I think I'm back........

I've had lots of recent distractions - some big, some little - that have kept me away from the blogging world. I'll probably open up about those sometime in the future, but for now, I think I just want to go back to my regular ole blogging.

The other night, I couldn't get to sleep, so I stayed up re-reading this blog of mine. In some parts, I found myself crying. In other parts, I found myself giggling. The memories that I've preserved on this blog are priceless to me! I am so thankful that I've had a special place to record family memories. And now I have a lot of catching up to do!

This past summer was a BUSY one filled with family, GREAT friends, a birthday milestone, some family trips, the death of a special friend/family member, and some other "things" that I'm not ready to blog about yet.

Despite the death of my dear sister-in-law, and despite some of the things that turned my world upside down (the things I'm not ready to blog about yet), I am surprised to hear myself saying that this was perhaps the very best summer of my life. I turned 40 this summer, and to say it was a reflective time for me would be an understatement. With all that we had going on in our lives this summer, I think it's safe to say that each of these "experiences" has had a profound effect on me.

When death and change touch your lives, I think it brings a keen awareness to the forefront of your mind of what is important and meaningful in your life. I think you count your blessings, change your perspective, slow down and enjoy life, imprint the small things on your heart and mind forever. That's what this summer did for me. It was a good summer.

All the little ones started school this year. This is week three. As I was reading the blog the other night, I read a post from last spring referring to the time that Sunshine would be starting kindergarten. I was scared that I would be emotional and bored and scared. I am happy to report that isn't exactly what's going on here! I am good. I am NOT bored. I am NOT scared. I am NOT lonely. I do miss my little bitties, but I know they'll be home everyday at 2:00ish, so I'm all good.

Sunshine is having a much harder time that I would have ever imagined. Sometimes she is already crying by the time I drop her off at school. She has only had three days, so far, that she hasn't cried. She says that during rest time, she misses me and Aunt Becky. Bless her. I know she does. I am just praying that the newness of school will wear off and that she will make a good friend or two, and that life will be good again for her.

KiKat is all good! That child loves school. Mainly because she can show off her latest fashions. Today she wore a shirt with an attached necklace. Not only can I not believe I let her wear it, but I can't believe I actually bought the thing. But I couldn't help it. She loved it. She truly loved it. I've tried to teach them that "we don't love things, we only love people", but she loves this shirt. Maybe more than she loves me. :)

AAA and L'il Man are the same, which is always good. I have some funny stories to write about them, but I'll save them for a later date. L'il Man, for the first time since kindergarten, is not in class with his best friend, Cade. He's okay now, but it was a rough few days during that first week of school. He asked me if I'd talk to the principal, but I told him I was pretty sure Cade was already talking to her since Cade is the Principal's son. And I was correct. Apparently Cade is holding his mother personally responsible and is even beginning to wonder just how much pull his mother really has! :)

AAA has been "asked out". Well...let me re-state that...AA was almost asked out, but she sensed what was coming, raised her hand as if to say "talk to the hand", started walking backwards, and just as the boy said, "This may be a little awkward", she said, "Whatever it is, I just ran a mile and I couldn't care less. So bye." She said she was smiling when she said it, but that she didn't know what else to say. She knew what was coming and she didn't know how she'd say no if he got the question out, so she just cut him off before he even had a chance to ask. I couldn't BELIEVE she was so bold. I was secretly proud of her , but I sure hope no girl ever says that to MY son! Heartless. :)

That's all for now. But I'll be back.

Thanking God today for just about everything and every person in my life.