kris thinks...

Well as I write this Kelly, Martin and the kids are gone. They are still on American soil but they're on east coast soil and that may as well be another country. They'll finish their visit with Martin's family in Virginia and then they'll head back to Germany.

It's way too quiet around here and that's saying something considering I have five kids of my own. It's true though. Last night as Tim and I laid in bed together I missed the chitter chatter of kids up way past their bedtime and asking for just one more drink of water. I missed sitting on the couch and eating junk as we watch late night re-runs of Seinfeld - Kelly, Martin, Tim and I. I miss waking up to all those faces. I miss laughing together and arguing together or should I say with one another. But most of all I miss my 2 favorite "personal baby holders". Need to go to the bathroom? No need to balance baby on your lap - just give him to the "baby holder". Need to slice an apple for a whiny toddler? No need to choose between baby crying or toddler whining. Baby will be very happy on the "holder's" hip. Need to cook a dinner that consists of things that actually require cooking instead of just "warming through" or pouring into a bowl and adding milk? Peel, slice, stir that pot - "baby holder" will keep baby occupied until dinner's on the table! Kelly and Martin thanks for all the baby holding you both did - I'll have to adjust now. Either I adjust or it's back to my bathroom balancing, "just eat the apple whole damn it!!", cereal for dinner days. I think mom's right Chris is gonna have to get used to that playpen like it or not...

On a serious note - Tim and I have few friends. Yes I know that's no real newsflash. But because of this we truly relish our time with kelly and martin. There's nothing better than spending time with people who know just how bad you can look in the morning, just how crabby you can be due to lack of sleep, and still love you anyway! There's no "fake" or even "cleaning up of the act" 'round here when Kel and martin come. It's just plain ol' Kris and Tim and the kids - come to think of it - maybe that's why we have so few friends!! Yikes!!

Tim's already looked into the cost of airfare for next year if we go to Germany to vist. $8400. I wish there was a job which paid me to blab about religion and politics and parenting. I've yet to write the book that Tim tells me will allow him to enter an early retirement. My problem is I have LOTS to say about LOTS of things but NO IDEA how to organize any of my b.s. into a book format!! Kelly suggested I sit down with someone to interview/ask questions of me - such a nice big sister - she thinks better of her little sister than she should! I miss you Kel!