Life is good

* Today was the start of second semester. Gone are the kids from last quarter. It's time to get reacquainted with new students--again. With the block schedule, this happens every nine weeks. Regardless, so far so good.
* Our two older kids brought home glowing report cards. That always makes a mother happy.
* Thirteen days till we go to Disney World. It will be a major pain to make sub plans for four days (crap one day is tough enough), but I can't wait to see my favorite place again. I am very glad that I have saved for this trip. Travel & travel planning is one of my favorite hobbies.
* I have a wonderful family, three beautiful children, a gorgeous new niece, and a cool husband.
* Now all I need is SUMMER!

A must see....

Thad and I made our annual trek to the movie theater today. We went to Juno. A colleague from work said that it was the best screenplay she has seen in years. Since she directs our theater program and has earned national awards, I took that seriously. Oprah featured the cast recently. In a nutshell: it's excellent!
The screenplay was written by a young woman from Minneapolis who was most recently a stripper. What an accomplishment to go from that to writing a beautiful story of a high school student who winds up pregnant. It's poignant, funny, and yes it's sad. I shed many a tear, but for those of who really know me, that isn't tough to imagine is it?
For you ladies with stubborn men: Thad liked it too! It isn't a chick flick. It reaches you an all levels: a parents, remembering to life as a high schooler, and many, many more.

Random (and mostly bizarre) thoughts from Kate

"Mom I have a trick if you are itchy. If you don't scratch them, they will go away. But, if they don't go away, then you need to scratch them."
"I don't hear thunderstorms at night. I think it's because of my ears. I think they turn off."
"Tastebuds are cool because you can taste things."
"Blond is sort of like yellow... but sort of not."
"I sort of like this pop. I don't really like it, but I just sort of like it. It's spicy but a little sour too."

Something I like

I have searched relentlessly for a mascara I like. I am not too picky, but jeez it's tough to find a good one. I have tried: Arbonne, Mary Kay, Clinique, Maybelline, Elizabeth Arden, expensive stuff recommended to me at Sephora, Bare Escentuals and countless other brands. So a couple of months ago I remembered as I was leaving Wal-Mart that I needed mascara. I grabbed something....and love it! This is the first time I can remember that I went back and bought a second one. It's called Cover Girl Exact Lash.
Maybe you should try it!

Here she is!

Here is little baby Hope. She is just a doll. Photos never do a newborn justice...okay unless you are a photographer (which I am so obviously not). She is SO sweet. Ryan really wanted to skip hockey practice to see Hope, but Thad didn't allow that. It's very fulfilling to see your children feel such an automatic love for a new cousin.
On another note, as we were driving home tonight, Kate told me that "Izzy" told her on the bus today that she wouldn't be Kate's friend anymore because Kate was a liar. Apparently Kate told Izzy that she would sit with her, but then sat with someone else. Kate started to get choked up as she told me. We went home and talked about it. She cried for about 15 minutes. I am not talking about "wah wah I am hurt" crying, but tears rolling down her face crying. Her heart was broken. Most of you know that Kate doesn't have a mean bone in her body. She was so crushed, and I felt terrible for her. I explained that some people cry when their feelings are hurt (example: Kate & mommy) while others get angry (ex: Ryan & daddy). Izzy was hurt and showed anger. (Don't worry, I did explain to Kate that she should have honored the first person she told she would sit with.)
The thing is, is that Kate is only 5. She is too young to be dealing with this stuff. Sadly, this is only a taste of things to come. She doesn't have that tough outer shell that many of us have. It's a terrible feeling to see your child upset because of hurt feelings. Physical pain is awful, don't get me wrong, but it's easier to deal with. Emotional pain is simply gut wrenching.

It's a.....GIRL!

My sister, her husband, and sons Grant & Ross are the proud mother, father, brothers to Hope Caroline Gillett. She was born this morning at 2am on the dot! We were thinking this baby wasn't going to come out--ever. Her doctor wanted to schedule an induction, but the hospitals didn't get back to her about setting a date. Last night, Erin's water broke. She called me to tell me at 10pm. After a sleepless night, she called me at 6:50am to tell me that she had a GIRL. For those of you who don't know, Erin and Kris were done having kids. This pregnancy was a 100% surprise. She had always wanted a girl, but had come to terms with not having one. When she found out they were expecting, she opted to not find out....so when she told me girl, I was thrilled for her. This is a little miracle baby.
On another note, Erin has had two big boy babies. Ross was 9lbs. and two weeks early! Hope was almost a week late and came in at 6 lbs 15 oz.
There is nothing like the birth of a child to just fill my heart with pure joy. As I held her today I (once again) wondered why we can't afford to have ten more kids. I have always said that if I could, I would have baby after baby. I love babies, toddlers, children, and all of it. Okay not the throw up part, but you get my drift.....
I will post pictures tomorrow. I went up straight from work and took about 40 pictures with their camera.

What was once lost..for a LONG time..has finally been found

After misplacing my wedding ring last March......it popped up today! People kept wondering why I wasn't worried. I wasn't worried, mainly because I knew that it was lost in our house. Kate was into trying it on for awhile. I guess I just figured it would show up at some point. It didn't hurt that I sell jewelry on the side so that I had fun wearing lots of blingy replacement pieces!
Where was it found you ask? Kate found it downstairs under the couch this morning. Go figure.