She's BAAAACCCCKKK!

I don't know if I measure Riley's successful camp experience by the number of letters that came home. By the amount of tears she shed when she spied me across a crowded campsite yesterday. Or by the pure joy in her voice as she told me all about camp and how cool it was to be a Jewish chick.

What I DO know is after years of trying to convince the girls that they needed to embrace their religion and be proud of where they came from, nothing could have been better than sending them to this AMAZING camp where they were able to "get their Jew-on" with almost 450 other girls who were just ... like ... them ...

Only two letters sent home during her three weeks of camp. Four LARGE loads of laundry already washed and ready to be put away. MAYBE ten minutes of peace in the house yesterday after picking her up from camp.

But a lifetime of memories and experiences that we look forward to building on ... while she proudly rocks her Star of David.

As A Government Family We're NO Stranger To Tape ...

Though it's normally not THIS kind.

One amazing neighbor spent a whopping 2.5 hours with me marking every single nail pop we could find. Nail pops I NEVER would have seen had he not brought this fabulous bright light that he held over his head the ENTIRE time.

Using a long stick, we ripped and stuck the blue stuff to the tune of probably 300+ areas. We found a leak. We drew long arrows. We went through a whole roll ...

My walk through with the builder was today. The final day to fix everything "broken" during our initial 1-year warranty. It's no surprise that they didn't plan for enough time to get it all done. They're just lucky that my taping was localized to non-custom painted walls ... or they would probably have double the work!

Just like last year, I'll be a prisoner at my house over the next ten days as they fix, fix, and fix these piddly issues.

At least it's on their dime and I'll get a new paint job out of it ... just as long as it's not blue.

And On The Seventh Day ... She Rested

I picked this cute thing up from camp today. After one amazing week away. Where she was making new friends. Building memories. Growing.

I received one letter from her. Which was far better than her sister's. Of course, that's not saying much. The rookie camp on the other hand, wrote ME every night. Well, all of the parents of our small group. Giving us the play by play of the day. Including and emphasizing what the girls ate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Remember ... this WAS a Jewish camp, with lots of meshugena parents probably concerned that their babies were eating a proper meal!

When I picked her up from camp I was met with hugs, kisses, and kvelling from the counselors. They loved her, just as much as Sheridan seemed to love the camp. As we grabbed the last of the stuff from her bunk, and said goodbye to the director and all her new friends, she asked me to sign her up for the three week session next summer. Oh, and to take her straight to Starbucks.

I did both ... and let me assure you they were worth every single penny.

The FS BRU ... Can I Be Honest With You?

Two months ago I had written a wonderfully poignant post for our FS BRU about honesty. Not 'being' honest per say, but rather posts that actually made one think, shake their head, show emotion. I had highlighted links to a few of my deeper posts that really were difficult for me to write because they showed my vulnerable side. Allowing those of you who don't know me, a small window into my life, and showing a part of me that few people rarely get to see.

However, after announcing the last Optional Talking Point WAY back when ..., I was surprised with the low amount of submissions I received as so many people were finally getting excited again about the Round-Up. So I put a tickler out online and even extended the deadline. A few times.

A lot of the responses regarding this particular blog topic were actually surprising to me. With some people saying that they just didn't know what to turn in this time, so they didn't send me a link. And others telling me that they never write anything that would have them hesitating to press the word publish. Oh ...

See, I had read some amazing posts from so many of my FS friends over the past year. Posts that were thought provoking. Posts that went viral. Posts that even contained the word nipple. I really assumed that this was going to be an easy topic to just send in. And that's when I realized that I made the all too familiar mistake of assuming. For what I meant, wasn't exactly what I wrote. I mean, it was ... but in MY mind, the ideas about potential blog posts seemed far more simple than I apparently made them out to be. Mea culpa. I have to take the responsibility on this one!

With my husband departing on his unaccompanied tour to Afghanistan, familial responsibilities, summer with three kids at home, newly elected PTA officer at my girls elementary school, major stomach virus, and life getting in the way, I unintentionally took a "short" hiatus from getting this latest FS BRU published. Though once I was ready to publish it, I decided to entirely scrap it and start anew.

So here we meet again. However, before I announce the Optional Talking Point for the next FS BRU, let me quickly highlight those blog authors who so kindly submitted their posts eons ago ... and give them the limelight that they rightly deserve.

The (No Longer) Freelancing Researcher writes about A Lifetime ago, and yet just yesterday.

Natasha is struggling with the uncertainties of FS life. She's anxious to get things going and loves to plan ahead, but on the other hand she spends a lot of time questioning the choices she's made. As a result, she rarely feels like she's appreciating the present moment.

Erica in Uganda shares her honest thoughts about second tour bidding. Although the foreign service is a great life and they feel lucky to be in it, they have learned they can have and voice their preferences about where in the world they want to serve.

In-Flight Movie in Belize gives us a beautifully written post about self reflection.

Sara can't ignore the real Ethiopia now, after living in Addis Ababa and experiencing the poverty first hand.

Blogging about how hard it is to be honest ... is well, hard. As Meredith in Conakry shows us while she almost outs her blog as a fraud!

Spectrummy Mummy decided to tell us how just how hard things have really been ... as she gives us The Whole Story.

A Fisher out of Water admits to being Imperfect.

Nomads by Nature went on one HECK of a safari ... and lifed to tell about it. Next time, stay in the car!

Sometimes it's just not easy to put a positive spin on something ... though as Erica in Iceland shows us, she sure did try!

It's always good to have those who you can vent to, so you don't use your blog as your outlet (unlike me). Life Is A Zoo in the Jungle has those peeps ... so she only shares that of which she's comfortable. For now ...

Caitlin in Bogota wrote a "this is how it really is" post regarding the EFM work situation at her post. She tried to be fair and not just make it a gripe sessions, but also let people know some of the rude awakenings they received.

It's hard to believe that there are things people don't like about the Foreign Service ... (insert sarcastic eye roll here) ... though surprisingly Lisa in Tijuana, Mexico could only come up with five!

Yes, we are STILL talking about Nipplegate! Amazing support for the wackiest FS debacle in years months!

Everybody needs their happy place. Right Connie?

I. Love. This. Amazing post from Well, That Was Different ... In Which I Learn To Follow My Own Advice

No Sadie ... you're never wrong to complain! And welcome back to the States. For now ...

She loves it ... she loves it not ... she loves it ... she loves it not. Heather in Cairo does a little soul searching after her first six months at post.

It is never easy to see your child have any type of medical issues ... but Sara's son does. And writing is a very therapeutic way for her to deal with it.

Some FS bloggers write solely about their profession. Some solely about their personal life. But when the two cross and you've never written about the other, it can often feel dishonest. Like for Alex, at Travel Orders, when her father passed away, and later when her husband was diagnosed with cancer.

Michele, who is finally in Amman, Jordan kindly gives the Airlines honest ideas on what could make traveling even a smidgen easier, rather than more and more annoying as the days go by.

Unless you live in a border post like Becky did in Mexico, it's hard to imagine just how she was feeling when she wrote this eloquent post...

Sunny in Belgium asks the question, Am I Mom Enough?

Narra at Five G's in Mexico, tell us five very honest things about herself.


As we now get back to our regularly scheduled program, the next edition of the FS BRU will be out on Friday, August 17th. And the Optional Talking Point is ... your current post!

With the bid list recently released, there are TONS of questions flying around the blogosphere about schools, housing, security, driving, household help, travel opportunities, EFM opportunities, religious affiliations, etc, etc, etc. SO ... let's help each other out. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to write 5 Pros and 5 Cons about your current post. This is not limited to overseas as many bloggers live domestically as well! Depending on how many submissions I get at once, I may break it up by region ... I'll keep you posted!

Of course, should you already have something written about your current post OR you just want to submit a link that has nothing to do with the optional talking point ... no problem!

As always, send your links to thefsroundup@me.com by Monday, August 13th.

An Open Letter To My Next Babysitter ...

Dear Potential Babysitter,

So you think you have what it takes to watch my kids? Well bring it on! Just let me give you a wee bit of advice** if you want me to ask you back a second time.


* When I tell you the time frame that I'm looking to have you stay with the kids, I'm actually serious about it. Please don't call me during that time and ask me to hurry up or if I plan on coming home sooner. I'm not. If you had other plans, you shouldn't have agreed to come over.

* I'm so glad that you enjoy playing with my kids. But honestly? Don't text me photos of what you're doing with them throughout the night. As long as there isn't blood or property destruction, I truly don't care! I KNOW what they look like and that they're cute. Remember, I'm with them ALL ... DAY ... LONG ... which is exactly why I asked you to babysit in the first place!

* If I say that my kids need to eat a fruit before they have dessert, I'm okay if they eat a vegetable instead (or vice versa). Seriously, if they don't want to eat an apple, but rather ask for carrots, snap peas, or dare I say, broccoli, give them the flipping dessert. Healthy food is healthy food. On the flip side, when you give them dessert, they don't need to eat EVERY kind I have. One, maybe two, is all they need. Sure, you may win points with them if they get ice cream AND otter pops AND popcorn AND cookies, but you don't with me. That is unless you want them to pay you ... in Barbie's or Squinkies or friendship bracelets. Though I'm not quite sure those will pay the rent.

* My daughter's are 7 & 9 years old. They give me the play-by-play of everything you do, and they will rat your ass out! They watch you send and receive texts. They keep track of how much time you spend on your phone. And they KNOW that "just one minute" REALLY means five. Maybe ten. And probably twenty.

* The three year old is recently potty trained. Sure he may act like a camel. But when he tells you he has to go, he doesn't mean in a few minutes. He means RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE ... the "kids" are crowning and ready to be dropped off at the pool.

* Oh and once he's done? Go wipe his butt! He's three. If you wait for him to wipe it, he'll only get as far back as his balls. And frankly, skid marks are gross and you're not the one stuck doing the laundry!

* I LOVE that you want to make dinner, bake cookies, or do fun art projects you found on Pinterest. But if you have the ability to search through my cupboards to use all of my pots, pan and utensils, you can ALSO find the soap. Clean. Your. MY. Sh*t. Up. I'm not paying you to leave dirty baking sheets, sticky counter tops, and crayon shavings under my espresso machine for me to wash. It wasn't that way when you came over! Treat my house like you would treat your own. Treat my house like you would treat your grandparents. Treat my house like you would treat the Queen of England's.

* Speaking of money, don't tell me that you need more for your car, your tuition, your house ... and then come the next time and show me your new tattoos and piercings.

* Please be respectful about the people for whom you work. I don't want to hear how awful the other family's children are or how they're ill behaved and disrespectful. I also don't need to hear how poorly the other parents pay, how lackadaisical they are in their discipline, or how they actually make you 'work'. There's an unwritten rule in childcare ... "what happens in babysitting, stays in babysitting". More importantly, you have NO idea who I know ...

* And finally, as you walk out the door at the end of a long night, please don't tell me how you're going to call in sick to work tomorrow. You're really going to disappoint all those kids who are looking forward to your positive attitude ... and your good work ethic.


Sincerely,

Jill Perlman

(who is NOT your mom, NOT your friend, just the crazy woman who pays you a LOT more money than I EVER earned babysitting to watch her three kids)


** Actual scenarios that have happened over the past two months between 3 different sitters.

My Daughter Went To Sleep Away Camp

... and all I got was this lousy adorable generic postcard.

Well sure ... it DID answer the one question I ask her each day in the letters I send her. "Are you having FUN?" But holy heck, she should know that's a rhetorical question!

Every morning around 9:30 am I go online and check out the photos that the camp has uploaded from the previous day. I scan through hundreds upon hundreds of photos, looking for familiar faces. It never actually takes long to find a few of Riley. Always smiling. Always involved in some type of activity. Of COURSE she's having fun!

I then read the daily newsletter which details ALL that they've done in the past week ... They've been swimming every day, done arts and crafts, played music, and danced. They've gone down to the lake and paddled rafts, kayaks, and inflatable "adventure boats". They've sung songs, had a Shabbat Service, watched skits, participated in service projects. AND ... they've had team building games, trivia nights, gone to the cookery, and had "free play".

I'm quite thankful that the camp has such an amazing schedule for the campers that I can read about (and see) every single day on their website. However, based on Riley's note home I would NEVER have even known! The only thing I gleaned from her note ... is that they're not serving her enough crap and candy!

Well ... lucky for Riley, I have eyes in the back of my head AND I'm a mind reader! So when I dropped Sheridan off today for her ONE WEEK at Rookie Camp, I also brought a large care package for Riley. Which was left BEFORE I even got her note. Yeah, I rock!

Of course, now I can't wait to read her next letter home ... where she probably tells me that she's changing her underwear every day. And that she's NOT bickering with her sister.

One quick kiss and off she went.
I don't think we'll have any problems with this one being homesick!

Sometimes A Really Good Deed DOES Go Un-Punished ...

On my birthday seven weeks ago, I met up for coffee with my dear friend Anna. We had been forever talking about getting together since I moved to Virginia, though as you know, life sadly got in the way.

I'm ashamed to admit that despite chatting with her on Facebook, on our blogs, via texting and email, I hadn't seen Anna since her son's funeral nine months ago. However, I have often thought of ways that I could help her. To do something more than just sending her repeated love notes letting her know I'm thinking of her.

Listening to Anna talk that beautiful June morning put so many things into perspective. I re-lived her hell as she told the story again of that fateful night last September. I learned how families deal with grief. I laughed and cried with her, and followed her lead in the flow of the conversation, often kicking myself as I dared complain about the idiosyncrasies and moodiness of my kids.

It didn't take long to realize what I needed to do. In mere minutes of discussing my idea, we picked a date and planned for Anna to host a Stella & Dot trunk show ... where 100% of my commissions would go towards her son Jack's favorite charity, Samaritan's Purse.

Over the last month we worked closely together to ensure a profitable event. She sent out emails and invitations for the show at her house, as well as invitations on her blog and her Facebook page for an online trunk show.

Last Thursday, more than 40 beautiful ladies came to Anna's house to nibble, chat, and shop. And shop. And shop. And shop. In less than two hours I had never seen so many women push their way around a dining room table to try on the shiny jewelry or thrust order forms in my face. Nor had I ever felt such a warmth and gratitude from a group of women, who came to the trunk show to surround their dear friend with laughter, love, and their pocketbooks. And on a personal level, I've never had the opportunity to experience the pure joy of knowing true selflessness.

As of right now, Samaritans Purse will be receiving a donation of $1476.84. But it could be more! Anna's trunk show is open for another 2 weeks. So go ahead and add a little sparkle to your wrist. Your neck. Your ear. Your life.

And join me in Paying It Forward. Where doing what's right, feels so ... right.

What A Difference A YEAR Makes ...

Where DID the time go? On this day, EXACTLY one year ago, I was dealing with this ...

The third of four moving trucks. Delivering our belongings from all over the world. Literally.


In the past 367 days, we have done a monumental amount of "stuff" to this place we call home.

Built an almost 600 sq. foot deck.




Furnished the deck.




Put a back splash in the kitchen.





Paint bedrooms ...








Even paint the basement ...
though I'll spare your eyes on the rest of the basement
due to a toy explosion we had just prior to snapping a photo!




Of course, sometimes it took a LOT longer than expected to decide on a color ...

We've also bought a few accent pieces, had built-ins made upstairs in my sewing nook, painted a few more rooms than pictured, had deeper shelving built in the walk-in pantry, put in a sprinkler system, and re-did the girls closets. One of these days we'll even rip out our builders-grade landscaping and redesign our front yard.

Baby steps ... right?

Happy Houseaversary!

Straighten Up Girls ... You're In The Army Now!

Or at least it felt that way when I dropped Riley off today at camp. The all-girls, Jewish, sleep away camp where she'll be for the next THREE weeks!

Hidden in the mountains in Maryland, the 65 mile drive to the camp took just shy of two hours. Beautiful as it was, it would have been shorter (and far less windy) had my GPS not taken us on a 'long-cut' through the back-roads of the Maryland countryside. A mistake my daughter will ensure I never make again!

We had no idea what to expect when we pulled up to the camp around 1:30 pm. Certainly not the sheer amount of people (almost 400 campers). Nor the amazing welcoming committee (well over 50)! Like a well-oiled machine, the greeters directed us where to stop and unload our car, and then where to park a half-mile away to take the bus back to camp.

While Riley's bags were delivered to her bunk, we exited the bus and followed the singing and cheering to registration, where the staff took pictures of the girls, had us sign waivers, and where they signed up for additional activities. The girls were then sent to take their temperature. Record their weight. And get their heads checked for lice. Only then were they finally allowed to go to their bunks, meet their counselors, and unpack.

Riley knew two of her thirteen bunk mates as they are her two Jewish friends from her school, Girl Scouts, and softball team. The others are all rising fourth graders from around the tri-state area, most of whom had been to this camp before. As we were the last to arrive at the bunk, it was very clear that despite following the suggested packing list to a T, we had clearly under packed. Most girls had brought double the amount of clothes, shoes, hanging items, towels, and toiletries than we did. They brought fans. They brought food. They brought little mats to put down on the floor by the edge of their beds so they'd have something soft to stand on when they woke up. Oh, and don't forget the posters. Lots and LOTS of posters. So many of them that for a moment or two I wasn't sure if these girls were 9 or 19.

We headed a mini meltdown off at the pass by changing Riley's sleeping arrangement to be on the same side of the room as her two girlfriends. An issue I didn't think was as big as it was, until I saw Riley's lip begin to quiver and her eyes rapidly blink. But once everything was moved, unpacked and set-up in its new location, I had a happy camper who frankly couldn't wait for me to go. I snapped a bunch of photos, gave her a big hug and kiss, and left on my merry way.

Lucky for me, I get to make the drive back to the camp MUCH sooner than I'd like as I'll be returning NEXT Monday when I drop Sheridan off for HER one week stay at rookie camp.

At least we'll be far better prepared. With double the amount of crap. And a life sized poster of Taylor Lautner Taylor Swift.

What. An. Experience.

LOOK Up In The Sky! It's a Bird. It's a Plane. It's Potty Trained Boy!

So here he is in all his glory. 100% potty trained. Hallelujah. Amen and Amen! He is quite possibly the happiest 3 year old in town. Though not as happy as me, Mommy Dearest, who no longer has to change nasty, stinky doodies that have oozed up the back of the size 5 diaper for the last 3 years, 1 month, and 20 days. Not that I'm counting or anything.

(with his mouth full of junk food as a "reward")

Of course, he IS a little unorthodox in the way he goes to the bathroom, for he vehemently REFUSES to stand up to pee. And when he sits ... well, as you can see, it's not exactly how you or I would.

It's actually a very convoluted affair. First, Grady gets on the potty facing the toilet to pee. Then he hops off to turn around and poop. Finally, he turns back around to piddle a little more. And if you're a parent out there reading this, you're probably as grossed out as I am, as you KNOW that somewhere in the middle of this I should be wiping his tush BEFORE he's dragging it all over the toilet seat to change positions.

*ahem* ... yeah ...

Thankfully, for the most part, it's all landing in the toilet. That is, when he doesn't have the sudden urge to pee WHILE pooping. Because when that happens, it's game over for me.

See, Grady hasn't mastered "the tuck" ... so we've had an incident or two where he's been facing forward on the potty, and his impressively high stream has hit the shower curtain, wall, bath mat, and his shirt.

So far he's missed his head. Thank goodness for small victories.

But ... Send. More. Wipes.

Through The Looking Glass ...

Every morning, at 7:40 am, whether we want to or not, I drop Riley off at our community center pool for swim practice. Because Sheridan's practice isn't directly after Riley's, I make four round-trips ... adding pure joy to our morning as everyone piles into the car.

Sometimes we're all up early, and manage to grab a quick bite before we head out the door. Other times, with sleep still in our eyes, we begrudgingly throw on shorts and flip flops, and slowly saunter down the steps and into the car, bickering with each other as only the four of us can.

With as many hours we spend at the pool, it shouldn't come as any surprise that we Sheridan often forgets to grab her stuff on the way out. And who can blame her, as our bags are always overflowing with swim caps and swim fins, goggles, floaty devices, and sun block, water bottles, band aids, wipes, towels, and extra clothes. Oh and a smorgasbord of toys that have our last name plastered all over in a bold, black sharpie.

Frustratingly, despite sitting next to the kids the entire time at the pool, rattling off the litany of crap to ensure we are leaving with the exact same amount of everything we came, without fail we make our way to the "Lost and Found" box ... at least once a week.

Sometimes more.

And as I loudly mumble under my breath, yet again tearing through the large plastic box of lost chlorine stained t-shirts, diving toys, and broken goggles, looking for that elusive pair of children's purple swim fins that I know I'm never going to find, I slowly realize that this search has become just another metaphor for my life.

Since Matt's departure to Afghanistan, I find myself in a never-ending exploration ... with the "for" still remaining to be seen. A quest, made difficult for someone who's so self-sufficient and fiercely independent, to feel so vulnerable or ill at ease. I've never been the one to raise my hand and ask for help. A badge of honor that I'm not exactly proud to wear, though letting my guard down and admitting that I'm a little lost and a lot lonely, goes against almost every fiber of my being.

After almost a month of radio silence, I fear I'm at an impasse where I have so much to say ... yet, can't seem to find my voice. The voice that should so boldly be taking umbrage with the State Department over training prior to Matt's departure to Afghanistan, the lack of travel reimbursements, and horribly missed opportunities for families on unaccompanied tours ... (there's a whole lot of snark that I haven't even BEGUN to unleash). Or the voice who's been failing to document our hectic summer, the recent visit with my parents, the upcoming visit with my in-laws. And then there's the one who's only lightly skimmed over the important factors with the latest house painting updates, the girls successes on swim team, and Grady's recent potty training.

So many pictures taken. So many stories. Though as I open and close my website, I'm saddened to see the weeks go by in between postings.

As time goes by I'll continue to search for whatever "it" is I fear I've misplaced. However, when it's finally turned in to the lost and found, would someone within my village or community please let me know? You'll know that it's mine because my name will be written all over it in a black, waterproof sharpie.

If You've EVER Wondered Just How Bad ...

... a person could smell after spending 5 hours outside at a swim meet in 93+ degree heat.

Don't.

I can ASSURE you that it isn't pretty. And there was perspiration in places you'd never want to admit.

BUT ... as you can see from the girls videos below, it was worth it. I'm pretty darned proud. Sheridan shaved 2 seconds off of her time in her freestyle. AND she even won her heat!

Sheridan is in lane 5 ... which is the lane second closest to "us".

And Riley? Well she's been doing double practices this week and working with a junior coach, (a total cutie pie), on her stroke technique for both freestyle and breast stroke. And it paid off! She shaved 8 seconds off of her breast stroke tonight!!

BTW, for those of you who actually watch the video. Look towards the end for the girl in the florescent orange shorts running along the side of the pool. She's the 14 year old who's been helping Riley ... who made sure to meet her at the end and congratulate her when she got out.

We. Love. Swimming.

Riley is in lane #1 ... the lane farthest from "us".

Redemption

For those of you who saw my Facebook page over the weekend, you know how insanely proud I was of my younger brother Randy ... as he completed the San Diego 100 Mile Endurance Run in just 21 hours and 20 minutes. Consecutively!

My dad and my Uncle Stuart were his crew team, and followed him throughout the route the entire day. They met him at almost every first aid station (when he wasn't running faster than expected), and tended to his hunger, thirst, blisters, sunblock, change of clothes, and more.

His endurance, his motivation, and his dedication earned him 8th place overall, out of almost 200 participants!

Randy's pacer put together this video of him ... a super fun recap of his amazing 21 hour run! Rock on brudda!

It ALWAYS Happens ...

... when Matt is out of town.

Remember this post? When I had the raging case of food poisoning? And I was sick ... All. Night. Long?

Well ... it happened again.

Early Friday morning. On the LAST day of school. Of course! I got "the" bug. The one that Grady had the week before. When he too was barfing throughout the entire day.

I just never thought I'd get it 10 days after he did. After everyone else in the neighborhood seemed to get it ... all within a few days of each other.

Oh, but I did. And it was ugly. So ugly that I was up at 2:30 am praying that I could hold off vomiting (which I managed to do for about 2 hours). So ugly that after watching the room spin for 4 hours, I couldn't even lift my head off my bed to get the girls up and ready for school. So ugly that I couldn't get up to make them breakfast, or even put snacks in their backpacks, or kiss them good-bye before they walked out the door. SO UGLY that I couldn't even take Grady to school that morning, and after managing to wobble down the steps to the couch, I let him play on my iPad, fetch his own breakfast of cereal, and lay all over me until I felt well enough to get up and pour him a glass of milk.

Yeah ... it was that bad.

We had the neighborhood "End of the school year block party" that I was co-planning that I barely was able to attend in the late afternoon. I felt like cr*p, I spent the day cr*pping, and it was cr*ppy that I wasn't able to help out as expected. But everyone understood. I think...

Everything that I had planned to do yesterday, now has to be put off for another few days. So for those of you who were hoping to see pictures of the girls on their last few days of school, or better yet, read the latest edition of the FS BRU, it'll be here soon. Just as long as I can stay out of you know where long enough to use the computer ... my bathroom doesn't have an outlet in it!

39 ... And Holding!

Let the kvelling begin!

Who Woulda Thunk ...

... that our scrappy little Tribe would be playing in the CHAMPIONSHIP game tomorrow?

After an amazing first softball season, that just kept going ... and going ... and GOING ... we are finally at the tail end. I never thought that we'd be as into it as we all were. But we ARE! We had such a fun group of parents, and great group girls who have truly united together and grown over these past few months. I'm honestly almost sad that we won't be together twice a week anymore.

What I won't miss though is the rescheduling. In fact, last week alone we had softball games planned for almost every night, after crazy Virginia storms ended up calling our first play-off game on Tuesday at the bottom of the 3rd inning. Three reschedules, two play-off games, and a LONG end-of-the-season BBQ later, and here we are!

Of course, these past almost two weeks without Matt have proven to be quite a challenge with all the schlepping and kids activities. From Riley's never ending softball coordination, to the start of the swim team season and evening practices, to Grady's horrific 24-hour puke-fest, we have had something going on EVERY single night. The worst of it is that there just isn't / aren't enough of me to go around. Much to my girls' chagrin, I can't be in more than one place at one time, which leaves me choosing one child's activity over another. I'm tired at the end of the day. I'm a bit grumpy. And meals aren't quite where they should be. Dare I admit that they're getting to know me by name at Wendy's?

With school ending on Friday, we are looking forward to taking a breather as we all need a bit of a rest from the hustle and bustle of these last few weeks. None of us have had an opportunity to decompress after our whirlwind trip to South Bend, IN. We have just been running non-stop to the bevy of activities and chaos ... that is our normal life.

Matt on the other hand is finally settling in to his new apartment in Herat, Afghanistan after spending almost a week in Kabul. He's getting over jet lag and working insane hours. We talk to him every day and the kids have even managed to sit still long enough to Skype with him on their iTouchs.

On his way to Afghanistan, Matt had an overnight in Dubai, which allowed him to have dinner with some of our dear friends who we met on our first overseas tour in Muscat, Oman. Though we keep in touch via email and Facebook, we haven't seen them since we left in 2005! What a reunion!

Like everything else with us, this week is proving insane. Thankfully, there are only ... three more days of school left, three class parties, three days I need a babysitter, two more swim practices, one more softball game, one neighborhood party, one school assembly, one horse show, one swim meet, one PTA meeting, one big a** birthday ...

... AND a partridge in a pear tree.