A confession

I have lost my abs. I do not know that I ever really had them but, I know that I am now discovering them. I have been working at getting in shape and I have found it is taking some work to get my abs to respond and work. I have been experienceing that sick-to-my-stomach feeling after my workouts. I think it is actually my abs screaming.

It is actually a wonderful thing and I am feeling like I am getting somewhere. Now, if only my clothes were a little looser and the scale read a little lighter!

Dinner convo

Last night over dinner, Archer asks, "Dad, did you have P.E. when you were a kid?"

Super Happy Day

Ridge had a Super birthday.

He likes his "Big truck"

It was a happy day!

Happy Birthday, Ridge

The Gardner baby is 2! Holy Crap! (as Ridge would say). Ridge is really quite the guy with all of his language, always surprising. Ridge also is very physical, he can ride a skateboard and play with the big boys and give his sister a lickin when deemed necessary.

3 days old and that's how he rolls!

Now, look out!

It's just bar-b-que sauce

Do you hear what I hear

Tonight we were enjoying dinner on the patio. The kids were starting to get down and play and watch some lightning in the distance. Then, a loud rumble of thunder, the kind where there is no question of whether it was a plane or loud truck or THUNDER. Ridge turned slowly toward Rob and I and very pitifully said, "Lion."

Out of the mouths of babes

I have been working at having more dinners at home for our family. Tonight was stuffed peppers and mashed potatoes. I actually put in some effort. Shame on me. When the meal was put on the table and all were gathering, my sweet, sweet Baby Ridge looked at the dish of peppers brimming with meat filling and topped with cheese and said...."crap, what a mess!"

Frankly, I am as shocked as you are!

I'nna shoot it, Dad

The Children

Basketball Big Brother

Sweater Vest Sister

Bobble-head Baby Brother

Unbelievable

It has been nine days since I have seen the inside of a Target. That has to be a record.

Gettin in the swing

So, school has started and I finally feel like I am getting a handle on the "summer home" we have been living in. Some may say wallowing by the way this place looked for the last few weeks. I have gotten the closet in shape, the master bathroom is without any superfluous paint cans, hammers, and shelf brackets. Dishes are clean and stowed safely in their proper compartments and not under the seat in front of you. The floors, oh the floors. I have vaccuumed at least the first layer of filth up. I have even scrubbed the tile until I am satisfied that I would in fact, eat that Krispy Kreme donut that fell on the floor. (Of course, it would take a lot before I would let a Krispy Kreme go.)

I would just like to say how wonderful it is to have even a partially clean home. I absolutely love clean sheet day. There is nothing like getting into bed with crisp clean sheets that smell like detergent and closet. Some people don't care for this smell but as for me, LOVE IT! The best way to enjoy said sheets is fresh out of a hot bath.

And another thing. I love the clicking and popping sounds of the vaccuum when the floor is surrendering all the lovely debris scattered by the fam. I think I would feel like it was pointless to vaccuum without these sweet sounds. For this reason I also enjoy my bagless vaccuum. At least I have a visual that something is coming off the carpet.

I am finding pleasure in these simple things. A clean house is calming and wonderful and there is satisfaction in getting it done.

The girls

Rob took this picture of his girls. I really love the way I am blurred and Emma is crisp.