Kid Updates

For sure, our kids are keeping us hopping right now.

Sam:  Knock on wood, Sam has essentially potty-trained himself.  Seriously.  I'm not sure what I did to deserve this, but I am definitely not looking the gift horse in the mouth.  He is super excited about Thomas the Train and Lightning McQueen underwear.  He has been amazing about this, and I am counting my blessings.

Sariah:  Our sweet diva kindergartner is learning how to read.  She seems convinced that she can't do it, but reading with her proves otherwise.  We are playing lots of sight word games these days, especially bingo with marshmallows and M&Ms to cover the board.  Funny, but all of her siblings and her nana want to play, too, and without complaint.  I can't imagine why.

Rex:  His birthday party is next week, and he is looking forward to it.  I was a little scatterbrained about getting the invites out, but apparently he's been telling people, because they've been calling me to ask about the mystery party.  Ha!  Rex also started piano lessons last week, and has practiced diligently this week.  It's funny how when one kid around here starts playing the piano regularly, other siblings soon follow suit.  Oh, and he just started his Webelo year in Cub Scouts.  Back to work for us again.

Caleb:  This young man is my best helper these days.  He helps get the little ones ready in the morning so that I can shower, and he's been helping with getting Sam potty-trained.  To top that off, he joined chorus this semester, so he's been trying to catch up there, and he and I are working our way through a reading of the New Testament.  He still enjoys playing the trumpet and playing outside and cleaning my kitchen to cheer me up.

Lizzi:  Lizzi finished her Personal Progress recognition at church in November, and she started over again, because she is awesome that way.  She comes to the Y with me to work out several times a week (and makes me look like a fat old lady ... oh wait ...), and we hope to get her into some voice lessons in the near future.  She, too, has set a goal to finish the New Testament, but she is completely outclassing me and Caleb, because she's like a super-reader or something.

Hannah:  Swim season winds up this month, and we're down to the final few swim meets.  I think she plans to continue swimming with the Y team afterwards.  Meanwhile, she started a new semester at school and is now taking driver's ed (what?!?!?! that's crazy!).  I feel like we never see this kid because she's so busy growing up.  I know that's what we want her to do, but still ... a mom misses her firstborn.

Life in the Haynes Lane

I'm too lazy to go through my pictures right now to find some to post. We've been busy, busy, busy. But I'm not sure doing what. Life, I guess.

Sariah has been on her bedtime routine for 2 weeks now. She's improving slowly but steadily. She is still waking up at night, but now she will stay in her own bed and go back to sleep on her own. Keep your fingers crossed, because last Friday night was a disastrous, demon-possessed child night, and it came sorta outta the blue, and I've no interest in doing it over again.


Meanwhile, I've been working on a routine to get Samuel down at nights. I'm not ready to let him cry it out yet (largely because Sariah is a big enough job right now), but we are working on reading a story and singing a song and laying down not-quite-asleep in the hopes that we can prevent our current toddler sleep issues for the future.

Caleb started football again this week. I know, ALREADY!! So far he's been practicing to play QB and he looks good out there. He's having a lot more fun this year, too, so I'm really excited for him. Plus, he offered me the indescribable opportunity of feeling his sweat-drenched shirt yesterday. What more can a mother ask for?

Rex is growing up on me. Every time he smiles his permanent teeth grin, I can't believe how time flies. He had a first sleepover last weekend, which likely won't be repeated anytime soon, given that Zach's mom reported they talk more than any girls she ever knew.

Lizzi's home, Lizzi's home, Lizzi's home! I'm so glad my girl is home again. But she starts middle school in a few weeks. How can this be?

And speaking of how things can be ... we discovered today that Hannah has apparently shot up in growth. We knew Caleb was growing, and Elisabeth has kept pace with him, but all of a sudden Elisabeth and Hannah don't have to stand back-to-back to prove who's taller. No doubt about it--Hannah is the tallest by several inches. Who knew?

As for me, besides mothering these teaming hordes, I've been on vacation, been to PTA convention, am planning another short vacation, am PTAing like crazy, and just the general hubbub of activity around here. I think I need to take a deep breath ... and keep on truckin.'

Hugs to all!

Mother Moments

Humor is the most essential character trait you need for parenting. Okay, well, it's the one that *I* need the most. Without humor, I would probably sit down and cry and never stop. Some days are like that. Okay ... well, when you're a mom, most days are like that.

That is the reason why it would be really easy for me to say that pictures like this are my favorites because the treasured son or daughter is asleep, quiet, immobile, and not pulling on any of my clothing or bodily appendages.

Or it would be very easy for me to point out that I should be more careful since Sariah clearly follows my example. This is exactly the way she sleeps in bed with me.

I don't really like to wax poetic or "all emotional," as Caleb would say, because humor is just more comfortable for most people.

But really, pictures like this are my favorites because Sariah's innate sweetness and goodness just take my breath away. Just seeing her like this reminds me--in the space of a heartbeat--of all the reasons that I'm a mother, and how blessed I am to be a part of these sweet little spirits' lives. It keeps me humble and grateful and joyful.