updates

I loved Nettie's post this week. I needed the reminder that childhood is fleeting and that we need to record things when they happen because it's all too easy to forget the details when we reflect back later.

So, some quick updates.

1. This one's for you, Scott. Our homeowner's insurance is covering a complete redo on the family room. Even the ceiling had water damage and is going to be redone. I will be sure and post some before and after pictures when we actually get this fixed. We're on the books, just don't have a specific date. Love working with contractors.

2. My mouth. I am starting to see some great results from the appliance that is screwed into the roof of my mouth. It's really a challenge to eat and I do miss just being able to swallow and push my tongue against the roof of my mouth. Sounds second-nature, until it's taken away from you. I figure I've got almost another year of braces left. It could not go fast enough.

3. Eliza. I can't believe how tall she is. 5'5" or probably taller by now. Every month I see her change before my eyes. This month, she's transitioning into wearing contacts full-time. Her eyes have become infected a few times and it's been really frustrating to her, but she's a trooper. I'll never forget the way she looked around with the one contact in her eye--like she was seeing a new world before her. She is SO excited to have peripheral vision for the first time...in like ever.

4. Seth. He was able to lead the flag ceremony in cub scouts this week. He was a little nervous, but really stepped up and was able to call out the commands loud and strong. He even then got a little perturbed when the boys didn't listen and didn't come in on command. It cracked me up!

5. Rachel. Lost 2 teeth in the past week. Got her first goal in a soccer game last Saturday. It almost surprised her when it rolled all the way in the goal!

6.Caroline. I love her passion for dance. When the kids get on the bus she'll insist, just about every day, to watch the episodes of Angelina Ballerina (the old ones---I hear there are new ones that are terrible) that we have on DVDs or on-demand. She insists on getting on her ballet slippers and usually her leotard and tights so that she can prance around and practice all of her moves. I love it even more when Eliza is practicing her piano and Caroline insists on wearing at minimum her ballet slippers so that she can dance to the music. Basically, if any kind of music is turned on in the house, slippers are her next request. It is such a delight to see someone so passionate about something. I think our other three kids combined have never shown me this kind of passion about an activity.

7. School. James starts on Module 5 of 6 in a few weeks. He has 2 more finals to go next week. It's starting to wear on all of us. At first, it was hard, yet exciting. Now we're in a good rhythm, but tiring of this routine. I overheard Rachel at her soccer practice yesterday say to her friend (who was telling where her dad was), "Lucky! My dad's always at school." James missed the Blue and Gold banquet for Seth this week. It's hard for both James and I to see him missing these moments. Last night he was able to make it home on time and built legos with Seth from about 7 until 9:30pm. They both needed that 1-on-1 boy time!