It's Not FAIR!

How many times have we heard that line? Okay, to be fair, how many times have we said that ourselves? "She's so cute, it's just not fair", "Look how fit she is, that's not fair", "I wish I could go on trips like they do" etc.... But hey, Life's NOT fair. Although I have momentary lapses of reverting back to childhood, complaining (in my mind only, of course) about the unfairness of life, I have grown up and realize that's just how life is. With my adult perspective I'm actually thankful Life isn't Fair. Where would the fun, growth and challenge be?

Well, since I have 7 beings in my home that haven't yet reached that conclusion not a single day goes by that I don't hear the phrase, "That's not fair!!!" Here's the latest one:

One of our goals this summer is to get our home organized from top to bottom. I told the kids that by Friday, June 27, their bedrooms need to be deep cleaned and organized. Yesterday I gave another friendly reminder. One of my daughter's reminded me she would be gone all of next week on a fun trip with her friend. I nicely informed her that she could spend the next two days doing it, making sure it was done before she left. "But...", (okay here it comes),..."That's NOT FAIR!!!, she wailed. Everyone else gets to play today and I want to play too." My response, "You're right, it's Not fair it's just the way it is. If it WERE fair then each of your siblings would get to go on a week long trip as well. But instead, while you're off playing for a week we'll be working, cleaning the house, strawberry picking, making jam, etc...."

When I first had the wailing and gnashing of teeth that life wasn't fair, I used to panic and try to set things "right". Anything to get rid of the noise that wailing and gnashing of teeth make. But now when I hear the cries of "It's Not FAIR" it usually makes me quietly laugh and yes, it's also brought on some out loud belly laughs from me.

Sweet Hannah Kate

Today Hannah is 6 months old. That went by so fast. She's growing up and learning new things daily. Hannah is now 18lbs 14oz and 27 1/2" long. Her hair is thinning (taking after her daddy) and also getting lighter. She can sit on her own, although not for long periods of time, is a momma's girl, her first two teeth came in this week and of course she is SMOTHERED in LOVE!

Ron and Tanner said while I was gone they were playing a little game with her. When one of them held her she'd turn and reach out to the other one. As soon as she was in the 2nd person's arms she'd turn around and do the same thing. They tried to show me when I got home but of course she wouldn't do her little monkey trick, she only had eyes for me.

Hannah's first time in the pool! Cousin Elle is among the many that dote on her.

Hannah can't resist a cup when she sees one. We went out to Applebee's for her Grandpa's b-day. The empty cup was enough to entertain her.

Here's a video of Hannah. Yummy Yummy, her first time to eat solids! She couldn't get enough. Bekah was the lucky one to feed her first. (After me, of course)

Schoooools Out For Summer!

As of three hours ago my 5 school aged kiddos are out for the summer. ARGHhhhh! I love my kids, I truly do and every other year I would say, "I can't wait for summer".

This year seems different. I think it's because we have such a wide range of ages, with one being an infant. My younger kids are content to swim at the pool, hit a different park each week, do the summer reading program at the library and all the fun events, going to the free movies downtown, and just hanging out with neighborhood kids. My bigger kids aren't entertained as easily.

At this moment I have three 13 year olds sitting on the couch eating their convenience store stash as they watch t.v. There are two neighborhood girls here visiting Camille, one for Harris and a friend with Dallon. That makes 12 kids at my house. I guess that's not too bad, I know families with more kids than that. How DO they do it?

I am looking forward to not having to wake up at 6am to get kids going in the morning. Of course Hannah's schedule is my schedule and that's about the time she wakes up (hmmm, we'll have to work on that). I'm looking forward to no homework, at least no homework assigned by someone else, I'll be giving some out. (I know, I'm such a mean mom! I've heard it before, nothing new). I'm looking forward to neighborhood, cul-d-sac, gatherings in the evening. Moms and dads visiting while the kids run around and play. I'm looking forward to family togetherness, tons of fresh fruit, the canning that goes along with it and possibly a trip to Switzerland (Ron has been working hard and we're waiting for end of year, June 30, to see if he qualifies for the company trip). I'm looking forward to getting my house organized. (One of the perks to having a large family; more helpers, or "slaves" as my children would say). And I'm looking forward to lazy days by the pool IF we ever get some summer weather. Here is Camille with her friends Summer and Preslee as they walked home from their last day of 2nd and 1st grade.

Who would have thought they'd be needing coats.

BRRrrrrrr!!!!

I am FREEZING! Yes, I know what day it is, June 10th 2008 (at least that's what my calendar says). It feels more like January.

• My wonderful husband bought me a hot chocolate from Dutch Bros.
• As I drove to the store my car thermostat said 47 degrees
• I stood outside visiting with my sister (as she sat in her WARM car) after sending my kids off to school. The sky got grayer, the air cooler, and a small mist became heavier. ENOUGH ALREADY ... I said a quick good-bye and ran inside.
• I've been shivering while working on the computer, finally gave in to do the dishes. AaaHhhhh, HOT water!! To bad I only have breakfast dishes to do.

I shouldn't be complaining. Soon enough we'll have 90 degree weather and I'll be sweating from no AC. I'll enjoy my cold day cuddled in a blanket, in cloud cast darkness watching a movie or reading a book. Make that a warm blanket. I'm off to put one in the dryer.