Columbus Day Fun

I considered another field trip like last year, but it was just too much for this year.  And the kids had dentist appts mid afternoon so it would have been a rush to get back. 
But we had such a great day.  It was great to have nice weather to be outside a lot.  
We did a little school review then headed out for bike rides around the neighborhood.  It was my first time to go with them again since the baby came.  He can ride in an umbrella stroller now.  It felt good, I felt good and it was nice to do something active with the kids again. :)  And wow, now we are in a real neighborhood and the kids are so confident on their bikes.  It was great!

I loved the chance to chat with them as we went on our way.  Lily blew a weed she found to make a wish, and told me that she wished she "didn't have a sin" and "didn't disobey", which was really helpful for me to see and know because she has been hard lately (I am hard too!).  It was sweet to have that little glimpse into her heart.  God is so faithful to show me these things.  The mouths of my babies who I usually think I am in battle with, break me.  So helpful.  Another day last week, I am struggling with being frustrated with them.  And Lily starts singing, "Lord, do not be far from me.  Come quickly to help me."  It's a song they sing at church, psalm 71:12 (love it, bless the kind lady who teaches them).  And just such a good reminder- we are all the same, struggling with sin and our attitudes.

We had to strip down a little.  It got hot!

 The kids liked this one larger cul de sac that they rode around over and over.  It has a few small puddles so they called it the "water park".

 We came back and played in the yard.  Mike was flagging our sprinkler system and they ran in to get suits on and just played and had the best time together.  I mean childhood, its so great!  They were covered in grass and laughter.

This guy started this a few weeks ago.  I'd forgotten about it!  The open mouth kisses!  Oh, my heart! 

 The kids were pooped from biking and running around outside, so we bathed and had room time.  They both fell fast asleep and had the hardest time waking up for the dentist. So sweet.

 I SEE YOU WHILE I'M SLEEPING, UNCLE WILL!!  

My bro slept/sleeps with his eyes open- Lily inherited his skillz. ;)

 And fun play time with Daddy last eve! We played the guitar and did airplanes.  

It is pretty fun to see the big kids love on & enjoy Benjamin.

 

Ben: 5 months

Here is my 5 mo old doll baby.

He now loves his jumper and exersaucer! :)

He can roll both ways and I often now find him booty up in the crib.

He loves a bath and has been getting stronger at sitting up over the last few weeks.

 I think we are calling it!  He is a sitter!  Still wobbly at some points but able to do it for long stretches!  

 I read this article and so we hang out like this too. ;)

Five Months of Healing

I can hardly believe that its been 5 full months (+9 before that) since this guy joined us.  This week its been a year since we found out he was a healthy & strong little guy inside me.  So many times, I have thought about how much he has healed my heart and brought such joy to our lives.  I remember, in grieving the loss of our other babies, reading that people would comfort you in saying that you wouldn't have the baby/child you have if the other(s) weren't "lost".  And in calling it what it was, this author was recounting that she wanted that baby, the lost baby.  There is totally something to that.  I get it.  But now that we do have another, wow, I am so so happy to have this guy.  And the sting of losing those babies is easier.  Thanks be to God.

Overtime for the Fairy

Both kids lost teeth last weekend.

Both on the bottom.

It was Peter's 6th tooth and Lily's 2nd.

She swallowed her first b/c she didn't want it touched.

 They thought it was pretty cool to put them under their pillows the same night.

Daddy put on his wings and pulled fairy duty and delivered a "number one bill" to each of them.  Pop took them both the the dollar store the next day.

Peter got a sword.  Of course.

Lily got a colored sand & bottle kit- the kind where you layer the different colors of sand in to look pretty inside the bottle. Fun times!

Hair Therapy

We know that physical touch is like water to my soul.

Lily has set her mind (& hands) to learning a few new things this fall.

One of them is "doing ponies & pigs".

Yes, please. Learn on me.

This is what she wants to do after school.

Joy E, AM's old tassel skirt is Lily's long hair. :)

 Not sure what this face is about.

This post could have also been titled therapeutic & post-partum hair loss.  B/c my hair is falling out faster than Benny's and I'm sure this doesn't help.  But its so worth it. :)

July-Sept Phone Pics

I mean, that sweet meat.

 One day we picked up Mrs Yoder's donuts and headed to the little park behind the library, then inside for books.

 I took this pic while we waited after Peter's follow up neuro appt this summer.

I don't know, it documented the ill feeling I get of just having to go there... and to know that others go there and it is far worse.

He functions normally apart from a little med we give him twice a day. 

Clearly, he is unaffected, thank the Lord. 

But something about going there just drives a little dagger in my heart to feel the Fall.

 What a cute pic of Goo with 3 of her babies.

 Our old neighbors came over for a Friday dinner and the girls were Benny's fan club.

Just look at them. This pic makes my heart full, such sweetness in all 4 of them.

Benny meets his betrothed, Hannah.

Benny telling Daddy all about his day.

 Celebrating Mike's birthday with his parents :)

 One day this month, his guy just had a fascination with his tongue.  He kept it out a lot of the day- super cute to see them discover their bodies.

 Both kids love pushing Ben home from the bus stop after school.

I'm pretty sure he likes it too and missed them while they are at school.