Small Acts of Kindness

It was a normal Walmart trip for me. I just can't seem to get out of that store without my grocery cart completely filled. I was getting all of the things for the camping trip (of course, now I realize I forgot swim diapers and sunscreen so I guess I will going back). My cart was beyond full and there was just no way I was going to fit the 4 bags of ice that I had just purchased. I told Garrett that Mommy had to get another grocery cart and he could be my helper and try and push the other cart.

So, I've got Brandon fussing because we have already been at Walmart for over an hour, one grocery cart completely full with stuff falling out of it, and me trying to explain to my almost 3 year old how to kinda push the cart next to Mommy so I can keep the train moving. It was apparent to all that this was not working. I was trying to figure out how to push both carts when a woman that I did not know came and offered to help. She was walking in the store just beginning her shopping but she took the 5 minutes to help me get to the car. It was 5 minutes of her time but the difference it made in that moment of my life was priceless.

I always tell Andy that I pray to God that I will be that person. The one who gives the few minutes of her time to help someone. So, thank you Miss Kind Lady at Walmart. May God grant me the graces to give out a lifetime of kindnesses in repayment of yours.

School Days

Today is the 1st day of school. It is Caitlyn's 1st day of REAL school. How do those little babies that come home from the hospital all manage to grow up? I actually have not cried a tear about it until I sat down to write this post. I mean there was never a child more ready for kindergarten than Caitlyn. She had to watch most of her friends go last year and she waited patiently for her turn. She is a very social person, LOVES to be with people, already knows her letters, numbers, even a sight word or two. The child truly needed to go to school. But as I sit here reflecting, it still brings tears to my eyes. I mean after all, she is my baby girl. There wont be anymore of just our time together while the boys nap. There are all these teachers who are going to play an important part of what she learns. It's not just me anymore. It is going to the school and me - it is so hard letting someone/something play such an important part of your child's life.

Okay, sad moment over!! I just can't wait to see all of the wonderful things she is going to learn this year. I can't wait until she can read to me and read to Garrett and Brandon. Her world is just beginning.

Allison started 3rd grade this year and is so excited because she has all of her "best friends" in her class. THANK YOU, GOD! I know it will be a great year for her. Brittany is in 5th now and can't wait to "rule the school". It is so funny how somethings don't change. I remember feeling the same thing in 5th grade.

Here are all 3 of my grade schoolers this morning.

Here is Caitlyn at her desk. She's got that look like I have been waiting for this my whole life.Here is my big Brittany in the 5th grade. She is getting so old. This will be the last picture of her at her desk on the 1st day of school that I will get to take. Next, year will be middle school.Here's Ally Claire all ready for 3rd grade.

Of course, you know what they say, "while the cat's away, the mice will play". Garrett and Brandon had a busy day today. It was Garrett's 1st day of swim lessons. The timing could have been a little better. We were late because I couldn't get out of the school parking lot. So, we didn't get to have our little transitioning period when we got to the swimming lessons so Garrett started crying.

Luckily, his teacher was quite good and he was happy before too long and doing his own version of "swimming".If swim lessons, were not enough to do on the 1st day with just the boys. (Can you believe I just have boys at home? ) We had our Mother's of Young Children Annual back to school luncheon. It is great to have the 1st day go by a little quicker since you are hanging out with friends. Here is Garrett, Claire and Rose enjoying the pushing talents of Jeremy. They don't look like there are missing their siblings, do they?

And just so that you know she made it home okay - here is Caitlyn coming home on the school bus. Mommy was quite happy to see she had made it back.

Of course, it was once everyone got home from school that life got a little hairy. It is the reason why I actual enjoy my children being out of school. Let's see it went something like this. Bus was late, Brandon woke up while I was waiting for the bus. I grabbed him and told him he would have to wait to nurse because I needed to take a picture of Caitlyn getting of the bus. Priorities I told him!! Brittany and Caitlyn were doing the "I don't have homework but you do, Mommy dance". Allison started to cry and said "but I DO have homework". That begain the discussion on why it is okay to have homework on the 1st day of school even if no one else does. Meanwhile, Brandon is crying and Garrett is running around like deranged almost 3 year old. I'm trying to fill out school paperwork, hold a crying baby, calm a crazy toddler, listen to a story about kindergarten while getting dinner on the table. AHHH, it has begun!!

Keep the Old

There was a song that I learned in Girls Scouts. The verse went, " Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold". I have always tried to live by that statement. I do the best that I can to keep in touch with all of the friends who have touched my life at some point. Some days, I feel like I do a good job of keeping in touch, other days I'm disappointed when I realize that I have no idea what is going on in some one's life who was once instrumental in mine.

In some ways, it is much easier to keep in touch these days. We have email, blogs, my space, etc. But to actually get together in person is not always as easy. Case in point - I just saw my closest friends from high school today. Sadly, it had been almost 2 years since we had gotten together. It's not that we live that far apart. We live an hour away from each other. It's just that we are all so busy with the life we have chosen to live that it is hard to sometimes make time for the "old". I am so thankful that today was the day that we pushed away all of the things that must get done and we made time just to be. Time to catch-up, laugh about the past, get to know each other's kids. It was just fun and much too short. I pray that we do it again soon.

So, whether you are a gold or a silver in my life, please know that I appreciate you and I want to make time for just you!

My New Smile

Today was the day that Brittany got her braces on her top 4 teeth. A major milestone in most of the lives of children these days. Although she was acting like she didn't like the idea, I'm pretty sure that she was happy to get them. It is one of those love/hate relationships. You really don't like the idea of braces and the pain involved in wearing them but you love that you will have straight teeth after it is all done.

No appointments are ever just easy when you have 5 children. They told me it would last about 45 minutes so I thought I can handle the kids for that long. Brittany then invited a girl down the street to come with us so she could watch. Hey, what's one more, right. So, I walked into the dentist office with 6 children following behind me.

They have a little arc that has stuffed animals in it. The kids were playing in it when the called Brittany's name. I asked Brittany if she wants me to go or stay (secretly hoping she will say stay in the waiting room because there are things for the kids to do). She, of course, wants me to go. I tell all the kids to come and that is when I notice that Garrett had taken his shoes off. They were somewhere in all the stuffed animals. So, I had to search through all of the animals while holding Brandon for Garrett's shoes. After several minutes of searching, we finally found them. Okay, one crisis over with.

Now, I have to admit my kids were pretty well behaved for the most part. I just always wish they would be perfect so the people in the waiting room would think that I am just such a "great mom". There were 4 chairs in the area where they put the braces on and no toys. There was another person there so it was 3 chairs for 6 people. So, there was alittle bickering about chairs. Garrett after about 20 minutes just could not sit still. I am trying to be the "great mom" and explain to him that we cannot throw our shoes at the nice lady sitting next to us. We are supposed to use quiet voices inside. Yes, it is nice to sing "Baa, baa, black sheep" to our baby brother but we don't need to scream it and expect applause from all of the people working. No, it is not okay to pull Caitlyn out of her chair just because you want to sit there. You get the idea, I keep praying that just my nice sweet voice will render him to obeying so I can look good. It worked pretty good for about 30 minutes. Then, really, it is just too much to ask from an almost 3 year old little boy. He started the laying on the ground and being loud. Of course, this is when Brandon decides to start the back arching. I'm thinking - come on, how long can 4 little braces take.

Luckily, by the grace of God, it was over about then. We just needed to learn how to clean our teeth and we are out of here. I guess I kinda noticed that Brandon was making faces during our teeth cleaning demonstration. Of course, it wasn't until I got up to make Brittany's next two appointments that I realized what had happened. I felt something on my leg and thought, man, Brandon spit up again. Unfortunatley, I then realized it was another type of bodily fluid. Brandon had picked this opportunity to poop through his diaper and it was now on my leg. GROSS! I found a kleenex right there and discreetly cleaned my leg while trying to figure out when I wanted these appointments since I don't know anyone's schedule yet for the fall. I managed to keep Brandon up against my shirt and I think no one knew except for my poor leg and shirt that Brandon had a diaper incident.

Anyway, now that that is done. Here is the picture of Brittany with her new smile.

We Interrupt Our Parenting to Bring You the Olympics

Even as a child, I was glued to the Olympics. I never formally took Gymnastics or Ice skating. Yet, when the Olympics were on when I was young, I would tumble throughout the house and do jumps just as the ice skaters did. In my heart, I could be an Olympian. It didn't matter, that I wasn't formally trained in any of these sports. I just felt like I could do it and I remember daydreaming about listening to the National Anthem while I received my gold medal.

Fast forward to today. Okay, I still daydream about collecting my gold medal but I'm a bit more realistic in my thoughts and realize that it will never happen. But it does make for a great daydream! I just love the Olympics! I almost love everything about them. I can watch them from sunup to sundown. I never grow tired of hearing the individual stories of each Olympian and tears regularly fall down my face as I watch someone either realize their dream or have their dream just slip from their grasp. I have been humming "One Moment in Time" since the Olympics began. To me, it has always been a song about the Olympic dream.

The only problem with this whole Olympics is that I have 5 children who actually think I should take care of them during these two weeks. I mean what can they possibly be thinking!! They are enjoying them too but they just don't see the need to watch them every second that they are on. Allison actually asked if we could watch the Disney channel for awhile. The Disney Channel?!?! Are you serious - you can watch that everyday. This only happens once every four years. They are pretty into the gymnastics and swimming. Brittany told me yesterday that she thought she could make the Olympics in gymnastics. (She doesn't take lessons either - I wonder where she gets these ideas from!) I am enjoying my nursing sessions with Brandon this week because then I can feel like I am being a parent while watching the Olympics!! Poor Garrett, he must have asked for a cup of milk 100 times the other day while I was waiting for Phelps to swim. And let's not forgot about the sleep deprivation these Olympics are causing. I'm trying to explain to Brandon that he cannot get up in the middle of the night for the next two weeks because Mommy is staying up late to watch the Olympics. He apparently doesn't get the concept yet!

Seriously though, the Olympics are just an amazing thing to watch. These athletes have given their lives to their sports to be the best and this is their moment to shine. I love watching events that I never get to see on a regular basis. Sports that I didn't even know existed and have never heard of except for once every four years. I look forward to the next 1 1/2 weeks and then the Olympics will once again be but a memory and hopefully my parenting skills will return.

No Veggies Passed These Lips!

I have never had the best eaters as babies - okay, correct that - Allison was an eater. Nursing has been a struggle, babyfood a struggle, transitioning to sippy and real food a struggle. Once they got it; however, they ate their veggies just as well as anything else. I think I might have met my match on the veggie issue. Brandon just will not eat them. And he is already so smart. I put the food on his high chair tonight. First, I just put green beans and corn in the hopes he would just eat them. No dice. So, I gave him the cheesy noodles with chicken. The boy went crazy! Although, I think more got on him than in him. I then thought I would just sneak a veggie or two in. Oh no, Brandon can manage to keep the noodle in his mouth while spitting out the green bean. He can even manage to pick up everything on his tray but leave the veggies behind. How does he already know that they are the veggies and that they are good for him. What is a mom to do?!?


Here he is tonight eating his dinner - notice how he managed to take off his bib also! Can we say "stain stick".

Meurer Reunion

We had the Meurer Family Reunion in Fredericksburg this weekend. The kids were all entertained by Sunshine the Clown who did magic and face painting. Now, when I heard there would be face painting, I assumed it would be the small little design on the side of the check. Oh no, Sunshine is quite the artist. I couldn't believe what she did to the kids faces. They thought it was great.

Here are all 4 kids along with Mackenzie (my niece who is spiderman).

Here is Brittany

Here is Allison

Here is Caitlyn

Here is Garrett

She was quite good at her magic too. She had all of the kids helping her out. Each time they were still amazed at how that one ball became two. Garrett kept saying "that was punny!". He doesn't have those "f" sounds down yet.

Here is Brittany helping out with the magic.

The reunion was very nice although a bit short. By the time, I watched Sunshine, feed the kids, listened to the raffle, people were leaving. It was nice to see them again though. Most of these people I only get to see at family reunions nowadays because we are all so busy with our families. It is such a shame that we are all pulled in so many directions.

Here is Brandon checking out his cousin Reagan. The two of them were so funny. They kept following each other crawling around the room. They took turns trying to poke each other's eye out and climb on top of the other person.

One of the things that I love about going to Fredericksburg is staying out in the country. I am definetly a "city girl". I love my garbage disposal, trash pick-up, nearby mailbox, neighbors right next door. But I love being able to spend a few days and being one with nature. There is something about sitting on the porch swing and actually "hearing" nature. It doesn't matter how quiet it is in Spring, you never get to hear all of the birds and insects around you. There are no stars to see at night. But I can go up to country and actually look at stars, watch a sunrise and let my children just run. There are no cars to watch out for, no other people around. They can just run in the fields and be a kid.

Here is the view from the porch swing.

Here are the kids running in field to the deer blind.Here is Brandon enjoying swinging on the swing set my parents put up for their grandkids.

I always tell everyone that I am a very lucky person in the fact that I have to go visit family in Fredericksburg. I couldn't think of a better place to be "forced" to go to several times a year. I only wish I had more time to go more often. It is calming for the soul!

Can You Give Me a Jump?

Can you give me a jump? I'm sure my hubby had no idea what he was about to get into when he asked this question to the man who pulled up to him at Best Buy. Andy had been the wonderful husband and picked up my camera that was ready. He got back into his car and it wouldn't start. He called AAA and was told that it would be 90 minutes. He called me and I said I was on my way. He decided that he would try to get done faster so he asked the guy who pulled up in front of him to give him a jump. It was a nice big, brand new truck - just what you needed to jump your little Camry.

I wish someone would have told us that big trucks, old jumper cables and little cars don't mix. I was not there when this happened but apparently the truck had too much power for our old jumper cables and our little car and a fire started. Luckily, no one was hurt. That brand new truck of the good Samaritan, however, will never be the same. It still ran but the bumper and headlights were melted by the fire. Our Camry was not as badly injured but still needed some repair. We have not heard from the guy who stopped to help - I am so crossing my fingers that the damage was not too costly! I guess only time will tell.

This has been quite the summer of mishaps for the Prewitt's and our personal and household items. I'm not quite sure what message God is trying to send me but I better figure it out soon!!