"When's Valentine's Day?"

Willem just asked me as we were looking at our blog page. I told him in about 16 or 17 days. He replied, "We're not at Target, Mommy." We've had the discussion a couple of times when out shopping about marketing well before a day occurs...

"Your heart is...

the most special part of inside your body and the most beautiful part. Your bones are special too because they hold you together." Anatomy lesson by BG. We had a 'date' tonight after gymnastics and ventured to McDonalds in the snow. She loves the undivided attention and even commented that because we were the only people in McDonalds, except the workers, that she could hear me talk and I could hear her talk. Poor girl feels she's not heard... She's getting excited about Daddy being home and was really happy to hear that he would be here for her birthday!

I must be used to it...

because I haven't even mentioned the snow lately! Either that, or I've been so self-absorbed I haven't even noticed it... It's been snowing a little bit almost every day the last week and we've had one day last week of no school and two delays and looks like more snow tonight and tomorrow and Wednesday... Maybe I haven't noticed as much because of the snow shovel fairies clearing my driveway before I get to it most days. Thanks, neighbors!

Valentine's Day...

will be a little early in our house this year, so deal with the cutesy background...

Last week

went pretty well, despite going into it with a bad additude! We stayed pretty busy with some organization projects in the house and kids activities and some 'date nights.' Our wonderful babysitter, M, is home for college break so I've been taking full advantage of her time the last couple of weeks! BG had gymnastics Tuesday night and it was great to leave the other kids at home and take her by myself and watch a little bit and then actually get a workout in at the gym... Also got a pedicure and lunch with some girls in on Tuesday. Tried a Greek place we hadn't been to before and probably won't go again... Didn't know phyllo could be that texture... Then Wed night I had to take BB up to the ski area to get fitted for his snowboard equipment and we made a date of it with dinner and a haircut for him after. He chose Texas Roadhouse for dinner and still amazes me with his appetite: 6rolls, half rack of ribs (we shared a full rack dinner), part of a bloomin' onion, couple bites of rice and veggies and a Sprite! He's asked to go back almost every night since then... Then Thursday night we went up to the ski area (only 25 minutes from here) for his first snowboarding lesson. 2 hours later he was ready to try skiing instead, but decided he would stick it out and see if it gets easier. I'm also going to give it a try this week when he goes for his lesson and also trying cross country skiing tomorrow! I've said this before, but I am always refreshed when I get to spend time with my kids one on one. They are so different by themselves and we all need that reconnection so I don't throttle them when they're fighting with each other or destroying the house or waiting until I'm on the phone to get my attention... Friday, BG recieved an award for Peacemaker of the Month for the value of Compassion and then we had a great time at dinner with 4 other families (minus daddies) to include 18 kids. Luckily our friends have a huge house and they were all able to spread out and we could all relax and enjoy. Then Saturday we attended a birthday party at a place with a huge bouncy house/play area and laser tag. Twins ended up coming too, since they supposedly had no room for them (another story) at the Saturday care. BB lost his other front tooth during the party after LG kicked him in the mouth on the way there. We topped off the week with another great dinner with our friends down the street last night. So, the busyness and the great friends and support and the reconnecting with my kiddos were just what I needed to get through another week! J should be home sometime this weekend (YAY!) so this week is busy getting his office put back together, haircut for me and the usual activities. My prayer for the week: God please give me the energy finish what I start.

I am so ready...

for my husband to come home. For 'good' would be nice, but I'll take the two weeks he gets coming up in the latter part of January. All the little things (including the little people) are starting to add up and wear me down. Weary would be the word that best describes my attitude right now... Not quite to the point of not caring, or that I'm going to lock my children in a closet just yet, but to the point where I'm going to scream if I can't even sit down for a cup of coffee without the powdered sugar being dumped all over the kitchen. I know the powdered sugar shouldn't be within reach, but we had just finished breakfast and I wanted coffee before cleaning up! Weary of being sick and tired too and wondering when my energy levels will come up or if this is going to be it for the rest of my life. Weary of worrying about it. Weary of having one 'productive' day out of three. And you're probably weary of the whining already! I am ready for the big kids to go back to school tomorrow and I am ready for J to be here just to give me a break and a few days of sleeping in to recharge for the next four months.

I originally sat down to write about resolutions but you got whining instead and then I got to thinking that I don't feel a whole lot of resolve right now to do anything which brought me to how much I really need my husband home for a little bit... So after I make it through the next couple of weeks, I'll look back on this to remind myself of my goals for the New Year.

The main thing is health:
1. Spiritually, I'm feeling the void from not attending church regularly and my prayer life could use a boost.
2. Physically, hoping the cancer thing is under control but won't know until March, but taking the steps I need to with diet and exercise to help that along. Feeding my children better food.
3. Financially, doing a better job on sticking to our budget and cutting out the 'impulse' buys.

I'm sure there are a lot more things I could be resolving to do, but I'll be happy to get one out the three listed accomplished...