One thing I've learned...

A friend recently put a quote on her wall saying "The days are long but the years are short" in reference to raising kids. How true. Here are some "BO FACTS" • He has two modes: ON and off. When he's on, he is pure energy. When he's off, he sleeps. • He's a great eater. He'll try anything. He may not like everything, but he will try anything. • He will be a fantastic athlete someday. As fast as he can run from me when he's in trouble, he will be great. • He doesn't listen. • He has what we call the "Sunshine Smile". If he flashes it, watch out - it will make you melt. • He can turn any household item into a weapon to go after Jack and Ellie. • He can hook the camper up the the truck by himself - not that we let him, but I know he could do it if he wanted to. • He loves hitches on cars - he loves the idea of towing ANYTHING.

Under the weather

Stress.
Our family has had such a busy past couple weeks. I know everyone has. It is funny how I thought January and February would be a prime time to catch up on house projects, cleaning out, etc. I didn't realize what an impact having more than one child playing sports could do to a family schedule :)

Unbelievable Blessings.
On the flip side, I have seen my boys develop athletic skills that are amazing. We have spent Saturdays and many weekday afternoons together at practices, games and sports activities. They had a blast! Drew's team went undefeated all season. Jack's team ended up ranked second. And I developed a terrible case of super-competitive-momness. I became THAT mom. Yelling for the kids. Trying to help them with where to defend. Perhaps telling the scorekeepers when they missed adding a score to our team. Lesson learned: they are kids. Drew's team didn't win the extra tournament, and it was a good serving of humble pie for him AND me. Will they play again? They can't wait. Will I be less competitive next year? I'd like to think so, but I doubt it. I just don't know where that mama bear instinct of "don't mess with my babies" comes from. Yikes!

Lent.
We have started Lent. I could not be more proud of the respect that all of the kids have for the season. Even Bo understands the importance of getting ready for Easter. Jack has given up eating dinner in the living room. Not that they do that much, but he loves it when they get to. Drew gave up his iPod. Seriously! He hasn't used it since. John and I have given up snacking between meals. Tough with the sport schedule at times - not getting home till 8 for dinner! So far, this has been the best Lent - we are all constantly thinking about the season because of our fasting.

Big Girl Bed.
Finally, Ellie has asked us to give her a big girl bed. That may not seem significant for most folks, but we've had a crib up in this house for almost 10 years straight. I know she is almost ready. But am I? Where does the time go?

Halloween!

BOO!

We had a fantastic Halloween!!! The kids were dressed as:
Drew - army zombie
Jack - Harry Potter
Bo - a cheeseball
Ellie - a pumpkin princess

The cheese ball was all Bo's idea. He loves those puffed cheese balls and decided that's what he wanted to be for Halloween. He has since asked if we could call him cheese ball as well. We regretfully declined.

All the kids got $5 from Aunt Jackie in Chicago. HUGE! They are so excited! Ellie was able to purchase her first real Barbie today with that money. She is still so excited!

Ellie's First Day of School

Just a picture that needs little description... This is Ellie ready for her first day at Mom's Day Out with her new backpack (that she picked out herself).

Seven SHORT years ago...

Today is a special day - Jack turns 7! It is such a cliche, but it really does seem like he was a baby yesterday. He is turning into a very special young man with many neat talents. He is smart. He loves music - and Aunt Katie is teaching him to play the guitar! He asks a million questions every day. He is going to play basketball this winter and it already loving Cub Scouts.

I remember being so excited to have him - we had just had a big storm and lost power at our house for three days. The power came on and we went to the doctor on the 21st and they decided to induce labor today. Then the hospital called and told us to wait because they were full already. We scrubbed the house and got lots done before heading to the hospital around 9am. He was born around 3:45 weighing in at 7 lbs., 15 oz. He is a miracle every day.

Today, I will bring him Chick-Fil-A for lunch at school and doughnuts to share with his class. I am going to surprise him with a movie after school. We are very, very lucky to have the beautiful family we have. We know that. I am grateful for a day like today to help me remember it!

Happy Birthday Jack!

My Better Half

What a cliche! John truly is my better half though.

He challenges me to be a better person every day. He is my biggest fan. He doesn't get mad when I mess things up. He eats my cooking happily. He knows my limits. He helps me be the mom I am, the person I am. I am very lucky that he has spent 10 years making me the happiest person - thank you, John! Happy Anniversary!!

Slacker.

I know, I know... I am not the best at keeping up sometimes. School started. Football started. Birthdays, anniversaries.

So, here is a recap...The start of school went well. The kids like their teachers. Bo started full days of class this week and was very excited to 'eat lunch there'. It's the little things!

Football is fine. It's a tremendous effort to get him to practice sometimes - balancing homework, three other kids and the fact that we are 28 miles from practice at home. He finally figured out how to tackle and likes the sport more. I am torn between the 'mama bear' instinct to go tackle the boys who tackle Drew and this innate competitiveness for him to just be more aggressive. Weird. I find the encouraging him is best. I try and keep the mama bear at bay. There were two injuries on the other team (which was a LOT larger than ours - in size AND numbers) during the game. Our kids all took a knee until the child got up. The other team were just yelling at the poor kid down to 'get up!' I do love our team.

I still love being at home. Part of the whole being home was to relieve some stress with running around. Part was to keep up with house, laundry, etc... to enjoy our time we are all home together more. Part was to be there for the kids. I am finding that part the most critical right now. I really did think it got easier when kids went to school. It was harder when they were babies and toddlers. I was wrong. Not that you can't do it all - working too. You absolutely can. I could still do it. I do like that I am not though. It's where I need to be right now.