Yesterday we went strawberry picking. Another momma and her 3 little boys went with us and we went for a playground picnic afterward. We had a beautiful day for it and the kids (all 7 of them) behaved really well. When we were first getting ready to head out into the field to pick, the kids had partnered themselves up in pairs - very cute. Sydney took Vincenzo (a 2 year old twin), Shane took Tuscan (the 4 year old big brother), Noah took Matteo (the other twin), and they decided that Seth could be with me and Shannon...

Though it was cute that they took it upon themselves to buddy up, it wasn't until I was uploading pictures late last night that I was struck.

I had brought my camera with intentions of snapping lots of gorgeous sunshiney strawberry pickin' pictures. It was enough work trying to pick berries while constantly scanning the field to be sure all kiddos were in sight. This photo - or portion of a photo - caught my eye. This was after we had gotten into the field and were starting to pick...the kids were just kind of going about their business, but Noah was still holding Matteo's hand.

When we think of the people we want leading us, we make lists of qualifications - must be smart, savvy, strong, experienced, educated...you know the list. Here, Matteo didn't know that Noah hasn't even been to preschool yet. He didn't care that he's barely 4 inches taller and not quite 2 years older. Nor did he realize that Noah has never picked strawberries before. But that didn't matter - Matteo had the faith of a child. God tells us to have faith like a child. These babes don't question our abilities. They trust that we will lead and care for them and keep them safe. Even a child barely older than themselves. How precious, too, that Noah took Matteo by the hand and led him. To where? Who knows what he had in mind - but he was willing, and Matteo trusted.

Shades on the Windows

Ron leaves for work by 6:10 in the morning - six days a week. He gets ready to leave the house in a tiptoe, quietly shuffling from room to room being mindful not to wake anyone. He does this because he loves me and he knows I'd give anything to slep in a bit in the morning. Seth, however, couldn't care less how much sleep I think I need. By 6:20 most days he is standing on the side rail of my bed, leaning in real close, his face inches from mine, demanding, "Mommy, Momma! Ah eeyaw. Mommy ah eeyaw!" I know this doesn't sound so bad but you have to understand that when I say 'demanding' what I really mean is he yells and cries at me before I'm even conscious. And then yells more and louder if I'm not up and running to the kitchen in under 4 seconds. And God forbid my pregnant self should feel the urge to stop at the bathroom on the way.
What is it that makes this 2 year old bounce up just minutes after daddy leaves? I have tried pleading with Ron to try and be a little quieter, that he must be making too much noise. He has since convinced me that if I don't even hear him getting up in the same room, then why should Seth? And why would he not get up while Ron was still here?
Perhaps the fact that we have lived here for nearly six months and still haven't gotten any curtains/blinds/shades on his bedroom windows has something to do with it. Maybe that would also explain why he started out sleeping a bit latert and has gradually been getting up earlier. So yesterday I bought shades. The room darkening kind. And I am getting them up today. And tomorrow we are sleeping in until 8.

Lame-O

I worked last night. And had stuff to do today. Stuff that required that I skip the sleeping portion of my day. Bummer. And it was hot. And humid. And I'm pregnant. And...just kidding - that's enough of that. My mother in law hosted a birthday party for Brandon at a bowling alley today and I had committed to bringing a couple food items. It turned out to be a good day, the kids had a blast (how pathetic that I forgot my camera and thus have no super-cute pics of Seth "wo-win"). By the time we were ready to head home, I was sleepy, nauseated, and crabby. Once we got home, I continued to feel the same and the kiddos were spreading thin. Some time in the sprinkler segued to bath and bed. Of course we came across an impromptu invite to the drive in...after the kids were sleeping. Sounded fun. And I bet it was for the kids whose parents are not so lame. Thankfully they don't know what they missed out on!
Instead, Ron and I took an exhilerating ride to the late-night post office while a sweet teen sat here and watched TV. My dear husband did, however, satisfy my craving for soup (did I mention it was hot today?) with a stop at Chili's on the way back home. And chips. With salsa. Yum.

Umm, hi...my name is Karen and I own this blog?

So, I think I may have forgotten that I even have a blog...and only remembered it while I was reading the blog of another mom and saw my own on her bloglist (thank you Tracey!). While I wouldn't call it free time per se, I am working just part time right now - so will make time to keep my dear audience entertained. Ha. All 3 of you who have given up on me. Ha.
Apparently it has been a full year since I've been here. So, yeah, I passed my NYS RN board exam last July and have been a registered nurse since. I worked on a medical/surgical floor at a hospital for 8 months while Ron played "manny" at home. During that time, we lived through one son leaving for Marine bootcamp and another starting Kindergarten, found out we were expecting a baby, sold our house, lost our baby, spent 2 months living with my parents, and bought a new house. That brings us to January...then since February, Ron took a job as General Manager, I took a part time position on a Mother-Baby unit at a different hospital, we found out we have a new bean due in November and we are working on the house and yard like busy little bees.
Needless to say, the past year has tried us thoroughly but has built our faith and character tremendously. God is good. I'm sure many have followed us on Facebook, so realize that this is an extreme summary and does not share the slightest detail of what the year has held. Truth is, I can't just pick up and start writing without acknowledging that I missed a week (or 52). [insert wink here]