The Puddles

Ben had his first line ever in a music program.  He did an awesome job!  He was so excited.  He had to dress like he was ready for rain.  So after 5 different stores, I found him a yellow rain slicker like he wanted. Plus I threw in a pair of Spider Man rubber boots.  I was thrilled.  (Of course, we haven’t had much rain lately to even wear them for real!).  

He was a gem with his emotions and his smiles!  He rocked the house.  For the morning performance his grandparents came.  At the morning performance we always get better seats.  Usually the evening performance is standing room only by the time we arrive.  This means we get two completely different vantage points for his performance.  Cool.  At the end of the day, I grabbed him to say hello/goodbye to his grandparents.  Then he was off to class.  I went over and pulled Ainsley out of her class in order to see the grandparents.  She was thrilled!  She had an upset stomach before she left for school and really didn’t want to go.  But went knowing that if she did she could see Papas and Grandma.   That helped.  Of course, her day got even better when both of her papas walked her back to class.  That is a good day for both Ben and for Ainsley.

An early morning wakeup from a seven year old who isn’t feeling well didn’t sit well after two days of the nine year old staying home from school because he is throwing up.  We were suppose to be on the mend from illnesses and the today was to be our catch up day.  Not going to happen.  It is a good thing that Chris has today off.  He is a great help.  We had an activity every morning and every night.  Add sick kids, extra doctor’s appointments for everyone,  doing the “please Katherine can you . . .” from all these different people, staying up late in order to finish work that didn’t get done during the day and Thanksgiving events at school  . . .  and today we needed to play catch up.  But instead we still have a sick kid, we need to disinfect the house, clean out the yucky smell emanating from the fridge, I have to keep working, go grocery shopping (I can’t afford to keep buying milk from the corner store), and go and clean the church (Side note: I am so tired of this chore. I do feel like I am doing the Lord’s work, but I think that everyone at church who voted to get rid of the cleaning crew should be volunteering to clean and that hasn’t happened yet. My team is one person down and I couldn’t find anyone last weekend who would say yes to help me this weekend, so it is me doing everything but the vacuuming.)

I yearn for a simpler life.  A life that is not full of obligations.  Not that I mind some of my responsibilities (being a wife, mother, and employee are awesome and wonderful).  I can’t recall the last time I had time to myself that didn’t include errands.  Life is too busy.  I am fearful that the holidays are approaching so quickly that I won’t be able to slow down enough to enjoy them.  My life is good.  I love my family and the joy they bring to my life . . . but I need to spend more time enjoying them  and less time saying yes to everyone else . . .  or I may miss out on something special.

“Mom, I need a new chair for my desk,” says Ben.

“Why? Is your desk chair broken?” asks Mom.

“No. I just need a chair with brakes.”

“Ben, chairs don’t come with brakes!!”

His dad and I ask ourselves quietly.  Why does Ben need a chair with brakes?  What crazy idea is he coming up with or has attempted that would make him think that he needs brakes on a chair?

Ben, the ninja.  Ainsley, Princess Belle.  Madie, Annabelle from the Percy Jackson books.  It was a good year.  We had a lot of fun and even Hank got into the evening and dressed up as Hank the Cowdog.

I had a hard time coming up with a fun Halloween cupcake this year.  Of course, I think I made it more difficult by waiting until the last minutes to come up with the idea.  The final result were the skeleton cupcakes.

We had a really good time making the presents for everyone.  

Mummy Hot Dogs dipped in blood

Ainsley asked all of her questions about God.  We talked about a lot of interesting things.  She was upset that she isn’t learning about this in school.  Why did she only learn about this on Sunday?  I explained why, and then she was sad about all of the people who don’t believe in God. So she has decided to write a book based on what she knows so far.

She read her chapter to me.  Very sweet.

It is worth hanging on to.

See video here.