Filled with Joy

During the Summer

..........you can find us at the lake....or beach...or a local park.

Yes,it's another post with pictures of my children. 

 I can't help it. 

 I absolutely LOVE seeing them happy.

After 9 months of rain or drizzle or clouds (September-June), we are trying extra hard to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible before we spend much of our time back at the Y.  We love the Y, but it can't top taking a picnic lunch to the lake and spending time there.

School begins in a couple of weeks and my posts will reflect that soon enough.

For now...

...I'm off to enjoy my blessings. 

 

 

 

 
  

Beach Fun

 FINALLY,some sun!

We arrived early to beat the heat and the crowds.

  

I'm not sure how they talked her into being covered in sand, but she didn't mind.

 

Bringing me a rock to add to her collection

 

 
 
 Olivia taking a short break to finish her book.
 
 

Little Man relaxing in the shade.

 

One Month Old

It's hard to believe, but it's true! 

Anthony is already one month old!
 

 

Happy Birthday!

Waiting for you to come home from work was such a challenge.

Between baking you a cake, decorating, and wrapping your gift they just couldn't wait any longer.  

You were so patient, even though they gave you no time to even take off your coat before begging you to sit down and close your eyes.

 

You are loved so much.

Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

 

That many children? -- Conversation

My children had their homeschool PE class at the YMCA this afternoon.

After classes, my younger three joined me in the family workout room.  Olivia played with Teresa while Nathan challenged me on the treadmills.  I was just happy to be moving.  My slow speed was more deliberate exercise than I've done in several weeks.  Nathan saw a chance to out run me.  He turned it up full speed, then with a sly smile he asked how fast I was going. 

ME: Nathan, my pregnant belly isn't going to let me run full speed. (partial excuse, I know)

WOMAN NEXT TO ME:  Oh, Congratulations!  How many will that make?

Pausing a moment.  I thought about our baby in Heaven.  I have six children.  Then I realized I didn't want to go there with a stranger while working out.

ME:  Five

WOMAN NEXT TO ME: (shocked)  What?   I didn't know people still had that many children nowadays!

That many?  Did I miscount?   

1, 2, 3, 4, 5.   No. I thought about my friends who have the same number of children and my friends  who have more.  I just smiled and nodded.

WOMAN NEXT TO ME:  Do you come from a large family?

ME:  No.  My parents had three children.

This is the most in depth questioning a stranger has ever had with me.  We were both moving, but of course on stationary equipment, I couldn't slow down or increase my pace to bring the conversation to an end. 

WOMAN NEXT TO ME:  [Looking at my kids] There is a big gap between your kids. 

ME:  Yes.  There's almost a seven year age difference between my twins and my youngest.  I thought I couldn't have anymore children, but God had other plans.

WOMAN NEXT TO ME:  God's will, I guess

ME:  With a smile.   AMEN!

 

A Boy or A Girl?

I had my 20 week ultrasound last week.  I haven't felt any flutters, no pregnancy symptoms, nothing.

  Worry started to creep into my head. 

It was such a big relief to see all the movement going on even though I don't feel any of it, yet.

 

I left the office almost floating knowing baby was fine and the gender of the baby.  Since we have 2 boys and 2 girls running around the house, this baby has been referred to as the tie-breaker-baby. 

I decided to have some fun with revealing if our tie-breaker-baby is a boy or girl.  I went to the bakery and ordered a cake.  The icing in the middle would be dyed the appropriate color revealing baby's gender.

The anticipation was a blessing to watch. 

 All eyes were locked on the cake.

 

Who would see the inside color first? 

Which color would it be?

BLUE!  

We are having a little BOY!

 

 

Little Boys

Author: Unknown

Little boys come in all shapes and sizes,
Shy and adventurous, full of surprises,
With misshapen halos and mischievous grins,
Small dirty faces, and sweet, sticky chins.

They'll keep you so busy, and yet all the while
Nothing can brighten the world like their smile.
And no greater treasure has brought homes more joy
Than a curious, active, and lovable boy!

 

 

Happy Birthday!

We celebrated a big milestone this week.  Nicholas turned 13.

Happy Birthday, Little Man!

An Escaping 2 year old

Oh Teresa, Teresa, Teresa.

Mommy and Daddy just couldn't take the thought of what could happen to you constantly running out the front door into the street.  Those bushes along the driveway are just too high for a driver to see you step into the road. 

Mommy warned daddy that he was going to get a horrible phone call at work if we didn't figure out how to stop your little game.  That's what it was, too.  A game.  You loved the excitement of the chase. You wanted to find your big brothers and sister when they were playing with friends.

No time to wait for an elaborate alarm system to be installed or even a simple box that chimes when the door opens.  Hearing a chime sound when you have made a great escape would not help to ease our worry.

 

A simple flip lock has been the perfect remedy.

Daddy had it installed in 2 minutes.

Cost under $2.

It's absolutely priceless.

 

We love you, baby girl.

Fourth of July Fun

 

Teresa's very first pony ride.  8-) 

 

 

 

Yes, we have WINNERS!

 

 

 

Instead of sitting in the designated viewing area, we went back to the parking lot to watch from our car.  The older three kids climbed on the roof for the perfect view. 

The parking lot was full of families with the same idea.

  

A Happy 4th & Mom's 70th Birthday

It was an absolutely gorgeous day to celebrate America's Birthday AND my mom's 70th Birthday.  I'm sure it's not easy to share a birthday on a holiday, but my mom always enjoys all of the festivities.  Her sister flew in all the way from Germany to be here for her 70th birthday.

We had a BBQ at our home.

  

 

 

 

Charlotte's  Berries & Stars dessert was a huge hit.

 

It tasted as great as it looks.  Better!

 I burned the Stars that were supposed to go on top (used a black pan for the stars which cooked them unbelievably fast).  Yes, I admit that.  I had to call it Berries and Cream.  8-)

 

HaPpY 70th BiRtHdAy, Mom!