Fun at Freeds

Friday we headed out to Freeds with our gang of friends for a day of Easter fun. 

Here's most of the my gang...Im so blessed by these women. 

Jen should totally charge admission to their acreage. 

They have everything a kid could possibly want!

We started out petting and holding baby chicks. 

I'm not sure anything could be cuter!

This one was falling asleep with Avery.  

I didn't get the chance for many chick photos because I was busy 

trying to keep Tori from dropping one and hurting it. 

Next Jen had an Easter egg hunt that went over the whole acreage. 

Giving directions...

Oh little boys...these two are about the cutest kids in the world to me lately. 

How can you resist a preschooler in camo? 

Or one in bright pink and sunglasses??? 

And they're off! 

She lives life to the fullest! 

 I tried my best to get some pics of the big kids but they went really far out and well, they are fast and young and Im slow and old. 

Counting their loot. 

Jen even hid 50 cent pieces! 

And one 5 dollar bill!

Miss Lucky, Avery, found it! 

After the hunt we moved on to more animals. 

Jocelyn has such a way with animals of all kinds. 

Kids plus animals plus sunshine = pure happiness!

Goats!!!

Freeds had 1 week old twins!

Oh my the cuteness!

AND 1 day old TRIPLETS!!!

Tori really wanted to hold a baby goat. 

So I took her in when the big kids wandered off...She was SO happy. 

Until mama goat came to check things out and Tori FREAKED. 

Mama goat could have cared less that she was petting her babies...but Tori was terrified nonetheless. 

My big girls with the baby goats. 

I want a goat. 

Thanks so much Freeds and friends!!!!

Direct?? Indirect?? Huh??

We celebrate school victories around here!

Here's to Lauren and me finally mastering direct and indirect objects!!!

(Side note...she's awesome, even if she wouldn't let me put this pic on Instagram or Facebook!)

'If only I had a DeLorean.'

Tonight as I was finishing up preparing supper I called out, 

'Supper's ready!'

As soon as I did I was transported back 25 years and I was in my parents house and 

my mom had been the one yelling out the call to gather for supper. 

And then came my dad's standard response, 

'Why does that always sound like a threat?'

I hadn't thought of that joke in ages. 

And remembering it suddenly like that gave me chills and made me so happy at the same time. 

My parents were the best. 

He was a jokester. And one of his favorite topics to joke about was my mom's 

cooking. He was so so funny. Seriously, that is funny stuff. 

Even more so now that all these years have past. And my mom, wow was she a 

good sport or what? She never got angry or hurt. Just rolled her eyes and smiled. 

Later on Jordan was watching part of an old Spencer Tracey and 

Mickey Rooney movie, a black & white. And Sullivan wondered how anything 

in black & white could ever have been funny. 

I decided he NEEDED to see a funny black & white movie. 

So I found a Laurel & Hardy on youtube and made him watch. 

He didn't totally get it but he did have some laugh out loud moments. 

My dad would have been so proud. 

After sharing some of this with my brother Jordan his comment was, 

'If only I had a DeLorean.'

And all I can say about that is, 

'Amen'.

So excited!!

Someone got new flip flops and a new 'big girl' tank top and she is SO excited about it!

And oh my word I love this kid!

A little escape

Last week I was feeling the need for an escape. I talked Jordan into a couple of nights in Des Moines for the kids and me.

It was a very fun get away and chance to focus on fun.

I was so pleased that everyone got along really well and we just laughed and enjoyed each other.

There are times one all 7 of us smashed into one hotel room would be a recipe for disaster, but this trip it was a recipe for fun.

The kids and I had big plans on how we would fill our days while Jordan was at work. But the weather did not cooperate so we improvised.

First stop, Bass Pro and the Fish Bowl for bowling and lunch. Seriously one of the most fun lunches I've ever had. 

We had to document the smiles.

My biggest and my littlest. 

My middles. 

And my boy. 

The fun lunch needed to be followed by dessert, Yoder style. Tori tried one of everything. 

We met up with Jordan that night for some Red Robin. Tess was too cute in her play glasses. 

After two nights of swimming and belated bed times the kids were slow to wake on Friday morning. Tori was a sweet sister giving Tess a back rub to help her get going. 

I know we will all remember this little mini-vacay for a long time. 

My man

I just have to give some credit to my awesome husband.

He hasn't had an easy year either. 

He started a new job, just as demanding as the last, he's commuting (for me) and working long hours. But at the end of the day he never forgets to ask how I am handling everything. 

How I am feeling? What he can do for me. 

How can he help?

He loves me in a way that I do not deserve. 

He is the biggest of all the blessings in this amazing life that I lead. 

one year ago

One year. 

365 days. 

Seems like many more. 

Seems like many less. 

Oh these anniversaries are hard. 

Like the worst. 

Maybe the worst part of this day has been seeing my kids suffer. Older kids means they understand more whats been taken. Their hurt is very real. They aren't just sad because they see me sad. They miss grandma. And I hate that for them. Their tears break my heart. And I feel so gipped for the time they are missing out on with her. 

And I could sit around and focus on the horror that this day forces me to think about. But I try very hard to focus, instead, on how God orchestrates even the terrible parts of my life to be easier than they could be for me. 

For example: My mom died on a Thursday while we were in Florida on vacation. If she had died on Wednesday, we would have been at Disney World when we got the call. Can. You. Imagine? 

We had planned to go on Thursday, but on Tuesday night the forecast changed and we made a last minute decision to go on Wednesday....God changed the weather...God likes my family at Disney. I truly believe He protected us in that. 

I also focus on how He provided for us. We drove safely, 23 hours straight home under terrible circumstances.  My brothers all arrived in Grundy safely. When we pulled in the driveway they came pouring out of our house followed by our awesome friends. We were greeted that day in away that I will NEVER forget. Even now as I type this and remember standing in my front lawn surrounded by people I love...well, I'll tell you, I cant express it. But everyone should be loved like that. Everyone should have a moment like that in their life. 

We've lost a lot. My brothers and I lost both our parents WAY too early. We should have so many more years with them. They have grandchildren yet to meet and weddings to attend. 

Losing both parents is so indescribable...there is no longer anyone to call and say, 'hey when I was a kid did I...?' or 'Did grandma ever...?' Part of our heritage is lost and I find myself daily wishing I had asked more questions and written more things down. 

But we have such a rich legacy to treasure, such a strong faith to cling to and such strong ties to hold us up. On these days I am mostly thankful that my parents dream of a big family was a reality. That I have 6 ways to turn, 6 numbers to dial and 6 voices who know exactly how I feel when I'm low and homesick for my awesome parents. 

A year ago today I lost my mom. 

Mom. 

And all I can say on this day is that I am so blessed to have called her mom. 

She was the worlds best, most giving, selfless mother. 

She loved me unconditionally. She gave to me tirelessly. 

She prayed for me continually. 

Part of me is gone with her, with both my parents...but not forever. 

We will be reunited. My tears will end. My sorrow will be turned to joy. 

And until then I am happy to remember that while I grieve today, 

she is singing with Jesus today...celebrating her 365th day in heaven. 

And that makes this a most joyous day.