Random thoughts this morning....

1. Where is that pee smell coming from?? (edited to add: found...diaper behind the trash can in the boys bathroom, gross!!)

2. How many loads of laundry I have done this month. (40 if you're wondering, that's an average of 4 a day)

3. When will this stomach flu completely leave this house? Soon I pray.

4. Why are shoes always left where they don't belong?

5. I wonder when Madi will start potty training?

6. When I am going to get through the photos I have downloaded onto my laptop but not edited or backed up?? (1943 pictures)

7. What is for dinner??

8. How many days do I HAVE to leave the house this week? It is sooo cold out and I have so much to catch up on here at home.

9. How can one dog shed so much hair??

10. Will I get to starting Maggie's scrapbook today? I hope so!

11. I need to pick a picture to use for Maggie's thank you cards from her baptism celebration.

12. Do I need to pick up more diapers this week? which leads back to #5....

So many random thoughts going through my brain at the moment, trying to tame them into some kind of cohesive plan for the day (well rest of the day, I didn't realize it is almost noon) Where does the day go?

That smile...

You are the smiliest child, you wake with a smile and break out that open mouthed smile so many times a day it makes my heart hurt. It doesn't take much to bring on the light up your eyes smile and I love that about you. The joy in your face is priceless and I pray you continue to see that joy and share your smile with us for years to come. I love you my little Magpie!!

Evenings outside....

The long days of winter can take their toll on everyone from time to time. The kids spend so much time at school and indoors that they all get a little batty. The bitter cold we have been experiencing hasn't helped either. But in an effort to get outside everyday we bundled up for a little evening play outside. The sun warmed enough today to melt away some of the snow and dry up the sidewalks and driveway. So Maya dug out the sidewalk chalk and Zak pulled out his skateboard. Madi just likes to put on her boots and gloves. Not a sight we normally see in January but definitely a welcome one. Snow is expected to fall tonight so it will be back to the sleds.

The day I lost it over a chocolate truffle.....

Have you had one of those days where no matter what you did you were behind and you couldn't seem to get caught up? One of the days where the kids are in hyper drive and dig out the second it is cleaned up. Where for no reason whatsoever things pile on top of things until you can't remember what the things were you were supposed to do in the first place.... Today was one of those days, it seemed nothing was accomplished, messes were everywhere and I had more on my to do list at the end of the day than at the beginning. Nap time was off, neither little girl wanted to sleep and both wanted held continually. Just plain crazy. Plus I am trying to get back to a semblance of a healthy diet after the last month of fudge and mints for breakfast, lunch and dinner (the sugar with drawl may not have been helping things). So as I am praying for grace, making dinner and waiting for the arrival of Daddy to break the "spell" of the day it hits me.....Dan bought me a lovely little bag of chocolate truffles for Christmas, bless his soul. OK I know it may sound a little pathetic that the thought of chocolate could make me almost giddy but it did. It really did. With my improved mood and daddy home we made it through dinner without much fuss. I was resolved to have a peaceful bath and bedtime routine, all the time the thought of that sweet little truffle in the back of my mind. With the littles in bed I headed to the kitchen to grab my little piece of sanity for the day, I grabbed the bag and it was very light.... Are you kidding me??? I opened the bag to find one lonely little truffle in the bottom of what should have been a full bag of candies, and it was a white chocolate one at that. I hate to admit this but I could have cried, cried over a chocolate truffle. There is starvation and suffering all over the world and I was standing in my cozy, warm kitchen almost in tears over a chocolate truffle. Where were my priorities? I know it wasn't really the candy, I felt like those who had consumed my chocolate were insensitive, thoughtless and rude to me. I needed to get a grip. I called the culprits (I knew who they were) into the kitchen to express my displeasure with their actions. I had to laugh when I saw their faces and listened to the stammering when I asked who might have eaten all of mommy's truffles. Children and chocolate, what was I thinking? Next time I need to find a better hiding spot.

Engaged

My word for 2010. Engaged. I want to be engaged in parenting, engaged in each moment, engaged in life. Fully present, soaking in every detail and memory being made. So many times I find myself not really in the moment. I'll be playing with a little one but making multiple lists in my head at the same time. I often find myself at the end of the day wondering what I really did that day. I run on autopilot to keep the house running and food on the table and everyone where they need to be. But by running on autopilot I often fail to stop and really listen or really see what is going on around me. This year I am going to try wholeheartedly to engage every day. Stop, look and listen to all that is happening around me, to all the blessings I have been given. Time is flying by so quickly with these dear little souls I have been blessed with and I want to soak it all up. The laundry can wait.....

Happy New Year!!

Happy Happy New Year!! It's a new year although I didn't stay awake to see it in. Some days the need for sleep is just to great to ignore. We did have a fun filled New Year's Eve. We took the kiddos to the bowling alley from 2-5 for a New Year's party. They even have a countdown to the New Year at 4:00 for the kids. There were games, food and as much bowling as one could squeeze in for 3 hours. Max was in heaven. He loves to bowl and just danced around in pure delight. I can't quite remember an activity bringing him so much joy. We met friends and cousins there so that added to the fun. Dan and I even bowled a few games. It really is fun to do and it has been so long since we have gone. Maya and Madi liked rolling the ball with Dan's help. Zak tried to out do us with the most strikes. And Carli only bowled a few rounds, she's to cool for us:) No she had a bit of a headache she was trying to get rid of. After the party we headed to the store to pick up some shrimp and sparkling cider. Our tradition is to have steamed shrimp on New Year's Eve. We came home, jammied up and sat down to our feast. We opened up the game basket the kids received for Christmas and played a few games. Then the kids ran amok until I couldn't hold my eyes open any longer. We put the littlest 3 to bed and let the bigger 3 stay up to watch the ball drop. Unfortunately I couldn't keep my eyes open that long. I woke to kisses from the kids. What a wonderful way to bring in the New Year.

The quiet after the storm

It is about 4:30 in the afternoon, the 2 oldest are with friends for the day, the middle 2 are playing upstairs with some new craft supplies and the 2 littles are still sleeping. Besides the howling wind the house is quiet. The calm has started to set in after the holiday crazies. Dinner is simmering on the stove and I feel content to sit with the quiet for a few moments longer. These moments are rare around here and I intend to enjoy every second. Quiet is really restorative in its own way, my mind is at peace. I am planning some new projects for the new year, new rhythms and routines. Quiet needs to be more a part of the everyday norm, at least for a little bit each day. I'm praying for a more quiet and gentle spirit. After the crash I just heard from upstairs I may need to pray a little harder. Off to assess the damage....