A Whole Lot

 A whole lot has happen in the last few weeks. A whole lot of friend time, a whole lot of new experiences, a whole lot of meeting ourselves coming and going. Where do I even begin?

We will start with Em. She told me this past Friday that she had been to school for 12 whole days. (As a teacher I'm thinking only 12....jk). She officially loves it. Her favorite time of the day is rest time (girl is speaking my language--okay actually she likes it because they listen to music), and so far she likes all the lunches but wants to try bringing her lunch. She has stayed on green (thats good!) everyday and even moved up to blue for picking up toys when no one told her to. Now if only she would try that at home. Doug and I expected nothing less from our girl. I have enjoyed our time together too. I ask her about 52 questions everyday and she answers a few so I will take it. She made a paper doll for homework that had to describe her. I wanted to remember it: she loves music and flowers, her house and her family, writing the letters in her name, and Jesus. She loves to play in the sun and the rain and with Auggie and Jordyn. And the girl loves her some ice cream. 

After our first full week of school, we packed up the van and headed south to spend the weekend with friends.

And yes, B came too. You just can't see his cute face in the first picture. 

Look at this good looking group! We planned this weekend months in advance (we had to...we are all busy people) and it was a miracle that no one was sick. I'm so glad we got to catch up and have a little fun together. I think we all agree that this needs to happen every summer from now on. Maybe even more than once..... 

Em and Dez were connected at the hip. They even cuddled on the couch to watch a movie which is funny because Auggie would love to cuddle with her but Emery refuses. Both of my big kids swam their little hearts out and enjoyed riding on the little 4-wheeler and ATV. Our weekend away felt like a last hurrah of fun for them. 

Douglas flew last year when we visited Kendra and Travis so he had to fly this year too....only in a bigger and better (and in Doug's opinion, scarier) plane thing. The kids and I waved from down below and I breathed a sigh of relief when he landed. I know he did too. And no, I did not fly, nor will I ever.

I love these babies and their angels. I really enjoyed getting to love on and see all of these babies interact. Just like I do not see my friends near enough, they do not either. I have said it before and I will keep saying it, I can't wait to see how this cute little group grows and how God blesses each and every one. My friends and I have a lot of love to give!

It was back to reality on Monday which meant a busy week of school, cheer practices and a Pre-School Open House for Aug. Doug and I made it a special Just-Auggie night by taking him out to eat first. He wanted McDonalds, we took him to Chili's. Can't win them all, Aug. When Emery was entering pre-school I know for a fact we were one of the first families there for open house. I had a million questions and worries. We did exactly what the scavenger hunt and crafts told us to do. Fast-forward to August Samuel and we were the last family to arrive. Good, I thought, less people. 

The first step on the scavenger hunt was to find his Cubby, where he would soon be hanging up his backpack on the first day. When I read this first step to Auggie, he started to bawl. Like couldn't breath, red face, big tears. Bawling. Doug and I ushered him over to his Cubby and tried to explain/figure out what the heck was wrong. Finally we were able to understand him through his cries. "I like the Cardinals...not the Cubbies!!!" 

Doug and I quickly explained that a Cubby is just another name for a closet (and proceeded to call it a closet the rest of the night.) Doug and I both think it was a combination of being overwhelmed by his new surroundings and his hatred for the Cubs that had him upset haha.

 The rest of the night was spent with Auggie finishing no crafts (the boy likes to glue and that is it) and him wanting to play with the farm toys. But remember, we were late and the last family there, so his playing time was cut short. He was excited to get home and show Em his folder and she, being the best big sister, was so excited for him. After the crying over the Cubs I was a nervous wreck for his first day. But you will see later on that I was worried for no reason. 

My birthday (my 30th to be exact) was on Thursday. I woke up, ran and got ready quickly so Em and I could get a birthday treat on the way to school. Donut for her, big iced coffee for me. I received lots of Happy Birthdays on my special day--texts, phone calls, students even sang. That evening, Mom, Doug and the kids took me out to eat after spoiling me with the perfect gifts. Doug and the kids got me a Fitbit, new candles, mums and Twister. And Auggie told me what every gift was before I opened it. My mom spoiled me with new shampoo and conditioner (this is a tradition), some new cute running gear and the prettiest ruby ring. I have been eyeing ruby rings for awhile now (Em is my ruby) and the one she picked is perfect.

To say I was spoiled on my birthday would be an understatement. 

Doug asked me if I had accomplished everything I had planned on in my 20s. My answer was "and then some." My 20s were more than I could have dreamed of having. Graduated college, married my best friend, blessed with three healthy children, feeling perfectly at home and happy where I live and work, surrounded by supportive family and friends. My 20s in a nutshell. What more could I ask for?

I want my 30s to be all about cherishing these things and bettering them. Better relationships, better priorites, better me. And I am sure a few curveballs too.

To start my 30th year off right, I completed my first 5k. My friends Ammon and Shelby were running in a 5k to support the family of Haley Wilhour, a local woman and mother who passed away from cancer recently. They asked me to join. The combination of Haley being a young mother and my age and the passing of my own Grandma from cancer had me emotional on the way to the race. Near the end, when I really wanted to quit, a woman with a Haley's Fight shirt ran past me. The back of her shirt read: "But the Lord stood with me and made me stronger." Just the words I needed to read. That verse became my mantra and gave me that last needed push to finish the race. I am glad I started this next year of my life with this race. It put into perspective how blessed I am to be healthy and even able to run. I will remember it during my races to come. 

Saturday night I celebrated my birthday with some of my favorite people. We ate at Gopher's Grill, checked out the new patio at the wine shop (fancy!) and ended up singing karaoke the rest of the night (without working microphones....who needs'um.) I laughed until I cried, let loose and felt very lucky to have all of these people with me. 

Sunday we celebrated my birthday one last time. This time at Grandma and Grandpa's. (I have realized that the cute little black and white house at the end of the lane in Hidalgo will forever be "Grandma and Grandpa's".) My Grandma would have been 79 the day before I turned 30. I know she would have been more excited to celebrate my day than hers. I did get emotional thinking about there not being a card in my mail box from her but I found peace in picturing her celebrating in Heaven. We grilled a simple lunch and and sat around the table together just like we would have had she been there. When I went in to take my seat, there was one left, hers. I don't know if anyone else realized that but I sure did. 

After our lunch party, we headed home and crossed our fingers that the sleepy kids in the car would still be sleepy at home. Our goal was to have all three take big naps but we figured that was very unattainable. We would maybe get one kid to stay asleep, max. Luckily, we were wrong---hence the shocked and surprised faces above!! All three kids took huge naps, therefore, Doug and I did too. This might have been my favorite birthday present haha. 

Having Monday off came at a perfect time. It gave us one more needed day to accomplish something and get ready for the week. We did laundry, cleaned here and there, Doug worked in the basement and garage and Aug and I did the weekly grocery shopping. He is actually great one-on-one and loves to shop with me. This time was special because he got to pick out school snacks--he is the first one in his class to bring them! Clearly he was pretty pumped about his pick. The rest of the day was spent cleaning up more messes, swimming, supper and much needed baths. Much needed even after swimming. All kids were fast asleep before 8:15 which never happens so I would say all in all, it was a pretty successful Monday off. 

That leads us to today. Sometimes mornings can be hard in our house but this morning. Today August Samuel jumped out of bed. "Is it my school day!?!" He ate a big boy breakfast, smiled his fake big grin for 1st Day pictures and never looked back at us when his teacher came and got him. Doug and the two big kids picked me up from Early Bird so that I could go with on his first day and it should be noted that my eyes only welled with tears but none actually fell. I was shocked. Until around 11 I worried about him and then I heard my phone buzz. It was a video message from Douglas--he had interviewed Auggie about his first day (and the best husband award goes to.....). I could tell right away just by his smile that he loved it. He played with farm toys but his class's barn is not as big as his. He of course played with his buddy Jase and he loved snack time. And now I can't wait to pick him up and see if he will tell me anything else. 

Today in one of my classes we read the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20). I asked them who some of their "sowers" have been or are and many said their teachers. I was reminded of what an important task I have been given and then that reminded me of how thankful I am that my own children have such gifted and passionate sowers. 

Like I said, we have been up to a whole lot. A whole lot of good stuff.

Looking forward to it continuing!