Long time no post

Between my 9 year old deciding to write a book on my computer, my husband taking MBA classes online in the evenings, three out of four of my kids uncovering the "Typing Tutor" (Lucy, the littlest tries but all she keeps doing is changing the pictures of my icons on my desktop. She's really good at it.) I haven't had much spare time on my own computer. We're on round two of antibiotics for strep throat, mom included. Life is crazy. This week I am contemplating these two things: Reputation vs. Character. REPUTATION is what everyone sees of us. CHARACTER is what we do when no one sees. AND, I am also contemplating these questions, Can I exhibit love under pressure? Or be kind when things are going wrong? I heard a speaker ask these hard questions and I felt like she was speaking directly to me in a crowd of 60. When Lucy took a red marker up and down 8 white dresser drawers last week, I'm pretty sure I wasn't feeling the love under pressure. And today, Beth put her coat on and kept saying it smelled. I kept thinking, "we've got to get out of here and get to school!" You know, the countdown to the start of school goes faster than any other and we're seemingly always late! If I would've taken a couple minutes to listen I would've realized a cat went pee on her coat and of course I wasn't going to make her wear it to school without washing it! And no, she didn't wear it to school. :) So many lessons, so little patience but I'm learning.

INSANITY

When I held her hand, she laid on the ground screaming "You're the meanest mommy!" When I let go of her hand, she ran all around the small basement foyer of the church screaming madness. Fatigue was overtaking her and she was beyond reasonable. The other three kids were going in different directions and it took 3 adults (thank God for friends!) to get everyone to the car. When we got home I sent them to the showers. Jake made it there first and proceeded to drain the 75 gallon water heater of all hot water. By the time Beth and Lucy made their way into the tub they played in cold water until they were shivering. We decided to try a bath again in the morning. I finally have them all tucked in but still hearing the little whispers of nighttime secrets and tiptoeing to the kitchen for drinks. Is it too much to ask for peace and quiet at 9:45 at night?

My two goofiest kids

WE MISS YOU DADDY!

My first post. A little intimidating knowing it might be read by many. :) Hoping in our crazy life we can keep in touch with friends far and near.