Saturday, August 29, 2015

A blessed normal

This week was a "normal" week in our house, school work, homework, and life on the porch.  Yes, life on the porch.  We seem to live out there.  Its where we share coffee, homework, and playtime.    Sunday's are completely new for us as we are helping to launch a new campus in Cleveland.  Sunday I was working with my team and Jimmy was helping too.  The girls were playing and we are all wondering what this new Sunday routine will look like.  We are enjoying it and eager to kick off in just a few weeks.

Daddy was walking through the kids area so the girls snagged a quick snuggle!

Hands down night of worship every quarter is one of our family's favorite events.   The kids dance, sit together, and experience worship with us.   
This week was school pictures.  Gracie for the first time asked to have her hair curled with BIG curls.  They really fell out by the time we made it to school (so much so they brushed her hair then as they thought it looked messy!  ha).     Maggie's tooth is now hanging by a thread but will not come out.  I expect it will any day.

Curly Hair! 

Picture day 2015- Gracie 

I adore these two and am so blessed they are mine! 

Big responsibilities and Big blessings!  

Picture Day 2015 - Maggie (I am certain she tried to strike this pose for the photographer too!)

School Picture Day 2015- Bella (with the girls) 

We managed to enjoy dinner out one night to get behind the traffic and while it was more slow than we would have liked, we enjoyed some great family time outside while we waited.  

outside for dinner 

the sun was out and the girls worked on sidewalk art

Yes, Jimmy was out one night so I was helping with 4th Grade Math.   I have determined Gracie is right I maybe able to do it but I sure struggle to teach it!   After being patient and working with me, her last problem she decided Daddy needed to help!   Bless her! 

This is how we ended the school week! 

she earned it!  4th grade is fabulous but very active with homework and tests already.   Books of the Old Testament --check  mark!  Done!  All learned and mostly spelling too!  

Bella is Bella.  She is sure part of the family and while she is a lot of work, we would not have it any other way.    Gracie especially is often right with her.   Maggie gives her snuggles too but its short lived right now for both of them.  Maggie helps with her dinner and is a big playmate!   Gracie more the snuggler.



Bella sleeps like this all through the night!  Even a Saturday nap apparently.  


Bella loved the car!  She was tired after playing so hard!



Today was a first since we have had kids (and they were not off at a sleepover, family trip, etc) that we slept in until past 8!!!   We told the girls they were old enough they could come down and get Bella out of our room when they were up but they were not to wake us up until after 8.  AND best part was it worked!   Praise God for growing daughters.   Each stage is bitter sweet as they grown and become less dependent and this is one of those sweet moments of them growing.

Ellie stopped by with Aunt Katelyn to pick up something so the girls played of course!  We love this girl! 


Shopping for shoes!   

What a great Saturday together

Snuggles as the night wrapped up. 


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Saturday, August 22, 2015

Happy Birthday Jimmy!

Saturday night we celebrated Jimmy's 39th birthday with a surprised date night and the girls having one of their favorite coaches from summer over to play.  Sunday then we celebrated as a family.  The girls wanted to make the cake and decorated it and did a great job!

Our favorite restaurant and a quite night together!  

a sweet picture by Ms. Kayla who watched them.  

Helping make Daddy's cake 

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all done.... 

Sleepy girl! 

Ellie, Gracie and Maggie being patient while we were shopping for patio furniture

Sunday pic! 

so girly! 

Happy Birthday Daddy! 

one blessed man! 

ahh.. a classic Maggie look 

This one did not want to be left out


Happy Birthday my love! 


The girls made it through their first full week of school.   They worked hard and played hard...the slept great.

Ellie came over Wednesday while Gabe and Kat watched the ladies US Soccer team play (in the rain) 


I never get tired of watching these girls sleep! 

This girl and her monkey
so tired! 

and another tired girl! 

Every night we studied on the porch.  Perfect! 

getting her reading done 

Maggie has a loose tooth and watched Gracie to hold her hand and try to pull.  

Such a good big sister.... no tooth fairy yet!  This girl will have no teeth left soon

Sound asleep and loving her Pound Puppy! 

Love these sweet friends!  They are in separate classes but still eager to see each other.  


 I love the details about what Gracie likes and describes herself.   

This little one was set home Friday from school sick.   Straight to the doctor and of course....strep throat!    
Today was a busy day filled with friends and family.   We had a great day!  We are now preparing for a full Sunday as we kick off a branch of our church in Cleveland and night of worship with our church family.

So... yes the girls made us breakfast in bed eggs and all.   They were so proud of themselves (and we were too)

A girl and her dog!

Birthday party fun! 

Love that smile! 

Gracie and Maggie P.  Always great to catch up. 

These sweet friends while we don't see each other much with school schedules and activities they are each special to us!
(Maggie, Logan, Gracie, Maggie P, Emma, Lilly, and Jane)

Dinner with Grammy and Papa to end the night 
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