2 to Grow With : 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.