A Tervis nation

My mom and dad decided to introduce our family to The Tervis Cup.  Over the course of a year, all of us have received one for our birthdays.  Son number one just received his last week, making our Tervis nation complete.  We have been Tervis-ed!  We have many Tervi.  Have you tried one yet?  They keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold.  Seriously.

Thanks mom and dad!

Seven Things I'm Lovin' Right Now

In no particular order:

7.  My oldest son, who turns eleven on Friday.  What a blessing he is in our lives!

6.  The crisp, fall air and wearing jeans and sweaters.

5.  Our crazy, busy schedule that is constantly keeping me on my toes.  I'll admit this is a love-hate relationship.  BUT - in general, I would rather be busy than bored.

4.  Our gift of eternal life.  Of late we have witnessed several saints go home to Jesus.  What a blessing to know they are with their Lord and that we will be with them again someday!  Praise God!

3.  My six year old's gap-tooth smile.

2.  Vacuums with no clogs.  I currently do not own one of these.

1.  This:  When I am walking with my children, if I place my hand at my side with my palm facing backward, it will be filled with a little hand.  Each time the little (or not so little, sometimes) hand grasps mine, my heart jumps for joy.  Bliss.

Life has been hairy around here lately, leaving me little time to write.  School schedules, soccer, piano, doctor's appointments, and a lovely trip for my husband and me to northern Michigan has occupied much of my time.  Slowing down doesn't seem to be an option!  I don't fully mind, though.  I'd rather be busy than bored.  So I am trying to enjoy these mom-as-taxi years of homework and lessons and chores and practices.  I know they will pass by very quickly!

Here's a little gem from one of my young'uns (it shouldn't be hard to guess which one!):

"Hey mom?  Is there a book called The Hideous Hedgehog??"

Sadly, no.  But I suggested he write it.

Rainy Days and Mondays!

My six year old son, as he opened up his Diego umbrella in the rain:  "Take that, rain!"

All by Myself!

Today is an epoch in my life.  I have spent the last two hours alone.  As in no children with me.  None. Nada.

My littlest started preschool today.  It has been 12 years in the making, this solitude I am now experiencing, and will be experiencing twice each week.

I'm not sure what to make of it.  On the one hand, it is nice to do what I want or need to do without worry or concern about a little one's needs.  On the other hand, I feel a bit lost.  I'm not quite sure how to best use this long-coveted time.  I must admit that this morning, after I dropped little K off, I went to Menards and Walmart.  Disappointed?

So, what does one do when one's children are no longer at home during the day?  Read, watch TV, sew, scrapbook?  Clean the floors, the bathroom or the kitchen?  Shop for groceries, toilet paper, or new shoes?  I'm just not sure yet.

I'll have to keep pondering it.  For now, I have to go pick up my little girl.  Enough alone time for today.

Pump up the jam!

Things are about to get loud over here.  Okay, okay, it's already crazy loud over here.  If possible, it's going to get even louder.

Why, you ask?

Because we are getting Rock Band for our Wii.

I know I'm certifiable for allowing it to happen.  But I have to say, I'm excited too!  It's going to be a karaoke party!

Wonderful people from church are giving it to us because their boys are grown and moving out.  Their mother is happy to be losing all the large equipment (while I am trying to figure out where we will store all the stuff over here).  Our boys are thrilled to be on the receiving end of such a generous gift.

So - anyone up for a little Bon Jovi or Aerosmith?

A new era

Two weeks from today, four of my five children will be starting school for the fall.  My fifth child will be starting her preschool class the next day.

Yes, dear friends, you read that right.  I will be on my own on a regular basis this school year.  For the first time in twelve and a half years.  For 6 hours per week, not that I'm counting.

I'm a little excited.

You might be thinking I'm a terrible mother, one who does not love her children.  Not so!  I still get sweet baby K (who is obviously not a baby anymore!) for the rest of the week, and I adore spending time with her.  She is so much fun.  And I have grown accustomed to the other kids going to school everyday, so it will be a matter of settling in to the routine again.  

Several people have asked me, "What will you do with (all) that free time?"  I don't really know yet.  The idea of regular time alone is so foreign to me, that I think it will take a little figuring out.  I imagine I'll sort it out and it might include some shopping.

However, all this anticipation aside, for those of you who know me well, you know that no matter how much I am looking forward to some free time,  I will still be weepy when we leave her at school.  It is completely inevitable.  My baby!  My last child, in school!

I think I might cry all the way to the mall, where some retail therapy will ease the ache a bit.