School Daze

It's only been a week, and I'm already looking forward to Thanksgiving vacation.  Every year that I feel like I'm doing too much, I say that I'm going to cut back the next year, and it never happens.  This year is no different.  I think the next year will have to bring about a lot of change.  I can't keep on this hamster wheel much longer.  
The kids all had a good first week of school.  Rory had already been going, so she doesn't count.  Logan and Mars are settling into their friend groups and routines again and fall is fast approaching, my favorite time of year.  There's nothing like a chilly evening, a fogged door, and a pot of chili on the stove.  

Relic was not happy that the kids left all day.  

I'll have to get with Logan about the covering his face business.  :/

The kids were excited to go to the pool with daddy while I worked out.  Win/Win

Hopefully this will be a regular occurrence.  

A Labored Weekend

I don't know that parents ever get a true free day of labor like Labor Day touts.  It was an extremely busy weekend for us.  It started out with Logan's new training.  We're trying to teach him tricks, so we have something to work on over winter break when his training classes stop for the season.  We'll start him back up in January, but we need something to fill the gap.  I had a video to show, but videos don't upload the same as pic apparently, and I can't get it to work.  :( Sorry!
Moving on to Logan's first baseball game.  We only recognize a couple of people on the team, which upsets me since I requested his same coach.  They won, but the team traveled from far away, and now we have to go there for the next game. 

The following day we celebrated Marley's birthday at my parents.  Kaelyn came into town for the party and brought her new beau.  It was a good time, and I got to see my sister for the first time since her boyfriend passed.  She's so strong. 

On the actual Labor Day Monday, we were trying to get ready for school the next day, so that was laborious.  Thankful for Kevin, who tried to help as much as possible.  

  

Happy Birthday Miss Marley!!!

We celebrated Marley's birthday today, which coincided with Rory's first day of high school.  Craziness.  The day went well even though it was packed full of things to do.  I'll roll pics.

The first week of school is free dress for high schoolers.  She said the shorts complied with the dress code because they were a five inch seam which her work mandates.  

The streamer tradition is still going strong.

We let her open a couple of small gifts at dinner.

 We got her a subscription to a Catholic T-Shirt box.  It comes with a t-shirt and some little things.

 She wanted pound cake, vanilla ice cream, and strawberries for birthday cake.

She was so excited about this!  

It was a great day.  I think she had fun.  She's growing up so fast.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for her.  I love you, Miss Marley!

Start of September Daybook

Outside my window...
it's raining and yucky.  The weather has gotten cooler for a couple of days, and I had a chance to wear my fall uniform, lounge pants and my oversized WVU sweatshirt.  

Giving thanks...
for a rediscovery of priorities, our church, and each other.

In the schoolroom...
the chaos is already starting.  Folders are being labeled, lunch boxes and water bottles are purchased, and book bags are dusted off.  We're looking forward to another great year of homeschooling.

From the kitchen...
not much good is coming out of there.  We've had some good meals, but with stress and school starting, we've gone back to our unhealthy eating ways.  We're hoping to get back on track starting next week, once we're in the swing of things.

I am creating...
a new kindergarten curriculum for our co-op.  It's hard and exhausting but much-needed.  

I don't ever want to forget...
- when I winked at Marley in the rear view mirror and her scrunched up face and smile reaction.  It was so cute!
- when Kevin and I say the same thing at the same time
- our car trip belly laughs on the way to and from Tennessee

I am working on...
lesson plans, meal plans, chore plans, plans, plans, plans

I am reading...
Unbound.  It was recommended by my spiritual director.  He's amazing.

I am praying...
for family and friends and everything/everyone in between.

I am hearing...
Logan and Marley playing in Logan's shower.  Giggles and laughter

Around the house...
we are vacuuming daily and starting a list of things that need done around here.

One of my favorite things...
having the windows open the past couple days.  I remember fondly being pregnant with Logan and relaxing on the couch with the breeze coming through the living room.  Every time I feel a breeze come in the window, I remember those days.

A few plans for next week...
Marley's birthday!!!!

The dog...
Relic is learning how to go to his bed and stay, especially when we have people over.  He got lots of shots and meds at the doc last week and was feeling a little under the weather, but he's back to eating well and playing.  

Back in the Saddle Again

So it's been a while, a year in fact.  I often look back at this blog and show the kids crazy things from their younger years, so I've decided to start back up again to have more things to show them.  I love having our memories at my fingertips.  
Not much has changed in a year.  I have one graduating college, one working and starting high school, one starting 6th and the one starting 3rd.  It's going to be a full year teaching kindergarten again and my Catechesis of the Good Shepherd class.  Since Fall is my favorite season, I can ignore the hustle and bustle of back to school and enjoy the cool crispness of air, pumpkin scents, and cardigans.  
I won't write too much for now and just post some pics.

Marley's creation yesterday.  Her very own DIY glasses.

Double Digit Logan

My middle little is 10 years old.  While I thought hoped boys would be less drama, Logan is coming into his own.  He's normally cool cucumber, but lately he's been showing signs of anxiety.  Hopefully it doesn't progress into more drama because I don't know how much more I can take.  Here are some pics of his ten-ness so far.

Of course the boys are back in town from Canada, so we had the annual birthday blow out with the three of them.

We let him light his own candles under the careful supervision of our resident pyro.  

And because of his newfound love of biking, his bike wasn't able to keep up, so a new sturdier one was gifted for his birthday.

Happy birthday, Log!  Loving my laid-back, lacksaidaical, loyal, laughing, light-hearted, logical, law-abiding, lively, lucky Logan, literally.  

The Art of Mothering

Guess who's in town?!  SEESTER!  She got in Friday, which was the last day of VBS.  We also had my niece staying with us that week, so we weren't able to get to see them until Saturday.  The kids were playing together in no time in the pool out back.  Lunch was had, electronics were flowing, things were well.  

Marley had come to sit on my lap because her tummy was upset.  I was at the dining room table talking to my mom, and she threw up.  It was all over the rug, my jeans, Marley's foot, ugh.  My mom and Kevin jumped right up to get towels and start cleaning up.  

Hoping it was a one time thing, the kids and I headed to confession without Marley and Kevin.  By the time we got back, food was ready to be picked up, and I dropped the kids off and picked up Kevin.  We got a text that Marley had thrown up again while waiting for the food.  

We ate and started home.  Marley threw up in the car.  Once home she went straight to bed, as did Kevin and I thinking we would be up a lot throughout the night.  She surprisingly slept straight through and started to throw up again that morning.  We all had tickets to go with both sisters and cousins to a baseball game.  Marley asked me to stay with her, so Kevin took Rory and Logan.  

While sitting on the couch with Marley, I realized that this was the perfect chance to get caught up on laundry, make some meals, tidy up, etc.  In the middle of all this, she would ask for a drink every now and then because she could only have a tsp. of ginger ale or apple juice every 20 minutes.  When she seemed to be feeling better, I asked what she wanted to try and eat.  She started to rub her eyes crying and said, "What I really want, I can't have."  I asked what that was, and she replied, "For you to sit here and cuddle with me."  It took the breath right out of me.  

She wanted me because when you're sick, you want your mommy.  Instead I was running all over the house trying to get things done instead of cuddling and caring for her.  Sure I was giving her drink and food, but I forgot about the love and attention kids need when sick.  I stopped what I was doing and sat with her the rest of the day.  We painted our nails, colored, and read books.  

I read a quote this morning that stopped me in my tracks.  I'm big on HAVING to serve my family because that's God's will for me.  Just like Marley being sick, I missed the mark on my service to my family too.  Here's the quote:

"I pray that you will understand the words of Jesus, 'Love one another as I have loved you.'  Ask yourself, 'How has He loved me?  Do I really love others in the same way?'  Unless this love is among us, we can kill ourselves with work and it will only be work, not love.  Work without love is slavery."

-Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta