Quotable quotes

We just got back from vacation in the deep south last night. I will blog about our trip soon, but for now, a quotable quote from one of my offspring.

"Dad", says the boy, "my armpits smell like dumpsters!"

Happy, happy birthday!

Today marks the 1st birthday of my baby daughter. As I type this, she is next to me babbling and smiling, while emptying the contents of a trash can (don't worry - it only has paper in it!). Last year at this time, I was driving everyone crazy with my constant comments consisting of shock and amazement that this dear sweet baby was a girl.

Now, as is always the case, it is impossible to imagine life without her. Our house has had a frenzied renewal of pink clothes, blankets and toys. We have relearned to say "sweet girl" in place of "buddy" when using our baby voices. I have had lots of practice doing baby girl hair (and learning how to do her signature hairstyle, the whale spout).

And most of all, we have had many wonderful lessons in baby love. There is nothing quite like holding a tiny bundle of sweetness, and then over the months, watching that little bundle grow and show her personality (and baby, you've got lots of it!!).

This dear child has changed our lives. Sometimes she has been a challenge, as babies often are, but more than anything else, she has enriched our family. She is a truly amazing gift from God.

Extra, extra, read all about it!

This just in: family of seven returns from vacation in beautiful North Carolina. Mother overwhelmed with laundry, gear and food which is currently littering every available flat surface in her home. Five children are wild with delight to be near the beloved Wii again, and are testing the screen time limits. Father is back to work, leaving Mother with aforementioned mess and rowdy children. Father also busy ordering Mac and iphones, to the family's great delight.

Yes, I'm singing the post-vacation clean up blues. It is amazing how one family can so quickly trash a house! Seriously, though, I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Most of the house is back to normal now. (Don't ask what my standards are for "normal").

We had a wonderful vacation in North Carolina. For the first week, my husband's parents and brother and sister-in-law and four children joined us. The kids (and adults!) had a fabulous time hanging out together. We saw many waterfalls, toured the Biltmore, celebrated 9 birthdays. . .good times, good times.

It's too bad we couldn't stay on vacation forever. But I guess even then we would eventually want a vacation from our vacation, making it not an actual vacation.