I am currently taking a really nice rest today. I realized that I so rarely do this anymore. It is not from a busy lifestyle; it is just from a desire to keep up with all the demands. Today, though, on this foggy, rainy day, I am enjoying the peace and quiet while the girls nap. Well, Claire is not napping, but I am pretending that she is. :) Sometimes, as a parent, that is the only way to manage.

It has been brought to my attention that sometimes my post dates are not right. Oh, they are right...if a post's date is a week behind the actual posting date, that means I started the blog a week before, and only managed to finish it a week later. :) Welcome to my life. If only you knew how many posts have not gotten completed at all!

I hope you all had a nice Valentine's Day. That was one week ago, but who's keeping track? Dustin and I are still needing to find some time to celebrate V-Day, but the weekends are pretty full nowadays, so planning a time feels sometimes like it is more hassle than it's worth. We still had a nice time as a family. The girls made animal cracker, heart-shaped pizza. Um...yum? Then we dipped various items in melted chocolate. Claire managed to pull the chocolate covering off and just eat that, shivering at what was underneath.
This week, as most of you know, has been warm, according to mid-February Illinoisans. We've gone out for walks and play several times this week, though honestly, it has not cured me of my cabin fever. Nothing but the warm sun and bright flowers will bring me out of winter despondency and blotchy skin. But don't get me wrong. I've been feeling great and loving life.

This past weekend, most everyone on Dustin's mom's side of the family got together to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Lara's great grandma and grandpa. Happy Anniversary, Bev and Ken! Wow, 60 years is FABULOUS! Here are the 4th generation Umbarger girls (I'm not missing anyone, am I? ;)). It's so great to know that good dental care is being passed down.It's so nice that the girls can play with their second cousin. I have no idea who my second cousins are. :)

This morning, I went in for ANother hearing test (insert big, tired-of-bad-ears *sigh* here please). This time it was for the ringing in my good ear. I tell ya (insert big, tired-of-bad-ears *shake of head* here)! Good news, though, is that my hearing is the same as the last test after my last surgery, so who knows what the ringing is about? After the test, apparently having not remembered me, the audiologist calmly asked, "So, have you had much trouble with your left ear?"
(Oh, no, none at all, why do you ask?? What's that? No, it seems to be fine! Had no idea! What? Speak up, man!)
He went through a list of unhealthy food and beverages that could be enhancing the noises in my ears, and I was so proud to say no to everything until he hit salt.

I'd kept a food journal at the beginning of the year, and stopped when I realized that for all that I think I am a pig and eat ALL the time, I am naturally a low-calorie eater. I noticed that while my carb, protein, fiber etc. intake were pretty right on, I had an issue with my sodium intake. This is before adding salt. I consider myself a fairly good eater, but I steer clear of the chicken broth marked low-sodium! So I have been doing a lot of research lately to get good ideas for limiting that. I read that you are not to have more than 1 tsp of salt a day!! Please note, if any of you are concerned about me, I am in really good health, with great blood pressure and a perfect cholesterol level. :D But this might be my body's way of warning me I am headed down a bad path.

Sorry, this is turning into more of a journal entry than an update of the Copass family. Lara and Claire have been doing great, staying healthy, playing the same endless games over and over.Lara's babies are sick. One just threw up in the toilet. I'm like, "Yeah...could we pick a new game, please?"Claire really likes her pacifiers. Don't take them away from her!Lara and I had some girly time this morning.And always with a little education thrown in. Lara is flying through her reading lessons now, but sometimes we work on other skills. Like patterns. But you must use M&Ms. I am sure if my teachers did this, I'd be much more left-brained.Sorry I have nothing deep and theological to discuss. Right now, I am playing fetch with Claire. She'll be going to bed early!