Prince Avery and some Hum Drum Days

Here is Alayna giving Avery the royal treatment. A snack and a wagon ride. They play really well together when they aren't fighting....And that's about the only excitement we've got going on here lately.

Life on cruise control can be a good thing I know. But recently, I've felt like I am driving down the same road day in and day out. All our days are the same, with little break in our routine. It's making me really restless too. Lately, I am itching to get out of this house and go somewhere...anywhere! Today, Alayna read the story of Frog and Toad, and I was completely empathizing with Toad who kept eagerly looking around corners for spring. Spring never seemed to be around any corner that he looked.

I'm stuck in a strange kind of limbo life. Living somewhere for just one year can be a challenge. You can't really throw yourself into church, the community, etc...because well, you're leaving soon and it takes some doing once you've attached yourself to a place to then again unattach yourself. As a military wife, I've become an expert at this. One of the coping skills I've developed (as I think most army wives do), is to invest myself less in a location the shorter the time I'm there. For me however, being involved in things only half-heartedly leaves me wandering aimlessly. I still miss where we came from and am not particularly excited about where we're going and then here I am hanging somewhere in between these two lives in yet a different location!

Okay well, after that spontaneous pity party, I realize that Rob at least, had something very exciting happen to him today. He was sworn into the Supreme Court. This means he could technically practice in front of the Supreme Court. While that is not likely to happen, it's still cool! Basically, it's something else to hang on the wall in his office. Afterwards, there was a reception with a few of the Supreme Court Justices. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience. I may have pictures later. They wouldn't allow them in the Court room for security purposes, but there should be some other pictures from the event floating around soon.

A Mom Without a Comeback!

It's a horrible feeling really. As a Mom, you're supposed to have an answer for everything (at least my Mom always did whether her answer was right or not). Full of wisdom, advice, and the last word, your children look up to you and think you're amazing. That is how I remember viewing my Mom in the early years and so perhaps that is why I am somewhat flummoxed when I don't have an answer or a timely quip to defend my position on something.

I've always been very skilled at arguing. Maybe I am out of practice because my husband just doesn't participate. At any rate, a week hardly goes by that my mind is not scrambling for the perfect response to something Alton or Alayna say. Usually it is with Alayna who is always keeping Rob and I on our toes. She can quote us verbatim on anything we've said and will always remind us if we have not made good on our word. We expect to be on the defensive with her.

With Alton, I'm caught off guard more easily. He's very obedient and sensitive, rarely talks back, and is just compliant. He is basically Rob. This morning's conversation once again caught me off guard and left me with absolutely no good response.

Me: "Alton, your room used to always be cleaner than Alayna's. Lately though, she's been keeping her room much cleaner than yours." (Okay, I realize this breaks the whole not pitting your kids against each other rule. Don't worry, Alton took me to task).

Alton: "I mean, who cares Mom? It's not like it's a contest."

I stood there for a minute outside the bathroom door where he was cleaning the sink. Nope, I really can't think of anything to say to that, and walked back down the stairs in deep thought.

This and That

So Impressed!

While it might look like an ordinary dinner, it is special because it is the first meal in almost 13 years of marriage that Rob prepared all by himself!

I had to stay at church later than the rest of the fam to sing for second service, so I usually have something in the crockpot waiting when Rob and the kids get home. This week however, all my crockpot recipes sounded old and tired. This one took a little preparation and since Rob was home, well, I gave him the instructions and sent him on his way. Now he knows how to steam fresh green beans and throw some fish in the oven. Hmmm...maybe we can actually take turns cooking meals now!

Something We Love...

Netflix "watch instantly" on the computer

Perfect for spontaneous FREE movie events.

(Notice Avery's sense of humor is not quite up to par with Alton and Alayna).

Quote of the Day

Mom to Alton - "Are you leaving that stuff on the floor for the maid to pick up?" (note, we do not "employ" a maid).

Alton looking directly at Mom - "I'm surprised the maid asked."

To My Favorite Valentine!

Just a few of the reasons why I love you...

You're sooo adorable!

You're such a great Daddy!

You're so patient with me...

I'll love you forever!

9 Miles and Counting!

I just finished running 9 miles for the first time in my life! My running club group has been inching up a 1/2 mile each week and then after New Year's we began adding 1 mile a week. I'll get up to 11 miles two weeks before the 10 mile race I've been training for for almost 6 months.

It's amazing to go from having only run 3 miles to 10 in such a short time. I'd love to say that I feel great after this morning's run, but actually I feel the worst I've felt. Normally, my muscles aren't sore. I end up having to take a nap later in the afternoon and my left knee has to be iced, but no muscle pain. Today, I don't know what was different, but my body aches from top to bottom. At mile 7 I began asking myself, "Why do I want to run 10 miles again?"

Fortunately, my running buddies always keep me going. Within my group, I have about 7 ladies that I run with. Two are military spouses and the others we've picked up along the way because they run at our pace. It's so cool. Sometimes there are two men that run with us too, but they must have been feeling pretty energetic today because we never caught up with them. It interesting too, how we often switch leaders. One of my friends compared it to a flock of birds because someone who's been in the front often moves to the back and someone else picks up the lead.

The whole thing is an extremely rewarding experience. Running with other people working towards the same goal, is a great feeling. If there's a running club in your area, join it!

A Beautiful Day

Unseasonably warm weather brought our school room outdoors today. Avery was completely occupied and presented no challenges. Alton and Alayna however, were more than a little distracted by thier premature "spring fever."