Yeah! More Visitors

visitors isn't the right word, neither is guest, bc Janelle & gang are definitely like family. but we're very happy to have them here with us. We're super excited they braved the 20 hour's of driving time to come hang out with us. K spent the last couple days before they got here telling everyone we saw that his friends were coming and then counting down the hours until their arrival. Monday we made it through the wait for their arrival with a big long bike ride. and seeing how T is changing so fast. He's gotten to be a very good walker is getting more and more opinions of his own- he doesn't always agree to big brothers' toy swaps now. But he has learned to give them sweet kisses. He also understands more things like "sit down," "put your shoes on your feet," "don't hit." That doesn't mean he always does those. He does like to close the dishwasher (whether or not you want it closed & only when he's not trying to climb in.)
Tuesday afternoon the wait was over- four excited kids jumped out of their van while 3 kids bounced up & down with excitement in the driveway. We spent lots of time playing outside Tuesday afternoon & Wednesday- football, soccer, skating, biking, walks, ...While the little ones napped, the big boys picked egg plant & tomatoes. The kids looked for birds on our walk through the state park and found lizards, spiders, & other strange bugs in the yard. We also saw a baby snake. We're very glad we made sure the kids stayed away from the snake, especially when we ID'd it tonight. Tomorrow we're going to the museum.

Fun Weekend

Friday morning the boys were a little less sad about Nana's leaving bc we headed to the children's museum for Fun Fridays as Nana left for Florida. Even with two school buses of kids there, we had a good time. But we did spent most of our time in the toddler room playing to get away from some of the madness- although I think we really just moved to our own madness since we had lots of little ones there too!

We were thankful Thursday that the rain held off through almost all of K's soccer practice- he was very excited that Nana got to go to soccer! And glad again Friday afternoon when the rain let up so we could play outside with friends who came over for dinner. We had 6 little boys over for pizza- the oldest turned 5 last week. And they brought Cheesecake Factory cheesecake- nice Friday!!

We were having a great time but our friends headed home a little early so we could get ready for a busy day Saturday. We left first thing this morning to see friends in VA. It was great to see Amy's little boy again (he'd grown lots since last time when he & K were 1) and to meet Sara's little guy who is super cute. I had a good time catching up with Erin, Amy, & Sara- it had been too long! & Lots of funny moments- K & C telling all about monkeys eating bananas, Amy's son calling Erin "Big Erin"- that's a first!, and the fun of 5 little boys playing together. We did spend as much time driving as we were there, but it was definitely worth the drive. K & C showed everyone the dancing skills they showed James on the video cam too- should have gotten a video of that! Our super tired T slept until 8 Sunday morning. We still made it on time to 9 am Executive Place. The boys had a good time- such a good time everyone could hear the 4 year olds playing their whistles during the sermon (right as the preacher talked about David's music driving out the demons.) But when they got home, you could really tell they were tired. a tad grumpy- so I really loved (and need it) when T started giving his brothers kisses- too sweet!

Fall Fun

I always enjoy & appreciate visitors but I know I do even more while James is gone. Tuesday we had great success at PWOC- My Mom helped with taking a snack for PWOC & I got my cloth diaper back from last week. (Last week I'd been surprised to find C wearing a disposal diaper and no dirty cloth one in his bag. We went out in the pouring rain to try to find the diaper but didn't. We were very glad to get it back this week. And also glad that it wasn't a dirty diaper that sat there all week!) Then off to the grocery store- amazing how much you need to buy when you don't go to the store for 3 weeks & are expecting 5 wonderful guests next week! We also did some pumpkin painting- even T joined in the painting.

After lunch, Nana & boys napped while I went to my first OB appointment. I love to hear the baby's heartbeat- 150-160 yesterday. (Some say they means a - we'll see.) The Dr did recommend I see the perinatologist just based on my history- something about 3 C-sections, vasa previa, ...

We went on several bike rides around the neighborhood to enjoy the beautiful fall weather & to tire out little boys. After napping, we went to the fair. The boys had a blast! we watched Joe Clown juggle, the boys took driving lessons & got their Toddler driving licenses, saw lots of cows, pigs, & chickens. They picked apples & potatoes & gathered eggs and got up enough courage to ride the ponies- but not the camels! After dinner of corn dogs, Chinese, & fried banana pudding, the boys did their favorite thing: ride the cars! Everyone was sad to leave but had a great time!

Beginning of Fall

What a good weekend. Grandma came on Saturday and Nana last night. The boys were very excited to see them both. Of course, they asked each "Where's Uncle Brian?" and "where's Papa?" & "are they coming next time?" K said he wanted to wait up for Nana to arrive but thankfully they both went to sleep.
Monday morning after guess what- yes oatmeal again, another morning with the "peach teacher." K got to go fishing after doing his letter cards. T practiced saying bye-bye with Nana while C did lots of puzzles. Afterwards we went back to Mazarick Park where we'll do our Sophie's Walk for Vasa Previa next week. Our trip didn't quite go as planned (I couldn't get the pedometer to work, T didn't think he should nap in his stroller, & K was surprisingly sure a long bike ride wasn't in his plan for the day), but it was beautiful out and I'm excited about having our walk there next week. T has been showing what a good walker he is now, which helped tire him out for all of us to take good naps.

I woke up Nana & C so they would be able to sleep tonight :) and then we headed to West Produce. There are pumpkins there & mums now. The boys always love seeing the animals. Today we got to see the pig, cows, & sheep right up close and the new baby chicks. Then the boys & I enjoyed playing outside while Nana made dinner! The boys picked some tomatoes which we ate with dinner.

Worn Out Boys

I guess after getting up before 7, a soccer game, playing with grandma, no nap, playing outside, and 2 mile bike ride little boys were very tired. I didn't hear a peep from K & C when I put them to bed at 7. We all had another really good day. I had to dig out jeans for C & T for the first time since the weather dropped down from mid 80s last Saturday to maybe 60 today. C was pretty sure that he should be able to play in the game; somehow the sidelines didn't sound like where he wanted to be. T was happy to have grandma to rescue him from the captivity of the stroller. They both attempted to make their soccer playing debuts. K had a blast playing today. Last week I think he confused being a guard (I hope that's the right word) with staying still. This week, he didn't stay still at all; it wasn't necessarily running towards the ball, but he was moving around and excited. Fun is what it's about when you're 4.
Since grandma called this week and said she was coming down, K has been making suggestions about where I should go. He was very excited when I said I was going to a baby shower and I was equally excited to go to a baby shower without 3 little helpers. I knew they were having a good time with grandma and I was able to eat lunch & have whole conversations with friends. It was so nice! My friend Paula is having twin baby s and Heather did a wonderful decorating job! I'd never seen so much pink!
We showed Grandma our "Daddy's Far Far Away" DVD- K is getting very good at keeping up with the pages. Then saw Grandma off and played out in the yard. The boys ate the last apples off our tree and we headed on our longest bike ride yet. Dinner, baths, & right to bed and the beautiful sound of sleeping boys! We are so thankful for all our blessings!

Even more blessings!

You can tell I'm not really computer savvy by seeing these captionless photos that aren't where I meant them to be. So here are my captions: who knew grits were finger food, here's another favorite daily game: hide & seek, look at all my baking: bread, focaccia, monkey bread (which needs a new name bc it's too healthy to be called that!)

Other than my computer struggles, we are really being blessed. We had another absolutely beautiful day- perfect weather! We went to a playgroup in our neighborhood Thursday morning. K & C rode their bikes all the way there & back- watch out Lance! I was so proud of them. They had a blast playing with the other kids, played together nicely outside after lunch, and took very good naps! K & C had a good time at K's soccer practice. Apparently T worked up quite an appetite playing in the dirt. He ate 3 pieces of pizza at Jeff & Jenean's house after practice.

Would you believe that we were invited to another friend's house for dinner again tonight- three nights in a row! Wow- we are so blessed! And on top of Janelle's frequent phone calls to check on us, a wonderful woman from PWOC who I don't know very well called tonight. She said she remembered I said I thought Friday nights would be my hardest times so she called. How sweet!

Today was our first Fun Friday. The kids had a great time & it was fun to be there with old & new friends. We went to Honeycutt Park. C climbed to the very top of the big kids' rockwall- then he realized it's harder to go down than up. T thought he's ready to get out of his stroller & onto the playground. K did so much running around that he napped again today- yeah! He's been coming up with lots of questions/ thoughts about heaven lately- like today's "do we need our fingernails cut in heaven? what about our hair?" and "I don't think there are any flies in heaven."

I'm also excited that I learned a new way to make steel cut oats. I saw a recommendation to soak the oats overnight. They take less time to cook and I read that "soaking cracked or rolled cereal grains overnight in warm water will vastly improve their nutritional benefits.”

"To ask why a good God would allow suffering is like asking why would a doctor put a needle in the backside of a baby with a needle to innoculate them? ... God is a God of purpose. Although the purposes for suffering may be hidden from us in this present life, His reasons are always wise, specific, and good." JONI EARECKSON TADA

Blessings

I'm trying this video upload again- T is getting to be such a good little walker. We had a good day today. The weather was our first great fall day. We had eggs for breakfast which K requested to have again on Saturday so his "legs would be strong for soccer." Then we played outside. T is getting fast. He raced up and down the driveway while the boys rode bikes and made pinecone scarecrows. All his racing tired him out for a couple hour nap which the big boys loved so we could do preschool. We did dry erase boards, blocks, puzzles, and drawing. Then we went on a long bike ride- the boys did great. K even did good going down the hills. He prayed for God to help him like He helped Gideon. He was so excited. He wanted to go down the big hill over & over. He said next time we need the camera. Hungry boys sure eat well- T wolfed down lots of broccoli. We were so blessed by dear friends who invited us for dinner & mowed our grass. We had a great dinner and the boys loved playing with friends. We're so thankful to have such good friends!