Thinking About Summer

Around this point in every school year my mind jumps ahead to summer vacation.  After the many months of the busy routine of the school year, I'm always ready for some downtime.  Last year that down time included a dream vacation in Hawaii.  Sadly, that is not the case this year.  But we can still have a nice summer right here at home.  I'm currently sifting through list of available summer camps and activities for the kids,  Here's what's on our summer agenda so far:

A will attend a one week camp that features various activities for rising kindergarteners.  N may attend the same camp, though his age group gets to choose from a wide variety of classes and activities.  He has a decision to make since this camp is the same week as the gymnastics camp he also wants to attend.

Both N and A will attend Bible School at the church of a friend.  Miss Patti runs an awesome bible school every summer and they look forward to it all year.  J will likely sign up as a junior counselor. 

I'm hoping all three will swim this summer.  J on the club team he is currently on and N and A at least in lessons.   The younger two may be able to do the club team as well.  We'll have to see. 

J tried out for and was selected for a summer tournament baseball team.  This will keep us busy most weekends in June and July as he plays in tournaments on college campuses around the state.  There will be one out of state tournament at Auburn University in July.

In late July, J will attend baseball camp at the University of Florida.  UF is currently his top college pick, so he's looking forward to that one.   In addition, he's hoping to attend another Baseball Factory training camp in Vero Beach.  That one is quite pricey, so we're working on getting him some sponsors.  It's a great opportunity so fingers crossed it works out!

Our summer schedule is looking pretty full already.  Hopefully, we'll manage some trips to the beach, movies, bowling, and other fun summer activities.  What's on your family's summer agenda so far?

Let's Play Clue

Jess- You've known us for a while now. We've talked about a meet up and now it's becoming a reality. Chris has marked the dates off on your calendar and now it's time to let you know. To figure out the date you may need to use Google. We depart on the same day the Navy christened the USS Natuilus in 1954. Now, visit the blog of your favorite Navy family for your next clue.

My baby is 15

Tomorrow J turns 15.  So naturally, I am feeling overly sentimental tonight as I remember anticipating his arrival just 15 short years ago.  As the firstborn, J enjoys the unique privilege of being the child that turned hubby and I from a couple into a family.  For four and a half years he reigned as the sole center of our world.  He was a blessedly easy baby, sweet and good natured from the moment he was born.  Over the years, he has remained sweet and good natured with a heart of pure gold.  As he anticipates getting his learner's permit, learning to drive,  and all the other exciting things that come along with growing up, I find myself at a bittersweet crossroads.  I feel so blessed to have a healthy, happy son who is growing up just as he should.  But my heart still longs for the sweet baby who made me a mommy for the very first time.

Circle of Friends

Friends.  We all have them.  Childhood friends, casual acquaintances, close friends.  Some are part of our daily lives and others we may only see or hear from occasionally.  We meet and make friends in various ways:  school, work, parties, playgroups, and kids' activities.  I have friends that I have met in all of those traditional ways.  But I also have a group of very special friends that I met on the Internet.  Before you begin to think I'm a few cards shy of a full deck, let me explain further.  When I was pregnant with A, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  In doing some online research, I stumbled on a website called babycenter.  In addition to the diabetes info I sought, I also found a group called January 2006 babies.  I began visiting the site frequently and eventually began posting on a thread titled Moms of Many.  All of the moms posting on this thread had three or more kids.  There were ten of us that posted on a regular basis and we clicked right away.  eventually we formed a private group page on another website and the rest is history.  We've been a group for five years now and I count these nine women among my nearest and dearest friends.  We live in nine different states, have a variety of backgrounds, political views, and parenting approaches.  We have 42 children between us, 41 with us and one angel in heaven.  It shouldn't work, but it does.  Each of us bring something unique to our group and I can not imagine not having the  Moms of Many in my life.  Over the years we've given each other support, love, friendship, and  a lot of laughs.  We've laughed together, cried together, and gossiped together.  I've had the pleasure of meeting all but three of these women in person.   Someday we would like to have a big meet up so we can all meet in person at last.  We go back and forth on whether we should include husbands and children or just have it be us girls.  Either way, I know it will be great.  But until then, J, E, L, A, S, C, H, M, and Z, I count you girls and your friendship among the biggest blessings in my life.  Love you all!


I also want to add that in addition to the nine fantastic ladies I mention above, I have also made other wonderful friends online.  While it's true that while on babycenter, I made the strongest connection with the Moms of Many, there are other ladies that I consider friends a well.  While I have only met one in person, I still consider them friends and will always remember our Jan 06 babycenter days with fondness.  (For those wondering, babycenter changed its format a few years back and just never recovered the charm of the old board.)

He MadeThe Team!

Anyone who has read this blog for any length of time knows J is into baseball in a big way.  He dreams of a career in the big leagues and has been working hard towards his goal of moving on from Little League to the next level, which is the high school team.  He tried out this week and I am proud to report he made the team!  The list was posted before school this morning and he called me about ten minutes after I dropped him off.  His voice held excitement and a tinge of disbelief as well.  I don't think it had quite sunk in yet.  without shame I will admit that I cried after I hung up the phone.  I'm just so proud of him.  So congratulations J on achieving the next step toward your dream!

Happy Birthday To My Sassy Girl

A is five years old today.  As I listened to her chattering away at the breakfast table while I frosted cupcakes for her class,  I wondered where five years have gone.   Has it really been five years since this beautiful, sometimes sweet, sometimes sassy little girl came into our lives?  A is fiercely independent, sometimes stubbornly so.  She is frequently too sassy for words and is always up to something.  She is a wonderful mix of tomboy and girly girl, playing baseball in the front yard one minute and with her Barbies the next.  She makes everyday sparkle in her own unique way.  Happy Birthday my precious girl.  I can't wait to see what the years to come hold.

  Two weeks old


  Always into something
  Her second Christmas




  Fourth Birthday




  In Maui this past summer

It's Been A While, I Know

Sorry for the long lapse since my last post.  The holidays kept me pretty busy and the blog was not high on the priority list for a while.  Now that things have returned to normal, I hope to get back to posting with some regularity.  I also hope everyone had a great holiday with their faimilies!