Fiercely Happy

How can I be so fiercely happy about something so silly!

What does this to a grown women?

Dance classes

What kind?

Belly dancing

How does this happen?

You take your daughter to enroll for the new year of ballet at their open house and see a performance of their brand new belly dancing class.

What would possess you to do this?

A secret life long fantasy to be a belly dancer.

Yes you heard it right. I have always wanted to take dance.

And belly dancing is fierce.

I already paid for the year, so I'm committed baby.

See the blog for future installments of my dance career.

I Learn...

as Bella plays. Today the kids were playing "hobo". They run away and start a new life somewhere else. (I attribute this game to our endless moving practices, which will hopefully be abated.) Typically they set up their new life and home in one of the walk in closets in our home. This time Bella left me a note when she ran away.

I scanned it but it wasn't a good image so I'll give you the verbatim copy.

"Mom, I moving mom. I love you but you push me to much. Heart Love Bella." Ouch I saw the truth in that even though this was pretend play.

Still I don't have the answer to the question that has perplexed me since receiving this note? How do you teach your kids to do their best and work really hard, but not push them. Any ideas?

Isn't She Pretty???

I love that my kids play well together. And occasionally Bella gets to play something she wants amidst all the boys, this particular day dress up.

And Wyatt obeys getting all dolled up in Bella's clothes. Issac and Kody had lip gloss on but I missed the pictures of that.

And this week's favorite desserts: a new cracked out brownie and popcorn balls. I don't know why this is only a holiday treat, because everytime I eat them I am in heaven.

What the Numbers Mean

Lately I have been hearing a lot about how much it costs to raise a child, some numbers reported as much as 220,000 for a child up to 18. After doing my own research I found that in the end multiple factors play into it like whether you are a single or dual parent family, your race, and your socioeconomic status or income. Really a nice median number of 160,000 for most people is accurate. It seems like a huge amount of money, at least to me, at first but then I broke it down.

Here's what I came up with:

$160,000 for 18 years,
$8,889 a year,
$740 a month,
$24 a day
and just about $1 an hour.

This is what less than a dollar costs you considering these are just moments and not hours.

(Being a hero to a sick child at 3am)

(Experiencing God's greatest miracle: LIFE)

(Watching a child learn something new)

(Being overcome with love) Doesn't seem like such a bad deal after all. Actually the best investment I've ever made.

He Is...

(Issac gets in bed with Wyatt so Wyatt won't be afraid)

He may be a little louder, rougher, and crazier but...he is always tougher, sweeter, and braver.

I'm Free

So it may not be a flattering picture.

I may have quadruple chins.

You may be able to look up my nose.

But...you may also see that I am totally happy playing with Issac, my kids.

This kind of love is freeing.

It's Gonna Cost You

I love my four kids. I love my family.

But there are some things I don't love.

I don't love spending $30 on bread for two weeks!

I don't love spending $50 for cereal for two weeks.

Don't believe me check my receipt from last night's Wal-Mart trip.

$80 and I still don't have real food.

Sometimes having four kids really does cost you.