back to the blog

     I have recently felt motivated to get back to my blogging.  More as a journal than anything else.  I love looking back over old posts, and I want to print out a book of them.
     We are now (as of July 2013) located in Albuquerque, NM.  Never thought I'd be here, but it's a good place to live.  Weather is milder than Denver and cooler than southern California.  It has a small town feel, even though it is a city.  We bought a home in the NE heights and remodeled it, perhaps I will post pictures of that later.
     Today I made three morning trips to the schools.  One for Emma, she had to be at school at 7:30 am for a band festival she is doing today.  Two for Ashley, who has student council on Wednesday mornings.  And three for Ashley, who forgot today was "sprint for spring" day and didn't wear running shoes.  Ahhh motherhood.  The kids are involved in many good activities and I am beginning to be a taxi mom.  I remember my mom telling me she should have a license plate that said TAXI, because that was all she did.
     Emma has soccer on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and stays after school for show choir on Tuesday and Thursdays.  Camille has drama club after school Tuesday and Thursday, and piano lessons on Friday afternoon.  Ashley has student council on Wednesday morning, and gymnastics on Wednesday afternoon.  Nathan has soccer on Saturdays and Taekwondo class on Tuesday evening.  Add to that activity days, mutual, scouts, homework, dinner, and keeping a house in order and it keeps us plenty busy.  I am very grateful to have the means to let the kids try all these fun things.  I think it is good for them to have these experiences.  Plus, Nate is so intense about Taekwondo and so cute in his uniform!

Update: Ashley's fhe

This is family classic right here.

Funny

Ashley was seriously excited tonight because she is in charge of the fhe lesson tomorrow.  She has waited forever, according to her.  The kids spent time after dinner rehearsing a bible story skit.  Justin and I laughed over FaceTime as we listened to them saying things like, "places everyone!" "And...action!"  

Then I called them in to talk to their dad.  They all excitedly talked about their parts.

Emma: I'm Daniel.

Camille: I'm the evil king.

Ash: I'm the angel.

Nate: I'm lion number one!

Some days they are so funny, and I am just happy.

Talking smack

Kids were rough-housing all afternoon. (Where did that expression come from? My dad used it.) I overheard Nate say to Camille while raising up his arm, "smell the power of armpit!"

The creeps

Ashley and Camille invited us to come to their Mexican restaurant this evening.
I ordered tostadas, and fruit with chili powder. Justin ordered "toquitoes," fruit with chili powder, and "creeps" for dessert. We all cracked up when he said it, but then Ash pulled it together enough to say, "ok, we'll try to give you the creeps later!"
Love it when the kids make clever comments.
When they brought our food, she got in his face and made a weird face. It was creepy!

Saturday morning

Sitting on the couch preparing for church tomorrow, I heard several loud thumps for the other room where Nate is.
I called in, "Nate, what are you doing?"
Nate says, "Ehh, boy things. Just finishing my movie."
He makes us laugh.

Post vacation blues

The days after a big holiday and long vacation are tough on moms. It takes a while to settle back into a routine, and in the meantime the kids are used to all day entertainment.

Wednesday was crazy--Emma, Cam and Ash all had friends over and our friends the Fraziers visited for a while. The house was a disaster, mess and clutter everywhere i looked. I took down the christmas tree, picked up a few groceries for my empty fridge, and by 9 pm I was beat.

Today was better. Emma and Camille got invited to friends houses, so it wasn't so crowded here. Ashley had a friend I love over--they play so well and don't usually pester me. Nate had a fun friend too. But I had time to do some errands and things around the house.

Now I'm sitting on the couch in pajamas thinking how great it is to sit on the couch in pajamas when the house is quiet.