Things we're experiencing lately. . .

LOTS of JOYS and a few trials. Here's a short list:

WEB CAMS! We have had an amazing experience with these! Ours can move anywhere in the house, so yesterday and today I just turned it on for a couple of hours while the kids performed, played, and talked to daddy. I know he loved it. Today he used one on his side, and although we couldn't hear each other, we used online chat to communicate. The kids loved their daddy's funny faces. Thank you, God, for web cams!!!

Friends--It has been refreshing to get back to Savannah and see and talk to our friends. They take such good care of us. Lori and her son met us in the driveway when we arrived home to help us unload and unpack. Our yard has been well cared for, and many people have called to welcome us home. PLUS I got to spend part of Tuesday with a childhood friend who flew into Savannah for a few hours (she's a pilot). It was fantastic to catch up and introduce her to the kiddos. Sam even got to tour the plane and cockpit before they left! (the other kids were scared.)

Business is picking up once again. I am not sure yet whether this is a joy or a trial. . .

Tantrums: Si now has a fear of loud rumbles after the fireworks, so any storm, plane, or loud truck that goes by while he's alone or asleep will set him crying. I just tiptoed out of his room where I patted him to sleep. He was SO TIRED (because he missed his nap due to a plane that woke him) but he wouldn't put his head down. It was funny to watch it ever. so. slowly. sink to his pillow.

I think Si is also having travel withdrawal. tonight he wanted to go "bye bye" and screamed at the front door for probably 35 minutes.

Ella's tantrums are ridiculous and hard to deal with. Here are the latest reasons for hours of screaming: "Sam said the purple Barbie can't win the piston cup!!!!" (notice, Sam is playing barbies but he's racing them in the piston cup so i think it's OK). And from tonight: "Sam said he won't talk to me about hair or eyebrows or Iraq forever." You may wonder what those have in common: Jesse. The "hair" she wanted to talk about was Jess's lack of it and his shiny bald (on purpose) head. The eyebrow, well, if you've seen him it's obvious :-), and Iraq, duh.

Stereo Poop: this is the word my brother-in-law and I used to coin that lovely experience of having a child on either side of you with a dirty diaper.

I think the kids are sleeping hard enough now that i can make some noise in the kitchen and laundry room, so, back to work! I'll post video of Sam's bike riding tomorrow. . .