A Recommendation

* picture used without any kind of permission whatsoever

You've certainly noticed that my blogging has dwindled significantly as this pregnancy progresses. Don't even mention my deserted food blog. Unfortunately, they are two of many victims fallen to my master 5-child survival plan: Love and Surrender (more on that later); that, and my camera is broken. So, to fill any hole my absence may have left in your poor, neglected heart, may I present you with a very worthy substitute: Two and Then Some, a blog you definitely want to add to your favorites straight away. Some people jump start their day with a jog or a cup o' Joe or something sweet and dripping with cinnamon, but there's nothing on the world-wide-web that brightens my overwhelmed spirit and recharges my resolve to take on the day and a house full of kids than this. Not only is the photography amazing, but no one does equal parts funny and inspiring the way Melinda does. Check out one of my favorite posts of hers "of good days and bad, and any given Thursday, especially Tuesday," dated January 4th (it's the very last post on the page.) So, so good.

People keep telling me, and thank you, "Ann, you can do this, you can totally do this." But here's the thing: I know I can do this, any unqualified nit-wit can have five children, but I know what it's going to take to do it well. There's a difference. And maybe that's why I cling so desperately to Melinda's blog and Melinda herself, because she's doing it and doing it well, and somehow has stayed cool along the way. So, until I can pull myself and my thoughts together, read and enjoy and laugh Melinda.