Happy Tuesday

Quote for the day

"A pleasure is full grown when it is remembered"

CS Lewis

I snapped this picture on Sunday. Three little book worms all in a row.

Friends

I read somewhere how friendship changes over the course of a woman's life. As a teenager/young adult, friends are everything. Later, in the busyness of childrearing, friendships taper off simply because of time constraints. Then somewhere in our forties, we re-visit that need for dear friends when we have more time for ourselves.

When I read that I thought "well, how ridiculous!" A woman needs sister/friends nearly as much as the air she breathes!!
And it's true I tell you. The need doesn't leave just because you're raising five kids and can hardly find the time to screw on your head. It just goes unfulfilled for a while.
Having low maintenance friends definitely helps. The kind that know you love them without a daily phone call. Years apart can pass and it feels just the same when you finally do get together. I love that!
On the other hand, I hate it when years pass between visits! Can you tell I felt lonely for a sister/friend today? I wanted to be with a dear friend, several came to mind actually, but couldn't seem to find the time to even pick up the phone.

And I love this childrearing time in my life.. wouldn't want to rush it or change it. But still, I look forward to my forties when I can make more time for friends.

more on boys

Just one boy actually. He'll be eleven months old tomorrow. I'm in the mood to gush but I'm going to, well.. not. I'll just say a few things.

• he's officially weaned
• and potty trained
• I love him
• he's perfect
• just kidding about the potty training.

boys

Several years ago I taught a primary class. Six boys.. all five years old. And I'd never really been around little boys. Didn't know how to handle them. At home I had three lovely, quiet, little girls and they were absolutely nothing like these boys.

(This is my brilliant, handsome 14 year old nephew.

I'm pretty sure he's going to rule the world someday.)

These boys smelled. And made, you know... noises.. that smelled. They punched and yelled. A lot. As horrible as it sounds.. I think I liked little girls much more than I liked little boys.

(This is my other brilliant, handsome 11 year old nephew.

I already know of two little girls who want to marry him.. ahem..

if they weren't related.)

And then I had two little boys of my own. Two rowdy, smelly, perfect little boys.
And I can't for the life of me figure out how anyone could possibly love little girls more than little boys.
Thank heaven for balance! Our house now has it as well as my heart.

A winter beach

We took my sis and her family to the beach while they were here. She said it wouldn't count as a vacation if they didn't get to see the ocean and for heaven's sake we wanted it to count!! The day was grey and cool but we still had a great time.

Abbey's baptism

eight

I'd like to say I can hardly believe she's eight..

but the truth is Abbey has always seemed more grown up to me than she really is.
The girls is confident and powerful. It's awesome really. She's awesome.
Abbey keeps me in line and for that I'm grateful. Most of the time.