It takes a village...

So it's been one month and one day since my last post and I have to admit, I am mad about it!  I distinctly remember admitting here on this blog that all I wanted to do was be a blogger.  Well that was the kiss of death because our lives exploded over that period of time and all I had time to do was EVERYTHING ELSE.  All kidding aside, there were days where I had every intention of blogging after the kids went down at 8pm, but the next thing I knew, I was drooling on a pillow on the couch while Justin was snoring on his couch.  Ahh, this must be the magic of marriage that no one tells you about.

It takes a village.

Such a true statement.  Life can be challenging for everyone but we have two factors that make our lives especially challenging in the short term - my travel for work and Addison being in the half day school program at Christ Lutheran.  Currently we have 3 different kids in 3 different day care programs with 3 different pickup and drop off times. We desperately need Addison to get transferred to the full day program so that we aren't coordinating daily care for her every afternoon - and it will happen by this summer when the classes rotate for the school year change.  Until then, we bribe.  Brownies.  Doughnuts.  I even take Alex in with me when I drop off Avery so he can work his magic (seriously, that kid's smile will melt you like chocolate left in the car on a hot summer day).  Shameless, I know.  But desperate times call for desperate measures. All of this is manageable until....

TRAVEL!!!!!!!!!!!

So, a couple times a month I hop on a plane and go work my magic for my job, and fortunately its one that I enjoy and am very good at doing.  Logistically, it's a nightmare.  Here's a quick rundown of this week's coordination while I am gone:

• Tuesday - Grandma picks up Alex and keeps him overnight.  Our neighbor Katie (aka, an angel) picks up Addison and keeps her until 4.  Justin picks up Addison and gets Avery from school.
• Wednesday - Poppi comes over in the morning to help Justin survive, literally.  It's life and death in the mornings at our house people!  Katie takes and picks up Addison from school AND lets her nap at her house again.  Pops (different grandfather) takes Alex to and from school.  Justin repeats Tuesday afternoon routine.
• Thursday - are you still reading?  That's admirable.  Don't worry about Thursday, it will all magically happen and I will get home around 8pm just in time to kiss my babies good night.

Whewwwwwwwwww.  It really does take a village and fortunately for us while our lives are difficult, our village has gathered around us to assist - what a gift from God.  I look forward to the day when I have the opportunity to pay it forward and be a member of someone else's village. 

Speaking of paying it forward, one of the things that has kept me busy over the past month has been my fundraising efforts for the March of Dimes walk on April 28th.  We have our own family team this year called Alex's hope in an effort to pay it forward and raise money for those less fortunate.  We would LOVE if you came out and walked with us that day in support.  One of my village members is my step dad Michael (Poppi) and he organized a fundraiser last week at an On The Border restaurant here in Charlotte.  They are giving us 10% of the proceeds from the evening towards our team which gets us very close to our goal.  www.marchforbabies.org/hilby444 for more information or to make a donation.  Here are a few pictures from the night...

As human beings we have an incredible ability to adapt and absorb change and challenges.  It is what makes us unique.  One of my favorite quotes is below:

"Life is what it is, but, it will be what you make it."

Sure is easier to "make it" with my village...Til next time...M