still here

molly reminded me today that my blog serves as a scrapbook of sorts for our family, and that i have not updated in quite a while.  so - is that because nothing has been happening that is blog worthy?  quite the contrary, i think we have been moving and shaking so much that i haven't been able to sit and write.
lets see.  annie is fourteen months now, sweet as she is rotten.  she giggles when she sees her siblings, runs from her daddy in a game of chase which usually ends in her wiping out, still loves her mama and occasionally still nurses to soothe herself.  no we have not fully weaned, and no it doesn't bother me a bit.  she is my last baby (for real this time) and im i have learned from the past four, there is no point in rushing any aspect of it. 
maggie is now doing well in kindergarten after a kind of so so start.  she wasn't really sure you had to actually do the work there, but now that we have cleared that up, she is behaving quite well.  her very giant personality barely fits in her little blonde headed body, and i thoroughly enjoy being around her.  she is not quite as sassy as she used to be, i mean - there was no miracle or anything, she is just kind of getting how to fit into the world with the rest of the mere mortals when she is just so "all that".  i actually pray that she will carry that confidence with her into her teen years.
ashton is his sweet smart self.  so self sufficient, so independent.  he comes home, picks up his book and gets his mandatory reading time done right off, then skips out the door to play with whatever neighbor child is around.  he is not picky and loves everyone.  he is the most grateful little boy i have ever met, thanking me over and over for any gift he receives.  he has his heart in exactly the right place.  he is starting basketball in a couple of weeks and im excited to see how he changes when given his own special activity.
carson is still my handsome little ornery boy.  he is very smart but doesn't really care to push that too much.  he is all about being a boy and is outside getting sweaty any chance he gets.  he loves to start a big game of kickball and will stay out until dark every day if allowed.  he is sweet and always remembers to hug me when he sees me.  he is learning to be more grateful and appreciative of the world around him, as he kind of gets lost in his own desires some days.  most days.
molly is a busy little lady, taking on choir, student council, babysitting, volunteering in the church and joining the swim team.  she swims four nights a week, keeps up with friends, family, church and babysitting on the weekends.  she is still an amazing grownup packed into an 11 year old body.  she recently brought me her savings from months of babysitting and told me to ship it to uganda to katie davis, a missionary.  such a kind and generous heart.  we could all learn a lesson in humility, gratitude and grace from miss molly.  im still amazed at the things she says and does. 
as for us, jeff is busy every day chasing annie and driving children too and fro.  he keeps up everything around here, helping preserve my sanity and being an amazing father.  i know for a fact i would not have the loving, smart sweet children i have without his presence in their daily lives.  he finds every little moment and turns it into a teaching moment, something i admit i just don't take the time to do most days.
i am busy teaching clinicals and working weekends.  i love my hospital job and am learning to love the clinicals, but i do not feel teaching is my calling in life.  maybe someday, but my heart lies with the little ones at home, and that is probaby how it will remain for a at least five more years with my sweet anniroo still home.