Titus special Bread

I had to sneak a pic of our two trampolines on the night of Nadia's birthday party. Even under cover of darkness they still were bouncing like crazy!

I have lately learned that Ty is a man in need of a mission. I am in two separate bible studies one on Wednesday morning and one on Thursday morning. During the one on Wednesday he is in childcare and plays the whole time with his buddies and during the one on Thursday he is in a structured bible study as well. I learned in the first week taht he THRIVES on structure. He is not the same child on Thursday as Wednesday. He is happier and has far less issues wherein his sin oozes from his little body. So, in response to this I have decided that he is the one responsible to make the bread for our family. He LOVES it. If he's playing outside and I tell him it's time to make Titus' special bread he sprints in at breakneck speed. Here he is proudly displaying the finished product.

Here he is sniffing . . . mmmmmmmmm!

Here is the master baker rewarded with the love and thanks of his family. Little Nadia cannot contain herself most of the time and we will find a corner ripped off and stuffed into those cute chubby cheaks. Poor Ty. We have had to reassure him many times that it was made to be eaten, and little Na is so excited to be the first one to try. She loves that big bubba! So do we all!

Hey Y'all!

This week was really fun, dispite being sick that is. The weather was beautiful and not the least bit fallesque. Routine! Ahh Blessed routine! Every summer I think how glad I am to have some freedom and ease. Then when the Fall rolls around again I realize how I need the routine of knowing what's around the corner. The dreaded "O" word has become my friend and I now strive for organization and thrive with it. It has become like Miracle Grow addinng richness and life to my day rather than pusing me into a box and draining my creativity. Organization with a dash of maturity = a happy me.

Hubby and I were up by 5:45 every day and the children were up with lunches made and cheerful, sleepy faces by 6:30 ready for breakfast. They finished up, got dressed in uniforms and hit the ground running. Backpacks on and out by 7:15 leaving Ty, Nadia and I to clean up the breakfast dishes and tidy up the rooms. Laundry has been easy since we have been working it into our early morning routines and then the children put it away when they get home.

We have had
** the first day of School! That went really well.
** the first day of Choir for Emma, Mia and Ty. They all were smiling and happy and are ready for day 2
** Nolen's first home game, He was tackling like crazy and was happy with the results. No injuries!!
** Emma and Mia's first day of harp for the 2009-2010 school year. I was surprised at how mature Emma had gotten through the summer. She is geared up and ready for a great year
**The first day of BSF for Ty, Nadia and I. The cutest thing that happened was Ty's first meeting with his teacher Mrs. Eagle. We had been telling Ty and Nadia how much we liked their teachers for a few days. So when he first saw he I bent down and said, " Ty, that's Mrs Eagle. " He got a huge smile on his face and fan to her saying "Mrs. Eagle!! Mrs. Eagle!! I love you." and gave her a HUGE hug.

All is off and running rather smoothly. We will definately have bumps in the road this year, we always do, but hopefully we will deal with them with wisdom and joy as a busy and organized family.

Time together is so good for us

Hubby and I had so much fun on our break together I thought you should see the difference. We were lovin it.

I married a handsome man!!

I AM SICK

Just in case I try to deny it (because I hate, with a passion being sick) I have been examined and pronounced unwell. I have tonsillitis and the Dr. winced when he looked into my mouth to check my huge throbbing throat. They are red and swollen and miserable. I am on some major antibiotics not the wimpy stuff, I'm talkin' the 5 day jobbers here (insert singing from angel choir *here*) and he said that I should feel better by tomorrow. Praise GOD!!! The trip to the pharmacy is not going to be on the "best moments of my life" hi light reel, so let me tell you. I walked in determined not to cry. Do you see where this is going? Walked confidently up to the counter and begged the pharmacy tech to RUSH my prescription and to notify me over the loud speaker when it was done. All in almost a whisper and holding my throat. We went straight to the starbucks counter and ( because I decided I was most certainly being picked on) ordered a pumpkin spice latte for me (GRANDE) and a vanilla bean frappaccino split in half with whipped cream, carmel drizzle and chocolate sprinkles for Ty and Nadia. They called my name and I paid for my prescriptions and plead with the pharmacist to give me some ideas on how to keep this from infecting my children, took my meds (choral music *Here* once again) right there on the spot (so, who cares if he felt awkward, I was miserable!!!) and left for home where we sipped our drinks and listened to a Horse and His Boy. Did I mention all the while trying not to cry because the 600mg of Ibuprofen was not even touching the pain in my throat?

We sat down to watch the Mickey mouse 3 musketeers and then lunch and naps all before 11am. I am hoping they will sleep for a while so I can rest, but we'll see. I am praying for a good day tomorrow since I won't be contageous any more (Praise the Lord for that good after 24 hours of antibiotics rule!!) and I was told by not only the dr. but the pharmacist that I would feel well. Yes, I know I'm being repiticious, but I'm banking on feeling good by tomorrow. We don't trust in chariots, horses or antibiotics, but a good God who loves us and gives us means to kill the effects of the fall and the serpent! To God be the glory!

Everything all at once

Today is Update day!!!!

We have had a very busy and fun summer. We are oficially done with what we fondly refer to as our inadvertant re-model. Our basement looks amazing and our upstairs is now bright and sunny and beautiful.

Ty's 4th birthday was a blast and we all had so much fun!!! The day before we took the children and hiked up Blueberry Hill and plopped ourselves down under a blueberry bush and tried as hard as we could to eat ourselves out from under it. Luved it. The next day we packed our towels and a picnic and went up to Ty's favorite place in the world, the Quincy waterslides and were in the water all day. Very fun and relaxing.

My wonderful hubby was then down to only 3 weeks to prep for school, but surprised me with a break and we left our children with our very own Charis Bloander and he swooped me away for 2 nights and 3 glorious days to Coeur d'Alene. We were able to say out late and still catch up on our sleep since we didn't have to wake up with anyone at night! We walked so much and went to Thrift store and antique stores and treasure hunted. He took me out to an amazing restaurant called The Cedars. It floats on the lake and that day there was a Rainbow (*awwww*) and we had the most romantic table where we could see the whole lake. We swam in the pool every night and went for coffee at Starbucks every morning, shared all our meals and weren't in a rush to get anything done or go anywhere. This was a rare glimpse of glory, trust me.

When we got home we hit the ground running with football practice every night, and Scott coaching. Games every Saturday WooHaw!! Yes, my crock pot is gettin' some use.

Next was Nadia's 2nd birthday. It was so fun, and I realized how much my little girl has grown up. Literally and figuratively. She has been growing an inch a month and has been trying to do everything herself. She is a busy little bee. She is the first awake every morning and ready for every one to wake up, too. She goes around and searches for playmates. This is when she and Emma have some sweet fellowship together snuggling while they talk or sing psalms or Emma reads to her. We had the Byingtons and Madsons over and it was a crowd! It's so nice to have friends with big families, too. All the children had fun especially Nadia and the dancing! Wooooo! When these kids get older we are going to have some great swing dances in the backyard.

Now Nolen, Emma and Mia are back in school. They packed lunches, rechecked supplies and laid out their uniforms the day before and can you believe it!!! They were out the door by 7am!! after breakfast kisses and "wait, just one more picture!!" by me. Ty and Nadia had a rough start after everyone left but things smoothed out and now they are resting before we go pick up the big kids. The three of us cleaned the house, did laundry, paid bills, went to the bank, returned movies and went to Costco and Safeway ALL before lunch and they were cheerful! They even got to bless the socks off some grandmas and grandpas in the process. We have meatballs in the crock pot simmering with orange sauce just beggin for rice and a salad. This is also Titus first day of wee prep choir, Mia's first day of lil' prep choir and Emma's first day of girls prep choir. Football practice and a late dinner are at hand, but at least I know they will be warm and I won't be scrambling. AND that ladies makes a happy mommy :)