A car trip recorded

1. We had a wonderful thanksgiving in Charlotte!  We got to travel for the first Thanksgiving in year thanks to Matt’s new job that allows him time off around the holidays.  We packed up the kids and all the things we needed to make it through a weekend away from the house and hit the road.   We went to my mom’s house in Charlotte and had an awesome time with my family.  We did the traditional thanksgiving activities of eating and shopping.  It was just what I wanted.  How many pictures did we take?  I took…one. 

And it wasn’t even at Thanksgiving!  It was in the car on the way there.  So this post will not be about Thanks giving.  It will be about the car trip.  The ONE picture is all of the kids sleeping in the car.  I call it a Thanksgiving miracle.

To compliment the one picture, Will took a sound recording.  Don’t look at the picture, it will make you batty, but listen to the words.  Can you hear the edge in my voice?  Yea, I am out of all patience (kind of ironic sense I am lecturing about it at the beginning).  I am sure I was talking to Abby. 

That’s why that picture was a miracle.  Because God knew I needed quiet.  

A bad thing with my credit card and DSW

It started when Matt was out of town for 10 straight days.  Yes, that is correct.  He decided to LEAVE me with all these crazy kids for 10 days.  

Okay, it really wasn’t all bad.  We ate a lot of easy meals and the kids are really good.  I also have a great sitter for the kids, great friends to keep me sane and a great football coach who would pick up and deliver my child home to me. 

Also, I bought boots.

My only message to Matt was a text that said: I did a bad thing with the credit card and DSW and I needed it. 

Worth it. 

Sisters

I have great aspirations for my girls to be great sisters.  Yes, they are related, but being sisters can be so much more...a friend, a secret keeper, a person who knows when you need help and when you need a kick in the butt.  Right now I am seeing mostly butt kicking.  And screaming.  I know that I have at least 10 years before they appreciate the sisters in their lives, but until then, I can appreciate these budding relationships for them. 

Before and after I took this picture, they were fighting over the ipad, clobbering C with their overly excited hugs and running around the sports practice like crazy people.  But for this one moment during this one picture, I can dream about these little girls calling each other on the phone, sharing their grown up lives and discussing their life plans.  I am sure they won’t ever complain about their crazy mom or the hard times they had growing up.

A how to guide to keep your sanity in a crazy mixed up world

From time to time, people look at me and shake their head when I tell them I have four kids.  Their head shake is a mix of pity and concern.  I don't mind, I kind of look forward to it.  I like it the best when one of my kids is screaming.  Sometimes it is followed up with the ever present "how do you do it" question.

I now have photographic evidence of how I do it.  Let me draw your attention to a few things.  This will help you, I am sure.

1. There is a small child hanging from my leg.
2. There is smaller child sitting on the floor staring at me.
3. This is not my house.  This is my good friend's house.  She is feeding me dinner.  She also feeding my children. Find friends. (this is an essential step)
4. The blurry child to my left is not mine, but she does entertain my children. (really this should be step 3b)
5. There is wine.  This helps (forget all steps except this one and number 3).
6. The most important thing to note is that it is fun.  The fun is what makes me dance.  Yes, this is my dance move.  It shows that this is actually fun for me.  My life is loud and sometimes overwhelming, but it is fun.

My Little Football Star

I know Will is amazing.  No one has to tell me.  I on the other hand, I have to tell EVERYONE.  He came home from his end of season football party with not one, but TWO trophies.  Yes, one was for participation, however the main was for being the team Sleeping Giant.  My boy!! The sleeping giant who awoke and played amazing football.  I could not have been more proud.