Holy Cow Batman, That Was A Long Break

I know, I know, if anybody actually still reads this you thought we were all dead or in the witness protection program! We are still here, just amazingly busy. I guess you don't realize it, but juggling 5 kids, a home, homeschooling, a husband, a dog, a psychotic cat and loads of other stuff is HARD! Most days I count it a small victory that no one bled, okay, okay, that no one bled to death. We are halfway through the school year and all three of the school-age kids are breezing through like it was easy. Since Christmas, I have begun teaching Seth how to read. I think he is doing well, should take about a month and he'll be on his way. Annabeth is 15 months old now and a true delight to me. I have enjoyed every minute with this little lady, and look forward to many more. To say that she has healed a place in my heart that was left by the early death of our pre-born daughters is an understatement. Matt is still the awesome man, husband, dad, sweetheart that he always has been. Kinda makes you wonder when I start counting all these blessings, what did I do to deserve this? Thank you Lord, for loving me. Lame, I know, but WOW! You knock me on my knees.

I'm Baaaaack

How could I have been so sorry and neglectful? If anybody still reads this, I promise I'll try to do better. The summer has flown by! The kids are so great, Josh is working hard on relaxing in the driver's seat. He gets his license in October and is still a little tense. David is rockin' the house daily and doing a great job. He is looking at becoming a rock star (is Van Halen hiring?). Joe is 7 and that should explain everything. He is struggling with babyish tendencies and looking and feeling more grown up. His legs are so long now he reminds me of a colt. Seth is almost 4 and has pretty much abandoned the three year-old tantrum thing. He is a master of manipulation though. He has his brothers completely in tow. Then there is Annabeth. What could I possibly say about her? She is beautiful, funny, fashion conscious, and adorable. I can't believe she is almost 10 months old! Matt and I are just trying to keep up with all the growing and changing our brood does every day. I still sit back and wonder how one woman could be so blessed!

Vacation, Have To Get Away

Yes, I am sitting here with songs from the Go-Gos streaming through my brain. We are a little more than a week away from our departure for Maine. Who would have thought that a cabin in the woods,by a spring-fed, ice cold lake would have me this excited? Yet, here I sit, contemplating my packing list. We take Josh and David to camp next Monday, and pick them up Friday on our way!!!!! I will promise to blog and Facebook about our trip while we are gone, then give you all the low down when we get back (complete with all the Sethisms) Bye-Bye

Cats, Prozac, And The State of The World

For all of you who have come into my home for the last 6 years, you know that we have a very weird, very fat, very mean cat. He isn't just regular cat mean, he is kinda psycho. You can be petting the thing with him purring as loud as he can and all of a sudden CHOMP, he bites you. Sparky started out mean but he was so darn cute, we learned to live with it. Well, at 16 pounds, he outweighs Annabeth and actively hunts Joey. Seth is pretty much safe (who really wants to tackle him right?). We came to the tough decision that we would have to do something about the cat. We talked to our vet who agrees that he is unadoptable but offered a trial before we take the last step. It seems our dear Sparky was separated from his mother too early (stray, no mom in sight, we're off the hook for that one) and has personality issues (really? You don't say!) He is aggressive, and antisocial and generally high strung. Her solution was to put the cat on Prozac to see if he mellowed out. Matt's first question was of course, "How much?" His next line was that if it came in suppository form Sparky was out of luck. My friend told me to hide all of the kitty knives and not to leave out any balls of yarn. I guess my real dilemma is this, Cat, Prozac, GET REAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Babies, Bugs and Baseball

The season has begun! David is playing for the Braves this year. Looks like he'll be on 2nd base. We had his first game tonight (don't ask the score) and since Matt was out of town I had to go it alone. Josh was gracious enough to stay at home with Joe and Seth since it was an 8pm game, but Annabeth had to come since we are attached at certain body parts. Those of you that live here in the low country know about the gnats that bite, for those of you that don't, EEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHG! That is probably the best way to phrase it. I know it is time for ball season when you smell the distinctive fragrance of OFF in the air. I applied to myself, I sprayed the stroller down and I misted over the baby but tried to avoid getting the stuff on her. You know it was futile, I was eaten alive. Thank you Father that the things spared the baby. Play Ball!!!!

March Madness About to Blow Away

This is it! I am listening to the opening announcer for the NCAA Championship game. That means that in about 2 to 3 hours the madness will be gone. I am so ready for the sanity to return. My normally mild-mannered husband turns into a raging, Carolina blue lunatic around the time March rolls around. I think he wears the leotard under his clothes and reveals them during the warm-up. If Carolina only knew what a gold-mine they had right here for an armchair coach, the team would be undefeated! You at home can't see him but he is hunched forward in his chair breathlessly waiting for the next shot. I know if things get dicey later in the game, he'll be on all fours beating the floor to urge the team on. And all you people thought you knew Matt!

Baby Dolls and Bugs

I know, there are huge differences between girls and boys. Let's face it, some of them are obvious. I guess that the differences in their behavior and preferences really stand out to me since I have had boys for 15 years and a girl for only 6 months. The boys were very different, but also very similar. They were all creatures of habit and comfort. They liked routine and liked to be dry, loved and full. They were all such sweet babies. They never really cared about anything on their bodies as long as they were warm in winter and cool in summer. Toys were just about anything they could hold in their hands. They all went through a phase where all they really wanted was a plastic spoon from the utensil drawer! Dirt, trees, and anything outside was a huge bonus. Yes, we even did the worm thing at around 2 years old. I do not miss finding those in pockets on laundry day!
Annabeth has already turned out to be so different. She really seems to notice what I put on her. She likes to wear dresses, she keeps running her hands down the skirts. I put bows in her hair and she keeps checking to make sure they are still there. She will get fussy in the morning and visibly cheer when she gets fresh clothes on. She likes bubble baths, having her hair brushed, and primping in general. I will say that the biggest thing is the baby doll. She has several already and loves all of them. She likes to look at the larger ones and will smile and "talk" to them. She has two soft dolls that are a good size for her. She loves to hug them to her and "kiss" them. She sleeps with them and takes them with her wherever we go. I took rattles for the boys but I have to pack the babies for her. I took her to the Dr. today for a check-up and he had to do the exam around the doll because of the death grip she had on the thing! I prayed for all of my children before they were born. I would have been thrilled to be a mom to only boys. When I found out that I was having a girl, I prayed that she would be feminine and girly and a mama's girl. God is so good, He listens to not only the things we need but He delights in giving us the desires of our hearts as well. I think my Father looks at Annabeth and I, and smiles at the relationship we are building. I am one blessed girl!!!