Leave of absence.....

Ethan Dylan

I don't know if any of you have been wondering where I've been, but I'm going to tell you anyway! Things around our house have changed pretty drastically over the past month. We've gone from a family of three to a family of five! My nephews Dylan and Ethan are going to be living with us for a little while--we're not sure how long, but it will be at least a couple more months. We are glad we get to be the ones to take them in. With our situation--only one kid, I work from home, and so does Ryan--it's the best situation for them. Plus I really wanted them! And with my sister and brother and their spouses helping out a ton taking the kids for sleepovers and just for an entire day, it has been pretty manageable. It took a little maneuvering to get them situated in our small town home, but we just moved my grand piano into the dining area, moved the table to my sisters (we never used it much anyway) and put the boys' beds in my piano room. They've got the bathroom right off of their room, and so it worked out really well.

I must say, though, having them living here has consumed all my time and energy. It's been a crazy month, and continues to be a little hectic and chaotic, but school is going to start on the 8th, and we'll get in a better routine then. It's been a challenge to jump into taking care of three kids instead of just one. I didn't get to ease my way into it! I've had a lot of trial and error with discipline and motivation techniques and am finding that I have had to get pretty creative. But any ideas for entertainment or really ANYTHING that is good for seven and five year old boys would be greatly appreciated!!!

So for the next little while, they will be a part of my posts as they are a part of my little family now!!!