Weekly blessings

We've had way too much fun this week, and I should be catching up on all the laundry and cleaning I've neglected instead of sitting here editing photos. I probably have 8 loads waiting for me, and you don't even want to get near the boys' bathroom right now! But my washer decided to leak during the first load I attempted today, and to keep the basement from flooding, I had to shut off the water to the whole house. So there's not much I can do until Dave gets home...guess I'll enjoy the excuse while I can. :) (I guess I could vacuum, but I'm going to ignore that thought!)




It has been sooo nice to have Dave home for the good part of this week. We've accomplished everything we'd hoped to, and more. Of course Great Wolf Lodge was a blast, but I think my favorite part was just the time factor. Getting to spend time talking with the boys, catching glimpses into their hearts, without the rush of so many activities and commitments. It is hitting me very hard that Ethan will start kindergarten in 3 weeks (can it be?). I am so excited for him, and so thankful for the sweet young man he is becoming...but it is a bit hard to watch too. It's a new phase of life for us - and I'm sure it will bring it's own joys and challenges - but I will never get back the preschool years with Ethan. So I just want to soak up these last days of summer with him and make the most of our time together.

Yes, I think I will probably cry when I drop him off the first day! It makes me emotional just thinking about it! :)




Clare has been enjoying the extra cuddle time too - she has such a quick, charming smile. I hope her friendly demeanor continues!




What can I say about our middle child? Because he is that, in every sense of the word. Such a funny little kid! Dramatic as all get out! With a bit of a tendancy toward doing things his own way instead of obeying. We are working on it! And a week of 2 on 1 parenting has been helpful, I think. A little back-up never hurts! :) But oh, I love him to death...and I am looking forward to more time with him this fall when E is in school.



Today when I was grocery shopping with the 3 of them (see, I did get something accomplished today!), an older gentleman was watching our little troop, and he smiled and said, "You have been very blessed!" And I think so too!

What a gift to be a mother - to help shape little hearts and listen to their thoughts. To have constant companions throughout the day (even if those said companions inform you that they just cracked an egg on the kitchen floor...what in the world???? I better end this, quick!). My life is pretty crazy and hectic with these 3, but goodness, it is precious too!

Great Wolf Lodge - day 1

We interrupted our stay-cation to try out Great Wolf Lodge for a couple days. We've been wanting to try it out for awhile, and it definitely did not disappoint! The boys were over the moon when they saw the water park and everything else, and how could they not be? The place is all. about. kids. (And spending money, sheesh, its a total tourist trap! haha!)

Look who found her thumb! Not sure how I feel about this...

After several hours in the water park, we went to dinner. The boys got to grab an instrument and join all the other kids in a parade around the restaurant. Ethan loved this! Simon chickened out. :)

At 8pm they had story time in the lobby (in your pj's, no less! fun!), and after a bit more exploring, everyone crashed.

Literally.

Good times! I love family vacations!

Sonja's 30th and more

A couple weekends ago we celebrated my sister-in-law Sonja's 30th birthday out at her parents' house. Big hat party style. And I don't know what has been up with the weather, but we have had the most beautiful evenings this summer. Even in July! It has been just gorgeous. The Schonbergs have some acreage out in the country, with plenty of room for the kids to run and play. We honestly hardly saw them the whole evening! I guess that is one of the perks of having some land (and something we consider from time to time). It would be nice for our kids to have the freedom to roam a bit. Maybe someday....

My parents were in town, as well as Nate, Ruth and Matt too, so they all came along.






















So Dave ended up taking off work a little earlier than he had planned. Sometime while it was still dark outside (early Friday morning), the stomach flu hit me with a vengeance, and I am still not recovered. It has been a long day (for me, and for him, I am sure), but I am just hoping and praying that no one else gets it. Our scheduled stay-at-home vacation could be pretty miserable!

As I sat in the bathroom last night, praying for this to be over, I kept thinking about how many people are sick and suffering, and how little I have known of that. I am so grateful to the Lord for our health, for our children's health. I know it could be different. Maybe someday it will be. But for now I can cling to the Lord in the short periods of suffering I endure...and be thankful for His watchful eye over our little family. He knows, and He cares. And He has promised never to leave us, no matter what trials may come.

She loves her sling

I am just so in awe of having a daughter. We are already having so much fun together, and she can't even talk yet! But she is just a ray of sunshine most of the time - her sweet baby coo's assure me that she fully appreciates the big bows, bracelets, and cute, girly outfits as much as I do. Hopefully that's what she's been saying anyway. Haha!

She's been sleeping a 7 to 10 hour stretch at night for several weeks now, and every morning when I see her sweet face, I can't help but smother her with kisses. What a good little girl she is! (on a side note, perhaps this has something to do with why my middle child can't keep his lips off her? Just modeling my behavior!!!!)

Without the nighttime feedings, I should be rested and back to my old self, but I'm not quite there yet. Since her birth, we've packed the summer full with traveling and get-togethers with friends and family. Every bit of it worth it and FUN! But exhausting too...sometimes you just have to slow down a little.

So that's our plan...Dave is taking next week off, and we are sticking close to home. Our plan is to play with the kids. Relax. Eat yummy food. Sleep in. Watch movies. Swim. Snuggle our sweeties.

I cannot wait!

My style...

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You don't live by the sea; you live with the sea. A calm, balanced environment is your perfect space. Beloved memories fill your home. You love details and textures. The pieces you choose have stories to tell. Your home is welcoming; a place where people love to spend time together.

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Love this girl

2 months old and couldn't be sweeter...