Under the Raisner Roof

Kelsey, this blogs for you!

2008-05-25T06:14:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Kelsey (in the above photo with the fur) is having back surgery this week. So, I did a little searching and came up with some funny stuff, you know, to ease her mind about surgery. Here are things you don't want to hear your surgeon say right before or during surgery:

"Darn, there go the lights again"

"Hand me that...uh...that uh...thingie."

"Oh no! I just lost my Rolex"

"Better save that. We'll need it for the autopsy."

"Everybody stand back! I lost my contact lens!"

"What's this doing here?"

"I wish I hadn't forgotten my glasses."

"Sterile, schmerile. The floor's clean, right?"

"FIRE! FIRE! Everybody get out NOW!"

"Don't worry. I think this is sharp enough."

"That was some party last night. I can't remember when I've been that drunk!"

"What do you mean he's not insured?"

"Could you stop that thing from beating? It's throwing off my concentration."

"If I can just remember how they did this on ER last week."

"Well, folks, this will be an experiment for all of us."

"Someone call the janitor-were going to need a mop!"

"Accept this sacrifice, O Great Lord of Darkness."

"Bo Bo! Come back with that! Bad Dog!"

(For real Kelsey, that last one already had Bo Bo's name in it!)

Kelsey, I love you and will be praying for you! Love, Amy

For my younger readers, which means Mason

2008-05-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

This blog is for my younger readers, which as far as I know is just Mason. So, this is for you Mason! Rebecca was playing around the other night and tried to surprise me with her "whompie" cushion. Of course, she knows it is "whoopie" cushion, but when the words came out wrong, it just made the whole thing funnier! Isn't it amazing the joy and laughter that $1 can buy at the Dollar Tree!

Mother's Day

2008-05-12T17:11:00.001-07:00

Can you believe it? Me blogging two nights in a row? This one will probably be short, but just wanted to share some photos we took on Mother's Day.

You could call this photo the one we never took at Christmas-all of us together. I am so proud of my family! Can you believe how grown up the kids have gotten? I still can't believe they are all mine!

My family was very generous to me this Mother's Day! What you can't see in these photos is the clean house that came along with these presents! And the nap I got to take after church!

Can't believe Glenn and I have been married 17 years this year. Time goes by so quickly!

My girls know what to get their mom! A "scrapbooking accessory" for all my adhesives and tools! I love it!

I am also very thankful for the gift of motherhood! God has blessed me and my cup runneth over (that is an understatement!). Yes, there are days that I might consider having four teenagers at the same time more of a punishment, but for the most part, I am enjoying my "young adult" children. Of course, I still believe God sent us Rebecca to remind us that our teens were little kids once. The time does go by so quickly. So for my friends reading this, enjoy your little ones! They are precious!

Favorite Pets

2008-05-07T19:58:00.001-07:00

Ok, I am so glad that I read my friend Kelsey's blogs tonight! I couldn't think of anything to write before I read them, but now I can write about my favorite pets! Yeah! Robin, you can just sit this one out! My sister and I had several pets when we were little. None of which we were good at keeping. We had fish that got flushed, kittens that ran away, hamsters that got loose in the house, and of course A DOG. His name was Brownie. He stayed tied up in the back yard because my mom had allergies and she WOULD NOT have a dog in the house! Yuck! So Brownie was an outside dog that unfortunately did not get alot of our attention. My mom says he was her dog because she was the one who took care of him. Brownie was a grouchy fellow, perhaps from being teased by the neighborhood kids, or from being tied up in the yard. He was good at getting out of the fence so we had no choice but to keep him tied up. One day he got loose and made his way to the park where he bit a young girl in the face. He had shown other signs of aggression so our parents decided to have him put to sleep so he couldn't hurt anyone else. My sister and I were very upset and all I can remember my mom saying is "I don't know why you are so upset; it's not like you paid him any attention". The truth hurts. Sorry Brownie!

Fast forward to when the Raisner family got their first dog. We got our first dog about 3 years ago when our oldest son Nathan was 15. We went to the animal shelter to search for the perfect companion for our five children. We found Grover. He was so cute and seemed to be sweet. However, we had no way of knowing that he would be a little aggressive to strangers.....well, he did bite two people in our home; our computer tech friend Rob who was here working on our computer, and our friend Tina who innocently entered the house and was perceived by Grover to be a threat ( I know, Tina a threat?) Of course, this made up very uncomfortable and embarrassed that people could not come over because of our dog. We went as far as putting up a sign on the porch that read "BEWARE OF DOG". Probably not a good sign for someone with five young children to have posted at the door! What else could we do? He was our pet, our first dog! As fate would have it, Grover was hit by a car one day and that was the end of him!

Now, fast forward to present day to the Raisner's precious pet Lewie. Those of you who knew me many years ago would remember that I was not such a dog lover. In fact, the only reason I agreed to get Grover was for the kids and after all, Nathan had waited til he was 15 to get a dog and the other kids were old enough to help take care of a dog. I had spent many years putting off the dog thing, substituting with fish, gerbils, rabbits, hermit crabs, hamsters, birds, and of course GUINESS. He was our guinea pig that lived for a long time, much longer than the expected life span. Much longer than his distant cousin NERBIL. I had friends that would tell me to stop getting "substitute" pets and just get a "real" pet , a dog. I have the same allergy problem as my mom and was afraid that I could not handle a dog, especially an indoor dog. And no way would I ever want a dog in my super clean and organized home! You might say, why not keep the dog outside? I say could you resist the eyes in the photo below? No way. I will admit that some days when Lewie has been outside digging in small dark places and comes in with that not so fresh smell I want to kick him outside and never let him back in. And some days when I spot hair on the sofa, instead of just getting the pet hair roller and cleaning it up, I want to lock him up in his cage. But those times are few because the joy that Lewie brings our family is much more powerful than my ego. Plus, when I have that not so fresh smell, no one threatens to kick me out! That is what love is all about: putting up with the good and the bad! I wear my charm bracelet with all the charms proudly, including the dog charm that my dear friend Ansley gave me. She always had the best time picking on me for becoming such a dog lover!

Where has time gone?

2008-04-25T16:24:00.000-07:00

Today there was an awards assembly at Rebecca's school. She is in second grade this year. I love this photo of her! It brought back memories of when I was a child. I remember being so proud of getting awards. In fact, I found a bunch of my old report cards, awards, yearbooks, certificates, and many other misc items in the attic today. I was SHOCKED when I realized that it has been more than 30 years since I was in second grade! That can't be! Where has the time gone? Who is this fatter, lumpier, bumpier, dumpier woman staring at me in the mirror? Aren't I just 29? And what are those on the ground? Oh, those are my.......knee caps (gotcha!). What about those veins on my legs that look like road maps? I heard those are hereditary. Thanks mom! Getting older is no picnic. Something about being close to 40 just makes me feel OLD. Aches and pains! Moans and groans! Oh my aching back! What will I feel like when I am 60? I totally have a new appreciation for my parents and all the things they do! Just last week they used a post digger and put in a white picket fence ALL BY THEMSELVES! They exercise on a regular basis and don't get winded like I do when I go up the stairs! And what about Glenn's mom? She is a full time caregiver for Glenn's dad. How does she do it? She has more energy than I do! I guess I am thinking about my own physical condition and how I need to be healthier, lighter, tighter and a few other things! If only I could find the will power! If you get a chance, say a little prayer for me!

The Power of Words

2008-04-21T16:51:00.000-07:00

Today I was reminded of something I heard at a recent women's retreat about our words. About how powerful our words are. About how our words have the ability to create situations, emotions, and thoughts in others. About how kind words help people, but negative words hurt people, sometimes more than we know. Have you ever been hurt by something someone said even though you know that person didn't mean to hurt you? Have you ever been the one doing the hurting? I am sure we have all been on the giving end and the receiving end of hurtful words.

My son recently lost a best friend to suicide. It has been a couple of weeks and now details are surfacing that we didn't know about initially. Apparently there was a note written by the young man to his father. A note full of words that would cause emotions so powerful most of us could not withstand. What a burden this father might be carrying for the rest of his life because of the words his son wrote just before taking his life. How sad it was this young man felt so much pressure he could no longer live. I am not placing blame on anyone here. No one really knows why this man took his life. Right or wrong, the power of words written in that note cannot be denied.

What we speak is what's in our hearts. I know I am going to work on my heart so that the words I speak will help and not hurt.

Ephesians 4:29 Don't say anything that would hurt [another person]. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you. God's Word Translation

The price of comfort!

2008-04-19T21:34:00.000-07:00

When was the last time you went shopping for a new mattress? If it has been a while, you may have no idea how much a new one cost. My girls Megan and Rebecca, ages 14 and 8, have been sharing a bedroom for quite some time now. They have had loft beds but recently decided they wanted to have "regular" beds. This was a bitter sweet decision because they have loved their beds. Especially Megan-her bed being on the bottom was just a nice little cubby hole and a very comfortable spot to relax. Rebecca (and I) had gotten tired of climbing up and down the ladder to the top bed. We recently had a new ceiling fan put in and the blades on it are longer then the old ones. This has made it very dangerous for Rebecca to get in and out of bed. I had Megan straighten up the beds one day and photograph them so I could list them on Craigs List (a free online service). I finally listed them Friday. By bedtime that same day, they were sold and removed from our house. Megan wasn't home during all of this so when she got home she had no idea that her bed was gone! Rebecca had been home to help me remove all the items from the desk and dresser drawers that were part of the bed. She was excited because the new owners of the bed brought their kids with them and their daughter was the same age as Becca. Selling the beds with the mattresses put us in a position to make a purchase very soon. Our girls have never had new mattresses- which I don't really consider a problem. After all, up until the time I got married I was still sleeping on the mattress I had as a child (pee stains and all!). But since Megan is getting older and frequently complains of back pain we decided to use some of our tax refund to purchase two new beds. I did my online research to find out about mattresses-how many coils, plush or pillow top, box springs, frames, etc.....I felt very prepared to go shopping. Going to a mattress store can be an overwhelming experience. So many beds, so many prices. Did you know you could spend thousands of dollars on a mattress? Did you know stores offer financing for a new mattress? Did you know that you could buy a car, braces for your child, tummy tuck, or take a very nice family vacation for the same cost as a new mattress? When I commented to the salesman about the prices he proceeded to tell me that the materials used to make mattresses are petroleum based and that the higher cost of gas has raised the prices for a mattress. Huh? Did you know that? There were lots of other excuses he used for the price tags, but as soon as I let him know that I wasn't going to spend thousands of dollars in his store, he gladly showed me the more moderately priced mattresses that were stacked along the back wall. Megan tried out several different styles until she found the most comfortable one in our price range. Did you know that it is suggested you lay down on the mattress in the store for at least 15 minutes? And if you have a sleeping partner, you should bring them also and lay together! Well, the photo below shows you Megan and her sister Sara's attempt at the 15 minutes.

They fell in love with this one mattress and for a minute agreed to share a room again and sleep in the same bed just so they could have this expensive mattress! After a few minutes to think it over, they realized how silly that would be and forgot about it.

So, when the time comes for you to buy new mattresses, just beware of sticker shock! Being comfortable is expensive!

Hoot! Hoot!

2008-04-17T19:46:00.000-07:00

OK, lets pretend for a moment that I am a home school teacher like my friend Robin. I would like to tell you about our new friends, the owl family. They have been in our backyard for a couple of months now. In the evenings, they will leave their home in the hollow tree and hunt for food. Well, from what we can tell the "dad" does the hunting and the "mom" stands by waiting for the catch. We are not sure how many babies are waiting to be fed. My mom tells me that the adult owl eats and digests the catch and then regurgitates the skeleton of the catch. It comes out in a nice little ball. She has read about someone who goes and hunts for these balls and sells them for scientific purposes because the ball contains such a perfect skeleton. Click on the Barred Owl link below the photo to hear their call and find out more interesting facts!

Now, lets talk about Lewie. He is our family dog. He also does some hunting, but I don't like to think about what "catch" he eats. He has done some regurgitating of his own, but it doesn't look like a little ball. More like a pile of puke. I have never seen a skeleton in his pile, but there have been some other interesting things like hot dogs, pieces of gloves, and several different colors of crayons. The rest is a mystery.

Hopefully you are not too grossed out now. Remember, this is a home school lesson and meant to be educational.

Barred Owls

2008-04-16T12:49:00.000-07:00

Last night Matthew had what will be his last guitar performance at Penn Griffin School for the Arts. He has decided to transfer to High Point Central next year. He wants to have a more traditional high school experience with larger student body, more girls, more subjects, etc.....Reluctantly we are supporting him. We love the arts school for its smaller class sizes and the fact that the kids can major in an arts subject such as guitar, piano, drama, dance, etc. Matt has been playing classical guitar there for the last 5 years. We have loved every minute of it! (I think he wants to be a rock star instead of a classical guitarist!) He will keep playing of course, just not in the classroom.

Music and the arts are such great things for our kids! I remember when Matt was younger and played little league baseball just like his older brother Nathan. He was ok at it, but he never really loved it like Nathan did. Then he found the guitar! That was just what he needed. He realized he didn't have to play baseball like his brother and it was ok. We have watched his blossom into such a fine young man while playing the guitar. When our friend Ansley was alive, she would come over and sit with her eyes shut and listen to Matthew play. He was shy about playing and didn't want anyone to watch. She asked him several times to play at her funeral. He was unsure about getting up on stage to play so the family arranged it so he could sit in the lobby and play as people came into the church. We were proud of him.

A couple of weeks ago, Matthew's best friend Mike took his life. He and Mike would get together several times a week and play guitar and drums together. Mike was an excellent song writer. He didn't talk much about his feelings, but he wrote about them in his songs. Matthew would write the music to go with the lyrics. They developed quite a close friendship. I think music does that. It brings people close. Matthew was asked to play two songs at Mike's funeral while another one of their friends Paul sang. Paul and Matthew decided they would both sing while Matthew played. Matthew got up on the stage and said a few words about his friend and then began to honor Mike's life with music. Talk about proud! I was amazed at how Matthew was able to keep it together. He did such a fine job and played an excellent tribute to his friend.

Watching Matthew reach out to Mike's family and to their friends has really made an inpact on me. We have had the pleasure of getting to know Mike's family in a whole new way. We are watching in amazement at how God is using this tragedy to bring others to him. What a joy it is to minister to those in your own community! More about this journey later.....

Matthew and his friend Mike playing guitar and singing at our house.

Me and My Girls!

2008-04-15T22:19:00.001-07:00

Could it be me blogging again?

2008-04-13T21:56:00.001-07:00

I have recently been inspired to pick up blogging again by my friends Kelsey and Robin. I have been reading Robin's blog daily for quite some time now, and I have recently been invited to read Kelsey's blog. I enjoy keeping caught up with Robin on her blog since we can't seem to have a phone conversation for any length of time without one of us having to hang up. And even though Kelsey and I live in the same city and go to the same church and share some of the same friends, we can't seem to connect. So, now I can keep up with her by reading her blog. So here's hoping that my friends will read my blog and enjoy a glimpse into my life. Today has been a very long day, starting with a dental appointment and ending with an orthodontist appointment. So forgive me if this post is short. My eyes are getting heavier by the minute!

I would like to share something that has been on my mind alot recently. Do you realize how many hurt and broken people there are around you? I have always been a little scared of foreign missions. I don't travel well and I am sure I would get one of those freaky viruses or diseases (or at least spend the whole trip constipated). But you know, we don't have to go out of the country or state or city or neighborhood to find people who need Jesus. They are all around us. I really enjoy reaching out to those people. I don't think I have experienced more joy than to think that I have made a difference for God's kingdom. Just planting a seed for God to grow. It just takes a seed. We do the work to plant the seed and God waters it, gives it sunshine and shelter to grow. He just needs us to plant the seeds. I wonder what local missions looks like for me? Glenn says I just need to keep doing what I am doing-reaching out to people I come in contact with on a daily basis. I think he feels like I have so much going on already that adding anything else would be too much. I think I will pray about it and in the mean while, just keep doing what I am doing. I know God will give me an answer.

WE'VE BEEN ELFED!

2007-12-12T13:41:00.000-08:00

Since we can't be together right now, let's dance!

YOU MUST CLICK ON THIS LINK! I HOPE IT WORKS! IT IS FUNNY!

http//www.elfyourself.com/?id=1417326681

More Christmas Ornaments

2007-12-05T18:07:00.001-08:00

Sorry I haven't written in a while. By the time I sit down at the computer at night, I am so tired that I cannot put two sentences together. But, tonight I am starting early. This blog will be short, but sweet. We have decorated the house, finally. According to the kids, we waited too late! The girls would like to have the decorations out at Thanksgiving, but not me. I would rather wait until around December 15th. So we compromise and go somewhere in the middle! I really did enjoy decorating this year. We put our large artifical tree up instead of the tiny one in the corner. We began using the tiny one when we got a dog. The larger one makes things more festive and we have room for all our ornaments instead of a few select ones. So far, Lewie hasn't messed with the tree. I have this fear of coming home one day to find that Lewie has eaten anything off the tree that smelled decent (or not). The we would have to spend days cleaning up his festive looking droppings from the driveway. Kind of like when he eats crayons. Anyway......enough of that! I am going to post a couple of photos and then off to bed! Take Care!

In the Blink of an Eye

2007-11-28T20:41:00.000-08:00

I really wanted to write in my blog tonight. Not sure why, but I think I am really enjoying this! Over the years I have tried to keep journals, and have been very unsuccessful. The desire has been there, but the organization in my mind hasn't. I think sitting at the computer and typing comes more naturally to me than pen and paper. And I love being able to keep up with my friend Robin! Reading her blog and seeing her photos almost makes it seem like we visit on a regular basis! Of course, nothing takes that place of a warm hug, but I am willing to settle for the feeling of a warm hug that I get when I visit her blog.

I was searching through my photos looking for some inspiration tonight. I am tired and today just seemed to be an ordinary day. My camera is still being repaired, so there are no recent photos to share. I came across one of my favorite photos of all time. A picture of my two best friends and myself from several years ago. Ok, there are many things in this photo that have changed since then. I appear to be shorter now that I was then, but actually it is just that I am wider now, not shorter. Robin is no longer living on Shalimar. And our dear Ansley is no longer here with us. (Now I am bursting into tears). Sometimes it just hits me hard. I miss those days so much and this photo is a reminder of how temporary this life is. How quickly things change, in the blink of an eye. The truth is that God is the only constant in life. He never changes. He is the same today as he was then. That is why we must depend on him. Without him, reality of this life is too painful. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is with us always. For that I am thankful.

I know it's late but......

2007-11-27T21:08:00.001-08:00

Ok. It is late for me to be writing, but I can't help myself. I have gotten in this crazy sleep pattern that I need to break. I have been staying up late, getting up early, needing a late afternoon nap, staying up late, getting up early, needing a late afternoon nap, etc.....can you see the pattern here? Not good. I can definatley tell I am not a spring chicken anymore. I remember being able to function on little sleep and crazy hours. Not anymore! The body is feeling it for sure. I have been listing alot of auctions on ebay lately and I wanted to share with you a couple of the things I have listed. I am again trying to sell my altered art creations. I have promised myself to not take it personally if they do not sell for what I feel they are worth. I have had that experience before, and I let it get me down. Not this time! They joy I receive from creating these little works of art is far more valuable than the money. Well, actually since it is Christmas, the money would be nice! Seriously, creating art is my therapy, something I can do with my hands, a little part of me. Perhaps if these do not sell, it is just another sign from above that my creations are for GIVING, not SELLING. Must go to bed now.....I....am...drif..ting..off....zzzzzzzzzz

Thanksgiving Recovery

2007-11-24T19:39:00.000-08:00

This has been a great Thanksgiving! Family, food, Christmas crafts, watching movies! The best! I must admit that I am tired. There are 12 people here tonight, most of them teenagers. There is a lot of noise and eating going on. But that is ok. I am used to it by now. I am thankful that the kids want to be here and they want there friends to come over. My sister has been here with her kids. Her twin boys are 11 and they have the best time hanging out with Glenn by the fire roasting marshmallows and of course having marshmallow fights. My sister and her husband are divorced so her boys don't get much "man time". Glenn is so good with them when they are here. Matthew also steps in and spends all his time with them. He has such a big heart. They wear him out, but he keeps on going. He and Glenn have taught the twins to ride bikes this year. They are so proud! I can't wait to lay down in my bed tonight! Sweet rest! Tomorrow is Sunday, time to worship and serve. The girls and I teach the 2 year olds during the second hour. We love teaching the little ones. Even my girls friends come over and spend the night on Saturdays just so they can help teach on Sunday. I am so thankful that we live in a country where we can worship freely. There is so much to be thankful for. Thank you God for your many blessings!

This is a photo of my sister and I when we were little. We are at our grandparents house celebrating Christmas. My sister is the older girl and I am the younger one. My grandpa called us "Angie liter" (my sister) and "half pint" (me). Those were the days!

Tuesday before Thanksgiving Day Parade

2007-11-21T10:12:00.000-08:00

Last night the kids and I attended the annual High Point Christmas parade. The parade is always held the tuesday before Thanksgiving. The weather was amazing! The first year that I can think of that we didn't have to dress like we were in the North Pole. Didn't even need gloves! This year my niece Ashleigh was with us. We arrived at our traditional sitting spot only to find that we had gotten there a little too late this year. Either that or the weather pulled more people out to the parade. We had to sit a little further down the streeet than in the past, but we were still close enough to First Baptist Church to enjoy their hot dogs and hot chocolate! They use the parade as an opportunity to make some money for their missions projects. I think that is a great idea! And we get to park in their parking lot. Our good camera is being repaired (of course, it would stop working properly right here at the holidays!) so we had to use Megan's smaller camera to take pictures. They didn't come out so good, but here are a few to show as proof that we were there!

2007-11-17T00:03:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it! I am blogging again! I have missed it. The real reason I haven't blogged sooner is that I forgot my password....finally remembered it....now I can blog away!

Since the last time I wrote, I have had a birthday. NOTE: the larger font size. Each year the eyes get a little worse, but that is ok. It is as if I am looking in the mirror through a filter; you know like the ones they use to photograph celebrities. I think that is God's ultimate purpose for the eyes getting less sharp over the years. It keeps us from focusing on lines and wrinkles. Think about it... if you and I saw who we REALLY are (without Christ) when we look in the mirror, we might be discouraged. But with the "filter" we can see ourselves the way God sees us. God thinks we are beautiful! God sent his Son to die for us, how much more special can that be.

I am reminded of a time when I was in the church choir years ago. Our choir leaders wife was a very gifted singer. She had participated in local theatre productions, sang in a traveling group, and sang lots of solos in church. To top it all off, she was beautiful. I said to her one day that I wish I could sing like her. This was her reply. "Honey, it all sounds the same to Jesus." I thought that was rather kind of her and continued to pray for God's holy filter to be between my mouth and the microphone!

I am thankful for God's holy filters!

Faithful

2007-05-24T14:21:00.000-07:00

Robin, you are such a faithful blogger! I enjoy checking every day to see what you have posted! What a great way for us to keep in touch. I do miss your homemade cards from years ago. This year is the first year of birthdays without Ansley. It is hard. I came across a photo of Amanda, Ansley and I at the Thai restaurant on her last birthday. Wasn't the same without you, but it was a tradition....going out for birthdays! I can't wait to celebrate turning 38 with you! Of course, you are turning 38 before me which makes you older....but I am granny, and you are nerbil, and that is the way it is! Love Ya! Amy

2007-05-21T20:25:00.000-07:00

This blog is just for my friend Robin. I did take the time last week to sit down and blog....for an hour.....pictures and all. However, my internet went down just as I was finishing and trying to publish the blog. Needless to say, I was a bit discouraged and it was very very late...like 1 am. My intentions have beed good, but not fruitful. I got a phone message today from Robin-actually she called last friday and I just got the message today, which is monday. She was busting my chops about not blogging or calling etc....and I am sorry about that! My grandmother and sister and her kids were in town over the weekend and we were just busy with Matthew's guitar concert, Megan and Sara's All State Chorus performance at the coliseum, and eating out with family. This week is looking a bit lighter and I hope to call my Tennessee hillbilly friend this week-hopefully tomorrow. She has a birthday coming up real soon-BIG 38! I have been working on something special for her, so even though I have not talked with her, I have been thinking of her each and every day. Love Ya! Amy

The Very First Time

2007-04-11T20:28:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is! My very first blog. My friend Robin has inspired me to start blogging. I enjoy being able to keep up with her and her family by reading her blog, so I thought someone might like to do the same with us. Since it is late, this will be a short blog to start. We are all trying to recover from spring break, which I might add was busy but good. Megan's best friend who now resides in New York was in town for a visit, and my niece Ashleigh was also here. Lots of teenage hormones floating around but I am glad the kids want to be here at our house and not somewhere else! Can't believe summer is right around the corner-where does the time go?