I swear it’s time to build one. It will NOT stop raining and I am so tired of it. We can’t even mow the lawn for love the of God. Throughout the rain, we have had birthday parties and family reunions. A very busy weekend. This Thursday, I am hosting a Pampered Chef fundraiser party. I am very excited. Currently I am expecting roughly 15 people, perhaps 20. I have had many items donated to raffle off, I can not wait. The details may kill me first. The food. The drinks. The seating. The baskets to be raffled off. The information about
Friends of Allie. ETC ETC ETC. Not to mention cleaning the house and MAYBE, just maybe, mowing the freakin’ lawn. If it stops raining. I type that as I listen to the rain drops hitting the ground. faster and faster.

This morning,Racecar and I took my big girlAriel to preschool. I was excited because it was going to be justRacecar and I at home, I had so much to do, I knew this would be a great oppurtunity to get something done. But,Racecar had other plans. He has never been so needy. TypicallyRacecar will play with every toy around the house and really focus and enjoy himself, I don’t know why he was so different today, I know he was tired, but man I was going to go CRAZY. But I didn’t. I am here and I am okay.

I’ve attached some pictures for you…taken today. Today at preschoolAriel made a cheerio necklace. (the fruity Cheerios, my kids love them!) In the car she was wearing it and telling me how she did it all by herself andRacecar starting to cry “where is my necklace? I want a necklace.” Well, knowing we had the same cereal at home, I told him I would make him one…see what happens below.

Anna posing before leaving for her second day of preschool. Racecar looks so sleepy and cute.

Noah starting to eat his necklace.

I’m not sure whatAriel is doing here, butRacecar is definitely still eating his necklace.

Yep, still eating

“Yum. This is good, Mama” He said this about 8 times while eating his necklace. Definitely his Daddy’s boy.

Telling her Dad about her day at preschool. The last picture taken of her necklace. before it was eaten. I should consider feeding my children, apparently.

Anna loves preschool. She really enjoyed herself. She talked about the songs they sang, the crafts, the prayers and Mrs. Snow. She loves her. Tonight she kept pretending that I was Mrs. Snow, while she would walk into my room with her backpack on, and sometimes she was Mrs. Snow. She did great when we left the classroom, too. I was fully prepared for her to have a meltdown, but she didn’t and I am so proud. (she’s quite proud, too.)
Pictures as promised. We also had very severe storms last night. I’ve attached some pictures taken just before the storm and some pictures of the damage.

On her way to preschool!

Anna celebrating the fact that she wasn’t crying when I left. Seriously, that is what she is doing! Mrs. Snow was laughing SO hard.

BIG GIRL!

Taken in my front yard.

Here is a picture ofAriel andRacecar in the basement during a tornado warning. Completely unphased.

Screenshot of the radar and tornado warning.

Damage in the city where my parents live, about 12 miles from us. They believe a tornado did touch down. It’s hard to believe they are even questioning it, trees like this were everywhere. EVERYWHERE.

My parent’s front yard.

This scene was all over the city.

Before our eyes we have raised a grown up. It happened so quickly I do not even know what to do. Ariel starts preschool tomorrow. Yesterday, I took her for orientation to meet the teachers and meet some friends. Luckily, the room is the same room as her Sunday School and there are 3 students who were in her Sunday School class, so that is fortunate. Her teacher is wonderful and perfect. About 3 weeks ago I cutAriel’s hair. I chopped at least 3 inches off and she now looks even older. I took her to get her bangs cut the other night and she now looks even older. And with a backpack and school clothes?? I can’t hardly stand it. I am literally in disbelief. So, I am leaving you with these pictures of this divine, wonderful gift that is a my daughter. I’ll be sure to report back tomorrow night with more pictures. Enjoy.

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1.25.06

Trying on her new school clothes

A trim before school starts.

I have been away from my children for almost 36 hours. It’s really hard. I used to think that being away got easier once you are away, it doesn’t seem that way right now. Maybe it’s because I am playing with Ethan or snuggling with Mary and it just makes me ache for my little ones. I’ve had some phone conversations with them and they make me very happy, but it’s not the same as feeling their skin or smelling their hair. (the hair smell being Spongebob Squarepants Shampoo Pineapple Crush scent)

My four hour drive down here was great. I talked on the phone for the first 90 minutes–hands free, of course, and then I listened to music. Very loudly. It’s amazing how listening to music can take you back to a different lifetime. For me, it brings me back to being married to Brian, going to concerts, sleeping in, going to bed late, playing on the computer, spending an entire Saturday cleaning, relaxing outside, going out with friends, working and not being able to wait until the weekend. The music brings back great memories and makes me think of that girl that sits in the depths of my soul. She’s not gone, she’s still there and she visited me yesterday, it was really good to see her again, but it was good to put her back. I hope she comes back out again on my way home.
I’m a much happier person now, then the girl I was back when I really had no worries. As frazzled as I feel right now, as unkept as my house feels, I have never felt such happiness within me. I can only hope that it continues to flourish throughout my life.

A decision has been made. We are not moving. Brian has accepted a new job in Chicago, so his commute remains, but his walk to the actual location in downtown Chicago is 20 blocks shorter. Can you imagine??? Not me. The company in Louisville talked to Brian today and said they just could not make a decision today, that they would need a few weeks. He’s still one of the applicants, but he just had to take the other job for now. There is a SMALL chance that we could move and everything could change if an offer comes through, but I can’t imagine putting Brian through that kind of stress right now. Maybe this just wasn’t the time for us to move.

Anna starts school next week. I can’t believe it.