life

This past week has been a rough one to say the least. The fact that my birthday happened to be this week sure didn't help matters.
I am so excited that Gene has started his job and he is enjoying it. He has three weeks of training and lots of testing. If he doesn't get at least 85% on the weekly tests, he cannot continue training...no pressure, right?!?
Well after having Gene home for over two months 24/7 we have had to make a lot of adjustments and it's been a very rough week. Caleb is seeing how far he can test us. I know that he is having a difficult time and I am trying really hard to have a more structured schedule that works for all of us and that includes making a conscious effort to give him some undivided attention. It really shouldn't be that difficult but there are days that I just get so overwhelmed and busy that I feel like he's just "bugging" me. This new schedule gives me time to really take a breather...no phone, computer, chores etc. just me and my boy. We are loving it!
If I can get him sleeping properly and to stop swearing, and to listen half the time, I would be a very happy mommy. We're working at it. Today I spent time re-writing our schedule, making a chore chart, and a reward chart for Caleb. I feel really good about it.
So, let's just say that 34 is really not all that it's cracked up to be:)
Hopefully this week is better. I am planning at least one outing to the zoo and I really want to enjoy my boy!!!
Today I have been busy cleaning, making charts....have no idea what we'll be having for dinner but we'll get there.
Here's to another 34 years!!!!!

on hold...

So it's only been about 40ish minutes thus far...I am on hold with the IRS.
Last night after talking to Laura and her telling me how easy and fast Turbo Tax was I decided to file our taxes.
Gene started his new job today...yea!!!! He is working for godaddy.com
We are totally excited about this!!!
Anyway, I was thinking...he doesn't get paid for at least a few weeks so wouldn't it be great to get a tax refund...put us back on our feet???
Yeah, doesn't always work out so easily.
I spent hours doing the tax return last night...paid the $ and e-filed it.
Then this morning I wake up to 2 messages in my inbox saying that there were errors on our tax return and the irs rejected it. I have been trying to get into the Turbo Tax website all day but it was down. It's finally back up and it says I have the wrong agi (adjusted gross income) from 2007. Well I did have the correct agi, I had my 2007 taxes in my hand.
I have already talked to one guy on the phone and he verified that I had the correct agi:)
Then I realized the problem could be...my last names don't match...possibility. My social security card is in my maiden name because that is what my passport has. Then I realized that not only does my last name not match but I didn't have a ssn before, I had an itin#.
Oh DRAMA!
I am now on hold (was talking) to a "lovely" woman. I use lovely rather loosely...she is nasty! She wants to know why I was transferred to her...I guess it's my lucky day!
This is not going to end well...I paid $70.00 last night to file the dang taxes and as of right now, I won't be able to file them. So...not only am I out $70.00 but I don't think we'll be getting our tax return back anytime soon. How totally frustrating! She said I have to wait for the Social Security office to update their records to the IRS.
update-58 minutes on the phone...call now ended.
The Social Security office did update my info. The lady was no help...just argued with me and told me to mail it in!
Well I better make changes and print out my tax return so I can mail it in. I need to get my money back from Turbo Tax now.
AAaaahhhhh!!!

project 365

One of my major goals this year is to take a picture everyday and scrapbook a day in the life of our little family. I am totally excited to do this and wanted to share my first 12 days with you...okay with Amy since she asked so nicely. Amy is also doing this so it's really fun to share in this journey...especially considering we were together for a few of the days:)

So here goes...I started Sunday December 28th...and am missing only one picture that I need to get from Sondra but this is what I have thus far.

December 28th-Caleb rocking out with his guitar

December 29th-Gene brought me a sweet pork salad from Costa Vida...my absolute fave!

December 30th-Jessica's Birthday Dinner at Red Robin with Choules...no pic yet.

December 31st-New Year's Eve with Speedie's and Ferguson's

January 1st-Caleb, Gene and I went to see Bolt.

January 2nd-Phoenix Zoo with Choules, met up with Ellsworth's.

NHL game that night with S's and F's.

January 3rd-Amy surprised me with sprinkles cupcakes.

January 4th-Prayed and fasted for the Jarrett family.

January 5th-wii-itis from tennis and played some serious Mario Party.

January 6th-trip to Costco

January 7th-organized my pantry

January 8th-Social Security office, post office and park with Caleb.

January 9th-ovulation predictor and taking temperature daily...what fun!

That is pretty much my life in a nutshell. Gene is still desperately trying to find a job...it is seriously a full-time job looking for a job. Our lives seem to be crazier than ever!

ROCK ON!!!

a couple videos from today

Hoping for a Christmas Miracle

We have been home for less than a week from our vacation to

CANADA but I have to admit that the past week feels like a month!
We got home on Wednesday and Gene lost his job on Thursday.

It honestly feels like this is a really bad dream that I just can't wake up from.

Unfortunately, there is no last check...no paid vacation we just took, no

unemployment benefits (which we are appealing) but seriously, NOTHING!!!
We are trying to be positive and do EVERYTHING we possibly can.
We understand that there are so many people struggling right now.

If you hear of any jobs or people looking for pt, ft, seasonal, temporary jobs,

ANYTHING, please let us know asap.

We appreciate your thoughts, prayers and support.

Love the Cope's

Elfing Around

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/5qKBDxkxI02bPzIfg9f4

Having a little fun with the other elves today.

Enjoy!

Dancing with the Stars

Caleb's bedtime is at 8pm but usually on Monday nights when he hears "the Dancing show" he comes out of his room and is just so excited. I give in and let him watch the show. He gets his animals lined up in the livingroom and takes turns dancing with them or makes them dance together. Caleb LOVES to dance!!! He imitates the dancers and it is so stinkin' cute! He claps when the audience does and when the scores are given Caleb will shout "9, yea!!!"...I so need to get this on video. How can you not let him watch something that brings such joy and excitement. I know it makes my night:)

trick or treat

Just thought I would post a few Halloween pics.
Friday was Sondra's 40th birthday so we started out the day with breakfast at Crackers & Co.

We then did an open lab at our LSS...so fun.
Of course lunch was Costa Vida and then we went home and got stuff ready for the night.

Caleb was a cowboy for Halloween.

The Choules went as the Scooby Doo gang. I made them the mystery machine, which Sondra and the kids and I painted the night before. We attached it to Caleb's wagon and it looked great. It was a fun and busy birthday for Sondra.

We had a great time at their neighborhood block party and then went to Gene's parents neighborhood for a trunk or treat.

Caleb LOVED Halloween! He played games, loved the scaries, and of course enjoyed the candy:)

Here are the pics.

yummy pasta

Okay I know that I have been such a slacker in the blogging world lately. I have started blogging and then lost everything so I had to back away from the computer for a bit:)

A couple of weeks ago I made this delicious pasta. We wanted something lighter than our usual "meat sauce". I don't have a detailed recipe but here is the cast of ingredients:

boneless, skinless chicken breasts
roma tomatoes/grape tomatoes
green onions
crushed garlic
fresh pasta
chicken stock
parmesan cheese
garlic plus seasoning (for chicken)
olive oil


I begin by sprinkling my cut up chicken breasts with garlic plus seasoning. Cook chicken with a bit of olive oil. Remove chicken and deglaze the pan with chicken stock. Add tomatoes, onions, and garlic. As the tomato mixture cooks down be sure to add chicken stock every once in awhile so it doesn't get too thick. This is going to smell amazing!

It doesn't take too long to cook...about 10-15 minutes until it's at your desired consistency.
Cook pasta and drain. Add tomato mixture and add parmesan cheese. It is so much better with freshly grated parmesan cheese but we were out for this picture.

Enjoy!!!