The great mouse hunt

Last night while Lloyd and I cuddled on the couch
a mouse scampered from the kitchen to the entertainment center.
Emily: "Get the mouse Lloyd."
Lloyd: "I don't have a weapon."
Emily: "I don't know get it."
Lloyd: "I'll stand on this side on the entertainment center,
you go get something to catch the mouse."
Emily: armed with bowl in hand "OK ready."
Lloyd moves entertainment center.
Mouse runs away from both Lloyd and Emily.
Emily jumps.
Emily screams.
Emily throws bowl in general mouse direction.
Emily stands on chair.
Lloyd laughs, and laughs, and laughs.
Lloyd goes to get mouse trap.
I guess we could have gotten the mouse trap first
but we have a need for adventure at our house!!

Important News

N took her first steps today!!

1 year reflections

My mind is swirling with dates like....
August 3
August 15
August 26
September 7
September 19
September 20
September 22
October 8
November 26
December 3
December 6............
Each of these dates will be an anniversary of sorts
1 year from when events or decisions were made that have
CHANGED MY LIFE.


I think I like the new me a little better.
I am different.
I am stronger.
I care a little more about things that matter.
I care a lot less about things that don't matter.

I know that I had angels on
earth and heaven
fighting
for my family.


Today I will do my own laundry
take care of my own kids
the "Anniversaries" will be dates for me
to realize just how far I have come.

Summer Lists

I love hearing about others lists of fun activities
they would like to accomplish with their children during summer.
I have never made one of these lists but if I did
it would look something like this....

1. End the summer with the same number of kids I started with.
2. Try to have some sense of sanity at the end of August

Yep, that pretty much covers it.
I think I might just make it.
School starts in 25 days

Splish Splash

Ghetto Bike

It was a sad afternoon on Heatherridge Street. Once again thieves had struck and took this beautiful bike from our family. "E" was so close to tears, (not really it just adds emotion) her Ghetto bike had been removed from our home. Of course Ghetto bikes movement was aided by a neighborhood child. This lesson has been taught in our home several times. First it was "A"'s bike when she was in preschool. Her fearless Mama took it back from the neighborhood child as they rode by on Heatherridge a couple days later. Lesson 2: both "A" and "E"'s bikes and a scooter. We immediately searched the neighborhood only to recover "E"s bike but alas the scooter and "A"s went to their new home. Lesson 3: the most painful yet. We actually let "A" use her birthday money with some help from Mom and Dad for her new bike. On the day of it's departure we again scoured the neighborhood. I must admit I have never been on some of the same roads again, it was a bit nerve racking. I decided that no bike would ever be worth that. This spring we had a day where two bikes in our home threw their frames under moving vehicles, some garage sales had to be found with great bike deals. A bike donation was also made to our home. Lloyd the handy man he is quickly made two broken bikes into one. Thus Ghetto bike was welcomed into our home. Four kids able to ride bikes and four bikes who could ask for more. This brings us to today, with Ghetto bikes unfortunate departure. Wait, this time Pa took off on his gallant wheels. Once again the sun shone on "E" as Pa return home with Ghetto bike in hand. Welcome home Ghetto bike, may you never leave our humble abode again.