big sigh

Somedays are easier than others. Somedays all the kids get along great, have a wonderful attitude..and then there are the other days. The morning where everyone gets up late.
Paige needs her hair braided, and did I mention I made 8 homecoming olympic tshirts and capes, and 2 more shirts for her, and a hairbow in the last 2 days? Mia needs hers braided and she can't find her shoes. Kain didn't do his homework, and I forgot to wash his clothes, and we had a huge blowout and I sent him to school with tears in his eyes, and Carter won't eat breakfast....that was this morning. Big sigh.

I knew everyday wasn't going to be a cake walk, but sometimes, it gets totally overwhelming. I love them all so much and woud walk through fire for them. At times, in certain circumstances, I feel like I have. It's all part of the job description..right? I wouldn't trade one of them for the world, but it's hard sometimes. Big sigh. Maybe a massage will work? Pedicure? Nap? Book? It's time to chose one of them :)

Brothers

When brothers agree, no fortress is so strong as their common life

Brothers..the joy, the laughter, the pain.

---Growing up with no brothers, I guess I didn't understand brothers until I started dating Josh. His relationship with his brothers was a strong one. Yes, they would fight and argue about crazy things..pick on each other, and point out every quirky thing the other ones would do...but they were also fiercely devoted to each other. They would stand up for each other and shared everything...talk about cars, music, family, girls...you get the drift.

---I wondered, as I held Carter for the first time..what would he do? What will be become? When Kain arrived, I wondered the same things. I still wonder. I look at these two amazing boys with the world at their feet and know the possibilities are endless...but what I love the most is the relationship they have..the good and the bad.

---Tonight the boys were throwing the football to each other for a long time. I walked out in the front yard and smiled. Brothers are built in friends. It's someone to talk about school, sports, share you-tube videos with, play video games with, someone to play ENDLESS games of chess with. (this list could go on forever)

---On the other hand, someone who knows EXACTLY what to say to get under your skin, who knows the words that hurt the most, who bugs you, throws things at you, screams at you..you get the idea.

---I wonder if they know how lucky they are, and I already know the answer. Not yet. Someday they will. I pray that my kids will always be close, that no matter the miles or the circumstances they will be able to be there for each other. I have told the kids a thousand times. "friends come and go, but family is what makes it all worth it"

Fall Crafting :)

I have no idea what it is about the weather change that makes me want to craft. Fall is in the air, and I am seriously juggling about 10ish projects. I am making cards, working on birthday gifts, getting ready to sew some skirts for Mia, planning Christmas gifts..I call it craft ADD.

I get started on one project (today I made birthday countdown blocks) and then move onto the next..sometimes without finishing the one I was working on. I have made more than 50 cards in the last week, and am still working on more. With every project I make I think of about 5 more I could do next. I think I could spend every minute of everyday crafting and never run out of ideas.

Why am I writing about this? Because it is craziness! Craziness that totally makes me happy. I will post pictures of completed projects ASAP..well the ones I can without giving away birthday/Christmas gifts :)

Summer Mentality

Mia, my sweet sweet kind girl..starting 2nd grade with Mrs. Emery. It feels like 5 minutes ago she was just a baby. Now she is into Barbies, Build-A-Bears,playing with her good friend Madison, Girl Scouts and hopefully a dance class.

I am not a mom who counts down until the kids go to school. I am the mom who wants to keep them home forever. We did have a wonderful summer together and I was not ready for it to end. I call it the "summer mentality" and I would like to have it all year long.

Kain..a 4th grader. He has Mrs. Masterson..I had Masterson, Paige had Masterson, Carter had Masterson and we were thrilled Kain gets to as well. Kain my little whiz kid who makes everything seem easy. Kain loves to make us laugh, sports, board games, video games, and friends. He is excited to play another year of flag football and basketball.

What is the "summer mentality" you ask? Well, it is life without schedule. There are not hours spent daily in the car. It is sleeping in until you want to get up. It is chillin in PJ's until you feel like changing.

Carter, 8th grader..king of the hill at the middle school. I can't believe it. He has grown inches this summer and is taller than me. He loves sports as much as he always has. He is a leader, a kind person, has integrity, and humor. I am proud of him every day.

"Summer Mentality" is having mattresses in the front room from the end of May until the weekend before school starts. These are to sleep on, jump on, pile up and play on.

Paige, my Sophomore at PHS. She is kind, funny, incredibly talented in all things art. I am grateful for her help, her friendship, and just who she is..

"Summer Mentality" is family time. Playing chess, ping pong, pool, and basketball. It is simple. Easy. Free.

These four kids...are my most valuable gifts. I know they are more than just another name, another student, another number, another test score..They are more. This is the hardest part of sending them out the door. I am thankful for when they walk back into the house and tell me everything that happened and as Carter said today..well 3 weeks down...and counting. We all love the "summer mentality"