The new obsession...

Yes, I know, you've been bored with my blog over the last couple of days. No updates, no new stuff. I've been a little slack I'll admit. But it was for a good cause... I've found a new hobby -- digital scrapbbooking. I've learned so much in the last few months about designing a website and working in Photoshop, so the obvious next step was going digital and I'm so excited about it. I've come to find that there is an enormous amount of scrapbooking stuff you can download FREE from the internet, and like all new hobbies for me, it's become a little obsessive, a little all-consuming. And although I know it's taken too much time away from my kids, in the end it's going to be so worthwhile. They're going to love all the pages I'm going to design for them. In fact, after you make the pages digitally you can upload them to a site like Shutterfly and they will bind them into a hardcover book. So the plan is to start with Jacob because he's the youngest (and my memories are the freshest) and then go back to do each of the girls. Like I said I'm so excited!

And that brings me to the next topic. I know I tend to use this blog to vent about the frustrations of being a stay at home mom of three very spirited children, but I think you all also know that it's really all in jest -- a way to just laugh at all the craziness and laugh at myself. I know they drive me to the brink at times, but really, I also know how lucky I am... lucky to be able to stay at home with them, lucky to have them in the first place, lucky to have absolute unconditional love for the first time in my life. These children have changed my life in ways I never dreamed possible, and like all of you, I love my kids more than I could ever possibly express in words. They really are my whole life.

So I'd like to take this time to compliment them and tell you all how good they've been this week (even with mommy being a little strung out, staring blankly into the computer and not spending nearly enough time with them). Macy has been so helpful with her brother, she has played at home with him, tried to teach him his ABC's, read to him, gotten popsicles for him from a freezer he can't reach, and even let him sleep with her in her room -- she loves him dearly and I know she is going to make such a great mom one day -- she just has that gift. And Madison has been a little kinder to me (shocking, I know), also helped at times with her brother, raced with him outside in his Lightning McQueen car, played nicely with her friends, and most of all, she did a great job helping out with the little kids at the AUMC bible school. I am so proud of both of them. And, yes, like I always say, we have our moments, but they really are fantastic kids and I probably don't say that enough.

To my light(Macy), my spirit(Madison), and my joy(Jacob)... I want you to know that you are the most precious gifts mommy could have ever received and I thank you for choosing me to be your mommy. I LOVE YOU!!!!