Tuesday

So Tuesdays right now are pretty eventual and full days. The older two go to kindergarten and preschool at a local classical christian school (they only go Tuesdays and Wednesdays and then we homeschool the other days of the week). But they are long, full days for them. And also a nice break for me! Another friend who sends her 3 older children there also has a 3 year old at home. So we decided that we would give each other breaks on Tuesdays and take turns keeping the two of them. So far it has worked out beautifully! I think that is what you get with child #4 and child #3.....they are both pretty easy going little people. They play well and are so sweet to each other! They are even taking naps at each other's houses.......so how wonderful for us!

I set the alarm for 6am....I think I was up by around 6:15.....did a little kickboxing video (for about 25-30 minutes) before jumping in the shower to quickly to ready myself before getting everyone else up and ready! They were up at around 7:10-7:15----I had to wake them this morning : ) We got dressed, ate breakfast....a few tears of course over rushing out of bed into clothes and then over what was served at breakfast. Backpacks ready, lunches/snacks ready, teeth brushed, hair fixed, shoo and out the door by 8:05 or so.

When we get to school Reed & EC are off to their classrooms and I get Jack from my friend....for a fun-filled day with two 3 year olds! We first had to go to the doctor for a little finger incident. About a week and a half ago Mary Etta smashed her finger in a door......the nail had been about ready to fall off any day now (it finally came off with a little tug from Casey last night), but it just didn't look good. I was just concerned with infection so I wanted them to look at it to be sure. These two were so cute at the doctor office. They both really did well! They loved checking out the fish and the frog tanks while waiting on the doctor. They got stickers and were pleased with that.

posing at the doctors office

fun watching the frogs in the frog tank

After a stop at the bank drive-thru, we had to make a quick stop at Wal-mart for a few things. They were excited to enjoy their suckers we had got from the bank at Wal-mart. No mishaps and so amazingly good were these two! 

We headed home and I let them watch the rest of Sesame Street and enjoy a snack. Then they played while I worked on some laundry, dishes, etc. About noon I made some lunch......so Tinkerbell and Superman enjoyed their lunch : ) They got to listen to a CD story and then down for naps!
Both of them slept pretty easily.....Mary Etta was a little restless and kinda rowdy, but eventually fell asleep. I was able to just finish up some household chores and be definitely more productive than Monday. I got them up about 3 and we jumped in the car and headed back to school to pick up the big kids!

After pick up we ran by the drug store to get Mary Etta's antibiotic.....they did say her finger looked infected. We did our usual 4-6 pm routine once home......show for a bit; snack; outside play; dinner prep. We ate at around 6....then the kids went back outside to play while I cleaned up.

 Close to 7 we started baths for the girls and Reed took his shower. I think bed at around 8....after cleaned up, teeth brushed, all settled. Shoo another long day! I definitely crashed on the couch, which is why I didn't write this blog post till today : )

A week in the life--Monday

Last year (though it was July and not October) I wrote these posts for a week (that is the link to the first of 4 posts). I wanted to write down (to the best of my ability) the details of each day for a week so I could look back and try and remember our life in that season. So now that it's been a little over a year I thought I'd try and re-visit this idea again. Hopefully I will be able to sit down each night and remember all the events of the day--b/c I sure don't have much of a chance to do that in the day! And I thought how fitting to do this prior to baby #4 arriving, since things are going to become very different than they are now!

My alarm went off around 6:20am; I stayed up way too late last night cleaning up, and preparing for the day/week last night. So of course I hit snooze and wasn't quite so ready to hop out of bed. I think about 6:30-6:40 I finally got up...because of course my pregnant self had to make a trip to the bathroom : ) Everyone was tired thankfully this morning and seemed to sleep longer than just 7am! So I made a cup of hot tea and sat down to spend some time working on my Bible Study/time in the word. So refreshing to not be interrupted 3 minutes after sitting down! So I think I sat there drinking my tea and reading/meditating till around 7:20. Emery-Claire (always our first riser) came downstairs and I had her sit on the couch with a few books quietly for a little longer so I could finish up. Then around 7:30 Reed was up so up into the kitchen we went to start our oatmeal and green juice! Mary Etta was up not long after that, so around 7:40ish. They ate while I finished cleaning up dishes, etc. So after bathroom breaks, multiple bowls of oatmeal and drinking our "juice" I think they were all done around 8:15-8:30ish.

So we all headed upstairs for morning "jobs".......they all have their own responsibilities. Reed and EC have clothes ready and in their closet to put on, they have to put away their pjs, brush teeth, & make their beds. Even Mary Etta thinks she is so big and so wants to independently dress herself and have no assistance whatsoever! I then put on some music in the CD Player so I could come downstairs to dress and make my bed before we start our "school" day at home. We seemed to start later than usual. I think sometimes I end up being more pokey with myself than I mean/need to be!

So I think finally at 9:30ish we started our "school" time. I usually aim for 9am. We usually sit down and do the calendar, weather, Bible story, scripture memory or catechisms, and sing/pray before starting our day. But I think we got maybe 15 minutes into it and my friend stopped by to say hello. She had her dog with her so the kids were all over that and loving it! So then it was probably close to 10 when she left and we finished our routine and since it was so chilly I promised them some hot chocolate while they did their work.

So Reed was eager to get to working drinking his hot chocolate. Lots of writing, math and reading practice for him today!

They all have their own pencil boxes with crayons and pencils.....which they love! So while Reed did his work the girls colored and Emery-Claire practiced some name writing and working on some sound identification.

Around close to 11ish we were done and I let them watch a 30 minute show so I could clean up and get library books all ready to head to the library in a bit. By then since it was a little after 11:30 so I decided we might as well eat lunch before heading out to the library.

We headed to the library a little after 12 and about an hour and a half later came home with this stack! They kids love looking for books, playing in the kids section at the library, and Reed especially loves the computer time!

Then it was time for rest time to begin! Mary Etta laid down and fell asleep pretty quickly....so thankful that at a little over 3 years she is still sleeping so good! Emery-Claire has quiet time in her room with a few toys and books to look at; Reed goes to our room and has the CD player to listen to books and some paper/crayons to draw and color. I'm in the process of revamping this time for the two of them b/c today was one of those days that it seemed every 5-10 minutes they were out of the room coming to talk to me or tell me something.....this is not the normal or the guidelines of what is expected of them during rest time. My 2-4 time was supposed to be productive with laundry and some finishing up of a couple curtains I started last week for the family room. But instead I procrastinated on the computer and at least did have a sweet phone conversation with my friend about the baby shower she wants to plan for our baby.


I finally let the big two get up a little before 4; not long after that Mary Etta was up as well. Everyone ate a snack at the table and then I let them watch a movie we checked out from the library. I folded some laundry and then got up to start prepping supper.

I sent the kids outside for a bit while I finished making supper. They often are in/out, in/out multiple times to tell me something or tattle on the other......but for the most part they often play well together like the below picture.

this picture is actually from a few days ago.....it was quite chilly most of today so they were in long pants and long sleeves today. but this does capture the running and the football they all love playing together lately!

Not too bad trying out a new recipe for a chicken sandwhich--which seemed to be a hit with them all! Casey was gone dealing with a few things he needed to tend to so our dinner was kinda just whatever. He came in when they were about done and then I cleaned up, had them clean up (outside and inside)....then we were off to baths and ready for bed. I made sure all their lunches, backpacks all ready for tomorrow's school day. 

Showers, baths, teeth brushed, few books read and then off to bed by 8:15! Watching a little of the Voice while Casey flips to Monday night football and I wrote this blog post! I am off to bed b/c it's an early day tomorrow! 

Go Dawgs!

This year we've entered into a whole new world......maybe it's going from 5 to 6 years old. Last year Reed was into sports and would cheer and so on to some degree; but this season when football began a few weeks ago.......well he has moved into an all out true man watching football, NASCAR, and I'm sure basketball won't be far behind once the season begins! So in true fashion (like his Daddy) he has become a true Georgia Bulldog fan! He plays football in the backyard constantly, and is always asking when football games are on. He comes in telling us he had a game and that the Dawgs just played LSU, Florida, etc (input any SEC team.....sometimes he plays a pro team too : ) So when asked how he wanted to celebrate his birthday he said he wanted (first was a NASCAR party) but thinking that would be tricky to plan games, activities; I asked if we could do a football party.....really talking it up and making it sound so fun and exciting!

My Georgia boys!

So I found this adorable game ticket online; all I had to do was order the file and then you can print as many as you want. He was so excited to have his "game" all planned out! 

Next, of course, was the cake.......I have acknowledged the fact that cake decorating is not my fortay........all I do is completely stress out over it. I have found the Kroger down the street from us is very creative and very price effective. I took in this idea/picture and they created it perfectly! It couldn't have looked better! Of course it was kinda funny that he wanted the DAWGS to play the CATS.....but fitting I suppose here in the Bluegrass : ) 

So our plan was to have a "game"....as best as some 5 & 6 year olds can play a "game" of football. But unfortunately it rained all the night before and all day of our party until about 1 1/2 hour before the party started. So the yard was pretty muddy (or so we thought). SO I had some back up games for the boys to play. But boy oh boy did it seem to wound them up more......and only lasted about the first 45 minutes that Casey was here......so then once he left, my mom, his mom, & myself were left with 6 WILD BOYS! 

all the boys got a red or blue jersey with a number on the back

what's a football game without cheerleaders for each team : )

boys enjoying the hike the ball pass.....Dawgs vs the CATS

I am not one who loves a zillion kids at a party.....so we kept it small....5 other boys plus Reed was 6 boys. And boy was that a handful! Yes I'm 30 weeks pregnant, yes unfortunately Casey was only able to stay for the first 45 minutes due to a work event that was already rescheduled once (and he didn't realize was same day/time as Reed's party till week of). But I have to say these boys wore.me.out!!

blue team....a.k.a. CATS plus cheerleader

red team....a.k.a. the DAWGS plus cheerleader

So after all the few games we played.....we finally ventured outside. I didn't take any pictures because by then I was about worn out! HA! But it was great for these active boys to be able to run around throw balls and just chase, tag, etc with each other! And thankfully it wasn't a sloppy, muddy mess as I thought it was going to be!

After games, outside, cake/ice cream, presents, and good ole fun we called it a day! Reed seemed to enjoy every minute of his game day!

Nana with the Georgia girl.....with Casey leaving early I had a hard time managing the party, and capturing all the photos I would have wanted. So of course I never got one of him with both grandmothers. And I think I videotaped happy birthday singing......ha! Regardless I think he still has memories to savor from his special day!

Reed with his Gigi....the next morning b/c of course he was too busy during his party to get too many pictures : )

 So I think our party was a success! We love this sweet boy and are ever so thankful for him! What a joy to celebrate him turning 6 years old!

6 Years

Sunday of this week (September 23rd) this sweet and very special boy turned 6 years old! How can it be that 6 years have flown by that we welcomed this precious life into our family.......we made it through the first year, walking/talking, 2 more babies, toddlerhood, preschool, and now entered kindergarten! We had a busy weekend but were able to do a little family celebration on his actual birthday. This weekend we have a little party with a few close friends in town. Reed we love you so much and are ever so thankful and blessed that the Lord has entrusted us to be your parents. Your sweet and tender little heart is always full of joy, and so loving to those around you (most of the time : ) Happy, happy 6th birthday!

Savoring the time

I used to blog almost weekly...sometimes a couple times a week. Now I often feel it takes me weeks to download the camera, much less blog about things we've done. I'm pregnant, I'm tired, I have a constant to do list; not to mention the dishes, the laundry, the food to prepare, the shopping to do, errands to run, a house to clean, and a family to love, nurture and care for. It all is really kinda endless isn't it? But the one thing I love about blogging is that it's a sort of memory book for me---in all the craziness of our daily life that I don't want to forget even 5 years from now. So I attempt to sit down at least when I can and capture the memories we are making daily. 

Emery-Claire got this flower during her ceremony on the first day of school. She was so excited to bring it home & of course had to have her picture made with it! 

So busy we have been. Starting school, me still organizing and working on my projects, etc. that I guess I think need to get done to keep our home in order. I often get carried away with projects & find them all sucking my time away, so I wonder how worth it they all are. Am I savoring my time and days with these sweet little ones?! Am I enjoying them and pouring into them all that I can?? I would like to think I am, but often it feels like I could always savor and pour in more than I do at the end of the day. 

Me & my girls......boy are the both so full of life, zeal & lots of energy!

 My days often feel long, but yet at the same time they feel short too. I often plan to do more than I can...as I'm sure the combination of caring for 3 little people's needs and being 7 months pregnant (wow 7 months......I can't believe we are getting so close!!) wears me out quicker than I want it to! 

Enjoying a train ride at a recent friend's birthday party at a local orchard. 

This sweet little girl still so seems like my baby.....hard to believe just around the corner we will welcome a new baby to our family. She is 3, which seems so big, yet I suppose being the youngest I still view her so much as the baby. I ask her if she is my baby and her response is "I not the baby! I big girl! The baby sister is the baby!" Her sweet little voice and often unclear speech makes her seem so little to me still. And of course she still hasn't moved out of her crib.....she often asks for a big girl bed. So it's a matter of time before we can finally get the rooms all set up and situated for her; though she still sleeps so good in her own room and in her crib, so it's hard to want to mess with a good thing! Funny how with each child I've left them in the crib longer & longer. Reed was out right away so EC could have the crib (he was right around 21 months), Emery-Claire a little longer---she started climbing out of the crib when she was 2 yrs. & a few months, but didn't get a big girl bed till 2 1/2 yrs (and I thought that was old!) Now here is Mary Etta at 3 yrs. STILL in the crib-ha! She went through a phase this spring of climbing out but then quit and doesn't try now....kinda funny. 

Loving the big slide at the orchard, she just kept taking her sack and going up and down over and over again!

 This boy is loving birthday talk these days (since in a little over a week he turns 6 years old!) Shoo don't even get me started on the fact that my baby turns 6?!! He is loving every minute of his school time, so motivated to learn--especially reading, and meeting new friends! He has loved his man time with Daddy---fishing outings, watching NASCAR (he is a big fan of the car races these days), & of course now football!!! In particular DAWG football! He told me today he does not like Tennessee and hopes that Florida beats them in tomorrow's game. I should be sad, but I'm so proud that he loves his Daddy so much and wants to be just like him & like the things that he likes! So thankful for their sweet relationship & how special their bonding time is since it gets to be just the 2 of them!

At the top of the haystack; this was how he wanted his picture taken!

 I think this has turned into a narrative of all going on with these 3....again for my memory. These 2 are such sweet little friends. It's fun to watch them engage and adore each other so much. Most of the time they really get along so well. The past couple Fridays I've taken them to a local gymnastics place for some open gym time---they stay for 3 hours and play and eat their lunch their. So Reed and I get some bonding time and errand time! They love it! It's so cute to see how excited they are when we come back to pick them up as they tell them all about their "nastics" as they call it! One of the coaches said the first time they just stayed together and didn't separate (almost like twins) but today they played more independently. Thankful they are supportive and so caring to each other! 

Enjoying the hayride at the birthday party

So thankful for  this family of ours! 

Bye bye summer, hello school

I have to admit I was laughing that as I looked and saw the last time I blogged was earlier in August....and now it's September-ha! Well, as I think I mentioned then I've been insanely busy with decluttering, re-organizing, finding places for things that needed places......that is the thing with old houses. I do love our house but you have to be super creative in how you store, organize so many things in them. It often takes more thought than I realize it would! Then there was the Orient Expressed clothing show I did--smack in the middle of my school preparations, well that slowed me down too. I do love selling the adorable classic and traditional clothing---it really is fun and just takes some chunks of time 2x/year. But it was crazy in the middle of my trying to prepare for our school year too! But I got it all done; as well as prepare, gather, & organize our homeschool materials for our 3 days of school time at home. Shooh---it's just been nonstop! So finally this week (& I still have a few things to put in their place but hopefully by end of the week they will be there!) we officially started our school year!

a little bright outside the school before the opening ceremony begins

Reed & Emery-Claire were just so excited to begin this new venture.....so that made it easier. So for 7 hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays they both will be in a classroom setting in a local classical Christian school.....then the other 3 days we'll continue the work sent home and anything I supplement with that. So with my first baby starting kindergarten should I be sad; viewing it as a season coming to an end and a new season beginning?? I think if I was sending him off to the school down the street for 5 days a week and 7 hours a day I probably would.....but really knowing he's here 3 days with me and I still have the privilege of teaching him and sharing in this learning time with him.....I wasn't at all sad to drop him off Tuesday morning. It actually seemed more weird that EC would be gone so long for 2 whole days at just 4 years old! But I do believe she is loving every minute of it!

So here he is all ready for his big first day of kindergarten; so excited and ready to learn! I think his cutest comment from the day was "tomorrow I go to first grade and Emmie goes to kindergarten!" He thought the next day would be a new grade-ha! So I explained that no the entire school year was kindergarten then you get to go to first grade.

very serious in his procession into the sanctuary for the opening ceremony

Ready for her first day of preschool!

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So excited; with friend, Amelia

Enjoying after "first day of school" treat at the yogurt place!

So we've survived the first week! We worked some at home on Thursday and today just had a low key day and some more "fun" activities. Monday I guess we'll be back at it! And hopefully I'll wrap up my still few gathering and organizing of the last few things to be ready to go! What an adventure for sure......but I'm excited and praying we all do well together and really grow and learn through this new season we've begun!

Lately.....

I think I've been MIA for the past couple weeks. Some of the few things that have taking up our time.....

 Learning how to fish....Casey took Reed on his first fishing outing. He LOVED it! Since then they've gone a couple times. 

 Here is our little man with his huge catch! 

**And I have to add (has nothing to do with fishing) that last week this boy decided he could totally do his own shower with no help! We have  one child completely and independently taking a shower--yeah this is so great! And he seems to love i!

 Enjoying some outside/park time with some friends. These 3 just plopped down on the grassy area and sat watching a tractor mow in the distance....it was too cute!

 Finally making some headway in our bathroom! Yes this has been going on for almost 3 months now! We certainly are ready for it to be done! The tile has been going up the past couple of days---so fancy and detailed!

Turning this.....

into this! Lots of cleaning, straightening and prepping for my Orient Expressed open house next week! Such cute fall stuff!

Organizing, decluttering, purging.....whatever you want to call it! Our closets have needed cleaned up! This toy chest used to hold all our puzzles, playdoh, crayons, paper, coloring books, etc. they are all out  now. Now they are up in the coat closet and still needing an organizing. Working on getting ready for our school year and making sure I am ready to go!