In seven hours six 12 year old girls will descend upon my home.  Including the one I am blessed to call my daughter.  But seriously, does that first sentence not strike some level of fear into your heart?  I love these girls.  I am immensely grateful for the friendship they provide my daughter.  And, they are just plain neat kids.  I'm happy to have them over.  But 6?  At the same time?  All night?  With one bathroom?  Oh my.         It's times like these that I feel the need to call my ... read more

Alone used to seem like a blessed word.  When I stayed at home with our two children, alone time was scarce.  I truly was that mom who sought refuge in the bathroom.  Who knew?  Alone time was something to cherish.  Some time when I could think a little clearer, breathe a little deeper, and just be quiet.Now together truly is better.  The kids have grown up.  Instead of short people running around the house, begging for my attention, I have a teenager and an almost teenager who almost have to be ... read more

For as long as I can remember August has been a month of pure joy.  School supplies were the prominent display in almost every store.  Just the smell of crayons sent a rush through my whole body.  I've been known to buy crayons just to smell them and be taken back to that glorious feeling.  New folders and binders - especially Trapper Keepers! - excited me beyond words.  Put that together with shopping for new school clothes at McAlpins with Mom and it was almost too much emotion for one girl to ... read more

     As the world of sports often shows us - some rules, judges, officials etc., are just wrong.  They make things completely unfair for a team or a person.  Jordyn Wieber - a gymnast for the United States received the worst of this reality on Monday.  While her score would have qualified her to compete for individual medals - the rule stated that only two from each country would have the opportunity.  Now, I know she understands this is the rule.  And she didn't come up with enough points to be ... read more

     Yesterday I began to clean my sink and the counter around it.  I know began sounds like a pathetic word as it shouldn't take that much time or effort to clean a sink and counter.  Let me do a little explanation.  First of all the counter is one of the longest surfaces in the house.  It's probably my favorite features of our home.  However, it becomes quite crowed with an amazing number of hair, face, and body products.  In all actuality it is quite ridiculous.  One person could never use it ... read more