Today’s blog is a bit of a mishmash.  Why? Because there’s a lot going on in the world to help other people and September is a popular month for it. I couldn’t choose just one topic so here’s a little bit about World Alzheimer’s Day, Prostate Cancer Awareness month, YACK, Charity Water and Childhood Cancer Awareness.

My husband was raised Catholic and I  Lutheran, but religion isn't a big part of our day-today lives.

His family was more concerned about where we were married than I, so I agreed to be married in the Catholic Church. For the 'privilege' I had to promise not use birth control and that my children would be raised Catholic. I had my fingers crossed behind my back for the first one, but followed through on the religious education. I wanted the kids to have faith-based knowledge so when the time came they could make informed decisions about religion on their own.

“GETTTT OUT!”

 ”JIS  GET OUTTT!”

 Hmmm

Wondering…

It is 9:30.
I can hear Landon yelling in the bathroom.

Hmmm.

How did Tennyson get out of her crib?

 At 9:30…

 To bug her sister?

“I said… get out”

I peek in…

 “Landon?”

“what Mommy”

10. Getting the kids to stop pinching each other in the back seat of the car when you know they’re strategically pinching each other in places that you can’t see.

9. Poop in the bathtub.

For many of us, Labor Day weekend signifies the unofficial end to summer and the start of a new school year for our children, whether that be preschool, college or anything in between.  In other words, let the chaos begin.

By the time I had my sixth kid, I figured I had this parenting thing wrapped up.

Here we are....a scant 8 days from the finish line, when the summer of 2011 will be behind us.

I can't believe we've almost made it.

Sure, there is play doh stuck in places I didn't even know existed, the mail has piled up since the 4th of July and my hair is starting to forget how to style itself in anything but a ponytail.

But, we've had a lot of fun.

As much as they drive this momma insane - I am thankful that we've survived and thrived this summer and yes, we all still love each other.

I recently celebrated my 20th wedding anniversary.  I wanted to surprise my husband with a post to my personal blog honoring his amazing support of my career throughout the years.  But I also had a large operational plan to deliver to senior management that same day.

Last summer my Swedish cousin and his wife were incredibly generous, hosting my daughter and her boyfriend while they were visiting Stockholm. In return we invited them to stay with us at our vacation home in the Napa Valley this September. I knew my cousin would like to see the rest of the family, so I invited them to meet us for Sunday lunch at a restaurant in Yountville.

Today I have not one, but four girls.  My three nieces are spending the afternoon and the night.  My daughter is stuck in the middle of two brothers who make her crazy on a regular basis.  When her three chick cousins, one older and two younger, come over she is thrilled beyond words.  When I watch them all together, listening to their silly conversations and changing their clothes for the umpteenth time it almost makes me wish Ella had the sister  she wants to call her own.  Not that I think for a minute I could handle another girl in our house, because I know