March Inn

Why"March Inn?" March Inn was the name of that magic place where I spent my summers growing up. I have alluded to this place before, and I probably will again. March Inn is no longer standing. The waters of Katrina rendered it unlivable so my children will never know that "March Inn." That makes me sad. In fact it brings me to tears whenever I think about it. I want my children to have their own "March Inn," and I want to capture our lives as they are growing and changing. I invite you to "march inn" to our lives. My hope is that you will catch glimpses of the real world. You will see our creations. You will see our chaos. You will see our affection. You will also see our frustrations, fears, and disappointments. Enjoy your march!

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Pick up Betsy - Check

Those three simple words, Pick up Betsy, point to the problem with my "to do" list.  The act of "picking up Betsy" certainly isn't the problem.  It is always my delight to pick up Betsy or for that matter any of my children.  The problem comes, in this instance, with the time involved in picking up Betsy.  Walker and I loaded the car just before 8:00 yesterday morning to drive south to meet my mom to pick up Betsy.  We arrived at the Publix parking lot back in Birmingham just after 1:00.  After five hours, I could finally cross off the words "pick up Betsy" from my list of things to do yesterday.
Oh but it was worth it!  After a week of being a part we were thrilled to see each other.  The highlight of my day was walking to meet Mary Frances and Stephen as they came home from Crestline.  Stephen was walking with some boys.  However when he saw us approaching, he took off running to give his little sister a hug.  We continued on, together, up the hill looking for Mary Frances.  She too, started running to meet us.  At that point, Betsy asked to get off the tricycle to run towards her big sister.  I wish I had been able to document the excitement on the faces of everyone involved.

It was priceless!  So was the time that I got to play with Betsy's new cupcake set from her cousin prior to afternoon dismissal.  And the time that my little ones played happily so I could get some things done before the homework, dinner, bath madness began.
And then Daddy came home!  Another priceless moment and the only documentation of Betsy's excitement that I was able to attempt to document.
   
So here is the time for my confession and self reflection.  It isn't just "pick up Betsy" that occupies a little space yet a large chunk of time on my list of things to do.  There are many other items such as "Pick up Betsy!"  I won't bore you with all of the myriad of things that need to be accomplished in order to restore some semblance of order to this house, but just a quick glance revealed "put away ski stuff," "make cake," "clean house," and "hand wash."  You and I both know that those things don't just happen.  There is a process to check those items off the list and that process takes time.  In order to put away the ski stuff, it must all be washed, folded, and dried.  It won't happen overnight and I need to just chill and be okay with that!  For today, I will take comfort in the fact that at least that "ski stuff" has a designated container to place in the attic when I finish the task.  

Stay tuned for details of our trip...


Friday, January 3, 2014

A Family Tradition

Tootsie started it, and we finished it.
We now have a picture of each child wearing the same overalls at the lake.  




I took a bunch but will print one.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Sibling Secrets

Before leaving town for Christmas I snapped these pictures of my youngest two!
They were sharing a moment checking out the gingerbread house Mary Frances brought home from a party. 
 There is no doubt they have fun together!
While I have no idea what they were giggling about, I'm thankful they let me capture their moment.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Happy New Year!

I'm going to take some time and catch you up on our life.  If you want to hear what we've been up to grab a cup of coffee and read on.  If not, check back in a few days and maybe I will be back to the day in day out details of our boring life.
Our life is full ~ always!  Late November and December are always more full than usual.  On any given day, I have difficulty balancing all the demands I place on myself - family, friends, house, church, volunteer opportunities.  From Halloween until February 1,  I run full steam ahead squeezing in many more obligations than normal.  This year was no different!  Often I wish I could just say "no"  however I learned a long time ago that is just not my personality.  As usual, some things were left undone, many things were marked incomplete, but most things were checked off of my ever growing list of things to be done.  Here are some highlights!  Maybe I can expound on certain elements later in the year.  My pictures don't do it justice but at least you get a taste of what we've been up to.

Since my last post we celebrated Thanksgiving.  It was again just the seven of us which can sometimes seem like any old Tuesday night.  However, I did a few things that made the days leading up to Thanksgiving Day a bit more special and I hope to repeat in future years.  I put a "Thankful Tree" on our dining room table.  The children were caught on more than one occasion filling out cards to hang from the tree.  There responses made me smile!  On Thanksgiving Day, I set the table with these place settings {so simple}, and after the holiday, I gathered up their Thankful cards and various pieces of artwork and created a Thanksgiving scrapbook.  See I really can complete thoughts and even ideas!

So after our Thanksgiving meal, I got sick.  So much for decorating... Frank and the children did it and it was AWESOME!  By the Iron Bowl I had rallied.
I guess it is a good thing we are house divided.  Most were happy.  Some were not.  Betsy is the only standout.  When asked, she says she cheers for Big Al's team.  I'll take it.
Frank took Walker to a UAB basketball game.  It wasn't just any game.  It was the game where UAB defeated a ranked UNC team. 

Frank and I made a quick jaunt to Atlanta to the SEC Championship game.  It was a fun day! 

We had a party!  A cookies and cocoa party - just the girls.  I feel strongly that I need to get to know the parents of my children's friends so Mary Frances and I invited the girls and their mothers to decorate cookies and drink hot cocoa.  Fortunately, our Alabama temperatures dipped a bit so they enjoyed the cocoa.
We planned a birthday party for after the new year.  You know those details and invitations must be decided before the big day!


Two programs - one at the preschool and one at the elementary school.
Parties for all...I worked two and sent treats for one.  

And then finally we headed south.







First a Cowboy Christmas!

Then time with family.
Then Christmas with ShuShu.
And then the lake...before heading home today!