Right now

(Okay so I just finished writing a marathon post! I guess I had a lot on my mind. So it may take a few minutes to read.)



Tanner is asleep and Courtney and Jake are at school and I have maybe a 1/2 hour of peace and quiet before all heck breaks loose. So, I was playing a mindless game on the computer (Bejeweled - totally a waste of time but I love the little noises it makes) and I was deep in thought, so I decided I would blog!



Porter comes home late tonight after 16 days of being gone - I can't wait!!!!! I was thinking about taking the kids to the airport about midnight and surprise him - but midnight? Seems a little late! He'd probably love it - but I would pay with onry (sp?) children for the next 3 days. Still might do it.



I just have to say I am so thankful for my family. I honestly don't know what I would do without them. I know people always say that - but I truly mean it. I was thinking I was getting pretty good at basically being a single mom - but it's only because I have great parents and a brother and sister-in-law who help me out a ton!

I'm sure my mom gets sick of me calling to see if she can take Tanner for an hour while I help in Jake's class or have some appointment - but if she's sick of it - she hasn't said anything to me and she's always happy to do it. Like yesterday, It was Courtney's bday and my dad took Tanner most of the day so I could get ready for her party and have the party with just the girls. Totally saved my day! They save my day on a weekly basis!



Just a cute side note- yesterday when my dad took Tanner this is what he said to my dad, "Papa, I have a plan. First, we are going to have a Creamie. Then, we will go plant flowers. Next, we will go on a bike ride then we will play basketball." Tanner had the whole day planned out, and they followed it exactly. At the end of the day, Tanner was so proud because they did his plan.



Thankfully, my boys love working with their grandpa and he's teaching them great things. Usually every week they help him weed his planters and do jobs around the yard. My boys live for it!!! He makes it so fun and is so patient with them, and of course throwing a baseball, playing hoops and a bike ride are usually involved!



So, Courtney turned 9 yesterday! 9????? How old does that make me feel. Way to old. I remember being that age and it doesn't feel like it was too long ago. She is way fun right now! Sometimes a little emotional - but hey she's a girl! She's my little helper - the boys 2nd mom. (Which can be good and bad!) She is almost 5 feet and wears a size 6 1/2 women's shoe. At least I can say she's 9 now -not 8 - because nobody believed me. She's a smart girl - she'll go far in life. Okay - I'm going to brag a little so if you don't want to hear it - just skip to the next paragraph- but I am so proud of her. She scored in the top 10% of the nation in 5/6 categories on the national Iowa test. Way to go Courtney pie!



So - for my sanity I am taking a quilting class every Tuesday night. I love it! I have the cutest babysitter come and I get to leave!!! I think when my quilting class is done - I am still going to have her come so I can do something for just me. Learn something new each week so my brain doesn't turn to mush. Anyone want to join me or know of any fun classes???? Or girls night every Tuesday?



Jake, Jake, Jake - he's my little superstar. He's so sweet and happy. Things roll off of him like butter - maybe that's just part of being a boy. (Do things even actually roll off butter?) Anyways, he's happy go lucky! He just wants a ball - baseball, soccer ball, basketball - and he's happy. If you want Jake to know that you love him, just spend an hour playing 1-on-1 with him! And sad but true - it happened (Emily you know what I'm talking about) -the other day, I reached for his hand - like always - and he dodged it, smiled a little embarrassed and asked me if he could just not hold my hand. :(



My Tanner boy had his last day of pre-school today! I can't believe it's been a whole year. He is my little angel. There could be nobody cooler to hang out with all day. I love it - every time we ride in the car, he asks me, "What do you want to talk about?" He loves to be a big boy and play with Courtney and Jake and their friends. He is also riding Jake's old bike with training wheels on. He could probably do it without them, but they are for my peace of mind. He also dribbles a ball like nobody's business!



So this was long and sentimental, but I haven't blogged one of these in a while. So if anyone made it all the way to the end - thanks for listening!