it's that time of year...

with each stair I climb I can feel it getting hotter and hotter and by the time I get to the top I think, "those poor kids. It's roasting up here." I go into each one of their rooms to make sure the fan is on for the night. It's that time of year when I'm still used to wearing jeans, but by 2:35 when I'm picking Josh up from school and I have sweat running everywhere I wish today was the day I decided officially switch over to shorts. It's this time of year that we spend more time in the front yard...playing, chatting with gary and waiting for nick to come home. it's that time of year that we BBQ more. Why does it smell so good to drive into the neighborhood and realize somebody barbecuing for dinner. What doesn't it ever smell like that when it's actually our BBQ?  It's that time of year when I start noticing how white my legs are. It's that time of year that Big Al's swirl ice cream cones sound good every night. It's that time of year when Nick starts spending more time out in the yard. It's a good time of year. Usually we are celebrating that tax season is over, but this year has been different. Nick is up to his eyeballs in audits and he is still going back to the office at night...but he keeps telling me it's almost over. I like it best when  we are home together and the kids are snug in their beds and he lets me pick what we watch on TV. He usually doesn't complain and he pays just enough attention to act interested for my sake. I usually fall asleep on the couch and he takes me to bed...which is no easy task. Apparently I am mean and rude when I'm half asleep.

I'm still going strong with my new year resolution. I go to zumba about 4-5 times a week. I like it. I'm getting better, but I still embarrass myself with my inability to dance. I AM my mother's daughter. I just remind myself that I am good at other things. Some ladies in there are really truly good dancers...the rest of us just move and have fun. Personally, I try to not to trip or run into anybody. If any of you have ever walked with me in the mall or somewhere, you'll know that I'm a natural merger...I'll just start veering into other people's space unintentionally. I think I do the same in zumba...and for that I apologize to those who have to dance in my general proximity. I've also started a pilates class with jojo and my friend sheila. I like it. the reformer keeps me honest like mat pilates can't. My abs hurt everyday after class...which I have to remind myself is a good thing. Well, good and bad. Good that I'm building them, bad that my core is so weak. 3 Cesareans will do that to a girl.

                                          Rose Bud with her two grandmas on her 4th birthday.

 What a big girl. {side note. char got mad at me today and told me she was going to walk away. once I realized she was actually threatening to run away I just laughed...which made her even more mad. I didn't correct her. Soon enough she is actually going to run away and the whole topic won't be as cute. I'm going to enjoy this while I can.}

 Josh loves Liam so much. He tries so hard to take care of him. Sometimes Liam gets so mad when Josh takes something away from him or closes a door to keep him out. But, Josh can make him laugh like nobody else can. Liam loves him too.

There is our little gnat. Go Sand Gnats!!! What an embarrassing name, but we all go...we cheer, we wear our green shirts, hold up our sand gnat finger and eat our sno cones and red ropes. We are so lucky to have so many family members come and support josh. We haven't had a game yet where extra family hasn't come to watch. What a good time of year.