Prayers please

I've just learned that some life long friends of my family, ones I've known for almost 30 years, lost their six month old son in his sleep yesterday. My heart breaks for them and I can't imagine their loss. I ask for prayers for their family and all who loved little Thomas.

Off kilter

I've been feeling especially off kilter this week. I had thought it was because it was a full, five day week, not only of school, but of having the extra little ones. I also thought it could be hormones, but today I'm still feeling it and I just don't know what to do. I'm bored, bored, bored, but at the same time there is nothing I want to be doing and I don't want to be around anyone. I'm trying so hard not to be grumpy to the rest of the family, because it isn't their fault that I'm feeling this way. I'm hoping I can find something to focus my energy on, because that's really what I feel like I have...nervous energy. Hopefully I can just enjoy the rest of the Olympics and wake up tomorrow with a refreshed and focused feeling!

Olympics

I am tired. I've been watching the Olympics for the last 12 days, and while I've enjoyed it, I'm tired. Summer Olympics are easier...there is no school the next day and I can sleep in after staying up so late to watch the prime time events that I just can't miss. And the 2006 Winter ones weren't so bad either. None of my kids went to school until the afternoon so our mornings were a little later and more relaxed, and I was really, really sick (think fever of 102.9) so I was watching lots in the middle of the night! Last night I just felt compelled to watch the Canadian figure skater who's mother had tragically passed away on Sunday. At first I felt badly, like I was going to watch a train wreck from which you can't turn your head. Instead, it was a wonderful, beautiful performance. I felt as though I was being supportive and respectful by watching and caring, and rooting for this young woman to succeed. These Olympics have had some ugly stories...but this one, last night for just a few minutes, was an absolutely beautiful one. And I'm glad I stayed awake long enough to watch.

Sports tidbits

Here are a few random thoughts about sports...

1) Spring training is underway! I LOVE baseball. My family is huge baseball fans, and I grew up when the Reds were really, really good. However, I miss Hal McCoy's coverage of the game more than can be imagined. Cincinnati papers are doing a decent job, but Hal McCoy is in the Hall of Fame. Those writers are not. Enough said.

2) Aaron Boone will be an analyst on Baseball Tonight on ESPN. Boone is one of my favorite all time baseball players. I can tell you exactly where I was when I heard he had been traded from the Reds to the Yankees in 2003. Unfortunately for my husband, I was driving on a rural road in eastern Ohio at the time and did not react well. Fortunately for us both, no accident actually occurred.

3) I saw in the paper this morning that the Browns are considering drafting a quarterback this year. That's a relief. I was afraid the controversy and chaos would end in Cleveland this year and they might actually get their act together.

Tooth fairy success

After three consecutive evenings of not getting the job done, the Tooth Fairy finally came through for us last night. Not sure how thrilled JC was to find it all in dimes, but it was there none-the-less!

All week?

We are optimistic that school will be held all five days this week. Really, everyday, Monday through Friday. There are some dustings of snow forecasted for a couple of mornings, but nothing that should amount to much. Of course, one of the joys of a rural school district is that even a dusting can wreak havoc!

Our weekend didn't quite go according to plan, but that is life with children. I learned a long time ago that going with the flow is the best plan! JC woke up vomiting at 3AM Saturday morning. Fortunately it was a fairly short bug and only lasted about four hours. She did spend the day in bed. My wonderful husband continued the plans we had with JR that evening. Yesterday we spent the afternoon sink shopping. We purchased new countertops two weeks ago and before they can be properly measured we needed to pick out a sink. That was a huge accomplishment for us yesterday! Then my mom & dad came down for dinner. It was really nice to spend a couple of hours with them. The kids loved showing off their latest accomplishments.

This is my last week of babysitting the girls. Even though I'm looking forward to having my freedom again to come and go as I please, I'm going to miss them terribly! On the upside, their parents are my friends so I'll still get to see them lots!

Cookie time!

Ah, the Girl Scout cookies have arrived. I'm in love, absolutely in love, with the thin mints. We bought several boxes of other varieties as well, but the thin mints seem to be the favorites of the family. And even though the prices are a little high, it's fun once a year to support the Girl Scouts!