THE 5 SECOND TRANSFORMATION AT 4 PM

BEFORE

AFTER

There are few things in life that give me more satisfaction and sense of control than a clean kitchen counter. It's the first thing I do when I walk in and the last thing I do when I walk out of the kitchen, clear my counter. So you can imagine the underlying current of my mood each afternoon at 4pm. This example is actually mild, missing bowls of cereal and milk left out. I call the period from 4-6 the witching hour, not sure if that means I'm calling myself a witch, but if the shoe fits....

SWEET SISTERS

The other night Rachel just could not sleep, kept coming out and "needing" something. I was getting tired and impatient, and with Lance not due until very late I was done. On the millionth time putting her to bed I was reduced to threats of time out, privileges lost and whatever else I could think of. Suddenly Olivia rolls over and sleepily says, "Rach, do you want to snuggle with me?" Rachel promptly climbs in and snuggles up to Olivia. They both immediately fall asleep. Why? Why didn't I think of that? Why do I have to use threats?......Why did Olivia wait until the millionth time??

How many stuffed animals and dolls can you stuff in there with them? Lance finally came home and had to take a picture, isn't that nice that he just sees the sweet result? Relaying it all to him just isn't the same.

PIANO RECITAL

This picture is sweet. It doesn't tell the whole truth, but I think it tells what is important, that they truly love each other. It doesn't tell that every single time we went to piano lessons there were snarky comments about the fact that they had to take turns in the front seat. Or that Daniel would constantly whistle knowing it is Sydney's biggest pet peeve. I always told her to just let it go..... impossible apparently.

Sister Lewis is a phenomenal piano teacher. I have seen some really great progress. Daniel was so excited that he actually memorized his piece.

Sydney plays so emotionally, she can take any piece and put her own touch to it. I hope I can keep her going for a few more years. The social scene is calling and practicing is cramping her style!

SINCE WHEN DOES THE EARTH DICTATE MY DAILY LIFE?

If anyone had told me 6 months ago that my life would be directly affected by an icelandic ash plume and a Gulf oil spill I would have asked if I could have what they were drinking because it sounded really fun. But, alas here we are having missed our trip to England/Scotland, and with a husband who is rarely home and mentally absent when he is! I am done with natural/man made disasters interfering with my mojo!

So this ash plume for some reason prevented airplanes from flying through most of Europe. And wouldn't you know it, a few days after we rebooked to Florida the airports opened. It would have been too late anyway, but how annoying!

The oil rig that collapsed killed 11 men. Lance had to attend the memorial service a few weeks ago and he said it was heartbreaking. Ranging from young fathers to grandfathers what a tragedy. Now the race to shut off the leak a mile below the surface is stretching into what feels like a marathon of failed attempts. My dear husband who is assigned to executive protection, thus following various execs around the southern states (mostly the CEO) is trying valiantly to keep his mood even kiltered. It's frustrating not knowing your schedule until 10:30 pm the day before and leaving on trips without notice, makes you feel like you have no control over your own life. But he's keeping up, I just hope I can too! Summer is upon us and with the kids home, Lance always traveling, and me starting school on Monday this could be very interesting. I'm trying to get organized with charts and schedules.....maybe I can chart myself some sanity and schedule a weekly freak out moment for my kids so they know when to sneak away and hide!