I'm ready for school to start!

I'm soooooo ready for school to start. My kids are driving me nuts! All day long, it's Mom - Can I.... Mom - six of my friends are coming over in ten minutes...... Mom - I'm making grilled cheese.... Mom - I burnt the grilled cheese.... Mom, can you turn off the smoke alarm... Mom, what do you get when you cross a blond with an elephant.... Mom, Knock Knock... Mom, what are you doing?..... Mom - watch this.... Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom etc... I can't even go to the bathroom without hearing, Mom - what are you doing (DUH!)?

As much as I've enjoyed being with them this summer, it never stops. I can't seem to get any calm and peaceful time this summer. Once someone calms down, someone else stirs it up. Of course - the dog and cat don't help. They jump right in the mix. They're constantly chasing each other or a child throughout the house.

Yesterday after another burnt grilled cheese incident, we opened the patio doors a little bit. The cat snuck in between the glass and the screen, crawled all the way to the top of the screen and got stuck. We kept hearing him meow loudly and after figuring out where the little scoundrel was, we had to figure out a way to open the door without hurting him and get his curious little behind off the screen!

I'm sure I will miss them once they are back in school, but right now, I dream of quiet time!

Starting a new business

We've officially released our website for our catering business. You can preview it at http://www.mikebankscatering.com. We're working on advertising in the local papers and at the local chamber of commerce.

Keep us in your prayers.

Happy (Almost) Birthday to me!!!

OK - tomorrow's my birthday. I will not pretend to be 29 again or wish for the "good old days." I firmly believe age is a blessing. It brings wisdom, courage and security for those who learn the lessons life present over time. Also - I think that for women, increased age brings some positive changes. We get to a point where we become so much more self-confident and have no problem prioritizing our lives based upon our needs. We no longer need the accolades of others to feel successful or secure. In addition, women start really saying what we feel. I've noticed older women don't beat around the bush quite as much. If we think you're doing something stupid, we'll tell you straight out. ha ha -

Perhaps - the teenagers of today will not have one inkling of understanding of the phases of life I'm going through. But - then again - life is much different for those growing up now than it was in the 70's and 80's.

So - are you ready?? I will be 38! Woo hoo.....

Summer Update

Hey everyone!

The summer is off to a great start! I got the family tree done for hubby's family reunion - whew! That's a big relief to me, as it turned out to be a HUGE job. However, I found he's somewhat related to Pocohantas, which is really neat.

I've spent more time with the kids and have been enjoying the closeness we're feeling. We go to the state park once or twice a week, work in the garden together and generally just have either a ton of kids here in the house or I'm constantly ferrying kids from one house to another.

I realize that my oldest will be off to college in four years and my youngest in eight! I almost can't believe that time has gone by so quickly......

Oh well - back to the kids! Enjoy the summer.

L

Stay At Home Mom

How come I feel guilty? I've decided to stay home. I'm working from home. And I put my kids first..... So - why is this feeling of guilt continuing to nag at me?

True - I'm not making money like I used to. True - I don't work as much as I used to. Yet - we're doing OK financially.

I've worked for years. And - for some reason, I feel guilty for making this choice. My head tells me I'm OK. My heart tells me I'm OK. But - something within my gut tells me I need to do more.

Any advice?

My kItten and My Leg

LOL - My kitten, Chuck, has decided my legs are toys...

I can walk down the hall and without warning, find a kitty attacking my legs. Unfortunately, I freak out - start to jump and scream out loud! Which of course makes Chuck view my legs as playthings even more! I spent a good part of today just hiding from a little kitty...

How pathetic am I? What I'd really like to know is why my legs are the only ones the kitty wants to attack? Is it because, as the only female in the house, I paint my toenails? Or - is it just because my legs ROCK!!! ha ha

Update on the pets.....

Both Opie the dog and Chuck the cat are getting along pretty well. They act like two year old toddlers at times - fighting over toys, chasing each other through the house and vying for attention - ha ha....

Here's some updated pictures with Lucas (my oldest son).