Quick Visit

We took a quick trip down to Drew's parent's house for the day.  It was another beautiful Fall day.  The sunshine felt so nice!  

 A trip to Papa's isn't complete without a ride on the lawn mower.

 The kids helped us pick some apples.  Sam thought this bruise/puncture looked like a face.

 Cuties.

I spy something blue that rhymes with stew.  There were lots of beautiful apples up high.  Someone's gotta get them.

 Hot dogs and s'mores.  Probably our last of the year.

Soccer and Photography Woes

My oldest rocked it in their soccer championship last night.  It was so fun to watch him play this year.  It was cold and it rained on them for a little while, but he was aggressive, he set his teammates up to score with two assists, and he celebrated.  He loves team sports.  

I set my camera on automatic sports mode for half of the photos I took last night because I didn't want to mess them up.  And I took half on manual.  Of 100 photos I didn't get any that I was excited about.  Grainy or blurry.  Is it me?  Is it my lense?  The camera?  I love photography.  I don't want to do it for a living but I have such an appreciation for great photos.  I have great photos of Benjamin from last year so I don't know what changed.  Blah.  And now that I have vented...

Drew was Benjamin's assistant coach.  I am thankful he gets to invest in our kids in this way.

 The skies cleared and the sun came out after the rain!  Still cold but I will take the sunshine.

 After his first assist.  So wish this was a clear photo.  I love him.

 Cold spectators.

 Awaiting their trophies.

And now we get to spend some free evenings by the fire.  One thing I like about cold weather.

Milkin' It

Sam got along fine all weekend with his swollen, bee stung hand.  However, suddenly this morning it was causing him immense pain and he wasn't going to be able to write at school because his "thumb was frozen" and he couldn't bend it.  Drew and I made a few attempts to tell him that he can just go and listen.  He was becoming increasingly agitated so through lots of eye contact and affirmative head nods from Drew, I gave him permission to stay home one day because of his hand.  

Miraculously, the minute Benjamin and Eloisa were out the door, his hand felt well enough to grab his little journal and show off all the words he can sound out and little sentences he can write.  He loves learning and is so proud of himself.  I wish I knew how to make him worry less about everything at school.  He gets it honestly.  My sister was removed from class on more than one occasion to come calm my anxiety.  

Stella and I loved having Sam around today.  I didn't tell him that for fear that some other ailment might arise tomorrow morning.  He and I were chatting on a chair and I saw my camera on the coffee table.  I asked Sam if we could take some "selfies".  It didn't take Stella long to get in on the action.  

 Happy Face.

 Sam started calling the shots.  Blowfish Face.

 Big Eyes Face.

 Sleeping face.

 Excited face.

 Laughing face.

 Crying face.

We spent most of the morning laughing in the same spot in the living room.  It was a lovely morning.  Just what my heart needed today.  Nine years ago today my dad left his big, lovable body on this earth and met with the Lord in paradise.  I wish so much he could cuddle these sweet kids.  It's been too long.  Thankful for the promise of eternity with him.  

I told Sam today when we were cuddling and soaking up the sunshine and warm weather that I think God was giving us a little look at what heaven will be like.  He said, "Yeah and I'll get to meet Grandpa Chuck and there won't be any bees there."  I assured him if there are bees they wouldn't be the stinging kind.

Phone Photo Dump

Our days look much different this year than last.  Stella and I spend a lot of time together with the school day being extended and the older three gone most of the day.  It took me a few months to get used to the new routine and I still miss the kids getting home at 2:20.

Stella and I are on our own Mondays and Wednesdays so we try to go eat lunch with the kids every few week.  Stella eats this time up.  She loves sitting with her siblings and watching all the chaos around her in the lunch room.

I took this photo and then after the fact realized how much Stella's dress and pose matches the little girl in the painting behind her.  I had planned to replace the painting with something more my style when I found it at a garage sale.  I might leave it now.

 Long lashes like her daddy.

I have Micah three days a week.  Micah is the darker version of Stella with her curly hair and adorable eyes. They have had to go to some doctor's appointments with me and they get quite the reception from everyone.

Another day.  Another appointment.  My endocrinologist is very pleased with all of my numbers and we feel really thankful to just have 6 month blood work and checkups for now.

 Another lunch at the school with Benjamin.

I have my dear friend, Whitney's, kids twice a week.  The girls received dress up clothes in the mail from Drew's aunt and it made these kids' year.  They spend their days together pretending and Miles is always in this little red riding costume.  I cannot take him seriously.

My mom came to visit last week and Stella asked her to bring "big baby" with her.  Stella's friend has a doll she has named "Big Baby" and so she has taken a liking to Grandma Pam's big baby.  When we were out shopping, a few people stopped to ask Stella what her baby's name is and they would just chuckle when she responded, "Big Baby".

We went to Hobby Lobby, Lowes, Aldi and Meijer and had to wait each time for Stella to buckle and unbuckle Big Baby.  Love is patient.

After Big Baby went home, it left a hole in Stella's heart that she filled with mothering Jaden George.  Good grief it is so cute to see her walk around with JG attached to her person.

 The one football game we made it to this year.  I love Sam's ears in this hat.

 Watching Benjamin play soccer.

 Hat day at school.

My mom took the girls to Ohio last weekend and we had such a fun weekend with the boys.  Wow is life quieter with just these two.

Drew and Benjamin were watching football in the office and Sam came and threw himself between them yelling, "Sam sandwich!"

My favorite moment of this weekend:  Drew and I finally had a Saturday morning with no big plans or projects so we just lounged in bed to read and drink coffee.  Isa and Sam were awake for awhile watching cartoons and came in a couple times to see when we were going to get up.  After quite a while, Isa came in with a rolled up piece of paper.  She stood on our bed and unrolled it.  She said in a really funny voice, "I have a message for you from Sam.  Don't forget to feed the kids!"  It was hilarious.