I miss my kids

Today was an incredibly long day. I left the house at 7:00 am to be at school for an 8:00 am lab. Only two people showed up for this lab:( I had back to back classes all day, then had a diagnostic till 5:30. When I finished that I had worked with graduate student for half and hour on her thesis project. I left the building at 6:15 and got home at 6:45. Thank goodness for Rosa's Cafe or my family would have eaten PB&J for dinner.

I had one of those moments today where I wondered what in the world am I doing here? I was working with a sweet little girl about Katie's age and I couldn't help but think that I really just wanted to be home with Katie and Sydney and Jack. Most of the time it's okay because the things I am doing are while they are in school. Lately, however, I feel like I am required to stay later and later and I just don't want to do this anymore. I can't quit, I'm too far into it. Maybe I'm just a little blue, who knows. I have this aching sense that they are growing up and I am missing something. Maybe I would be feeling that anyway since they are gone the majority of the day to school. I feel so incredibly grateful for staying home with them while they were little. I know I need to be in school now that they are all in school or I would just spend my days watching soaps, shopping and eating bon-bons (seriously). I think I'm just so worried that I'm missing something important. It really makes me appreciate all the dads who go away everyday and never get that opportunity to stay home with their kids when they are little. I remember feeling a little jealous as Jesse would "escape" the house each day leaving me to handle things. Now I feel a little guilty for having envied his life, wanting to trade away all those wonderful times with little ones. I wouldn't trade for anything now.

Enough rambling. I'm done now and I think I should go watch the Olympics. That always cheers me up.

Valentine's Day

This is the best Valentine so far. I love a day (or season) dedicated just to showing the people in your life you love them. How can you go wrong. I did my second annual "14 Days of Valentine" for Jesse. It was as much a fun as the first time. Other than his frog (who completed him, BTW) he got a lamp so he can read in bed at night, some books, peanut M&M's, beef jerky, a TCU shirt (for supporting me in my going back to school), and many other things. I in return got my first roses for a Valentine gift, a box of Turtle's (candy of course) and he planned our wonderful evening out which ended with us staying in a hotel in Fort Worth leaving Amy home with the kids. This romantic stuff is beginning to rub off on him. I love it!!

Snow

I have never seen so much snow in person in my life. This has been the absolute most fun time ever with snow. I have never like snow in the past because it snows, everything gets cold and wet, and before there is enough to have fun with it's melted and everything is disgusting. This kind of snow, the kind that sticks and is significant, this is fun. The kids have been playing outside non-stop throwing snowballs, building a fort, making a snowman. What a fun end to a very stressful week.

Update for FWAFA

Sydney had her first audition tonight. She did two monologues and performed for the theater teachers. She has been working really hard to memorize her lines and get all her movements and correct intonational patterns down. She is so amazing to me. I would never, in a million years, perform in front of anyone let alone in a competition with 100's of other kids to get into school that is going to want more performing and auditioning. But that's who she is and she is very good at it. I hope it all works out and she gets in this year, but if not, we'll try again next year. She auditions with her vocal pieces on the 19th and we will find out whether or not she got in within a month from that time. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Amy-isms

Living with Amy is so fun. She has her own made up vocabulary that keeps us guessing all the time. I decided to start cataloging some of these made up Amy words and see if others have used these same terms. Occasionally, Jesse knows the words too, but most of the time they're strictly Amy-isms.

Ordament instead of ornament
Angel wings instead of shoulder blades
Scritcher instead of scratch pad
Minute minder instead of a timer
"chunk the ball" instead of chuck the ball
A "pervert patch" is the little strip of hair men grow on their chin.

I'll add to the list as I think of more.

White's Dumpy Tree Frog

Now, I'm not trying to say I'm the greatest wife on the planet or anything but I have never been one for reptiles or amphibians. I was not the little girl who chased lizards and I really hated dissecting the frog in science class because I didn't want to touch a frog. With that being said, I want you to know about the newest member of our household. Meet the White's dumpy tree frog. You would probably guess that Jesse brought this creature home from the pet store, but in fact I purchased this funny little frog for Jesse for his "2nd day of Valentine" gift. I'm super excited for him to come home and meet his new best friend. Sometimes I think back to the old me with no love for slimy creatures and wonder what happened to that girl. Then I remember that I fell in love. If this isn't true love, I don't know what is.

I will post family photos with our newest baby and give the name later.

A few hours later...




Direct quote from Jesse Bell about his new frog. "My life now feels complete." I love this man.

Our new frog's name is Jobi by the way. Some of you may know the history of that name. Those who don't will have to ask Jesse in person.