. But Target is a no budge policy. He can't find my card used in his store in a 5 day period. I think, this is totally ridiculous. There is no way. I am not crazy. He also can't find the SKU number in his store showing the purchase of the camera. So basically now I have stolen it, I guess. However someone did charge my card for the item!
I explain that thinking back to the boy who sold it and that evening, maybe he rang up the wrong camera, on accident or to get me to pick the camera so I would leave, as they were closing.
No, No. That is impossible! According to Target. So, John, the manager gives me some information and tells me to call him the next day. I did so and he still had nothing to show for the camera or my card. Are you kidding. So then he directs me to Corporate. I have personally decided Corporate Target is about the WORST customer service, next to all the cell phone customer service centers around. I deal with customer service issues, so I feel confident in saying so. Here is the problem. First of all, customer service is most likely used when you have an unsatisfied customer. So, shipping customer service off to India, is probably about the worst choice you can make. Here are the problems with that. One, the language/accent barrier is impossible. IBM has also done this, so again I know the issues involved here. They can be the nicest people in the world.. but if you can't understand each other...ahhhh. enough said about that. Two, they have NO vested interest in the customer or the company. They are most likely contracted and do this for numerous companies. So all they need to do is close the call. They have all day to repeat the same information to you. They get paid the same either way. Third, there is no one to go to after them. That is ridiculous. There is no manager, second level, no-one. So basically you end up even more frustrated then when you call!
So, after 45 minutes of that conversation...reminded me of talking to my 2 year old, I am done with it all. I also have to point out that as an IT person, I have now pointed out to both the local and national levels...this is 2008 and there is no reason you should not be able to run a query to pull my card in your store, or the camera. Of course, again, I am stupid! I was about to tell them to get their video footage out and see if I was in there buying the item! I thought this is so dumb!
So, I finally decide I am going to have to eat that darn camera and my money. I was going to do one last thing to the camera to see if it worked better, today. And if not, I was going to get another one for mom.
So that takes me to, today! I never organize or do anything extra in the morning on the days I work. I have to make sure the house is all picked up just in case someone wants to see it, and that is enough! I had a bunch of jewelry in a drawer and decided to put it away in my closet. I saw a little basket sitting on a shelf and thought there might be a necklace in it. Sure enough there was, but there was also a book in there. The book fell out and so did a receipt. No way. It was upside down, and it said Target. I thought, NO WAY! I turned it over.........................................................................................................................................
Plano/West Target(Park and TOLLWAY)
May 10th, 2008
Kodak camera 161.62
Last day to return 8/8/08

Are you kidding me! NO WAY!
And here is the BEST part of the story......................................... As I say, Thank you Lord. Thank you for this and for saving me the money and for reminding me I am not crazy!
I go to put the book back up...... The title................................
SURPRISE ME! God Speaks to us in Surprising ways!

NO WAY

Seriously people, if your not on board with the Lord......

I returned it first thing today... sure enough... guy rang up the wrong camera....but they did return it... the manager remember me and all the trouble....he accepted the return.
I will NOT be buying Christmas gifts at Target this year. And I HIGHLY recommend people NOT to register there for ANYTHING. It stinks bc the price is right and the connivence ...but their policies... and the fact it was their fault! That is terrible!