Randomness

I'm plagued with guilt in my lack of post prior to today. However I have a list of pictures that I think Charlie will love, but 2 girls who have aren't sleeping (but should be) & 1 crying child. I'm tired, don't feel very quippy or funny but desperately want to cross this off my to do list. So I'm just going to post them. Most of them are pretty self-explanatory but please feel free to make up your own story or quip for that matter, right now it will be far funnier than the emptiness here! So in no particular order (or rhyme or reason) . . .

Fashionistas

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

Play-doh goodness.

Emma & Nathan love Play-doh. To them it's a big treat to be able to have some fun with it, because I do not not share the same affection for Play-doh that they do.



Apparently Maggie thought it was a treat as well, an edible one! In the 2.5 seconds I was out of the room she managed to crawl onto the table & was in yellow Play-doh heaven until I came in, tried not to panic & confinscate the very minimal amount remaining.

Playing with food

I was inspired one day after hearing my girlfriend Alyssa describe pointalism. Pictures painted by a series of points, like the eraser on a pencil. That got the creative juices flowing & I began to think of what else the kids would like to paint with. One morning I gathered my table cloth, paints, the kids & scoured the kitchen for some good art-making tools. We painted, laughed & the kids enjoyed being allowed to play with their food. It was a great opportunity for them to learn creativity, not only in the painting but in the painting instruments used.

Cucumbers

Erasers


Apples

And best of all, hands.

Laundry Day

It amazes me how something as simple as a clean load of sheets can provide such entertainment. Not to mention the nice break it gives me from folding said sheets.

5 down. 2 to go.

On the 27th of January we celebrated one more month down in the Charlie-coming-home countdown. One more month, amazing. Time is flying by for us & I do hope it is for Charlie too. There were so many projects & goals I had for this deployment that still haven't gotten done. Less tv, more reading; organizing every unorganized inch in my house; homeschooling; crafting . . . the list went on but my time hasn't. Now my goal is more realistic. If I can keep us all alive, fed & dressed by Charlie's return I will feel accomplished. Well, no not really but that's more due to my high standards & perfectionism than the lack of accomplishment. In the past month we've had 3 deaths in our families, found out we are moving to South Carolina this summer, had a teething baby, a potty training little boy & the realization that this is truly an amazing time in our children's lives, not to be taken for granted. And that I can't do it all alone; and that it's okay. During these chaotic times not only does the Lord give us grace for the season but he gives us helping hands, which we should use readily. And now I'm ready for a massage, a margarita & a week long nap.