My Day

Today was a simple day. Yesterday I had girl scouts, but today was a simple day. The day after girl scouts is always relaxing. Gus and I stayed in our pj's till about 9:00. Sesame Street ends at 9:00 and Gus watches it most mornings. He took a nap at about 11:00-1:00. I showered and relaxed reading a magazine. We ate some lunch of leftover chicken and veggies. Then we ran an errand to the bank and stopped bye to see Sarah & Jayla. Jayla is 20 months old and Gus's play date. We visited while the kids played. Gus was exhausted by 5:00 when we left. He had fun and played hard. It is funny how much more worn out a kid gets when he or she plays with other kids as opposed to themselves. Play dates are good for toddlers! KC, Erin, & Jesse are at their mom's this week, but they can wear out Gus pretty easy too! Next week is going to be much more busy, as we have play rehearsals all week and performances on the weekend. I am ready for some relaxing sleep. Today was a simple day.

End of February

The nights are still cold, but the days are starting to warm up. I am looking forward to spring with anticipation for walking outside. I desire the cool fresh air that isn't bitter cold. Erin has one more week of rehearsals for her spring musical. Next weekend are her performances on Friday & Saturday. She is in a 60's surfing play, cowabunga dude! KC & Jesse just passed their Karate test tonight. They are both green belts. I was excited for them and they both enjoy the martial arts. We are all talking about the summer and how nice it will be to relax without any scheduled activities. I think we are going to pack it up and move to the cabin for the summer. Tracy might have management training in Atlanta this summer so I might have the kids full time. We are beginning to talk about our goals and projects for the cabin. Spring where are you hiding? Will we find you this March or will we have to wait for April?

Valentine

Valentine's Day used to be the holiday I despised because it seemed so silly. Of course the fact I never had a Valentine might have played into that idea. I still do think the holiday is silly. There are those romantics who believe in love always, and make the day seem special. There are those who were like me sitting saucily in sarcasm over a day just for couples. There are those who relish in any money scheming holiday. You know the ones who are head to toe in green on St. Patricks day, wear bunny ears on Easter, and even succumb to fuzzy sweaters with trees at Christmas.

So what's my point you ask? Love is many things to many people and if you are given a day to spread love I encourage you to do it. I hope that everyone loves someone, a mom, sister, son, uncle, lover, friend. If you don't have the traditional valentine, don't throw away the day as if it doesn't belong to you. God teaches us to love every day, for what is God, but love.

Pinesol

My mom took Gus tonight overnight. The kids are at their moms. I am so excited to clean my house. I don't think I have ever let it get this bad. I even cancelled Girl Scouts for tomorrow, although I was going to do that anyway because of schedualing. I stopped at Wal-mart to get pinesol, mmmmm. I love the smell of pinesol. I have been using vinegar and baking soda to clean my house for about six months. It has been going pretty well, but I really wanted to clean with pinesol and get that clean smell in addition to knowing it's clean. I am just in love with pinesol today!

Today was very busy. The kids are at their mom's this week, but they rode the bus to our house anyway. Tracy is on afternoons. Erin and Jesse had dentists appointments at 3:30 and 4:15. Erin had play rehearsal from 6 to 7:30. The boys had karate from 7-8. I was a non stop taxi service this evening. I was thankful for the dvd player in the car because Gus was getting restless. He watched a sesame street dvd to keep him occupied for part of the running.

Winter

Winter time tends to keep our family indoors. Yesterday it was 33 degrees and it felt like 50. I breathed in the fresh air and thought how it smelled of spring. The coldness was cut right out of the air. Life is very busy these days and sometimes I don't know how I manage. To say I have no time would be wrong, but it is more that I have so many schedualed responsibilities. I struggle daily with being a stepmom in essence, but really I take on more of the mom role to KC, Erin, & Jesse. I love them all as if they are my own flesh and blood.

I am resigning from Girl Scouts after this year is over. I am looking forward to spending next year with the kids at our Wednesday night church program instead of scouts. Ted and I are trying to focus on what we believe is the most important job a parent can do. That is to teach our kids about God's character and that true success comes form loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, & strength and loving your neighbor as yourself.

As a stepmom I am fortunate to see the stages of parenting in the form of ages. I am only 28 and I am helping to raise children from huge age differences. I have physically only given birth to one child, but God is entrusting me with four. How can I live up to His challenges? Ted and I really are trying to understand parenting from God's eyes. I have learned so much in the last five years.

This is Jesse's gingerbread house he made in school. He was very proud of it.