After Counting to180, She's Out

Originally posted on Bubblews, 8/20/14

The littlest of my littles should have fallen asleep before her head even hit the pillow. The girl has been tired, tired, tired since this afternoon. She had a full afternoon playing in the sun at a friend's pool. As we drove home, she nearly drifted to sleep. However, we arrived home just in the nick of time to keep her awake.
Then she had a meltdown after dinner, again, EXHAUSTED. She recovered with a zing!
Next came the five minutes until bedtime tears. She cried. I held her. She was so close. So close.
We snuggled close into bed. I waited anxiously for that deep breathing that signals sleep. Yet, wait, what happened? The girl was suddenly smiling and happy and AWAKE!
Another two hours passed. The next thing I know, the energized three-year old began counting. She reached 180 with glee!
Where does a girl get such energy?
11:10pm, she finally drifted off to sleep.
Now I am awake.

Conversations with Ella

The One Word Edition, originally posted on Bubblews on 9/1/2014

This afternoon we were talking about Ella's upcoming dental surgery. We have wondered at times if she has an underlying pain that she doesn't complain about, but that bothers her. And we jokingly say that this is why she is so moody all of the time.
Seriously, she is my most "spirited" child. She throws fits the likes of which most of you have never experienced.
I have been saying that she will miraculously be constantly cheerful after her upcoming surgery.
Today, I said to Ella, "Ella, one of these days you are not going to be grumpy all the time."
She responded, "When?"
The best part of her simple response was that she seemed to genuinely wonder WHEN she would not be a grump anymore. It was priceless

Dating When Married

Well, it is official!  We can leave the children alone for a date. 

We left today for a friend of my husband's wedding at 4pm.  We did not return home until 10:00pm.

The children did NOT burn the house down.

The children did NOT call me or text me twenty times wondering when we would be home. 

I think we are ok with maybe dating again/

I think that we will have to figure this thing out because dating has been such a non-priority for the last 15 years. 

This could be a good thing.

Blogger Tag: I'm It

Well, already I do not know if I can actually tag anyone.  So my plan is to share this with my blogging momma friend mommykerrie maybe via email.  Here's her blog by the way:  http://www.thekerrieshow.com/

Here are the 25 questions for blogger tag. 

1.  Where were your born?  Well, I'm going to plead the fifth on this one because sometimes that's a security question on things.  So I'll just say that I was born on the planet earth.  K?

2.  Were you named after someone?  Nope.  no awesome story to go along with my name darn it.

3.  if you have question, how many do you have?   I'm the mother to five beautiful children.  My oldest child died two years ago though.  So I have to struggle through life without his precious self in my day.

4.  how many pets do you have?  We currently are on the low end of pets with only two cats and a dog.  The dog is huge though and is the equivalent of a grown man or four dogs.  Anyone want a new dog?

5.  what was your worst injury?   well, this may be speaking physical, but the worst injury I have ever sustained is losing my son.  my heart is broken and will never mend.

6.  Do you have a special talent?  eh, not sure.  I am a pretty good cook.  I decorate my children's birthday cakes and they look fun.  And I sometimes take some awesome photographs. 

7.  What's your favorite thing to bake?  well, this is tough.  I love a delicious baked pasta dish like lasagna or cannelloni.  I also love freshly baked bread.  Then of course, there are cookies.

8.  What's your favorite fast food?    I'll have to say Schlotzsky's.  I love those sandwiches.

9.  Would you bungee jump?  Um, nope.  I don't know if I would have back in my youthful days or not, but definitely not now. 

10.  what is the first thing you notice about people?  I guess just how friendly they are.

11.  When was the last time you cried?  Yesterday.  I tend to cry at least once a day since losing my son.

12.  Are you worried about anything currently?    Finances.  Just received notice that a monthly bill is going up by $300 a month.  That is about all extra we have.  I don't know how we will afford anything, ANYTHING, extra now.  and by extra I mean children's activities, homeschool books, hair cuts, clothes....

13.  What are three drinks you drink regularly?  1.  water (I LOVE water!)  2.  coffee (can't start my day without it)  and 3.  wine (not every night, but many nights)

14.  what is your favorite book?  I hate limiting this to just one, but if I must, I will say Les Miserables. 

15.  would you like to be a pirate?  only if it were in a movie

16.  favorite smells?   fresh basil and coffee

17. why do you blog?  I like to write.  I like to talk.  and I hope to eventually write a book.  this is good practice. 

18.  Do you have a song you want played at your funeral?  I used to say Dancing Queen by Abba.  I'm not sure anymore. 

19.  what is your least favorite thing about yourself?  my weight and my lack of willpower and my tendency to be lazy

20.  favorite hobby?  writing, photography, and knitting

21.  what qualities do you look for in a friend?  trustworthy, kind, fun

22.  name something you have done that you never thought you would do:  be a stay at home mom.  I was a career gal and loved it.  I had no plans to stay at home.  funny how things change.

23.  favorite things to do?  write, watch movies, read, drink coffee, yoga

24.  pet peeves?  women who gossip, dishonesty, drama

25.  what is the last thing that made you laugh?  i'm sure it was my children today sometime, but my mind is blank. 

'Twas the Day Before Nothing...

Just a quick little poem that I felt like writing as I watch my children play and spend a lazy morning at home. 

 

'Twas the day before nothing, when all through the house

There were no plans or activities, except for my poor working spouse

Three children were playing an entertaining game

It's one of our favorites, Quirkle is the name

 As they sat on the floor telling the littlest what was right and wrong
They all were humming and singing a popular song
As "Let it Go!" sounded to my happy ears
I felt content for the moment watching my dears

 The kids were in shorts on this chilly fall day
I sat on the sofa still wearing my pj's
A day full of nothing is such a rare jewel
Though I may be missing mass made me feel like a fool

 The relaxing will have to cease at some point today
As we begin to clean and put the fall decorations away
For it is time to bring the boxes up the stairs
So the Christmas decorations can be placed everywhere

For now I will enjoy this moment of nothingness
For time like this is fleeting, most days are filled with stress
Thus this day before nothing will be happy, a ball
And I wish a very happy nothing Sunday to you all!

A Messy House Means You Aren't a Good Parent?

I think my children are pretty happy.  They are provided for by me and my husband. They are educated.  They are taught right from wrong.  They are loved.

 But sometimes my house is a mess.  Sometimes a big mess.  There are often dishes piled in the sink, clutter on the floor, unfinished laundry scattered in various rooms. 

 And it scares me to read an article like I did yesterday about a homeschooling family in my neck of the woods who was in trouble with child protective services because someone called in "a messy house."  When the family turned away a CPS agent, they sent a swat team who proceeded to raid their home.  The parents were even hit with tasers! 

 The children were temporarily removed from the home.  However, when this reached a judge, the judge threw out the case and gave the children back to their parents. 

This scares the hell out of me.  Seriously.  If someone came to my house today, my house is fairly clean.  However, if someone randomly showed up at my house a few days ago, it would not have been.

When I talk to other moms about the subject of the state of our homes, they are mostly in agreement with me.  Sometimes their house is clean, sometimes it isn't.  And on really bad weeks, it can be a disaster.  Throw a sick kid into the mix or a week of crazy schedules and who knows what the house will look like.   The week of Halloween I was so busy (doing things for my children) and so exhausted that my house was a disaster all week. 

How does that make you a bad parent?  How does that give the government the right to take away a child?  Is a child unloved just because there are cheerios on the floor?  Is a child abused because the sink is full of dirty dishes? 

This reminds me of the time a child was removed because he was overweight.  WAs that child unloved?

I think that there are times a child should be removed from a home (physical abuse, neglect).  I just think a messy house is pushing it too far. 

The thing is, for me, I have always struggled with the housekeeping thing.  It doesn't come naturally for me.  However, I do try.  I do attempt to pick up after my children.  I do try to keep up with that continuous stream of laundry.  I do try to clean the kitchen after the many meals I prepare.  And I also try to teach my children to do the same, but we aren't great at it. 

Does that make me a bad parent? 

I'm already a mom that knows my weaknesses, my failures.  I am already a mom who wishes I could improve in so many ways. 

But I love my children.  I would do anything for them.  I would give my own life for them. 

I'm not a good housekeeper though. 

The Good Stuff Does NOT Include Health Insurance

The world of medical bills is unbelievable.  '

 

When I was a child or even a college student, health insurance was something you could depend upon.

 

 My parents often had to worry about finances.  My dad was a farmer in the 1980's.  Money was often tight. 

Yet, through my father's employer, we had excellent health coverage.  My parents could go to the doctor or send us to the doctor if something was wrong. No financial worries.  It was covered.

Then there is life in the year 2014 and the medical world, health insurance stuff, it all sucks. 

 

First of all, my husband's company provides insurance that is not actually insurance.  we pay in monthly, but guess what we can do?  we can go to a well visit once a year.  THAT IS IT.  i'm not sure why we are even paying.  If I am sick, I cannot go to the doctor.  PERIOD. 

WE currently have medical bills out the ying yang.

 

my children have good coverage that we pay a monthly premium into the state.  we received a letter today that our monthly bill is going up by nearly $300 .  Yes, $300 per month. 

 

just in time for Christmas. 

 

Makes me want to say the F word. 

Happy Birthday to my 2nd Born

I think you were stubborn from the get go, from the time you entered the womb.

When you were supposed to be head down, preparing for birth, you remained firmly with that head pointed upward.  You liked it where you were.   So we went to the doctor and they manually shifted that body for you.  (ouch for me!)

You remained stubborn.  Your due date came and went as I patiently waited to meet you. 

Finally, nearly two weeks later, my body decided it was time to kick you out of your cozy home.  Labor began.  You, however, remained stubborn.  Hour after hour passed.  Pain after pain came.  The doctor didn't feel optimistic about the way labor was progressing. 

We finally gave up.  It was time for you to come out into the world.  So a C-section it was. 

Stubborn or not, you were beautiful. 

You still are.

Happy Birthday Liam. 

I love you.

The Yoga Chronicles 11/7/14

Sadly, today was a day without yoga.  I probably snuck in ten poses.  Maybe a total of five minutes or ten.  Tomorrow I shall definitely do it at home due to lack of transportation to the gym.  My plan is to do it immediately after finishing my coffee and breakfast (first htings first!  priorities!)

Sometimes I just wish I had more time to my day.  No, not sometimes.  All the time!  By the time I do what moms do, the day is gone.  And I don't even do close to what moms should do (i.e. clean house?).   I would love to do Yoga EVERY SINGLE DAY.  I would love to sneak in some cardio each day too... swimming?  elliptical?

http://www.bubblews.com/news/9327052-a-yoga-journey-none-nada-zip

Homeschooling, Winning the Lottery, and Avoiding Work

It is just after 1:00pm in my quiet household.  As I just informed the children that it was time to return to our school work, I had to hear the usual sighs, complaints, groans.  They act like they have it so rough, my kids.  They truly think they do which gets a little old.

So my daughter (true to form) started talking about something distracting.  Today's topic of choice:  what would you do if we won 2 billion dollars in the lottery?  I gave her a brief answer.  Of course, she wanted to hold a long conversation.  And yes, I had to stop the conversation because have been extremely unproductive today.

Homeschool can be quite difficult some days, let me tell you!

It's Hard to think of Good Stuff

When I do think of good stuff, I feel guilty.  When I forget to be sad, I'm sadder. 

Here's good stuff:

Nolan was such a precious child, easy baby, good helper, loving, kind.

Liam continues to be fiery, spirited, loving.

Ciara is tenderhearted, a good helper, loving. 

Logan is sweet, loves to help, creative, loving.

Ella is a spitfire who brings laughter to me on sad days. 

There's good stuff even now.  I just have a hard time rectifying it with my grief. 

Just a teensy-weensy, itty bitty, little frugal living discovery

So this has been an extremely rough week.  After several unexpected expenses (part of life, duh, i know), the final one tipped us over the edge.  Our a/c stopped working & it's August in Kansas City.  That means we had to fix it.  Thankfully, it wasn't a huge expense this time.  ((although we have been warned that our 30-40 year old furnace, ahem, needs replaced.))  However, the one thing plus the one thing plus the one thing plus the one thing... well, they added up.  And that equals us being more broke than usual.  I seriously had $20 to get us through more than a week for groceries and we are a family of 7.  ((yesterday I found a $10 buried in my purse!  yay!  but that's just a side note)) 

So this week was ALL about stretching the last of what's in my freezer and cabinets.  Lots of lessons learned here.  Number 1 is that I will not let my staples run this low again.  I was already short on some things that I normally have around.  So not good timing.  (is it ever good timing to be broke?)  It's a very scary feeling when you are a mommy to wonder how to stretch that last bit of milk, fruit, veggies.    Yesterday, my daughter cheerfully said "hey, we are like the family in Mr. Popper's Penguins!" (the book, not the movie) when I said we were having beans and rice.  Mr. Popper had a seasonal job.  Therefore, in the off- months, they had to eat a LOT of rice and beans.  It made me happy to hear her perspective on it.  And the thing is, at least we KNOW we have a paycheck coming.  I figure there are plenty of families in the world who do not know where their next meal is coming from.  So our minimal suffering was just that:  minimal.   (try telling that to a 6 year old who wants more milk though!)

Here's the teensy-weensy, itty bitty, little frugal living discovery that I made this week though.  Miniature chocolate chips.  Ok, does that sound like a necessity when you are broke?  Not really.  However, one thing I have found is that when I am trying to stretch that last bit of grocery money, I tend to bake more often for the kids.  (ok, for me too).  The good news is that I had these wonderful little gems in my cabinet already.  Here's what I found.  These little things go SOOOOO much further than normal chocolate chips!  I have now baked 4 things with a normal sized bag and there are STILL some left.  I don't think I will buy regular sized chocolate chips ever again. 

This may not seem like the most important frugal living tip in the world.  It's not.  I admit that.  I have posted about some of my other frugal tips in the past.  Maybe more important ones like crockpot chickens, dried beans, rice.    However, when you are raising a family on one modest income, you try to get creative.  You try to cut corners where you can.  Yet you still need treats!  Don't you?  Well, I do.  And my kids do.    And I have been thrilled that I could bake for them & give them some goodies this week.  Payday is in 2 short days & then we will get to live it up with lots of fruit & veggies again! In the meanwhile, we'll eat some jello with grapes & marshmallows.  And quite possibly a smore with graham crackers, marshmallows, and mini-chocolate chips.  Yum. 

Oh How I Love the Pitter Patter of Little Feet

It happens without realization. The sound of pitter patter becomes the sound of kids growing up. My 5, almost 6 year old, no longer pitter patters down the hallway when he gets up in the morning. I don't even remember when it stopped. It just suddenly hits you that it no longer has that baby/toddler/little one sound to it anymore. Thankfully, sixteen months ago, I had a wonderful oopsie-baby & get to hear that pitter patter every morning when Ella wakes up. It's a beautiful sound.

Happy 70th Birthday Mom!

Last night we celebrated my mom's 70th birthday at Pizza Hut in Osage City. It was a surprise party planned and executed by none other than my dad. He did a pretty good job. Mom had no idea that she was arriving to a reserved room full of friends and family.
She spent her afternoon sewing with her friend Ramona, as she often does on Wednesday afternoons. Ramona lives in Osage with her husband Larry. The plan was after sewing, my dad would arrive and the two couples would grab a bite to eat for a small birthday celebration. The ladies finished up their sewing around 5:00pm and that left about an hour to kill, waste, etc. Normally, my mom wouldn't be too sorry to wait until 6:00pm to eat dinner. However, she said several times to her friend Ramona that she was hungry, she hadn't eaten much that afternoon, she couldn't wait until dinner. So finishing up their sewing on the early side required lots of thinking on the part of my dad, Ramona, and Larry to try to make it to 6:00pm. You don't want to arrive early at a surprise party! From what my dad told me, first Ramona said "oh I better get ready" and then proceeded to s.l.o.w.l.y. get ready. After she announced her readiness, it was Larry's turn. Nope, they couldn't get ready at the same time. When they were finally ready, there was still a little bit of time they needed to kill. Osage is a small town. So you can't hope for traffic in this situation. So with 10 minutes to kill, my dad had to do some quick thinking. He said "oops, I think I need to use the restroom, um a #2".... He then went & just stood in the bathroom for about ten minutes. hum-de-dum-de-dum....
To me, the funniest part of it all came next. As they headed out, my mom, the birthday girl, the one whose "day" it was, said "I'm in the mood for chicken". Well, now what do the 3 schemers do? "oh not me, I have had chicken the last several days" was the response of Larry and Ramona. "let's have pizza!" Imagine yourself, YOUR birthday.... and you are thinking "really???? isn't it my birthday??? shouldn't I have chicken if I want it??" Well, lucky for my dad and their friends, my mom is a big-hearted woman. And even though she REALLY wanted some chicken, she said "ok, let's have pizza" (whew....)
So there we sat, awaiting her arrival. Her sister and brother-in-law, 6 friends, my sister's family minus one college coed, and my family of 7. She walked in and said "oh!!!!" and was completely shocked. She was very happy and very surprised which is truly what you really want to happen, isn't it? I think she was more shocked than when she arrived for her 60th birthday surprise which my sis and I planned an executed 10 years ago.
So my wonderful mother turned 70 and thankfully, we were able to spend a portion of her special day with her. I'm so happy that we could go. And I am so thankful that I have such a wonderful mom. I love you mom!

Kids and Rain and Mud

Is it every mother's instinct to cringe, just a little, when they see their children playing in the mud?

The thing is, I do NOT have a nice house. I am NOT an immaculate housekeeper. Yet, I do it. I cringe when I see the mud. I admit it.

I try not to. I look out the window and see radiant joy upon the face of those who are most cherished to me. I try to hold my tongue. I do. I have often told them (lectured) that I don't mind them playing in the mud if they will just wash off with the hose before they come tramping back in the house. I wish they would because I hate the damper that I must put on their joy when they hear my voice saying "don't get muddy!"

Today, a beautiful, light rain started as the children finished eating lunch in the back yard. It was the kind of refreshing rain that I love. I looked outside after a bit & they were all running, playing, enjoying. I said the typical "don't get muddy" thing that I say. I continued to watch the happiness out the sunroom window. Logan, my 5 year old, runs through the yard with such a wonderful smile upon his face yelling "this is one of the best days of my whole life!"

that's what it is about... not the muddy floors. not the extra laundry. It's about childhood and finding joy in the truly beautiful, simple things. Now I better get off here and do a load of muddy laundry.

Stepping Stones Post

IN THE WORLD OUTSIDE MY DOOR: It's a perfect 72 degree-makes-you-have-spring-fever-and-crave-an-adult-beverage kind of day.

IN AM LISTENING: to my boys in their bedroom playing with their friend Jake. I just missed part of what Jake was saying, but it was something about his mom pouring cereal into water, then into milk & I think he said put it in the freezer???? yuck.

I AM WEARING: capri pants even though my legs haven't been shaven in TOO long... spring is here, time to shave daily again! :-)

I AM PONDERING: an email that was sent to me today regarding one of my kids & something that her 1st grade daughter claimed happened & didn't. It's a little upsetting. I don't like my kids having other kids lie about them. I trust my kids. I know they are kids. They make mistakes. They try to get out of trouble, but this is different. I don't like it.

I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR: my dad & mom. they always put us kids first. today my dad came up, all the way from smallville to put a belt in my dryer. what a great dad! i'm so blessed.

I AM READING: Bleak House by Charles Dickens. It's good, thought I don't love it as much as David Copperfield, but I think I like it more than Great Expectations.

I AM THINKING; that it is 4:51 pm and i have no ideal what I am making for dinner!!!!!

I AM CREATING: well, i started knitting a headband about 2 months ago.... someday I would like to finish it.

I AM LEARNING; that life isn't always fair, but we still have to make the best of it.

I AM PRAYING: for my neice chelsa who has to have a mammogram this week.

AROUND THE HOUSE: as usual, chaos. someday the kids will be grown & gone & it will be clean & lonely.

FROM THE KITCHEN: it's a rough week or two on the budget for food... no idea what to make tonight. perhaps pasta with chicken.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: the Brookside st. Patrick's day warm-up parade just happened last weekend. it was tough this year though because Patrick had to work so I was on my own with 5 kids.

THIS WEEK: co-op, parks, library, doctor, school, hmmmm am i forgetting anything?

I like taking care of my family

I have a husband, 5 kids, 2 cats, 1 dog, and I have lost track of how many fish we currently have. And let's not forget, I also have a SMALL house. My kids are still at that younger age of making messes: a 1 year old who pulls every book off the shelf just for fun, a 5 year old who loves to draw & therefore has about 50 sheets of paper strung out everywhere, an 8 year old who is sadly just kind of messy, and 10 & 12 year old boys who bring in dirt, leaves, sticks, wood, nails, bird feathers, rocks, etc. We do not do a lot of tv, video games, computer time in our house, which, let's face it, is time NOT making messes, except for the popcorn during movies. I am TRYING to teach my children responsibility by making them do chores, helping with laundry, doing dishes (no dishwasher!), just picking up. We have times when it runs smoothly. We have times when it does not. In all honesty, I actually have found that I LIKE doing the dishes and the laundry. The problem is: a) we are busy, I am busy so it does help if the kids can help. and b) it isn't fair if kids 1 & 2 do dishes and then I do dishes for kid 3. So I do struggle to find that schedule that is fair & doable. However, I realized something last night. It was one of those good nights: no activities, everyone just hanging out, no tv on, no one sick. In between playing with the kids, I got up & did the dishes (gasp, it was someone else's turn!), did some of the laundry, picked up SOME of the clutter. All while paying attention to the kids, listening to peaceful playing, drawing, etc. And I felt content. I felt like I was doing what a mom should do: taking care of my family. I thought about what I want my kids to remember when they grow up. Do I want them to remember me nagging them all the time about doing the dishes? Or do I want them to think about me doing the dishes & nurturing their environment? I know, I know, it's a balance. The kids DO need to do some chores. it's good for them. But I did come to a realization last night that I am going to change my strategy. I want them to do some of the dishes because it is good for them, but I want them to know that I am taking care of them & therefore, I am doing most of them. I want them to help with laundry because they need to know how to do it, but I want them to know that mom makes sure there are clean jeans, underwear, and socks (fyi, when i am having them do it, there are times that there are no clean jeans, underwear, or socks). So I am re-evaluating. I am going to change how we do things around here. It means that more of the every day chores (dishes and laundry) will fall on me. But I am hopeful that they will continue to learn & help in many ways and that our house will be more peaceful. I will update later when we see how it goes!

ok, i'm getting this idea from someone else...

so it's been many months since i have posted to this blog. how can i ever, ever achieve my dream of becoming a writer if i never, ever write??? alrighty, so i have seen a couple different mothers with blogs use the following stepping stones to do a quick little blog post... here we go. let's see if it makes me write more often.

IN THE WORLD OUTSIDE MY DOOR: the ground is covered in yellow, brown, red, orange, and gold. there are jack-o-lanterns whose smiles are starting to change. there is one pumpkin that helped a squirrel stock up for winter. and there are 3 boys working on a fort.

I AM LISTENING TO: complete and total silence. baby is sleeping, big girl is in her room playing with dolls. and 3 boys are outside working on a fort.

I AM WEARING: comfy brown pants that are far from figure flattering, cowboy boots, and a garage sale shirt that my mother picked up for me. it's not my style at all, but my mom is always thinking of me. for that i am so grateful.

I'M PONDERING: how to instill kindness in my children. they are usually kind to others. however, within our home, amongst ourselves, i often see them be mean to each other. it makes me sad to see them hurtful to one another. don't get me wrong, they are often all the best of friends. it's those times that they are not that I just wonder how to best teach them all the wonderful virtues that i would likek them to have.

I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR: a husband who loves me. children who are able to laugh and run and play. parents who have always put their kids first. and God for creating such a beautiful world.

I AM READING: Dickens' Great Expectations. I'm about 1/4 the way through. It's good. However, I have been so tired since I started it. I'm not really "into" it, not like I was with Dickens' David Copperfield which I fell in love with immediately.

I AM THINKING: that I am so full from a yummy lunch of cheese, meat, and crackers.

I AM CREATING: a pinata for Liam's birthday which is themed Harry Potter. The pinata is going to be in the shape of a golden snitch.

I AM LEARNING: along side my children every day....

I AM PRAYING : for many things. one of which is a dear friend whose daughter has a tumor. They are still figuring out what the next step is.

AROUND THE HOUSE: is chaos... it's always chaos. however, today it is more than usual due to the garage sale over the weekend. i need to send the boys down in the basement with the boxes.

FROM THE KITCHEN: tonight will be grilled cheese & tomato soup, the one meal that Liam truly hates... oh well. it's fall & it sounds tasty!!!

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: trader joe's hummus with rice crackers. we had that for a snack today & we all enjoyed it immensely!

THIS WEEK: busy, as usual. planning liam's birthday. planning co-op class. bible study. scouts on two nights. moms' meeting on 3 nights, but will probably only go to one of them. little flowers for ciara. oh yeah, cleaning, school, etc.