Ah, yeah... Sorry about that.

Well, here we are another month gone by and not a peep from the fearless leader of 5 (yes, I include my husband).

Since when did May get about as crazy as the 2 weeks before Christmas? Who said that could happen and that was a good idea. I really want things to slow down, not spend up! AAGGHH!!!

Well, May has been full of life changes for us (imagine that). Brian finally was able to celebrate his MBA completion with a good old fashion cook-out at the Kershner abode. It was really nice and it was so good to see and visit with people. Well, let me clarify. It was good to see B visit with people, I was doing what I normally do running around making sure my kiddos weren't about to parachute off the roof of the house.

May has also brought about lots of visitors. Some of our favorite people from Cleveland- the Anthony's- came for a weekend visit during Memorial Day weekend. And between the 8 kids, sleepless nights and yummy food, I think we had one of the best weekends I can remember in quite a while. It is amazing to have people in your life who feel like your favorite jeans. They are comfortable, loved, precious and perfect for you. That's how I feel about the Anthony's.

May also brought about one of the more stressful things we as parents go through- new teachers. Our kids are going to a Montessori public school and they change people every 3 years. This is a transition year for Hannah. The precious soul, Joanne, who has loved and nurtured her for 3 years is having to pass her on. I don't know how parents who go through this every year do it. Every 3 years is more than enough for me. The night before her last night of school, Hannah was in bed and just broke down and cried about not being in Mrs. Meyer's class anymore. She cried because her friends wouldn't be in her class anymore and she was in hysterics about not knowing if she would like her teacher and if she'd know anyone in her class. I was almost in tears with her.
We talked for a while and then we prayed together for peace and we prayed God would let just 1 friend to be in her class next year. She finally calmed down and fell asleep and then I was up. I couldn't sleep because I was so anxious (not to mention I still had to pack for vacation).
The next day, I stopped by the school to help with FIeld Day and to drop off gifts to the kids' teachers and ran into Hannah and she was so excited. She said that she had 1 friend in her class and it is a good friend (Thank God for answering the prayers of a child). Hannah's teacher caught me and told me that she really pushed for Hannah to have the teacher she is paired with b/c she felt that the teacher relates well with kids and would do a good job in helping to create an environment in which Hannah can be Hannah. It is hard to entrust our kids to others. I am thankful for teachers that my kids have had and I am grateful that even in my fear and uncertainty, God continues to give me peace that all is well.

Little Abigail

Happy Thursday!

Okay, so a few months ago, before Bri was finished with Grad school, the Knuevens asked us if we’d run the Pig Relay with them.  The Pig is a marathon here in Cincinnati and not knowing any better, we agreed.  Silly, silly us :)!  So, here’s what I’ve learned since February about running and training…..

1.  Training and running will exclusively nursing a 5 month old doesn’t work too well.  I know I was bit out of shape, but seriously?  I felt like I was 90!

 

2.  Training while you have 4 kids 7 and under and a hubby in Grad school is tough.  I don’t think I really started training for this until about 5 weeks ago.  Mental note- I need more than 5 weeks to train for a 6.5 mile leg of a marathon.  Especially since I’ve never run before

3.  I’m getting old.  My body is SO ridiculously tight battered when I wake up the morning after a longer run.  Really.  This is sad.  I want to be 18 again.

4.  I can do this.  I think.  There is a super hilly and somewhat steep road next to our street, Kipling, and my goal was to run it prior to the race and I did PLUS I ran to the park a bit further and then did the 1/2 mile loop there.  I was proud of myself and it was at that moment I decided I really could manage this.

5.  I ran 5 miles (which I know is a bit shy of the 6.4 miles I have to run) and didn’t die.  :)

All this to say, that I am really proud of myself for working hard and doing this.  I’m excited for Sunday and hopefully, I won’t make too big of a fool of myself :)!

Dinosaur Poop

So tonight, Zach had Cub Scouts and I was informed at like 3 that it was the annual cake auction and the baked good was to be in the theme of dinosaur stuff, so I did the best I could and Zach and I made dinosaur poop.  It was awfully hard…  We had to drive all the way to Dunkin’ Donuts and we had to buy chocolate munchkins and them dump them in a bowl with a sign that said Dinosaur Poop.  :)  The boys loved it.

E 's hospital visit

Oh, I did forget to mention the trip to Phoenix Brian and I took with Abigail. While we were there, E broke her clavical and had to go to the ER. That was one heck of an expensive sling.

Catching Up Edition No.1

Okay, so a month has gone by and I'm just getting ready to do the first installment of updating. It's late, so I'll get to it and add more this week.

Let's see... Oh yeah, BRIAN FINALLY IS FINISHED WITH SCHOOL !!!! Thank goodness. It has been a long 2 and a half years and words cannot express how nice it is to not have that stress in our lives. Now to pay off that student loan...

We have moved from one crazy to another with the upcoming Flying Pig Marathon. No, we're not insane enough to run the full one, but we did sign up to do the relay portion with some good friends of ours. So right now, finding time to train has been close to impossible. What were we thinking?!!! I'm running comfortably up to 4 miles, so I've got 2.5 to add on in the next two weeks. I'm hoping beyond hopes that God will bless me with the ability to finish this thing without 1)hurting myself 2)embarrassing myself.

Funny thing about the training (short version) I did get bit in the rear end by a dog. It hurt. I think I nursed the excuse my butt hurt for a bit longer than necessary, but hey, it's not everyday when you get bit on the rump by a big dog.

To add to the chaos, we are in the midst of redoing the first floor of the house. We figure we are outgrowing our home and we're hoping that we'll be able to upgrade a bit in the next few years, so we are doing some paint and minor repairs to upgrade the house so we can enjoy it a bit before we move. So, we painted the living room and what was the kid's play room. Right now all those toys are in the basement (along with all the stuff in the basement in general) and we're transitioning rooms. Being one that needs order in her life, this has been very hard on me and it is starting to wear on me a bit, but we're almost done. It'll be nice when it's finished.

The kids are great! Abigail is sitting up and crawling and starting to hold onto things and wanting to stand. She is the cutest little thing. Just thinking about her makes me smile. She is a very even tempered and smiley baby. Not much seems to bother her and I love being around her. She definitely tangibly reminds me that life is okay. Elizabeth is turning 3 tomorrow. I cannot believe it. She is HILARIOUS!!! Everyday there is something new. Today she was telling everyone that today is the last day that she will be 2. She loves music and is very excited about going to school with Zach and Hannah in the fall. Hannah is Hannah. She is so smart and is such a sprite. She loves gymnastics and even enjoys playing her violin. She has been enjoying school and is looking forward to being in the first grade next year. Zach is doing well. He's playing baseball and just became a Wolf cub with Cub Scouts.

It's getting super late so I'm going to post a few pics and call it a night, but I've got more to say and will do it later this week.

It's Coming!!!!

I've not forgotten you all! I've been busy being eaten by dogs, babies and life! Brian has 9 days left of grad school and I've got a whole lot to post! So, just relax and in a few days, there will be updates galore!

Friday 5

1. Among your friends, who could be blown over by a strong wind?
Easy- Sarah Smoker

2. What’s something in your house you occasionally wind?
My wrist watch

3. Is there some significant gossip you’ve recently gotten wind of?
Not really.. not true- some stuff at the kiddos' school.

4. Where is the windiest place you’ve ever been?
I've been to a few. Cincinnati in September by far was the windiest- b/c
it didn't fair so well for our family, I hope it's the worst I'll ever see.

5. What do you do, on a typical day, to unwind?
Are we talking before of after a Blue Moon? :) HA!!! Facebook and reading. If I'm feeling inspired I'll go exercise.

Yeah, well, umm....

okay, so I needed about a month to recover from the holidays seasons... ho. ho. ho.

As usual, life is very full around here and it's amazing I get anything done half the time. I've got some fun pics and videos of the kids- mostly E. Enjoy!

17 things....

Okay, so it took me a few days (sorry sarah) to come up with 17 things that people probably don't know about me....

1. When I was a kid, I really thought I was going to be a lawyer when I grew up.

2. Before Brian and I got married (and even after we were) I didn't want to have children. (yes... i see the irony:))

3. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE CHOCOLATE. I will eat it at any hour of the day.

4. I was a cheerleader in high school.

5. I was Annie in the school play my junior year in High school.

6. I do not like feet touching me. ever.

7. I really like Dr. Pepper.

8. I'm becoming more of an introvert the older I get.

9. I do not like my minivan. The only reason I drive it is for practicality.

10. I love to travel (and am sad that I don't get to do more of it).

11. I like 80s music.

12. I am sad that they closed the closest Don Pablo's. It might be one of my favorite places to eat.

13. I hate heights and bridges. I think it is more a fear of falling.

14. I don't enjoy addressing christmas card envelopes.

15. I dressed up as Cyndi Lauper for Halloween in the fourth grade.

16. My favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird.

17. I do not like horror/scary movies.

That's it for me... I suppose I should tag a few people...
so. Sarah Wilcox,
Lori Cramer
Jennie Key (you can do it on facebook)
Meggers (you can do it on facebook too)
Jilly bean (it was good to hear your voice and laugh)
give it a go!