Fun First Friday

The weather today was so great that it made me not want to miss even one second of it -- it was one of those handful of days each year that is pretty close to perfect.

So, the boys and I had a marathon day to soak up the sheer awesomeness that God gifted us!

We started out by going to Mass, which was doubly great because we got to see Henry.

Then, we met Matt for lunch in Warsaw for a picnic lunch by Winona Lake.

After we drove back to the old Fort of Fun, we picked up Henry from school and headed right up to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. Thanks to the FW Tourism Kiosk at Jefferson Pointe, we even rode the log ride & train for free. It was glorious!

Especially since I'm so pregnant right now (34 weeks) and it's been so deathly hot this summer, I haven't taken the time I wanted to to just enjoy the boys. We have been inside in the air conditioning most of the summer,
So to just enjoy God's creation and let the boys run and explore and just be boys...it was a fantastic day.

I'm so blessed.

Henry's First Day of First Grade

When did he get so BIG???

All morning, Henry was so nervous about starting first grade.

He hadn't really said much about school starting, except that he was bummed that summer was over. Sounded pretty typical, and Matt and I agreed, but we didn't talk much about school actually starting.

Then...this morning...he was a BUNDLE of nerves.

After some Cheerios and chocolate chips, some pictures with Mom and Dad and some shaky hugs, I was able to take Henry to school, just the two of us.

(Matt very graciously stayed home a while so I could take him to school...what a guy!)

The whole way over to St. Elizabeth's, Henry was quiet and answered my questions with one-word answers.

Then, as we parked way over by the church (due to the high volume of parents walking their kids in for the first day) we held hands and started in on this new adventure.

On the way in to school, a group of 3rd and 4th graders saw us. They waved at me, and went CRAZY when they saw Henry! 

"Hi, Henry! How was your summer?? Want to play soccer at recess?" 

Henry. Lit. Up.

Suddenly, he was skipping down the hallway and up the stairs to Mrs. Peters' room.

As soon as we'd gotten to the door, we saw his best buddy, Finn...and, he was gone.

I had to call him back to get a picture with his teacher!

He found his desk all by himself, and barely said good-bye as I left him to begin the new year.

 

 

...Why is it that I want him to grow up, become an independent kid who loves God, his family and friends...but when it happens, I am a weepy mess??

 

Growing up is weird for everyone, I guess.

Moose & Mollie's

What a fun surprise!

Once we dropped Henry & John Paul off at soccer practice at Roanoke Park last evening, Matt made the surprise suggestion to walk to Moose & Mollie's in downtown Roanoke with Jake & Will.

We had a blast! And, it was really fun just being with the younger two boys. That doesn't happen often.

I love being able to spend time with small groups of our kids, or even better, one-on-one time. My prayer is that all our kids grow up feeling loved for being an individual; not just a number in a big mass of kids.

Nights like last night make that possible. We are so blessed!

Life is good

Here is Jake & JP feeding the fish in our pond on a gorgeous August afternoon.

And, Jake is not wearing pants.

JP also likes to pretend he's Bear Grylls & try to catch "blugies" with his bare hands.

Life is good.

Goodbye, Facebook!

"We just need to constantly remind each other of how amazing the life is that’s been put right in front of our noses," he concludes. "And the most interesting and worthwhile parts of this amazing life involve loving the people we’re privileged to have sitting right in front of us."



I've realized lately how disconnected I've become to my family. I've found myself to be really upset by certain posts on Facebook, and even more disappointed in the person(s) who posted it.

Why am I doing this to myself?!

I have realized that I am not presenting the best version of myself to the most important people in my life -- my husband and kids -- because I'm frustrated with virtual "friends."

While I truly believe that Facebook (and the internet, in general) can be excellent tools for growing into a better person, right now, I've accepted that it's doing just the opposite for me and my walk with Christ.

And, as if precisely on cue, there was a fantastic article in the National Catholic Register today with evidence to back up that decision.

I'm excited to use my little corner of the web to share my thoughts and daily adventures with Matt and the kids...and eliminate a little stress in the process.

And, maybe take that time I used to spend "Facebook stalking" friends to read another book to my kids, or sit on the back porch to watch the sunset over the neighboring farm with my husband.

You know...enjoy real life a little more.

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/choose-face-time-over-screen-time?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NCRegisterDailyBlog+National+Catholic+Register#When:2012-08-5

Our own little Saint Francis!

All in God's Image

Yesterday, Matt cut up some apples at dinner. Henry wasn't finishing them very quickly, so Matt told him to pick up the pace.

Henry: "Dad, you know how God created us all differently?"

Matt: "Yeah..."

Henry: "Well, some people eat apples, and others don't. It's all okay!"

Nice try, H.