Please Sleep!

Sleep deprivation has been my biggest shock of parenting.
Even more than toddler's rationale and pushing a baby out of my vag.
I never realized the droves of men and women that walk around like zombies everyday (or monsters in my case.) And how tired my own parents must have been.
Before I had kids, I thought I'd be fine...
"I am healthy." "I stay up late all the time..." "I've been an athlete most of my life."

Sure.

Boy do I need sleep. I love my bed. I love blankets. And naps. I love naps.
And am a much nicer person when I get a decent nights rest.
Now by decent, I mean 7 or 8 hours. Somewhat uninterrupted. For the most part.

The other day I was driving DJ to a doctors appointment, and my head bobbled! A good 3 or 4 times. While on the freeway! It freaked me out. After all, it was only 10a.m. And after the appointment I stopped to pump gas. Attached the pump. Payed. And drove away! Without removing the hose, or pumping any gas! Realizing it 20 miles later, drove 20 miles back to get my $20 in gas...and gas cap. Which, in this instance, I attribute only a little to my absent-mindedness, and a lot to my sleepiness.

And decided-
I am taking the CALL FOR MORE SLEEP.
AKA: GOING TO BED EARLIER,
dark curtains for the boys rooms,
and GOING TO BED EARLIER.

Wish me luck.

The Dreaded. And Loved.

I dread family pictures.

There are fewer things that stress me out more.

Asking a parent to perform the impossible...make children ( 3 of them. under 4,) cooperate, hold still, look forward, and show their most adorable qualities... all at the same time. Its wrong. And ridiculously impossible. At least for me.

But somehow, I always love them.
After I let go of the smoldering distress, that is.

Chris took some photos w the Purdie's before waving Jason and Katie to Florida.
It is the first time we have EVER caught a picture of our entire family.
It is a moment worth remembering! Certainly as a post.

The Bike Parade

A neighborhood bike parade with a slew of children on crate papered cycles. The boys thought it was incredible...and strange they could ride in the street. Followed by drippy, slurpy, icecream cones.

proud of my jill

my dear friend jill invited me to the birth of her baby recently. i had never experienced another's birth besides my own children.

i was so proud of her. and i love the little one.

THE TOOL

This is the 'tool' that Louis made.
It is an unopened iris pod on a stick.

a rather exciting day.

i am pleased to announce my joy in having the internet again.
today was rather exciting.
i caught dj wiping his nose on the carpet.
my children required bathing mid-day due to extreme dirtying.
b cut his arm (not off) with a chainsaw. 20 stitches later went bowling.
my baby rolled.
pest boys sprayed for spiders.
gave away a hottub.
a few more things put away.
trimmed some irises.

thought about things.

Not Over Til its Over...

Buying a house has been consuming my life.
It is as if I have a job.
And I've learned:
It's not over til its over.

We found a house 1 1/2 months ago...
Made an offer.
Negotiated for 2 1/2 weeks back and forth. BACK AND FORTH. BACK AND FORTH.

Got an accepted offer.
Told our renters move in date.
Started packing.
Appraisal came back less than contract.
Another week of negotiation.
Couldn't work it out.

We decided to move on.
Told everyone we were done...
And let go of the beloved house.
Told renters we aren't moving.

Then got a call.
Seller offered to sell home
For appraised value.

Supposed to close Tuesday or Wednesday.

Having a hard time smothering my excitement...
But I know its not over til its over.