Can you relate?

I thought this was so funny. Every time something happens I think, "Oh that would make great blog material." I have my sisters to thank for this insanity!

Close, but no cigar.

Well, I just had to post a picture of our dream house. Oh, the sick stench of disappointment, sniff sniff. Everything was looking so promising. The builder had given us so many incentives it was hard to believe. But when it boiled right down to it the economy is what it is right now. Very, very scary!! Sadly today Mark and I felt the effects of it very personally. When the real estate agent came to list our current home we could not believe the price she suggested. It was insulting really. Unbelievable how much our home has dropped in value. We felt like we were being asked to just give it away. Needless to say we didn't like that idea at all and we've decided to stay put until hopefully, things get better. Sometimes not getting what you want reminds you of all the things that you do have and are thankful for. I'm very grateful that we have a house at all. I'm thankful for my nice laundry room, and our beautiful built-in book shelves, and for the island in my kitchen. I'm thankful for my dear sweet husband who put that island in just for me, cuz he knew that I had always wanted one. I'm thankful for my 5 healthy children who fill the walls of our home with love, joy, and laughter. And believe it or not, I'm even thankful for the unasked for reminder.

Meghan and Matthew

I was going through pictures and I came across this one of Meghan and Matthew. I thought is was so sweet I had to post it. I can't believe how fast babies grow up. It's just not right, I tell ya.

Sunday Silliness

We had some fun messing around with Mark's laptop computer this afternoon. We were all laughing so hard. I'm sure you can see why.

One of my favorite Seinfeld moments, hee hee!

Has it really been six months?

I can't believe how fast our Matthew is growing up. Today he turned 6 months old. He is rolling over and sitting up. It truly is bitter sweet. I hate to lose my snuggly little newborn but fortunately he just seems to get funner and funner. You should hear him giggle. It is my favorite sound in the whole world.

One of my favorite things

I just love this little house plant, it has so much personality. It sits near my kitchen sink in the window and keeps me company whenever I am doing the dishes. (Which seems like an awful lot) One of my favorite things about it, besides the fact that I think it is so pretty is that it has a wakeing - sleeping cycle. In the morning it's foilage is big and open and at night the leaves fold up and "go to sleep". I just love it. It was given to me by my visiting teacher. Now for a little confession. Up until recently, I'd never been a real big fan of the whole visiting teacher concept. Because quite frankly I see it as being "assigned a friend" which is rather quite pathetic if you ask me. I would hope that I was able to make my own freinds, thank you very much! Not only that I've had some rather aggravating experiences with the whole visisting teaching ("can I stop by and harass you?") idea. For instance the one chick who showed up at 9:30 at night, on the last day of the month, pounded on my door and woke up my little Ethan who at the time was very sick with double ear infections. GRRRR!! I was not happy! I knew full well she was not at all concerned about me but about being able to say she'd got her visiting done. I'm not thinkin that's the plan they had in mind when they thought this progam up. But I'm happy to say that I think I'm finally starting come around. I have the greatest visiting teacher right now. She has done so much for me and I am very thankful for her, and her example. She's one of those people you can't help loving and really want to be more like. I'm grateful Heavenly Father sent her my way and I'm especially thankful for this happy little plant she gave me that keeps me company while I'm in the kitchen.

Drool, drool, and more drool...

Someone once said, "If you were to open up a baby's head - and I am not for a moment suggesting that you should - you would find nothing but an enormous DROOL gland." Boy Howdy, they weren't kidding. Matthew is the droolinest thing lately. He goes through like 12 bibs and several changes of clothes everyday, just because he drenches himself with drool. He's still an adorable little thing though, don't ya think? Just a really soggy one.

Meghan's 7th Birthday

Here are some pictures of Meghan's birthday on saturday. I think she had a lot of fun. She had a party in the afternoon with a bunch of her friends and then family came out later for dinner and cake. What is it about throwing a birthday party that is so exhausting? I crawled into bed that night more tired than I did on the night I had her. Go figure. It was all worth it though to see her smile. She's a cutie!

Meghan - my 9/11 baby

Every time my kids have a birthday it makes me feel like they are growing up too fast! I also can't help but reflect on their births, at what I and the world were doing at the time. Meghan's birth was especially poignant. Meghan is my 9/11 baby. She is a special reminder to me that there will always be hope, goodness and beauty in a sometimes ugly world. Meghan was born only 2 short days after the terrorist attacks on our beloved country. On the way to the hospital I remember thinking to myself, "How can we possibly bring another child into a world were there is so much wickedness and hate? Were there are those who derive such pleasure at inflicting so much pain and suffering onto others?" It really frightened me. My heart was broken for all of the people who had lost loved ones on that horrific September morning. But there is a saying that goes. "A baby is a sign from God that the world should go on." On September 13, 2001 our family was blessed with such a sign. There was so much tragedy surrounding her birth. I remember holding her in my arms and looking down at her sweet, innocent, perfect little face. She had a bunch of brown hair but right through the center of it she had a beautiful streak of blonde (she still has it). It was as if the angels had touched her. To me it was indeed a sign of love, hope, and faith sent from above. We named her Meghan, with an H. That H stands for Hope and is a reminder to me that we have a loving Heavenly Father. That no matter what, there is always hope. I am so very thankful that we were blessed with our Meghan, and that she came into the world when she did. She has brought our family so much joy. Happy Birthday Meg!! We love you!

Rocket Science

Okay, in my opinion this blog stuff might as well be rocket science. It has taken me hours and hours to figure this stuff out, which in reality is relatively simple. Or so they say. Not to toot my own horn but I think I am finally getting the hang of it. And my sister Kim is right. Once you are able to figure stuff out it really is fun! I know I have spent too much time on it though lately because Ethan was playing a game on the computer the other day and I said "What you doin Ethan?" And his reply was..."Oh, I'm just workin on my blog Mom." From the mouths of babes. Well the laundry has taken on a life of it's own so I better go, not to mention there are hungry tummies that need fed.

Isn't he precious?

I poked my head in to check on Matthew this afternoon and this is what I saw. He's my first little thumb sucker. I love it, I think it is so cute. For the most part he is a self soother, which is nice. Of course lately he hasn't thought so much of his thumb if it happens to be the middle of the night. Lately he likes to wake me up for a snack, much to my chagrin. Ya know it's amazing how much love you can have for someone who just over a year ago you didn't even know about. I can't imagine my life without Matthew now. I sure love this little guy.

First Chair

Kaylie came home from school yesterday quite excited. She made first chair Viola! She's becoming quite the musician. I really do enjoy listening to her play. Way to go Kaylie, keep up the good work!

Three year olds are so much fun!

Ethan said the cutest thing the other day that I have to tell you all about it. Lately he is just crazy about Curious George. Well I got a phone call from a man named George. As I finished up our conversation I said, "Okay, thanks George! Bye." Ethan stopped what he was doing and looked up at me and said, "Dat was Coowious Orje mom?! Coowious Orje!!?" It was soooo adorable I just wanted to eat him up!