Ah. Life. Here it is December of yet another whirlwind of a year. I’m realizing I haven’t posted anything in my mishmash family blog since April. A lot happens in those months when you have a large family. Or really, if you have a family at all. Highlights: We are discovering the importance of the right mental health meds for kids and grownups alike. School is going. Man it’s tough to have 3 in high school, 2 in middle school and 2 grade schoolers. But everyone is getting good grades. Most of the time. Nick and I still have the same jobs. Yay. With any luck, we’ll have a couch…

The sound of rain against the glass is my companion all morning. The dog barks, pulling me from my work and reminding me the world exists outside of my den. My phone buzzes with the familiar text: Lunch? I text back: Yup The house is quieter than it’s been in months. All six kiddos are back in school and the cats and dogs are as baffled by the silence as I am. We sit quietly at the table munching on our usual lunch fare. Some combination of a sandwich, chips and a few carrots just to be a little healthy. Nick looks up at me and says, “Want to go…