Happy Birthday, Nana!! (a little late, but with pictures!!)

When we were in SC for Christmas, we got to celebrate with Jason's mom...with a huge party for her 60th birthday. 

It was a lot of fun. 

We saw a lot of friends...

and made new friends.
...and generally had a really good time. 

There was good food...

...and good conversation...

...with around 100 of their closest friends and some family.  

I am SO very glad we were able to be there! 
Happy Birthday, Nana!!

Ever had one of THOSE days...

...when you wonder why you bothered getting out of bed? 
...when you are amazed that your children made it out of the house alive, never mind dressed and fed?
...when you teeter on the edge of road rage, simply because there is a road and other drivers are on it?

Yeah, no, me either.  Ha.

This is one of those mornings.  I want to run away.  Far, far away.  I want to beat on walls.  I want to scream at the top of my lungs.  Would you believe that ramming other cars off the road actually went through my mind this morning?!?  (Probably NOT good to do, since I was surrounded by HUGE pickup trucks, and I was driving Jason's little Honda Civic!).  I want to kick the dog AND the cat. 

I haven't done any of those things.  Not even close.  But the fact that I feel this way and that these thoughts are even going through my mind is telling a tale of stress over-load.  I am TIRED, beyond belief.  I am stressed by school.  And kids.  And bills.  And taking care of the physical side of being and doing all by myself for now.  Did I mention that I was tired? 

So, this morning, instead of ramming those huge trucks off the road, I yelled at God.  "WHY AM I SO GRUMPY?!?"  (I was in the car, by myself...I hope nobody heard me.)  I didn't hear any voices.   I didn't get rescued.  (Oh, how I long to be rescued from the housework, the homework, the yard work, etc.). 

Instead, I was reminded of a few things.  First, that THIS is exactly when I need to put on my big-girl-pants, and deal.  My feelings are lying to me.  I KNOW my husband loves me.  I KNOW that I will live through this semester.  I KNOW that my children will be fed, and clothed, and will get to and from school.  I just have to pick up and keep going.  Second, I have to keep working to take care of me.  Actually eating, and sleeping, and showering, and meeting with those responsible for keeping my head squarely on my shoulders.  Finally, I DO have friends who want to help...if I can just figure out how, and ask them.  Or meet them for lunch....in 2 1/2 hours...

Better get moving...the shower is calling...and Olive Garden.  Yum.  Must move.
(God, thank you for those reminders this morning!)

She misses her daddy...

...and wants to go see him...

And how did you....

...get that black eye, darling daughter?!?

"I fell down the stairs {at school} and kneed myself in the eye!"

Brilliant.  Graceful, too. 

The Explosion

One day last week, after the two littlest girls having spent HOURS in their room "cleaning" the night before, <=====This was what greeted me the next morning when I arrived in their room.

There were monkeys...

...and tigers...

...and bears (oh, my!)....

as well as dogs of various shapes and sizes,

a "Stitch" (wearing a diaper?)...

and a seal...as well as blankets and clothing for the animals. 

I think it is time to wean down the stuffed animal population again. 

Update on THE WRIST

Heather broke her wrist two days after her birthday.  (Note:  She broke it during her birthday party - she is blowing out <--those candles while waiting to go to the ER)

It was what the doctor called a "buckle fracture", and did not completely break the bone, but three weeks later, when we finally were able to get in to see the orthopedist (thanks a lot, Tricare), they put a cast on it.  That was three weeks ago. 

Yesterday she had an appointment with the orthopedist again, and it was x-rayed again, and declared to be 98% healed.  The cast was removed, and Heather can move her arm again. 

The happiness at having the cast off was short-lived...the itching that had been present but unscratchable (yes, I just made that up!) was now coming out in its full glory...leprous skin and all. 

All of the skin that couldn't come off due to the cast being on that arm for 3 weeks has now come off, and the skin on her arm is tender, especially after she puts lotion on it.  Oh, and the muscles are sore...seems they got stiff, too, after being unused for 6ish weeks.  At least now she can take a SHOWER!!

 
Now, she has a brace for 3 more weeks, and should be good after that.   YIPPEE!!

Happy 11th Birthday!!

My little guy is ELEVEN years old today.
**EDITED:  How could I mis-figure his age?!?

And he is competing in his first Geography Bee today.

And he's smarticle...really, the kid amazes me!!

He is constantly busy building incredibly detailed models with his Legos, making cars...

and trucks....
and planes...

and pod-racers...
and houses...
and bars...

and tanks...

And Justin is a really fun kid!

 
Happy Birthday, Justin!!  We LOVE you!!!