My kids loves to create things. I love to direct them and make it mine. I have had to learn to step back and let them be. Luckily by the time you have four kids, you can not take over all their creating anyway. Yesterday we ran errands to gather some items we needed to finish costumes. Over time all our Halloween/Fall decorations have been lost and/or damaged. Add in that over the last four years I have either been pregnant or had a young child on Halloween and the fact that I am not a fan of the holiday......it was not something that had been a priority. As we were out and about at crafting stores, we gathered some items to make some new decor. I have found that I enjoy having things the kids make and that come out seasonally. As it brings back memories. I know one day, these are the things I will cherish most. Today dawned a cool, dreary day. So we sat to craft. Here are the fruits of our labor. Spider hands: Emmaline on the left, Elodie on the right. More spider hands, the

Sigh. In what is the last push to work on the house and possibly meet with a realtor to see if we can actually list this the house, I am worn. Painting just about everything that stands still takes some time and some elbow grease. As well as the little things: making sure all light bulbs are working, hanging light fixtures, cleaning cabinets and walls, the list goes on. As a result of trying to mark things off the list, I have found a sense of pride in our home. For sure it has its own issues, and we are too far from work for the man of the house, but in painting and cleaning there is a bit of renewed sense of what drew us to this house all those years ago. I know that when the sign does go up (Lord willing by the end of this calendar year), it will be bittersweet. And I know that when it does actually sell (Lord willing without sitting on the market for a loooooong time), it will be cause me to catch my breath. All my babies came home to this house. It has been home. For over a

My baby girl has completed one trip around the sun. Currently, she can dance. And talk. And she will take a few steps at a time. She is a joy and a blessing. She is also a little bit of trouble. I am in disbelief that an entire year has flown by. (And Emmaline was kind enough to point out that Xander is using the potty and Elodie is walking, we have no more babies. ) My dolly, Mama has delighted in your presence. At times in the last year, you were the bright spot in dreary days. You have been a blessing not only to me, but to your siblings as well. With your blond hairs and your baby blue eyes, you light up a room. Your personality shines through already and I can see how....shall we say.....determined you are going to be in life. My little princess, you are indeed the baby. You wear the title well. I am thankful each day that you chose us as your family. Thank you. I will love you forever and you will always be my baby. Your Mama