When I get bogged down in the day-to-day of raising five children, I try to remember this poem. I want to have eyes that see...
I couldn't help it. I laughed so hard at this picture! Babies make the most awesome faces! This boy's got some serious chin.
No, of course this wasn't like the first time. I now know with certainty I'm not strong or wise enough. But I also know it doesn't matter. I have enough. I left the fear and uncertainty somewhere in my twenties, and now I just give what I have.
Is the sense of awe still there? That feeling of nearness to God on the day Owen was born? Absolutely! Everything about it was absolutely right. As I watched my five children on the day Owen came home, the feeling of Joy was unmistakeable. We need him and he needs us. 
He collected three times as many eggs as his sisters and was not happy when I tried to explain the ten egg maximum rule. It's the Egg hunt rules that try to keep it fair. Poor kid! He's not really into fair.
This is Lauren's best friend in all the world. When the two of them get together, the rest of the world falls away and all is right!
My two little reds with all their booty!
And the candy fest begins! There are times when I think my kids eat their body weight in candy daily. People give it to them wherever we go. We need t-shirts that read Please don't feed the kids! And so.. as the "no fun candy nazi mommy", I give them one day until it all mysteriously disappears. 
Ok, I'm done now. Thanks for listening. Cranky candy attitude aside, it was a beautiful day and we had a lovely time. I just love spring and sunshine and good friends! And candy. It's a love/hate thing with the candy. Truth is, I throw away all the kids gross candy, but I keep the good stuff for my own personal stash. I know, I know.. I need therapy. Or weight watchers. I should stop now. It's late and my filter gets thin. Good night dear friends!
4. These pictures have nothing to do with anything I'm saying. I just like them.
5. I want to say something about public school vs. home/charter school but can't open that can of worms right now. We enrolled the girls in public this year so I'd be free to experience morning sickness without distraction. It was the right choice, but.. but ... oh the turmoil of it all!
6. I've never actually paid for a pedicure. I mean, we're talking about feet here. Is there really anything you can do to make feet more attractive? It's like putting lipstick on a troll. But maybe the experience is the attraction and not the polish? I think I may try it.
Somewhere in those seven months my baby fully mutated into little boy. When exactly and how, I don't really know. I never gave him permission, but he went and did it anyway. He's all opinionated now and has the strongest passion for cars I've ever seen in a two year old.
I love it actually. No teddy bears for him. It's his hot wheels he sleeps with. At least he comes by it honestly. Tyler comes from a long line of mechanics, machinists, and car lovers in general. I'm pretty sure it's something in his blood.
Come here you handsome little kid! I need to kiss you now!! I'd tackle him and wrestle but my pregnant belly might accidentally crush the little thing. Besides that whole wrestling thing is his Dad's department. Oh by the way, we're having another little boy. There is balance in the universe after all. Happy Thursday everyone!
