A B Day and Sweet Toot

We were finally able to celebrate Joshy's birthday yesterday, only a few days late due to illness! He's so excited that he's three now. I am so exited that he's three now too: Wegman's playroom!!
In other news, Rachel's first tooth came in, and I am happy to report that it's a sweet tooth! As Joshy's cake was her first taste of frosting, we have now discovered her affinity for all things sugared. A girl after my own heart!

CANCELLED!

One thing I REALLY hate about this time of year (other than the fact that it IS this time of year) is all the cancellations due to weather and sickness. I think that we've cancelled EVERYTHING this past month: a trip to my brother's, small group, church, dinner with friends, and the coup de resistance (is that right Mrs. Doughty?)...Joshy's birthday party tonight! Today is his third birthday and last night he ran a fever and didn't sleep well at all. He is no better today and they are squeezing us in at the doctor's. Nice way to spend a birthday, huh? Poor guy!
I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can You Believe It?

Today is not a normal day. No one is *very* sick, but nobody is feel themsleves. Benjamin stayed home from school today with a pretty bad cough and is confined to his bed . (I don't want him to think he can stay home and play and watch tv all day, though I am SURE that's what he was planning on!)
After lunch I was on the phone and asked the kdis to go upstairs until I was done. Ben was confined to the boys' room, Rebekah to the purple girls' play-room, and Josh to my room (Rachel was already asleep in the girls' room).
When I finished on the phone and went up to check on the kids (and put Josh down for his nap), I saw that he had snuggled under my covers and fallen asleep. Josh never has a problem taking a nap, but he doesn't usually put himself to bed. UNBELIEVEABLE!

Happy Birthday to ME!

I had a great start to my birthday!
I got to sleep in.
At about 8am I heard a little knock on my door and five smiling faces came in singing, "Happy Birthday to You!". I got breakfast in bed, which I had to share with two little munchers who already had their own breakfast but apparently thought that mine was better.
Following breakfast in bed, I got CAKE in bed, complete with candles and everything! (Of course I had to buy my own cake when I was out the other day!) We pulled back the sheet and partied away!
I love frosting, Rebekah loves frosting, and now Rachel LOVES frosting. She's barely on solids, but I gave her a little taste, and BOY! does she love it! I can't wait until this summer and one of our favorite pastimes...ICE CREAM STANDS!!!
As Rachel took her nap, John took the other three outside to play in the snow, so I got some alone time.
The sun is shining! It's going to be a great day!!

PS...Look at this precious little peanut! I put the picture on the sidebar but wanted to add it here to make sure you caught it. Isn't she just the CUTEST!? Can you see the little pigtails in her hair?

S.A.D.

At times, things can really seem consuming, can't they?
I don't know about you, but the weather really affects my mood. Our bad weather comes in about November and seems to stay until May. Overcast skies, the snow's turned gray from the salt on the roads.
I have always been affected by hormonal changes too; for a good year after each pregnancy, I have felt "not quite myself" as my body regulates itself again.
Who cannot help but feel cautious about the economy?
I found out that a friend went through a divorce and another good friend's family situation is very unstable.
Yesterday I heard that the daughter (6 years old) of a college friend died.
Life is overwhelming, isn't it?
Again, I return to a word of hope from the Bible:
Yet, this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed... (Lam. 3:21-22)

This Ain't No Chuck E Cheese

This morning Josh found a coin on the floor. He asked me if it was a Chuck E Cheese coin. I told him no.
Later when I was doing the laundry, I found his coin inserted into the side of the washer. I guess he figured that it was a coin that operated a "mommy game". :)

We Went to the Pool

We went to a hotel this past Sunday night/ Monday. The kids had off school, well we THOUGHT Ben had off school. It was originally a day off, and I marked it on the calendar as such. At some point it was declared a "Snow Make Up Day", but I missed the announcement. I got a letter in the mail today telling us it is an illegal absence. They aren't going to call the truant officer on us yet. ;)

The kids LOVED the pool, but do you know what their favorite part of all was?

Riding the luggage cart down to the lobby when we left!