Random Musings and Photos

This morning I woke up with an overwhelming sense of anticipation. There is something happening tonight and I just know it will change my life just as it has each previous Wednesday night. That's right, it's kind of embarrassing how much I look forward to it but tonight "So You Think You Can Dance" is on!!!!! Woo hoo!!! This is the first year I've really gotten into this show and I'm afraid I have taken my devotion to an extreme level. I think part of the reason this season is so thrilling for me is the fact that for me to get off the couch or walk across the room is a struggle and anything but graceful so to watch these superhuman people leap and lift and kick and just be amazingly graceful and strong just kind of holds extra fascination for me. Anyway, can't wait to see what these crazy (crazy as in off the charts creative and VERY colorful) choreographers come up with tonight for some seriously amazing dancers.


Now so that this post isn't entirely about my pathetic tv show devotion I am posting some random pictures from the last few weeks that I have been previously too lazy to post. Here you go:

Nate's birthday

Celebrating his birthday at the fun center. We actually went there to play laser tag, but eventually found our way over to the little arcade section. Anna mastered the claw, and the kids happily turned their tokens over so she could win them treats.

Nate taking a racing game VERY seriously

Cousin sleep over last night, the boys have spent the morning doing the marble track.

Update

Happy Father's Day to all you Dads out there. I have the utmost respect for good Dads and am so grateful the ones in my life. I feel so blessed to have been raised by such a great man for a Dad. He is still such a huge support and Brennan and I both rely on his wisdom, insight, generosity and love on a regular basis. I also feel so grateful to have Brennan as my partner in raising our kids. He knows how to make everything fun, but also knows when to be serious. He seems to just intuitively understand when to be gentle and tender and when to be firm. He helps keep things in perspective when I start to focus too much on one of the kid's challenges.

For Brennan's paragraph this week I'll share something that I don't mean to be obnoxious about, but as this is our family history this is something I want our kids to read about their Dad. As previously mentioned Brennan has been beyond-my-ability-to-describe-happy about qualifying for the State Am. However, this week as he was out golfing he realized he had 15 clubs in his bag and that he did during his qualifier. Evidently that's very illegal in a tournament. He knew of a guy who won his (like got first place) qualifying tournament walked out to the parking lot, realized he had 15 clubs, went back in to report it and was disqualified. Brennan was sick about his discovery, but called the UGA and told them what happened. Evidently because it was 2 weeks after the fact, he wouldn't be disqualified. Had he or anyone else discovered it that day he would be out. He risked all that hard work to be honest about an innocent mistake. We love Brennan.

I am doing well. It's an odd time right now in that there's a lot of discomfort and anticipation of even more discomfort; however, the miraculousness of it all has started to dawn on me. I feel an overwhelming sense of humility and gratitude to be part of such an amazing process of bringing a new life into the world and into our family.

Anna has had a really great week. She is loving tennis and is showing some great potential. She's also had so much fun playing with and taking care of her little nieces. We've been with cousins a lot lately and I'm always so grateful that even though none of the cousins who live around here are even close to her age, she LOVES any chance to be with them. Most of the time she devotes her time to her 4 yr old and two 18 monthish little girl cousins. They all absolutely love her and relish the attention she gives them. We love Anna.

The other day Abigail was telling me about why she no longer liked a little girl who had been in her school class. After she finished telling me all the drama she said, "Sometimes I wish I was a boy. One day they're like 'I hate you!' and then the next day they're all 'Hey, wanna play football?' Girls just don't forgive and forget like that." Last night she said, "Mom, I know this will be really hard for you, but could you please get up early and help us make breakfast for Daddy?" LOL, it was hard, but I did it. Abby is also loving tennis and we're so excited to have them learn some fundamentals so we can go hit with them. We love Abigail.

Nathan is in swimming lessons and loves it. Which is so great considering two years ago I literally could not get him out of the car. He got a marble track racer thing for his birthday from Grandma Jamie and Grandpa John which he has spent HOURS on. He begged for marbles for his birthday and is so great at occupying himself with these simple pleasures. He and Ben and I were the only ones awake the other morning and I was helping them set up the marble thing when Nate spontaneously said, "I love you Mom, I love you Ben." We love Nate.

Yesterday I walked into my room where Ben was napping and discovered him awake. "How long have you been awake?" I asked. In his taking-himself-super-seriously-voice he replied, "Furty-seven (thirty-seven)". We then went to the pool at Liza's neighborhood and he was decked out in Nate's swimming mask, a big huge swimming floaty suit in the kiddie pool which is not more than a foot deep. He was jumping and diving and struggling in a way that we just knew in his mind he was conquering waves in the unexplored oceans far far away for a very important purpose. We love Benjamin.

Update

We have had a great first week of summer vacation with the kids. The girls are in tennis lessons twice a week and LOVING it. Tuesday we went swimming with Eliza and her kiddies even though it was only 68 degrees that didn't stop us. Wednesday the kids entertained themselves while I got to go to a shower for my cousin and visit my Grandma and then we all went to Nate's last t-ball game. Thursday we had our first playgroup with a bunch of my aunts and cousins and kids (it's officially called "Cousin Camp"). We did a talent show and the definite highlight was an indescribably cute 5 year old little cousin of mine decked out in a spiderman costume running around the stage doing various awesome spidey poses. Cannot begin to explain how funny and cute it was. Friday was pretty mellow ending with the kids and a bunch of neighbor kids playing night games. There are times when living in the house I grew up in just makes me so nostalgic I could choke. Night games in this yard and this street just brought my wonderful childhood all right back. Saturday, Nate's birthday topped off by Brennan taking all the kids to a nearby golf course where he had arranged with the manager to come at night and ride a golf cart down to a little pond where there are always tons of frogs. Summer is a beautiful thing.


Brennan had a big week. He set a goal four years ago to qualify for the State Amateur Golf Tournament. He was pretty devastated the first time he went for it and didn't make it. Two more years same thing. He's not used to really putting his mind to something and not getting it. Well, this year was his year, he did it! He shot a 75 and on a rough, rainy day. They were predicting that 74 would be the cut off, but it ended up being 75 so he is in, he qualified! The tournament starts the day before the baby is due and goes for 5 days. He is suddenly a huge proponent for having the baby induced early :). Don't worry, I will do all in my power to make sure he doesn't miss this. I'm really so happy for him. We love Brennan.


I pulled out lots of little baby girl clothes and baby boy clothes and washed them and smelled them and got SO EXCITED to meet this little one. There just isn't anything like a baby, and the fact that we get one soon is finally hitting me. Oh, and here's something funny. Each time I go for a check up at the OB, my blood pressure is 110 over something. Week after week it was the same and then a few weeks ago it was 130 over something. I was kind of alarmed, but the following week it was back to 110. Hmmm, which week do you think I had two little boys with me trying to keep them contained in the tiny room?


Anna has suddenly matured so much. She is wanting to be more helpful to me and has really stepped it up. The other night we had breakfast for dinner. With a few instructions from me she totally made and cooked the pancakes all by herself while mercifully distracting Benny from a huge meltdown and letting him help her. She also voluntarily cleaned out her bedroom closet, 4 garbage bags later it's almost done. Yeah, kind of a pack rat, but she called me down and I was brutal. She only protested a little while I chucked her 2nd grade math notebook, note that Abby wrote about a pretend party they were having, etc. She did however refuse to part with some tiny foam animals and a broken snow man. She's so creative she's always seeing some way of re-using things in the future. We love Anna.


Abby, inspired by the beloved pancakes we had for dinner the other night as well as a few movie favorites, "Nacho Libre" and "Three Amigos" donned a cowboy hat, stick horse and rode around the house delivering messages rolled up and tucked in her hat. Each message, one for each member of our family, said the same thing, "I love you, from: El Pancake" She was cracking herself up. It was so Abby -- out of the blue, affectionate and entertaining. We love Abigail.

Since the whole previous post was on Nate, I'll keep his paragraph brief. On his birthday Brennan asked, "So, Nate do you feel a lot older?" Nate responded thoughtfully, "No, not really, but I do feel a lot taller." We love Nathan.

The other day at our cousin camp I was holding my cousin's brand new baby and Ben walked up to me and said, "Mom, did your baby comed out?" Oh, if only it were that simple. Ben also told me tonight that the fan was making his eye grumpy. We love Benjamin.

Happy Birthday, Nate!

Six years ago today, on Friday the 13th, Natey joined our family. We were so excited to welcome a little boy into our very girl home.

He was the chubbiest, happiest baby. He was ready to laugh and smile at anyone or anything. There really is something to being fat and happy. He also developed a rather remarkable and adorable bond with his cousin 6 months older than him, Rex. Seriously, they have loved each other since the very beginning.

He has always been so easy to delight and is so grateful for the simple pleasures life has to offer him. He knows what he likes and what he doesn't and doesn't care to spend a lot of time negotiating. He is stubborn and sensitive and funny, sincere and oh so sweet. He's also passionate about the things he's into. Whatever is on his radar is all consuming and he wants to eat, sleep and talk nothing else.

For his birthday all he really really wanted besides a mini motorcycle which I told him wouldn't be happening was a basketball video game for the playstation my brother gave us. We traded in some of the games Davis gave us for a few sports ones including a basketball game. I'm always telling him that we've really got to limit his game time because video games suck people's brains out. He got the biggest grin on his face when he opened the games and then looked at me with a sheepish smile saying, "Mom don't be sad if I die from my brains being sucked out."


Tonight we had Chinese food for dinner and he asked me to read his fortune to him. It said something like, "you will soon have a chance for a profitable transaction." His eyes got really big and he asked, "What, you mean I'm going to be a prophet?"


I can't imagine our family without Nate. He brings all of us so much, so much laughter, fun, love, affection, craziness, tenderness, a whole new way of looking at things and just plain joy. Happy birthday my sweet big boy! We love Nate!!!

Update

Probably the most exciting news is that I've figured out the summer chores for my kids and one of Anna's jobs will be folding and putting away laundry twice a week!!!!! That is the part that clogs the whole system every time. Plus, she's actually excited. I told her she can watch Animal Planet while she folds. It's a win-win! You know it's bad when the closet is the last place people look for their clean clothes :( The other exciting thing is that the weather has been just perfect. The days are usually nice and sunny but by dusk a little storm rolls through and we can open the doors and let that just rained smell and cool night air in.

Brennan had a nice birthday and is adjusting to his old age well. We also celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary last week. Hard to believe it's been 12 years. Time flies when you're having fun, or when you're too tired or busy to keep track of it anymore. Just kidding, it really has been a wonderfully fulfilling happy time. Tonight Brennan got to escort our two daughters to a father/daughter activity at the church tonight. The activity had a western theme, so this is what they came up with.

"Scarecrow and the Misses King"

The girls had their ballet recital on Saturday night and danced beautifully. I'm especially proud of the fact that I managed to snap a picture wherein both of them were doing something weird with their eyes and/or face. Whatever grace and skill they have in dance I can't take credit for, troubles with being photogenic on the other hand... I'm afraid I have to take full credit.


Anna came home so sad from the last day of school. She loved her teacher so much and knowing how much she will miss her sort of cast a cloud on the big day. That said, she seems to have recovered her good spirits and is LOVING the freedom of summer. Her favorite pastime lately is borrowing my Ipod and singing her guts out while doing her chores. She's a fabulous mimic and can sing just like Elvis. Cracks me up. We love Anna.

My parents came by on Brennan's birthday to give him his gift. It was a great visit and after they left I said "What a lovely visit that was" in a British accent. Without missing a beat Abigail replied, "Indeed it was!" Totally caught me off guard. Indeed? Where did she get that? Another night for some reason we were discussing feet and I was teasing Brennan telling the kids that their Dad is disgusted by feet and is a kind of a wimp in that regard. Abby said, "You're calling your love a wimp?!" We love Abby.

Tonight while the girls went with Brennan I took the boys out for ice cream. We went to Dairy Queen and I was telling them they could get a dipped cone in Chocolate, Cherry or Butterscotch. Nate enthusiastically jumped in about how delicious the hopscotch kind was. Hopscotch, butterscotch, close enough. The other night I went in to check on the boys and Nate was still awake. He looked over at Benny and said to me, "Mom, isn't he so cute when he sleeps?" This sweet little guy will be 6 years old on Saturday! We love Nathan.

Benjamin seems to be sensing a big change coming and has been wanting more mommy time lately. He was struggling to get comfortable on my ever disappearing lap and finally in exasperation said, "Mom, the baby is taking forEVER to come out!" I know just how he feels. He's a funny little man who isn't always eager to embrace changes. I re-arranged the boys' room and he did NOT approve. Every night he told me, "I can't like my bed right here!" We got some new french doors in our family room and for the first several days after I'd watch him walk by and mutter, "I can't like those new doors." Let's hope he has a little more enthusiasm for the baby. We love Benny.

Happy Summer Break!

The Last Day of School

Yee Haw! I am so happy that today marks the last day of carpools, homework, projects, and classroom drama!!! Most of all I'm so excited for my kids to be around and to actually have some free time in their lives.

Yesterday the Kindergartners had their program. I know I keep saying this, but watching Nate perform is one of my all-time favorite things in the world because he takes himself SO seriously. There's just something funny about a little boy singing happy light little songs with happy light little choreography with his eyebrows furrowed in total concentration and seriousness.

Nate's End of Year Kindergarten Program from Andrea W. on Vimeo.

I had the girls each make a card for their teachers. This is what they came up with.

Anna's

Abby's

Birthdays!

Two of the people I love the very most have birthdays within days of each other. I've done many posts about Brennan, so I figured he could share this one with my sister, Eliza, who I've never done a post about.

First, since this very day is his 38th birthday, we'll start with Brennan. I love the picture below because it captures what I love very most about Brennan. Here he is having fun (which he can always manage) with our 4 kids. Having a big family wasn't necessarily in Brennan's plans. He's always liked kids and been really good with them, but for as laid back and mellow as he may seem he's truly a guy who likes order and simplicity and lots of downtime. Well, he doesn't get much of any of that, and yet he's embraced the path his wife has chosen for him (I'm mostly joking) and loves his kids and me and has learned to put up with the chaos and the disorder and the lack of downtime.


No one ever has to guess where they stand with Brennan. What you see is what you get and while I'm admittedly sometimes horrified by some of the things he says to people, in the end most people appreciate his realness and candor. I think too that most people instantly feel comfortable around him because of his total lack of pretentiousness and appreciate the freedom they feel to be themselves. He's always ready to laugh at himself and his quirks and lets me post freely about them, which I love. My book club comes ready each month to hear the latest Brennan story. Because he is so lovably open and willing to admit his lack of perfection, people often miss his depth, intelligence and sensitivity. He really is one of the most compassionate, tender-hearted people I've ever met and has naturally wise instincts. He's the whole package: a little crazy, fun, funny, genuine, loyal, game, good, and smart. Happy, happy birthday Brennan dear! I love you!



This is my little sister, Eliza, with her twin-I-mean-daughter, Belle. I have 4 brothers who I love dearly, but by the time my youngest brother was born I was getting sort of unamused by my sisterlessness. Finally a few months before my 12th birthday Eliza was born. She was my real live baby doll. I doted on her. I loved to fix her hair and dress her up and just love her.



I adored my sweet little sister. Then I grew up and got married and moved away. We were always close, but in totally different realms. When we moved back to the same state she was in high school and had really grown up. She doted on my kids and babysat and kept me company during those crazy young mothering days.

Then she grew up and moved away to school, came home, got married and had kids of her own (all within about 10 minutes I might add). Seven weeks after I had Ben she had Abe. Suddenly our 12 year difference was gone and we were both in the same stage of life. Now more often than not I look to her for advice and help and perspective.

Eliza has faced some pretty huge hurdles and in each instance I have been so impressed with her faith and strength in overcoming them. I admire her so much for our differences: she's creative, energetic, persistent, deep, open, sensitive, naturally and deeply spiritual, and totally unaware of her strengths. I love her so much for what we share: a need to extrovert, spontaneity (or what our husbands affectionately call "hopelessly unorganized"), a love of motherhood and family and the Gospel. She is truly one of my greatest blessings and a daily example of goodness in my life.

Happy birthday my dear little Lizey. I love you!