the next chapter part 2 - my baby

Well, the inevitable has happened.

My baby, Abby, started preschool today.

I can hardly believe it is already time.

I put her name on this particular waiting list when I was pregnant with her and that enough time has passed for it to be time absolutely dumbfounds me.

She did wonderful on her first day.
To say she was ready is an understatement.

She has grown tired of watching her brothers "have all the fun."

And she has grown bored of playing with mom.

I certainly cannot keep up with the imaginative play of 3 year olds.

She went right into class and started an activity. I sat with her for a bit, though she didn't notice. She was too engrossed. I asked for a hug; told her I'd see her after lunch and went on my way.

"bye, mom," she said.

Good for her!! While it made my heart sink a bit, it is the goal of parenting.

well-adjustedness; among other things, of course.

I was proud of her being such a "big-girl" today. It is me who has the adjusting to do.

All morning I thought I had lost someone.

It's strange to be alone in stores and places that I'm usually keeping track of someone.

But I'm sure I'll come around too, it just may take a little time.

bring the rain

Several days this week it has been raining in the afternoons.

One minute it's sunny, the next dark and stormy and pouring rain.

Well yesterday, it started raining, but it was still sunny and

no threat of lightning, thunder, or storm. Just rain.

It took a little convincing because all of them are so scared of storms, but I told them to go out and play in the rain. Don't worry, it's JUST raining, I told them.

When I mentioned they could take off some clothes before going, they were sold on the idea. Abby especially, was overjoyed to go OUTSIDE in her underwear.

Seems questionably 'redneck'-ish to me, but oh well.

On their way inside, Matthew was the first to say, which the other two quickly repeated,

"Mom, thanks for letting us do that. That was the most fun of my life."......

'Absolutely. It's fun to be a kid,' I replied.

the next chapter

well, today marked the first day of school. Yep, already.

We're in a new chapter of life with two grade-schoolers.

Matthew started kindergarten, and Ben second grade.

Here are the proud mommy pics of the first day of school.

And no, it doesn't get easier to send the second one.

At least not for me.

premier party

you'd think we live in Hollywood.

But I'm relieved that we don't and the midwestern hospitality just can't be beat.

(though I've never been to Texas).

Anyway, premier party midwestern style plays out like this:

TONIGHT. AUG 17TH, at 7PM central,

the premier, in the basement of some friends,

projected onto the wall to create a "big-screen" feel,

4 families,

11 kids,

the sequel to the much-loved (by parents and kids alike) suprise hit by the Disney Channel,

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2!!

We're as excited as the kids!

(You should see the parents version of these dance moves, it's AWESOME!)

For those who don't follow baseball, this player is my favorite Cub.

Jason found me this shirt and ordered it on ebay, as they don't carry Theriot shirts in stores around here yet (he's kinda new). Hopefully we can pick some up for the kids in Chicagoland.

Then yesterday, it arrived. Packages in the mail are the BEST!

Looking forward to a game in a couple of weeks, surely sporting my new shirt.

Go Cubs!

a legacy

This week's message from Pastor Brooks was part of our Life of Abraham series. He talked about "The Next Generation," and about the faith that Abraham had with his son Isaac. Then he tied it to us, present day.

It was a message that hit me hard. Something that I needed to hear, just at the time I heard it. Don't you love it when God gives you a message that you're sure was meant for YOU? It sure puts me in my place. Anyway, we've been really seeking God recently, as I hope that we always do, but most recently we've had a big decision before us regarding our kids. Then we heard this message. It brought to the surface exactly what was in our hearts and what we knew; it was just being clouded over by the circumstances and "dust" of everyday life. The very things that have made us overlook this issue for quite awhile now. And through a lot of prayer on our parts lately, God intervened for us with this message, as though He were wiping away all the dust and cloudiness on the surface of the glass, so that we could see CLEARLY the answer there right before us. I am so humbled by this God who intervenes for me.


"Do not conform any long to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2


"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:5-7


I wanna leave a legacy, how will they remember me?
Did I choose to love, did I point to you?
Enough to make a mark on things,
I wanna to leave an offering,
a child of mercy and grace, who blessed your name,
unapologetically, to leave that kind of legacy.
(Nichole Nordeman, Legacy)

our very own PBR

Well, we've never actually seen live PBR (c'mon, professional bull riding), but from the reenactment in our living room this weekend, you'd never know it.

Alex served as the resident bull, and the boys requested different bulls by name, depending upon the personality of said bull and what they felt like enduring. You know, Bodacious bucks like crazy, Blueberry Wine spins a lot, Little Yellowjacket also bucks, and Booger bucks and spins (I'm told).
It was quite a sight. One at a time on their turn, Ben or Matthew would request what bull they wanted; the bull would get in the 'gate', then the bullrider would get on, stabilize, raise their right arm, nod their head and let the fun begin. One of the spectators were supposed to count to see how many seconds they could last. Abby and whatever boy was watching would jump off the couch and be the clown to rescue their brother from the bull after he got bucked off.

We belong on the range, don't we?

the "fierce" bull (smiling)

fairy tales

Today, Abby and I were laying on the couch watching Cinderella 3. It ended with a wedding, and after last week, we've had lots of wedding exposure lately. So at the end of the movie, Abby said something about getting married. She talks often of wanting to be a mommy like me when she is big, so anyway, the conversation went something like this....

Abby: I want to get married when I'm bigger like Cinderelly.
Me: yep, you can get married when you're bigger and then be a mommy. When you get married you'll be the bride.
Abby: but I was already the bride in Adam and Laura's wedding.
Me: no, Laura was the bride; you were the flower girl. Who do you think you'd like to marry?
Abby: Ben!
Me: well, no, you can't marry Ben because he's already in our family.
Abby: well, probably Adam (notice how you're second rate there to Ben, Adam?)
Me: but he just got married to Laura
Abby: um, Daddy!
Me: but Daddy's already married to me!

It was SO funny. we went on and on like this. I just love little girls!

today's joys

Well, regular life resumes here after we've pretty much recuperated from an exhausting weekend.

Today's simple pleasures of life struck us at the local community pool.

Ben finally mustered the courage to try the "swim test" and passed, which gave him diving board privileges. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine my hypochondriac, neurotic, first-born son wanting to do the swim test when he was 7 years old. (even though I was pretty confident he would pass, I hadn't been able to convince him) I fully expected it to take him til at least 10 to build up the guts and some more time watching his friends do it before he tried.

But, just one more instance of being shocked in parenting, and good for him!! I'm really proud of him.

The second joy of the pool was in the snack. Not always, but maybe 75% of the time I let the kids get a snack FROM the pool snack shop. Nothing I could bring is ever comparable to what they get there, and today is an example of that. I would bring along something like grapes, chips, maybe fruit snacks. But AT the pool today, I let them buy FUN DIP!! Talk about the "taste of summer," well, my kids would say this is it!! I love it when I answer 'yes' to them and SHOCK them by it!!

signed, sealed, delivered

They did it!

Adam and Laura got married, and Abby walked down the aisle!!

It was an absolutely terrific weekend. We got to spend some fun time with Adam and Laura prior to the festivities; Wednesday we had dinner with their families and a big game of wiffleball; Thursday, I got to spend some time with Laura and Jason got to hang out with the guys for dinner. And then Friday, we spent the day preparing, had lunch with all the girls, and then rehearsal and dinner that evening.

It was such a celebration; of these two amazing people, so in love, with each other, and with God, and so surrounded by love from everyone who knows them. It was one of the most fun times I've ever had.

Ben lit candles; Matthew was the ring bearer (or ring bear as Abby called him), and Abby was the flower girl. When Matthew got to the end of the aisle where Adam was, he gave him a 'hook 'em horns' sign with his hand, and when Abby got there, she only had one petal left in her basket. I don't know if she gave it to Adam or dropped it, but then she gave him a high five as well. All of our kids just love them to death. And so do we.

Here's a few of my favorite pictures from the night....

two days!