The Cabbage Patch

Constitution Day ~ Second Amendment Edition

 

 

 

 

Kids

Brother:  I want to be like Father Richard when I grow up.

Pumpkin:  Bald?

Happy Day!!

What a happy day!  My dear friend, Jess, delivered this morning at 6:37.  I'll let her tell the birth story but let me just say that the traffic onto post (military installation) was horrendous as soldiers were going in for PT (physical training).  Congratulations!!!

We Remember

Where was I?  I was with my parents.  I had just had Sister 12 days ago and was very tired.  She was not a good sleeper (and wasn't until she was about 2).  Ben was up in Missouri which is where we lived.  We thought we were getting out of the Army before Sister was born so I had moved in with my parents so the transition would be easier.  Obviously, we didn't get out of the Army.

Ben called me to let me know a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center.  I pictured a small two seater plan and was upset he woke me up to let me know that.  I had no idea.  

I spent all day glued to that television even though after a while, it was the same thing over and over again.  

My mother-in-law called that morning too but it was not because of the terrorist attacks.  My sister-in-law had lost her baby in utero and she was calling to let me know.  Those two events are forever linked together.

I stopped watching the TV when Brother started whining, "No more building.  No more building."

Nutcracker and All it Entails

Nutcracker signups are this week.  We received the contracts on Tuesday.  I am always excited when we first start getting information about the Nutcracker.  It can get very hectic in December especially with Advent and Christmas but I do enjoy it.  I'm probably more anxious and excited than the girls (Honey gets to perform this year) about finding out what character they get to be.  

This year Ben will probably be gone when rehearsals start to get really going.  I need to figure out some things to do for Brother.  The poor dear will have to sit in that waiting room with us for several hours (I don't like to leave my children when in class/therapy, etc.--I know, it's an issue).  He doesn't like to read although sometimes he will.  He's very good in the waiting room but 4 hours of ballet might do him in.  We have Saturday classes (2 hours 15 minutes) and about 2 hours of rehearsals.  I'm thinking about getting a Nintendo DS so he can have something to do.  No, not for the full 4 hours but for a bit at a time.  I'm still thinking it through.  He'd have to share anyway with his siblings so he wouldn't have it all that time even if I let him (which I won't).

Just rambling right now.  I have a million thoughts, ideas and plan in mind with Ben deploying soon.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Day Without Kids Edition

 

Another First

So, today, we reached another milestone.  Another couple, Ben and I went out for some adult time.  We had babysitters!  My children have never had babysitters.  It's not that we didn't want to do things without the children, but Brother had anxiety issues so we have not until now.  It went well.

The adults went hiking at a local park, went to the other couple's house, since their kids were at our house, for a shower and then out to dinner.  It was fantastic.  We stopped during our hike along the riverbed (which is pretty dry since we haven't had much rain this summer) and sat down for a snack.  It was soooooooooooooooooooooooo quiet.  

Pictures coming soon.

Did I mention my babysitters?  My dear friend's oldest two daughters babysat both families' children.  Two babysitter; eight children.  They did great.  All but one (Brother) were asleep when we returned home at around 9pm.  

Creepy

Am I the only one who is a bit creeped out by this video?  

Tangible Things

One of the biggest things I've been feeling lately has been a sense of helplessness with the distance between people in our online community.  Elizabeth puts it quite well:

"Being in an online community, we feel like we have friends right next door. But when tragedy strikes, it becomes painfully obvious that we are not right next door. We cannot pop in with a casserole and a hug. We cannot take the kids and give a grieving mother time and space. All we can do is pray."

Elizabeth gives us a chance to do something tangible as does Cay.  Go to either site and check it out. 

And, continue to pray.

Oh, no

Waltzing Matilda says it well.  Please pray for the Mitchells.  They will need to be surrounded by prayers.