Random Reflections...from Knoxville

I am in Knoxville right now spending some quality time my sisters, my mother and my auntie and cousins whom I haven't seen in years. I'm also getting some time in (though not near as much as I'd like) with Anna and Lisa. I saw them Tuesday and will see them again Sunday.
I'm busier with Bree and Mia than I was in February when I only brought Mia, but not near as busy as Albert who is back at home with our other eight children! I talk to our kids and my hubby daily..usually multiple times and I miss them enormously. I know that they miss me as well! Poor Sydney expected me home the next day...she wasn't happy when she asked Daddy if he was going to pick Mommy up and he replied that he was not, and that he was instead, going off to work! Poor thing, Mommy will come home in a couple more days.
I can't even describe how amazing it is to spend time with my Auntie Paula and my cousins Ali and Nick...it's been a few years since I've seen any of them. I love them so much...I love looking across the table at them and seeing all the familiarity in their faces...seeing that we are family (we look very much alike) and sharing all the precious (and hilarious) memories of our childhood years.

I am missing things at home though too. Tonight is the purple/white game in Mascoutah and I won't be there to see Manny run on the high school field for the first time. I'm so excited for him, I've been thinking about it all day. I hope that Albert gets some seriously good video and that maybe he'll upload some plays for me!!!
Also, Drew has a show choir performance Sunday and again, I'll miss it. I hope that Albert also has footage of that one...it will be Drew's first since school let out. I imagine he's nervous but super excited.

I've been trying to loose a few pounds and so far, have indeed shed thirteen (though I have so much further to go it's almost ridiculous)....but all this going out to eat here in Knoxville is making it pretty tough! If my sister has doughnuts for breakfast one more time, I might have to hurt her. Especially those chocolate ones with the white creme inside...my absolute favorite!

Today I went with my mom, sister, Aunt and Cousins to a flea market here in Knoxville. Mia had been behaving very badly...she has been off of her nap schedule and bedtime routine, and it's definitely catching up with her! She fell asleep in the car (finally) on the way to the flea market. I didn't have the heart to wake her up. She really needed that nap. So she and I stayed in the car. I had fortunately brought a book with me for my trip. So I read several chapters while she snoozed and everyone else shopped. Then we went out for lunch, where apparently Mia's nap wasn't long enough and she displayed less that appropriate restaurant etiquette.
I'm wishing she'd take another little nap before we head back to my mom's (I'm at my sister's house now) so she won't be cranky tonight (Mia that is, not my mom) but it doesn't look promising!

Bree spent the night with my sister Katie last night. Katie treated her to a "spa day" today. She returned fresh from a jacuzzi bath, and finger and toe nails painted Tennessee orange! She couldn't have been more thrilled. Our girls LOVE to spend time with their aunties, so Bree was delighted that Katie asked her to stay overnight last night, while Mia and I slept at Ashley's house. I even have cute pictures of her adventure!

I will return home to my other eight children and my tired and worn out hubby (who needs a break of his own) on Monday. I can't wait to see them again and to get ready for the new school year starting in just three more weeks!