Christmas 2017!

I'm afraid I did not get many pictures from Christmas this year.  But, we had a wonderful time with Peter's family.  It was nice to have a relaxing Christmas after the travel over Thanksgiving.  It was such a blast to dress baby girl in her first Christmas dress!

They said it was the best Thanksgiving ever!

...and it was!  From cousins, to aunts, uncles, grandparents and great grandparents.  We all had such a blast reconnecting with the far-away crew.

Everly and Eliana checking each other out!

My beautiful sister, Jane!

Harrison cousins!!!

Mom and dad with baby Eliana.

Children's museum.  Need I say more?

Bath time in Aunt Janessa's sink!

Cousin Aden.  Conrad had it out for him, but Aden handled Conrad quite cheerfully!

Catching up with a dear friend was a highlight of this trip for me.

The lodge!!  The boys loved this place, and would have happily lived here.

It's a beautiful spot in pike county/

Got to visit my 98 year old grandmother.

Exploring the land around the lodge.

What a treat for us to spend this time with my family!  I hope it works out again in 2018!

What's not to love about fall?

building and creating

Marcus is my kid who loves to make things.  Whether it's towers, crafts, food or books, he's happiest when creating.

Godliness with Contentment is Great Gain!

For the last 10 years we've lived in a house in town.  It's always been a dream of mine to get out of town a bit, to give my kids some more room to roam, and just because it's what I grew up with and know.  In a recent conversation with God, I realized that I need to be more thankful for the many blessings that He has given us right here, right now.  I do think that it's okay to want something different so long as it doesn't lead to coveting, jealousy, etc., but I also think that God would have me delight in His provision and be content with it.  I was thinking about these things as I walked with the kids a few nights ago.  We live about half a mile from a middle school and we often walk there to use the space and running track.

There's space to be free!

Space to scooter around....fast!

Room to work on those biking skills.

There's the big climbing hill...

and my little runners in training.

God does love us, and He provides so well.  I'm thankful for His many blessings!

Embracing the Season

We have the 4 boys in two different rooms, but one of the bedrooms is on the main level, one is upstairs near mom and dad.  Our oldest has been battling some imaginary fears at night, to the point of serious anxiety every night, and so we moved him upstairs and moved our 3rd down.  Lately the two in the downstairs room have been dealing with some fears.  They started a sleepover up altogether in one room a week ago, and they are still having their sleepover.  The room's a disaster, and it's crowded, but the boys are so happy and at peace that I don't mind the crowding and the mess so much.  I'll just enjoy the tidy, empty room downstairs.

Enjoying Fall

It actually still feels like summer, but we have been enjoying fall.  It's a busy time, but the structure of school and school related activities has been good for all of us.  Our co-op has started up.  This year I'm mostly with the preschoolers.  It's a fun group, and it's been rewarding to observe the changes in these kiddos as they grow.  Conrad has taken more of an interest in participating this year which surprises me, but is also blessing for me as I juggle teaching and baby girl.  Isaac can't get enough of co-op and soccer.  Friday is their favorite day, and they look forward to it all week.  Soccer has been hard because it's been near 90 degrees for the last 5 weeks of practice.  It's building character, I say.  I've also been coaching soccer which is not something that I would have seen myself doing, but it has turned out to be fun!

I'll have to take some soccer photos and add them soon.  

1st dentist appointment

fire arm training

We want our boys to learn to use weapons with skill.  We also want them to be safe and wise as they use them.

They have a good example here.

Newborn photos

I was blessed to win an infant photo shoot when Eliana was born.  Here are some of my favorites.  She's 5 days old in these.

She's changed so much in 3 short months!!

We love her so much!