for 25 years I've put up with it now...

(Come on, the Grinch?!  "For 53 years I've put up with it now, I must stop this Christmas from coming, but HOW?!")

Anyways, I realized this fine morning, that I've had teenagers in the house for over 25 years straight, so far.  Twenty five years of teenagers.  Now wonder I'm crazy ha.  I have not become an expert in dealing with the drama, but I have learned a few things.  Mostly, 1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed of yourself, and to the doctrine; continue in them, for in doing this you shall save both yourself, and those that hear you.   Take heed to yourself.  This is the backbone of Christianity though, isn't it?  So simple.  But when you have children, it's vital to think about, especially when those sweet rambunctious children turn into the Dreaded Teenagers.

Respect.  We all love and crave respect, and children are no different.  

Anyway.  We had another busy weekend.  That extra hour of sleep, well ha.  I woke up at 5 something on Sunday morning...Paul had headed out to the woods, it woke me up, and I was wide awake.  At 5:41, I got up.  ugh.  I KNEW it was REALLY 6:41, which is sleeping in by ten minutes, but dang, I had stayed up late on Saturday.  It's hard to fool this old body.  

After church yesterday, the house started to fill up.  Sam was here, Jonathan and his friend Woutar, Sonja and Char and Camille were here, then Margaret came with her three little ones, then Kathryn with her three little ones arrived.  Paul was here too.  They had leftover pizza and wings from a gathering the night before, then we made homemade pizzas for dinner.  We also had hot sausages, and they had some leftovers from all the venison dishes Friday night.  

Friends Carmen (holding Kathryn's Jamison), Amanda, my girls Molly, Sonja (holding Molly's Denzel), and Camille...

Sonja with Tennyson.  He says she is his best friend.

Auntie Evelyn with Jamie

Sonja with Blythe, Tennyson, Jamison, and Kathryn

Grandpa playing Sorry! with Ten and Achilles.

Wulf, Woutar reading to Rhys and Ten

Baby Blythe!

I'm leaving for the pool in like five minutes.  Then, Kathryn has appointments for the kids, and Sonja, Camille and I are accompanying to help...then we're going to the Patisserie, which has amazing baked goods.  My plan is to save the baked goods for after dinner tonight, and share with Jonathan and Woutar.  It's fun to get a variety, and cut them all up and taste.  

Woutar has been here for a few months now, but is leaving on Thursday.  He's going back to the Netherlands, via a conference in Norway.  Jon will be going to Norway too, but will be back next week.  We will truly miss Woutar, he's such a nice kid.  Hopefully he'll be back sometime!  

Lots of other things are going on too, but not all stories are mine to tell.  Some fun things are happening though, and other things are extremely sad.  

Now, though, I've used up my morning sitting-in-the-chair time, and have to move it move it, the swim class awaits!  Have a really good Monday!