A quick snapshot.

Lily age 2 1/2, Jack age 7 1/2, Will 1 and Hank age 5 3/4

I hate this game.

Yesterday we spent athe day hanging out inside, since outside it was such cold and yucky weather. In the afternoon Darin decided to teach the boys to play Monopoly. He didn't even ask me to play because he knows how much I dislike the game. In fact, on our honeymoon Darin and I played Monopoly and he made me cry. He is not a nice Monopoly player so I was interested in how it was going to play out with Jack and Hank. Surprisingly it went fairly well. Darin did have to continually ask Hank to return to the table and to leave Will alone, but overall they spent two hours tediously gaining property and taking each other's money. There were no tears, which is definitely a plus...I guess they take after their Dad. I will have to put the pictures up tonight since they are on Darin's iphone.

Spring?

Early morning snow play!
Surprise Snow!
Friday afternoon in the sand.
Abby and Megan were there too
Extra picture of Will so he's not left out!

If any of you have ever lived here during Spring you will know that this is a difficult season. While down in Fresno the warm sun is beginning to shine regularly, and the flowers are in full bloom, and all the stores begin to sell shorts and flip flops, winter still lingers here at Hume. Spring sometimes shows itself (herself? himself?), but most of the time it is fleeting. Those of us who have lived here a few Springs know that it is never a good idea to put boots and mittens away... in fact I like to leave mine out (at least in a place that is easily accessable) until the first week of summer because one never knows what you will wake up to. Some days it is beautiful outside, but the ground is covered with old snow or a muddy wet mess or its cold and rainy. Other days it is dry and sunny but the air is cold and windy, and then (to everyone's dismay) other days you wake up to a fresh blanket of unforcasted snow! Yes, today is one of those days...

It's worth it....

I have been pretty busy lately and it has started to wear on me a little. I find myself stressed out and over-tired most of the time, leaving me irritable and tense. I have been teaching preschool on Tuesday and Thursday mornings while Lily and Will go to a sitter. On Wednesday I have been helping teach ballet all day. On Friday I have been babysitting all morning so a friend can help out in the school. I am only home one morning and that is Monday. I really need to potty train Lily, who has told me and about everyone we know that she wants to wear "baby diapers" and "never go potty in the potty." Which is completely unacceptable to me, the diaper changer! I am also trying to wean Will which is also a long and drawn out process that also requires time on my part...more time than I have right now...This does not make for a very happy, patient Mommy. So I have had to take a close look at my schedule and take inventory of what is most important to me and for my family. I began to realize that when Hank and Jack were little I was not doing as much, in fact I wasn't doing any of this stuff...

So after much thought, prayer and discussion I have decided to end preschool a few months early and take that time to get my life in order and to spend more time with my kids. It was a hard choice because I love teaching and I love those kids, but it was for the best. I still plan on teaching next year and feel like it will be a much better time in my life to commit to such a large undertaking. Everyone was very understanding and I feel so much better already. (this last Thursday was our last class)

Recently I have been convicted that I need to be more patient with my children and then the other day I read the verse James 1:19 "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for anger of man does not produce the rightousnous that God requires." I really need to work on this and I think simplifying my life a little will help me grow in this area.

Sorry, I don't usually get too preachy or deep or whatever, but this has been on my heart. But as for the title of today's post... I feel like every second I have committed towards ballet for Lily has been worth my time. The girl loves to dance (and sing) and it has been amazing to see how excited she gets to go to ballet! She's such a doll! I can't wait for the recital (Thursday, April 24) It's going to be amazing!

Will's first birthday party

Happy Birthday Will!

One year ago today at 12:03 am, William Gail McWatters joined our family. He has brought so much joy and love to our home. We have all enjoyed his crooked smile, his sweet disposition, and his one tooth out in front. We can't imagine what life would be like without our Will Baby. Happy Birthday Little One! We are so happy God chose you to join our family!!!

Fun is where you find it

Easter Break 2008

Easter Eggs!

We are back from our trip! We got home yesterday evening. Wow, I feel like I have been gone for a month! It was only 8 days but Darin, Will and I travelled a total of 24 hours in the car! We drove the older kids out to Boulder on last Sunday (8 hours) then we drove to Pismo Beach on Monday (8 hours). Then we returned to Boulder on Thursday (8 hours) and then yesterday we came home (another 8 hours!) CRAZY!!!

It was a fun trip. The Staff Retreat was wonderful. The hotel was amazing and Will was good the whole time. The kids had an amazing time at Grandma and Grandpas! Grandpa took the boys fishing, built birdhouses with tools, and took them to the movies. Grandma took Lily shopping and then they all visited the park multiple times! I forgot my camera, but I did manage to get a few photos on the phones and on my dad's video camera so I will be posting pictures soon.

When we arrived in Boulder we were able to go shopping, go to the park, dye Easter eggs and go on an Egg Hunt at their church. It was fun to hang out with family and to enjoy Boulder's beautiful weather!

Will learned a new trick while we were away. He learned that he can stand up in a restaurant high chair and so now he does...everytime he can! Fun trick!

Staff Retreat

Today we are in Pismo, CA for the annual staff retreat. We left on Sunday morning and drove to Boulder City to drop off Jack, Hank and Lily at Grandma and Grandpa's. Then Darin, Will and I left this morning and drove all day to get here. The hotel we are staying in is amazing! Somehow we got this really nice suite (The lighthouse suite) that has a jacuzzi tub and a really large balcony with lounge chairs that overlooks the ocean. Best of all their is a front room in which Will can sleep so that he doesn't wake up every time I move.

I forgot my camera (of course) which is a real bummer, but I will try to take some photos with my phone and Darin's phone. Hopefully I will be able to download them when we get home. Until then you will have to put up with my ramblings without cute kid pictures. Sorry.

Good Idea

I stole this idea from a friend of mine who got the idea from someone else. Anyway, I really liked it because it helps my kids find their snow gloves and hats without having to rifle through a huge basket of wet snow items.

Trip with Dad

Ice cream break

The boys almost got to go snowboarding but the lessons were too expensive and Hank wasn't old enough to ride on the lift.

The boys got new shoes. Jack's are green and Hank's are blue. They are New Balance and believe it or not they were only $15!

This is on the way up to Ponderosa Pines. It's near Lake Arrowhead, CA

This is a picture of Hank at lunch at the camp director's house.

Much needed break!

Today we went to Fresno. The plan was originally just to go shopping and for me to get a haircut. The plan changed a little today because during a recent check of Will's ears, the camp nurse was concerned that he may have a hole in his eardrum. I hadn't noticed him in any obvious pain, but he had he seemed sick recently, so it was a concern enough to warrant a visit to Dr. G. Luckily, it turns out that it wasn't a hole, but wax right up against the tempanic membrane, making it appear to be a hole. It didn't require any treatment which was a huge relief to me!

I did get to go shopping a lot today which I haven't done in forever! I also got my haircut which was very refreshing. It was a very fun day today. Darin and I had a really nice time together with Will. The boys and Lily had fun with the babysitters here at camp. Yea for a break from everyday life!

New Member of our Family

My washing machine died on Monday... it was my worst fear. We always have SOO much laundry so it was pretty awful to not have one... I was using the one in the empty house next door. Thankfully today they came and looked at it and deemed it really broken and found another one for me! Yea. It is not new but it is new to us and we are very happy to have a working washing machine. It will be nice to have clean clothes for staff retreat.

This is Lily's costume for her recital. I can't wait to see her in it! She is going to be adorable!!!

Late night chat with Miss Lily

Lily wasn't super tired so I went and got her up so she could watch me make cookies and wait for Darin and the boys to get home from Ponderosa Pines. She was really talkative.

One of the naughtiest little girls in town

Today Lily was playing with the diaper box in the living room. I wasn't paying attention and all of a sudden I heard this screaming and yelling and "Mommy help me!" I tracked down the sound of her voice to the bathroom and there in the dark I found this! I turned the light on , laughed and ran to get my camera! I know not the greatest Mom moment but it sure was funny!

These are pictures of the kind of coloring Lily likes best. The video also gives her version of what happened. She was coloring and the next thing I knew she was watching her show. She asked me a question and when I turned to look at her I had to do a double take!

Sushi Night

The Sushi Party Darin Missed

I can't get any photos to load up. I will try again later today. It was a fun party, though.

Friday with the babies

Darin took Jack and Hank with him this weekend to Ponderosa Pines near Lake Arrowhead. I watched my friends two kids this morning. Above are a few cute pictures of Kale and Will hanging out together. Boy are four kids under 2 1/2 a handful! After that fun experience Jayne came over and we walked to lunch. Later for something to do after naptime I walked with the stroller down to the General Store for treats. Yum... While walking back Lily decided she wanted to eat at the OK Chalet. So I came home packed up Will's meal and off we went for the second night in a row... I tried to get some cute video in the bath as Will was giggling so much, but I couldn't post any of it . Too racy... Well it will be nice to look at when they are teenagers someday.

Soon to be walking...

Will has begun to push his walking toy around the living room. He is getting so big!

Hank loves his baby brother and is a great helper!

Jack and Hank found the cute bathrobes we bought them for Christmas two years ago. I guess its better late than never!

Another tooth....

Jack lost his other front tooth today at school. Thank goodness! That thing was hanging by a thread for a week now. The tooth is now under his pillow awaiting the Tooth Fairy! I bet she is relieved that he didn't swallow it! :)