Hello! Have you missed me?

Goodness!!!  Where does the time go?  A whole month has flown by and I haven't even blogged once.  You'd think that now that all my kids are in school I'd have LOTS of time to blog several times a day.  A good friend of mine recently told me on the phone before hanging up to "put my feet up and relax" for her.

I have to admit that I was a little (and I mean very little) offended by that.  I guess she figured that since I have no kids home during the day, I don't have an office to go to work to, and my house is in perfect order (hahahaha!  If you know me or have been to my house lately, you'd know I don't really mean that last one) that I could just sit back and relax!!!

Well, the joke's on her.  Somehow, I remain very busy and rarely have a chance to sit on the couch and do nothing.  I did take one day a couple of weeks ago when it was raining to do that and it was great!  But then I got bored.  I don't do sitting around...alone...in quiet...alone...with nothing to do...alone...very well.

So I know you're dieing to know then what it is that is keeping a stay at home mom with no kids at home busy?

I can tell you!  Even though I don't go to a place of work everyday, I do work.  I type for Southern Reporting (depositions for lawyers), I substitute at my girls' school, I volunteer in my girls' classes, and I have this house to clean up, every single day.  I also do have the pleasure of getting to hang out at restaurants or coffee shops with very cool people when time allows (I often make the time for that).

There you have it!  That's how I stay busy!  Now, I've got to get off this computer and go clean!!!  Bye!

First Day of School

I know this is a little late in coming, but now that things have settled down some, I can put these thoughts down.  This school year is a special one for a couple of reasons.

1.  This is the year my last born starts kindergarten.  I am officially kid free during the days.  Weird.  Good, but still weird.

and...

2.  This is the ONLY year that ALL four girls will be in the same school.  In fact, it just may be a record at HEC to have all four kids from the same family under the roof at one time.  Who really knows though?

I have looked forward to this season for a while now, and here we are.  I feel as if I am being rewarded for 10 years of being home with my lovely daughters.  It has been worth every sacrifice to be home with them.  And now...

LET THE FUN BEGIN!!!!

It's almost that time!

School is just around the corner!  One more week!  My kids are not ready, but this mom is!  We have had a great summer, but I am ready for some routine and normalcy.  Highlights of our summer:

Going to the summer movies at Regal!
A visit with my brother and niece (Charlestone and the water park at Fort Jackson)
Atlanta to see two very good friends (one from way back to 5th grade and the other a friend from SC)
Many, many overnights both here and at other friends.
Swimming, swimming, swimming!

BRING IT ON HE CORLEY!!!!  THE DAVENPORTS ARE ABOUT TO INVADE!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so excited!!!!

I have the BEST parents in the whole wide world!!!  Thanks to them, we get to go on one of these:




To a place that looks like this:

It's like the honeymoon we never had.  Can't wait!!!

45 Years!

 Forty-five years ago today, a man and a woman changed the course of a little girls life.  Carl Sweatman married Meg Saul on June 25, 1966.  What they didn't know at that time, was that a woman in Wisconsin would find herself pregnant in about 8 years.  And when she would give birth, she would give that baby up for adoption.  That sweet couple would take that little girl to be their daughter.  It was a life changing decision, not just for the couple or for the mother, but for that little girl.

If it weren't for Carl and Meg Sweatman adopting me, I may never have known the love of God.  I may have lived a much more difficult life.  I would never have found Erik and had the four little loves of my life.  I wouldn't be living in this little town in South Carolina amongst some of the nicest people around.

So on this day in 2011, I want to thank my parents for getting married 45 years ago.  And, I'm even more thankful for the example you have set for Erik and myself (not to mention our children) as to how to stick it out even when things get tough.  The dedication to one other is a legacy you have set for years to come.  Thank you for making your home a place that is focused on the Lord.  You have passed that along to me and I pray that I do the same for my kids.

I shutter at the thought of what my life could have been if you had made other decisions along the way.  I love you both so much.  You are a treasure to me.

Happy 45th Anniversary!
Love always,
Carla

Another Hannaism

Last night when Hanna was getting ready for bed, she used the bathroom.  While sitting there she proclaimed, "Ahhhhh, that feels good.  Gooder than I ever thought it would."

Time Flies

This is Hanna on her first day of preschool.

 

 This is Hanna near the end of preschool on Zebra Day.

I cannot believe that in the blink of an eye, my baby is about to finish up preschool and be a kindergartener.  Hanna is quite a bright girl and I can't wait to watch her develop her writing and reading skills next school year.  Next year will be a monumental year in our home.  It will be Hannas' first year at HE Corley and Alysons' last year!  All 4 girls in one school.  I can't even imagine it.  But, I will enjoy it, knowing it will be my only sane year.

I love you Hanna banana!  I am so proud of all you have learned this year.  I have enjoyed every moment with you while your big sisters were in school.  I will miss that time for sure!