I don't know where this is headed. Doesn't even have a title.

Since 3 of the last 5 blog posts have been direct quotes from someone other than me, I suppose it's time to say a few words:

Blogging. Is. Annoying.
(and blogging about blogging is far worse.)

Honestly, I'm in a different place than I was when I started this virtual scrapbook (originally it was to document baby stuff for out-of-towners). Then it turned into a beautiful outlet for me when we were going through some especially difficult times. I had a lot to say and here's where I said it.

But since having Simon, I don't feel like I need to tell everyone everything. I'm much more internal now, if that makes sense. I keep being reminded of this verse, "And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart." (Luke 2:19) Though so much is going on around me and within me, I have very little to say. And for now, that's how I feel it's meant to be.

I'm hoping my feelings about it all changes soon because blogging was fun and something I know my family appreciated. It was also suppose to bring me closer to a ton of other bloggers before I meet them all at The Edel Gathering this summer. I'm nervous about the level of celebrity going, and how I'll fit in, but not enough to blog, I suppose.

And so, I'm letting go of the pressure to give the 7 of you left a frequent play by play of our life. It's a chore I don't have to do, and I'm leaving it undone for the moment. I'm not signing off - not officially. Maybe the Spirit will move me to come on more often, but until then...

here's one for the road.

Where've I been?

Let's (almost) completely ignore the fact that I've been MIA (do people still say that?) for the last month and a half and get right down to business. Serious business: Verbatim. There should have been more here but we lost it all during The Great Hard Drive Crash of 2013. I'd rather not type about it or it might be more than another month and a half before you hear from me again.

Joan: [during prayers] For the sick, the poor, and the useless.

[While playing salon]
Alisha: Hello, ma'am. What kind of hair would you like?
Charlotte: Cinderella.
Alisha: Oh, where are you going?
Charlotte: To the museum.
Alisha: Fun! What kind? Science? Art museum? Children's museum?
Charlotte: The science museum.
Alisha: What are you going to learn about?
Charlotte: Art.

Joan: [during prayers] For the snow in Ohio to calm down and not be so big and that the people won't get stuck in a blister.

Alisha: Charlotte, please stop screaming.
Charlotte: But it's funny.
Alisha: No, honey - it's loud.
Charlotte: But people laugh when I scream.
Alisha: Like who?
Charlotte: Carley.
Alisha: She doesn't count.
Charlotte: Why?
Alisha: She's not real.

Yeah, I write that weird?

Homegirl Dwija posted this link to a facebook status generator. It takes parts of your old statuses and mushes them together for some good laughs. It made for a very productive lunch break. So without further ado, my very own Verbatim: (disclaimer, I occasionally added punctuation to make the phrases make more sense)

Yeah, I write that weird?

You know Dave Ramsey class for at least, the pregnancy season...

Aw, Charlotte left a cloth diaper with, this sounds bad, but I'm sure.

Pretty excited to the new Twilight Saga. I'm Team Conan. You?

2 seconds away from throwing me a surprise visit with our online database and their bad attitudes happen to be lost without Jude.

Did you transition your kids into sharing a HOUSE?

Prayer for a girl like me.

Thanks Jude, you're Forever My taco with Dexter.

They're super crispy, like my new sewing machine needle I'd have.

Simon Jude Uh, no.

I can't delete.

I can't be around me without responding. Like mother, like son.

Bad idea. Quitting Excel and turning on NBC.

I get the way your ultrasound pic looks like someone's up to make good.

Farting monkeys are through.
(I like to leave on a high note. Go mush your own.)

Verbatim

Alisha: No, you can't poke your chicken with that screwdriver.

Charlotte: It's so messy right here.
Alisha: Then, why don't you pickup.
Charlotte: Well, nevermind. It's not so bad.


Charlotte: Did you know Carley has the movie Cowboy and the Tramp?
Alisha: Haha. No - what's that about?
Charlotte: Well, there was a fire and he blew in there - the man with the mask and it had holes on his eyes and he runned to the fire and he breathed like this [sighs] and said, "Yee-haw!"
Alisha: Makes sense.


Alisha: Who made you so beautiful?
Charlotte: You did.
Alisha: No, God did.
Charlotte: And you made me awesome?

technically, this wasn't spoken, but written, errr - typed...

Joan: [singing] Come, now is the time to worship.
Alisha: What does worship mean?
Joan: [pauses] To just stay with God.


Charlotte: Mom, I have dirty breath.


Alisha: [attempting pigtails] Please be still! PLEASE, Lord - be still!
Charlotte: My name's not LORD!

Charlotte: I look like a saint.

Alisha: Man, why is your ear so dirty? Have you been pouring dirt in it?
Charlotte: No, it's just chocolate.

Charlotte: Dear Simon, I like the smell of your breath.

Canon Catch-up

Mommy is growing up and learning (after the 3rd child, no less) to keep things simple. So, this year, when the girls decided they wanted to dress up with stuff we already had and stuff they wear every other day anyway, I said yes! instead of searching the internets for new head to toe costumes. And little Simon, he's wearing the same lamb hat Joan and Charlotte wore with a few alterations. babies growing up... sniff, sniff...

Speaking of growing up...


The world is a stage


So as not to be out-done


So much love in this room

And finally, signs of a great Papa:
-chaperones the field trip to my least favorite place
-plays "ballerina music" during his game

Verbatim

I swear I don't make this stuff up. I'm not that clever.

Charlotte: Today I got married.

Alisha: Oh really? To who?

Charlotte: I don't remember.

Alisha: You don't? It's really important to know who you marry. You can't remember his name?
Charlotte: No.

Alisha: Well, what does he look like?
Charlotte: He has brown hair, a black shirt, a black bracelet, white boots, black feet, black eyes, and a black mouth.

Alisha: bahahaha. Oh really?

Charlotte: Yeah... He's right behind you.

Alisha:

Other things we know about Carley:

She ate a spider and has a brother named Simon.

She took Charlotte & Gigi to Burger King for fries.

She wears white tights with blue, red, and green stripes.

Charlotte: Guess what? Carley is a mommy, too.

Alisha: She is? I thought she was only four.

Charlotte: Yeah, but now she's five.

Joan: I have bad hiccups

Charlotte: And the bad toots for me.

Alisha: I love you.

Charlotte: Say 'forever.'

Alisha: I love you forever.

Charlotte: I know.

Charlotte: blah, blah, blah (says something indistinctly)

Alisha: What? What did you say?
Charlotte: Oh, nevermind. I was just talking to Peter Pan.

Charlotte: When I get home can I change?
Alisha: I guess. Why do you always need to change clothes?

Charlotte: Oh, I don't know. I'm just... what's the word I'm looking for?

Alisha: Exactly.

Alisha: Charlotte, do you need a kiss?

Charlotte: No. I already have a kiss.

Charlotte: Look, Momma. I drew a picture of you with a purple dress.

Alisha: Oh, you did? That's really good. What's that on the side?

Charlotte: Oh, that's the plank for you to walk off.

The Yearly Pumpkin Patch Visit.

It was kind of weird, being there without Joan. 

My, how our kids have grown: 

2012

2011

2010