My first born

There have been 8 days of school so far and she has done this after school every single day. 

They come home, she gets her IMC books out and she herds her siblings to the living room floor and reads to them. 

I didn't ask her to do it. I never even thought of it. I don't remind them of it. 

She just does it. And they follow. 

And I'm pretty sure that they wont let her forget it now that she's started it. 

The only variation seems to be whether or not Tess is sitting in her lap. 

And don't think for one minute its not my most favorite scene of the day. 

Sand

They really had a blast with all the sand toys at the park. We should do this more. And yes, because of our weird weather we wore coats and pants to the park in late August, in Iowa. Instead of being at the water park which you can see in the background!

Playing nicely together I might add...for the first time in days. 

Sully had some trucks...so he 100% happy. 

She sat there for the longest time. Until she started thinking that throwing sand was fun. 

Hello, Mr. Tree

And now...pictures

Seriously Sullivan?

Ok, better, but Tess...look up!

Why does she look 10 all of a sudden?

She is just too sweet these days.

My boy.

Encouraged

You ever had one of those weekends where you're just so busy and running around that you actually long for Monday? 

That's where I am. 

And its somewhat unjustified. I've had a good weekend. And accomplished some things...but we've been busy, driven a lot, and Jordan has been gone the whole time. 

He's been gone a lot in general.

All week he has been, well ok, all month. Its been a summer like that at work for him. 

And we are feeling the affects here too. The kids are SO whiny today and they have asked no less than 27 times, when will Daddy be home? Lots of breakdowns and fighting this weekend. 

Lots. 

And then there's me. It just never feels right when he's gone. I admit it, I'm not as fun when he's gone, I get grumpy easier and I dont have as much motivation to make memories...I get lazy and down. I'm not 'on', I'm off.

So to help myself get over the disconnected feelings I've been battling...that I always battle when he's gone a lot, we went to the park this afternoon after naps to play in the sand and for me, take pictures. 

And of course I'm reminded that God is teaching me through this that its possible, I depend on my husband too much to be my 'connection' that I dont feel whole without him. 

And while I know that is good, I should feel an absense when he is gone, we are a team, he is my best and truest friend, but I also know that for some of that, I need to be depending on my Savior. 

I really feel that He is trying to remind me that no one, no human, can ever fulfill all my needs. He is the only one that can do that. 

And the most awesome part of that is that He is ALWAYS there. ALWAYS! 

Just a bended knee away. 

What a promise. What a Savior, what a friend. 

I went looking for some encouragement with these thoughts and His Word delivered. 

Ps 42:11 Why are you downcast, O my soul?, Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. 

Ps. 10:17 You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.  

Ps. 17:6 I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. 

2 Co. 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Romans 8:39 Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ps. 62:1-2,5-6 My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

Privilege

Water 4 Christmas is coming back ... well it never really went away, but you get it. 

Watch this. 

We are so privileged to live where we do. We are so privileged to have what we have. 

And we need to remember, "That to whom much is given, much is expected." Luke 12:48

I complain about Sullivan's skin issues, I think the mothers here would take our spot. In a heartbeat. 

So watch and consider Water 4 Christmas...and use your prayers so that once those in need receive physical water, they will have their eyes opened to their need for Living Water...because that is Why Water...

Rest Time

Its rest time around here and I went looking for my own rest, and found exactly what I needed to renew my spirit.

Isaiah 42:16
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake the.

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Corinthians 1:4
Who comforts us in every trouble, so that we may also be able to comfort those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

 

Destructo

Her name should be changed to 'Destructo'. 

Whatever someone else has, she wants. Whatever her siblings build, she's gonna knock down.

They can spend 30 minutes setting up for a game, some Barbie/Thomas/Lego/Cars/Princess time and she will dismantle it in 8 seconds flat.

So they are having to get smarter...no more games and fun on the floor. 

Its all either at a table or in the big girls' bedroom behind a closed door.   

The problem is they love her so much that they actually feel guilty doing it, at least Lauren and Avery do. 

And Sully may not feel guilty but he does not act aggressive towards her and he is aggressive towards everyone. He has never pushed or shoved or hit her. Im very proud of him. He knows he cant. And he really does love her. He looks out for her. 

If she is yelling, he goes running, "Was a matter Tessa Caroline? Are du hurt? Do you need your momma? Do you want a toy? I'll get it. I help you!"

Its so sweet. 

And 'Destructo' knows all of it. Just look in those eyes. 

And uses it all to her advantage.

They cant handle to hear her unhappy, so they normally give in to her. 

She is going to be something I tell you...this 3rd daughter of mine. 

Something. 

(for the record, Tess does not, never has, used a pacifier...but the girls have play ones for dolls and Tess finds them from time to time and 'plays')

ok, THAT was cute

Avery was playing with my cell phone, sitting beside me on the couch and the following conversation took place:

Avery:  "Mommy, when do I get to know Jesus' phone number?"

Mommy: "Honey, we cant call Him on the phone, we pray to Him when we need to talk with Him."

Avery: "Well how does He talk back to us?!"

Mommy: "That's why we read His bible, so we know what He wants to tell us."

Avery: "Well using the phone would be easier."

And I, in all my humanness had to agree, it would sure be easier.

This Little Chair

This little chair is just my favorite little chair. 

My great-grandpa made it for my mom and she had her pictures taken in it when she was One year old. 

My mom gave it to me and I have had all my kids' One year pictures taken in it. 

Today was Contessa's turn. She did really really well for the first 6 minutes. She looked a lot like this...adorable and she smiled a lot. 

After that 6 minutes the next 15 were more like this...

But we still got some cute shots. She just didn't find the photographer nearly as amusing as he found himself! ;)

This pretty little girl also had her 5 year pictures taken today. 

And she didn't stop smiling once! 

Even once we got home she let me continue to take pictures of her...and as you can see, she didn't stop smiling or giggling then either. 

Someday

You know all those things that we constantly remind ourselves that we will miss 'someday' when our kids are grown? 

Well going to the bathroom with an audience will not be one of those things I miss. 

Seriously.

Indoor Fun?

Sully got a new puzzle and there is nothing he loves more than a puzzle!

Unfortunately for us, he is good at them...too good...which means fast. But luckily for us he likes to do them over and over. 

Tonight was rainy and yucky outside. It forced me to remember that soon, all too soon, we will be forced to play inside EVERY night. 

We are so not ready.

We might need to buy like 3 new puzzles for every day of the winter just to keep us sane. 

Or invest in our own personal gymnasium in our backyard. 

That might work. 

BIG Trouble

The big girls were SO helpful to me tonight. 

Without asking they helped me pick up the kitchen and then entertained Tess and Sully for me while I put everything away and did the dishes. 

Lauren read them all books and Avery set up things for Tess to play with.

I love to reward them when they don't even realize they've been being helpful. 

So tonight I told them that they could stay up for 10 minutes and read. I told them that they could each ready 2 books to themselves in bed. (This was after I had already read 3 books to all 4 of them in Tess's room - this was past my target bedtime!) ;)

I forgot about them  while I was hurrying around to do laundry and stuff and 30 minutes later I went into their room and found this:

They were worried they were going to be in BIG trouble. 

They will never get in trouble for this...first for loving to read and second for being the cutest,  sweetest sisters I've ever seen.

Love 'em!

(And in their defense...they weren't being disobedient, they were on book #4 - they just hadn't read them on their own...The first book they chose to read was the bible...it took awhile!) ;)

The events

The 'balloon race', Jordan even participated in many events...and was my 'Game Coordinator'. 

Lucy in the 'soccer kick'

Jalen in the 'javelin throw'

The big kids in the 'egg race'

The littler ones getting ready for the 'egg race'.

Adonn in the 'javelin throw'

The only picture I got of the medal ceremony was this of Sully 'smiling'.  

2009 Kid Olympics

This afternoon we had the 2nd Annual Kid Olympics. 

Last year I was desperate for some adult company after Tess was born so we started this tradition.

OPENING CEREMONY 

(Sullivan was NOT cooperating for the picture...argh!!!) ;)

There were 12 Olympians ranging in age from almost 8 to just over 1. (Although technically Tess did not wake up until the events were over.)

We had lots of different events and then we had supper.

Lucky for me everyone else brought most of the wonderful food! 

I made everyone a number and team name for the shirt. They all looked so cute in them!

Here's Avery modeling hers.

This weekend was fun...I LOVE doing this event. But I wont lie. After all the driving yesterday and church and this today, I am fried. 

Jordan headed out for his Fantasy Football Draft as soon as the Olympics ended, I'm giving baths and hope to have everyone in bed by 7:45. 

Calgon, take me away! 

Oh my uterus

Yes, I kind of liked him too. 

I wanted to take him home. 

But I also was sane enough to realize that it was a nice turn of the table. 

It was nice to be the one who they were asking advice from, nice to be the one who got to hold him and smell him and buy him presents...

And then walk away! 

(But walking away was HARD!) ;)

Baby Joshua

We had a great time meeting Joshua on Saturday and of course we fell in love with him the first time we saw him. He is so sweet. 

Grandma and Joshua

Avery liked holding him but kept wanting to touch his face and inspecting his belly and feet. So Avery.

Lauren would have done this literally ALL day.

Sully took a look at him and then ran off to make Uncle Joe wrestle with him...so Sully. 

We hope to see them again soon...but I think they need to move closer because I'm telling you, 6 hours in the car with Sullivan, all in one day, is a VERY VERY long time. 

Very Long Time. 

Friday

Our plan for today was to go visit my new nephew Joshua but Tess got 4 shots yesterday and came down with a fever because of them yesterday evening. 

She went to bed at 7 pm with motrin and a fever of 100 and then woke up at 3 am burning up. 

I gave her motrin and she and I rocked for a very long time until she was comfortable enough to fall back to sleep. She slept till 8:30 this morning but woke up with a low temp so we decided the trip will have to wait until tomorrow. None of my other kids ever complained or got fevers after shots. So I was a little hesitant to leave town with her feeling like this. 

Lauren is happy because now she can go with us. And Tess will stay home with Daddy. Jordan says he is so excited to have Tess all to himself. I'm sure they will have a great day. 

As you can see from this picture she is feeling much better now. 

Her favorite thing to do these days is 'dress up'. Which means putting articles of clothing around her neck and crawling around the house. She got into Lauren's drawer and got out this pair of leggings today. She threw a fit when I took them off her and put them away so she could go take a nap. 

Very cute. A very grown up way to play. 

She is so sweet. I'd like her to stay this age. And that's kind of weird because 1 year isn't typically my favorite age. 

She is just SO sweet! 

Pronunciation

I love it that Sully says:

noordob for doornob

 

and

packback for backpack.

Love it.

Whose singing to Papa?!

Today would have been my dad's 63rd birthday. 

I told the kids that this morning and Avery said, "Well mommy, whose singing Happy Birthday to him? Do you think they will in heaven?"

I assured her that they would be singing in heaven. 

We miss you dad. Every day. 

One year

Tess had her one year well child appt. today. I was a little late on that one. But here are her stats:

height: 29.5 inches

weight:22.12 pounds

(She's a 2 smaller than Lauren was at this age and more than 2 lbs bigger than Avery was at this age!)

She's growing and doing everything like she should. 

She's pretty perfect!

Leading the Pony

The kids got to lead a pony around. They thought that was pretty cool. 

The pony didn't really cooperate for Sullivan. He was pulling and pulling and the pony just kept eating!

Avery

Avery had a great day. She got to play with her new little friend and lots of other girls!

Love these pictures. 

All the girls loved the tire swing! 

More zoo

This kitty took a little bath with the help of Jalen. 

He looked cute wet! But I dont think he appreciated the swim. 

We had just arrived and Avery came running to me that she had to show me something. 

We all followed her and she had found this NEWBORN kitten. Totally abandoned by its mom in the middle of the driveway at the farm! I cant believe she found it and that it had survived there. It was moving and looking for mom. The workers came and took her away...poor thing. 

Petting Zoo

We took this crew to the petting zoo today. I think this was everyone but one...Jalen is really anti pictures! And there could have been someone else missing...there were so many I really dont know. 

The petting zoo had tons of cats and kittens, goats, turkeys, ducks, horses, ponies, cows and maybe some more.

Tess was more than content with the kittens! She just loved them!

Here kitty kitty!

and the rabbits...