BUSY is an Understatement

To describe my life as busy would be the understatement of the year.  I think that statement would hold true for any parent.  It is a full time job with double overtime getting my five where they need (or want) to be.  

We have been to dozens of sporting events, a few movies, Playhouse Disney Live, etc etc etc.   Holidays are coming /going quickly.  My birthday is even around the corner... I will be 28!  ;)  

The kids have 4 weeks left in the school year - the longest in their lives as they have been in the same grade for nearly a year and a half - started in Australia in January 08.  When we moved back to the US this past summer, they started again in August in the same grade... so yes, Joey has been a Junior for a year and a half!  If he were still in Australia, he would graduate in about 5 months.  Poor Joey.  

Joey and Holly both had to enter the Social Studies Fair as a school requirement.  Joey's project on the Boston Tea Party received 3rd place.  YEAH!  I think Holly - SWEET Holly - shocked everyone with her slightly morbid project on the Salem Witch Hunts.... her project last semester was the History of Root Beer - BIG CHANGE!  : )  

The older kids both did FABULOUS on their ACT tests.... BRING ON THE SCHOLARSHIP MONEY!!!   Joe and I are so proud of them... and happy that all of their hard work has brought them such academic success!

Daniel FINALLY decided he wanted a short hair cut... you can see the before - in the group shot of the kids above - and the after - in his self portrait taken by the camera on the computer.  I am the only one that has not given him grief about his shaggy hair... I knew he would eventually come around and decide that hair in his face was not the way to go.  I can't tell you how happy this haircut has made my mother!!! : ) She now has nothing to nag me about!  : )  

Joe will be home in 12 weeks - FOR GOOD!!!!!

In addition to racking up the miles on my Armada, I have been working on the house.  I LOVE every millimeter of this house... but there were/are some paint and wallpaper problems (UGLY) and a few other cosmetic issues.  I made a list of things that I wanted to "tweak" and make more our style (that would be Casual/Asian/Eclectic/French Country).  The list starts with easy things that I can do without Joe... and then gets more complicated for when Joe returns - i.e.  Master Bathroom complete overhaul.  

After living in Embassy housing for sooooooooooooooooooo longggggggggggggggggg, I can not tell you how much fun it is to pick out paint and enjoy a little color on the walls!  I painted the kitchen green and the foyer a nice beige... all were bright yellow before.   And wallpaper - this is a first for me! I picked out a pretty brown French Country wallpaper for the powder room to replace the green and burgundy non-descript stuff that was in there before.    I could sit in the wallpaper store for hours!  I have even made  curtains for the kitchen, living room, and master bedroom.  I am going to leave the dining room to the experts!  

I guess that is about it.  There are some pics at the top... taken with my old camera.  I am still a little "gun  shy"  with the new one.  I NEED to take a photography class.  HMMMMMMMMM... won't have time for that until 12 weeks from now!  : )