Sara Mannix

Julia was playing the violin for Mutti, Papa and Grandma Brundage after dinner last night when Sean and Kristina came bursting to the table, fidgeting excitedly just waiting for what they later said was the LONGEST song to be over.  When the song was over they burst out that they saw a frog, then it started to sink backwards and it was being eaten… by a snake!

Come quick says Sean – this process takes 4 minutes and it will feed him for a week!   We go and sure enough there is a snake no thicker than my pinkie and he has hold of a fat frog the size of my fist.  I feel horrible for the frog and tell Mark to kill the snake, which he did.  Sean said “no” but it was too late.  Then he started crying, he was so devastated.  He loves snakes.  I totally forgot… he wants to be a reptile scientist.  My heart breaks for my sweet boy.  We take a walk and I promise that there are more snakes and we will find one.

Now every morning, we wake up and me who hates snakes is out there hunting for snakes in the garden with my little reptile scientist.

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Julia came running into our room at 6:30 a.m. this morning – “MOM-DAD IT’S CHRISTMAS – LET’S GO!!! CAN I WAKE UP SEAN AND JULIA!!???”  At nine years old, Julia is totally excited, your face lit up as you saw your fuff chair.  Julia, you open up your stocking and immediately offer to share the candy as “I know you love this chocolate mom”, then you offer to read to your little sister and she snuggles into your arms.  What a lovely sweet girl you are.  I sit in awe of you, admiring the generous, caring person you have grown into and am overwhelmed by gratitude.  

Sean and Kristina are both just thrilled with each toy, each present seeming better than the one before, and you just can’t wait to play together with all your new toys.  Of course your big sister will orchestrate the fun.  Just two days ago she thought up the idea of everyone having a mailbox on their doors (she made of paper) so you could all send eachother notes.  Daily the notes are passed.  Kristina can only write limited words like I love you- so her notes are mostly love notes.  Sean loves to ask questions and Julia sends inpirational messages. 

The rock tumbler is now tumbling, you kids are excitedly playing with all your toys nicely together and now it’s time for mom and dad to hit the hot tub and reflect on our blessings!

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Summer has brought so many good times, I love watching you kids play together.  You are so close, rarely fight and just love getting lost in the games of imagination that Julia creates for you.  We have been so busy, from camping every few weeks, boating and swimteam to visiting grandma and playing with friends.  I’m trying to spend as much time with you kids as possible, work brings such satisfaction yet so much guilt.  When I’m with you, I feel stress as I know there are things that need to be done for work and when I’m working, I want so desperately to be with you kids.  Guilt and stress – they go together, it’s this heavy weight that looms.  I know it serves no purpose, how does one get rid of the constant weight that bears down from just needing to be both a mom and run a business…

Sean my love lost his two front teeth this week, he’s such a doll, sweet to the core.  I love that all my children are so affectionate, so snuggly and still want me all the time.  Julia – a swimmer – who knew?!  She has such a great attitude on life, she lives for friends and is such a leader.  Kristina, my baby, you need mommy time and I’m giving you as much as I can. You are quite the swimmer, learning the crawl, backstroke and swimming like a fish underwater.  You claim to be the best swinger in the world as you can swing higher than any kid on the planet.

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