The Plain Truth

 I would, just once, like to get a really nice picture of the husband and I.

 I'm not complaining. 

This isn't terrible. 

But you know, I like him. 

I'd like to capture that essence of love that exudes from us. 

That "je ne sais quoi" that is "us."

Oh, who am I kidding? This picture does the job. 

He tolerates me at best, I think.

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On Wealth

 I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about wealth. And riches.

 The husband has a good job. He works very hard and provides well for our "little" family. All of our needs are met. And quite a lot of our wants. Of course, we always wish for more, right? I mean, would it be too much to ask that my children have actual beds to sleep on? (Some of them sleep on mattresses on the floor because they BROKE their bed by jumping on it... ahem.) (And if we're being honest, the husband believes he is going to build us two sets of bunkbeds. I'm just impatient.)

 But when it comes right down to it, I know that having things like fancy furniture (anything without marker on it), and extravagant vacations (qualifies as anyplace overnight without the kids) aren't important. Truly. I mean, look! We are wealthy. We are rich beyond measure.  

I wouldn't trade it for the world. 

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Walking

 The bike trail that runs behind our house really is one of my favorite things about where we live. It enables us to take leisurely walks as a family. Someday, though, when everyone is old enough, we'd like to go on bike rides together. We also would all need bikes. Small oversight.

 I always take my camera along when we go out there because its a good way to get some honest interactions captured on "film". 

 The purse she is wearing has been her constant companion for the better part of a week. It's contents: a My Little Pony, two super balls, and a bean bag. She will gladly empty it's contents for you if you ask to see them. 

My LibbyMae (as she's called) sure loves her Daddy. 

 I'm going to pretend like this picture didn't happen. 8 and 10 year old girls can be pretty emotional. (Understatement of the century). 

The husband looks tired. I think it's because we spent the entire day sleeping. This walk was literally the only thing we did that day. Also, proof that my husband can sorta grow facial hair. 

But see! Not always all emotional! Sometimes just sweetness and light. Yeah, this is the one I'll keep.

I'll be back with more pictures from this walk... I took lots.

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Holes for One

 It's amazing what a little thing like donut holes can do for your day.

Especially when Daddy is the one doing the treating.

Is this the way it is at your house? Mom's the meanie. The enforcer. Dad's the one who brings home a gargantuan sized box of donut holes for you to stuff yourself with. (She had five and was mad when I told her no more.)

 Also notice her "tatt/sticker sleeves?" She really likes stickers. I've mentioned this before. And she never lets us remove them. I thought for a long time that it was because she really likes to hold onto her stickers. But no. It's because after wearing them constantly for 3-5 days, they basically fuse to your skin. Removing them is painful. 

 What? You don't eat with your feet on the table? You haven't lived.

Pretty sure she's flashing me some gang signs here. Be wary of this one.

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Teamwork!

How many siblings does it take to get Libby a drink?

One to be a step stool. One for safety. And one to hold the button.

Good thing for siblings.

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The One Where I Make An Appearance

Oh hi. 

Yes, yes. This is me. No makeup. Not that I wear it any day other than Sunday. So, basically, if you know me, this is how I always look. 

But did you notice??

My hair is in a ponytail! One. Yeah. It's about 2 inches long. But I'm thrilled.

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The Sick

 This has been one of the worst Winters for sickness. And not just for us. Almost everyone I know has kids who've been perpetually sick.  If it wasn't puking, it was mysterious rashes, pneumonia, Hand, Foot and Mouth, colds, coughs, fevers, Bronchitis, Strep, etc etc etc.

Fortunately for us, we haven't had it as bad as all that. Libby did get HFM right after Christmas but that was more of a relief since she is my last kid to get it. Done and done.

But in the last month our kids one at a time have fallen victim to a puking bug.  And finally, we're passing the flu (pretty sure that's what this is) around. Right now it's poor Anna. We're on day 3 of a fever and just for extra fun, today she lost her voice.  Poor thing.

 She's been pretty miserable. But you need to understand that Anna is my only cuddly child. So, all she wants is to be held. Obviously, I can't do that, but I've tried to acquiesce as much as possible. Also, it's 80 degrees here and holding a child who is running a 103.3 temperature makes things a little... uh... sweaty.

But sickness aside, isn't she beautiful? Don't you just want to kiss those luscious lips? Okay, maybe after she's done being sick.

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