Monday, October 28, 2013

She's Ten (Started in June but I finished it)



 

She has passed the half way point.
Transitioning from girl to woman.
How I long to make it easy,
how I pray she slides through with grace.
She's an amazing daughter 
I couldn't and wouldn't want any different.
She is sassy and sweet and smart and hilarious.
She is great at being a little sister 
and fantastic as a big sister.
Her role in our life is clearly defined,
I'd be lost without her.
There is no mistaking who her mom is
and she is proud to look just like me.
I can read her mind and I can have no idea what she's thinking.
It drives her crazy and it drives me crazy.
When she grins her whole face lights up.
When she cries her whole body cries.
When she gives a look it is felt.
Her emotions run deep and wide.
She loves forever.
She is strong, 
She is sensitive,
She is beautiful,
She is kind,
She is generous,
She is treasured.
Anna we love you, you make us proud just by being who you are
always remain confident in just being yourself
because you are PERFECT just the way God made you.







Beginning of Fall

I can't believe November is just a few days away. It seems like fall sports flew by but probably because we have submersed ourselves in busy. Nothing has been easy this fall. Ben and the kids started school on the same day. Ben has entered a global MBA program at Georgia Tech. It is lots of hours for him which means i get to hold down the fort. Thanks to some great friends Beau and Luke still played soccer and Anna played softball. I have missed many great plays the most significant being Beau's first goal but they have learned I have limits and its okay to ask for help. It definitely isn't easy to admit I can't do it all but it's reality.
Beau has adjusted fantastically to the demands of middle school. Ben is committed to his school work but finds time to read a book to Owen at bed, hang out in trees with Luke, tease Anna and watch The Walking Dead with Beau. We sneak a lunch together once in a while.
It hasn't been an easy three months but as all seasons and life bring their own rewards and challenges, this one has too.
I'm thankful for  God who holds me together when I want to fall apart. I'm thankful for the right person being there when I needed a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. I'm thankful for the Holy Spirit whispering to others to make me hear and act when needed.  I'm thankful for children who listen and love in spite of my faults, and laugh at my mistakes with me. We all grow together in our house and learn as we go. I'm thankful for Ben and how hard he works and studies for our family. He makes me laugh when I'd rather cry and he keeps me sane when I feel like I'm spinning out of control.
So as the season changes outside I'm praying for a little change of season inside. We are taking a season of sports off to slow down and enjoy the moments without being on the go all the time. A difficult decision for me to take but I believe the right one. Hoping to capture some memories in a season of peace.


A crab spider on the trees by the kids swingset, Beau told me what it was. Helping me remember to be still.


Our garden flowers that brought color to my life everyday this season.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Corn Maze

We have had a busy fall, with Ben in school and kids in soccer and softball it's been nonstop. However, that hasn't stopped us from having a little fun. One Saturday afternoon we packed up the kids and went to a corn maze. It was some great family time enjoying the outdoors and laughing together. Sometimes finding an activity for an 11 year old and a 3 year old can be difficult but we all had a lot of fun.

Pumpkin patch Fun

Luke and Owen were invited to a birthday party at the pumpkin patch. It was a really fun afternoon for just the three of us. Owen had his face painted for the first time, we went on a hayride and walked around a patch. The boys loved it.



Pumpkin Carving

Great fun night pumpkin carving with new friends. Anna worked so hard on hers and it turned out super cute. Luke did his own ghost and Owen chose a scary monkey pumpkin or something. Beau wasn't into pumpkin carving this year so he didn't do one.