For your listening pleasure. . . .

It's A Boy!!

HA! Did I fool ya? I was hoping to shock someone! No, not a human boy, our new fur-baby Cooper. Don't ask me why we need another dog, we don't of course but I have been wanting a small inside dog for awhile. I've been looking through craigslist everyday and finally when I saw the pictures of these pups I was in love, I knew this was the one for us. He is a cocker spaniel/chihuahua mix, he really looks like a mini cocker, or a mini cooper-get it? So far he has been the best little guy ever, totally housebroken already, loves to cuddle, doesn't bark (whines a little), and gets along with our other 2 dogs. I can't believe our beloved Belle is 12 years old, she has been through it all with us. Randy really didn't want another dog but graciously went along with me and now I think he secretly likes the dog more than I do. As soon as he walked in the door yesterday he wanted to know where the mutt was, then I catch him all cuddled up on the couch together, how sweet! Hopefully he will survive the kids ever loving hugs and be a great addition to our family.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Oh come on, you know you feel like singing! Actually the first day of school was harder than I thought. You think it's sad when your kid starts kindergarten, just wait until you drop them off at high school for the first time! I didn't expect the rush of emotion as I said goodbye to Darrin that day. Just the thought that I only have 3 years left with him kills me, I am definitely not ready. Later Kyle left to catch the jr. high bus at the end of our street. I poked my head out the door to see if it had come yet just in time to see him get on the bus. I found myself begging Heavenly Father to please take care of him. Jr. High is a whole new world I wish I didn't have to expose him to but I guess they have to grow up sometime. As much as I love summer and the kids being home, I really love back to school time! It has been a good week, I can't believe how much I have gotten done, cleaning, errands, down time, it's great! The best thing is that when I clean, it actually stays clean! What I really love is that with all the big kids at school all day, I get to spend one on one time with my babies, the two littlest members of our family. It's sad but they kinda get lost in the crowd when everyone's home. Today we are headed to the library and then coming home for naps, how nice is that!

The big kids, ready for school! (Yes I failed to get a picture of the middle children, they're always left out!)

Double Digits!

Ryan has finally made it to the magic number, Happy 10th Birthday Ryan! There is just something great about turning 10, you're finally in the double digits! Do you remember how cool it was? I know I do! Yesterday I was telling Ryan the story of the day he was born, I mentioned that daddy went and got us Burger King for lunch before we headed to the hospital and Ryan said that must be why he likes cheeseburgers so much! Funny kid! We are so glad that Ryan is a part of our family, he has a funny sense of humor but also has his daddy's inquisitive mind, he is definitely a thinker-and cute too! Happy Birthday Ry-guy, we love you!

Sprinkler Fun

I feel like we are snowed in. I guess if we lived somewhere where it actually snowed we would all be stuck inside the house. Instead we are stuck inside because it's too darn hot to go outside. Last night after dinner we braved the blazing heat and took the kids outside to have some fun running through the sprinklers. I used to do this all the time as a kid, I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner, the kids loved it! I think they had more fun jumping on the wet trampoline and sliding everywhere than actually running through the sprinklers but it was good to see them outside, laughing and playing. Since we are all stuck inside this house there tends to be a lot of fighting throughout the day and it seems we've all had enough of each other! I love to see them having fun together. Even little Lyndi loved getting wet, then rolling in the sand box-why are kids drawn to mud? Randy turned the hose on the slide and they all took turns going down the "waterslide" into the sandy mud puddle. We hosed them off pretty good before coming inside but there was still sand stuck to their bodies when I peeled their swimsuits off. Summer is almost over, well not the heat but the lazy day to day things we don't have to do. With all the kids at home everyone always asks if I'm ready for school to start, the truth is yes and no. I love the break from our hectic school year lives. It's nice to get away from schedules, routines, and homework. Even though the kids drive me crazy I love having them home with me. My oldest is going to high school this year, I think I'm more sad over that than his first day of Kindergarten! There is something about the smell of new pencils, paper and school clothes that really makes me happy though. As much as I love them, yes I am counting down the days now! My house just might stay clean now for more than 10 minutes, and maybe I can go a whole minute without someone calling "MOM!"