February sweethearts.

I cannot believe how quickly January has gone by, but then vacation also seems like it was eons ago. We certainly have been busy on Baylor, running in every direction and really just keeping out heads above water.

Jean-Jacques was in France for a week. He had a productive week and came home to attend Lou's birthday party. He was a supreme trooper, but ended up falling asleep before the end of the Euchre tournament. Thank goodness Carol was there to step in and save the day.

Last week, just a few days after his return, I left for Montreal on Tuesday. JJ left for Cincinnati on Wednesday and mom came and spent the night and got the kids off to school on Thursday. I came home on Thursday. JJ came home Saturday late and left Sunday evening. Are you following this? He did return to us on the 2nd, in time for crepes at my moms house (for the Chandeleur) and now we are both home until I leave for France on the 11th.

When I read this over it all sounds very confusing and stressful. Really it isn't so bad. We manage to go to the pool with the kids (although rarely with both adults at the same time) and we even manage to make dinner and eat. The kids get lunches made and they get homework reviewed. Now I don't want to mislead anyone. There are intense moments, like the ones just before it's time to get to school. Somehow those 5 minutes seem to throw everyone into a tailspin and we just cannot get it together without yelling.

The other good thing is that the kids have to be a little self reliant. Like Luke making his and Helene's lunch because he is downstairs and ready before her. That is pretty cool for a first grader. OK, there is a LOT of butter on the ham sandwich, and only one slice of ham (I corrected this before the sandwiches got in the bags), but he did it. Charlotte gets her beautiful self out of bed in the morning at 5:30 to be ready for school at 7:10 (yes, she is a little slow, but that is her choice) and when her father is travelling, she wakes the rest of the family at 6:30. I cannot get out of bed 5:30 unless someone is dying!

So, we are getting ready for our big trip to France. I have a lot of friends to see and things to do. I have also added a job interview to my list, so keep your fingers crossed for me, the interview is on valentines day, so that's a good sign, right?

Pray for our little Jason who is a pretty sick little guy. He has been at the hospital since earlier this week with a respritory infection that certainly resembles RSV, but he has not been diagnosed clearly with that yet. Adrienne has been at his side at every moment, except for the few when she runs home to shower and change and allows Matt some private time with their youngest. Cam, much to Adrienne's dismay, but Claude's delight, has decided that his mother is gone so much just to personally piss him off, so he's pouting and only wanting to be with Grandpa!

love to all - keep smiling - keep sane - thank God for all of his blessings, even the really little ones.