gotta love gilligan

Everyone watched a Gilligan's Island episode this morning. Even Ethan was cracking up!

after hours uno

We try to carve out alone time with each of the kids whenever possible (which is not as often as we'd like!). Last night after the boys were asleep, I crept into Audrey's room (she was still reading, of course!) and asked her if she'd like to get up and play Uno with me. Her eyes lit up and we had a great time together. Love these precious moments!

the boys

I tell ya, with my boys there always seems to be something! One has a lazy eye and needs to be patched a few hours a day. The other has asthma and has to be on a nebulizer each morning. One poops about five times a day. The other is currently being treated for constipation (yes, you can start praying for us now!). One just got over strep throat that left him with a full-body rash that later peeled off in thick strips. The other has to visit a urologist next month (I'll keep the details to myself to avoid future embarassment of said child).

But like I said...on and on it goes. These earthly bodies are so frail. All I can say is AMEN that we will not have to carry them around forever!

books!

We have another reader in this house! He cannot get enough - and I love it.

yum!

Our first BBQ of 2010 was delicious!

thankful

Patrick's dad had surgery this past week and is recovering quite well. He may even go home from the hospital tomorrow. AMEN! So thankful for amazing doctors and the work they do.

We wanted Patrick to be able to be with his mom so the kids and I went to Chelan for the weekend. It was a quick trip but still very fun. My mom and dad were a huge help with the kids. And we had a safe trip over the passes and back.

God is good. And we are thankful.

ukulele parade!

love it!

Have I mentioned lately how much I love homeschooling? And how much I love our history curriculum in particular? Because I do. This was Audrey's question to me yesterday during lunch:

"Mom, do you think Theseus went to Crete to kill the Minotaur because he wanted to make a name for himself or because he really wanted to help the people of Athens?"

Which led to a great lunch-time discussion. I love it!

too quiet

Lately, we've been working with Liam on volume control. He is just a LOUD kid. He talks loud. He plays loud. He sings loud. And when he gets mad and yells - watch out! We've had his hearing checked and they say it's fine. And we remind him about 500 times a day to "be quiet", "lower your voice", "watch your volume", and "use your inside voice." Nothing seems to help.

But last night - as I climbed into bed and was reflecting on our day - I got tears in my eyes when I realized I had not needed to admonish him once about volume. He was so sick that he was very quiet. And it made me sad. His loudness is one of the things that makes our house our home. And one day I'll miss hearing his voice every day. So perhaps I'll just chill out about it and enjoy my loud, healthy boy!

change in schedule

Our schedule for today is out the window. What was supposed to be a back to school day at our home has turned into a - trip to the doctor/caring for a sick kid day instead. UGH! Liam has a fever, a rash - oh, and he threw up at the Dr. office. Maybe strep throat - we'll know tomorrow. Such a treat taking three kids to the doctor. Especially when one is barfing!

And I hate being behind with school. Each day is carefully planned without much wiggle room. Relax. Breathe. It'll all get done. Relax. Breathe. It'll all get done. Relax. Breathe. It'll all get done.

...and, praying we don't all get this!

daddy/daughter date

Patrick and Audrey went on a dinner date last night. She got all dressed up and picked the restaurant (Red Robin!). She came home beaming from ear to ear and couldn't stop talking about the mud pie they shared for dessert. She had a ball. Such a princess!

happy new year!

A new year. I love fresh starts. I've become very thankful lately that in Christ I have a fresh start. I am not hindered by past choices or even a bad day. I can be new every morning in Him. AMEN!

Last night Patrick and I had a quiet celebration together. (We added Baileys to our coffee and called it a holiday!) I asked him if we should discuss family goals for the new year. "Sure", he said. "I've got a goal for us. Let's keep this family at five."

Hmmm - guess that means we have two goals. No pregnancies and no divorce! And by the grace of God I think those sound like attainable goals!