Popping in for a Minute

Hi! Yes, it's been over two months since I even logged into my blog -- I hang my head in shame. I have not quit blogging necessarily...I just don't have much time for it right now. I'm guessing I'll just have some random fits of blogarrhia every now and then. It's better than nothing, right?

Don't tell anybody, but I sneaked away from my Christmas projects for a few minutes so I can type this. Oh, and if you don't get any Christmas cards, it's because I'm still debating on doing them. I'm not sure if I'll have time to pull it off this year.

I'm still working at Chili's and I surprisingly like it quite a bit. I'm there about 2-3 times a week, and joke that it's saving me thousands in therapy. I love our kids dearly, but they need some good ol' pin-the-tail-on-Daddy time. And Mommy needs some time where she's not being clung to, not getting her hair pulled, not getting her skin pinched, and where I can string together multi-syllabic words into a coherant thought that has both a beginning and an end. Refreshing, it is.

Mike's up to his ears in church work. Especially on Sundays and Mondays (conveniently his days off from his paycheck-bearing job). As much as I try not to be bitter about the monopolization of his time off...I can't help but be just a little bit so. He's our Video Director, and is basically being a one man band when it comes to Video. He sets it up (5 am or so every Sunday). He's there until about 1 pm tearing down. He shoots the videos, he edits them, he uploads them to our church's website. He is literally the only one who does any of this. He has about 3 volunteers, but they don't do any of this. Mike finally told them that he needs some relief, or he won't be able to do this anymore. He's been doing this for over a year, and he still doesn't have anyone who is willing to do the things I just mentioned.

Mike just started going back to school last week (yes, again...poor guy), and there's only so much one can do on a weekly basis. The plus side is that school should be done, over, finis in 18 weeks. Praise God! He'll finally have a Bachelor's in I.T. I know he wants the degree, it's just the process he can't stand.

The kids are doing well. Andrew is in the beginning stages of reading. I am so excited! Although I'm an English buff, I am clueless on how to teach someone else how to read. His school started with sight words (i.e. am, I, and, when, can). Anyhow, this boy is sooo excited when he can recognize words, and is just now starting to sound out stuff. He has a passion for books, and I am so happy to oblige.

Alie is becoming more girly by the minute. She also likes to joke around, giggle, and just be silly. She's become very attached to me, and has a hard time when I go to work. Oh, and she has mastered the quivering bottom lip. Her lips are much like mine...a fuller lower lip that can stick out waaay far, and a slightly thinner upper lip. It's so hard not to laugh when she's about ready to blow. She's just a teensy bit overdramatic. On one of my two workdays, she'll do the lip thing, shed a real tear, and say "mommy, I miss you all the time!" For more emphasis she'll fling her little arms around my leg, neck, or whatever other available appendage she can snuggle with. It's cute in a pitiful sort of way.

Nathan is weathering the Child #3 title well. The poor guy frequently gets his naps interrupted because we have to go somewhere. The kids like to 'help' with the baby. They also like to hold him. Thankfully they know to sit while holding, rather than trying to drag him from room to room. Still. Currently he toothless, although I'm anticipating a fang or two anyday now. He sports a faux-hawk most of the time, and is loving his babyfood. He's eating 2 babyfood meals a day, still nursing for the most part, and has formula when I'm not around. He's a jolly kid. ALWAYS smiley. He's also discovering his voice. He'll sing, squeal, screech, and blabber pretty much the whole time he's awake. And he loves to be held. Non-stop really.

Ok, I've avoided Project Christmas long enough. It's been a joy to be back on the blog, and I hope to sneak on here a little more frequently. Ta ta!