Catch up post

I haven't been able to blog in a while.

Who came up with the word "blog" for what this is? It is a noun, a verb and sometimes an adjective. Random.

Here are some pics of what has been going on.

Our community group at church did a shoe drive! We collected shoes from friends, classmates and neighbors to give to Brother Bill's Helping Hands. These shoes are going to kids in the West Dallas area that need them! We collected over 250 pairs of shoes. Thank you to everyone who donated their shoes! Here are our shy kids.

I might have mentioned that Hank doesn't have many (any) friends. Well, evidently I lied. Look at all these friends! They clearly adore each other--can't you tell?

Actually, this play date at our house was such a treat for me! All those mommies are former Young Life kids of mine! Now we are having babies together. Wow! I have known Annie, Lindsay and Tori since they were in 8th grade and I began leading their YL group. Well, I officially met Annie when she was a lot younger. I was 16 years old and babysat for her and her brother and sister. I drove my Nissan Pulsar to her house and most likely wore some acid washed jeans and a Forenza shirt with shoulder pads and keds. Not that anyone asked what I wore or drove.

I can't tell you what a treat it is for me to still know these girls. To watch them grow up and now become mommies. What fabulous mothers they are and will be!

Hank (born in October), Tanner (November), Brittain (December), and Will (September)

This is my niece Catie. She is a SENIOR this year!!! Can you believe it? She is going to A&M in the fall. She is such a wonderful girl. She is kind, mature, funny and we are so proud of her. We love Catie!

More later.

Here's Hank

For those of you concerned for our physical and my mental health, we are doing ok over here!

It did get a little worse before it got better. Rhody and Lainey both complained of pain in their ears and both ended up on antibiotics. But it could have been a lot worse.

That's me with a positive attitude. A glass is half full kind of thing.

I have been slacking on taking pics of Hank lately. My flash card was full. It's a beating to get the camera out with all the kids around--they all want to take pictures or be in pictures, etc.

But no excuses. I need to take pics of our baby. When he is in therapy as an adolescent, at least he won't be able to use that against us.

I will be right back. . .I hear Hank crying from the laundry room--where he took his nap.

Possibly another issue for counseling.

Here is our precious Hank at 4 months!

Embrace the Crazy

Let me tell you about the last 24-36 hours or so.

Thursdays are usually great days. The 3 big kids are in school and Hank and I get to hang out. We run errands. See friends. Eat lunch. Occasionally clean the house.

Yesterday, Kyle and I decided to go ahead and celebrate Valentine's Day. We were going to catch a movie and lunch with just Hank. Not so romantic or anything but it was time together--without the children who can talk (interrupt).

We ended up not seeing a movie because Kyle knew we had to take Hank to get tubes in his ears on Friday. He couldn't miss that much work.

So we grabbed lunch at P.F. Changs. It was delicious and Hank was great. Good times.

Then preschool let out early because of the weather. Indifferent times.

Bo came home and took a good nap. Good times.

Lainey got to play with friends in the snow. Thanks Lacey. Cold and good times--for Lainey.

The weather while already ruining the Today Show on Thursday is starting to really bug me. We don't know what to do about Hank's surgery. Should we send the kids to my mom's? or not. Should we cancel the surgery on Thursday night or wait until Friday? or not.

We send the kids on to Nana's for the night.

Actually, it is not that easy. We can't get our car out of the driveway. Dad comes to get kids. We eventually get the car out. Thanks Mr. Kelly.

Kids are at moms. I am thinking dinner at home with television and lots of laundry to fold. I'm actually looking forward to it. Sad but true.

Mom calls. My Aunt and Uncle lost power. They trump us and the kids have to come back. Wow, this is going to be fun to explain. Sad times. Mom gets kids pumped up to come home (not Lainey--she doesn't fall for that stuff).

Then, Aunt realizes she can't leave her house and my kids can stay at Nana's. Evidently, mom's cheerleading days in the '50s were effective--now the boys don't want to stay with Nana and Pops.

Long story short (who are we kidding). They all stayed. With much bribing and persuasion. Good times.

An hour later, our power goes out. Dark times. Potentially cold times.

We decide to go to Nana's and protect our infant son from hypothermia.

Blair and Nicole's power is out too. Nic and her infant daughter come over (Dad had to go get them too).

We shuffle our sleeping children to different places throughout Nana's house. Eventually, Blair and the boys show up too. (About 10 minutes after they left their house--the power was back on. Hindsight and all that).

Count it. 6 adults. 7 children including 2 infants. It's a full house.

At this point, we are thinking no way to the surgery. The surgery center is way up in North Plano. The roads will be "treacherous"--according to David Finfrock.

We all do ok throughout the night. Oh yeah, Mom and Dad slept in the recliners in the movie room. Talk about taking one for the team! Thanks Mom and Dad.

Mom made a great breakfast for all. Then their power went out. Oh wait, before the power went out, Sam threw up and his ear drum burst. Can you tell the ear trouble runs in the family?

Our power and Blair's power is back on. We slowly get all our stuff together to go home! How do we have so much stuff for a 12 hour stay?

We called the surgery center and they said to come on out. The doctor is still there. That means Hank has to skip a meal.

Here is sweet Hank right before surgery. He has been a champ! Love that baby!

Oh yea, Bo feels hot and acts super cranky. He has a fever. We make him an appointment for the afternoon with the doctor. Sick times.

Mom and Dad have to come to our house so we can take Hank for surgery. They don't have power at their house but I'm sure they would love to spend the afternoon resting after all of their surprise houseguests.

The roads look good. We made it to Plano. Hank has surgery. We head home. Safe times.

Walk in the door, wake up Bo, take him to the doctor. Diagnosis: Strep Throat.

I actually have to go get dinner ready. . .

Did I mention that our cable is out too? Mom took it upon herself to fix our cable troubles. She went to the cable place twice--to get a new box and then to get a new remote. However, while we needed a new box, our cable is still out (blame it on the snow). And all of our recorded shows are now sitting in the Time Warner office on Greenville.

So long Project Runway from last night. Hope to catch you again Burn Notice. Glad I watched Community last night.

So when people ask how it is with four kids, I usually answer that it doesn't feel that different than 3.

Except when it feels like 14.

But I still love the crazy.

Hair it is.

Some interesting and sometimes funny things have happened to me lately.

You know how your body changes so much during pregnancy? Some good, mostly not good. The good really just being that there is a baby in there underneath the stretch marks and skin that will never bounce back to its former shape.

Remember how I mentioned that one of the biggest pluses for me is that the hair on my legs stops growing during pregnancy (with my boys)? I know, totally awesome.

I guess I am ever the optimist and always hope that it will stay that way. It's like laser hair removal without the laser and the without the cash!

But no such luck. The hormones have settled down or up or whatever they do after giving birth. The leg hair has returned. Cue the sad music.

So I went to get a much needed pedicure the other day. I went to a new place--well, a remodeled place in the neighborhood. I walk in and someone yells, "Can I help you?"

I answer that I need a pedicure. They yell, "Pick your color!" And then motioned for me to sit down in one of the pedicure chairs.

I sat down and started reading my latest issue of InStyle--it's full of cute, stylish and incredibly expensive things. I usually can afford about 2 items per issue. I never buy them. But I like looking at the pictures.

Anyway, don't you hate how they suck you in by sitting you in a chair and then never telling you how long it will REALLY be? I waited a while and then reminded them of my need for their services!

I got a man pedicurist--is that what they are called? Anyway, this guy was really nice and super smiley. I couldn't understand everything he said but I just smiled back and kept looking at my magazine.

Did I mention that this guy has a really loud voice?

So he looks at me and says, "So glad you here. You have ingrown nails."

I didn't quite understand him, so he repeated it louder this time. Loud enough for all to hear it.

I know I sounded like an idiot when I looked shocked and confused and kept babbling on and on about it. But I have never had an ingrown nail! Seriously. I guess I can thank pregnancy for this as well.

Then I got to a section in the magazine about dressing to highlight your best feature--your legs, your arms, your waist, etc.

So I was initially drawn to the section about highlighting your waist. The clothes they suggested were all cute and definitely emphasized a small waist.

But I don't have a small waist anymore. I guess I can thank pregnancy (#4) for that as well.

I looked for a section for people with muffin tops but that wasn't in there.

Or for people with with ingrown toe nails and hairy legs. Not there either.

Wow. Anyone else totally grossed out by this post?

I think everyone stopped reading when I got to the leg hair part.

Dear Ole Dad!

My Dad (Bob, Pops, Poppy), is such a great man.

However, not so great in front of cameras--video or still.

Here is an interview that Dad needed to do for one of his websites. Actually, this is the bloopers version. The laughing behind the camera is my brother Blair.

Enjoy.

You might want to double click on the screen and watch this on YouTube. It shows more of my Dad.

Love you Dad! or as I like to call him Awkward Man!

Resolutions

I am thinking about making some resolutions. You know, because it's the new year and all. I know it's a little late but we had a little stomach bug over here and we just took down Christmas. We are just moving a little slow.

But I am a little uncomfortable with the word "resolution." That means I resolve to do something? I have resolve? Say it 10 times in a row. It's a weird word. Plus, I feel like George W. when I say it.

Can I make New Year's Possible Things I Might or Might not do instead of resolutions?

I might need to do this in outline form. In no particular order.

(evidently blogger doesn't like my outline form. Try to imagine it in outline form)

I. Lose some weight and get in shape. I know, original.

A. Admit I am a sugar addict. It's the first step.

1. Slowly stop eating sugar.

2. Well, at least think about eating less sugar.

B. Start exercising

1. Find exercise clothing that fits

2. Feel the burn

3. Don't look in a mirror while exercising

4. Is watching the Biggest Loser exercise?

I am already exhausted just thinking of things.

II. Be better about cooking and going to the grocery store

A. Pray for a miracle--that somehow a personal chef

would show up at my door and beg to work for me with no pay

B. I got nothing else--but you can't have an "A" without a "B"

III. Read more

A. I am hoping that magazines and blogs count

B. Actually, I want to read some fiction and some non-fiction (sort of)

IV. Clean some things

A. Some drawers here and a closet there

B. My car

C. The floors--those darn floors.

V. Be a better friend

A. Be real and honest

B. Initiate

C. Go out with the girls (figure out who "the girls" could be)

D. Find friends that are ok with the chaos I bring

VI. Be a better parent

A. Come up with specific parents techniques for each child

B. Read/discuss a parenting book with community group (check!)

C. Pray for patience, understanding and wisdom

D. Don't sweat the small stuff

E. Have fun and take some pictures!

I think I am done for now. I don't like to give myself too much to do.

I used to be such an achievement oriented person. What happened to me? I also used to be a rule follower. But Kyle has taken over that role in our family. I used to think of myself as someone that could get a lot done. Now, I'm happy when I get a shower and dinner cooked in the same day.

Of course, I wouldn't change a thing about my life.

Except for those things listed above that I want to change. But you get my point.

Some Things I Like

I was going to do a list of my favorite things but "favorite" might be a little too strong of a word. I was just thinking of listing some things I really like.

Before I get to the list, I was wondering...do you think it is weird that I was wishing that I had on Spanx today when I did my very first workout in over 3 months? I was needing something to hold in all the jiggles. I think Spanx should totally make work out clothes. And Wow, I am so out of shape it's not pretty. I have a long road ahead of me. And I think I will start with these chocolate covered pecans I am eating right now!

Back to the list.

These are in no order and I have already forgotten a few of them. What a great a build up, huh?

1. I have said it before, but I still love it: Clairol's Root Touch-up! What a great product. I like the shade called Medium Golden Brown and I guess Clairol does too! At Target, it was almost three dollars more than Medium Brown. What up with that? Of course, I'm a sucker and bought the one I wanted anyway.

Tip: If you try this product, go with a lighter shade rather than a darker shade.

2. My BFF Jenny. For a lot of reasons, but this week because she literally made a menu for me of dinners for this week. And she included recipes that I might not have. AND she made a shopping list for me. And she said she would do it again! How awesome is that? The only thing better would be to have a personal chef. And since I'm not Oprah, that's not happening. Thanks Jenny.

3. Tivo or DVR. Seriously, do I need to explain this one? Awesomeness. And I will be using this fabulous bit of technology in the next weeks to record shows like American Idol, Project Runway, Community, Glee and White Collar. Maybe a couple of other shows but I don't want to seem like a loser!

4. My precious baby Hank. I know it might be weird to list only one of my four children here. But I am doing just that. He is almost 3 months old and I adore him. And you know what? He adores me. He likes to be held and likes me to talk to him. He doesn't whine or complain or talk back. He is so sweet and lovable. He is starting to have a little personality. I can't wait to see what he will be like. Hank is everyone's favorite over here.

Well, I never heard of list with just 4 things but that's all I got for now. All boys have been asleep and that is a miracle in and of itself. That could be my #5!

I just want to apologize for the unusually poor grammar in this post. Sorry Mom and Jenny.