For my sister and other math geeks (I do not apply as I understand none of this). Renee and Carol eat your heart out!

It is hopeless--Emma will be a fun-loving nerd out to save the planet.  She got 2 Harry Potter books and a Dragonology book for her birthday.  She was sad we wouldn't take her to a State Radio concert on Friday.  And she's currently trying to raise money for CAPS, a group she's in at school. CAPS stands for Children Actively Promoting Social Change.  It is hopeless.

You should not play leap frog on the couch.  As adults we know this, but as children, we apparently need to learn the hard way.  Unfortunately, that usually involves a trip to the ER and some sort of external means of holding your head together.  Why do the young not learn from the wisdom of the old?

Esther opened her head for the second time in her short life by making a course change after colliding mid-air with her much larger sister.  This one required staples as opposed to stitches and much less blood (Esther's), sweat (mine), and tears.  If you are ever fortunate enough to visit the ER late at night with a busted up child, please be aware that it usually requires the following things:

1.  No pants--Despite having a fully clothed upper body including a fleece pullover, the lower half is mysteriously disrobed

2.  Blood stains on the newest, often expensive, clothing they own

3.  A guilty (looking?) sibling

4.  Some sort of doctoring on your part--such as hold this topical anesthetic on her wound or hold her down while we wrap her in this straight jacket and stitch her not quite numb head

5.  Ruining a perfectly good evening of watching movies before a Monday holiday

If you'd like to support a great cause and possibly win a great prize, then buy a raffle ticket to support Everybody Wins! Atlanta. All donations are tax deductible and support our literacy programs designed to give children the skills they need to succeed in life. Click on "Raffle" on the website to show your support!

It is that time of year to catch everyone up on our annual happenings. Not being Christmas letter people, I thought I would let Shaun sum up our year in his favorite form of expression:

Two Thousand and Eight
A bunch of stuff happened here
Still just 2 kids. Phew!


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to one and all!

It is Christmas time, and many of us feel the tug to give back at this time of year. One of the easiest ways to do this is by dropping some spare change in one of the Salvation Army's Red Kettles. Yes, you might be annoyed by the bell every year, but in 2007 that bell raised $118 million dollars to help feed and clothe those in need. Pretty powerful with just your pocket change.

If you are really feeling generous, pick up an extra hot chocolate on your next Starbucks run and give it to the Bell Ringer. All are volunteers helping to make a difference--often in the very cold weather. Happy Holidays!

Things I am thankful for:
My husband who has as much a bleeding heart as I do and agreed to help my dad move my demented grandfather 400 miles to a new home;
My children who actually paid attention long enough in church to want to do something to help children in Africa (we're still working on the what);
My mom who listened to me complain about my washer/dryer breaking even though someone had just plowed into their car parked in front of their house;
My dad who deserves a medal for all the crap he's had to deal with lately;
My sister who picks up my kid at school when she misses the bus;
My other sister who reminds me why we work so hard for other people's children;
My brother who makes me laugh--even though sometimes I don't think he means for me to;
My friends who expect nothing more from me than to hang out in their kitchen (or my couch or wherever) drinking and cracking jokes;
My coworkers who challenge me to be better everyday;
The many people I meet randomly who remind me that everyone has a story and can teach me something.

Better late than never--Happy Thanksgiving to all!