Aargh!

No. I'm not a pirate.
My MIL and FIL are in town for my Bro-I-L's Birthday.
We went to a hibachi grill last night and it was great.
I stayed up way too late having fun and smoking everybody on Guitar Hero - who would've thought that I'm pretty decent at that game?
I slept in the middle of our living room floor and somehow - still not sure how yet - missed the fact that Chris and every other adult in our home last night got up, showered, and left the house without me even realizing it!

That was fine. The problem was that while the kids and I slept in late - we were supposed to be getting ready for a photo session. My MIL doesn't have any pictures of all her grandkids together, so she scheduled a session at Sears (without my prior knowledge, otherwise I would have suggested one of my fabulous photographer friends for the shoot...)

Anywhoo, the time for the session was 10am. I woke up at 9:30am. My kids were still asleep and I was in shock. One - because we had slept so late and Two - because there was NO WAY.

No way we would make it to a Photo Session with our hair combed and our faces washed and our dispositions not sour by 10 am...

Somehow we did it. Somehow.
I think it was a miracle. But we made it.
Two hours later and after lots of desperate attempts to get 4 kids - ages: 7 months, 3, 4, and 5 years old to smile simultaneously - I am so grateful that I have friends who are mastering the art of portrait taking. I hate Sears. I hate it.

Please can I schedule a real photo shoot soon??

Incidentally, there was only ONE shot that wasn't awful...
I couldn't even stretch the truth and say it was good - just not too terribly awful...

Somebody needs a nap.

We're going to a shrimp boil!

My hunny and I are going to his hometown this evening to enjoy an evening with several of his high school buddies and their wives. Our kids will be staying here with my parents - Thanks Mom and Dad!
I am excited because it is not only time alone with my hunny - but also he is going to have lots of fun catching up with his friends and he needs to have fun worse than anybody.
He has worked a relentless and awful work schedule this summer.
Poor guy!
I know gas is high, but it looks like this may be one of the only opportunities we'll have for a while to get away together.
Off we go!

Have a happy 4th!

So I've dropped the ball

It appears that there is only so much of me to go around.
That is apparently so true that if I decide to take on any other challenge in life - no matter how small or large - something else must lose its rank or priority for the new challenge to find its place.
I wish I could say - well, in order to accomplish THAT, I'll have to decrease the time I spend snuggling on the couch with my sack o' tater chips.

But no. That is something I cannot say.

So if I am going to add anything to my schedule, something's gotta give.
House cleaning. I think I am going to let cleaning my house slide for a while.

I LOVE Sauerkraut!

I could eat it every day!
Well, maybe 3 times a week...

I haven't had any in a long, long time.
I was in Wal-Mart and saw a little glass jar in the shape of a barrel and my mouth began to water. I HAD to have some.
I have been eating it right out of the jar.
Delectable!

You should try some.
Now I am online trying to come up with recipes including sauerkraut.

Another reason Fredricksburg is one of my favorite places on Earth - amazing sauerkraut!

My New Crusade

I am beginning another chapter in my life -doing something I never thought I'd do.
If fact, if you know me at all, you know that this is not something I would ever do - willingly.
But I am beginning to see that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
So as I do all things in life, it's all or nothing.

I joined Gold's Gym.

I'll give you a moment to recuperate.

It's called 'working out.'

And I am horrible at it.

1. Because I went to a private school and have never really set foot in a gym before this week.
2. Because I am a practical person who likes to busy herself with productive things - and until recently I have viewed working out as a frivolity that I could not afford myself.

Then, I took a "Real Age" test online. Foolish move on my part. I was thinking, 'I'm nearly 29. I don't work out or drink the right amount of water. I'll probably be 35 or something...'

Wrongo.

My 'real age' was 47.
Ouch! I'm nearly as old as my mom - sorry mom...

That realization coupled with a family history of diabetes and heart related illnesses pushed me over the edge.

I decided to do something about it. But because I know myself, I knew it had to be a commitment. It also had to cost me something. Something I couldn't afford to waste. Money.

The only thing I hate worse than not being able to fit into half the clothes in my closet is wasting money.

So...
I have begun.

"Tell me how good my life is."

Those were the words that I answered the phone with this evening when my husband called.

The truth is - I already know how good I have it. I am blessed far beyond anything I deserve.

But.

Things can get hairy.

Right now, I have two kids with Strep throat. I am working a lot this week. Two part-time jobs can feel all-consuming. Chris has NO days off this week. He will put in at least 85 hours, not counting product inventory and employee schedules. Poor hunny. It feels like a lot. It almost feels like I won't be able to handle it.

But.

Every time I really get into a bind, there is help for me. Whether it is tangible, practical help from my parents, husband, or a friend, or if the problem works itself out - there is always help for me.

There are also times that the dilemma cannot be solved by simple, practical aid - those are the times I have to hunker down and really dig deep to find out what must be done to solve the problem.
Like failure to connect with God. His lines of communication are always accessible to me, so when there's a glitch, I know where to look for the breakdown.

Honest introspection.

I finally dealt with a little 6-years long glitch this week.

Each time I would get into an atmosphere of absolute submersion in His Presence, this glitch would come to my remembrance, causing the seamless and beautiful moment with my Lord to jolt to a halt.

The worst part? The hang-up that kept me from really sinking my teeth into the goodness of God and worshipping with abandon was NOT REALLY A BIG DEAL. I mean, it did take a moment of vulnerability and a confession of sorts, so it wasn't a cakewalk. But ultimately, it is no longer an issue.

So tell me how good my life is.

To be hopelessly unworthy and brought to repentance. To be forgiven. To be acceptable and wholly accepted. All in less than one breath.

Thank You, Jesus!

Hair drama, lack of sleep, and sick kids.

Last night, Wendy was very kind to re-highlight my hair. I liked what she did the first time, but I wanted a tad more oompf.
Oompf I got!

I got to bed late last night. I like to call it 'Stupid:30.'

Then it turned out that J. got sick in the night. So there was little sleep to be had...
It is always amazing how very sick the little ones can get so quickly.
When I am getting sick, I usually know days ahead of time. With kids, it's boom - take 'em to the doctor.

So I sat in the waiting room of a clinic with him most of the afternoon and found out that he has strep throat.

He got a shot in the hiney and 10 days worth of antibiotics, so I would imagine that he'll be feeling better in no time.

Tomorrow, I will call our pediatrician to find out what to do about little sister who has been complaining of having "Owies" in her throat...

Round 2.

Tomorrow marks the start of the last week of summer school. After that, it really will be summer. All the way summer.

And if those of you who know me well enough to know that the Oompf in my hair was slightly beyond my thresh hold for change - Yes, I have already tweaked it to make it more subtle.
I still look like a rock star - just a slightly less Oompfy one.


**************** Additional Information****************
I need to specify that Wendy did a fantastic job on my hair BOTH times she highlighted it. I have been notoriously skiddish about doing things to my hair. My policy on makeovers is to do as little as possible and maybe it will be slightly noticeable. I decided, momentarily, to take a walk on the wild side - ok, let's be honest - the slightly-less-tame-but-still-not-wild side. I couldn't handle it.
As for the job Wendy did, it was really, really good.