Looking back

This post is long overdue. I guess that is what summer does to you...or maybe keeping up with kids...or maybe just because I am a blogging slacker. Well, anyways...back in June my brother and his family followed the Lord's leading and began their adventure in Texas. It has been surreal to think that they have moved halfway across the US. Boy, my family sure does like to spread out. My dad in Tennessee, brothers in Texas, mom in north Idaho. It gets lonely around here without family, but maybe that is why God called me to have such a big one...we keep things exciting! I am really going to miss my brother and his family. It brought me great joy knowing that my house was a favorite for the kids. I am excited to see what God has planned for them...as their story of getting there is pretty amazing.

Quack Quacks!

It is funny how once summer begins the kids start to get up earlier. I realize that most of this comes from the sun rising earlier, but for me, getting up early is not so bad when you don't have to. Funny how that works. Anyways, lately the kids have been rising earlier, which makes our mornings much longer. It has been fun to have time to do more things in the mornings. Today, after our chores, breakfast, and devotions were all finished we headed to Wilson Creek pond to feed the ducks...or quack quacks, as Hallie calls them! Our bread was still a bit frozen from the freezer (if bread is starting to go bad, I label the bag Ducks and store it in the freezer), but it did not stop my kids from having a blast feeding the ducks.

Summer is here!

I am so thankful that summer is here now! Winter and 1st trimesters of pregnancy often bring the blues to me, but summer (and 2nd trimesters) often help brighten my day and blow those dark clouds away...nice rhyme! We have finished up school for the year and are taking our summer break for the month of June. We usually start back again in July because we only do school 4 days a week and since we have a baby coming in October, we will also break then. We still enjoy summer during July and August...that is one of the joys of homeschooling! Recently, my dad gave my children a new swing set for all of their birthdays this year. Our old swing set was purchased for Katelyn when she turned 2. The teeter totter and a swing were both broken. We still have it up with our new one, but that is how one rolls with a house full of children! The kids have really enjoyed it...especially since there are now enough swings for everyone! I have been looking forward to June for a while now! Now that we are more free during the day, we can go to the park (we often eat lunch there), take walks, get kiddy cones at Arctic Circle, visit the library, zoo, aquarium, and even go bowling with our kids-bowl-free passes! We are also going to Genesis camp this year...I am taking Katelyn and Josh is taking Brenden. My children are also going to VBS at Bethel...I will probably hang out...I have never left them there...I just love VBS! Well, that is about all I can think of for this random post. **Our new swing set also comes with another teeter totter (hanging type), but the company gave us the wrong screws for it, so it will not be added until we can head to the tool store. :)

His first missing tooth!

Brenden lost his first tooth...he had wiggled it for days and then one day was eating a peice of candy and out it came. He was so excited and ran to show me his empty space in his mouth. When I asked him where his tooth was he responded, "Oh, I threw it in the garbage." I had to laugh. What kid throws their tooth in the garbage? I guess he didn't know about the tooth fairy. We tried to find it, but you can ony dig in a garbage so deep. He really didn't seem to mind. He now has another loose tooth. We will see what he does this time. :)

Happy 9th Birthday Katelyn!

It is hard to believe that my little girl is 9 now. I will admit that 9 doesn't seem that old...but 10 is a little scary. I guess that is what makes 9 harder...so close to the double digits! This year for Katelyn's birthday she chose to have two playdates with her two homeschooled friends. I guess that is one of the joys of homeschooling...you don't have to work around the school schedules. The evenings and weekend were busy with other commitments, so during the weekdays were our only options...I am glad she has a few friends that homeschool. In the evening we went out for milkshakes to celebrate her. (We also got together earlier in the week with my family for tacos and strawberry shortcake). Katelyn is such a joy to our family. As the oldest, she is a wonderful helper and big sister. She loves to play with her siblings. She is wonderful at using her imagination and making things Katelyn is finishing up 3rd grade and enjoys reading. Some of her favorites: Food: Pasta Alfredo and Mother tacos (family recipe) Game: I Spy Toy: Squinkies (this is a new favorite) Animal: Fish Activity: Art School subject: Reading Movie/TV show: Duggars (19 kids and counting) Color: Blue Book: The Cul-de-sac Kids Bible verse: Matthew 28: 19-20 (The Great Commission) Katelyn desires to be a photographer and missionary when she grows up. She is kind, fun, loving, reserved, and silly...and she loves Jesus with all her heart! .

Happy Easter

Happy First Birthday Garrett!

You are probably thinking that this blog is all about Garrett...or that he is my favorite. Neither are true, though I do think he is very adorable...and I like him A LOT! The truth is, I am really sick with this pregnancy and am not motivated to do much...even blog. But, it will get better! For Garrett's birthday we...enjoyed an evening at home eating Fondue and cupcakes. Garrett loved his cupcake and ate every bite...except the small bite Hallie stole after finishing hers. Garrett is getting 4 teeth on the top, so he has been a little "under the weather" lately. He also has a cold and cough, poor guy. He is now drinking out of a sippy cup, and even drank milk out of it today. He still loves to nurse, but I think most of his calorie intake comes from food...he eats anything and everything...and lots of it! He is his daddy's son! After cupcakes, Josh gave Garrett a much needed haircut...oh he is so adorable! Happy Birthday day little man! I love you so much!