What's going on at The Mad House?

Craziness, thanks for asking!

I have been a bad blogger because in my very limited spare time I either want to sleep, catch up on my dvr shows, sleep, scrapbook or I'm on stinkin' facebook! Facebook is really the culprit of keeping me away from my little blog. FB is really a very odd thing. I find all these people that I want to be friends with, but a. I have no idea if they will remember me (even though I have been told often that once you meet me it's hard to forget me - not sure if that's a good or bad thing!) b. IF they do remember me, what if they don't want to be my friend, c. do I really want to be friends with all these random people that I will probably never talk to again (on FB or any other venue). So, while it is fun watching my number of very random friends grow, FB is also making me feel like I am back in 9th grade,the new kid on the block and bringing back some really silly high school insecurities. But it is really fun finding old friends... And therein lies my love/hate relationship with FB. I really need to get a life!

But, I do have one that is keeping me very busy, just not busy enough to ward off the lure of FB. Here is a quick update on the past week at The Mad House:

Lovey: has been on nights for a while. I don't mind them so much because I have no boundaries and when I really miss him I will "accidentally" wake him up. It's been nice because he usually wakes up shortly after the boys get home from school and the girls wake up from their afternoon naps. That is the time in this house when there is mass chaos. A good time for him to be awake. He's in the ER this month and loves it! I'm glad too, because I would really be sad if we went through all this work and he didn't like what he was doing! Do you like how I say "we"? Hmm. One word: I-wonder-why-I-always-make-it-all-about-me?!

Caleb: LOVES school. Loves it! And I am happy for him. He got off the (very posh) school bus yesterday and (before even saying hi) says, "Can I use the phone? I need to make a phone call. Oh, and do you mind if I borrow the laptop? I need to use the computer too." Um, hi, I missed you too. Aren't you in kindergarten? Who in the world do you need to call? Yeah, he's definitely enjoying the social life of school. He told his papa and I yesterday that the girls chase him on the playground. And then once they get him, they hit him and act all weird. Papa Bear told him to get use to that one...women act weird a lot. Hmm. I don't think he's speaking from experience...?

Luke: loves school too. And is doing really well. I don't know if it is his age or his new school, but he's really into 'learning'. He likes to color and is spending lots of time these days doing little coloring projects. A little different for the active child who for the longest time would only use black crayons (and only use black paper, markers & paint!) and his desire to color was for a very short span of time. I'm really glad we are out of that stage. I was terrified that 'goth' would be in my future! Luke really loves his teachers, Ms Lawhorn and Ms Pope (he calls them "Miss Longhorn and Miss Poke!) and knows everyone in the class by name. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that they know him by "Luke". I was dropping him off the other day and as I was leaving his class, one of his classmates dad called out to me and said, "Is your son the one that likes to be called Anakin?" Um, Yeah...how did you know?! "Oh, my son comes home and talks about him all the time. He says that your son will only answer if they call him Anakin or Young Anakin." Hmm. One word: at-least-he's-not-using-black-crayons!


Lily Kate: is still not walking. And it's totally NOT because she doesn't know how. It's because she is in a hurry, doesn't like to fall, and can get where she needs to go by crawling. This is completely indicative of her personality. I have fear that she is going to be a Type A/Perfectionist. Just like her biggest brother and Daddy. Lily Kate is my girl that is very particular, likes to be held, whines when she doesn't get what she wants and when she smiles she crinkles her nose - it is THE cutest thing ever - and melts hearts! Melting hearts = getting her way. Hmm. Can you say, "M-a-n-i-p-u-l-i-t-i-v-e!"


Ella: is everywhere and into everything. She goes from room to room all day, dismantling or moving things. Things are rarely where they belong anymore and it is all due to her handy work! Ella is curious, adventurous, easy going, clumsy, and adorable! She is more "tomboy" than Lily Kate, but still loves shoes, purses and her clothes. Hmm. Can you say, "Like-mama-like-daughter?"


The twins: are becoming a LOT of work. Up until now they have remained fairly contained, but we recently opened up their boundaries and let them off the carpet. I am regretting that decision. They are keeping me busy. And making me exhausted. They are also getting more aggressive towards one another. When they fight, they have no problem hitting or pulling hair. They are vicious! But they like to kiss and make-up too!! As much as they are work, they are fun too! They love to sing, kiss, dance, laugh with each other, eat and are often getting in trouble together. The boys love their little sisters and celebrate any new thing that they learn. Luke, who up until recently has shown little interest in playing with the twins, has been making up little games to play with them while Caleb is at school. It's pretty stinkin' cute! I am so thankful for my kids and their love for one another!!


I have been busy doing... I don't even know! I feel like I should have all this free time since I have one child in school full time and another part time, but instead I just feel like we are busier than ever. It's not a bad busy, just an at-the-end-of-the-day-I-am-exhausted-and-I-can't-figure-out-what-I-accomplished busy! I have been going to the gym and trying to lose weight. Last week I joined WW and am going to the meetings. I have been excited by my progress thus far: I lost 4.5 pounds last week!! Very excited. I am working out a lot too and able to get to the gym at least 5 days a week! And loving it. My last run (Thursday) was 4 miles at a 9 minute mile pace. Not breaking any world records, but I am thrilled with my progress and have definitely caught the running bug! One word: obsessed!

I am also thrilled to announce that I am almost done with Luke's scrapbook!!! I have been working on it a lot over the past couple of months and all I have left to document is his first birthday. Then it's on to the girls!! One word: YEAH!

Whew! Are y'all still reading? I just wanted to give an update on the Mad House. Sorry it turned into a novel!