Making Room

In anticipation for our new arrival, it became apparent to us that we needed to make some room.  Yes, a bigger house would've been nice, but we love our neighborhood, our yard, our location, and our school.  So, we looked at what we could do in lieu of moving.  

A bigger couch was one thing that was needed.  We looked on craigslist (bc I don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a piece of furniture while we still have small children) and found this sectional!  It fit the measurements that we needed exactly, was clean, only a few years old, and a neutral color and fabric.  Yes, it's huge (in our little living room).  But, now everyone has a seat (and then some!).

Next up, a new vehicle!  Our previous mini-van was a small mini-van.  And, although it had seat belts for seven people, it was not big enough for seven people and car seats.  It had been a good and reliable van for the most part, but was beginning to have problems and it was a good time to look for something bigger.  Enter our "new" 2005 8-seater Toyota Sienna!  This was the van I wanted 7 yrs ago (when we ended up buying the bare-bones Plymouth that we could afford).  Finding a used 8-seater Sienna within our budget wasn't easy (Cubby ended up driving down to Kansas City to buy it!) but it has been soooo wonderful to have!!  Our old van only had one sliding door and so I had to climb in to buckle everyone.  Not easy to do while extremely pregnant!  So, the addition of another sliding door has been life-changing for me!  We also love the automatic doors, locks, windows, bigger trunk, more interior room, and a CD player!  (Oh yes, the Plymouth only had a tape deck!  Ha!)  It goes without saying that you definitely appreciate those "little" things when you've been without them for so long!  This will also make the long drive to our family reunion next summer possible so for that, and so many other things, we are extremely grateful to have this "new" van :-).

Preschool for Kari!

 A couple of weeks after the big kids started school, it was Kari's turn!  She is back at the same preschool, but is now part of the 4/5 yr old "big kid" class.  We went one morning for a meet and great preview and she colored a very fancy picture of "Pot the Fox" for Britta :-).

 The following Monday was her first day!  She was excited, but also pretty nervous as she has a new teacher this year and a few new faces in her class.  (She still knows about half of the class from last year, but, once again, just the start of something new is always a little daunting--especially for a 4 yr old!)

Juliana thought it was her first day of school too.
She was a tad disappointed that she couldn't stay....

And they're off!

Kari and one of her new teachers, Mrs. Carlson.  SUCH a sweet woman.

And this is what happened after lunch--big girls still need their rest :-).

We are so happy that Kari is in such a wonderful preschool.  She comes home singing all kinds of fun songs and with lots' of cute crafts and stories to share.

At 38 weeks (last week)

Tomorrow marks 39 weeks into this pregnancy!  This is a picture of me last week at 38 weeks (close enough, but I'm certain my belly has gotten even bigger in just a week).

I can't believe the time is almost here to meet the next member of our family! And, though my due date is officially Sept 19th, if this baby follows suit with the others, I will end up going in for an induction on the 25th and having her the morning of the 26th.  It's pretty busy around here with the other children's various activities and school stuff so I'm actually okay with going over my due date (once again).  For me, the real work always begins after the baby is born so, despite my discomfort in the final weeks, my saying is, "Easier in than out!"

Am I nervous about adjusting (again) to another baby?  You bet.  I mean, I know what to expect in general, but since every baby has a different personality (and mine seem to come out with full-on personalities already in-tact), I'm always a bit anxious as to what type of personality this baby will have.  Easy going?  Demanding?  Good sleeper?  Fussy eater?  The fear of the unknown has never been my friend.  But, I just try and relax and as I look at my big kids, I realize that they grow fast and to try and appreciate each stage that comes along.

I continue to feel extremely blessed and fortunate to be able to be a mother and to have healthy, strong, and intelligent children.  I'm grateful that Heavenly Father trusts me to raise these precious children of His.  So, despite the many challenges and sacrifices that come our way as we continue to have and raise children, the blessings, happiness, and fulfillment I feel when I hear, "I love you, Mommy" from my little ones, makes it all worth it.

Can't wait to meet you, Miss Britta Kathleen!

First Day of School 2014

And...it came all too soon!  (Well, some days I felt like the first day of school would never come, but, when it finally arrived, I admit it felt like summer went by waaayyy too fast!)

Emily is now in fourth grade (Ack!), and Christian is in second grade.  Both were anxious to start (nervous, excited, all that goes along with starting something new!).  However, by the end of the day (well, lunch time, as the first day is only a half day), both came home with happy reviews!  

Ju-Ju also wanted her picture taken--jammies and graham crackers too!

 Silly kiddos!

On the walk up--Daddy always walks them up on the first day :-).

Ella and Emily

Christian and Brooklynn

Emily and Madison

Henry, Ben, and Christian

Emily and a couple of other little friends

While it's hard to acknowledge that the kiddos are growing up (and quickly!), it's exciting to watch my big kids grow and develop each year.  'Can't wait to see what this next year brings for them!

Back-to-School Kickball Tournament

The Monday before school started, my friend and neighbor Bridget put together a kickball tournament for the kids in the circle next to her house.  It was so much for for all of the kiddos (and there were a LOT of kiddos!)  

 Even Juliana got in on the action and all of the big kids were so sweet--they gave her lots of chances to kick the ball, helped her run the bases, and cheered her on each time she ran to home plate yelling, "I won!  I won!"

Kari and Campbell brought along their essentials in their purses :-).

 Christian's best bud, Henry, sprained his ankle jumping on our trampoline just the day before!  Poor kid!  He was in good spirits, though, and Christian kept him company while he watched the games.

Emily and some of the girls had fun piling on a teeter-totter.

 And, of course, the moms all had fun hanging out in the shade and chatting!

Juliana also loved "riding" a pony.  Pretty sure I'm going to have to find out how to make one of these for Christmas...or find someone else who will make one for me as I'm going to be pretty busy once this baby comes!

 It was a great morning and we sure hope this kickball tournament becomes a tradition!!

Last Hurrahs

 Before school started back up again, (mid-August, mind you, MUCH too early for my liking), we had a few fun last outings :-).

My mom and Grandma took us out for lunch one day at the kids' favorite haunt, Summer Kitchen.  Always a good time.

Since it rained almost every day the week before school started, the pool was out and so I took the kiddos to Bounce U to burn off some energy.

 They had the most fun in this area-type house where there were four platforms and you swung a giant medicine ball around trying to knock one of your fellow opponents off of their pedestal/platform.  I was really impressed with how my children were courteous of not only each other, but of the other children waiting their turns and if one of them had been up for a while, they would hop down and call to either one of their siblings, or another child who was waiting.  And, both big kids helped Juliana so she could participate in the fun as well.  It was a Proud Mama Moment :-).

 Another day we went over to the library for (their last) Science Day.  They got to blow up a balloon using a plastic bottle with baking soda and vinegar (?)--I can't recall the liquid off-hand right now.  Then, we all went outside where we got to watch a soda volcano.  (Release Mentos candy into diet soda and you get a geyser.  The kids all loved watching it (even though Kari thought it was loud and covered her ears :-).)

 And finally, they all got to spend some quality time together just being creative and silly.  Emily was very good at making Minecraft costumes for Christian and Kari one afternoon.

The summer can be a challenge with everyone at home.  Lots of togetherness is good, but there's a lot of refereeing on my part to keep the peace between multiple children who all have strong personalities and opinions.  Still, school time always seems to sneak up too quickly once July ends and it's always just a little bittersweet starting up school and our busy routines again.  Another wonderful summer come and gone, during the Golden Age of my kiddos' childhoods :-).

Sweetness

I am blessed :-).