Run! Run! As fast as you can!

Today I got to spend the afternoon in Reegan's classroom helping her and her classmates cut out, decorate and bake gingerbread men. This is always such a fun week for the kindergarteners. They spend the week reading, "The Gingerbread Man" and then the day before I was there they made a big gingerbread man as a class but when they went to get it out of the oven...it was gone! They ended up going on a big hunt all over the school following notes that he left for them only to find him back at their classroom. Reegan had so much fun! So, the next day they tried it again with each of them getting to make their own gingerbread man then they brainstormed ways to keep them from running away when they baked them. They decided to put chairs in front of the ovens and stay in the room when they baked them to make sure none of them escaped. :) They were relieved that none of the gingerbread men escaped and took them back to the room, put icing on them and then ate them! They had such a great time and I'm so glad I got to be a part of it.

Labor Day

Labor Day is always a memorable weekend for our family. Our town has a softball tourney, parade, and lots of food. Randy and I used to play in the softball tourney every year but have just enjoyed being with our family for the last couple of years.

I remember looking forward to the parade every year when I was a kid and now it is fun to see my little ones get excited each year. Of course, Reegan was the most excited and has been counting down the days all week. :) Here is a picture of our block! I wish I could find a picture from when Rylee and Reeva were small. Oh, how the view from my lens has changed. I try to take a picture every year but, of course, I can't find them when I want them! Anyway, that picture was pretty close-up with mostly us with a few of my sisters and Randy's family. Can you even make out anyone in this picture?!

The kids had so much fun chasing candy that was thrown to them as the moms kept telling them to get back so they weren't run over by the next car in line. Randy decided to stay out in the fields this year since they were picking corn and getting a lot done. The elevator closed at 4 though so he was able to meet us at the park after that to watch the last of the ball games that Aaron and Kirk were playing. Their team was runner-up so we had a good time watching games and letting the kids play at the park.

When I look at pictures like this and think of days like yesterday I can't help but be so thankful that my sisters and I have stayed so close. I am so glad Rebecca and her family moved back home. Our kids are almost like siblings and there are lots of best friends among them. They so so fun to watch as they laugh and play together. The older they get the busier our lives get but I hope we still make time to spend time with the ones we love so that our kids grow up loving being a part of a big family just as much as my sisters and I do.

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.