My Josh

So -- this is my Josh. Hard to believe he is 8 1/2 now. Seems like only yesterday he looked like this.....

I don't know about you, but I see a whole lot of Ava in that picture! He was 4..playing soccer for the first time. Everyone else would be running down the field after the ball, and he was in his own little world...just jogging behind...waving as he went by! He really is so cute - even if he is mine!

Sometimes I think Josh gets the short end of the stick...he isn't the oldest....isn't the youngest...isn't the first girl...you get the idea. He's a special little guy. (I forgot - he isn't so little anymore!) Of course, all my kids are - but each in their own way. Josh loves video games...and candy...and video games...and candy...and video games...and candy. Well, he does like other stuff too - like reading, playing baseball and basketball (a newfound interest), drawing cartoons, watching movies, and aggravating his siblings. He makes me laugh, and on occasion, he makes me want to pull my hair out. He is a blue belt in karate. His drawing won as the poster for the play he and Zachary are going to be in in a couple of weeks. (The play is "Dear Edwina" at Harrell Theatre March 12-15....shameless plug!) He is a scatterbrain (how many times has he lost his wallet?) He can go to sleep at night with the blanket and sheet covering him, and by the next morning the sheet is shoved all the way down to the foot of the bed and he is wrapped up in the comforter like a sausage. He loves jokes, has an INTENSE fear of storms (no exaggerating there!), and an equally intense imagination. He has a fierce temper, and an amazing ability to feel deeply. He has a sensitive little spirit that makes him cry if you look at him wrong. He most definitely wears his heart on his sleeve. His glass is always half-full. We learned quickly that grounding him or taking things away from him does not work as an effective form of punishment because he would just say, "Oh well, that's okay. I'll just (insert new interest of choice here) instead." He is such a joy to hang out with one-on-one.....not that that happens very much, but I treasure it when it does. I sure do love him...he's my favorite Josh!

Get Out Your Hard Hats!

Yeah - just a quick blurb to let you know I have been playing around with the layout and background of my blog and after over a YEAR I have FINALLY figured out what I have been doing wrong. It was simply a matter of changing my original template. I know that info just made your day, but in the meantime I want to apololgize to my friend Jen because we now have the same background, but I promise to change mine ASAP. I was doodling around with this at work, then got busy, and now it is time to go home -- which takes priority over blog changes. I'm excited about what I can now do...woo hoo! This site is now under construction! :-)

New Stuff

I can't believe I have gone this long without posting. I just don't know where the time goes! Everyone is doing great -- the boys are worn out between karate, play practice, and - oh yeah - school! Josh is having video game withdrawls. Their schedule is wearing us out too...I think I will be glad when this play is over. They are having lots of fun and are enjoying making new friends, but I think they will be glad for a break! The girls are their normal silly selves. They have started this new thing at home where they play "grocery store". Sarah is in the kitchen and Ava comes through with their little grocery cart and Sarah says, "Well hello! Come on in! How are you today?" They are so funny...so dramatic...I am in trouble when the teenage years hit! (How many times have I said that??)

So what did you do for Valentine's Day? Yeah - I know - it has been almost a week, so you might have already forgotten! Personally, I had a great one. Charles and I had a late dinner Friday night at Houston's. Saturday we slept in since the kiddos were gone (that was SOOOOO NIIIIICE!! Seriously! If you are able to sleep past 7:00 on Saturday mornings, consider yourself very fortunate!!), took the boys to play practice, ate lunch at El Porton (what??? 2 meals just the 2 of us? how did THAT happen?), ran errands, picked up all of said children and then headed to our friend's house for a fondu dinner. That was wonderful! She had a chocolate fountain for dessert and Josh discovered carrots weren't so bad when covered in chocolate. I think I will take his word on that one. On Sunday, the kiddos and hubby gave me a wonderful present - 2 heart charms for the Chamilia bracelet they bought me for Christmas. Now I have 3!

We went to church Sunday morning and Pastor spoke about marriage (duh!), but he did bring up one point that I thought was very interesting - and very true. Courtship. He said less marriages would end up in court if there was more courtship in marriage. He said we should have at least 2 ideas of ways we can "court" our spouse over the next 40 days. That is a very good point - especially for those marriages like ours that get so caught up in the logistics of just getting thru the day that you forget to take time to show your spouse why you treasure him/her. Women love the "little things" and the guys like to know they are thought of too (but are less likely to admit it!) There is a marriage blog I follow (you can find it to the left on my side bar), and she also has had some very good points to make (to the wives) about respecting your husband - and lots of other good nuggets! I'm not going to go into it here, but I encourage you to check it out. I've been "gently reminded" of some things that I have forgotten in regards to my relationship with my husband. Yes, our lives are crazy (have I said that already?) After all, we have been married for 13+ years you know! Romance/courtship is so easy when you are dating. That is all you think about, "What can I do to show him how much I love him? To let him know how important he is to me? That I think about him constantly?" Remember those days? You get married, have kids, and then the best you can do is make sure the cap is on the toothpaste. Sometimes I need to just take a step back and look at things (him) from a fresh perspective. I have ordered a book (and for the life of me I can't remember the name...so I will have to get back to you on that!) at the suggestion of my friend Jen's blog, which I am anxious to start reading. It is about nurturing your husband. I will have to keep you updated as to how it goes. It might take me while to get thru it, but I am going to do it!

Anyway -- that is all that is happening in these parts! I am so ready for spring and warm (even hot!) weather, swimming pools, flip flops, capris, t-shirts and shorts (from a laundry perspective!), long days, riding in the car with the windows down, and lots and lots of sunshine. Please feel free to remind me of this in August when it is 150 degress outside and we are sweating in the shower. For now however, I do believe I am starting to see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Yesterday's 60 degree weather was enough to give me a taste!! C'mon spring!