Sure fall is the busiest time of year, but it's also the most fun!

Now I'm done freaking out, here's the secret. I LOVE how busy our family is in the fall. I just doubt my ability to handle it all. It's a good thing God's in our corner.

Going back to school always does good things for our kids' confidence. They get to see their friends, pick out their own reading material, and have art every single week. It's nice for them to hear others say how smart they are too..cause I really don't count. I'm just their mom.

The football boys love having permission to squash other kids, and be cheered on for it even! They're reassured by having outdoor time every day, in school and out. They roll in the recognition on and off the field too.

The first few weeks are hard on my little perfectionist, but he too, is looking forward to school this fall. He may not be an athlete, but is sure to be a star mathlete.

Princess D is going to her first year of full day school...but she has enough moxie for five kids. She'll be the belle of the ball.

The little ones and I kind of relish the whole day thing. We'll be able to go to storytimes and parks. Maybe squeeze in some pet stores and the occasional trip to the zoo. Without that 11am must be x thing, I'm hoping to expand the preschooler's horizons quite a bit this upcoming year.

Fall is also our favorite time for camping. The coolish nights and warm days suit us well.

We have two kid birthdays in the fall. A trip to Powell Gardens and whatever the big kid wants.

I look forward to Wed. night bible study and PTA starting up again. In the fall, I get to crawl out of the mommy mole hole and stretch...and go, "oh yeah. There are people out there besides my husband and kids."

At this moment, we are at peace. Sure the schedule is full. Occasionally it looks like we have to be two places at once, but it'll work. It just takes work, that's all. It's a good thing peace is an internal thing.

The fall avalanche is rumbling.

Every year I try to convince myself that THIS is the year I won't be totally overwhelmed and lost from August1 - Christmas. This year, I know it isn't the year it's going to happen. First of all, the key to our second vehicle is missing. Secondly, hopefully, we'll finally be moving. We're down to painting and floors barring any more "discoveries." Old houses are full of those. This is all on top of our "regular" activities which go something like this.

School starts on Aug. 16. I have purchased 4 boxes of markers & three dozen colored pencils. Only 35 pencils, 5 pink pal erasers, 2 boxes of crayons, 2 more sets of markers, 13 spiral notebooks, 15 folders, 2 glue bottles, 10 glue sticks, 700 sheets of paper, 2 3 ring notebooks, a set of dividers, a couple of rulers, a calculator, a box of wet wipes, ziploc bags, and of course, 8 boxes of kleenex to go...and that's before shoes, backpacks, and the "forgotten" essentials.

School starting also means mathletics, chat 'n chew, PTA, and more.

Church activities are also a given. August 8th, Carnival. Kidz Choir starts on Aug. 18th. I haven't even looked at the AWANA schedule yet. Guess I should, since I volunteer there and all.

E2 has started tackle football. Our oldest will sign up Saturday. This means practices every day from M-F between the two of them. Come September, we'll have 1-3 games every weekend. It also means frequent reminders not to practice tackling on each other at home.

Both princesses want to take dance lessons...so there goes my Monday afternoon as well.

Let's not forget E1 is chomping at the bit for bowling. Wed afternoon on Sat morning?

Then we throw in scouting just for fun.

Man, I need that key. Or at least a clone. Guess why it's called Fall. Every night I fall into bed, totally spent.

I love you bear, even though you sound like a buzz saw when you sleep..(and other celebrations of marriage)

It's true. He does. It's also true we just had our 13th wedding anniversary, and that we love each other as is, just like Fiona and Shrek.

So many people don't "get" what marriage is about. How mutual acceptance and submission can be such bliss. I'm blessed with a man with a servant's heart, who stays home when I'm sick, always does the chores I hate, and helps control the kids without duct tape.

My end of the deal is pretty simple. Be his personal assistant, care for his children, & keep him entertained and fed. Sure I do a lot more than that, but that's all he expects. And lately, I've been off the hook on the feeding part. Something about cooking is really hard with a broken wrist.

So, for my list fans...here are reasons my marriage is awesome.

Monte Python, and our shared appreciation of PUNishment.

Food, exploring new worlds together...from burned rice to rockin rice pudding.

Fantasy....from books to the bedroom, & books in the bedroom. ....We like to read some of the same stuff. Wheel Of Time, Jennifer phallic...I mean Fallon! ;)

Sports. K.S.U. Wildcats!

Mutual faith, values, and goals.

Being endeared by each others quirks. One of his first gifts to me was a stuffed cat we named "Fritz."

Humor!

The sandwich rule. "Never criticize unless it's well layered between sincere compliments." No fair picking the sandwich apart.

Having fun together, lots of it.

Being amazed at our children, and how they pick up the best parts of our spouse.

Allowing ourselves to be "different." Mr. M is a math man. Once I called him from a bookstore to help pick out his present, because "abstract geometry" and "concrete differentiation" are all the same to me.....way beyond me. That said, karaoke and pool will never be his thing.

Starting each day new. It's exciting to see what our future together will bring.

Love ya bear....from your dancing hippo, Mama M.

to be rejoicing about a broken wrist?

Today, attitude of gratitude is suffering from the pain challenge. Pain like this is hard to deal with, because unlike childbirth, the prize isn't imminent. Yet the Word is pretty clear about being thankful IN all things, the top of my list today is that it says IN and not FOR. So here goes...

1) My husband, his servant heart, unending patience, and unwavering love. Would be nuts/unbearable w/o him.

2) His job: generous sick leave, flex time, sympathetic coworkers, and the ability to work from home.

3) modern medicine: this is fixable now. A few generations back it wouldn't have been.

4) Only having two kids home this week

5) My amazing network of friends, providing support, encouragement, and even childcare during my surgery

6) Outpatient surgery...happy to recover at home, w/ my own family & furniture. :)

7) The great Healer, who foresaw my stupidity, provided someone to watch my kids instantly so I could get to the ER, held an open next a.m. appointment w/ ortho, and open slot for surgery just as swelling had gone down....and more, So grateful God is into the details

8)Anesthesia & pain meds

9) our puter, for keeping me socially connected.

10) my kids, for their love and wonder,