Welcome to Walmart

You can wait....you can put it off until tomorrow...you can stall and come up with excuses....but, ultimately, it is (sadly) unavoidable....you must make the trip to walmart (or whatever your version of the store is). Being from a small rural area there are pretty few choices and wm happens to be the "one stop" shopping that inevitably has to happen.

Today was the day for me.

I had put it off for too long already but harvest is closing in and those guys NEED snacks stocked up to get them through the long days, right. And, the kids never fail to tell me the cats or dog are out of food until there is NONE left...come on peeps! I need a few days warning please!

Anyway, I did manage to finagle (is that a word?!) myself into Randy's plans of running into town so he got to help load up the two cart fulls. :) (Wish I could make an evil grin on here cuz I most definitely would in this case!) And another plus...I got to go through the best ever check-out guys lane! :) I mean this guy is so friendly with a great smile and nice attitude that I can't help being in a good mood when I leave and that's AFTER spending forever in wm!! Amazing, I know!! Anyway, I can say all this since Randy was with me today and he thought I was a crazy woman as I said we HAD to go in super great check-out guys lane. We did. And, of course, Randy has to tell the guy that I'm gushing over how he's the best-of-the-best, etc...geez' he embarrassed the poor guy! :) Oh well, maybe it made his day to know what a great job he does and that he is appreciated.

So, anyway, just as we finish loading the last of the shopping Randy says, "Maybe I should go switch cars so we don't have to load twice." (We had a loaner since we had dropped the truck off for maintenance) Ok, I say...probably a good idea. I'll just wait for you when I'm finished checking out. So, yes, 5 minutes turned into like 20 or 30 so I'm sitting....waiting...sitting...and, yes, waiting some more. I decide to snap a few photos for the blog. See the little spot on the bench? Yep, that's where I sat.

You know they say it's good to take photos of everyday things...our grocery store of today is sure to change lots in the years to come. So, today was my chance and I took it. Crazy, I know, but maybe it'll be fun for someone to look back in the years to come...or maybe not...but whatever...I'm sure anytime I look at that picture I'll be able to hear in my head once again the greeter as they say, "Welcome to Walmart!"

Beautiful Days...Beautiful Life

Today was one of those days I wish I could bottle up and keep forever. It was such a beautiful day. After the kids got home from school we decided to take a walk before supper. I can't even explain the feeling I had as we walked and I got to watch the kids laugh and talk and share details from their day. Rylee was excited to tell all about the "Fish Olympics" she and her friends 'invented' and are coordinating at recess time. She spent the evening trying to talk Reeva into joining her team - "We need someone to beat Dalton!" Here is a picture I snapped of them on my phone as they walked along their dad's bean field. Who wouldn't want to capture a memory like that?

When we got home, Randy grilled while we got the veggies and brownies ready. We ate outside on our new patio...soooo nice! The turkey breasts were delicious and the sweet corn we had put up was the perfect side. The kids helped carry the dishes in then played in the yard while I cleaned up the kitchen. I looked out to see them playing some crazy game with their dad so I went out to watch and laugh as they hit a kickball with a raquetball raquet and then ran around bases as everyone else chased them and tried to get them out with the ball. The rules changed constantly as only they can when Randy is leading any of their crazy games. :)

As I watched my family throughout the evening, I couldn't help but think how blessed I am - how blessed we all are - to have each other to love and support and believe in. A beautiful life indeed.

School Time Again...

Wow, I feel that I hear myself say these words more and more every day but, seriously, where does the time go?! There is definitely a bit of sadness in my voice as I wonder where our days of summer went the past few months but I also know it is a time to be happy and excited as our lives grow and I get to watch this new phase in our life. I sit here this morning in a very quiet house as I sent all four kids off to begin a new school year. I keep thinking I am going to hear the squeak of the door as Reegan goes in and out to the front porch to feed and play with her kitties where she so loved to spend most of her mornings after the 'big kids' went to school. The poor kitties don't even know what they are in for, do they? Yesterday, Randy and I took Reegan to her first day of kindergarten. The kindergarteners don't ride the bus on the first day. They only go for about 2 hours and then get to come home. Do they do that for the kids or the parents?! I'm afraid in our case it was for me this year. :( I have been so excited for Reegan and I know she has no doubts that she is ready to tackle big kid life - and she's going to do great - but I have to say it has been a little harder for me this time. I'm going to miss our time together - I have always felt so blessed to be able to stay at home with my children so, really, I have nothing to be sad about, right? Right. (I may just have to keep telling myself that for a while.) Ok, I'm going to move on...ok, TRY to move on....let's see...oh, yes, first day pictures! Of course, I've got some of those to share. ;)

Here is yesterday as I sent my big kids off to school. Rylee and Reeva are starting 5th grade this year! They will be switching classes for the first time and can't wait. Reece will be in 2nd grade and isn't sure he's ready for school to begin but he is a very good student and I know he will do wonderfully. :)

Then it was Reegan's turn!

Here she is getting ready to go into the school...doesn't she just look ready?!

At her new desk working:

A smile for mama :)

And afterwards:

Her apple nametag from her teacher:

And today....Reegan's first ride on the school bus....

And there they went...leaving me here to miss them but also to be their number one cheerleader as they set off to grow and learn and become the amazing people I know that they are.

Braces for Reeva...Again!

Wow...braces again...and she's only 10! Whew! But, this is it...at least according to her orthodontist....she will be done with braces before 6th grade. And that might not be a bad thing. She is very concientious right now about what she can and can't eat with them and she's happy with them - don't know that I could say that in a few years.

Here she is getting ready to go in....

in the chair...

with her fancy glasses and 'bib'...

with something that does not look comfortable at all...

doesn't look any better :(

checking them out....



and showing them off!

Little Man and a Big Girl Moment

Reegan discovered this weekend that her cousins, Cora and Caleb, (who I might mention are a teensy bit younger than her) could both ride a bike.....without training wheels. Hmmm, this did not sit very well with my youngest who is forever trying to keep up with her big sisters and brother. She was determined that she was going to ride a bike. So, today we stopped by Erica's to borrow the little bike that Cora learned on (smaller than the bike Reegan got for her bday in October) and brought it home. As soon as we got home Reegan hopped on it, took off and didn't stop! AND that little bike looked way too small for her so I told her that I was certain she could ride her big girl bike without training wheels. To this she replied, "Ok, well I guess I have to wait for Daddy to get home so he can take my training wheels off." Imagine her delight when I told her that I could handle training wheels. :)

But then I realized

that this might be a good job for a big brother. ;)

And I have to say that Reece was more than happy to help his little sister out. :)

She was quite the little helper as she watched her big brother work.

Check out those skills!

And she is off!

I'm thinking Cora and Caleb had better watch out....

Reegan is ready to go!!