Fumble

I have dropped the ball with blogging this month! Don't give up on me you silent but faithful blog-followers! What a month it has been, as I'm sure it has been for you too!

Two weeks ago, we had a breach in security early in the morning...that's what we call it around here when bathroom or bedroom doors are left open, a perfect opportunity for Birdie to rifle around and find a shoe to go throw in the toilet or trashcan--her favorite pastime of late. Birdie kicked the door in on Brent in our bedroom, I was a few steps behind her but we found Brent on the phone on his knees praying instead of getting ready. It was hard news that ears were about to hear; a beloved uncle had died. It's hard to know how to react when you feel sure that their suffering is over, they've found peace in heaven, but life for us won't be the same anymore. Beatle was particularly close to her great-uncle and we figured she'd take it hard. Later that day, we pulled the old, check-her-out-of-school-and-get-some-ice-cream trick but she's a smart cookie and she knew something was up. I thought I'd leave it to the professional to deliver the news and it was Brent's uncle. He just said it. No real build-up or gentle let-down. Not even a hug when she was crying! I had to swoop in try to save this situation and later I asked to see his qualifying creditials again. Ji-mi-ny! We will miss Uncle Jim.

Have you ever been in so much suspense you can hardly handle it??? In the last month, we've been reading "The Hiding Place" aloud for about an hour each night. It's been super fun and we just finished tonight. But, a few nights ago, when the story was reaching it's climax, Beatle could hardly take it; she flopped on the ground and said, "I'm so nervous. I've got to cover my eyes!" We just died laughing. With an oral story, you're eyes won't spare you, my child! Then, the next night, we were playing Sorry on the floor and it was anyone's game--just a card could be a game-changer. She starts writhing next to us with that nervous giggle/shriek as Brent draws his card and she says, "I can't take this! I'm giving myself a wedgie!" Seriously, so intense that you resort to a self-inflicted wedgie??? Bahaha! I lost it when she pointed that out.

I've had this artsy-crafty idea for a mobile for Birdie since she's never had a proper one before. I gathered sticks, spray-painted them white, used jute rope to hold it together and glued on these Parisian-inspired, pink birds. It was really pretty (although, I can admit now that the scale was a little larger than desired once we got it in place last weekend). I was putting the girls to bed when I thought I heard something crunching. Beatle was chatting it up with Baby across the room so I asked her to be quiet and we strained our ears. Now that I'm retelling this, I feel like I'm building up to a National Lampoon Christmas Vacation story. Anyways, whatever it was didn't do it while we were quiet so I was about to give up when I looked into Birdie's bed more closely when I saw there was a pile of sawdust in there! Judging by the way it fell, I found a hole. Finally, we heard it crunching again. Typical me, I just put Birdie to bed anyways and resolved to talk to Brent about it in the morning. As soon as I did this morning, Brent was like, "Termites!!!" His mind was going a million miles an hour and he was telling me horror stories. Not worth it. The mobile is in the trash, my little birdies are back on my craft table and my Birdie woke up with sawdust in her eye boogers for the last time.

Tomorrow, we set out on an adventure of a lifetime. We're going cruising, baby! It's one thing to go on an awesome vacation but it's another thing to have someone else foot the bill--talk about relaxing!!! Thank you Big Poppa! I've turned into such a cheap-o thanks to Dave Ramsey that it's even hard for me to enjoy vacations as much as I used to because I'm constantly thinking about the dollah billz flying out the window. I got an email the summer of 2007 from my dad wanting to do this and I think we're all so giddy that it's FINALLY here! Family, fun, and the beach. Seriously, heaven on earth. Can't wait!

And, great news! Beatle is going to first grade!!! I'm SO relieved! We plan to get her some tutoring this summer so she can stay with it and maybe next school year, it can come a little more naturally for her.

Oh, and I never did model. I chickened out. (And, of course, I dropped the weight once the deadline was off my back...I have NEVER succeeded when I "need" to lose weight for something. It just makes me stress eat.) But, it all worked out for the best because I can't imagine me even competing with the lady who wound up doing it. She did so good and was having so much fun!