Things are pretty scattered this week. Asa is at school. I’m knee deep in laundry, the contractors are still here and now have BOTH bathrooms tore apart, I need to start dinner in the crock pot, Quinn has been fussy all morning, I’m writing checks to pay for tuition and tee ball uniforms, scheduling dermatology appointments and trying to survive female issues and the ever present seasonal allergies. It’s 11:40 a.m. and I am pooped out!

Good news though! Josh took his Series 7 exam yesterday and passed with an 87%. He was very relieved to get it out of the way. Now, he can go back to only focusing on level 3 of the CFA exam that he is taking June 6th. Yes, I hope that one day soon, he will REALLY be done with tests and school. I’m starting to be less optimistic.

In other news, if you’re reading this on my new website, good for you! Thanks for visiting! If you’re reading this on Xanga, well, I have sad news. I have, after all of my pleadings with others, jumped ship. I love Xanga, but it has not been very compatible with my Mac and I have been looking for a way for my family and friends to read my postings and check out all of our photos & movies in the same place. So, I built my new website, “Piece of KAQ” (pronounced “cake”) during the month of March and will be posting there. The address is http://web.me.com/kariannmiller/pieceofkaq. Unfortunately, there is not currently a way for visitors to leave comments, which is sad. However, I will still welcome an email with comments if you feel led to share!

Can you believe tomorrow is already April? I really cannot believe how fast this year is going. Josh and I are still working on finalizing some summer travel plans. Looks like we will be heading north to Indiana in July. We will make the usual Syracuse, Portland & Middlebury tour with one important date being July 12th. We are hoping to schedule Quinn’s dedication at Josh’s family church in Portland that day. Josh will be with us up in Indiana for one week, then the kids and I will stay on for another one or two weeks at my dad’s house.

Well--as much as I would like to sit hear and tell you more, I really need to get going and get some things accomplished. Asa has been saying some completely hysterical things lately, so I need to get a good Asa-isms post written soon.

Have a great day!

Asa is at school today. I love Tuesdays & Thursdays for this reason. But I am ALWAYS happy to pick him up and love on him that much more.

Today, Quinn has been a little bit fussier than usual. She's probably getting ready for some teeth--but nothing yet. I was trying to get a few small tasks accomplished and failing because I had to soothe my girl. So, I dusted off the Praise Baby DVD that I played for Asa when he was tiny. Yes, I know. No television until kids are two or three. Yeah, right. Asa learned more from PBS in the 9 months that I was miserably sick & pregnant than I could have taught him on my own. So, used sparingly, I think the DVDs are great. Quinn was mesmerized by the colors, images and music. However, there was a huge surprise. I started to cry.

I haven't heard the worship songs on that DVD since Asa was about 12 to 14 months old. And music and scent are my memory triggers. I listened to the music and stood in awe as I watched my now, baby girl, in her seat smiling away. 3.5 years ago--that was my baby boy! Where did the time go? And really--HOW BLESSED AM I? I cannot believe what God has given me in my son and daughter. I so want to be a good mother. I so want to honor God in how I raise my kids. I so want them both to love the Lord with all of their hearts and always live life humbled by what our Father does for us. Man, life is good.

And, to not make this post so heavy--I must include my favorite Asa anecdote from the week so far, it comes from dinner a few nights ago:

K: Asa, you need to eat more of your alphabet soup.
A: But, I did.
K: Asa, you haven't eaten enough. You are going to wake up so hungry your tummy will hurt.
A: Well, I won't starve anymore.

Blessed.

Asa walked past me one morning last week and just as he did, my hungry stomach growled loudly.

K: Did you hear that?!
A: Yeah! Does that mean you have a baby in your tummy?
K: (Out loud) No, just that I am very hungry. (To myself: Oh, Jesus--please no!)

Asa was going poop and wanted me to come help him wipe. We have been working on teaching him to do it himself but he was feeling particularly needy and pleaded for me:

A: Mama, I'm done!
K: Ok. Wipe your bottom!
A: No, Mama. I need your help.
K: You can do it, Asa.
A: No, I can't! You do it.
K: (walking into the bathroom) I can't right now, Asa I have the baby. You can do it.
A: Mama, I'LL take the baby and YOU wipe my bottom.

Sure. That would work great.