Full of news

Our life has been full of "news". New dog. New home. New Car. New school year for Zach and I. Our news has been keeping us, very, very busy (to say the very least).

Anna, our dog, has definitely changed the dynamics in our house. Before Anna, the night was ours. Zach and I could sit back. Breath. Enjoy the silence after a long day of listening to 6 little feet darting across the hardwood floors leaving a path of destruction in their midst. The moments right after they boys go to bed have always been one of my favorite parts of the day (aside from my ultimate favorite time of waking up to one of their feet in my stomach and an arm across my face). It's just such a drastic difference (like day and night hardy har har). The noise associated with the hustle and bustle of a family vanishes and is replaced by the clock ticking and other sounds of the house that are inaudible during the day.

Post Anna, the silent hours when the boys are sleeping is replaced by Anna: Breathing. Sniffing. Exploring. Barking. Laying on me. Sitting on me. Climbing on me. Suffocating me. She's been nearly successful dozens of times at taking my life. Before I know it, I see all 109 pounds of Anna coming at me. She uses the element of surprise to her advantage. She loves sitting on my shoulder when I least suspect it. She also loves Zach. I mean, she really, really loves Zach. He is on constant alert for any sign of Anna's infatuation with him. At any given time when Anna and Zach are in a room together, I can look at Zach and see fear in his eyes. Anna's great for inducing fear in full grown men.

In all reality though, Anna has been a godsend. When Zach is at work and I'm left alone with the tik tocking of clocks, I have Anna's big slobbery head to accompany me. She's not great for conversation, but she is awesome for a laugh.

Anna before the boys met her on Christmas Eve!

"I suck"

Yesterday we celebrated Austin's 6th birthday with three of his friend's at the movie theatre (we saw Megamind 3D), followed by cake and iceream at our house. Our time with these boys was nothing short of amusing. Zach and I laughed numerous times as we listened to them interact. On the way to the movies, one boy kept saying "I suck. I suck." After trying to reassure him that he is a wonderful boy and he in fact is far from sucky, he looke at me with a confused expression and held his hands up in despair, "No. I'm stuck." He was in fact stuck, as his velcro on his gloves had become firmly attached to each other.

Watching them during the movie was simply hilarious. As things appeared to pop out of the screen, all of their little hands would reach up. Music would come on, and they would all jam out. Popcorn was everywhere. At one point, Austin sweetly snuck into the row Zach and I were sitting in (which was just behind them) and said "I really want to sit next to dad."

It's so nice to see that he is growing up into a kind and considerate human being. He has one of the biggest and kindest hearts I know. It was simply amazing to watch him interact with children his own age. Austin is always a wonderful and generous friend... even in the company of his brothers (I'm enjoying that while it lasts). 

(From left to right: Nolan, Collin, Aiden and Austin)