2 = The Hardest Number

This year has been tougher than I thought it would be. I wasn't looking forward to Josh starting school (in truth, it broke my heart...) but I thought the silver lining would be more time.

Time.

Precious time. A commodity that I can never seem to get enough of. There is always something to do: Dress, cook, departures, showers, clean-up, crafts, cook, clean-up, naps, commute, homework, clean-up, cook, clean-up........ you get the idea. I thought that getting one of the little ones out of the mix would free up some time during the day. Nope.

Instead, I spend them morning with both little ones - then littlest goes down for a nap and Michael wants to spend "special time." I feel so guilty about putting him in front of the boob tube while I get some of my stuff done.

So today, I have Josh home from school and while the littlest is napping, the two boys are PLAYING TOGETHER! I have a moment to be alone? Weird. Fantastic.

This is why I think 2 kids is the hardest number. I thought it when I only had 2 kids - and I am revisiting the notion now that I only have 2 kids in the house during the day.

Lent

Just think about this for a few minutes. I am serious. Just stop..... read..... and think. Then pray. I'll get back with you later............

Joel 2:12-18
Even now, says the LORD,return to me with your whole heart,with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;Rend your hearts, not your garments,and return to the LORD, your God.For gracious and merciful is he,slow to anger, rich in kindness,and relenting in punishment.Perhaps he will again relentand leave behind him a blessing,Offerings and libationsfor the LORD, your God.
Blow the trumpet in Zion!proclaim a fast,call an assembly;Gather the people,notify the congregation;Assemble the elders,gather the childrenand the infants at the breast;Let the bridegroom quit his roomand the bride her chamber.Between the porch and the altarlet the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep,And say, "Spare, O LORD, your people,and make not your heritage a reproach,with the nations ruling over them!Why should they say among the peoples,'Where is their God?'"
Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his landand took pity on his people

Edit for Stevie

Cool Pic. I liked it so much I photoshopped it for you. Enjoy. I love it. Here's before & after.

Sweet bike btw. I want one just like it. Really.

Hello, Old Friend.

Boredom begets boredom. For me, anyway.

I found myself daydreaming last night about my camera. My camera is my most treasured material posession. I have missed the charge I get from capturing a fantasic image. I have missed the challenge of stretching my capacities. Winter has left me with bad light and little energy. Bored.

Today, with my house clean and my dinner ready to be cooked, I decided to haul out my favorite gadget and start snapping away. It was like receiving a phone call from a cherished old friend. Love.

None of my pictures turned out worthwhile, but the feeling is what I have missed. I give to you a couple of pictures that I have taken in the past few months. I hope that in the next few weeks I will be able to give you more.


The first two pictures were taken in the Apothecary Museum in Old Town Alexandria. It was George Washington's pharmacy when he lived nearby.

The picture of Ben is just because. Bad picture - wonderful kid. He has endeared himself to me on more than one instance lately. Isn't it funny how you can fall more in love with someone - for no apparent reason?

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

Ok. So I totally copied this idea from someone who is a lot more innovative than I - but LOOK how cute they turned out. The boxes were just too cute to pass up..... perfection. Check out Design Mom if you like that kind of thing. There are so many adorable ideas on there. It can make your head swim.

So, I snuck these into the kids lunchboxes this morning... and I waited all day to find out if they were surprised. I picked Josh up and in the midst of our conversation I said, "Did you get your surprise in your lunchbox?" He said, "Yeah. Thanks. I ate it all." I said, "Did you have anyone read the note on the box to you?" He said, "No. I ate the pie and threw it away."

Of course he did. I guess I'll show him the picture some day.

Happy Valentine's Day.

These Kids are Funny!

Once in a while my kids say something that is pure gold. This week, friends, we have hit the jackpot:

This first little prize was said during a conversation with my kids regarding Ben being able to receive Holy Communion for the first time this year -

Josh: I don't think it is fair that you have to wait until you are 7 to receive your first Communion. I think everyone in the world understands....... wait, what was it?

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Our second gift was delivered by the same child on the car ride home yesterday -
Josh: Mommy, I think we should have another baby.
Me: Joshie, that is so nice. Why do you want to have another baby?
Josh: I just miss having a little baby in the house. *pause* Mommy, do you think we could have twins?
Me: I don't know about that Josh. Twins are a lot of work.
Josh: What is so much work about twins?
Me: I don't know. You have to, like, feed both of them.
Josh: Mommy, you have two feeder things.

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And finally, a real gem from our youngest -
Annie: (screaming from another room)MOMMY!! Get in HERE!!
I enter to find Annie completely undressed, examining the particulars of her chest
Annie: LOOK!! Dr. Barakat gave these to me!! What IS IT???!

I Think I Can Breathe.......

Do not copy me. Ever. I am an idiot. That's why.

So, today, I decided to rip out my bathroom floor without so much as a plan for what I was going to do once it was gone.

Without so much as a plan for what would happen if I found mildew. Which I did.

Thank God my dad is a plumber. I didn't have the nerve to talk to him directly, though, because I would have had an anxiety attack if I would have heard his real reaction on the other end of the phone. I had my mom buffer the blow. Thank God for moms. And for the advice of professionals.

But I think it is ok. It looks pretty good for being stripped. I feel like I have a couple of options for what I can do - all of which require money - of which we have none.

So there. The story of my day. Only to amuse - not to emulate. I do some really stupid stuff sometimes.

Fun in these 4 Walls

Here's hoping that we will see the great outdoors soon. In the meantime..........