August's Final Days

Last night we went to the chorale's conductor's house. It's a lovely farm with horses. 

 Earlier in the day Gwen was being goofy on the trampoline with daddy's hoodie.

Ben was feeling goofy too.

 
Today at the gym. I love this lady who wears fishnet stockings and carries her purse while she walks.

Last night I noticed a tiny piece of paper taped to Gwen's wall. It's a llama she drew. What 7 year old has a tiny llama in their room? Cool ones!

 Gwen and the horses...

 My babies are growing!

Sisters getting the mail. Every day moments can be heartwarming.

Psalm 23

This is from Gwen and Zeke's children's Bible.  I like the wording so much.

God is my Shepherd
And I am his little lamb.

He feeds me
He guides me
He looks after me.
I have everything I need.

Inside, my heart is very quiet.
As quiet as lying still in soft green grass
In a meadow
by a little stream.

Even when I walk through
the dark, scary, lonely places
I won't be afraid
Because my Shepherd  knows where I am.

He is here with me
He keeps me safe
He rescues me

He makes me strong
and brave.
`
He is getting wonderful things ready for me
Especially for me
Everything I ever dreamed of!

He fills my heart so full of happiness
I can't hold it all inside.

Wherever I go I know
God's Never Stopping
Never Giving Up
Unbreaking
Always and Forever
Love
Will go, too!

Skunks, Rain, and Smiles

 I found the Devil's dipstick mushroom back in my yard.  Gross! 

 We recently had a very heavy rain.  The kids were so giddy about going to play in it.  The neighbor children were here and so they borrowed swimwear and went out too.  They had a good time.  To me, playing in the rain is a childhood must.  I remember putting on one of my dad's t-shirts and running in the rain and it being so fun. 

Zeke gets dressed for school on his own most days.  The other day it was cool out so I chose pants and a short sleeved shirt.  He put it on and then I turned my back and he changed into this... He says he likes the cold on his skin.  I thought to myself.. I just don't have the energy to fight this one... so off he went in 55 degrees like this. 

Romy's 2nd birthday is approaching and I have decided to make a pinata for her.  It's going to be an ice cream cone.  I went to Hobby Lobby to get supplies and the lady said "now, you know I have an ice cream cone pinata don't you?" and I asked her how much it was.  She said $12 and something cents.  I was tempted, but decided to just make one myself because if I'm going to be good at making pinatas I have to practice sometime and I fully intend on sending my kids one in college.  Or at least that's what I say now.  I think I might have lost my mind by not purchasing that one in Hobby Lobby.  

The girl on the left is Gwen... girl on the right is Romy.  They are like little peas in a pod!

We have a skunk that visits every night in my backyard.  It's driving me insane!

Fleeting summer

I saw this pig with wings outside someone's house and now I want one.

We went to Loose park. It's beautiful! I think I may have had sunscreen on. The lens, but I think it's cool anyway.

They have beautiful flowers there. The kids and I took a walk.

And we found a swing set.

I tried out jar salads for Ben and I today. I feel good about all those veggies going in us. If this works out well, then I'll do smaller versions for the kid's lunch. Thanks for the inspiration Leah! I used tomatoes from our garden, carrots, sugar snap peas, bell pepper, spinach and romaine, ranch sunflower seeds, mozzarella cheese, chicken chunks, and Ben got croutons.

Distracted

 I live in constant concern that I turn into this guy.  Missing the big wonderful moment when a humpback whale comes right beside you and you miss it.  Or rather, I miss it.  It's a real struggle to stay in the moment and really LISTEN to your people.  I mean kids, spouse, friends, ect.  I want to be a good listener.  I want to notice stuff.  I have to be alert.  The cost of not being alert is too high. 

When I went to Branson I bought this from Pier 1.  It was on clearance and I hardly ever go in there, but Ben and I were on a date and I saw it and wanted it.  I love it.  I have been journaling almost every day in there about why I need to be alert and it is a great reminder.  Instead of playing on my phone in the pickup line I journal or look around at nature.   

Back to School

 Over the past few days we have gotten both Gwen and Zeke off to school.  Gwen is in second grade this year and Zeke is in kindergarten.  Wow!  Zeke goes half day, so I pick him up at 11:30.  This morning he didn't want me walking him in.  I guess that means he is ready to spread his wings a bit, but it sure is hard to swallow at times. 

I don't buy back to school clothes, but I did buy the kids these shirts.  They came from Aldi. :) 

This is Gwen's watercolored lily.  I really think it came out great.  It's tough getting the shading right with watercolor, but I'd like to learn.

Here's mine.  Mine's all smudgy, but I still like it.

Here is Zeke and his little buddy a few houses down, Luke.  They are in the same class.

Zeke and mama

Gwen looks so elegant and grown up in these pictures.  I couldn't pick my favorite, so I included all of them.  I know every parent must think their children are adorable, but I really think they are beautiful.  You know you are getting older when you look at their unblemished skin and admire that.

Gwen and her friend Katie Beth.  They are in different classes, but same grade.

Romy likes the extra attention she gets when they are at school.

Playing with Claire.

Ben got this rose for me a few days ago.  He is very good about getting me flowers.  He knows I really love them.  Anyway, this one is spectacular.  I tell the kids if they touch it the petals may fall off and I be a beast forever.  It looks like the one from Beauty and the Beast. :)