Attempting to stay sane

Soooo, things were looking up for us, oh for about .5 minutes. 

We had a little birthday celebration for Paul, I cooked a good meal and we even had pie. Pie always makes for a good time. 

And then, finally, we were all headed back to school and work. GLORY BE.

The kids dropped off. 

G back at work, all settled in, ready to take on the world. 

Then I get a phone call....

"Mrs Bush, Pierce is up here in the front office and has a fever."

I'm not sure if I broke into some foreign language or tongues or what, but I think I left my own body for a few minutes. 

I packed up my stuff and left work to go pick up my sick boy. 

Since January, the kids have had something every single month, and we are all just OVER IT.

Poor little guy, has exactly what Hope had, and it's wicked!

Thankfully Hope is all recovered now, and Lord willing Paul and I will stay healthy. And sane.

Once we get through all of this, sister will need a night out.

Let me know if you want to come to BG and hit the hot spots, like Sonic and Toots.

I kid. Maybe.

It's Spring-tastic

Officially Spring Break is over, and officially it's Spring-tastic outside. 

But instead of being outdoors enjoying the spring-tastic weather, we've been stuck indoors for what feels like the last century. But technically I guess it's only been about 4 days or so.

Poor baby girl came down with another round of the wicked stomach stuff on Thursday night, so our weekend was basically this....

I've even been missing work. Eeeek. Work 4 days, then call in sick! How's that for new-employee behavior. Oh well, I guess that's life with kids.

But as of Monday afternoon Hope was sassing me, so I think she's on the mend.

But today? Well today is the 9th of April, so that means my Rico is another year older!

Happy Birthday to the man who puts up with me, supports me, buys me diet cokes, makes grocery runs for me, calms me down, half-heartedly rubs my feet, and loves me for me.

The abnormal at the parents

My parents home, generally a place of pristine perfection. 

That is until the Clampetts  Bush family rolls up.

Then suddenly, you see the abnormal where John and Terry live.

Like toys strewn about

Or children wallering all over their furniture.

Or random football games in the backyard.

Unless my parents are playing on their own time

I'm betting this isn't a normal sight anymore either.

But you know what?

I bet that they miss all the messes

 And the chaos.

Because speaking from experience, we all have things that we miss when they are gone.

It did my sappy heart good

I'm really attempting to finish my posts from Spring Break, but Hope is sick, again.  Her need for me to hold her all the time, has slowed my pace down. But while she's asleep I thought I'd do another post. 

One of the days while in the land of milk-and-honey, we went and spent with Tracey. It was like old times. Kids played outside, Eric acted like 'Old man Reid' and Tracey and I sat around and talked like a couple old hens. Perfection. 

We spent the night, and the next day Tracey had the idea of taking the kids to this indoor place in Columbus. 

It was free and really fun!

Can you see the boys in there?

At first they kind of looked at that giant thing in fear, but soon they tackled it like they fearless boys they are.

And Hope kept right up with those boys.

I love that about her.

And eventually they made it to the TIP-TOP.

If any of my Indiana peeps are ever looking for something different to do, I highly recommend it.

And while the big kids were being incredibly busy, what was Maggie doing, other than being cute?

I'll tell you what...

She was busy

Showing Gretchen what tough stuff she is.

I mean just look at the form.

Yes, she is adorable. And tough stuff.

I am so thankful for all my friendships, but I'm also so thankful for the relationships my children are building. It was such a sweet day watching these little people having fun together.

It did my sappy heart good.

Great day. Bittersweet day.

Once upon a time, there were these two babies that were born within 5 weeks of each other. 

And these two babies, that we all called Pierce and Sarah, were forced to do uncomfortable things. ( I die at Pierce's smirk and fohawk)

And wear ridiculous pants.  Those poor babies.

And almost right away, there was another little girl that joined the group, her name Abigail.

And these three little ones spent MUCH time together.

You see, back then Paul's sister Rhonda and her husband Edward lived in Shelbyville KY, which was only about 40 minutes from us.

This meant I could easily go to visit them

And Rhonda could easily come to us.

And these three cousins were growing up together.

And loving every minute of it. Pierce maybe more than the others, as noted with his expressions.

And the day after the picture above was taken, Hope joined the party too.  (What was with the ghetto dates on the pics then? And usually wrong too)

But sadly, it wasn't much longer before the party ended.

I guess that sounds kind of ominous doesn't it? Maybe I should say it like this: Soon after Hope came on the scene, Rhonda and Edward moved away.

Edward was called to the military life, and as military life goes, moving was involved.

This picture was taken the day they moved.

As was this one.

Our cozy little group was torn apart by distance.

And the distance has proven hard ever since.

Since they moved away in 2007, we have only seen each other a handful of times, and the last time we were all together was 4 years ago.

So when we heard that they would be in Shelbyville on Easter, we jumped on the chance for us all to see each other. Finally, we could see each other, IN PERSON.

And just like that, the old group was back together.

Like the old days, only much bigger now.

And here's the kicker

It may be over three years before we get to see them again. Oy.

In Pierce's words, "we will be teenagers!"

And from the looks of it, Pierce was a little overwhelmed by all these females, and their crazy female ways.

And Hope was happy for once to be in the majority.

You guys, this picture. It just blows me away how much they have grown. And it makes me sad that we can't all live closer.

Those years ago, when our babies were small, I just assumed that we would always be near each other. But as the years and the Lord has taught me, you just never know where this life will take you.

You know I met Paul through Rhonda, so it's this girl here that brought me to my life.

Great day. Bittersweet day.