Trying to keep afloat...

I'm amongst messes.  Everywhere I look.  Except in Middle Sister's room.  Her room is always clean.  Sometimes I go and hide in there for a few seconds just to feel the peace that comes with order.

The funny thing is this house was squeaky clean a week ago.  How can it go from SO good to SO bad so quickly???

I was walking around trying to decide what to do next.  It is an overwhelming thought today b/c so much needs my attention.  While I was aimlessly walking around I looked out the window and watched two of my kids just sitting in the yard enjoying a snack together.  I had to get the camera out....

So...while I was snapping pics of them I decided to snap pics of the CRAZY around me.

I hope that this will be cleared out and our baby daughter will move in.....someday......

Kind of hard to be productive in this home office space....

Thank you for letting me vent.  Now I need to get back to picking up. 

Babies, Birthdays, and Baseball

Baby Girl is still the apple of every one's eyes.  The kids (Including big brother) can't get enough of her smiles.  She was my travel companion on a trip to Chicago a few weeks ago.  I hoped that she would sleep on both flights.  She didn't sleep a wink.  But, I put enough tricks in my bag to keep her happy.  People around us didn't mind her being there at all.  A few people even enjoyed playing peek-a-boo with her!

Our trip to Chicago to meet Sarah's new baby boy will go down as one of my favorite memories ever.  I have not spent that much time with my sister since we took family vacations in high school.  Just being with her was priceless.  Watching her bloom into a new momma was beyond awesome.  Leaving was hard.  But....I will get to see her and her PERFECT, healthy, beautiful new little guy very soon again.  (It's always great to hang with Kieran, too!)  These are all from my phone...I was very frustrated I forgot my camera.  (Oh yea....I got a phone.  A real phone.  With a plan.  AND a data plan.  I finally caved.  I had a really good reason which you will see in a few months.  I love it.)

I arrived back just in time to hang with Ben's Uncle and Aunt that traveled South.  It was a great visit.  Ben had the opportunity to show his Uncle David around the "Ag" sites and I know that was fun for him.  Aunt Janice and I just spent some nice time together which is something we never get to do when we travel home.  It's always a fly by visit then.  It's so great to have visitors!! 

Then we moved on to Middle Sister's 8th Birthday.  I had the "great" idea to have a cake decorating party.  I thought it would be easy and economical.  It was neither.  But.....IT WAS FUN!

It started looking like this.....

 Then we moved to this.....

And it ended up like this!!!

Everyone had so much fun!

We ended with day with a special dinner at Miyabi's.  

The same day as the party.....T-Ball season started.

Oh, what fun that is ahead......