I haven't blogged anything in awhile. I generally feel 'inspired' to write when I am having a blah day and need to vent a little. Today is no exception. I really want my blog to be upbeat. However, this is my only outlet so most of my blahness will appear here. I truly am a very happy person. You just may not know it if you only read this. I have felt very blah since Jeff got home from the Great Banquet. I am definitely not feeling like myself. My biggest symptom is being unsociable. That is just not me. But blah. I have these great plans this weekend and I am finding myself very dreading it. I am not sure why. I definitely think I am need of some adult time. Lately, I have not been getting any time to myself. I have been taking kids to the grocery store. Generally that is the only time I have alone. It has been a couple weeks since I have seen any of my friends. Over the weekend the kids and I were sick. I was more blah than sick, but definitely just not myself. Today I can tell I have zero patience for my kids. They just open their mouths and I want to cry. My throat is killing me and I don't know if it is a symptom of being sick or if it is because I have yelled at the kids too much. Geez, I don't like days like this, very melancholy. Wow, are you glad you decided to read this?
Over the weekend we did have an amazing day with family. We had a mini family reunion/family picnic. Despite the fact that much (most) of the family was unable to attend I thought the day was a lot of fun and a huge success. I definitely missed everyone that was unable to attend. I miss the noise and chaos and the catching up when all of us are together. I am really hoping that this is something we can do annually. Growing up I remember my dad's side hosted a family picnic every summer at my dad's brothers' work. My Uncle Tim (whom I really adore and very rarely see) works for IPL. We would picnic at the park in Martinsville. I think it is Martinsville. It has been years since I have been there. But I really remember that time with family. Now having kids I want them to feel comfortable around everyone and be close to everyone. I never want my kids to wonder who cares about them or thinks of them. And I want them to have lots of support and love around them at all times. Lately Jeff and I have been doing a lot of talking about what would happen if something did happen to Jeff and me. Like I said, aren't you glad you are reading this? I am just a ray of sunshine today. But if tragically something happened I would just want people coming out of the woodwork to love on my kids. Even if nothing happens to us I just want that so badly for my kids. Nothing makes me happier then when I see someone genuinely being kind to my kids. Okay, so like I was saying we had a great weekend with family. We picnicked at Brown County. Although I can't take the credit for picking the park, I honestly don't think we could have found a better spot. I LOVE Brown County. Every time I visit there (at least half a dozen times this year alone) I am amazed how much I instantly think of my mom. It is probably one of the warmest memories and special places I can recall going with my mom. It just isn't the same now as it was then. I loved the car ride down there. I loved the shopping and the fudge. I loved the time with her. It is funny because I am pretty sure other people went with us, but in my memory it is just me and my mom. If you are reading this, Mom thank you so much!
Okay, I will really try to get some pics of last weekend on here soon. I am leaving tomorrow night for the Great Banquet. Maybe I will add that to my list to get done tonight. Jeff is working very late tonight. Only God knows what I will be able to accomplish with four kiddos.

Missing my hubbie

Today I am really missing my husband. I think it is knowing that he will not be returning till Sunday. Jeff is at the Great Banquet till Sunday evening. I think if he was just at work and working late I would not be missing him so much. I am really happy and proud of him for attending the Great Banquet, but I am very much wishing he was here right now. Last night I was trying to have fun with the kids. After dinner we played. Then I rented the sequel Chipmunk movie for the kids. They really seemed to enjoy it. I let the boys stay up late and pass out on the living room floor. I even let them eat their popcorn in the living room. Crazy, right? It is for us. We NEVER let the kids eat anywhere but the kitchen for obvious reasons. So, the boys were up well past 11pm and all them were up by 8a. Geez, why don't they want to sleep more? This morning was slow going. Then I met April, Savanah, Braxton and Mom at the park on Fry Rd. Amy P surprised us by stopping by. It was so nice to see her. That was really enjoyable. I really did not want to come home. But Savanah and Braxton needed naps and we didn't have anywhere to go. We came home and I let the boys paint, then make cookies, and play with the race cars with tiny parts. Now they are having quiet time. Well, I am having quiet time in my office. They are downstairs jumping off the couches and yelling at each other. I keep hearing all the home cordless phones beeping and the answering machine keeps going on and off. So, someone is playing with the 'locate' button. I just really hope that Juliet sleeps for awhile. It is so silly. I still have three children to watch. But just being short one kid makes things so much easier. You wouldn't think it makes a difference but it really does. Okay, so plans for this weekend...not much of any. I generally love not having plans. However, this weekend I wish we had a lot going on to pass the time. Alright, I can hear someone screaming downstairs in victory and another child screaming in pain. My time must be up!