"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: whatever you call it,
whoever you are, you need one." -Jane Howard

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Am I doing the wrong thing?



There's a magazine with a black, asian, and white guy on its cover... nope not a joke. Ashton asked "who's this?" pointing to the men. I started saying "that's an asian guy, a white guy, and a black guy" thinking it would be a way to teach that all races are cool. This backfired. At Walmart, he said, "Mommy, look! That's the black guy!!" and gestured to a black woman. 

Mortified...  

Am I doing the wrong thing?

I love you isn 't enough

Do you ever feel like "I love you" doesn't cover it?

Sometimes I look at my kids or Jimmy, and I am so overcome with emotion that I feel my chest tighten like I'm going to burst in to tears.  "I love you" isn't enough.  I don't just love you, I love the way you laugh, the way you dance, the way you sleep, the way you kiss, the way you wrestle... I could go on forever, and still feel like I missed something.  What does this come from?  Is this normal or am I just a blubbering weirdo? 

I remember in the past, I thought I was in love several times.  I just knew that the feelings of infatuation were definitely love.  That feeling doesn't even come close to when the world around me softens and slows, and I look, finally seeing the masterpiece we have everyday, right in front of us. 

"For every stoplight I didn't make
Every chance I did or I didn't take
All the nights I went too far
All the girls that broke my heart
All the doors that I had to close
All the things I knew but I didn't know
Thank God for all I missed
Cause it led me here to this." ~Darius Rucker




Monday, April 18, 2011

An update on something other than our children...


                            
Not that our children are great, but it is clear that my world revolves around them entirely.  Contrary to popular belief, we do have a life that is child friendly, but not solely comprised of activities for toddlers.  So I thought I'd post an update about what Jimmy and I have been up to lately.

Chelsea:
My current side project is Operation Skinny-mini. I've been keeping to a pretty strict calorie limit and am feeling the benefits already.  My clothes feel looser and when I look at myself in the mirror, I feel prettier--but I don't know if anyone else can tell just yet.  I'm also trying to intake more water, which was a cinch during my pregnancies, but is laborious now.   I thought about additives like Crystal Light, but wonder if that's going to be a crutch.   Oddly enough, it isn't that I replace water with any other liquid, I just act like I'm crossing the Sahara Desert miles away from an oasis, rendering me just shy of fully cotton mouthed.  I don't get why I do this to myself... Do any of you have tips for increasing and liking water? 

In addition to losing weight, spring softball practices have started up and are my weekly highlight.  We take the kids and Ashton runs around the outfield "helping" (yeah right) and Sweet Baby Rea is either eating fruit in the limo-stroller or strapped up to left fielder, Jimmy.  Sounds annoying, but our kind team members appear to enjoy the kids' unbridled joy as they pretend to be just like the big guys. A big plus is that they sleep like logs afterwards!

Jimmy:
Work is... well... a chore.  He's been working the midnight shift and I'd be telling a tall tale if I told you that this schedule didn't cause an argument or two.  He's struggling to sleep in the day and I'm struggling to keep his groupies out of our bedroom.  Unfortunately, that means I require his tiptoeing, so the kids forget he's around.  The couple of disagreements we've had have been short lived, but it must be a combination of insomnia and isolation to the basement.

On a high note, Jimmy's in full softball mode and of course, is in heaven.  I strongly encourage his activities because his job is boring right now and he needs an active outlet to counterbalance his night work.  (Ok, for the most part I encourage... he's a little ADD and could easily fill his every waking moment with activities, insisting that the kids and I just tag along-- not entirely my idea of fun...)

Us:
Last week we celebrated 4 years together.  It's amazing how the time flew by, coupled with the feeling of us being together for a lifetime.  I almost can't remember life without him.  It's funny how opposites attract-- he just received his Myers Briggs results from one of his classes and SURPRISE we're exact opposites.   We have the same value system, but approach everything differently.  Maybe that's why it works. And somehow, amidst the craziness, we stabilize each other.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Play date at the Tot Lot

This blog will consist of mostly pictures.  The weather today was beautiful, so Brandi and I ventured into the wild blue yonder with our four children to the local Tot Lot.  It was a total blast and for the penny pincher in all of us-- totally free!!!  The kids played very, very well together and the equipment was a perfect mix of entertainment for the two different age groups.


First we had to drive to the park:


Tessa drives Reagan for a bit, but Reagan would have appreciated Tessa's chic sunglasses!
Getting frisky on their first date. 
Driving Ms. Daisy with a very happy copilot!

Then we hit the swings:

Besties swinging together.
JJ loved feeling the wind through his hair!
Baby girl loves the swing too!

Push!!!  Brandi sends Tessa sky high!
Now it's Ashton's turn to reach the moon!

Next, we played on the equipment:
Reagan loves to clap, clap, clap!
Ashton bounced on this mystery animal, which Brandi says is a pelican. 
 JJ played with the wood chips even though we wished he wasn't so fascinated with them.  All I see is Jonny (JJ's dad) in this picture...
Finally, we tested every slide in the park:

Tessa always looks diva.   What I love about this picture is her grown up outfit.  If she wasn't going down a slide, you'd swear she was on her way to the store. 
Babies going down the slide!
The final equipment test included a ride by the parents.  Here's Brandi coming down with JJ, who is clearly having a wonderful time!

Reagan's Dance Moves!

This isn't a great showcase of Reagan's dance skills, because I started recording too late in the party, but it is a little taste!  This video is snapshot of life at home with the Cathcarts.  I started having "paper parties" just a few weeks ago because the weather was gross and paper is very easy to clean up.  Move furniture and you've got a kid fiesta!

Good end to the month with Good Start

Ladies Man!

Reagan took no time to warm up to the gang.

Group shot!  From left to right: Michael, Ava, Mariah holding Reagan, Ashton poking Mariah, and Riley.  I love that Riley is always so polished and smiley. 
 We ended March with our friends at Good Start Day Care.  As usual, it was the highlight of our month.  Ashton love seeing all of his friends and Reagan was able to join in the fun this time, since she is so mobile.  Below are a couple short must see videos of the gang dancing and having a blast together.  Only at Good Start!!!


Everyone's in the middle!  This dance song has been a treat for our family since Ashton started at Good Start two years ago.  We loved it so much we got our extended family doing the jig at our last family reunion!


With Madonna blaring in the background, how can you not dance?!  Notice Reagan's "put me in coach!" noise as she groves in the crib.  



Ashton loves to dance, but he loves running more!  Reagan joins in on the fun, but she's a little off balance this time.  Check out our next blog for her new dance moves!  

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Fun in the sun!

Our weather has been really, really erratic.  It's annoying, but we're trying to make the best of each day. Here are a few pictures from our adventures!

Graham cracker anyone?  Miss Thang and her sun glasses on a walk to the park!

He looks SOOO much like a South Carolina boy.  I love him in Costas and a croakie. 
Hip dude going outside for another walk.

The two kids have more fun together.  Here Ashton is playing with Reagan through our glass door.