The Game Day Bow

My sweet friend Cami made this bow, with the Seneca Valley colors, for Elle to wear to football games. My boys LOVE it and are so excited for her to come to their games wearing it! Tonight we tried it on her while everyone was getting the stuff for tomorrow ready! Seriously, how cute it that!

GO ARROWS & STALLIONS!!!!!

First Day of School

The first day of school is always so bittersweet for me. We are all craving a little routine in our lives at this point. However it is just another reminder that the children are getting older, and there isn't a dang thing I can do about it! 

Ethan - 4th Grade

 Olivia - 3rd Grade

 Kai - First Grade

 Luke woke up a few minutes before they had to leave for the bus. I don't know who missed these guys more, me or Luke!

 Then one more picture of just the elementary goers! Can you tell Kai was thrilled? He wasn't one bit done with pictures! HA My Kai is now gone all day long. 

3 Year Old Check Up....

Today after we got the big 3 off to school we went to the doctor for Luke's 3 year old check up. A six month overdue check up, but who's counting!

 They did all the usual stuff hight (40"), weight (38 lbs), blood pressure, and listened to his heart. Then the doctor came in to talk to Luke all about being healthy and staying safe. When the doctor asked him what his nose was he said "it's for tissue to get the boogies out" HA!

 At the end the doctor asked Luke if he would be interested in teaching a class to all the other 3 year olds on being good! He just looked over at me like what is he talking about!

Luke is growing bigger and stronger everyday! 

Sisters

Sisters who go to Piano together.....

... stay together!

Happy Sunday

 Today was Elle's first Sunday at church, and therefore our first Sunday as a family of 7! We weren't quite as early as we normally are so we had to settle for an after church picture instead of before. We will have to work on that! Ha

Elle wasn't in the mood for any extra pictures so we had to wait to get some up close of her on her first Sunday. She looked so cute in her little outfit, and the only (outfit other than PJ's) she has that fits! I guess I have a little bit of shopping to do this week!

It's Serious Now

Ollie has moved from slow pitch to fast pitch,

and we want to protect her money maker!

Happiness

There is laundry to be done, toilets to be cleaned, and beds to be made. Right now, I just don't care! I understand now that time really does pass so quickly. That sooner then I can even imagine she will be going to school. I don't feel the slightest bit guilty for kissing on this baby girl all day long, because all too soon she won't let me anymore!

Hard Work

After Elle was born it quickly became clear that she wouldn't be released within 48 hours. At that point I was overwhelmed with all that we needed to do regarding our older children. Of all the things that weighed on my shoulders football for the boys was at the top of my list. Elle was born on Thursday and football practiced was starting on Monday. Of course I know how silly that sounds, football being my biggest concern, but it wasn't as much about football as it was about ALL the hard work Ethan had put into getting ready for this season.

At the beginning of summer Brian and I sat down with the children to set and write out their summer goals. Ethan had a lot of goals, but his number 1 goal was to play running back this fall in football.

After that goal was set a plan was made to accomplish the goal. Ethan spent countless hours working out and practicing to get ready for evaluations to show the coaches that he was ready to play running back for their team. I have never seen or known a kid to work so hard for something. He gave it his all, literally his blood sweat and tears went into getting ready.

And he was ready.

This being our 3rd year playing in this league I knew how positions would work. For Ethan's team the coaches pick the boys based off evaluations for certain positions (especially running back) and they start position work in their first practice. If Ethan was drafted for running back I couldn't let him lose the spot he worked his heart out for just because he wasn't there. I wanted this for him as much or more then he wanted it, and I couldn't let us being in a different state hurt his chances. So the decision was made to get the children home so the boys would only miss one practice.

Tonight was the first scrimmage, and Ethan played running back. He did great! It took nearly the whole team to bring him down. I am so proud of him. Brian and I have been preaching and teaching the importance of hard work to all the children, and today Ethan enjoyed the rewards of his hard work.

Of course the hard work isn't close to over as he has to continue to practice, work hard, and improve.

The View from Here

For the next 2 months full of Saturdays this will be me. Enjoying footbal and softball games all day long. Of course the weather will change quite dramatically from the first game to the last, but there is nothing else I would rather do then watch my babies play sports that they love while snuggle my sweet little Elle! How lucky am I?

Don't worry Luke will be there too. He can be found riding his scooter to the concession stand with pockets full of change.

It's a perfect day for all

13 Days Old

12 Days Old

 

                 

Sunday

Miss Olivia Turns 8

For Olivia's birthday this year we went out to eat at TGIFriday's. We went today because my dad has to head home tomorrow and we wanted to celebrate all together!

 Birthday girls get 2 drinks!

 Her only food request was a burger.

 Happy Birthday sweet Olivia! We love your guts!

Jersey Parties

Now that we are a family of seven, with the seventh member staying home most days, it has made scheduling for the older children much more interesting. Tonight both Ethan and Kai had their Jersey Parties. After several ideas of how to coordinate both we ended up with Brian taking Kai to his party (while I took Ethan to practice and set up a ride for him from practice to his party), then showing up a little late to Ethan's and bringing everyone home. It worked out fairly well only because Kai's time got changed at the last minute! I am sure we are in for many more schedule conflicts in the coming weeks! YIKES!

Kai was so glad that he got to swim at his party, although you couldn't tell from him face! HA

 Mr. Kai is #3. The best number if I do say so myself!

 Ethan's pool portion of the party was canceled because of lightening, but he had a great time anyways! He will be #88 this year!

Elle's First Flight Home

This whole day was pure bliss! I am so happy to be home with my little family. 

Going Home

Dr. O'Gorman came in first thing this morning and got our paper work started for discharge. I am so grateful that Elle is well enough to go home. I am so grateful that despite how early she was she had none of the problems most "34 weekers" have. I am just overwhelmed with gratitude!

With that good news we ate our last gourmet hospital meal,

 took one last peek out our window,

 packed up our precious cargo and off we went!

Miss Elle took her first cruise in Papaw's big truck!

After we left the hospital Elle enjoyed her first shopping trip. Since we had NOTHING for her a quick trip to Target was a must before our flight in the morning. 

 On our way to Auntie Jan's house in Jeff City we drove back past the hospital.

 Seeing our room from the outside was weird! For nearly a week I watched cars and people in this very spot and now I was sitting in it!

Elle watching Misty May and Kerri Walsh win Gold!