the pool, tractor, baby clothes…and a one-year anniversary

Well, here I am for what has become my weekly post. There's a lot I could write about and would like to write about if I put forth the time, energy and effort to make it happen. But I find it challenging enough to put together one blog post a week. And I don't want to spend all my time on the computer when these summer days with the little ones are fleeting.

We've had a really good summer. It has been so different than last summer as you can imagine, and with the kids being older, it's just been more fun. Last week was spent much in the way we've been spending our time these last weeks of summer: swimming, playing with friends and playing at home.

Hannah has become quite the little fish…

…swimming and jumping into the pool all on her own.

We FaceTimed Uncle Ben and Aunt Katie in Cincinnati. They liked seeing H&J playing in the bathtub.

Joseph has enjoyed his early morning tractor rides while I drink my coffee on the back porch…

He is sleeping in his big boy bed, and while we've had almost no issues at night staying in his bed, the morning is a different story. Once there is any shred of light outside he thinks it's "morning time" and therefore time to start the day. We take him back to his bed, cover him with his blanket and leave the room. {I have black-out lining on the curtains, but it doesn't matter once he discovers the truth out the window.}

Joe put a timer on a lamp in his room that is set to turn on at 7:00. If you ask Joseph the rule, he states it very clearly: "If that light is not on, I cannot leave the room. If that light is on, I can leave the room."

At this point I'm allowing him to get up once or twice before he gets the warning as he's waking up once in the middle of the night and usually once between 5 and 6. After that, if he leaves the room before the light comes on, he doesn't get to ride his tractor that morning. If he gets up (at any point) and go wakes up his sister, he doesn't get to ride the tractor that whole day. It took just two days of that happening, and has not been a problem since. He can still be loud, unintentionally waking sister up, so I try to take the noise outside. But sometimes Honey comes to find us.

My small group got together for another pool party on Wednesday. It was a great time with friends!

Couldn't decide which picture to post. I love Joseph in the one above.

Thursday, July 17, marked the one year anniversary of Joe's accident, the terrible morning he was hit by a car while riding his bike. We decided that "Grateful to be Alive Day" is a much better name. Joe went for a 9-mi run Thursday morning and visited the site of the accident for the first time since he was there, laying on the side of the road. He stopped and walked around for a few minutes on the side of the highway, every bit of that morning still so fresh in his head. Then, he thanked God he was alive and continued on his run. That afternoon he went for a bike ride with a couple of the guys in his riding group. We went out to lunch together, too. I love these sweet post-lunch kisses he shares with his Monkey girl:

I thought about the accident a lot on Thursday and how our lives were changed immeasurably that day last year. There's a lot that was lost last summer, but there also was a lot that was gained. A new perspective on life, a strengthened faith, and many blessings in the form of love and support from family and friends. 

My Facebook post said "One year ago today our lives were changed. I was waiting for Joe to get back on the bike so I could go run when my phone rang - the scariest phone call of my life. I didn't get to run that day, but today I will…praising God. Thankful that my husband is still with me, doing ok in his recovery, and filled with gratitude for our family and friends who have helped us through this last year. What a year it's been…" I wanted to share it here, too, as that is exactly the truth. 

To lighten the mood a little bit now, somebody got ahold of my iPad: 

And I had to make them stop long enough on Friday morning to get this shot (in their Christmas pajamas):

Joe surprised me with a massage later that morning. Suzette is the best massage therapist ever and her sessions are usually more painful than pleasant but I so needed it, for both my back and legs. I've had a good deal of trouble with my knees and running has been difficult (or impossible) lately. She is good at what she does and I felt like a (very sore) million bucks afterwards. 

Then, stupidly, I sat on the floor in Hannah's room most of the afternoon going through baby clothes. It's ok, I don't think I totally un-did all of Suzette's work. And it was time to take action on the big totes on the top shelf in Hannah's closet. Talk about a bittersweet endeavor. Just the sight or feel of a particular gown, onesie or dress sent me down memory lane. 

I realized I needed to separate memories of my baby girl with material possessions that could be of use to someone else, and I didn't need to keep everything. I've gone through her stuff a couple of times before giving things away here and there, but this time I was able to part with stacks of things. Don't worry, I kept all her special dresses and particularly cute or memorable play outfits. Instead of three large totes, we now have two. 

Of course, Hannah and I needed to try things on her babies. Bitty, Baby Hannah, Swingle Bear, Capoocus II (Capoocus I is my childhood bear), and Gradja (her newest friend, full name "Graduation Bear") now have a whole new wardrobe. 

"Honey, can you believe you were once this small??"

Saturday morning it started pouring rain while Joe was out on a long run. I put the kids in the car and we drove around trying to find him. By the time we did, he was a mile from home - determined to get his full run in - soaking wet, heavy shoes and all. {Runners are weird.} The kids were waiting for him when he got home, ready in their pajamas, boots and umbrellas to join him on his cool down (walk up the street and back).

Meme came in town to babysit and Joe and I went to a wedding, celebrating our friends, Kim and Parrish. It was a fun night of friends and dancing! Two of my girls, Brannen and Kati:

Yesterday leaving church, with sweet baby clothes still fresh on my mind, I decided to take a quick picture of my babies, Hannah in a dress that is most definitely her last wear. It is kinda sad to think about your child wearing something for the last time. Usually the occasion passes without you realizing it. I think it's easier that way too…

And, in case I don't have one already, I now have a picture of her in this dress. Yes, I can be very sentimental.

It was a great week. Happy Monday to you all from rainy Sandersville!

the weekend {and back on the bike!}

Friday marked the first time in months that the kids rode the bikes they got for Christmas. You may remember that Hannah fell on her very first ride Christmas morning and was really hesitant to get back on the bike. I tried everything the first month or two: the coaxing/bribing approach, the forceful approach, and the ignore and see-if-she'll-come-around approach. She just flat out was not interested in getting back on again. Joseph was way more interested in the bike parts and flashing lights than actually getting on the thing.

We attempted bike rides a few more times during the winter, then, covering the earth in yellowy green, in came pollen season. We stored the little bikes in an outdoor closet. You could say we hung up the bike idea for a while. They had not been ridden since April and barely mentioned since then.

Friday afternoon we loaded up the kids and the bikes and went to the elementary school parking lot (where it is flat - unlike our neighborhood). Hannah was a little hesitant at first but warmed up quickly and was soon on her way all by herself. So proud of my very pink girl…

Unfortunately she did fall, but she got back up again and kept going. Big girl.

Joseph rode a little with Joe behind him encouraging him along, but again - more interested in tinkering with things on the bike then sitting on it and peddling.

Saturday we had two birthday parties taking up a chunk of our day. The first was Bella's morning "Royal Un-Sleepover" Sofia style party with breakfast served. So cute. The second was Jane's backyard party with a bouncy house, piñata, and yummy ice cream and cake. The boys came to that one, too. When it was Hannah's turn taking swings at the piñata, she was all business:

We love our barefoot and sassy left-handed gal. She whacked that thing hard, too! Joseph was more delicate. I'm sure, in a year or two, he'll be eager to hit something. I think he was a little overwhelmed by all the commotion surrounding a hanging butterfly getting beaten. Like, what's the big deal?

It was a fun family-filled weekend. We consider the weekend Friday-Saturday since those are Joe's days off, and other than the bike ride and parties, we were home the whole time. I relish these weekends while the kids are still young, not having extracurricular things blocking out all our time.

Joe made the best French toast I have ever had on Friday night, and Saturday made a delicious Mexican feast. {Mom, don't get your feelings hurt, as I have fond memories of you making us French toast for breakfast, but we have to make this recipe for you!} We watched Frozen and I ironed a lot. {That's another thing, Mom… I was almost at the end of my ironing pile when I realized you were coming in town this weekend. Oh well, I'm sure they'll be more in case you need your fix!} Joe and I wrapped up The Pacific, an HBO series about WWII that church members of ours let us borrow like a year ago, and I read a little.

Savoring these last three weeks of summer…


PS: I stopped right there in my post to take the kids to the pool this afternoon. So I think I'll just include a link for the French toast in case you want to go make that recipe, and leave it at that. {Alton Brown's French Toast}





   

gran gran and yard work

It's been a great week - starting and ending with birthday parties. We brought Gran Gran (my mother-in-law) back with us from Savannah last Saturday to spend a few days in the Ville. The Monkey had a swimming party that next afternoon. Her swimming has come a long way - I mean, like from not leaving the steps to swimming on her own - in just a couple weeks. She even got up the courage to jump off the diving board!

My good friend, Deana, was there in the deep end, encouraging her along. She should be charging for her swim lessons! So glad I took some videos so Daddy (and grandparents, aunts and uncles) could see:

 {From left: Maggie, Cole, Hannah, Jane, Kate, Kessler and Carrie}

Happy birthday to Katie! 

This week was super hot, with temps in the 90s by lunchtime. We took Gran Gran with us to the pool one day and the rest we played outside until the heat was unbearable, then we played inside. There was a lot of tractor riding, puzzles, and books. We ran some errands and went out to lunch. The kids got surprises at Walmart one day: Honey picked "Frozen" and Josey picked bubbles and "colors" for the bath. You can imagine how the rest of that day went… 

It's really a shame I didn't take more pictures. One thing I did capture was the kids helping their GG in the yard. To be clear, we do have a lawn service that keeps our yard cut and edged. And we do tell her that she doesn't need to do anything…but, she loves it, and she does it anyway. We happened to talk about this pesky holly bush that has come back from supposedly being taking out last summer (yeah right). She took it as her personal mission to pull that thing up - big roots and all. Well, the kids love to help and stand over her (undoubtedly asking questions the whole time) while she works. 

Notice that border of pine straw with hydrangeas and azaleas? Before I continue our week, let me back up to Memorial Day weekend, when Joe and I did something about the eyesore that is the back of our backyard. It was more than an eyesore. It was a haven for poison ivy and who knows what else behind all the trees in the back of the yard (ticks? snakes?!). We didn't like the kids going back there but the lack of a border made it difficult to establish boundaries. So we created one. Instead of waiting on the church to approve a landscaper to do it and for all that to happen, on Memorial Day weekend we threw the kids in the car and went out and bought some bushes to plant ourselves. Joseph carried plants in the jeep and Hannah carried water in the front-loader. Joe dug holes and I planted. It was a team effort.

Now we can say "Don't go past the bushes!"

Gran Gran cleaned up back there a bit and our yard has never looked so good. Truth be told, I'm just glad we have grass. It took a while to fill in this year - and a lot of water and weed killer! It has also been very dry. GG and I prayed all week for rain and Wednesday afternoon we finally got some for the first time in weeks, I think. I don't know how long it had been, but we were parched in our neck of the woods.

Thursday, Poppy came to take Gran Gran home. We checked out Hannah's new school and lunched at McDonald's before they went back to Savannah. Sadly, this is the one picture I have of GG and her Sandersville grandbabies.

Joe met us for lunch and I realized that my three were all in turquoise. As much as I love coordinating outfits, I did not plan this. Still, I had to take a photo of them. {I was in linen pants and a white tank, so no need to include me in the picture.}

Goodness… I can just stare at this photo and I'm so full of love and gratitude - for them and for the amazing God that gave them to me.

the fourth

Well, I've got some catching up to do! At the beginning of last week, my friend, Jennifer, came to town with her two cute little girls. This is the only halfway-decent picture I took:

Jennifer had her good camera and took some, so I'll see if I can round up a few.

I packed everything red, white and blue we owned, and on Thursday morning, we headed to Savannah to celebrate the Fourth. I actually brought my Canon and have something other than iPhone photos to show from our trip. (I tried to condense in this post.)

We drove directly to Ellis Square where we met another long-time friend of mine, Beth, and one of the twins (the other was sick and missed out). The kids enjoyed themselves in the cold water of the fountains on what was a very hot day. Adorable red and blue gingham matching bathing suits courtesy of Meme.

Joseph and sunglasses. It's really a special relationship. He lost his second pair of the summer just before this trip, so theses are the ones I wear when I run. I have a small head; these seem to fit him ok enough. You will see his new Braves ones below.

After the fountains we walked through City Market and grabbed lunch…

By afternoon we were more than ready for some fun - but in the air conditioning. What's more fun that playing at soft play and riding "excavators" (escalators in Joseph-speak) in the mall? Remember, we are small-town folk now - 6 years and counting - and our children only know that way of life. It doesn't necessarily cost a cent for these little ones to be entertained.

Friday was a great day. We played at Meme's and relaxed a little before heading out to lunch and a few shops. Hannah and Joseph donned their new star-spangled outfits and obliged to a flag waving photo op:

Happy Birthday America! We are proud to be Americans and love celebrating our great country!!

I couldn't help but take these two shots:

One of Daddy's girl watching Food Network with him, and one of the wedding couple she orchestrated on Meme's iPad laying next to me. She is sweet and curious, girly and imaginative…and totally not phased by skin color. I love all those qualities.

After resting, the munchkins changed clothes (have to wear all of our patriotic attire!) and we went downtown for pizza in City Market - Vinnie's, obviously - and for our first attempt at fireworks. As usual, there was a long wait for a table, so we just ordered a pizza to-go and found a spot on a bench to eat. Perfect. And the kids loved running around, dancing to the live music.

We thoroughly checked out all the goodies at the candy shop, planning our desert as we waited for our pizza.

Joseph had his own camera to play with and took hundreds of pictures. He thought it was really funny when we took pictures of each other. Love his cute face.

And that's not half bad for a three-year old photographer! Now, take a look at Hannah chowing down on her favorite: pizza.

We filled bags of candy and set off to find a place to park and watch the fireworks over the Savannah River.

Growing up, my uncle would get down to River Street and set up camp. All the cousins would come, have a picnic, throw the ball, and run around until the fireworks started at 9 o'clock. It was great fun, and a family tradition.

Joe and I didn't want to invest a lot of time in the fireworks planning as we really weren't sure how the kids were going to do. This was the first year we've been anywhere on the Fourth where we could see fireworks in person, so I hated to miss the chance. I figured it would be worth it, even if we ended up having to leave. And so we decided to avoid River Street and the crowds this first year. The cobblestone ramp onto River Street ended up being a good spot. Wouldn't you know, the kids LOVED every second of it.

I'm already looking forward to next year.

Goodbye Meme! Thanks for dressing my babies so adorably in red, white and blue. Next time, we are dragging you down in the heat and crowds with us.

vbs/sick

Last week was VBS at the church…and it was also a sick few days at our house. We went for walks, but otherwise stayed inside, resting.

Hannah and Joseph both woke in the night on Monday with fevers. The Monkey was fever-free within 36 hours, but my little boy hung on to some high temps for 72 hours (103/104+). Hannah's the one that gets the really high fevers, but I don't think Joseph has ever gotten much over 102. Well, this time it was 102 on ibuprofen! He had no other symptoms, which is always kinda weird, but because of the contagious factor he missed almost all of VBS. Still…he rallied and, practicing with his sister, sang with the rest of the children on Sunday morning at church.

We are the clay, and You are the potter…a new family favorite.

After nap time on Sunday afternoon, we FaceTimed Daddy at work.

Everyone is well and we are enjoying another week of summer, though - good grief - it is HOT!