If you're a bird, I'm a bird

On November 30, I noticed a white spot on Grey's upper left thigh. I know the date because I keep a calendar with all the daily events and I record them for her (and us). Anyways, the spot looked like a birthmark to me. I have a port wine mark on my upper left thigh too. So I wrote on her calendar- birthmark. I took her for her 6-month well check on Monday, December 23. After her exam, I asked about her scalp (cradle cap) and the spot on her leg. Turns out, it isn't a birth mark...Before he replied, he asked, "Is that the only one?" I told him as far as we knew and it popped up a few weeks ago. He said it was there when she was born, but it is just now noticeable because pigment in her skin. Apparently, if there are a few, it is tuberous sclerosis and it is dangerous. He didn't go into detail, but he did say you don't want that. Like any curious and concerned parent, I researched "ash leaf spot" so I could learn more about what my daughter has.

So with the new year, we are trying to figure out a way to stay on top of the chores so they don't pile up. With both of us working and spending time with the kids in the evenings, we can't figure out how to get them done. We made a list of what needs to be done weekly. Then we split them to Week A and Week B and alternate weeks. Some chores on the list are daily or as needed while others we plan do on Wednesdays and Saturdays. We are alternating so one doesn't burned out doing a certain chore. Also, assigning the chores takes the guess work and expectations out of it. We won't wonder who is going to do what. Sure, there are some things that we are better at or enjoy more, but for now we are going to try this. Week A Dishes (loading and unloading the dishwasher) (D) Sweep and mop kitchen and dining room (D) Dust (S) Clean bathrooms (W) Week B Laundry (wash, dry, and sort) (W & S) Vacuum carpets (S) Trash (take out and replace with new bag) (D)

So Joe mentioned making goals for one month at a time, like short term goals instead of resolutions for the whole year. I liked the idea because we always forget the long-term goals by December or much sooner actually. He expressed making some changes in many areas so I suggested making goals in the following categories for January: emotional/mental, spiritual, physical, and financial. I've decided to challenge myself too. He's writing his down in a composition notebook right now and here I am recording mine electronically. If you know us, this seems backwards. I like writing on paper with awesome multi-colored flowy ink/*pens and he usually just sends an email, makes a phone call, or uses his notebook app on his iPhone. Anyways, I've been brainstorming mine for a couple days now and I think I am ready to record them here. Spiritual: Since all things spiritual should be rightly first, I'll start here. My goal is actually private and will not be mentioned in public

Christmas was yesterday. Whew, I'm tired. We had 4 Christmases starting Tuesday night. Christmas Eve- my brother's house with his family, my parents, and dad's side of the family Christmas morning- my husband and children Christmas afternnon- my grandma's house with my mom's side of the family Christmas evening- Joe's parents and his brother and family Christmas morning Lincoln didn't know it was different than any other morning. We ate breakfast casserole at the table. We didn't leave any gifts out so we had to usher him into the living room to open gifts. We are not telling Lincoln and Grey that there is a Santa Claus and I think gifts left out is a sign that Santa Claus has visited. We did leave a box out with a B teepee, but we didn't set it up. It was my idea to have him be present for the building of it so he could see the transformation. It has a lantern in the ceiling with lights. He loved it and crawled in immediately.  B teep

Going to Carolina in my mind The last four editions of the Hayes Tribune have come from Athens, GA. However, this 2013 issue is being written from Beaufort, South Carolina. It was our wish to return back to the Low Country so we could be closer to our families. Instead of putting the house back on the market for sale this year, we decided to see if it would rent. We found a property manager and they listed it. Within the first week, someone was already interested. With the help of family and friends, we moved out July 20 and made the drive to SC. We are renting a home in a neighborhood, next to the high school, full of young families and military. We love going on walks in the evenings and having neighbors so close we can talk to across the yard. It took us a few months to get settled in to the new life here, but we know the move was perfect timing. Three plus one equals four On November 1, 2012, we found we were expecting a second child at the end of June. Rebekah was passionat