Summer Recap

Well, since the ENTIRE summer went by with nary a post, I'm doin a little catch up...

M A Y
Thomas turned FOUR. Learned to ride his bike never using training wheels. Got a full size youth hockey goal. Had a party at a nearby park/creek. Lovin life.











J U N E
Patrick accepted a job offer from a new firm. Great people, interesting cases. 10 minute commute. All around great. Worked 30 days straight. Including on his birthday and Father's Day. On his way home from work on a SATURDAY, he was hit by an elderly lady who ran a red light - SUV totalled. VERY thankful no one was hurt.



But Henry said I could borrow his car...



J U L Y
Better work hours, no car accidents, a fun Fourth of July parade in our neighborhood (some rad float making too), and celebration of our 9Th wedding anniversary. Words cannot possibly express how grateful I am for my husband. LOVE pretty much sums it up.









A U G U S T
What?
Hank turned TWO. I literally remembered the afternoon before. Promptly spent an hour and a half in our favorite toy store with the kiddos and my mom. Good times. LuLu brought over vanilla steamers and pastries for breakfast. Don't judge, it's just milk laced with vanilla syrup (that he consumes in less than 30 seconds) - what's not to like about that? Pizza for dinner and cupcakes for dessert. Wonderful day spent at home. It's amazing how "partyish" life can be with three kids.









Thomas gave himself a bang trim...





Soph was a flower girl in a dear friend's wedding. Best time in all her six years staying up late dancing until 11pm. Wants to become a professional flower girl actually. Amazing wedding complete with lots of good Irish folk, great friends, food, and drink. It took us all at least a week to recover from the festivities.











Patrick's boss, Irnie, invited us down to his farm in Castle Rock. The kiddos gathered fresh eggs from the barn, rode a horse, and took a tour of the farm in the scoop of a John Deere front end loader. Really fun day!





Sophie started in a homeschool enrichment program 1.5 days a week through a local charter school. Her favorite teacher is Mrs. Bacon. It was meant to be. She loves it, I love it, everyone is happy.



School in our home started right after our annual Labor Day trip to Pecos, NM. Which will be a whole nother post. It was awesome...

Lemonade! Lemonade!

Change

Some things never change. Like God's infinite love for us. And some things constantly change. Like children. I feel surrounded by change lately. Change in major life things and change in teenie tiny things. Change is often challenging for me but I know it is a necessary part of life, and without it there is no growth. So rather than fear it (which is my usual inclination) I'm trying my best to embrace it, be hopeful in it, and desire it. Because really, when it comes right down to how God created us, change can be incredibly beautiful.

I have been reminded quite a lot recently that "the days are long but the years are short." I can imagine looking back over these days in utter amazement at just how darn fast they went by, how sweet they have been, and how much change takes place in growing up.

And in the blink of an eye, my baby is now my boy...

Sweet Friends

Three of the Molitor children came over to play one afternoon a few weeks ago. Having six kiddos running around the house gave me a teenie tiny taste of what it is like for the their family of seven and for Patrick's sister with her NINE. Right now, having three is totally manageable.
Sophie and Ruthie enjoyed doing school work together, Thomas and Walter played hockey and acted just as boys should, Henry and Rebecca followed each other around like sweethearts. We ventured to the park across the street and on our walk home stopped by the creek for some "exploring". Lots of giggling and makebelieve was had by all.

Tis the Season

It has been a busy six weeks! Time has seemed to fly and stand still all at the same time. Just yesterday I realized that since Sophie's birthday in early Nov, I haven't taken a single photo of my kiddos (excluding phone pictures) which is saying a lot. I feel a little sad about that since Henry has changed quite a bit in the last few weeks. He seems to have lost his baby look and is full speed ahead as a toddler.

Last weekend was FULL. Four parties in three days. Patrick's firm holiday dinner on Friday night (which wasn't nearly as awkward as I was expecting it to be!), a birthday party for a neighbor then a cocktail supper with a dear group of friends Saturday night, and the Downing House Christmas open house Sunday night. I also got to spend some great time with two friends (Ginger and Byranie) who were visiting from out of state this weekend. The couple of hours alone with each of them was such a treat and a wonderful break from the constantness of motherhood. I'm wishing I had more pictures but just managed to get a few on Sunday night at the Downing House...








The next few weeks slow way down for us. We'll take a few weeks off from school and just prepare for Christmas. Then, the weekend after we'll drive down to New Mexico to spend some time with my side of the family. I haven't seen my brother Matt and his sweet wife and kiddos in over 3 years. The longest stretch of time for sure. Looking forward to meeting my niece Maisie and for them to meet Henry. Also, let's not forget the massive amounts of green chile we'll consume.

I must now muster up the energy to stand in line at the post office for stamps.

Merry Christmas!

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

We've been listening to Fernando Ortega's Christmas Songs pretty much all day every day for several weeks. He has some beautiful renditions of classic Christmas hymns as well as several songs of his own. My favorite this year...

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Such a beautiful reminder of our sweet Saviour's birth and the JOY, PEACE, REST and HOPE that comes from knowing Him.

http://www.fernandoortega.com

Quotes of the day

Thomas running around in his undies...

Me: "Thomas go put your pants on so we can go to Great Harvest."

Thomas: (very convincingly) "Mom, did you know some kids don't wear pants when they go to Great Harvest?"

Me: "No, no I did not know that."


Sophie holding her bucket of Halloween candy...

"Mom, if you just give us the whole bucket then we'll get totally sick of it and won't ask for anymore for like, ten years."

As I'm writing this, Thomas runs in with his pants on, but missing his shirt. Arrgggg. Sometimes getting out the door is ridiculous.