Tomorrow

Tomorrow. Tomorrow.  

It's only a day away!

This guy takes his FIRST board exam TOMORROW. Step 1. Appropriately named as it is the first major step in becoming a doctor. Besides getting accepted to medical school of course. That's kind of a big one too:) The Step 1 score is what residency programs look at when choosing candidates. Meaning for us that the score has a pretty significant role in our future...

I can hardly believe the day is *almost* here! I feel like the past 6 months have been so focused on studying for Step 1 and it felt like it was NEVER going to happen! And now it is only a day away! 

I completely believe that Joe is prepared and more than competent to succeed tomorrow (and as a doctor for that matter)!  But it is a big deal. It is an 8 hour test that covers 2 years worth of material. So if you think of it would you mind praying for him tomorrow? Pray that he is calm and thorough. And able to recall the information he needs. And quite frankly pray that he is able focus. It is hard taking a test ALL DAY LONG. It gets boring. I know from experience. 

And now onto today:)

See this guy?

That is NOT my husband. That is my husband's little brother. Uncle Chris. But don't tell Hannah. She thought it was her daddy. Isaiah made the same mistake as a 2 year old! 

That's all. 

Oh wait. Charlotte just told me if a volleyball hit her hand and broke off her thumb I could use glue and a bandaid to fix it. Because she needs it for sucking! She ended her story with "I was just thinking about that Mom." A little glimpse into the inner workings of a 3 year old mind:)

P.S. Joe if you are reading this, I love you and I am so proud of you and all you have accomplished over the past 2 years. You have made med school look easy and I am sure you will do the same tomorrow! You have got this thing! Oh and sorry for copying the picture you texted me and putting it on the blog:) I hope that doesn't stop you from sending picture texts in the future. 

Six.

My baby boy turns SIX today!

Again I ask myself, "How did that happen?"

So now a walk down memory lane...

Newborn Isaiah:

One Year Old:



Two Years Old:

Three Years Old:

 Four Years Old:

Five Years Old:

And nearly six years old:

Camp Life

We made it to our favorite camp today and Isaiah is a real camper! In a real cabin with a real counselor with real cabin mates!!! Let the real fun begin!

The theme this summer is Christmas:) 

The girls, Grandma Donna and I are here too. We are the volunteer camp nurses. And I am going to really try to NOT hover too much. My goal is to blend in with the background and allow Isaiah to acknowledge me when (if?) he wants to. Easier said than done. I just want to know what he is doing...and is he having fun...and is he making friends...does he like his counselors...what did he buy at the snack shack...is he scared sleeping in a new place?! So many questions so few answers. I *might* have reminded him to go potty just before bed. I mean I would hate for him to have an embarrassing incident:)

All serious at chapel tonight! Checking out his junior counselor. Despite how it appears I think he had a blast today...I think. Hopefully soon enough I will know:)

Chopped!

I finally did it. I cut my hair. Well technically speaking I didn't cut it:) A lovely young hairdresser at Ulta Salon cut it. (Is my old age showing yet?!)

I LOVE it. And by love I mean I nearly hugged the girl. Then I decided that would be awkward and restrained myself:) 

11 inches gone! Off to a better, more appreciative owner through Locks of Love. This was my fourth (maybe fifth?) time donating my hair. 

Aren't those before pictures horrendous? I hadn't showered in.....a while:) Sorry hairdresser. But it sure made for impressive after pictures!

The first time I donated my hair was as a young newlywed. I was tired of my long hair PLUS I discovered some salons will cut your hair for free when donating! Perfect solution. The cheapskate in me was hooked. And since my hair grows fast the rest is history!

My kids were/are pretty indifferent to my new hair style. (I thought they were going to be more surprised/excited/sad...I don't know just more something!) Although Hannah is a bit confused as to why she can't grab my pony tail and falling asleep tonight without it in her hand was tough but we made it! In response to the picture text I sent him, Joe said "it looks nice but we will know more tomorrow". As in when I style it myself without professional guidance. 

To celebrate my parents, kids and I went out to dinner at one of my favorite childhood restaurants. Ok it wasn't really in celebration. More like reliving the good old days/introducing it to the next generation. The burgers and malts at The 50s Grill were just as delicious as I remembered! And the kids had no complaints about ice cream for dinner. We drove away full and satisfied at 5:42 pm...yeah we are just that hip and happening.

We all could get very used to this summer vacation thing. We may never want to go back to reality where dinner is served with a side of peas and bedtime stories are limited to two!

Survivor

I survived solo parenting at the pediatrician's office for back-to-back well child checks {yesterday} and 400 miles in the van {today}. And I am not sure which was worse...

The appointments only lasted one hour. BUT that one hour was confined to a 15x15 foot space that seemed to amplify my children's whines, grunts and all out shrieks! All while I was either A) attempting to converse with our sweet and very patient pediatrician or B) trying to cajole/force my children to *appropriately* interact with their doctor! Oh the joy! And for some reason I thought rice cakes would be a good snack to bring along.  Sorry janitorial staff for that one! I am sure the remnants are still being found...

But aren't they adorable in their little gowns?!

The drive from Illinois to Minnesota was...well as would be expected when traveling alone with 3 small children. Plenty of crying and chaos confined to a too small space. A space that somehow transforms into a too large space when I can't reach the needy children in the back! This phenomenon still boggles my mind even after 8 hours in that space!

See that ever happy dream lite? Her smirk mocked me and my dreams of a pleasant trip for the ENTIRE 400+ miles!

Looking on the bright side, my husband bought me a *fun* drink for the drive:

I am just hoping all those antioxidants are voiding the accelerated aging effects due to the stress:) A girl can dream, right?!

Oh and if today had been an episode of survivor I know who I would have kicked off my minivan island...lucky for her that isn't how real life works!

But the good news is we all survived (with just a few tears shed) and now we are ready for VACATION! Onward and upward I am sure.