Wordless Wednesday

"Come jump with me, Bubba!"

This is so me!

Have you ever tried to explain how you feel, but just can't find the words? I have been struggling with feeling like a bad mom lately because I don't feel capable of fulfilling all the needs my kids have. It eats at me when I forget to pack Grace a snack or have to chose Grace's soccer practice over Jonathon's football practice not to mention that Ella just seems lost in the shuffle. I have no idea how I will function when the new baby gets here! This morning I read a post on Lysa TerKeurst's blog that finally put into words what I have been struggling with. If you have a moment and are a mom, read it. I think you will be able to relate.

Hypocrites!

Okay, we are hypocrites! We caved and found out what we are having. Now the dilemma is should we tell? I will give you a hint- Ella was so upset that she threw herself on the floor and cried for 20 minutes. Any guesses? :)

Updated!- We really didn't have a choice about finding out; he was not shy! I was on the fence about finding out because we never have and this is the LAST baby, so it's now or never. I kinda like it! Ella is coming around. Now she says, "Jesus gave us a boy." It sounds like she has shifted the blame from her mom to the Almighty. :) So there you have it- we are having a BOY!

Football Fever!

Down! Set!

Following the play- get him Big Jon!

getting the play

doing his job as a lineman

in the middle of it all

This past Saturday was our initiation into the real world of football- the jamboree. I have to admit that I am excited that he LOVES it! After the game, Jonathon said, "that was fun!" He did well and never came off the field! Because it is his 1st year, he is still learning, but on offensive, he protected the QB and on defensive, he found someone to block each play. Go #77!
Some of the other fans thought it was funny that I was screaming "Hit somebody, son!" What can I say, I am a supportive parent! :)

Happy Friday!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

1. my husbands broad shoulders to cry on
2. pregnant friends who will listen and understand
3. this sweet baby growing inside me
4. my girls bedtime routine- lots of hugs and kisses
5. a good first day back to MMO
6. friends coming over for lunch
7. Les had a safe one day trip to New Jersey
8. one payment left on the van!
9. God is in control, because I am really bad at it!
10. my family- each of them are true blessings!

Wordless Wednesday

dancing with daddy!

Our Sweet Baby

Today was our ultrasound and as you can tell we have a beautiful baby! The tech said everything looked great and we are right on schedule! I never get past the amazing feeling of watching my baby on the screen moving around. Now I am even more in love!

Run, kids. Run!

Jonathon and Grace had a fund raiser at school this year that was different (thank goodness! I hate selling junk- no offense PTO people!). They had to get pledges for laps they would run in the Fun Run. On the day of the run, parents were encouraged to come and cheer them on. It was fun! Grace noticed that we were there! Look at that smile!

They had to get a mark each lap to keep count.

I did it!!!

Run Big Jon!

Ella giving her Bubba a high five

They both did well! Grace ran 26 laps and Jonathon ran 28. Ella enjoyed the music, the bam sticks and the free bagel. Lucky for me they ran back to back, because it was hot!

A slight problem

I think we may have a problem if baby #4 turns out to be a boy. Ella is absolutely convinced that it is a girl. So much so that she doesn't even call it a baby anymore, but calls it Sarah. The other day she walked up to me and said, "when Sarah comes out of your tummy. . ." and today we went shopping at The Children' Place and she went directly to the baby girl section and picked out a pair of pink striped pants and pink shirt and brought them to me and said, "our baby needs these!" She wanted no part of my explanation that our baby may be a boy. It took me 5 minutes to convince her to put them back! No I am starting to think that we may need to find out so we have time to prepare Ella if she is having a brother. What do you think? Should I find out and make the transition smooth, or just wait and let her deal with it in January?

Being Ella

watching Phinneus and Ferb on the way to G and Gpa's

crashed!

dancing or as she says "doing her moves"

getting some love from Aunt Elizabeth

throwing rocks in the creek

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

1. My husband- he is amazing!
2. Swiss Rolls
3. cereal in the AM
4. Ella's laughter
5. tomorrow is payday
6. softball tonight- if the rain holds off
7. the house is kinda clean
8. Jonathon- he really is a good kid!
9. Grace- she is so herself
10. Ella- she always knows when Mommy needs a hug.

Wordless Wednesday

"Daddy, are you coming?"

Pictures from the weekend

My kiddos enjoying the great outdoors.

the kids with Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle James (Les' brother and sister)

Dad's version of a group picture

Busy beyond belief!!

We have been so busy lately! In the last 3 days we have been going non-stop! Here's a little recap:

Friday- we left at 8:30pm for a quick trip home for Les' moms birthday party (2 & 1/2 hours in the van) We stayed with my parents and no one went to bed before 12:30!
Saturday- Everyone up by 8 (I did not sleep well, I had a head cold and got hot during the night- not a good combination!) We all got ready and left for lunch at my brother's house at 10:30. Before lunch Les and my brother took Jonathon to the football field to work on tackling (Uncle J is the football expert in the family, and he said Jonathon had "what it takes!). We ate lunch, and the kids wrestled in the floor until we left to go visit my grandparents. We hung out with my grandparents for a little while ( the kids played with the puppy that my papa was trying to send home with us, picked apples and peaches off the fruit trees and I tried to take a nap in the swing- didn't happen). We left there and went to the surprise birthday party. It was really nice. Les' mom did not know we were coming so it brought her to tears to see us. The party was at a state park, so the kids had fun exploring and throwing rocks in the creek. Les took them for a walk over the swinging bridge (this was coincidentally the exact same time we were cleaning up) and they found 2 snakes. They were small and on rocks in the water. Close enough for me! We left the party and went to drop off the bunk beds that had been riding on top of our van since Friday night at Les' sister's house. Then we were on our way home; we arrived a little after 11. Whew!
Sunday- Sunday morning was church (I am a very big part of the children's SS program called Uptown and I have to be at church at 8:40am). After church, we came home and rested before returning to church Sunday night for a marriage class (I really enjoyed it!) Then it was home for showers and bed!
Monday- Up at 6:30 to get everyone off to school and work. Ella and I left the house at 7:35 to run errands before I had a meeting at church for MMO. We stayed there until a little after 12 preparing for tonight's Open House. We came home, ate lunch, did some laundry and dishes, and left at 2:25 to pick up kids at school. I hate the pick up line!! We came home, ate snack and started homework. G and V got picked up (two children I was watching and the reason we were in the car line) and we got ready for the evening's sports. Grace had soccer at 530 (we had a shin guard issue; she could only find 1! Thankfully we were able to borrow some from a friend who lives on the way to practice). I helped with her practice, did devotions and assisted with another practice at 630 and did devotions for that group also. Jonathon had practice at 630 at a different location (of course!), so Les picked up Jonathon and Ella and headed to football, but he took my van which had my clothes in it for my 730 softball game! Grace and I raced from the soccer field to football practice. I gave Grace to Les and changed clothes in the van. I arrived 15 minutes late (not too bad considering) and got to play most of the game. I played well! I hit a grand slam, a double and a single. The game was played the entire time in the rain! We won and are supposed to play tonight, but it has been raining hard all day, so I doubt we will play, which is good because I am so sore I can barely walk!

Told you we have been busy! I won't even start on the rest of the week! :)

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for :

1. kids who love going to school
2. Jonathon loves football.
3. we like both of their teachers
4. 6 game winning streak for the Orange
5. dinner with friends last night
6. Victory Soccer starts Monday
7. Uptown was a huge success
8. meeting the bus with Ella- she is so funny!
9. my 1st grader
10. my 5th grader*

*just for the record, I am NOT old enough to have a 5th grader! :)

First Day

Mom survived saying good bye on the first morning and they both had a great day. Here are my school kids heading out the door.

getting in the car

in the car

Watch out world, here they come!

Wordless Wednesday

The final summer activity - a lemonade stand!

Football is for big boys!

Nobody asked me if my little boy could grow up and play with the big boys! Our first football practice was a huge success! Jonathon loved it! He gave his all. Just like every little boy, he wanted to try out for quarterback, but I really think he is destined for the line. I am so proud of him. To see what he really thought of football, click on the top photo and check out his face- total focus.