This should explain it...

the absence, i mean.

busy, busy, busy

glitter, music, and loud kids.

definitely not something you would ever sign up for

but an absolute blast anyhow

mission accomplished and now off to get my house back in order!!

don't you dare come over and go upstairs

i've been able to hide most of the mess by keeping my downstairs alive and well

upstairs....there could be living creatures

roadshow 2011 was a success

next!

OMG!!

i wish i had the ability to scan photos. one of these days my kids will take the time to teach an old dog just how to do that.

i would show you a picture of my twins.

they were just 5 pounds when they were born.

avery actually got down to 3 pounds. it was touch and go for a little bit until he finally learned how to suck.

but this recent purchase for a snow camping trip made me literally speechless.

size 12.

there isn't anyone to hand these down to. their older brothers have MUCH smaller feet.

glenn (size 10 1/2) says he will have them when they are done with them and just wear three pairs of socks.

when did this happen???

Winter formal...again

didn't we just do this. i swear we did. the pictures don't get any better, either. here's to their last winter formal together. here's to another year of ugly faces. one day....

Senior Night

well, there he is. in all of his SENIOR year glory. it wasn't much of a to-do. the pictures were terrible. i don't remember who i passed the camera off to, but you know who you are and i'm coming for you! just some balloons and banners.

roses and hugs and kisses.

but for carson, it was the ending of an experience he will remember always.

i've had a hard time with sports.

don't get me wrong...carson had an awesome year. he finished in the top ten in the county for 3 pointers. he set the new school record with 7 3-pointers in a single game. he finished the year with 65 3 pointers.

but i've heard every platitude about what team sports teaches.

i've seen the hard work, dedication, determination.

but worse than that, i've seen the unfairness. the political and the non-understanding. i've seen boys that have to put their whole heart and soul into something, only to get mediocre results and i've seen kids barely try and because of natural athletism, get all the glory.

i've watched my grown boys cry.

that isn't easy for a mom to watch.

i suppose that they would tell you all the lessons that they've learned. maybe with a little time and perspective, it will be invaluable.

but it isn't easy for a mom to watch.

just think, i only have 5 more kids to watch go through the same things!

there is a very LARGE part of me that is happy that this time for carson is over. and a small part of me that isn't. i guess the part that is having the hardest time is the little voice in my head that is reminding me that my borrowed time is coming to an end.

that isn't easy for a mom, either.

Isn't he lovely

what a weekend. i wish i would have written during that time...but things were a little crazy!

baby decided to take his time coming and mom/dad/baby finally went home.

that about sums it up.

read elyse's blog for all the details.

let's just say that i sat there holding this baby and wondering how in the world MY daughter had a baby.

she isn't old enough.

ross hates baths and it was just yesterday that i had to keep my knee on elyse chest in the bathtub just to wash her hair. i swear it was not abuse...the bathtub never had enough water in it to wet her ears...i have NO idea where all the drama came from...it was hygiene, of which she wanted nothing to do with.

seems she is getting payback.

but sitting there with this little "monkey" just reiterated to me this beautiful plan.

these families are eternal. every single one of us. we are all linked and it is a beautiful thing to belong.

he belongs.

Dear Blog,

how do people take pictures of themselves on this thing and take themselves seriously???

we definitely have a love/hate relationship going on here. there are moments of pure genius that you have captured of my dear, sweet family.

then there are moments of complete pain as i recall all the things i haven't written down.

basketball statistics

(carson set the record for 3 pointers in a game...7!! and max working to the bone and getting his playing time...finally!)

soccer fun

(camden was invited to try out for an elite club team out of irvine and out of 20 kids and only 2 openings...she was awarded a spot!)

school wonderfullness and braces gone

(ian and avery continue to amaze me with their self motivation in school, their grades reflect it and their braces are gone...way too sad to look at them and listen to their voices changing)

roadshow funniness.

(don't ask)

caelum just being wonderful caelum

(lego building fanatic and happy about it...i think we are going to concentrate on sports...school is overrated)

i just can't seem to find the time, energy, resources, and excitement to keep you going. i will get better at this some day...our relationship will surely improve, but i'm afraid that will be when all the kids are gone and all i will have to blog about will be my bunions.

so here is to a new era.

don't quote me on this, but i hope our relationship is taking a new turn and we will find the motivation necessary for jotting all of this down.

i'm about to embark on the new journey of grandmotherhood and i would hate for you to get left behind.

so here is to new starts. wish me luck tomorrow as i go meet my new little love....there is always room for more.

april

pictures to come of little boy brantingham

i'll try to keep them to a minimum, but you know how those grandma's can be.

My life of interuptions

INTERRUPTIONS

"When you are exasperated by interruptions, try to remember that their very frequency may indicate the value of your life. Only people who are full of help and strength are burdened by other persons' needs. The interruptions which we chafe at are the credentials of our indispensability. The greatest condemnation that anybody could incur - and it is a danger to guard against - is to be so independent, so unhelpful, that nobody ever interrupts us, and we are left comfortably alone."

-Anonymous
from The Anglican Digest

amen. i'll stop complaining and just enjoy the fact that i have yet to get a single thing done to completion.