What day is this?

It has been only 10 days since the last posting, but it feels like an eternity. The days have been full. Here are the bullet points:

Paul:

• Show at Plush cafe on March 2.
• Spent 6 days helping out over at his folks... that's more manual labor than he has put in in a long time! He has helped them start clearing out stuff and also do some rearranging. They'll be upgrading the televisions soon and their tv room will be in really great shape when the new "baby" shows up.
• Took care of stuff around here while I kept busy with my own stuff.

Marley:

• First full week of gymnastics. They are working her hard, sit ups, push ups, candlesticks (I can't explain what those are.) I am frequently hearing Marley say to herself, "Stick the landing!"
• School is moving along... Mom was at work in her class twice in the last two weeks. She is finally able to handle me being there without getting so clingy that I wonder if there is any point to my presence. We get lots of positive feedback from other parents that Marley is independent and easy going. We appreciate the compliments but are really interested in meeting this Marley they are talking about. She certainly isn't the same daughter we see at home!

Colin:

• As I've been saying was going to happen, Colin had his braces removed and received the new retainers... upper (designer red) and lower (designer green). I'm completely freaked out by the thought that these retainers might end up in the trash. Everyone I know seems to be sharing with me their "retainer in the trash" story. I wonder if they go to the same place as all those missing socks. So far so good. 48 hours in and he still has possession of the retainers.
• End of the 3rd quarter of school. One more quarter and then we'll be the proud parents of an 8th grade graduate.
• Another 3/4 inch growth spurt... since mid-January. 5'3 1/2" and counting. Shoe size has surpassed mom. Cool new Vans shoes, size 9 purchased this week.

Mary:

• Several trips to the hospital to see a young friend. She is doing great and will be checked out soon.
• Walking, walking, walking. Added sit ups to the repertoire. Still don't look like a supermodel. Oh well.
• Prepared for a talk at Julie's women's group from church on mentoring and spiritual friendship. Had fun and was a great chance to hang out with Julie. It has been quite awhile since I made it out her way.
• Prepared for our small group to meet at our house. Given the crazy schedule and the fact that absolutely nothing had been done to the house in weeks, Paul and I spent a few hours getting house in shape.

Tomorrow:

• Getting CPR certified tomorrow (Paul, too) so we can be child care providers for friends who are brand new foster parents.
• Paul is playing guitar for worship at some Mariner's church thing with his friend, Carl.
• Bills, Bills, Bills. It has been so crazy that I am way behind on the checkbook, bill paying, etc. That should account for 2 - 3 hours tomorrow. So much for a day of rest.

March is almost 1/2 over. The kids have just about 3 months left of school. We're heading to Oklahoma and Texas the day they get out. Next thing I know, it'll be Christmas again. Maybe we shouldn't have bothered to put the tree away!