The Crafts

Today I feel whiny. I do not like whiny; not from children and certainly not from adults. For a series of reasons I feel ready to throw in the towel but that won't get me anywhere. So despite gray skies, sleep deprivation and the fact I still sit here not showered and pajama clad I am going to turn this day around. Step 1: Shower and put on mascara. Everyone feels better with falsely elongated lashes. Step 2: Tune into some happy music. Dancing is good for the spirit. Step 3: Get outside. Nature is God's handiwork and it too rejuvenates. Step 4: Do something for someone else. Today after school I think we'll draw pictures and write letters over cups of hot cocoa. Is there anyone out there who doesn't enjoy happy mail? Step 5: Make something for dinner that won't result in this...again... Tonight I have several fun things to look forward to... *A brand new season of the funniest show on television starts up again tonight. The Mindy Proje...

First off - CJ's birthday Sassy Miss Claudia turned FOUR and we celebrated with international flair. Dina, our former foreign exchange student from Kuwait, along with two of her six sisters and her mother came for a visit. Dina was here for CJ's second birthday and she made it back for her fourth.  For a short while we had to start keeping Natalie in a box because she was/is getting into everything. Soccer Kate has been waiting for years to play soccer and the time has finally arrived. She loves it 11 Months Natalie has turned 11 months. One more month until we have a 1 year old. Soon our house will only have kids...no babies. Where did time go?

If perhaps you think I haven't blogged because of a lack of content then you are wrong, my friend. My blog has taken a backseat due to a lack of time. We have been filling our days with awesomeness (Adventureland, last minute trips to the pool, international visitors, birthday parties, enormous bubble baths, sunflower picking, cookie eating...) But sprinkled among the awesomeness is things that are less awesome (sleepless nights, cleaning, doctor appointments, sweating in desert like temps, waiting for the third time for the stinkin' FedEx man to attempt to pick up packages for six hours...three days in a row!) No, not every moment of life can be fabulous but we can sure as heck try. "Whenever I start feeling sick, I stop being sick and be awesome instead. True story." This is my favorite quote from "How I Met Your Mother." It doesn't just apply to being sick, it applies to lots of life's troubles. *See the less awesome things to suffer through as ty...

Holla! So I was walking through Natalie's room with the lights off when I stepped on something that squished and yet felt crunchy at the same time. It stuck to my foot for a few seconds and then I lost it in the dark. I have yet to figure out what it was because I was in process of laying Natalie down and was not about to mess up the system. And for some unknown reason it was at that gross out moment I realized I have one child asleep, one at school and the other occupying herself with pink haired ponies. It was also at that moment I remembered I still have a blog and maybe I should actually update it. Blog updates have become a luxury this summer. Not that I have worked all summer; one peek in our windows and you'd know I haven't lifted many fingers. Rather when I have a moment to myself I almost literally collapse on the couch with the television remote in one hand and an over sized bowl of ice cream in the other. Call me lazy but these sweet children o' mine wear m...

This past Saturday my younger, rowdy, trouble-maker brother got married. Okay, so that is not at all how I view him any more but once upon a time...  No, now that brother of mine is a kind, fun-loving, and pretty entertaining man. He really is sweet to his wife and she will make for a wonderful sister-in-law. Lindsay and Ryan have been together for 13 years. That is longer than Matt and I have even known each other. But, like Ryan's best man said, "It's not about time, it is the right time." Their dog, Toby, was in the wedding. He walked down the aisle and even stood up with Ryan...and tried to get to them most of the ceremony. There is a whole lot of mutual love between them. The ceremony took place in Lindsay's parents' backyard. CJ was pretty pleased to discover a swing. However, Kate started pushing CJ on the swing BEFORE the ceremony and right after I took this photo CJ took a nose dive into the dirt. Of course. ...

With the realization that July is coming to a close came my awareness that we are running of time for summer awesomeness. I'm having a severe craving for adventure right now. I'm wanting for bike rides on the nature trails, hikes in the woods, long walks with stops for a picnic here and there... So yesterday I tossed the girls in the van, along with Kate's and CJ's new BFF, neighbor Asher, and we ventured through Hickory Hills. I packed all the essentials like snacks, water bottles, a blanket, flashlights (for adventure on the trails), diapers and sunscreen. But Asher on the other hand...now that kid came equipped. He brought a plastic knife (for pretend survival), binoculars, gloves (to protect hands while lugging sticks), hats for everyone, water, snacks, and a whole lot more. Kate saw Asher's loot and thought she too ought to pack some things. She did well but Asher had planned for a real adventure whereas the girls and I are more "dainty" hikers.....

Last Friday we put down our family pet. I got Baxter when she was six years old and she lived with me for eleven years.  She was a sweet, old kitty who loved to shed, beg to be petted and she either grew to love the presence of children in the house or she just merely learned to tolerate it. With the addition of each kid Baxter became less bothered by the inevitable tail tugging. With each passing day this month Baxter ate less and less. In her last days she maybe ate a few bites of food and then immediately vomited. Friday morning she hadn't eaten anything. I watched her drink some water and then a few minutes later she got sick. Things were trending toward the end and I could tell she was miserable.  Last Friday morning as soon as the girls woke I took some pictures of them with Baxter and told them to give her some good snuggles because she would be heading out to the vet. I reminded them that Baxter was old and sick and may not return home and that is exa...