Hello! We are still here. With five kids, a husband, and a full time job there just isn't much time to blog anymore.
Heath has been busy with basketball season. His girls team will probably make it to state so he is preparing for that. He is also busy training college students studying to become Athletic Trainers. I think he gets a lot of satisfaction from being an educator for these students and I know he is able to present information and techniques in a way they can understand when the material becomes difficult. Not bragging (kind of am), but Heath is the example the Arkansas State Athletic Training program shares with their students. They talk about him and his success and skills in the classroom, and basically tell the students to try to be like him! I take particular pride in the fact that they use his resume to teach the students how to write a resume. I wrote Heath's resume and have always been a resource for my students who are writing resumes. It is nice to be a part of helping my students job search and ultimately become successful.
Kalyn is doing well in first grade. She has been on the sick side this spring with various colds and a case of strep throat. She is a sweet girl and finally talked me into letting her ride the bus home from school. I have been anti-bus riding since having kids because I didn't have a great experience with that while I was in school. I finally caved because the kids that ride her bus are only kindergarten through second grade and she has several friends who also ride that bus. She has had a blast - and it is good for me to release some control. I don't like to give up my protective mothering instincts, but I also don't want to hold my kids back because of my own anxiety issues.
Keali is as artistic as ever. She is growing so tall and has quite a sense of humor. I often find her playing with Kynan and Kaci. She is so gentle and good with them - I wonder if she will lean towards education as a career? She still makes that awful noise. Remember how I used to call her a Banshee? It hasn't gotten better and has grown with her. When she gets upset she makes a sound that makes me want to rip my ears off. I don't know why she does it or how to make her stop, so suggestions are welcome!
Kynan is growing into the cutest little boy ever! And he knows it. He is a huge flirt, just like his Daddy, and melts my heart when he tells me he loves me. He, of the twins, is so polite and uses good manners most of the time. He says please and thank you and has recently started using your welcome. I love that blonde headed boy!
Kaci is still the sweetest little monster. She can be so mean to her brother and then give out the most beautiful smile. Her moods are extreme and change suddenly. We've been having problems again with her lungs (remember she has lung disease) and have been trying to get it under control with this crazy weather we've been having here. Freezing temperatures one day and almost 70 degrees the next. It is so annoying. Kaci's favorite thing to say is, "Mommy! What you doing?" The way she says it is so exagerated it makes me laugh every time.
Kynli will be four months old tomorrow. I can't believe she is that old! She is a precious little baby and has stayed small longer than any of our other children. This girl is just the light of my life. I've had the blessing of being able to nurse with her and I feel closer to her because of this than I did with my other babies. She started sleeping through the night about 8 weeks old, but since I had surgery she is back to waking up a couple times a night. I've done my share of whining about that, but recently was reminded I'm so blessed to have a healthy baby.
In early January I had a tummy tuck and liposuction to fix some things that exercise hasn't successfully adressed. My recovery was rough for a while, but I'm pleased with the results. There is some talk of going back and re-vising some of the work, but I'm not sure I am willing to go through the pain/discomfort again. It wouldn't be as bad this time, but still. I need to do some forgetting first!
As a result of the surgery, I've had to begin buying a whole new wardrobe - something that I hate because I hate shopping. I have to admit though that shopping is a lot more fun when clothes fit properly! I've had a good time with it.
I'm still an Area Coordinator for the Department of Residence Life at Arkansas State University, but I'm interviewing for some other positions. My current position requires me to live in an on-campus apartment and with five kids we have outgrown it. Professionally it is also time for me to move around to further my career so I'm looking into various opportunities.
Thursday morning I found out my supervisor was backing out of a placement exchange (remember I've gone to those the past three years searching for graduate students to work for me), so I got about 3 hours notice that I would be going in her place. It was crazy to pack and prepare for a four day trip - especially since I nurse Kynli. I miss my precious kids and hubby so much! I am having fun though and enjoying myself. I can't wait to get home and hold Kynli though!
Life is life. Busy. We are taking it day by day. People ask how I do it all. The answer is that I'm good at creating the illusion that I have it together! Life is busy. Five kids is a crazy number of kids! I made these choices though so I also choose to make it work. I'm happy with my life.