Back to life, back to reality!

And just like that, it's back to soccer season time.  It's Perry's first time ever playing, and he's just so fun to watch.  His only drive is to kick that ball hard. Derrick has been playing for over a year now and is really showing some progress. I was watching one of his games last night, and man he is fast!  

Carter is also quite fun to watch.  It's a lot less frustrating watching him play than Perry, since he knows what he's actually supposed to be doing. haha.  Carter rocks at soccer.  He has the best footwork.  He's getting tall too and it's a new experience watching him be one of taller boys on the field. He plays the whole game as top defender and he's good at it.  

Megan isn't playing soccer this season.  She finished up her basketball and is doing gymnastics, so she's pretty busy.

Never imagined I'd be a soccer mom, basketball yes, but not soccer, and I'm LOVING it.  

That Perry Boy

Perry: Mom, do you love me?

Me:  I do! I love you very much.

Perry: Oh good.  I love you too!  I got you these flowers!

Me:  Perry, I love you so much!

Perry:  I love you forever and the most.  

Thank heavens for his sweet words, because honestly, I haven't been feeling it too much from him and some of the others.  I think its moments like these that the Lord steps in and gives my kids gentle nudges to remind me that I am, in fact loved.

Ready and Waiting

Don't worry friends, Perry is ready to come visit at a moment's notice.  That's right, inside his handy little back pack is his blankie, his underwear, and even his socks.  Yep, he's ready to go.  

The other day, after months and months of talking to Bo about wanting to visit my sister Libby in California, I finally found a good price and bought the tickets.  Unfortunately for Perry, he doesn't quite understand time just yet, and doesn't realize that the trip isn't until the end of May and that it is going to be a loooong time for that little boy to wait.  So he's ready.  He's ready now.  A couple nights ago I went in to tuck him in bed after he had been asleep for awhile and I found him half leaning off of the bed.  I reached over to lift him up and straighten him, and when I did that, he came up with his hand tightly, and I mean tightly, clamped on the handle of the backpack, which had been on the floor, and hence the reason he was half off the bed.  Adorable and funny. I love this buddy and enjoy him so much.  

Proud to be a Soccer Mom

Since moving to Texas in March of 2017, I constantly get the question, "You have how many kids??!!" Yes, I have four kids.  And let me tell you something, I am LUCKY that I have four kids.  I have four beautiful, healthy, funny and smart kids.  And I love each and every one of them.  

Most of the time I get those questions from other parents, when they see me running around like a crazy lady when I'm taking my children to their various sporting activities.  And I get it, taking 3 of my kids to their different practices almost every day does make me look like a crazy lady, and quite possibly act like a crazy lady, to these people.  A majority, and I mean big majority, of the parents on the teams only have one or two kids total. 

I've had people give me looks and some make comments.  They don't mean harm, but they make it quite obvious that me having this many kids and having them this involved (in sports) is ridiculous. But here's the thing, I love sports.  I really do, and so does my husband.  Both of us were very athletic when we were younger, and our kids have been shown to have a talent for this too.  Perry, my youngest, was kicking a ball around at just 13 months.  So do I just say, too bad kids, I'm tired from having so many children and your talents just need to go to waste because I don't want to go to practice from 6-9 tonight? NO! That's not fair to them.  They LOVE playing soccer.  They love basketball. Right now Megan is loving softball.  If I thought taking them to their activities was an inconvenience to me, then I really shouldn't have become a parent, because man, staying up all night is super inconvenient.  

So guess what, I don't care if I look like a crazy lady.  My kids are happy.  They are worth every mad rush to practice, every freezing cold soccer game, every hard bleacher seat, every weeknight and Saturday.  All of it. My kids are worth it.  And you know what? I love it.  I love watching them practice and work hard and then see that work payoff in the games.  I love it. 

Today's update.

Carter. Oh, that Carter bug. If there was ever a kid who had serious self confidence, it would be him. He rules the house, or so he thinks. But he can also be my hardest worker and most obedient. He loves soccer and Pokemon. He is really into Pokemon Go. He is very tender with Perry and I just love to watch those two together. Carter is also obsessed with our chickens and turkeys. Especially the turkey. He goes out at least 4 times a day to check on the coop and collect eggs and pet the turkey. It is so fun. 

Megs. That girl still has the absolute best imagination. She can and does play for hours with her toys. It's so fun to watch her just interact with herself. Haha. She gets to be a flower girl this weekend for Golden's wedding this next weekend, and between that and her 8th birthday in a week and a half, she is just so excited for life she can't contain herself. So she's our happy girl. She loves Perry too. She lives to sit and read to him and okay house with him. 

Derrick has been having a hard time this summer. He has not really liked having Megan and Carter home and back in his space. He likes order and peace, and those two home have been disrupting his. But, he is getting better. He starts kindergarten and is super excited. I'm really nervous for him. I don't know how he'll handle all the people and no space. We shall see!  He is still such a sweet and tender hearted boy. 

Perry. Oh my Perry. He is one spoiled little boy. He has everyone wrapped around his cute little fingers. He is obsessed and I mean OBSESSED with airplanes and trains. He also just loves being outside. He'll be the only child left at home, and I'm pretty sure he is going to be one lonely kid. He's used to having his siblings at his beck and call. But I'm excited for some one on one time. 

And so that's our updates!

Grant County Fair

Ivin's family and Mine met up at my parents for the triplets birthday and for some good county fair time!!! We saw animals, a magic show, watched the kids compete in a tractor pull, ate space burgers and snow cones, and of course had cotton candy. Fun was had by all, but the heat got the best of us, and after a few hours we were DONE. Still, it was a great trip. 

Grant County's Demolition Derby!

Bo had the day of the Demolition Derby off for the Grant County fair, so we took the kids and headed to my parents for a couple days to go to the fair and the derby. Luckily for us, Ivin's triplets also had their birthday the day before the demo, so they came to my parents too so that we could all celebrate together. It was a fun day and night. The kids loved seeing the cars crash. Christina was introduced to this red neck past time, and I'm pretty sure she got more into it than we did. Hahaaa. I'll try to post fair picks later. 

Tender mercies.

My heart is full, and God cares very much for me. Tonight I was feeling very overwhelmed with the kids, dinner making, and the mess that surrounded me. Bo was gone and I was trying to postpone dinner as long as possible in the hopes he could make it in time and we could all eat together. The kids were hungry though, and begging/crying for items in the pantry. So I got dinner finished up, got the kids and food at the table. The only thing not on the table was water, and it was because I was just so gosh darn tired and beaten down and ready to SIT. So we said prayer and started eating, and I waited for one of them to cry for a drink, while silently hoping no one would notice. You see, at the end of the day I am just so darn tired of asking and debating and fighting for help. So there I sat. And then, THEN, I noticed Carter get up and leave the room. Minutes later he returned with cups of water for everyone. And that right there was proof that my savior loves me by providing such a simple act through my son and that as crazy as that now TEN ( happy birthday to him today) year old boy is, he is also a sweet, caring, wonderful, and selfless little boy. And so my heart is full. 

Conversations with Meg.

"Mom!  There's some boys at school who are in love with me and are trying to get me to fall in love with them!"

"Oh yeah? How do you know?"

"Because they dress really nice and then walk by me. (She giggles. Shoot, I giggle). They want me to see how nice they are and fall in love!"

This next conversation happened in church. 

"Mom, did you know that they have these machines that can MAKE clothes and that they sell them at the store???"

"Yes, they're called sewing machines. They sew cloth and material together, not paper though (Megs clothing making material)."  

"Can we get one????"  

She's forever the fashionista. Poor girl was born to the wrong mother. 

Oh no

Perry had discovered how to open and close the doors. Now I have to put things out of reach. Why is he growing up so quickly?!

Today's update.

Perry is working really hard on learning the names of the objects on faces. So far he has nose and possibly the ear. Hahaa. He also folded his arms for the first time today. He looooves cars. It took 3 sons to finally have one who likes to play with them. Lucky for him, since he is the third boy, we have scores of cars and car toys.   He is happiest when he has a car in his hand. Although today he was quite frustrated because he couldn't carry the three big trucks in his arms at the same time. Haha. One year old problems. 

Poor Megan has three colds sores on her lip and a canker sore on her tongue. She has her daddy's genes. She also got bonked on her forehead today, so life is a little hard. She did recently rediscover American Girl dolls, thanks to a magazine in the mail.  She is constantly coming and asking how much this and that is. Guess what she wants for Christmas?  

Derrick is turning into Carter. Full of energy and craziness. He is fun though. And so sweet. He still loves puzzles and just begs and begs for someone to play games with him. 

Carter has finally discovered the joy of reading. I hope it lasts. He has been breezing through books, and passing off the quizzes he takes on them. At home I'm pretty sure he thinks he's one of the adults, not the kids. Ha. But having him get older and more responsible has been great. He continues to crack me up with jokes and facial expressions. And he can still be the biggest charmer. 

And thats my update. 

Pancakes!

A couple of nights ago, as I was carrying Derrick in his sleep, he mumbled, "Pancakes."

Me: "Pancakes? You want pancakes?"

Derrick: "Uh huh."

Me: "Okay, well if you go back to sleep, I'll make you pancakes for breakfast.  Sound good? With eggs and bacon too. Does that sound good?"

Derrick nodded.

Me: "Okay, go back to sleep."

 

The next morning, I got up with Derrick, he's my early riser, and started making pancakes, just like I'd promised him.

Derrick: "What are you doing, Mom?"

Me:  "Making pancakes, just like I told you I would. (Because even though they are asleep when you say something, you know that the one time you don't follow through would be the one time they remember!)"

Derrick:  "Pancakes? What are pancakes?"

Me: "Seriously? You don't know what a pancake is???" (Yes I have made them before. Plenty of times!)

Derrick shakes his head no. 

 

Insert palm smack to forehead. 

I don't know how he can ask for something in his sleep but then act like he hasn't even heard of the word when he's awake.  Kids!!

A Day With Derrick!

On Tuesday last week, my mom called asking for some company. Bo had a string of days off, so I had the next day free to go and help and hang out with her.  I felt bad leaving Bo with both Perry and Derrick, so I decided to take Derrick with me.  I am so glad I did!!!  He was an absolute joy.  Seriously.  This day was one of my favorites. 

Derrick and I got to my mom's around 11.  The whole way there Derrick was just a happy fellow.  He sang, chatted, watched a little bit of a movie, but mostly just watched the scenery.  When we got to my moms, I started helping my mom paint, and Derrick got out the Lincoln Logs and got to work himself.  He hummed, he sang, and the best yet, he had conversations with the toys.  My mom and I would chat, but mostly we just listened to Derrick and laughed.  Derrick, "Oh don't do that (talking to himself with the farm animals in the barn he made with the logs), go say you're sorry. If you say you're sorry, I'll give you one of these.  (in another voice) Really?  Is there one for all of us? (back to first voice) Yes, there are, and I will share them with you."   I mean seriously!  How cute is he???

Derrick also went out and checked out my dad's MASSIVE pumpkins in the garden.  When my mom and I were done painting we all went out and checked out the super pregnant goat (which just had her babies (2) yesterday), gathered eggs, and watched/pushed Derrick on the tire swing.  Then we went to dinner, and after that to see my dad at the potato cellar, since Harvest had just started.  I got to show Derrick all the happenings (sort of) of what happens to potatoes once they leave the field.  And all through it all Derrick was a joy.  A dream.  He was charming.  I feel like his personality really had a chance to shine.  With no siblings and no distractions, he was able to just be carefree and let the creativity just come out. 

I went to my mom's house that day, expecting to have a fun day with my mom, and while I did have that, I left with having had a MARVELOUS and memory making time with my son. 

 

The things kids say...

Conversation tonight:

Bo: Megan, you're supposed to be Daddy's girl.

Meg: But I came out of Mom's tummy!

Derrick: No you didn't. Mom peed you out.

bahahahhaaa



Happy Fourth of July!!

Happy Fourth of July!!!!  What a wonderful country America is. I am so blessed to live here and to raise my children as proud Americans. 

We spent the morning of the fourth at good ole Chuck E Cheese. The place was empty and perfect. It was just our family, and it was really nice to just be our own little family. Carter spent the whole time earning hundreds of tickets doing a jumping game. The rest of the kids traded off on the riding toys, and in some instances not trading off. Haha. We like to get our money's worth!!

That evening we went to the Jones family reunion over and Ken and Becky's in Othello. The kids played, we ate good food and had good conversation, and then played a fun white elephant game. I won a tarp, Bo a windshield wiper, and Perry some car cleaning wipes. Haha. Derrick got caramels, Carter traded his puzzle for candy, and Meg, after opening three gifts, came away with a nail kit.  She is so thrilled!

 After that we rushed back to Pasco to see some fireworks. We made it just in time, but in our hurry I forgot to take pictures. Bummer!!  The kids loved the show, and now are sad they have to wait another year. 

All in all, I'd call it a very good day. 

God Bless America!!

Idaho!

My cousin, Homer, was married in Twin Falls, Idaho this past weekend. Bo and I went with the kids and my parents to go watch and celebrate. Since Bo had to work super early on Sunday morning, Bo and I and D and P had to leave right after the wedding. I didn't get the chance to take many pictures, what with greeting everyone and chasing after my kids. Oh well, next time?  

My parents stayed and kept Meg and Carter. They took them to some more wedding parties and also took Jen on a hike.  

It was a fast and short trip, but worth it. I'm so glad we now live close enough to do trips like this!

Bring on summer!

Okay, so summer vacation hasn't officially started yet, that's coming up on Friday, but with it being up in the 100's the last couple of days, we decided to bust out the sprinklers and slip and slide. The kids had so much fun, and Bo and I enjoyed watching them laugh and giggle. 

Moments like this is when I feel most content and complete.