birthday glory

I'm going to continue reveling in my 30th birthday glory for another minute over here too. Sorry.

My kids each bought me a gift 'from them'. They were excellent choices. Each one.

Jaci bought me jewelry. Black necklace and black and silver bangle bracelets. With them, a card. In it, written: Thirty is great. It is the beginning of a new life. Your eldest daughter, Jaci
She's 9.

Chandler bought me scissors. (mine disappeared a while back and this indeed, was a fabulous gift) In her card? Thirty is good. Thirty is a birdy. From your middle child.
Have a told you what a nut this one is?

Robin bought a candle. A oh-so-yummy-smelling fruity, gel, jar candle. She didn't have any amazing words of wisdom, just I LOVE YOU. I'll take it!

I know I was sick but, man, I was tearing up, feeling totally blessed, when they piled into my bed, bearing gifts that morning. Here's me and my 'middle child', helping me be happy at my surprise party.

all growed up

My baby just went on her first sleepover last night. (sniff, sniff) I wasn't home.

She's stayed at Memo's (my mom's) lots of times and also a couple family friend's houses, while Mitch and I were away. But that was with her sisters and was instigated by mom and dad.

Last night was her staying - with a friend - by herself. I guess she's all growed up now. I also know this because her daddy just saw her swinging outside. And she can pump all by herself. Sigh.

And while I'm in this mommy mode, can I recommend to you an amazing book that will make you cry? A teacher showed me "Let Me Hold You Longer" a couple weeks ago - she warned me to grab the kleenex. Yep, I needed it.

My Robi-bird (12/06)

Easter 2008

Me and my crew


My princesses

It's nice to have an 'acting big brother'
(a great friend from church)

It's the eggs - that horror of horrors, I didn't quite get HARD boiled. Soft-boiled easter eggs are not so resilient and quite messy to clean up after a lively easter egg hunt.

random photos from the last couple weeks

Super Sunday! Chandler with a friend.

My little Robi-bird with baby Phin (belonging to this hip chic)

Jaci with her student teacher who left a couple weeks ago. (she called Jaci her little twin)

one heckuva man

I've been blessed the last few weeks while observing My Beloved be Daddy to his girls. He has taken over taking the girls to school 2 mornings a week. Those 20 minute morning drives are filled with Daddy and his girls talking to Jesus in their 'tongues'. He told me their focus right now is our finances. Bless God.

And then lately {like the last 2 days} it's been really nice outside. Mitch and the three girls have been playing baseball in the front yard. Looks like they all have quite a hit when Daddy pitches to them. I've heard about more 'homers' in the last 48 hours than I have in my life.

Oh, one more. I had a Ladies Night at church last night. Mitch made chocolate chip cookies with the girls. And just know, the kitchen is not Mitch's natural habitat. The few cookies that actually got baked - they ate most of the dough - were pretty stinkin' good.

I am blessed. My girls are blessed. We got ourselves one heckuva man in this house!

just plain weird

A few years ago, when I had three children 5 and under, I dreamed of even 20 minutes alone. It seemed like 'me time' was non-existent, as it probably was.

Today, I'm home again, though just for an hour, by myself. Mitch is still at work and the girls at an hour long after-school class at a church (not ours). This is after 2 kids were in school all day. One was at preschool for the morning. I had bible study so technically, I wasn't alone this morning. But my point is this, I never dreamed I would have so much 'alone time'. If you would have told me, in the midst of diapers and 'juicie', that I would have a quiet house with no little people chattering, in just a few short years. Honestly, I would have laughed.

Now some would say it's wrong or selfish to have the kids gone for multiple hours during the day. Some would be rejoicing at activities that keep the kids away and the house quiet. I just say, it's weird. It's not good, not bad. Just plain weird.

no photos

If I was a good mamma, this post would be full of photos of our venture to the Children's Museum yesterday. Alas, no photos. But we really did go to the Children's Museum - which we have a yearlong pass to {complements of my parents} - and we had a great time. I love a place that can keep all three of my girls {ages 4, 7, and 9} busy. We even got to chill and read a few books together on the book-reading mat. Good times.