I'm writing this here for no other reason than to help me remember... Jacob announced tonight in the car that if he ever has a daughter, he wants to name her Emma. And if he should have another daughter or twins, he would name the other girl Alyssa. But if he has a boy, he likes the names Peter or Michael. Apparently he's given this a little bit of thought, which blows my mind, but still makes me smile at the same time. He's going to be such a great dad.

Abby's contribution to the conversation was that she hopes that she doesn't get any babies. Jacob says, "Why?? Just cuz it hurts? But it's going to be worth it to have a baby, Abby." (Typical male perspective, I might add, as he will experience zero pain during the process) She then says, "Well, I like the name Samson." Hmmmm....

At long last...

Where have I been lately, you might be asking yourself? Well, you're not the only one. My kids and husband have been wondering the same thing! This week was "MOVE" week at work - we moved an entire 8,000 square foot retail store to a new 10,200 square foot location about two miles up the road. A handful of die-hards and I spent a ridiculous number of hours preparing, executing and now recovering from this overwhelming task (98+ hours for me alone!), and if you add our hours up and multiply them by pi to the 4th power, it still couldn't touch the number of hours that the Turners and their extended family have spent working to get the building ready for us to take over. Once ready, Julie and I did our best to plan out where everything would go in the new store - no pressure or anything! Imagine, all of those very "vocal" customers coming in, day after day, expressing their not-so-humble opinions of how the store looks, where things are located, how they would have done it differently... I don't always handle those kinds of comments very well. Fortunately, the feedback has been very positive since the doors opened on Wednesday morning. Here's the best part, though: I LOVE it. And I'm SO proud of the work we did together as a team. It was the most positive experience during the most difficult, physical work I've ever done in my life. Ouch. Adam says it looks like someone held me down and beat me with a baseball bat. I'm a little bruised and battered, but now on the road to recovery. Another 3 straight days of sleep and I should be all set! ;) (click on the picture for MORE)

Now for a weekend away with the girls - to Chicago for shopping and WICKED!!! to help me get back on my feet, and then I'll be ready and raring to go next week...

My first baby turned 8 years old today. Can I BE that old??!? But this isn't about me... For those of you who don't know this incredible kid, and even for those of you who do, I'd love to brag on my kid and tell you a little bit about the young man he's growing up to be. First, there's never been a more caring and sensitive boy. Sure, he has his very "boyish" moments when he's loaded with more energy than his body can contain, but he is primarily concerned with the thoughts and feelings of others. He's considerate and thoughtful, and a good friend. The mother of one of his classmates told me that very thing just yesterday - that Jacob is the first to stick up for this boy in his class when others aren't kind. That is my son, and there is nothing that could make me more proud. He's a problem solver - all I have to do is think of a situation that's causing me frustration or that requires resolution and he's all over it - just like his father. I'll never forget the night we were working on the kids' Derby cars this last fall when I said, "Abby, you're standing in my light and I can't see what I'm doing." Within 3 minutes I had two lamps on the kitchen table in front of me - one delivered by my husband and the other by my son, each without knowledge of what the other was doing. Unbelievable.

Jacob is affectionate and playful - he loves hugs and kisses, saying "I love you" and hanging out together as a family. He's a terrific big brother - sure, he and Abby have their typical brother/sister disagreements, but they're pretty few and far between. They really care for each other and treat each other respectfully most of the time. I know they'll probably have their rough patches, particularly through adolescence, but I really think they'll continue to be close as they grow up. Abby has never known life without Jacob, and Jacob doesn't remember his life without Abby. One of the benefits to having kids so close together! :)

I'm in no hurry for either of my kids to get any older, but as I look ahead, I can imagine the type of husband and father Jacob will be. I know every mother probably thinks this of their son, but in my case it is absolutely true - any girl would be truly blessed to have him. And something tells me that, with his glowing blue eyes and freckled nose, he'll have his pick!

My Uncle Mark has a sick sense of humor. He chooses a day when it's trying to snow, after a week of gorgeous weather, to send me this image. Now, I love my uncle. But this kind of stuff makes me want to drive down to his little Florida bungalow and ring his neck!