{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real} Love edition

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~  

{Pretty}

 In our townhouse, there was an area that the kids always played that had the best light.  It was so beautiful, and I miss that sunroom, which I think was my favorite room in the whole house.  My heart was so happy to see these sweet boys playing in the playroom, but with the sun streaming in, just like the other house.  (It also makes me happy that these boys want to draw!)

{Happy}

This sweet face smiling at me and telling me to "have a nice day!" in the morning is such a treat!

5th graders get to be safety patrol in the morning.  I love that he opens the door for his siblings!  I still call the safety patrol "life guards" in my head, since that is what my kids called them for the first 2 years that we were at All Saints.  LOL

{Funny}

When I have groceries in the van and I have to make 2-3 trips in and out of the garage, James will stand at the door, hold it open and say "After you!" with a little bow.  I am not sure where he got it from, but it makes me feel so special, and he's just so stinking cute!  It's such a grown up thing to do.  My Patrick says it's from Lego Batman movie, which, of course, totally throws off my cuteness story, but I still enjoy it.

{Real}

It's not often that my sweet James feels like snuggling with me, but if he's tired and not ready to wake up, sometimes I will get those special snuggles.  

Actually, to get real with you, We had something happen at the house the other day.  Emma came into our room saying that William has a sharpie, is writing his name on the bathroom door.  She stopped him before he got to the "M".  I made him clean it up (along with Emma, who brought the sharpie upstairs), but seriously, I could NOT get mad at him.  This boy wants to write his name!  He has been writing his name everywhere, writing me "notes" when all last year I could barely get this boy to even HOLD a crayon!  How can I get mad?  I did tell him that he needs to write on paper, but I just couldn't yell at him.  I was just too happy.  

James' New Craze

For those of you who do not know, James is a HUGE fan of the Little Einsteins on Disney Junior.  I love the themes of the show, with the music and artwork done by the great artists and composers.  He's got the theme song down, in his own way.  He pats and does all the motions with the show, and I like that he enjoys it so much.  We can all sing the songs together, and the other day, it calmed him down in the car when he was so upset.  The big kids (who sometimes reluctantly choose to watch with him) know all the songs as well and I am glad they will keep that sweetness for a little longer.

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real} Family

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~  

{Pretty}

I love seeing all the beauty in nature, and this moment as I was walking with my James just struck me.  I love the trust and love that sweet boy has for me.  The way the shadows make him look so tall, just tells me that I am not going to have him little forever. 

Look at this amazing cloud!  A cold front moved into our area and it literally rolled in!  I didn't get the best view, but it was so amazing to see it!

{Happy}

Our scouts took their cute smiles and Pinewood Derby track to a local Assisted living home.  The seniors made their own cars and we helped them race!

There was nothing sweeter than to see the boys interact with all the seniors, and the smiles were non-stop.

The boys performed some camp songs, flag ceremony, our pre-race exercise and just had a great time.  I think they will have us back next year.

{Funny}

 My own personal superheroes.  Don't you just love the outfit William put on?  Just before the photo, he leaned over and kissed his guns.

 I think I need to get this boy a jacket with a hood.  The weather has turned a little chilly, and James is not content with his jacket.

And, this is what happens when the toddler takes a selfie.

{Real}

15 years ago, on this day, Tommy took me on our first date.  What was supposed to be coffee (that I don't drink) turned into a dinner and walk around a beautiful section of town.  The next day, my Tommy met my family: not just mom, dad and one or two siblings.  The family!  I knew he was the one because he was so comfortable and fit right in.  I knew he was a keeper!  We celebrated our 11 year wedding anniversary on Saturday with a date night.  A long overdue date night!  Thanks to his wonderful sister for taking all our hooligans.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 1) Mommy can do this! Edition

--- 1 ---

We are currently on the third week of school.  I have to admit that it is getting better!  I had a full-blown meltdown last Tuesday when I realized how quiet the house was without my William, and how LONG he was going to be gone (the first week is only a half day for the Kindergartners.)  I miss my little conversationalist so much!  He struggled the first weeks and I wasn't sure if he would like it, but he is doing FABULOUS, the teacher keeps me up on everything, and the smile on his face when he spots me in the crowd to pick him up is so wonderful!

--- 2 ---

For the first time, I have volunteered to be a room mom/liaison.  My friend is the coordinator, and sort of guilted me into it.  I have never done this before, and she SWEARS 3rd grade is easy.  We shall see.  I am so nervous about the whole thing, but am thankful that I am not going at it alone.  Apparently, this is the way to get in good with the teachers.  :)

--- 3 ---

Did I also mention that I plan on helping in William's classroom too?  At least 1-2 times a month.  Yeah, something else I have never done.  I just want to get in good with all the teachers.  :)  I have some AMAZING mom friends who offered to watch my sweet James so I could have some piece of mind and some time.  They could tell I am a whack job and miss my little man.  I went today, and just fell in love with all those sweet faces!  I loved their joy and excitement of it all, and to be there with my big W, and see that he is doing well was AWESOME for me.  Yep, I can see I would be one of those "follow the school bus" moms, except my kids don't even RIDE the school bus!  LOL

--- 4 ---

Speaking of my James, the first week of school was so tough for him.  As soon as the kids got out of the car, he says, "Pat pat?  Emma?  Oo-wah?"  I told him they were at school, and he would say "shcool?"  It was so sad.  Of course, then he would ask if we could go to Chick-Fil-A and go on the "payground?"  He knows what mommy likes.  

--- 5 ---

My wedding anniversary is Saturday, the feast of the Triumph of the Cross.  11 years!  I am feeling so nostalgic about our wonderful years together (we dated for 3, engaged for 1) and how amazing our wonderful family is.  Have I told you lately how wonderful my husband is?  Perhaps I need to do a special blog post just for him.  He just gets more handsome, patient, kind and just plain wonderful with each year.  He is always in such a great mood, gets along with everyone (I am not kidding.  He can make anyone comfortable especially by a joke or his laugh.) and does such a great job at each project he tackles.  Including his impatient, cranky, selfish wife.

--- 6 ---

We visited my parent's house the other day, and I was struck by the changes in our family over the last year.  It's almost a full year since we moved out of their house.  Just a year ago, my James was starting to walk.  We almost didn't think we would find a house, let alone one this wonderful.  My depression was pretty bad last summer, though I didn't want to admit it.  One year in this house.  Can you believe it?  I still would like to post pictures, but I think that I will take pictures of one room at a time, with about a week apart between each, so I can clean up and not let everything fall apart so fast.

--- 7 ---

On a more serious note, we are still waiting to hear more about my sister's heart issues.  We have a few more questions than answers.  Please keep up those prayers,

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real} Camping Edition

{Pretty}

Patrick, Emma and Tommy went camping this past weekend for the family event at the local Scout camping grounds.  Since they had rain on and off all weekend, they got some beautiful rainbows!  Their hikes were lovely, and I think this photo captures the beauty of God around them.

{Happy}

Our very own Robin Hood, who nearly split his arrows was the reigning archery champion!

{Funny}

It's so funny to me the way these kids act when the camera comes out.  The great news is that all the kids passed their swim tests and were able to enjoy aquatic time.  

{Real}

 The real part of the trip with all the clouds and the rain that came every day, according to Tommy.  Ugh.

And, when you send your only daughter camping with Daddy, he doesn't always make sure that your girl looks her best.  She admitted to me that she only brushed her hair one time that weekend.  Well, not that we can tell or anything.......

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End of Summer Vacation Craziness

These are just for me, but this is what our house felt like in the last few days before school started.  My kids love this song from Mary Poppins.  I also love this stage that James is in, where he imitates everything that the big kids say and do.  It's so stinkin' cute.

God is Always in Charge

Can I ask for some prayers for my sister, Jenn?  We just found out that she needs to have open heart surgery very soon for a congenital defect.  We know that God has a plan and is always in charge and we also know that he listens to our prayers.  My sister is also my Godmother, mother of 2 amazing boys and a homeschooling mom.  She is my "go to" for so much, and she is always giving of herself to others.  She is always busy, always learning, and whenever I am asked if I am her sister, and feel that I need to add a note that they should NOT expect the same from me!  Please keep her and her family in your prayers!  Thank you!

And, while we are on the subject of family and prayers, would you please add my mother- and father-in-law to your list as well?  They are going to have surgery in the next months as well.  Unfortunately, my MIL's heart surgery was a failure and she now needs to have the valve replaced.  We are praying for a safe outcome, and speedy recovery of all! 

And one more: My cousin, mother of 8, just got a cancer diagnosis.   Thank you!