I'm lying here in bed drinking my coffee and hoping Hazel sleeps a little longer. She slept better last night, but she still isn't sleeping through the night.

Mama came and stayed with us a couple of days. She watched the kids on Monday night so that Brian and in could take William out for his birthday. He wanted to go to Central Market and get sushi and a big hunk of cheese. They have a large cheese department with cheeses from all over the world. He picked some italian cheese, also a bottle of ginger ale, three different kinds of sushi that we three shared, and a package of mixed nuts. It was a different dinner, but fun. We then took him shopping at Zinger's where he got a Lego Star Wars set of some sort. He then wanted to go to Half Price Books to get a Calvin and Hobbes. After that we went for ice cream at Amy's, and ended our night by getting a wii game at Best Buy. I think he had a good time. Sometimes it's hard to tell because he always acts so anxious.

Mama was here on Tuesday. She and I went walking that morning, and then we did stuff around the house the rest of the day. I started making a piñata for William and john's party on saturday. Tuesday night the boys had cub scouts. We all decided to go since it was Williams's birthday. They had a potluck and did the pinewood derby. The boys had worked on their cars a lot this time around. William and John were the top finishers. Samuel's car looked the coolest, but was too heavy apparently.

Yesterday i finished making the piñata. It turned out better than I expected. It's an octopus. I hope it holds together when the candy is added.

Yesterday afternoon William had his last gold lesson. We went next door to the Y when it was over and watched Margaret and Samuel play their first soccer game of the night. They beat the northwest Y team 5 to 0. They immediately went into another game against the other northwest Y team, a much better team, and barely best them 6 to 5. They'll play in the championship tonight at 7. This has been such a fun season for them!

Well, I'm a gonna head out to meet my mommy friends to walk, if any of them show up.

We're at the library now. It's one place where everyone behaves at the same time. They love, love, love the library.

My friend Karen came by this afternoon and we caught up on each other's lives. It wasn't nice to have some woman to woman conversation.

Tonight Margaret and samuel's soccer team won the championship game , making them the YMCA Austin area champs! Karen and her husband Josef and their kiddos came to the game to cheer us on. Karen and I talked marathons and how we plan to train. She's the one who is planning to run the NB marathon with me.

I'm propped up in bed drinking coffee and finishing a bagel. Hazel sleeps next to me where she's been since about 3:30 this morning. Not quite sleeping through the night, but almost.

Church this morning. I say with David -

O LORD, I love the habitation of Your house
And the place where Your glory dwells. (Psalm 26:8)

Home from church now. I was only able to hear a part of the sermon since hazel started singing, but I participated in the singing and communion, which brings such happiness to my soul. This weekly covenant meal is so needed!

The church is compiling a photo directory for the first time in 6 or more years. We had our pic taken today. We aren't good at looking all matchy match. I didn't even attempt to coordinate our clothes. I hope the scratch that Hazel gave me across my face in the night doesn't show up too much in the pic.

I got in a couple of cat naps today while feeding Hazel. I needed them. Brian took the kids to the Y in the evening. I stayed home with Hazel. We got in a 4 or so mile walk.

Life is short. A friend from church lost her 18 year old cousin in a car wreck late Saturday night, early Sunday morning. The girl was about to graduate high school. I've thought about her and about Rachel Dodson leaving behind Darryl and Reagan so suddenly. I always like to mentally prepare for the worst, to brace myself, so that when tragedy or disappointment come, I'm better able to handle it and I don't fall apart. But how do you prepare for suddenly losing a child, a spouse, a dear friend in blink of an eye? I hope it's something I never have to learn.

She slept! Yes. There was some fussing off and on for an hour or so about being put to bed in her pack-n-play, but eventually she fell sleep and slept until we got up at 5:30. It was wonderful!

We opted out of going up to Georgetown for Vern's this morning. We need some rest.

I've been spending the morning sewing - working on a dress for Brian's cousin, but also sewing cub scout badges on the boys' shirts, and listening to Handel's Water Music all the while. Such a nice way to begin a Saturday.

Brian took the boys to the Boy Scout store this morning. William came home with all sorts of things. He's really into this boy scout thing. I'm glad because it's something the other two aren't so into.

I think I'm resigned to the fact that Hazel is now a food eater. The cereal seemed to help her sleep last night, and she seemed pretty interested in the cereal and roasted pears today at lunch. I was going to try to see how long I could hold off before giving her solids, but I guess this is as long as we can go.

We xeriscaped the front of the yard by the curb a couple of months ago. Last weekend when we went out to Burnet to celebrate Mother's Day, Brian and I dug up several native plants to add to our landscaping. They're coming along nicely.

We'll be celebrating William and John's birthdays next weekend. Since their birthdays are two weeks apart, we always celebrate them together. After their birthday party, we'll be done with birthday season for this year.

We all went walking, running, and roller blading at Mueller this evening. We got in between 3 and 4 miles. I think everyone will sleep well tonight. I think I will. Even though Hazel had a good, long night of sleep, I was more tired today than I can ever remember being.

Another night of wrestling with an octopus. I don't know what the deal is with Hazel. She will not let me put her in the pack-n-play beside our bed. She'll only sleep if she's right I between Brian and I.

It's already the middle of the afternoon. This day is going by too fast. Seems like Fridays always do. I took the kids down to the town lake trail this morning for a long walk. We did the 4.2 mile loop, then grabbed some lunch at Taco Cabana. You know what, my kids are a real joy to go places with. I can say that without bragging because lately some of them are really hard to be at home with.

Margaret and Samuel have their last regular season soccer game tonight. I'm going to make homemade pizza for dinner...just waiting for the spirit to move me.

I've got the kids in there watching Marley & Me while get dinner made. Sometimes you just gotta pull out the electronic babysitter.

Brian took the kids to their soccer game tonight so I could have some rest. I gave Hazel some rice cereal and nursed her and changed her. Hopefully all these things will work together to make her feel happy and contented and maybe, just maybe she'll sleep a little tonight. I am so weary of her waking every few hours.

Everyone is back home now. Margaret and Samuel won their last game and will play in the city-wide tournament next week. We celebrated with ice cream sandwiches and we're all heading off to bed. We have Vern's No Frills 5k in the morning. I'm sure I'll make a terrible showing, what with me not getting much sleep all week, but it will be good for me to get out and run hard anyways.

Reading back over what I've written throughout the day and I sure have complained a lot. Really there is so much to be thankful for. Life is beautiful.

Well, there goes Hazel. :)

So very tired today. Hazel slept better, though she did wake around 4 to eat. It will be out of this world when she starts sleeping all night!

I don't know if I mentioned this, but I am working on organizing a neighborhood walking group for mommies. Last week was the first week I announced it over the neighborhood list serve. I think the rainy weather deterred some ladies, because I had several say that they were interested in participating. Well, my group is starting out small...real small. Hazel and I have been walking out two to three miles every Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7. Hopefully we'll have some company soon. :)

I met some friends down at the Barton Creek Greenbelt today. The creek has more water than I can ever remember. The kids jumped in and out and played pirates and such while Hazel and I lounged on the bank. I really wanted to nap, but Hazel was too curious and kept dragging herself over to the edge of the blanket and digging in the dirt.

We're back home now and I have all the kids resting in their rooms. I really should be napping, too, but I have so much cleaning to do. I also have this baby dress I have been needing to sew for Brian's cousin's little one. I'm afraid that if I put it off any longer the thing won't fit her when I'm done.

Brian took the older four with him to the Y for Margaret and Samuel's soccer practice. The golf course is next door, so he panned to take William and John over to hit some balls. And me, well, I'm just glad to have a little quietness and a clean house. And a glass of wine to unwind with. Hazel and I are chilling out, watching American Idol.

You know, even though I've been exhausted all day, the Father's grace is sufficient and His power is perfected in my weakness. I really have sensed Him lifting me up and carrying me through today. And I just don't go around saying stuff like that. It was tangible.

Well, everyone is back home, tummies are full, feet and teeth are cleaned, and bodies are tucked into bed. Hazel sleeps on my lap. Brian watches the Spurs and someone play in the other room. It has been a long, long day. I'm off to bed. Tootles!

I've decided to blog throughout the day since I don't think I ever will publish anything if I try to sit down and create a complete entry in one sitting. I never have the time to finish and I have so many unpublished posts!

So it's early Wednesday morning and the day is not starting out so well. Hazel was up most of the night and I am exhausted! I didn't get out to run with Brian like I wanted to, but maybe later. I'm lying here in bed, reading my Bible, drinking my coffee, and trying to stretch the kinks out. I really need to get back into the pilates class at the Y.

We're up and at 'em now. We had our morning devotions and practiced our verses - Galatians 5:25-26, and are about to go walking at Mueller. Hopefully I can get in a nap this afternoon.

We did a two or so mile walk at Mueller, then checked on the progress of the figs on the fig trees at the park. Still waiting. We stopped in at Starbucks so I could redeem my gift card - a Mother's Day gift from Brian's parents. I bought two pounds of Gold Coast, which I am presently enjoying.

Today is turning out to be a very pleasant day. The weather is perfect. I mowed last night, so the yard feels tidy and the flowers and herbs are all working together to bring joy to the world.

William has been busy making origami creations using tips from a site on the dubyadubyadubya. He is so good at that kind of thing. The boys don't get to use the wii today because they were fighting and teasing, so they're finding some more creative outlets.

William and I are now at Harvey Pennick golf course for his lesson. I think this is the last of his lessons. I hope he's enjoyed them. This is something he's asked to do for a long time. He always wants to do the sorts that no one else is doing. That way he can't be compared to the other, more athletic children in the family.

I made up a schedule for our summer days/weeks. I want some structure, just not too much. One thing I think is really needful is a daily imposed quiet time. The kids will be involved in several activities and will need spme down time. Margaret will be doing swim team and a girl's soccer league. Samuel will be doing summer basketball. William and John will be doing Tae Kwan Do (i'm sure I butchered that spelling).

I hope to have a weekly library trip, scheduled walking and running times, also swim days. I have other ideas for things to do. Maybe bi weekly museum trips. Bi weekly might be too often. Maybe once a month. There will also be a once a week school day. Maybe once a week isn't often enough. Maybe short periods a couple of times a week. The kids really need to work on their writing skills.

I've been reading a lot about education. Lots to think about before.

I'm making dinner right now - black bean sweet potato burritos. A facebook friend raves about them, so I figured I should give them a try. They'be turned out pretty good. How can you go wrong with a dish that combines four of my favorite ingredients: black beans, sweet potatoes, chipotle peppers, and spinach?

Sitting here watching the news and sipping some red wine. Margaret and I just got back from a walk around the neighborhood. It's really the best night for a walk and lots of the neighbors were also out. There was an impromptu get together of about ten of us in the intersection of the next block. We talked about Hazel and mosquitos and running. I really do love this 'hood.

And that about wraps up our day.

i bought this cute elephant themed onesie pack at Target a couple of months ago. it was really the boy set - they had a pink elephant set for girls - but i liked this one better. Hazel only wore this one maybe once before it was too short for her. i decided to give it a little more life. i cut the bottom off it, sewed a little skirt to it from fabric i had lying around, added some tulle and a flower and poof! it's a new outfit! also made a headband while i was at it.

another project -

this was a cheap, easy pattern with cheap fabric from my semi-annual trip to Walmart.

i don't really care for the babies-in-headbands look, so don't ask me why i'm making so many. LOL.

Jeremy Barta Memorial Fund

on monday morning, while he was taking his boys to school, Jeremy Barta's car was hit by a capmetro train in north Austin. Jeremy was killed instantly. his boys survived and it looks like they'll be okay. please pray for his wife and family. Jeremy is my step brother's first cousin.

Jeremy Barta Memorial Fund

too long since i last blogged. i'm just never in the writing mood these days. well, actually i have been in the writing mood, but those thoughts have gone into an old journal of mine that i recently found, one that i'd kept before i began blogging many years ago. ever since i was a wee one i've kept a journal, except that back then i called it a diary. i don't know where all those went. i guess my parents have them in a box somewhere since i can't remember taking them with me when i moved out and married. when i started keeping a blog on xanga, whenever that was (5, 6 7 years ago?), my private journaling fell off. i aim to resurrect that part of journaling though.

we're coming into the home stretch of school. many subjects are near completion and some we've been finished with for a couple of weeks. there is such a sense of accomplishment that we made it through the school year! i'm so proud of my chickadees for patiently enduring under my tutelage! 

i registered for my 7th marathon. October 26th is the day. Brian made a running schedule for me, and i don't have to begin my training in earnest until July. i've only been running short distances lately. we've run several 5K's lately, but i'm taking my precious time getting my speed back. i'm still running 5K's in the 25 min. range and feeling like i have weights on my feet. Margaret and Samuel are a few minutes faster than me now.

we have talked and talked and talked about moving and not moving. we have just not been able to make up our minds. we got our tax assessment for the year and our value went down $20K! i know those numbers don't mean much in the whole scheme of things, but that, along with other things make us think we need to hang on to our place for awhile longer.

my mom just came and took the four big kids until tomorrow evening. she also took Thomas and Mer's two bigger ones. Brian and i are about to go over to the park to get some exercise. i'm looking forward to a little r&r and some time to look over school stuff. even so, anytime the kids go away for the night, i miss them a lot. it hasn't always been this way. when they were younger i didn't miss them as much. sad but true.

it's now monday afternoon. Brian and i had a really nice time out last night. we went for a long walk in the Crestview neighborhood, then shared a mimosa pitcher at Thunderbird Coffee. Hazel kept us up too late with her singing. i had intended to do a 7 mile run at the trail this morning, but was so tired that i ended up run/walking it.

i have several good books i'm reading right now. here are a few of them ~










i'm going to cut this post short and submit it before it drags on another day and becomes old news and i decide not to post it.

cheerio, my friends!

Youth would be an ideal state if it came a little later in life.

- Herbert Henry Asquith