LOST: My Excuse

I know why I've been such a bad blogger lately!!! Marc and I have been sucked into the TV show, "LOST!"

Do you watch it? Oh my goodness! We never got into it while it was regularly broadcast, but about a month or so ago, we decided to get Season 1 through Netflix to see what all the fuss was about.

Again, Oh My Goodness!! We are addicted. We are almost finished with Season 2... And now that I've watched it, I don't know how people waited a full week between episodes. I can hardly wait until the kids are bed the next evening!

And intense. I find myself squeezing Marc's hand, covering my eyes, yelling at the TV, and even crying. And you should see our excitement when we find others (ha! "others") who watch.

So, yes, LOST is what has been taking up our free time lately... and until we are caught up, I don't expect it to change much. Who else out there watches? (And remember we are behind.... so no spoilers, please!!)

It's Friday already?

Here it is, Friday again... and I am just now posting. Such is life. I think the fact that we are nearing the end of our summer and therefore our fairly free schedule is almost over is kicking in. I think I'm missing it a bit before it's even gone, but Andrew is counting down. He has an "Andrew's Kindergarten Countdown" calendar hanging up and he gets to cross off a day each morning. Trust me, his tone is completely different than mine when he says, "Only 18 more days until kindergarten."

We had our kindergarten new family picnic/meeting this week. It's a whole new world, let me tell you.... with detailed pick-up/drop off instructions, PTO, fundraisers, lists, calendars, sign-ups, etc... I'm not trying to complain, because I'm really thankful for Andrew's school as I think it's going to be really a great one. It's just a lot of "new" thrown at us.

Other than that, this week we've had small group, a softball game, & a couple dinners with friends. I've babysat 3 days this week (and wiped more drippy noses that I can count). Marc was able to go out on Lake Michigan for salmon fishing last Friday... yum.... we grilled it up for dinner on Tuesday.

I feel like I should update something with AJ since there has been all the kindergarten talk with Andrew. AJ is still working on potty training with good days and not as good days. He's been very funny lately... making up jokes and trying to make us laugh.

Okay, sorry this is so random. I'm trying to sneak this in while Andrew is off playing basketball with daddy (they were going to go fishing this morning, but got rained out), the littlest one is sleeping and the two 3yr. olds are hilariously playing "I Spy" while "sleeping" on the stairs.

Fun Friday (and past week)

It's been a busy week here... It's 10pm on Friday evening and I'm exhausted.

This past weekend was quiet for us other than church and small group on Sunday. However, at our small group meeting we had a real English Tea complete with Cream & Tea. Homemade scones with homemade whipped cream & jam. Oh my. Even the tea was great and I'm not a tea drinker. Think a light tea taste with a creamy mouth-feel (weird phrase) like coffee. Very nice.

Monday, I watched all four boys and Marc had softball practice in the P.M. My boys and I decided to stick the cooked roast in the fridge, packed a picnic, and we went to the park to play and watch Daddy.

Tuesday, I ran errands and grocery shopped (without the kids... do you realize how much easier it is???) Marc fixed our dryer hose in the afternoon and I am loving how quickly my clothes are drying today. I've been line drying them mostly, but still need the dryer on rainy days or if I have more than one load per day.

Tuesday evening, we all packed a picnic and hit the free concert at the Gardens. The music wasn't all that grand, but the atmosphere was sweet.

I had my 'other' boys Wednesday & Thursday. Wednesday evening was also our 9th anniversary & we are heading over to some friends house for dinner. It was a really nice visit and they blessed us with an amazing amount meat for our freezer. Truly a gift and a surprise.

Thursday, we finally ate the roast that had been sitting in the fridge since Monday evening, then headed to the hospital to visit some friends who just had a sweet baby boy.

Today, whew.... today we met some friends at the Gardens (Garden's twice in one week!). It was hot and beautiful and it wore us out. We came home in the afternoon and I let the kids veg in front of Looney Tunes for bit in lieu of naptime with the intention of having an early bedtime for the boys. However, Marc was heading out fishing on Lake Michigan and the boys & me got an invite to the beach. So we packed up and went. The boys got in bed past bedtime, but they crashed immediately. Maybe, just maybe, that means they'll sleep in tomorrow? I can wish, right?

Next week is filling up quickly, too, but other than keeping busy, we are fine. Taking unemployment & bills one day at a time. And only by the grace of God, we haven't seemed to fall into 'total freak out' mode too often. Or at least not at the same time... truly a miracle, I believe.

Nine Years Ago Today...

....we said, "I do!"

And boy, am I ever glad we did!!

Love ya, Babe!

Naughty Boys

So last Wednesday... after repeatedly telling my 3-year olds to be quiet and keep their heads on their pillows during nap time, they finally got quiet. Umm... too quiet. Or maybe not quiet enough. I'm not sure. I thought they had finally conked off when I hear the oh-so-slightest giggle.

So I sneak into their room and see two little camouflaged boys peak their heads out behind the rocking chair. Apparently, rather than napping, they gave their interior design skills a whirl.

The good news is the marker came off the walls beautifully!

Way to go RoseArt Washable Markers!! The bad news is the marker did not came off the boys!

AJ's Whistle

Last weekend, we went to a festival and Andrew was running ahead a little further than I would have liked for the size of the crowd. My mom and I mentioned that we needed a whistle. AJ immediatly proceeded to "whistle" at Andrew for us and has been whistling around the house ever since. The funny thing is, is that he really thinks he's whistling and is dead serious when he does it.

Still Here

We haven't gone anywhere. We'll actually we did. Marc and I were able to drop the kids off with my parents and spend a little time down at his uncle's cabin. It was a nice much needed get away. Other than that we are still alive and kickin. Sorry I haven't written much. I'm not giving up on the blog, but things just might be quiet for a while.

Wednesday

It's Wednesday and I know I've been awol from the blog a bit. A week ago today Marc was let go from his job. Very heartbreaking. There are too many stinky circumstances to go into here, but the news was upsetting... evoking fear, anger, & frustration. I think Marc and I walked around just staring at each other the first couple days.

But Praise God, we are coping. Neither of us have stayed in that funk too long and not usually at the same time; which for me alone that is nothing short of a miracle right there. We are clinging to Psalm 13:5-6.

But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the LORD because he has been so good to me.

We are trying to stay busy also (maybe to a fault). Last Wednesday and Thursday sucked. Period. I slept a lot. Marc went a little nutty cleaning the garage. But Friday evening we got together with friends and had a nice evening away.

Saturday was pretty lazy until the afternoon. The boys had a birthday party in the neighborhood for a Hispanic family. I went with them. While I was grateful for the invite and Andrew seemed to have fun, it was one of the most awkward parties I'd ever been to. I can't speak Spanish and no one else really spoke English. We left there to come back home to have dinner with some friends we haven't seen a really long time.

Sunday, we went to church and napped in the afternoon. We hit the lake in the evening for a little boat ride & fishing & learned that fishing with sour gummy worms is not productive. Monday, I babysat and Marc had softball practice in the evening. Tuesday, we hit the playground for a lunch date with friends. In the evening, I got to go out for a impromtu girls evening at a concert at a local park.

I am babysitting today and tomorrow. Tonight Marc is volunteering downtown and tomorrow I think I get yet another girls evening out. We really are so blessed.

Oh, and when we don't have something going on, Marc and I are watching Lost: Season 1. And I'm totally into it.

So, obviously, please pray for an job opportunity to present itself to Marc in the near future, but also pray that we would keep our hope in the Lord and not let our circumstances affect our joy. And of course, that Marc and I don't kill each other both being home so much.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Funny little side story about how much my 5 year old "gets" things already: Last Wednesday evening we were having a late dinner. Marc had received the job news around 4pm and it's took us awhile to pull ourselves around to fashion any kind of meal. Anyway, in his most upbeat voice Marc started talking to the boys.

Marc: Guess what guys!! Daddy doesn't have a job anymore, so I get to stay at home and spend a whole bunch of time with your guys!

Andrew (very seriously): Uh Oh.

It is well.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm 13:5-6
But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the LORD because he has been so good to me

Clothesline Towels Smell the Best

Updated: It's 9am Wednesday morning and it's raining. So much for the grand warm weather plans. Guess today will be errand/grocery shopping/library day. And I guess I have to use our dryer.

~~~~~~~

It's only Tuesday, but already things have slowed down a bit around here this week and for that I am thankful. I even have been able to hang the last 6 out of 8 loads of laundry. I can't tell you how good clothesline hung laundry smells. It's worth a little stiffness in the towels any day!

We had a nice weekend working our tails off Friday night & Saturday to get our whole house & yard company-ready for a large BBQ gathering here in the evening. The weather cooperated and we were all up way past our bedtimes. We did make it to church on Sunday, but then napped most of the afternoon.

I babysat both Monday and today, but the weather has been nice and that makes everything so much better with four young boys (even four young cranky boys). My boys and me have Wednesday through Friday free!! We will have to run a few errands & do some grocery shopping in there, but for the first time in quite a while, we have a chunk of free time. I am hoping to do some fun stuff with the boys during those days.

Now, I know that for the boys, every day is like a vacation... but compared to last summer, I feel like this one has been much more busy and less vacation/summer-break like. I'm really not complaining, as the summer has been just fine and the busy stuff has been mostly good stuff. However, with Andrew going into Kindergarten this fall... I really feel like I need to take advantage of this summer. Leaving the house with 2-4 boys at 7:15-7:30 AM everyday is going to get old fast when September rolls around. I know that there are always things that need to be done, but these warm fun months won't last long.

Wow - that was a little unexpected side tangent.

So anyway, with our house currently clean due to the BBQ, I am praying that I can maintain it so the rest of the week we can focus more on enjoying all that the warm weather has to offer. Maybe pool, maybe Gardens, maybe Splash Park, maybe picnic with friends, etc.... You get the idea. That's the plan at least. Who knows how it will play out.