A little freaked out

I am very grateful we have a dog. Sometimes I complain about her; she is very needy and has some OCD tendancies, which can be hard to handle in a person, let alone an animal, but last night I was reminded of how important she is.

I always lock the house up like a ship going into a hurricane when I go to bed, but that doesn't keep me from being a little scared of all the "what- if's" when Brian is at work and I'm on my own. Last night at about 3am Clara started barking ferociously! This was not the first time she had done this, and in the past I have seen cat eyes glowing back at me from the back patio, so I usually write it off as some sort of scurrying animal. I did check things out this time, because she was barking louder than usual and much more angrily. I even let her into the backyard where she ran around sniffing for about 5 minutes an then came back in still growling. Nothing seemed too unusual, so I went back to bed and assumed it was nothing.

Then Brian came home this morning and pointed out that the front security door was standing open! I ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS check to make sure it is closed and locked before I go to bed. It has a sticky lock that sometimes tricks me, so I can see how it may have been left unlocked, but I KNOW it was closed. That can only mean that someone came up to the door and opened it. Sure, the front door was locked also, but I'm sure it would take a not- too- skilled thief to figure out how to get past those rinky- dink contraptions. Just the thought of someone lurking outside my front door while the kids and I sleep inside makes me shudder!

All I know is that I am grateful for a dog who barks at everything that comes within 20 feet of the house, even if it is annoying when it's just a cat. I will never complain about her again!

Walking to school

On days when the weather is nice and we are running on time we like to walk to school. MaryEllen rides her bike there and I push the double stroller with the boys and hang on to Clara's leash. (She would never forgive us if we went on a walk without her.)

It gets a little hairy walking back with MaryEllen's bike, but I think I have it figured out.


This is how I rig it up. (yes, my right shin gets a bit bruised up, but it isn't that bad.)

Then precious little things like this happen!

Officially mobile

Emmett is just shy of 7 months old and started crawling last Sunday! My other kids didn't crawl until much later, so it looks so funny to see this little tiny baby making his way around the floor. Here's a peek...


And Here's a cute- but- SCARY extreme close-up!