Splash in the Rain Puddles

My fingers are crossed that my kids stay in bed long enough for me to give you a quick update... We celebrated our two birthday boys a few weeks ago.  My oldest and youngest.  Now 8 and 2.    They are two peas in a pod, regardless of the six year age gap.  I am so thankful for our wonderful family and friends who helped us celebrate.  What a fun party it was! Luke was slightly unsure about those candles, but as you can imagine he had plenty of help to figure it out. The older boys are loving being involved in Awana this year.  We have such a wonderful team of leaders and volunteers and it really is amazing to see the impact it's having on their young lives.  I love helping them learn their verses....helping them understand not only what the words say but what the words mean. These two also just wrapped up their first quarter at school, and as of today begin a two week fall break.  Woohoo!!....i think :)  So ...

Happy October!  The month where two of my babies will turn yet another year older.  The month that is looking to be just as busy as the last....but with so many fun things in store.  I enjoy the fast paced schedule for a time...but by the time November rolls around I'm ready for the slow down that always finds us.  But for now, it's full speed ahead We are so grateful that all of our corn is harvested....especially as we hear talk of a possible hurricane this weekend.  God provided a few weeks of great weather and a good harvest season.  Jack is always a little sad to see the season end.  He understands the importance of finishing the job...but he just loves the whole process so much.  He waits all year for it and then it's gone in a few weeks.  He just loves being a part of Willin Farms. And to think that there may be someone else who loves the farm and tractors as much as Jack!  Luke cannot get enough of it.  Such a sweet ...

These are the days of scratching my head wondering how the time goes by so fast....these are the days when falling into bed at night feels so good it almost brings me to tears....these are the days of watching lots and lots of soccer practices....and many fun games.....these are the days when my heart swells with pride to see the wonderful little athletes my boys are becoming.....these are the days of wishing my family lived closer....these are the days of beautiful sunsets.....these are the days of watching Chase suit up in his football uniform to watch Ohio State football...these are the days of raising an almost two year old....a very ornery, outgoing, get into everything almost two year old....who loves tractors more than anything else in the world....these are the days of potty training....and remembering why I loathed the task two times prior.....any volunteers to complete this task for me? any takers???? none???  I rest my case.  moving on......these are the days of pra...

Friday night...for the fifth time this summer...a hummingbird was once again stuck in our garage. And as most of you know....I am not a bird person.  As in....I don't like them.  Especially when they are in enclosed spaces flying around my head.  However, if there was ever an exception....it would be the hummingbird.  They are amazing little creatures.  And I think it's because they buzz...as opposed to flap....that I'm a little less freaked out by them.  Anyway.  Friday night.  There I found myself for yet another time chasing the little bird around the garage trying to shimmy it out with a broom.  all while my children are yelling, "don't hurt him mommy!....don't scare him mommy!...."  oh goodness.  as much as I'm not a fan, that's as much as the boys are.  They love the little hummingbirds.  And it's as if the world is ending when they see one stuck in the garage.   So we drop everything we are doing to make the re...

It's that time of year again.... And there's no containing his excitement.   Even Luke is getting in on the action with some tractor rides when we take  Daddy lunch.... Chase is excited too....but the highlight of his week was earning the VIP table ticket in the cafeteria.  So proud of his good behavior at school. Happy harvest season! 

I love this acronym for helping us pray very specifically for our children as they are immersed in their world of school.  As a Christian parent with kids in public school, prayer and a daily reminding of myself to trust God completely, are the two things that make it possible for me to release my boys from my hugs to get on the bus in the morning. :)  A sweet friend encourages me constantly with "pray for your kids.  It's the best gift you can give them".  So today I am passing that same encouragement on to you.  Thank you Lord, for the wonderful blessing of my children. and a universal truth....toddlers love selfies.  It's a guaranteed way to get them out of a fussy mood or distract them from things they should not be doing.....and it results in some pretty cute shots to fill up space on my phone :) Happy Monday!

Even though we are back into the swing of school we are still squeezing in some summer fun on the weekends.  As most of you know, I have a love for camping.  Many good memories from my childhood revolve around a campground.  Family, friends, campfires, bike riding, smores, and the great outdoors.  What is not to love?  So you can imagine my excitement when I finally got my hubby on board for his very first camping trip.  A weekend trip with a bunch of good friends from church.  And thank goodness...all went well.  So much so, that I have great hopes that it will happen again!  Of course Jack and Chase were in their glory and loved every moment.  So thankful for a wonderful church body that we can share our lives with!   And Luke has found a new love.  Bike riding!!  Since it's just the two of us in the afternoons, we have been enjoying some quality time on the bike.  I love that he enjoys it.  Exercise an...