LIfe is busy!

I really have had every intention of blogging regularly but I keep getting interrupted by this thing called life! It is sneaky and every time I start to sit down and gather my thoughts it causes one of my children to need a meal, make a mess, become sick etc. Funny how that happens, right?

We have been enjoying our time as a family lately with lots of trips to the park, fall festivals, and just hanging out watching football at the house. It has been so nice to just all be together. This weekend we headed to Katy for my cousins wedding! The wedding was beautiful and I had so much fun reconnecting with my cousins and visiting with old friends. The girls hammed it up on the dance floor with several new friends and I was really proud of all the little ones that were there. They were very patient and quiet throughout the whole ceremony, which was a full mass, and had lots of fun at the reception!


An interesting conversation was had Sunday at lunch and it has been on my mind ever since. Weddings bring about lots of different emotions from people. I think naturally it causes everyone to evaluate where they are in life. This by itself isn't too harmful until you begin to ponder where you want to be and just aren't yet and why. I could not help but empathize with the singles but probably not for the reason you think. The whole time I kept thinking everyone is waiting on something. There is always some part of your existence that you wish you could tweak a little. If it isn't marriage, it is kids, and if not kids then fulfillment in your career, or empty nesting, or retirement, and the list goes on. I know I for one am extremely guilty of not spending nearly enough time in the moment and just enjoying where God has placed me at THIS particular moment. Instead we find ourselves out striving for the next goal we have for ourselves in life with disregard and often disappointment in what God's plan may be. It was a good reminder for me to try and live just for today and what God is planning for me in this moment.



Here are some random pics. Enjoy!

Sarah

Claire

Jack O.



Katy and her Dad

Honesty

We had a great labor day weekend filled with swimming, grilling, playing (and working) outside, and visiting with family! I do not think the kids have ever been happier or dirtier for that matter than they were to have 3 uninterrupted days of outdoor time. I also had to remind D that when three children are covered in pine needles, mulch, dirt, sand and Lord only knows what else they must be pre-washed before they come in to the tub. Pre-washed of course sounds so much better than strip them down and hose them off whether they like it or not. There was not enough Comet to clean that poor tub not to mention the THREE times I had to change the water, or should I say the mud. Yuck!

Anyways.

Sunday we invited M to come play with the girls since the Krueger's were spending the weekend with Honey. There is nothing like 3 four year old girls and a box of princess dress up clothes! They had tons of fun and David and I barely heard from them the whole day. They were in and out of their room having "girl time" as Sarah was quick to inform me all day. There were a few tears shed though when M and Sarah bumped heads while jumping on the bed. M came to me in tears and Sarah promptly hid under the bed. While I cleaned up M and chatted with her about what happened Aunt Juli went to try and coax Sarah into coming out. On my instruction Juli informed Sarah that mommy knew it was just an accident but that she knew she shouldn't jump on the bed. Never did Aunt Juli guess it would start the conversation that it did in which Juli would ask Sarah whether or not she would jump on the bed again. With wide eyed four year old honesty Sarah would declare that yes she would and when asked why Sarah would exclaim " Well I know I'm not supposed to but it is so much fun!" Aunt Juli found the whole conversation simply hilarious and I did not have the heart to get on to her because I will take honesty any day. Besides that is why I refused to buy them an expensive bed or one that stood too high off the ground. I was way ahead of Ms. Sarah Grace on that one:)

Have a blessed weekend!

School is a Success

Last week was busy week for our family as we embarked on a new routine. The kids and I adjusted to the girls going back to school and starting ballet again and everything went frighteningly well. The girls were super excited about school not even making a mere mention of the fact that is was new and Jack left with me willingly making for a very peaceful ride home.

Jack and I had a quiet morning that consisted of me getting some household chores done that had been severely neglected and Jack enjoying some quiet time playing in the girls room with toys that they would never allow him to even look at let alone touch had they been there. He was in absolute heaven and so was I. Though he still barely speaks I could easily read the "Do we have to?" look in his eyes when I told him we had to clean up and pick up the girls. There is nothing quite like be able to investigate all the hidden gems of your sister's room without interference.

Here are some pics of the kiddos from last week. Make note that Jack is wearing a backpack and insists upon taking it every time I drop off the girls at school!

The End of Summer

Well my friends the end of summer has come and gone contrary to the fact that fall still doesn't even loom on the horizon in TX. Tonight many stressed parents are tucking their exhausted little ones into bed after an exciting first day of the school year. They have fretted over all the big and small things that come with the first day of school. They have filled out what seemed like millions of forms, met the teacher, had ice cream socials, and searched high and low for the correct school supplies, uniforms, tennis shoes and Hello Kitty backpack.

Ok. Maybe I was the only one searching for the correct Hello Kitty backpack. It was worth it though when we found it at the third Target we went to and it was met with a high pitch squeal "It is perfect!". Thank God because I was running out of Targets to search in the tri-county area.

Four of my dearest friends had an even bigger first day of school than most because their babies entered kindergarten this year. It was hard for even me to believe as I listened to their harrowing tales. These four brought me lots of laughter and a few tears. I think they are a perfect representation of the masses that are out there going through the same thing.

The Mom whose son sheds tears over being away from her yet is ecstatic to wear his tie to chapel.

The Mom whose son bounds in the door without a second glance which is good because mommy's heart was broken.

The Mom who has been counting down for weeks and recently told me 48 hours to go!

And lastly, the Mom who has been the most nervous and with just cause because her little girl is such a home body. She knew it would be a struggle for both of them and it didn't help that Friday night she felt compelled to scrap all the plans they had made after a disastrous meet the teacher moment. It was for the best though and from what I hear she did fabulously today!

And then there are also those that will remind you that the whole task of sending your kid to school says as much about you as them. Like lets say for instance a insightful sister who taught school for several years and continues to remind us how we will be judged by the information we put on their forms, the lunches we make, and the random information our kids divulge while they are at school. Oh and your kid's backpack well that apparently speaks volumes about you and provides information upon sight as to your parenting style and the child's birth order. Thanks Juli since I was not anxious enough already.

I am doomed.

I love my little girls but let us be honest, I am far from perfect. There will be days when their lunch will probably be less than nutritious and I will consider it a success that they have one at all. I seriously doubt their sandwich will be cut into cute little shapes routinely or that I will always remember to place a wet wipe in it so they can clean their hands more efficiently. Things will be said to the teacher that may reveal some less than flattering things about us as parents. Or that will leave me pondering the notion of what television show they heard that word on or whether or not I should give Papa a call and let him have it.

That is life though and we all go through it. I think more than anything we all just want our kids to be appreciated for who they are and we all know that no one can do that like us!

Tomorrow I will drop the girls off at their first day of pre-k. Not an extremely monumental occasion but I do have a small amount of anxiety. I pray that they will make friends and that their teacher will recognize their uniqueness and not just see them as "the twins".

Blessings to all you parents, teachers and kiddos out there. I wish you nothing less than a fabulous school year!

Jack turns Two!

Our sweet baby boy turned two on Sunday! I can not believe that he is already two years old and no longer "a baby" though he will always be "my baby". We had a terrific time sharing him with all of our friends and family who made the party! Thank you so much for making it so special for him and us!

Now a little about our baby boy...

Jack is defintely all boy right now! It is all about trains, cars, airplane, helicopters and aggravating his sisters. He is still in love with Toy Story, the movie, and would watch it non stop if I let him. Night time calls for Woody, Buzz, and now Thomas (the train) to join him in his crib with blankie. He is a two year old who thinks he is four because he simply does not know any better. He is momma's baby and a little love bug. He is Sarah's "little buddy" and more often than not Claire's nemisis. He loves nothing more than sitting on the couch watching Noggin right in between his two sisters. He is daddy's shadow whenever there are tools involved. He is our sweet Jack O. whom we love more than life.

Happy Birthday Jack O!!!

Exhaustion

I can usually rate the amount of fun my kids have had in one day by how tired I am at the end of it. Today they had way too much fun. By this evening they were running through the house deliriously laughing and I was chasing them trying to round them up and head them off to bed so I could do the same. It is absolutely beyond me how they can have so much energy.

Anyways.

Things here have been good. One day at a time I am starting to get the house more situated. We are currently about to wrap up the kitchen renovations this week!The pink laminate is no more and we are all really happy about that!

The girls teacher came to the house to meet them this week. She seems nice and super organized so I am praying for her and them that it will be a good year. And as exciting as that was Claire is much more excited about us registering her for dance!She is now asking me daily when ballet starts so we are all in for a long two weeks.

It is really good to see them so excited about all their upcoming activities and I am ready to get us on a regular schedule. We have been busy but as house renovations slow down and boxes are emptied I do find myself a little lonely. I am missing my mommy friends and having a little adult company. I was so blessed in having a wonderful group of moms in Victoria and I am praying daily that I will be blessed with a similar support system here. Until then the kids and I continue on our daily explorations which include The Children's Museum, multiple local libraries, parks, pools, mall, grocery stores, etc.

Enjoy the last weeks of summer!

PRAY FOR STELLAN...

Stellan is in the hospital and not doing well at all. They can not flip him out of SVT and are considering putting him on a ventilator because of his poor condition. Please pray for him and his sweet family tonight.

Hug your babies.