Back in the saddle

We're finally back, but it took multiple espresso shots to get us to 10pm. There is always the strange look I get when ordering the quad grande white mocha. Unfortunately, you really do have to watch them make your drink. My brain knows when they short change me on the caffeine. Late nights and early mornings are in full swing as we are deep into fundraising mode for the Buddy Walk in October.

Where do these children get their energy? Rainie Grace is still up watching Little House on the Prairie. She seems to always get her way when the pitch goes up in her voice, "Can I please watch Laura Ingals?"

KC and I both grew up with animals in our homes. As parents, neither one of us has any tolerance for pets, but this week we have completely lost our minds. We finally broke down and got a...gecko. And some fish. Really pushing the limits of what my meds can control.

Brandel turned one a few weeks ago, and has started walking everywhere. Surprisingly, he hasn't been run over during the onslaught of hugs I receive when I get home in the evenings. What a great feeling to get all that love to end my day. We are still debating on what to do about the hair. It's crazy. Thick, wavy, curly...just like me. Ha! My bald spot is getting so big I look like Tebow during Broncos Camp.

My turn to rub Rainie Grace.

OK. I love rubbing Rainie-Grace's feet at 10:40 at night. However, I interrupted the kids evening w/ a Chic-fil-a craving. The closest Chic-fil-a is 35 mins from here but I rationalized it by stopping at Staples for ink cartridges. ;) I was a little stir crazy since I've been in this house all week but an hour into our excursion, and two chocolate milkshake clean-ups later, I remembered why I don't go anywhere; my nerves can't take it! I did survive two days at St. Augustine Beach on our summer break. I didn't think I'd make it that long w/ the 118* heat index and 3 little people. Sight seeing was less then appealing in that heat. As was chasing the crawling baby down the shore to the Atlantic ocean that was ready to drag his cute self to sea! Rainie-Grace and Rebekah loved the waves but neither were any match for the undertow. Needless to say, my options were to sit in a beach condo or drive the two hours to my comfy bed and CLEAN home. Hmmmm ...... Now that was a vacation. Three babies who only want to snuggle mama is easy. It's those boys that will wear me out! Or my nerves anyway. They enjoyed themselves fishing and body surfing the rest of the week. Fortunately, we watched shark week the week after the beach vacation where Josh and the boys fished night and day w/ bait in their pockets in waist deep water. After watching that I'm certain they won't do that again! On a lighter note, we are all practicing our bowling skills on the wii since we will be bowling in the best buddy bowling tourney in Spring Hill at the end of this month. Thank you Zuidema family for this fun event. We are also plugging away at our studies. Still finishing up last year and we will not be taking a break so we can start this year before Halloween. I remind these kids that their whole life is a break w/ the number of trips we go on through out the year. But that's the joy of homeschooling. In summary, our day to day is pretty mundane. We are really excited about our Buddy Walk this October. Which is approaching surprisingly fast considering Rebekah and Brandel are still taking swim lessons! Rebekah floating on her back in the pool while hollering is quite a sight. Josh says that's part of the survival technique; you'll hear her in the pool if she falls in. I'm seeing swim scholarships for my girls. Really nothing much else to share. I just wanted to update this blog since the last post was FOUR months ago. But now that I have Josh on board we'll do this more often. Good night.