Christmas Evening

Christmas evening was spent at Matt's Aunt and Uncle's house for an extended family gathering. The kids enjoyed opening gifts (yet again) and playing with their 2 cousins from Indy and Matt's cousin's kids as well. By the end of the night, everyone was ready for a good night's sleep!

Christmas Day - Home and The Weatherton's

We always start Christmas Day with the reading of "Jesus's birth" from the Bible, and this year Noah and Matt shared the responsibilities of the reading!

Christmas morning is spent at home opening gifts, just the five of us.





This year Hope and Faith each received a Snowflake Necklace reminding them that twins are like Snowflakes, no two are alike!



All three of the kids love to watch the "High School Musical" Movies, so they each got one for Christmas...



After the traditional egg casserole breakfast, and playing with some new gifts, we head next door to my parents for Christmas with the Weatherton's.

After lunch, (a "full" Christmas lunch of ham, turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, sweet potatoes, broccoli/cauliflower with cheese, rolls, red cake, "Christmas Tea", and a few other items I am sure I missed), the afternoon is spent opening gifts and playing Bingo together as a family.

The kids love spending time with their grandparents and cousins (and their aunt and uncle as well)!

Christmas Eve - Church

Christmas Eve Evening (?) was spent at Church for an hour of worship and fellowship. This year while the "Christmas Story" was being read from the Bible, some of the children were asked to be in the Live Nativity. Noah had been a Wise Man for the children's nativity program, so he was asked to participate in this one as well. We left the decision up to him, and he decided it was something he wanted to do.

It was a great evening spent together as a family, and we kept our family traditions alive by ending the evening watching "White Christmas" when we got home with their new pajama's on.

Christmas Eve - Lunch at The Brown's

Christmas Eve day is spent with Matt's side of the family, usually for lunch, at his parent's house. Lunch consists of whatever sounds good to people at that time, and lunch that day happened to be Ham Salad sandwich's, chips, pretzels and dip, and ice cream for dessert. It is just the 5 of us with his mom and dad when we get together, and the kids enjoyed opening their gifts and spending some time at their house.

A quick stop at the mall...

While out running errands today, the girls and I made a quick stop at the mall. While there, Hope and Faith saw an older man with a face painting cart set up in the center circle. They both asked if they could get their cheek painted...the prices were such a steal I couldn't say "No"! Each butterfly cost a total of 50 cents! A much better "prize" than something you could get out of a gumball machine!

Santa Claus

This year Matt once again "played" Santa at a Christmas party for the Boys and Girls Club of Nappannee put on by Interra Credit Union. Noah had such a great time last year, that he decided to miss his swimming party at church to go along and "play" Santa's helper. He had just as much fun as the other children, and stayed until Grandma Weatherton was done helping and ready to go home.

All three kids wanted to get their picture taken with "Santa Claus" before they left for the party!

Grandparents day

The girls had a great time at Grandparents Day with both Grandma Weatherton and Grandma Brown. The children sang some songs, ate cookies, made gingerbread houses and showed their grandparents around.

Cookie Decorating Day

I took all the kids to school this morning so I could help in Mrs. Snider's class (Hope's teacher) at 8 am. For the next hour I wrapped her Christmas gifts she would be giving to the children later in the week, and then had to attach a candy cane and bow on the outside of each gift.

At 9 am, I moved over to Mrs. Davies class (Faith's teacher) where I would be helping the rest of the morning...It was cookie decorating day! All the cookies that were being served at Grandparent's Day tomorrow had to be decorated with frosting and sprinkles. Another mom and I took turns helping the groups of 4-5 children that were sent down to the cafeteria. After each child decorated 4-5 cookies, they were allowed to lick the frosting off the Popsicle stick they had been using. That was the best part of the morning for most of the kids!

College Football Hall of Fame

Sunday while us girls were at the "Theater", Matt and Noah headed over to Southbend to the College Football Hall of Fame. They had been wanting to go for some time, and this was the perfect opportunity. They both had on their Ohio State jersey's, and Noah was so excited, this would be his first time there.

Surprisingly, it was not that busy for a Sunday afternoon! They even had special activities going on for Christmas, and Noah got to decorate and eat a Christmas cookie!

A note from Matt:

Noah and I had a blast together! It was fun having a day where it was just us guys. I enjoyed watching Noah explore all the history of college football. Plus, we happened to go during a time where they had the "Bucks and the Blue" exhibit. It was a special room designated for experiencing the rich tradition of the Ohio State/Michigan rivalry (which Ohio State has dominated the last decade).

Of course the best part was being with our son and having a chance to talk to him. He's a great kid and I look forward to spending more one-on-one time with him in the future. Noah you're awesome and I love you!

The Sound of Music

Sunday afternoon, after church, the girls and I went to Wagon Wheel Theater in Warsaw to see The Sound of Music with my parents. An old family friend, Jennie Sophia Yoder Grunseth was performing as Maria, and her mom, Susan Hepler Yoder was performing as the Mother Abbess.

The girls faces were smiling when they realized we were in the 4th row...they couldn't believe we were so close (last time they had sat a few rows back). Grandma and Grandpa made sure they had snacks for the performance, and they looked so grown up sitting there.

The girls had seen Jennie perform in Cinderella, and were excited to see her in this as well. They were on the edge of their seats throughout the performance...I am excited to think I have 2 future theater attenders in the family!

After the show, when they were getting their picture taken with "Maria" (Jennie), they were happy to hear she would stop by soon for another visit!

Thanksgiving Cont...

Thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving this year was held at my brother's house in Bronson, MI. The kids had a ton of fun playing with their cousins - Noah and Dillan had fun playing the Game Cube, and the girls had fun dressing up. Matt even enjoyed a short time of playing the Game Cube with Cory after the boys were done with it!

We were originally expecting to have Turkey or Lamb for lunch, whichever was missing from their pasture when we arrived. Cory hadn't had time to "prepare" the lamb or the turkey that week, so we had stuffed pork loin, which was out of this world!! Desert was celebrated with a cake for my niece, Eliza, whose birthday had been in October.

All in all it was a wonderful day. Every time we go to their house, the kids love to see the deer in the fields close by where they live. We were not disappointed on the way home!

Christmas Cards and Followers!

Christmas cards were finished and mailed a few days ago! Woohoo!!! That is such a good feeling...although I did not do a nice "family letter" this year, I did include this blog site, so hopefully we will have a few new people stopping in to read!

It's always nice to know who is reading the blog, so if you haven't done it yet, please click on the "Follow" button on the left hand side and follow the instructions. This will allow me to see who is reading our blog, and it will also let you know when I have made a new post! If you have any problems, contact me and I can help.

Thanks,

And happy reading!

My Birthday...

My parents surprised me by getting me lunch from Dandino's, a Lobster Tail meal, one of my favorites! They also got the cake that my kids gave to me that night after one of my other favorite meals, Take-Out Chinese! I received many wonderful things, all of which were things I had been needing. I love getting practical gifts!

Church Christmas Musical Pictures

Will it ever end?

Yesterday morning (Sunday), Hope woke up with a stomach ache. Matt was already staying home with Noah so he could get some extra rest, we didn't want him missing the church musical last night.

Faith and I went on to church by ourselves, she helped me teach the 1st grade class during first hour. I kept her with me while I went to service 2nd hour, I had left my "ID Card" at home, which I needed to show to pick her up out of her class if I put her in.

Needless to say, Hope threw up while we were at church that morning, and continued to do so the rest of the day, all while running a fever. I stayed home with her last night during the musical and Matt took the other two. Faith looked so grown up in her Christmas dress - I told Hope she would be able to wear her same dress next Sunday.

Long story short? The Christmas musical went well, and Faith ended up throwing up about 2 hours after they got home from it...and continued all through the night.

I am slowing down and close to running on empty, which could explain the "jilted" writing this morning. I have been battling some type of sinus cold myself, and can somewhat feel the flu coming on. I just keep "pushing" that feeling down, I cannot get sick right now, life must go on!

You may have noticed...

I have a second blog, One Day at a Time. This blog is my personal exercise/weight loss/"spiritual" blog, and you are welcome to follow it and post your thoughts or your own struggles. Sometimes as women we just need that little thing we can call our own, and this is mine. It may not always be pretty, but it's my life and my struggles, and I am taking it One Day at a Time!

www.givemetoday.blogspot.com

Once again...

I am home for the 2nd day with a sick child. Wednesday Noah came home from school with a stomach ache, I didn't think too much about it though at the time. All three kids had received the H1N1 shot at school that day, so I figured his stomach had been tied up in knots for several days in anticipation of the shot. On the way to church that evening, he kept complaining that it still didn't feel good, so he and Matt stayed in the church library that night while the girls and I went to class.

Then it happened later that night...12:30 am I was awoken by Noah saying he just threw up. He slept peacefully until 6:30 when it happened again, and by then he was running a slight fever. Long story short...he ran a fever all day with it finally breaking around midnight last night. At one point he was .4 degrees away from going to the emergency room, they thought it might be a side affect/reaction to the shot. But, thankfully, it never came to that point. He appears to be fine this morning, no fever, but has not been fever free for 24 hours, so he cannot return to school today.

Due to this stomach bug/flu, he had to miss the 2nd and 3rd grade Christmas Musical (Santa Goes Green) at school that he has been working so hard on. He had a solo part this year, and was going to be an evergreen tree. Needless to say, he was devastated when he found out he wasn't going to be able to participate.

We ended up renting "Santa Buddies" for the kids to watch last night, to try to take his mind off what he was missing. I think it is actually a blessing that he is missing school today, hopefully all the talk of last nights musical will have died down by Monday...

I am Thankful for...

Individuality. God has made each and every one of us unique and different in our own way - there are no two alike. I often have to remind myself of this when it comes to Hope and Faith, our identical twins. Even though they look very much alike, they have their own personalities and even their own set of fingerprints!

Have you ever stopped to think how boring everyday life would be if we were all the same? If we all looked the same, talked the same, liked the same things, wouldn't you get tired of it all? God knew this and in his infinite wisdom decided to spice things up for us by creating us all different! (Shondra's translation!)

I hope you enjoy today, Thanksgiving Day...spend some time with your family, slow things down a bit and learn to relax. Depending on where you live, if you happen to see snowflakes today, I dare you to try and find 2 that are exactly alike!

Thankful for another year of life...

How cheesy does that sound? :) I really am thankful for another year of life because we are not guaranteed a certain number of days or years here on earth. Every day God gives me to spend with my family and loved ones is an added blessing.

Thankful for...

the wonderful weather today. After church this morning, I was able to get a few things done while the kids rode their bikes and played in the driveway.

Now if I could just get a few more things done before the snow flies on Thanksgiving!

Thankful...

Today I am thankful for Noah's ability to memorize scripture, and participate in Bible Quizzing. So many times as a parent I can get caught up in the "competition" aspect of it, and lose sight of what really matters.

Noah spends at least 20 minutes each night studying his quiz questions, and memorizing them. He is on a team of 4 boys, 4 of them quiz at a time against another church. There are rankings/standings for them as individuals, and rankings/standings for them as a team also. Individually, your goal is to end up in the top 15 at the end of the 6 month season (out of roughly 80 some children). The top 15 are the ones that receive a plaque with their name and place standing engraved on it. Noah's 1st year he just missed the top 15, but received the "Top Gun" plaque, which he was thrilled about. Last year he placed 10th as an individual and his team was in the top 2 at the end of the season.

After the first quiz meet in October this past month, Noah was ranked 5th as an individual. We knew it would be hard to hold that position with 5 months of quizzing remaining and did not want to get caught up in the competitiveness of it. Now, don't get me wrong, the drive of competition is not a bad thing, but it can get in the way of what truly matters. Over the past month, I have come to realize that what is important is that Noah is "hiding God's word in his heart", something that he will be able to recall and lean on in years to come. And just in case I lose sight of that, God gently reminded me at today's quiz meet. Although Noah knows his "material", he did not do well at jumping today. If you are not a fast jumper, the 7 other children you are quizzing against are going to buzz in faster and be able to answer the question. I am 100% positive that Noah knew the answer to every question that was asked in his matches today...but he got the first jump on only a handful of questions out of the 80 that were asked.

Needless to say, he is going to go down in the standings. Does that hurt as a parent? Yes, it does. Do we let that define him as a quizzer and as a person? No, we do not. He is learning God's word, and can still recall what he has memorized in the past 2 years he has been in quizzing.

I am so proud of him for what he is doing, and Lord please help me not to lose sight of that.

Isaiah 40:11

"He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young."

Even though my kids are getting older, this is still a favorite passage from the Bible of mine. It is a nice reminder that we are not alone in raising our children, that He is always with us.

Thankful for...

Days when no one is sick and everyone is where they should be!

Where has the week gone? I have missed a few days of being thankful for posts, but with good reasons!

Tuesday morning Hope said she didn't feel good, her throat, tummy and head hurt. I took her temp and it was barely 99, but decided to let her stay home anyway. Wise decision! The rest of the morning she ended up running a temp of 103 and was miserable. I had made an appointment for Wed. morning at 8:30, but by 3:30 Tuesday afternoon I decided we could not wait that long. I knew she had strep throat and wanted her to be tested so we would know for sure. As my husband likes to remind me, I am not a medical doctor, I just play one at home. But seriously, when your family has had strep as much as we have, you get really good at self-diagnosing it!

The Dr.'s office said they could work us in at 3:45, so off we went. On the way there, Hope was feeling more nauseous than earlier and wanted to have a plastic bag...just in case. So in we walk to the Dr.'s, plastic bag and all! Long story short? She was diagnosed with Strep Throat and was given a prescription for an antibiotic, and also received a shot to help with the nausea.

For some strange reason, I was told to keep her home from school for 48 hours (not our normal 24 hrs), so she ended up missing Tues-Wed-Thurs. Today was her first day back...which leads me to my thankful post!

Days when children are home sick, unexpected errands come up, or you are just plain busy...they happen all the time (at least in our house). You forget how nice it is to have a day with nothing planned, or just to have your day go as you originally planned it to.

My day today? I'm off to a Bible/Book study, picking up the girls from their friend's house, maybe putting up my parent's Christmas tree, and an evening relaxing with some Cook's Pizza! Noah has his second quiz meet tomorrow at Pleasanthill Missionary Church in Bronson, Michigan, so we will be gone most of the day (my brother is the pastor of that church, so we are hoping to visit with family also - no telling when we may get home).

Upward's Basketball and Cheerleading

This past Saturday was evaluation day for Upward's Basketball and Cheerleading at our church. Noah has played before, but this was the girl's first experience with the program this year.

Both Hope and Faith have been talking about Cheerleading, and what friends from school would be joining. When we arrived at the church on Saturday, they had to get fitted for their cheer outfits, and then learn a few cheers while the parents sat in a meeting. The cheer coach's are former cheerleader's/coaches, and their assistant's are middle school/high school cheerleader's that were handpicked for their position. This is the first year our church is doing the cheerleading part of Upward's, and everyone seems to be very excited for it.

Now I on the other hand...Well, lets just say my one and only experience with cheering was in 5th grade for one year. My sport was swimming...give me a pool, goggles, and a swim cap and I am very much at home. I watched the cheerleader's from afar at football and basketball games in high school, and know that the "sport" can be a difficult one for the girls that are involved with it. I am hoping that my girls will enjoy it while they are young, and try other sports as they get older until they find the one that fits them.

Noah had no problem going through his basketball evaluation, he did the drills that were asked of him and is looking forward to the season starting in January. His biggest thing is wondering who is going to be on his team this year!

Thankful for Seasons...

I am very thankful for Indiana's changing seasons. I love fall and summer, with winter and spring to follow! Even though there are times when I am in a particular season that I may be grumbling about it, I love them all!

Years ago when I lived in Florida as a Nanny, I realized how much I missed seeing the changing weather. While growing up in Indiana, I never gave the season much thought. The old saying is true, You never realize what you have until it is gone!

Thankful for...

Today's technology. Even though today's technology can be overwhelming and often cause more headaches, I am thankful for computer's and cell phone's. If used properly, they can help make life a little easier...

Thankful for...

The weekend! Sometimes I just really look forward to the weekend, when everyone is home and we are just hanging out. It's a nice break in our schedule, and we can usually get some things done around the house!

Thankful for the stars...

This morning I was driving home in the dark and I noticed the stars. Yes, they are always there, but rarely do I notice them. Sometimes I get so caught up in the busyness of life that unless I stop what I am doing and be intentional about something, so many things can pass me by.

As I was looking at the stars I was reminded of a song by Chris Tomlin, "Indescribable". This is a line from that song: "You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name, You are amazing God".

Just to think that God placed all those stars in the sky in the exact place they are is truly amazing. Had He not put them in place, and they were just randomly scattered, what would have happened without the star of Bethlehem? That star was also place right were it needed to be for that very special occasion.

If you have the time, listen through the first song on my play list and marvel in God's wonder.

Thankful for Music...

I am one of those people that really appreciates and is spoken to through music. I am especially thankful for Worship Music. Driving home this morning, I was listening to the radio singing along, and for once, it wasn't kid music! So many times I catch myself singing to the kids Cd's even when they are not along! It's actually not that bad...they like Toby Mac and other christian artists like we do.

Thankful for quiet mornings...

It doesn't always happen, in fact, it is a rare occasion. I love waking up in the morning before the kids and having a few moments to myself to collect my thoughts for the day. You can actually sit and listen to the clock ticking! Who knew during the day that the clock made that sound?

Our kids have always been early risers, so some mornings unless I am up at the crack of dawn, they are usually coming in our room and waking us up. I have been getting up at 4:30/4:45 this past week to exercise with a friend, so usually when I get home the kids are up anyway. Although I enjoy the quiet in my van driving to her house, it's just not the same as quiet in my house! Thank-you God for quiet mornings!

Thankful for a Day of Rest!

Today I am thankful for a day of rest! After a busy week, a morning of church and a relaxing day was just what we needed! The kids and I spent some time out on a lake with my dad and his boat. The kids enjoyed the ride, the faster the better! But not me, and definitely not when the boat was "bumping" or "going up in the air". Noah informed me I was a "party pooper"! He thinks he is hilarious!!

Thankful for my Health...

I am very thankful for my health, the ability I have to get work done and move throughout my day. So many times people complain about having to do this, or having to do that. I know I am guilty myself, especially right now with so much to be done outside.

I remind myself often that God gave me this body for a reason, and no matter how unhappy I may be with it at times, it is fully functional and capable of doing so much more than I often ask of it.

Thankful for the freedom...

I am thankful that we have the freedom to own/read a Bible, to participate in group studies, and to attend a church. So many Christians in other Countries do not have this freedom...I think of how many Bible's we have in our house (12+), and the fact that some people only have one Bible in their house that they need to keep hidden.

We take for granted that Sunday mornings we can get up and go worship at the church of our choice (and there are many to choose from), while some Christians have to meet in the dark in their houses or basements.

Today I started a new Bible/Book Study with some old and new friends. (I am also part of another study with a different friend) There are so many Christian study groups to choose from, it's almost like finding a church...all you have to do is look around the corner, or ask a friend.

I am thankful for the freedom of religion, and know that some day in the future this may change. I hope it is not in my children's lifetime, but know it will affect some family members in generations to come.

Thankful for friends...

Today I am reminded of how God has blessed me with such good friends. Friends are a unique relationship...some may come and some may go, but some are with you for a lifetime. As with family, God did not intend us to do life alone...

I'm Thankful for My Parents...

Parents are a wonderful gift God gave us! I'm sure for some, growing up it didn't always seem that way. But God knew what he was doing when he created families, we were not meant to do life alone.

I am so thankful for my Mom...She is such a strong, caring, and loving person. Growing up, and even now, she was always doing for her family, for others. She is such an excellent caretaker, and can always be depended upon if you need anything.

They say opposites attract, and in a way I guess that's true, but my Dad and Mom have a lot of the same qualities. I guess that's why I turned out so great! :)

I am so thankful for my Dad...He is very dependable, and also a loving person. He could also be called a caretaker, but in a manly way! If there is ever a need by a family member, he is always there to help.

Thanks Mom and Dad!

I'm Thankful for my immediate family...

So many times your immediate family can get overlooked in the thankfulness department. Parents get busy with the day to day raising of the children; Disciplining them, and teaching them right from wrong. We need to make sure we are taking the time to be thankful for what God has entrusted to us (our children) and letting them know what they mean to us. (The same can be said of our spouses!)

Noah - I am so thankful that he is our "firstborn"...He is responsible, loving, kind, considerate, and always looks out for his sister's when they are away from home. He is the protective older brother at the playground and on the bus.

Hope - I am so thankful that she is our "middle" child...She is responsible, loving, and ever the caretaker of her sister. She has a love for animals and a heart for those that are hurting.

Faith - I am so thankful that she is the "baby" of the family...She is responsible, yet fun-loving and carefree, and usually warms right up to kids and makes friends easily. She also likes to make sure everyone is included in the fun.

Matt - I am so thankful that he is the "provider" of the family...It can never be said that he is not dedicated to his work. He found something he loves doing, and it just so happens he gets paid doing it.

Thanksgiving...

November is the month of Thanksgiving, giving thanks for all that you have. A friend's blog has inspired me to do a daily blog of what I am thankful for this month. So often in the busyness of our day to day activities, we forget how truly blessed we are.

So today, my first day, I am Thankful for the love of my Heavenly Father. He loves us like no other; When we are down and out and don't deserve His love, He is always there for us. He will never leave us nor forsake us, and those times when it seems that He is no longer near? We need to take a close look and see who really was the one that distanced themselves from the other. It was not God backing away from us, it was us backing away from Him.

Where has the year went...

As I am sitting here looking at all the leaves on the ground, I am amazed that it is already November 1st. Time just seems to fly by, and there is soo much yet to be done around here.

After conference's at both Wa-Nee and Goshen schools this past week, everyone was in need of a little R and R. With a long weekend and the time change, they were able to get a few extra hours of sleep!

Matt and the kids just finished Fall Break this past weekend (the above mentioned long weekend), and we were finally able to paint our living room walls! We have been saying the past couple years that we were going to do them, but we just never made them a priority. I had chosen the color Macadamia some time ago, and what a wonderful color it is! Now, if I could just do something about those leaves...

Quizzing

Noah did a great job quizzing this past Saturday! He had 3 perfect quiz-outs, and received his first medal for the season...he was so proud! His team was 2-2 for the day.

So I'm thinking our new title should be...The Strep Throat Family!

As you know, the past couple week's we have had a battle with illnesses in our family. I was so glad this past week to have everyone back at school, all strong and healthy.

Well...than Friday came. I woke up with a tinge of a sore throat, that progressively got worse over the weekend. Of course we do not have any urgent care centers close by, and I was not going to the ER for what I presumed was Strep Throat! I would just wait and make an appointment Monday morning when the Dr. office opened.

Monday mornings I usually take the kids to school so they can get a little extra sleep. Noah was complaining of a sore throat, tummy ache, but did not have a fever. I figured, oh well, I'm going to the doctor anyway, might as well take him with me. He has been feeling run-down the past week, and we wanted to make sure he would be well for this coming Saturday, his first quiz meet of the season.

We were able to get in to see "Reba", the NP we go to, and sure enough...I have Strep Throat. Noah was diagnosed with the beginning onset of Strep, and also has some type of respiratory thing going on. I was told to keep him home from school yesterday and today, and as long as he is fever free, he can go back to school tomorrow, Wednesday.

When I picked the girls up from Kindy today, the first thing Faith says is..."My throat and tummy hurt". I ask, "Are you serious"? I was thinking this couldn't be happening, not another one! So, I took her temp when I got home and yes, she has a fever of 100.4. So I called the Doctor's office and am waiting to hear if they will call in a prescription or if I need to take her in to their office.

Have I mentioned that we are back to the Tonsillectomy discussion?????

Looking for a title...

So I'm thinking we need a better title for our blog...

The only one I can think of that I really like is: "It may be a crazy life, but it's our life".

Yes, I realize it's a very popular saying, but it describes our family very well.

Do you think you have a better title for us? Taking suggestions (click on comments and let us know)...

It's been a long while...

So when I started this blog, it was my intent to update it weekly. Isn't it funny how life changes things? I assumed with all three kids in school in the mornings that I would have all this free time on my hands...not the case!

My time has been filled with many things...

• I am now on the Wakarusa Resale Twin Committee (twice a yr. commitment)
• We are Supply Room Chairpersons for the Wakarusa El. Fish Fry (once a yr. commitment)
• I joined MITI (Mom's In Touch), a group of mom's that get together and prayer weekly for their children and their school's
• I joined a MOPS group (Mother's of Preschoolers), my final year eligible
• Sunday School Commitments (ours personally, and subbing for my parents 1st grade class once a month)
• A Personal Bible Study
• Wed. night Bible Study Class at church

Not only have I been busy with the above, I have been busy with family stuff also.

• Hope has been sick off and on for the past couple weeks, last week it was confirmed that she had Strep Throat. In total, she missed 3 days of Kind. in those 2 weeks.
• I got an oil change on our van and was told I needed to get new tires before the one blew while driving. So, one day was spent getting new tires and one was spent getting them aligned.
• Today, Faith and Noah are both home sick with fevers and sore throats. We are thinking Strep for them...

Noah has a very busy schedule this year also. He has started quizzing practice at church and he needs to practice 20 minutes each night. He also has nightly math homework, weekly spelling words, 1-2 other quizzes each week, and every other week he has to memorize a poem to recite in front of his class.
Faith loves Kind. and has made some new friends. She is busy with Wed. night church where she has to memorize verses and do other little requirements. She also loves to go to lunch playdates!
Hope loves Kind. also, and has many pre-school friends in her class. She is also busy with Wed. night church, and loves lunch playdates too!
Matt has started coaching 5th gd. boys basketball again, he has practices twice a week after school and games on Saturday afternoons. He started a running regiment months ago, and is currently having issues with one of his feet. He saw a podiatrist, and was told he had Neuromas...something to do with the nerves in between some of his toes. He received a cortisone shot, and is hopefull that will help alleviate the problem.
As you can see, we have much going on in our lives at the moment, and I will try to keep you updated with shorter posts!
Thanks for reading, and have a great week~!

School Pictures

1st Day of School

It finally arrived...the 1st day of school for all of them! I'm not sure if it was the anticipation of it, or just their normal sleeping behavior, but the girls woke up at 2 am. Hope fell back to sleep around 5, but I had to wake her up at 6:15 to get ready; Faith never did go back to sleep! Noah hasn't changed much from last year, I still needed to wake him up at 6 to get in the shower. I hope they all have a great 1st day, make some new friends and reconnect with old friends from last year.