I don't know WHAT it is...but it's still in there.  Let me go back a minute...
     Last night when we were putting the kids to bed, I thought I saw something in Ethan's room.  Assuming it was just my imagination, I pulled the covers over him and said "good night".  That's when it happened.  Something from the ceiling buzzed over us that was so big, I actually had to catch myself.
     Now, I grew up in the country and was always taught to love and respect nature.  My Gram would even go so far as to tell me stories about how each bug or animal had little families.  A firefly could be going home for dinner or a frog could be hopping off to a Birthday party.  To this day, I won't kill a bug and I move worms off the sidewalk.
     This thing had it's own zip code though.  It was in my child's room and so help me, it was coming out.  
     When I froze, Ethan looked up at me from his pillow and asked, "What Mom?"  As he turned his glance to where I was staring, the pterodactyl buzzed overhead again.  Ethan jumped out of bed in lightening speed and bent down beside me - holding onto my legs. 
     "What IS IT?!"
     It was some kind of moth but it was ENORMOUS.  Taking a dive bomb behind Ethan's book shelf, I (who prides myself on not being afraid of bugs) was totally freaking out.  
    "ADAM!  COME IN HERE!  NOOOOW!!!"
    Hearing the tone in my voice, Adam shot in.
    Pointing to the corner behind the bookshelf, I yelled, "It's back there.  I'm not getting it."  The three other kids ran in after him to see.
    "WHAT'S back there?!"
    "I don't know what it is.  A moth or something, but it's HUGE!"
     The biggest smile grew across Adam's face as he turned to me.  "Are YOU afraid of a BUG my Country Girl?!"  
     Shooting him a look I put my hands up and said, "You'll see!  Go for it!"
     Adam went over and reached back around the bookshelf, he pulled books out, he looked everywhere, but there was nothing.  
     Ethan and I, still in our "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" position, held onto each other.  "It's back there.  We saw it fly down."
     "Hon, there's nothing back here!"
     You know that heeby-jeeby feeling you get when you realize, "Then where IS it?"  I started spinning around checking myself and Ethan.  I looked up, down, in his bed, on his floor...nothing.  Suddenly, it was as though the kids and I got the same exact thought instantaneously and we all shot out of the room slamming the door.
    "I'm not going back in there Mom." Ethan said in his bravest voice.  
    And I couldn't blame him.  I wouldn't have wanted to sleep in that room last night either.
    So, Ethan slept in his brother's room and we kept the door to the Jurassic Park entrance closed.
    I still haven't braved my way back in this morning, but if I don't write another blog...you'll know what happened.
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     When Adam was stationed in Texas, we were lucky to live in a really fun neighborhood.  One of my favorite neighbors of all times was a friend named Erin.  She posted this great idea for a Summer snack that you can do with your kids.

     We used Kiwi, grapes, bananas, oranges and strawberries but you can let your imagination run wild.  It's a wonderful way to get the kids involved in the kitchen, not to mention, a healthy treat.  

      We hope that you'll have as many giggles with this fruity Tropical Paradise as we did.
      We Miss You Erin and hope to see you guys again soon!  Thanks for the great idea!  XOXO
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    Come with me as I welcome you to our latest visit to an Orthodontist's appointment.  Be prepared though...it won't be pretty.  
    It's late in the afternoon and we're about to open the door to the Orthodontist's office, followed by four children like ducks in a row.
    Smelling the warm scent of coffee from the nice and fancy coffee machine, the younger two - ages four and five - begin to beg - screaming..."HOT CHOCOLATE!  Can we PLEEEEEEASE have some hot chocolate?"
    This is where you can help me try to explain to them that coffee and hot chocolate are not the same thing, even though they see other people drinking it and "It looks sooooo good!"
    As my nine year old son (yes, nine) checks in for his appointment to see the orthodontist, you and I can sit and discuss how ridiculous it seems that a kid so young is here in the first place.  He still has BABY teeth for Pete's sake, but here we are, at the orthodontist.  
    All four kids are tired, hungry and grouchy (with the smell of coffee wafting through the air).  It's been awhile since lunch and it's almost time for dinner.  The office closes at 5:00 so we are close to the last ones in.  
    We made it to our appointment 15 minutes before schedule though, so hopefully they'll call us back early.  Ummmmm, then again...maybe not.  As the time for the appointment comes and goes, we're still sitting and waiting. 
    Here's where the fun begins.  What do you get with a four year old little girl and a waiting room full of almost empty chairs?  A jungle gym.  Climbing from chair to chair - over, under, over, under and through, Lauren Elizabeth decides to evidently prepare herself for the 2016 Olympics.  As you smile with me through gritted teeth we whisper, "LAUREN!  SIT.  DOWN!"    
    That will work for about 30 seconds until she decides to turn herself upside down in the chair we tell her she can't move from.  Yes, feet in the air, singing a song or two and mumbling something about how much she loves hot chocolate.
    Going to pick her up to sit her upright, Preston who is five, decides to look for some crayons that he remembered from the last visit.  They weren't where he left them so they must be somewhere around the waiting room.  Looking up, we'll find him wandering aimlessly around asking people if they've seen any crayons.  One woman from across the room will shoot a look at him, then at us, as we scoot over to bring him back.  (Guess who just turned upside down in her seat again?)
     It's now ten minutes past our appointment which equals 25 fun filled non-hot chocolate, patients now glaring, upside down, no crayons moments of Orthodontist bliss.  
    Going to the front desk frazzled and annoyed, you and I snap a little too harshly at the receptionist saying, "Any idea on when Christian will be called back?"  The woman smiles at us with the, "It shouldn't be long now" response. 
     Five minutes later, he's called back as you and I begin to separate the other three kids from each other.  We'll do this out of pure necessity as they had resorted to playing a lively game of "kick-war" with each other from their chairs.  (I'll post the rules to this FANTASTIC game if you'd like.  It's always a hit - and never, EVER annoying.)
     Almost as soon as Christian goes back, he comes out again.
     "That's it?!  That didn't take anytime at all!"  (How again was this visit worth one hundred dollars?)
     The pleasant nurse responds, "Oh we just had to check his retainer.  He's doing great!  See you next month Christian!"
     Next month...ugh. 
     Going to check out and set up the following fabulous appointment, you and I will get to stand at the front desk again and wait.  The two office workers talk and carry on as we have our heads on a swivel trying to keep track of the four kids running amuck.
     Finally reaching "that" point, we'll quickly say, "Can we just call later to make the next appointment" as one of the women blankly stares.      
     Yes, it's always a wonderful experience to go to the orthodontist's office...and if they didn't already love us enough, the best part of all is that we now get to tell them that Christian's retainer was lost last week while he was at church camp.  Oh not by Christian...but by us, because we didn't want him to wear it, worried that he would...what's that?  Oh right.  Lose it.  
    On that note, what time would you like me to pick you up for our appointment next month? 
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(Anyone for some hot chocolate?)   

Dear Camp Counselor Cameron,
     Last week, our eight and nine year old boys were under your care for their first week of camp...ever.

     They were so excited to go.  So much depended on you though.  It would be their first time away from home and you would be their source of guidance and security.  It's hard to drop your 'babies' off with a complete stranger hoping that everything will be okay, especially in this day and age.
     Approaching the camp, I wondered if you would be the type of camp counselor with the hyped up personality using the word "Dude" in every other sentence.  "Alright Camper Dudes, let's go!  Awesome Little Dudes!" 
     My heart raced as I tried to mask my apprehension in front of the boys.  Would they get scared at night?  Would they be safe in the woods?  Would they get homesick? 
     Parents often struggle with holding their children too tightly verses letting them go.  Christian and Ethan could barely stand the wait for camp though - and my job was to be as excited as they were.
    Parking the car and grabbing their bags and pillows, we walked towards the camp.  It was hard to keep up with the boys.  
    Finding their cabin, the energy was high, as campers and parents scurried to nestle their bunks and living areas for the week.  We turned and met you.  You were the total opposite of what I had pictured.  You were calm, polite and respectful.  You presented yourself with a kind nature and loving spirit.  
     Shooting a look at my husband, I felt relief.  We began to join the rest of the cabin in putting sheets and blankets on bunks as Christian and Ethan met their new buddies.  
     Giving quick hugs to two boys who couldn't wait to get going, we watched as they walked off with you.
     It was a week of no contact.  "No news is good news" and we understood that, but it's hard when you've said "Good Night" to your children every night of their lives and suddenly, you couldn't.
     A week later, one look at their faces told us how everything went.  There were smiles and laughter with new friends and endless amounts of stories.       

    One of the first things both boys asked, was, "Can we come back again next year?!"
    So Thank You Camp Counselor Cameron.  Thank you for keeping them safe and secure.  Thank you for making their memories full of laughter and fun.  Thank you for teaching them God's word and for helping to shape their hearts.
    They had the best time because of you.  
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   All last week one of my best friends from home in Ohio came to visit.  Her name is Tanya and it was such a great time having her family here in NC.   
   During one of the evenings though, a pretty nasty looking storm started to come in...fast.  With the clouds pushing towards us and the winds picking up, Tanya and I gave each other a concerned glance.  
  Out of nowhere, the whole house went out.  The TV, lights, air conditioning...everything went silent and the power was gone.  Tanya has two cute girls, Emma and Molly - and between the six kids we began to get a little worried.  Both of our husbands were working, so it was time for the two of us to hold down the fort.   
   My five year old asked, "Mommy?  Is a mortato coming?"
   "No sweetie...there's no tornado coming.  Let's stick together and everything will be fine."
   "Why is everything turned off?  What's happening?"
   "It's okay guys.  The power will come on soon enough.  Don't worry."
    Rain began to pound the house and the kids became more and more nervous.  I'll have to admit, I did too.  
    Just then, Adam ran through the front door drenched.  "Man, it's coming down hard!  What's with the lights?"
    "Everything's out.  How bad is the storm?  We can't check anything without the power."
    Looking at his phone, Adam said that the storm would be over soon.  
    He was right.  Before we knew it, the sky cleared.  The kids went out and the air smelled clean and new.          

    "When do the lights come back?"
    "We don't know guys, we'll have to wait and see."
    Realizing that it was getting late, we knew that we had six hungry kids to feed.  Tanya turned with a smile and said, "You have a grill, right?"
    "Yeaaaah?"
    "Good.  We've got this."
    Pulling a meal together, green peppers, onions, hamburgers and baked potatoes grilled outside, while inside, we cut watermelon by candlelight and made baked beans and corn on the cob on the gas stove.  It felt like camping out in our house.     

     When the food was ready, we sat around the table to try it out...

   It was Awesome.  It was a night to remember of food, fun and great friends. 
   The power company guys showed up a few hours later so we sat outside and ate bowls of melted ice cream to watch what they did.

    A little while later, the power came on thanks to the work of the men and so many hard working people.
    We Miss You Tanya, David, Emma and Molly!  Thank You for visiting!  Come back soon!  (and we'll leave the lights on for you.) 
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     I just got off the phone with my mom.  She was beside herself because she watched the kids so I could go to work today.  
     Anyone who knows my mom knows that she pretty much could have walked straight off the Mayflower.  She's about as straight laced as they come and you'll never hear a bad word pass her lips.  Enter...my husband, Adam.
     He was a fighter pilot in the Air Force and can cuss like a trucker if the mood hits.  He's gotten so much better at keeping his language in check but still has some pretty colorful expletives while watching sports on tv or when driving in traffic.  (Have I ever mentioned that his favorite basketball team of all times is the Spurs?...umm, yeah...you can't begin to imagine what our house was like last night.) 
     Going back to today, mom was going on and on and screaming, "DO YOU KNOW WHAT PRESTON SAID?!"  
     "No mom.  What did he say?"  Imagining that it was something innocent enough.  
     Taking a breath, mom continued, "Well, I tried to give him some macaroni and cheese and he said that he didn't want it.  I told him that he needed to eat it and he said, 'No'!"
     Thinking that was it, I replied, "He's been doing that and it drives us nuts.  I'll talk to him mom."
      Mom was quiet for a second then said, "That wasn't the problem.  The PROBLEM came when I told him that he had to sit there until he ate...and do you know what he said THEN?"
      Judging by the tone in her voice, I actually became a little nervous.  "What?"
      "HE SAID...F@#^ing MACARONI AND CHEESE!"
      My jaw literally fell open as I turned a scowling glare towards Adam. 
      "He saaaaid WHAT?!"  
      Adam, who now looked back at me with a worried stare whispered, "What did he say?" 
      "He said F@#^ing MACORINI AND CHEESE!"
      His reaction instantly matched mine.  A small, "oh." escaped his thoughts as he realized that his five year old son had just said the mother of them all...over mac and cheese.
      Needless to say, I hope the Spurs win their final game...and I think that maybe tomorrow, we'll have grilled cheese sandwiches instead.  
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    It's tough to be a little sister with three big brothers.  For four years now, Lauren Elizabeth has watched her brothers in their baseball, basketball, soccer and football games.  She's had to endure time after time as they've eaten cake or cupcakes at an end of the season party...only to get a "cool" trophy to add to their shelf.
    It's been hard on a sister. 
    This Spring, Lauren was finally able to play in her very first sport...T-ball.  She and her brother Preston, were on the same team.

     Suddenly, it was good to have a big brother.  He stayed with her, helped her learn and made sure she was doing okay.

     When their last game was over, Lauren ran to Preston to ask if she would finally get a trophy.  They both came out of the dugout with wide eyes and hopeful expressions.
     The coach gathered the team towards the picnic area to pass out cupcakes... 

     ...then finally, he walked over with a box full of trophies.  As he handed Lauren Elizabeth's to her, you would have thought it was made of gold. 
      To a four year old who (as she states it) has "waited her whole life for this", it probably was. 

    Christian and Ethan left for camp today.  The camp lasts for one week but they've never been gone for that long before.  They've actually never been to camp before.  We wondered how dropping them off would go.
    We spent the whole day yesterday packing and labeling...everything.  Are you supposed to label socks?  I don't know.  We had their shirts, shorts, swimsuits, blankets and towels all ready though. 
    This packing process meant more to me than it probably should have.  You see, when my brother was young and was heading off for a fun filled week of church camp, my grandma decided to check his packing before he left.  She pulled everything out of his suitcase to make sure he had it all, then she re-packed his clothes...or so she thought. 
    However possible, she somehow managed to miss putting all of his shorts back into his suitcase.  Every single pair.  When my brother showed up to camp, he had the shorts he was wearing but found out later when he unpacked that there was nothing else. 
     T-shirts - yes.  Underwear and socks - yes, but shorts?  No.  Try to imagine what a kid's shorts would look like after a whole week of camp in the dirt and mud while running around in the woods.
     Needless to say, after packing for camp this week, we checked and re-checked to make sure Christian and Ethan had what they needed.
     I hope they're doing okay.  
     Tonight will be their first night and I wonder if they'll get to sit around a campfire or make S'Mores. 
      My heart pulled towards them as they went off with their new buddies and camp counselor, even though I knew it was a good thing.  I know they're having fun.  It still hurt inside to see them go.
     I pray that they'll have a great week of camp.  I can't wait to see them again and hear how everything went...and I can only hope that they have plenty of shorts.

     The strongest memory that I have of my grandpa from my mom's side, was that whenever we parted ways, he kissed my forehead and said, "I love you Beatty Ruth".  He did this every single time...even the last time that I saw him.
      My grandpa on my dad's side would open the front door of their house when we showed up and clap his hands.  Then he would bend down and throw his arms wide open for us to attack him in a bear hug.
      My Dad continues to build memories to this day.  He's the one who held my hand as he taught me how to ice skate, ride my bike, play sports, drive a car and change a tire.  He taught me to respect God and all of the wonders of His work.  He showed me how to expect to be treated by treating my mom with love and respect.  He prepared me to be independent and strong and when I was ready, he walked me down the aisle.  
      I was lucky and thankful that my husband's dad and grandfathers had taught him as well.  They nurtured and guided him through life and love.  He is strong in his faith and does his best to raise our children right.  
      Any man can have a child which may technically make them a "father".  Fatherhood is much more than that though.  It is raising a child and feeling a love that's without comparison.  It's leading a child down the right path no matter how hard that may be.  
     Being a father is kissing a scratched knee, giving a high five, wrestling like a bear and handing over the keys to the car.  It's being the one who keeps the nightmares away so little ones can fall back to sleep.  To be a true father is to be nothing less than a hero.  

      To all of the true Fathers, Thank You for everything that you do.   
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     A friend of mine asked if I would write something about little girls.  Writing about having boys seems to come a little more naturally after having three in a row.  I was excited to write about our daughter though.  After all, we never thought we would be blessed enough to have her.
      What happened when I sat to write however, surprised me.  My mind went blank. 
      You see, when I think of a little girl, a memory comes to mind. 
      Years ago, Adam and I were at the beach with the boys.  We had all but given up hope on having a little girl.  We watched as a sweet baby girl from some other family was playing calmly.  She sat adorably beside her parents, building sandcastles and having fun with her toys. 
      Just as I tried to imagine what it would be like to have a little girl, the peaceful moment was abruptly halted by the remnants of flying sand balls.  Our boys were laughing wildly as they blasted each other with balls of wet sand and tore across the beach.
     When I became pregnant for the fourth and final time, we went to the ultrasound with the complete expectation of a fourth sandblaster.  When the woman performing the ultrasound looked at us and smiled though, it was just about the hardest I've ever cried in my life.  I couldn't believe it.  I couldn't wait to finally dress a baby girl from head to toe in pink and cover her in ribbons and bows.  I would have painted her toenails and dipped her in glittery sparkles in the delivery room if they would have let me.  We were going to have a girl.  A sweet, loving, sandcastle building...girl.  
    What I didn't think of in the midst of my unicorn, fairy princess planning process of her life...was that she would have three big brothers. 
     Therein lies my dilemma. 
     It's difficult for me to write about what it's like to have a little girl because as most of the other little girls are playing at the park and delicately going down the slide (the right way - as I've been told) our little one has already flipped over, run around and is hanging upside down with her brothers. 
    I've literally had moms gasp or try to get my attention when she climbs up too high on something.  I've even seen a mom run over to try to help her off of a structure, then drop her jaw as Lauren jumped off and ran away with crazy Ninja cat like reflexes.
    Little Princess Girl she is not.  Warrior Princess...maybe. 
    You know, at the end of the day, I kind of like that though.  As much as I thought that I wanted Magic Fairies to flutter around her every move, I'm glad that she's exactly who she is.  She's the girl in a tu tu playing basketball with her brothers and I wouldn't have her any other way...Sandblasters and all. 
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