Trip to KC

The kids and I took a little trip to Kansas City to see family. We also got to see a good friend while we were there. The kids love their cousins, and played non-stop. My sis-in-law is a fantastic host, and we had a fun and relaxing couple of days. They just moved in to a beautiful new house. We ended up being there the same time as Alex's parents, so the kids got to spend time with their grandparents too.

Lydia and Gran

Owen and Oliver

Kate and Meredith

Play Date

A couple of my gracious friends occasionally invite me to join their weekly play dates. Today, I finally returned the favor. The kids had fun and played so well together, which gave us mamas some time to talk. Got a couple of cute pictures, just sad I am missing my other friend and her two cute girls who came over also. And the boy to girl ratio... a little off scale. Miles and Oliver were a bit out numbered, but I don't think they minded.

School vs.School vs.School

I'm going to put myself out here, and share a little about the last year or so in this thing called, "choosing a school." Sounds simple, right? Kids have been being educated for years either at home or within a formal institution. As our kids get older, and as our friends kids get older, school choice has become a topic of more conversations than I'd like to admit. It seems so loaded. Public, private, home school, when to send your child to school, whole day, half day....to name a few options. I am honestly so worn out with the weight of all these decisions, and really, we haven't even made one yet (except for Oliver's two day a week preschool, which I over-thought too). I'm in an internal cycle of not knowing what is best for our kids, educationally speaking. I flip flop in my mind almost daily, and it goes something like, "I think it would be best for our kids to attend____________(fill in the blank) because _____________________ (fill in the blank)." Oh, and throw in the occasional urge to home school in the mix too. Plus, I'm trying to plan out K-12 for all my kids, and the Lord may return before we even get to that stage:)

My point, although I know the school we choose is important, I know it's more important to seek what the Lord has for our family and let him lead the way step by step. Maybe we won't know where Oliver will go to kindergarten until it's almost game time. For a planner like me, it's difficult, but I think that's what I'm being asked to do. A day at a time, step by step. Um, I see a pattern evolving in my life.

How Big is Lydia?

SO BIG! She loves this. It's that age old game, and when we bring her hands up in the air, she gets the biggest smile. I love her. She is so pleasant.

Day 13

Today marks day 13 of Alex being gone. We are definitely ready for him to be home. You could say this week has been "interesting." Monday morning the kids and I went out to the garage to get in the car for a play date. I opened the door to start the car and saw the the passenger's side window was shattered. The car was in the garage with no sign of breaking and entering and nothing was taken. Thankfully, I don't think it was a break in. Probably just a random, "I'm on my own with three kids, of course the window decides to break into small pieces" thing. We all went back inside, I called around and found a place that could get us in immediately to fix it. We drove there (luckily it was close)with glass continuing to crack and fall inside and out of the car. What a sight in the waiting room...four dum-dums, two waters, two trips to the bathroom,one t.v. that got every channel but a kids one, and $135 later, the window was fixed and we were on our way.

Then yesterday as I was walking up the steps to our house with Lydia in my arms, I tripped. Fortunately, I caught Lydia and shielded her fall only to cut open elbow and hurt my knee. The Meredith laughed, which added a little insult to injury. At least the baby wasn't hurt. Yep, it was totally one of those falls when I looked behind me to see if anyone saw how graceful it looked.

So yes, I am ready to do the two parent thing again.

A Sweet Reminder

Alex emailed the kids and I this photo today, as a sweet reminder that he loves us, even though he has to be far away. At least I think that's him...he's kind of unrecognizable:)

I get by with a little help from my friends...and family

Alex has been traveling so much lately, and my friends and family have totally stepped in to help me. I'm so thankful, and I don't know what I would do without them.

Pa likes to hold Lydia, and she likes him too.


My littlest girl turned three months this week.



My parents took the kids to a nature center while I was at baby shower. They had a great time. I love this picture they took through the aquarium.


For those of you wondering...yes, Meredith does pick out most of her clothing ensembles.




Take the road less traveled.....