Friday, September 30, 2016

September schedules and surprise! ('16)

Despite the disappointment of continuing to have warm weather and health issues, there were many joys this month.
The kids were beyond excited with the cinnamon rolls and cookies we brought home from Michigan. "A little piece of heaven" did not disappoint.
The presents and dresses were a hit as well!
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Shiloh started dance!!!  I'm not sure if it is something that she will want to stick with for any length of time but I'm happy that she was looking forward to it (and that we had Zoe's clothes to wear from last year).
Ezra insisted on a picture with him as well!
Beyond excited that her cousin could be with her in class!
Shiloh has the same dance teacher that Zoe did....she is awesome and everything a true ballerina should be!
The littlest of cousins get to read and hang out as we wait!
Love them and their faces!
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Zoe had a big crowd cheering her on for one of her games!
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Love that the library has PJ story time once a month so the girls can enjoy some time there again!
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I have the only September birthday in our family!  Beach got up extra early to make me breakfast.  The girls got up extra early, as well, to make me cards and decorate....oh glitter!
It was a school day for both the girls, so I got some extra special boy time with my littlest love, as we enjoyed the great park weather and birthday snacks.  It's such a blessing that he is old enough to just "be" with me and I can read my Bible, too!
A yummy dinner and presents at my parent's house to cap off an awesome day!
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I found that I was fighting a parasite, which lowers your immunity in general.  I caught a nasty cold to go along with it....so one Sunday morning my church time looked like this!
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Then that evening Zoe came home from our community group complaining of a hurt wrist.  It didn't look any different and due to it being late and this momma feeling awful, we decided to wait to see how she was in the morning.  Well still in pain I took her to the doctor in which we found that it indeed was broken.  So our first cast experience. 
We were both completely worn out with the whole ordeal and appointments through the day!
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Side note...Crazy new straws can be very exciting!
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If we get the girls in bed on time, this little man gets a little time before he has to go down.  Often this means some extra attention and love!
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It was Okra Strut time again, which means our local parade right in front of the kiosk.
My parents and some friends were there!  It was sunny but I was so thankful that it wasn't raining this year or to hot!
Daddy even got to take a little break to come join us.  The kids were ready to collect candy!
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When I was finally feeling up to it, Beach and I got to get away for my birthday date.
Beach had gotten his type A wife matching planners so we could "be on the same page".  So we got to do our first planning session at the lake at sunset after dinner.  It was wonderful (at least in my eyes  ;-).
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We are in tooth loosing season...Zoe lost her second.  Good thing, too, as her permanent ones start growing in behind already!
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During one of our no nap days, poor buddy couldn't take it anymore and fell asleep on the couch!
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Those are big shoes to fill....but I bet you will be up to it all to soon!
We've enjoyed you September but really hoping everyone stays well next month!

Friday, September 23, 2016

Love them some Purple sweet potatoes!

Because there are the little things that I don't want to forget...
So Zoe has always packed her lunch, even starting in 4K, and is to always include a fruit and veggie. One day she wanted to bring some purple sweet potatoes that I had prepped for dinner the night before.  So even though I hesitated...Sure my dear, bring raw purple potatoes for lunch, it's okay.  She later told me the principal talked to her about them (and I secretly wondered if she was encouraged to do so), noting that she would have to find some herself.  Ha!

Monday, September 5, 2016

Escaped to the reunion

It had been a long five years since I made it up back to Michigan to visit Beach's family.  However, Beach's cousin getting married was an excuse for the trip, as it was not to be missed!  So much changes in five years (in this case two additional children and huge career adjustments amongst other things),  yet somethings feel just the same!  Leaving my littles was a little challenge but so very thankful for my family to love on them while we were gone!  They rode with us to our flight the night we left.
One of those constants in life is Beach's mom in the kitchen whipping up something yummy with her amazing skills!  Is Cooking and Baking a love language?  If so this is where it's at!  She had a feast for us upon waking the next morning.
After such, she took me shopping (her other love language) for my birthday and we found some killer deals, as always.
Meanwhile Beach had some bonding time with his "little" brother.
Later on we got to catch up briefly with his cousin and aunt.
Can I just say that I'm sooooo beyond glad I was cleared to have dairy right before we left?  Donna had also already made this three level chocolate cake for my birthday (in that it was still three weeks away I was beyond surprised)!
It was to good not to share, so we headed over to Beach's grandmother's house to surprise her!
She was beyond excited to see us.  This women is amazing and just radiates joy.  I sure hope that my heart can sing as much as hers does!
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The next morning it was Glen's turn to make his specialty of waffles.  I may not have had one since the previous time that I was there.
Cinder Mills are a big thing up in MI, so Donald took us to one that had just opened for the season.
It was an amazingly beautiful day, such a welcome break from the 100s that we left home from.
Donuts, hot apple cider and apple slushes.
But my LOW of the trip was definitely this moment.  You know who else loves cider mills....bees!  And you know who the bees wanted to attack, despite me attempting to get away from them and leave them alone?  This girl, stung right on the nose.  I attempted to try to stay calm, especially after discovering I did not have my essentials oils on me, as I had thought, and being told in the past by a Dr. that I was highly allergic.  I was very thankful that I did have my frankincense with me back at the house that seemed to help a few hours later when I was able to get to it.
We continue to enjoy the weather at a local festival and the boys stopped in for a chocolate treat and coffee.
That night the main events, Beach's beautiful cousin's marriage, began with the rehearsal dinner.
So we all got dressed up and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the lake.
Donna, and her sister-in-law, are two peas in a pod and she gave her a gift to thank her for all her wedding help.
I was near by to snap her excitement!
It was a joy to hear the bride and groom give a little speech to one another.
Glen even surprised them with a speech of his own, with bunny ears to match.  It was really touching. 
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The next day, after a wonderful brunch with Beach's grandmother and my neglectful self in not capturing any pictures, sigh (there is something wonderful, though, about being so present in the moment)...
We cherished the wedding between the loving couple.
Another sweet moment between BFFs.
At the reception, we enjoyed sitting with Beach's cousins.
Nathaniel's date was not able to make it....so we did the best we could.
Then let the dancing begin!  This was so fun!  Donna danced almost the entire time....and Beach joked around and grabbed a sign for her.
Bring on the foam lights.
It made everyone want to join in, even Beach's grandma!
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The next day the family had brunch for one last time to get together before this girl headed back to NYC and we headed back down south!
That night we had another fine dinner with Beach's parents.

After me dying to enjoy some of the awesome weather....they took us to a near by lake around sunset.
We dipped our toes in the freezing water after some encouragement from Glen!
I attempted to do some jump picture explanations....clearly our timing was off on the first one, as Beach captured the landing.
Ha!
And my hair kept attaching my jumps with Donna.
But Beach nailed a great one with his momma!
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So I realized I had the flight information totally wrong (who does that!) and we had an extra day.  So thankful for my parents willingness to watch the littles another night and having great employees, that it turned into less of a big deal than it was in my head.
So we squeezed in one last visit with another aunt and uncle and cousin....complete with chickens and peach trees!
We may never be back, just the two of us, to MI; we sure did enjoy it!
Thankful for this cute guy to head home with...
and delta points to take us there.
Sunsetting it back to reality and those littles that these arms have missed holding...And a heart full of lots of family love!