Randoms

I have lots of things to say and tons of new pics but blogger says I am at my picture quota and I dont have the energy to figure out what that means. So here are a few randoms and no pictures....

-our trip back to Illinois was very challenging
-Mara is 3 months and she is beautiful
-4 kids is A LOT of kids. :)
-the South has become home!
-I love having a 10 year old!
-I'm very excited about how things are going in my life right now!
-our trip to Canada was great.
-this heat makes me feel gross. Hurry up fall!

I have more to blog but it's boring without pics. Hopefully I will figure out this picture thing soon. I'm sure they want my money. I can't blame them, I have 4 years of my favorite pictures on this site.

Life around here

 I'm doing my best to keep life under control.  Things are actually starting to go in the right direction around here.  This summer has been a challenge, but we are making it.  This year I am counting down the days until school starts and I can run a regular schedule. 

It has been HOT outside.  I forgot how much the kids are inside in the summer.  They play outside much more in the winter.  Today's heat index is going to be about 115.  We are currently setting a record for most days above 90 degrees in a row.  Although the heat really bites, I still prefer it to the Midwest winters. 

Baby girl is still amazing, beautiful, sweet and I'm LOVING on her as much as I can.  She is smiling and talking to me now.  It seems that we beat the thrush....which I am so thankful.  Things are going great with her.

My biggest goal is still to keep Little Man under control.  The goal is to prevent things like this....

The kids get along about half of the time.  The challenge with my gang is to keep Little Man away from the girls or to keep him from destroying what they are playing.  There is a portion of time each day that all 3 play together in peace before it becomes girls vs. boy. 

Summer fun....4th of July Party

Papa Rick....I'm ready!

Happy 4th of July!

We had such a great weekend.

Everything just went smooth.
(Well, almost everything...one night Little Man didn't have a nap and we paid for it.)

We had great friend time, family time, and all of the needed house chores got done.

I'm not sure how it all happened, but tonight I am giving thanks!

Here is another big success....

I have been trying for a while now to get a picture of Baby Girl smiling.

Every time I put a camera in front of her face, she does this.....

Or she looks like this.....

FINALLY I got a picture of this......

It was worth waiting for!

Happy 4th!

2 Months old

She's still such a peanut.

Weight:  9 lbs 2 oz  (5%)

Height:  21.5"  (20%)

Head:  15.25"  (50%)

Big head...Little body

She is much, much happier than a month ago.

(I'm not sure what changed.)

She gives smiles and coo's the sweetest little sounds.

She is a Mommy's girl.

She still loves to be swaddled tight.

I'm still hoping she has brown eyes....it's looking promising, but still too soon to tell.

I miss her when she naps too long.

She is such a blessing!