Beautiful Iniside and Out

I have been blessed with a beautiful daughter. Caitlin is so amazing in so many ways. She turned 9 a few weeks ago and I didn't mention it on my blog then, so I'm gonna talk about her now. This child is the funnest person I know. She loves to have fun and is always having a good time. She is also our social butterfly and has more friends than I can keep track of. Her first two years in school about bankrupted us with all the birthday invitations she received every week. She's very smart and works really hard in school. Shes also a fighter, which in my book is a good thing. We knew from day one that our lives would never be the same after she was born, but we had no idea what a huge blessing she would be.

Getting the Mojo Back...maybe

Last night I actually had a desire to go into my sewing room. I cleaned it up a bit and then I started and finished a little pencil pouch for my church bag. I also made a twirly skirt for Keeley. I've had the fabric to do this for like ever. I've been such a lazy mom I hadn't started it. I got Caitlins made, but never Keeleys. I got it all done except for the elastic and she was already asleep when I went down to measure her waist, so this morning I jumped up and finished it. Here is the Squealy in her new skirt, and yeah, she's really that cute.

Craigs birthday was on Saturday, and lucky for me his mom makes his cake! Yeah! He always gets worried that I'm gonna be upset that he asks her instead of me, but hello! Why would I want more to do? Here he is with his parents. We have been playing Pinochle with them for about a year now, and his mom and I thorougly whooped the boys' butts that night! Go us!

And last but not least, we were finally able to get a picture of Caitlin doing her back handspring. Proof that they are actually teaching her something at gymnastics.

Hopefully I can start feeling better and get back to myself. I came down with a bit of a cold about a week and a half ago, and I've just been yucky since then. I am still running a low grade fever, so I think I might need to make a dr. appointment. I hate going to the dr. Not to mention our new insurance Sucks, with a capital S.

Craig is home all week, our first week of unpaid vacation. 1 down 3 to go. As badly as it sucks to have to take 4 weeks without pay the first half of the year, I'm extremely grateful he has a job. Our family has everything we need. Not everything we want, but need. And really, thats enough. Times like this really make you re-evaluate whats important. Being able to stay home and play a game of Clue with the kids is more important than Craig and I going out and seeing the latest movie in the theatre. My husband and kids are whats important, having a new outfit, getting my nails done, having the kids in 20 different activities, it all takes away from what matters. Family. I'm grateful for my family. Although I may gripe about it, I am grateful for my husbands job. I'm grateful that because of him and his hard work, I am able to be home with my children, where I'm supposed to be. And if that means having ratty fingernails and un-trendy clothes, well, thats a sacrifice thats pretty easy to make.

Happy Birthday Dude!

Six years ago today at this moment I was sitting in my dr.s office being induced for labor. In 3 short hours, my third child was born. Can I just say I am so glad that I don't have to do that again? Here is a picture of Dude on his day of birth, September 25, 2002.

And here he is today...Enough said.

So, I'm preparing myself for a full day of birthday boy fun. Yeah. He was psyched because today he got to take snacks for his kindergarten class. You know, I think those rules about no homemade treats are great? It makes it so worthless moms like me don't have to feel so worthless because we didn't make the perfect cupcakes for the class on their birthdays. Donuts are wonderful. At least I'm cool enough to let him take donuts instead of carrots and celery. Nothing says happy birthday like gorging yourself on trans fat.

Now its downstairs to throw away toys. Yep, I'm purging the rooms before Christmas. All toys are going, hopefully I'm strong enough to do this. If I really want to scare you all I'll post pictures of it. Maybe I'll save those for Halloween.

Since you brought up Halloween, have I mentioned its my most favorite holiday evah? I could so be a witch (notice I said witch not the one that starts with a b, i'm already one of them). And the best part of being a witch, never dusting cobwebs again! Hmm...I might need to look into this a bit more.

Have fun, because I will be.