Three Months Later...

Last blog post:  "Wrapping Up May".  Anyone notice that May ended a loooonnnnggg time ago?  My mom is nodding right now.  I know this, because she verbally reminded me, last night, that I've neglected the ol' blog.  So, Mom, this post is for you.  :)

Summer 2012.  Hmmm...how can I sum it up so that I (and frankly, you) don't have to sit at a computer for the next three hours?  I could just give a few words & leave it at that.  Fishing, raspberry picking, swimming lessons, Branson vacation, VBS, 13th wedding anniversary, pool days, workouts, Fourth of July celebrations, wedding celebrations, cookouts, baseball, Yosemite vacation, slushes, annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes in memory of my aunt Patty, & preparing for school/various transitions. 

Special note:  If you're a guy, you could probably stop reading at this point.  I imagine this is all the information you need to collect.  Just in case...I'm going to go ahead and provide a few more details for anyone who cares.  ****cough, cough**** Mom!  :)  Maybe I'll add photos in the next post. 

June:
The boys both continued baseball practices/games.  We had lots of fun watching them play, even though we all endured some major Kansas heat.  Kind of unfair to experience that kind of tropical heat & not have an ocean to cool off in, located within a few miles.  ;)  Instead, local stores made all kinds of money selling my family popsicles & battery-operated mist fans.  I'm guessing some may snicker & make fun of those fans, but guess who was everybody's BFF when people felt like they were baking at a toasty 475 degrees?

Another fun activity:  We picked raspberries for the first time...and they were delicious.  We were sad when we ran out of berries.  Can't wait until next summer!! 

Before it became too hot, we did enjoy a fun trip to the Branson area, with my side of the family.  I won't go in to all the details, but the accomadations...while roomy...had dirty floors that caused my dad to call the front desk & inquire if "loggers" had stayed ahead of us.  Kind of an inside family joke, now.  Oh, and there was a lizard sighting.  My mom, nephew & sis-in-law saw it...but never caught it.  Consequently, everyone left that room for the last couple to arrive...Chad & me.  I felt so lucky.  And, I wore flip flops anytime I had to crawl out of bed in the dark.  Safety first.   

During that trip, we visited Dogwood Canyon again, took one of the "Ride the Ducks" tours, celebrated my brother's birthday, the Royals won (seems worthy of noting) & J lost his first tooth!  We rode some sweet go-carts...maybe the best we've all ever experienced.  You actually loop up several stories & then speed down a steep hill.  Quite simply, it. rocked.  Little tip, though.  Don't ever volunteer to drive your three-year old niece on such an adventurous go-cart course.  She may or may not look like she will never forgive you, even though you're riding the brake like crazy.  Good thing I brought along glitter nailpolish, on the vacation.  We'll stick to bonding with spa-like treatments.  Speeding down crazy go-cart hills, NO.  Glitter anything, YES.

The kids all had so much fun playing together.  They even all slept in the same bed...with about ten stuffed animals.  They each had lots of stuffed friends.  My dad fell asleep in a chair, while the kids were watching TV, one day.  My brother & I took all the stuffed friends & posed them around my dad...and took a photo.  I promised him I wouldn't add the photo to the blog, but trust me...it is hilarious!      

We ended the month with swimming lessons & Kids Kamp (VBS).  And more baseball.  And more misting fans. 

July: 
Chad & I celebrated our 13th anniversary!  He surprised me with Crown Uptown tickets & an overnight stay at Hotel Old Towne.  A Chorus Line was the show.  Chad didn't realize the show was so...how shall I put it?  Risque.  When he read the show's summary online, it mentioned a "dance audition".  He knew I love anything dancey, hence his decision to purchase the tickets.  The dinner was lovely, and I looked over the show's program.  It mentioned how this show was sure to please the whole family, so I thought they probably ommitted the questionable material I remember once seeing in the movie version.  I was wrong.  Half-way through, Chad looked at me & said, "I am SO sorry."  We just cracked up.  I was fine, because I loved that he put so much thought into the evening & had planned everything.  He even had champagne waiting for us at the hotel.  What a sweetie.  :)

From beginning to mid-July, we enjoyed some 4th of July celebrations, a family wedding, & some pool time with friends...especially at my in-law's pool.  Chad's parents are so hospitable!  The boys had so much fun swimming with their buddies!  Seasoned swimmers now, I witnessed the beginnings of diving board tricks.  "Watch me, Mommy!"  :)  Sometimes, after swimming, we'd go grab slushes or...even better...sno cones from Chad's uncle.  How cool is that?  Pun intended.   

At the end of July, we celebrated Chad's parents' 40th anniversary, with a trip to Yosemite National Park.  So beautiful!  I especially loved the areas of green, lush meadows that met up with evergreens, all in the valley & surrounded by mountains.  I was in awe a lot.  We gathered with Chad's brothers & their families.  To have all of us in one location, for a number of days is priceless, since we live states apart.  The cousins always pick up where they left off, and they play non-stop.  The two-year old did his best to keep up with all the big kids, who loved having a loft room all to themselves.  They pretended it was a castle & they were all kings.  Downstairs, they learned to play pool, and they took an occasional lukewarm soak in the available hot tub.  One night, Chad's mom read a devotional to the kids that she had read to Chad & his brothers when they were little boys.  :)  In the end, there were teary goodbyes...and I'm talkin' about the grown ups.  Rachel joked, at our airport gate, that we should just avoid eye contact.  ;)

How blessed are we to have such awesome families!  

August:
Well, I was ahead of schedule this year, when it came to school supplies.  I actually purchased those right before our Yosemite trip.  Can you say relief?  That allowed us to just enjoy the last couple of weeks, of summer vacation.  L attended an art camp, led by Mark Kistler.  What an engaging class...so worth it.  L & his friend LOVED learning how to draw in 3D!  I was really impressed with all the kids learned.

We had the honor of participating in Walk a Mile in Her Shoes...annual race to raise money for cancer patients.  For the past two years, it's been in honor/memory of my aunt Patty.  This year, they revealed a special art piece that will hang in the local hospital.  Oh...we just miss her so much!!

We usually start out the race with tears, but there is a balance of laughter & good times with family members, throughout our day together.  Since the race is held in her hometown, it's so personal & lovely.  During the 5K, it rained.  I could just see Patty smiling & asking God, "Hey, how about a little rain?  I'd love to see Colleen run."  Colleen is my mom...a fan of neither standing in rain or running.  :)  After the race, we met for lunch at my grandparents' house.  It's also a tradition to take a picture of the great-grandkids. 

The boys met new, school teachers...both amazing, as usual.  L is in 3rd & J is in 1st grade...his first time being gone all day.  For the first time in about nine years, I was home alone.  Understandably, this is a challenging time for many moms.  While it tugged at my heart just a little, I was mostly so pumped for this new season.  I knew the boys were in capable, caring hands at school and they love school!

Meanwhile, I was flying through workouts, errands & tasks at home that the boys don't particularly enjoy anyway.  And, it was all without the arguing, the whining or the asking to buy every single solitary thing seen in a store.  :)  Not going to lie.  I couldn't stop smiling.  It felt like God saying, "Hey, I remember when your littlest used to throw major tantrums every day...especially the time he SPIT on you, in Target.  For not wigging out that day, I now deem that you can have some days to accomplish errands in peace."

They were so ready for the stucture that comes with the beginning of school. They were ready to see their school friends.  They were getting on each other's nerves & needed some space.  This year, I pick them up from school, and it's one of my favorite parts of the day!!  They tell me so much about their days...bonding time! So, we do get some good time together, before they're off to bed. When summer rolls around, I'll be ready for all the joys of it, as well.  

Disclaimers:  #1:  I don't claim to know what God says.  Not the Jr. Holy Spirit & aren't we all glad about that.  #2:  I love my boys with all of my heart & I wasn't anxious to get them "out of my hair"...even though there honestly were a few times when I uttered, "Oy...when does school start?"  Definitely not complaining & I know I've been given wonderful gifts in my sons.  This is more about me sharing that I've been able to find joys in each season of their lives.  I find that I always miss a little of the past & simultaneously find joy in the new stages of their lives. 
    

Being home alone all day, I also decided to check out subsitute teaching.  Long story short, I applied in the district in which I used to teach...currently the boys' school district.  Before I knew it, I completed necessary forms, attended an inservice, & had my photo taken for my I.D. badge.  Literally five minutes after returning home from that meeting, I received a call...offering me a long-term position (8 weeks) for a third grade teacher going on maternity leave.  Talked with Chad, prayed about it, and accepted it.  Now, I'm getting closer & closer to the official start date.

I thought those eight weeks were beginning early, on the 26th.  The sweet teacher called me from the hospital & said I'd probably need to report the next day; she thought the baby was on his way...a little sooner than expected.  I was at peace with it all, while talking to her.  Then, came the actual morning I had to teach.  Eek!  It was a tough morning.  It was the day she & I were supposed to meet & I was going to observe for a day or two.  Observe, not teach.  Instead, I walked in an unfamiliar buidling, entered an unfamiliar classroom & met twenty-five unfamiliar faces...thinking that I would be there for the next eight weeks with NO prepartion.  I almost cried over my lunch break, but there wasn't time.  Instead, I waited until that evening when Chad arrived home. 

Thankfully, the baby ended up waiting to arrive.  Sweet Teacher & I have now had lots of time to talk & prepare.  We are both sooooo glad.  It's just better all around.  Hopefully, she'll be able to relax at home with her first baby & I can keep things running smoothly at school.         

Ok.  Since I sort of feel like I've been here for those three hours I once joked about, I'm going to skip spell check.  Typically, I'm my own grammar police, but right now it's late (or early depending on how you view 1:40a.m.) & I'm sleepy.  So, give me a little grammar grace.  And, Dear Lord, please don't let tomorrow morning be the day I have to report for the beginning of those eight weeks.  ;) 

Love you, Mom!  Hope you liked the update.  Next post...Christmas letter.  I'm maybe not kidding.  Well, maybe a photo post & later a Christmas letter.  Haha! 

                   

Wrapping Up May

Every Tuesday afternoon, I get to meet with a Moms In Prayer group. 
We lift up our kids, their school, the staff, and our district.
We have no other photos from this year, except for
our last meeting brownie treat.  Haha!     

J and his sweet kindergarten teacher, on the last day of school.
We'll miss you, Mrs. Hutson! 

J signing the bulletin board outside of the classroom.
He drew a picture of Mrs. Hutson & himself.

L also had a great teacher.  Yay for Mrs. Millikan!

Last small group meeting for the year.  Naturally, we partied!

Thanks Pinterest! 
Found this cute s'mores treat gift, to make & give to
some of our awesome school staff members. 
There were a few leftover, for the boys
& two neighbor boys, as a last day of school treat!  

Went to school as a kindergartner...returned home as a 1st grader!

Woke up as a 2nd grader...went to bed as a 3rd grader!

On the first day of summer vacation, the boys went
fishing with Papa & Grandma Eck.
Check out L's nice catch!
They ended their time together, with lunch at Long John Silvers.
Fitting.  :)

J's turn catching for the Shockers!  (West Urban Team)

L had his first Maize Rec game, May 29th.
His team:  Green Dragons! 
He suggested the name, kids voted, & it won. 
At least Green Dragons sounds fierce.
When he was in preschool, he helped name two soccer teams.
One was the Caterpillars.  The other was the Cheese Curls.  :)

On Memorial Day, Chad's parents grilled out & had a small party for me!  :)
Donita made delicious crazy cake...yum!  They also gave me a lovely gift certificate to Bath & Body!

What's a birthday without some fairly large hail?!

After the storm, we went to find L his first pair of glasses.
He chose these frames; we think he looks handsome. 
Earlier in the day, he had an eye appointment, because
we recently discovered he had a little trouble seeing distances.
He can't wait to see more clearly...and get a case with his glasses.  :)

J's baseball game was cancelled, so we went out for my birthday. 
Olive Garden!  Oh yeah...it was delicious!

So, we had NO idea it was storming outside again, while we were eating.
Heavy rain was blowing sideways, as we left the restaurant. 
Chad used one of the restaurant's umbrellas, to go get the car for us. 
However, it blew inside out & he was drenched.
On the way home, the radio talked about 80mph winds.
Trees were blown over there were huge puddles of water.

Oopsie daisy. 
Neighbor's trampoline flew on top of their swing set, during the storm. 
Also, part of their fence blew down...even further. 
So, today, their dogs suddenly appeared on my back porch.
Eventful birthday weather.  :) 

Lots of birthday card love! 
However, the paper flowers were from L's class.  That was one of their
lovely gifts to me, for being a classroom helper. 



Chad's card totally cracked me up!

He also included a bit of a riddle, concerning my birthday gift. 
He mentioned something about how the card was fitting, because
my gift involved a cat...one that was royalty.
Looks like I'll be going to the Lion King, when it comes to town this fall! 
I was so surprised!!  Excited!!  :)

Cards from my boys & the traditional birthday banner!
J made the cards on the ends.  L made the one on the right side of the clock.



Words really encourage my heart! All the FB messages, texts, phone calls, cards, & emails had my heart overflowing with joy! 36 rules!  A girl just can't complain, when she is surrounded by incredible friends & family.
I enjoy every birthday God allows me to celebrate!

Work Day

Our current church, which we LOVE, is preparing to multiply this fall.  This means we are planting a church on the west side of town.  We've decided that we'll attend the new church, and they recently held a work day.  The building we're preparing to use was in need of a little TLC, after being vacant for some time. 

May 19th was a sunny, but super windy Saturday morning.

Some of the guys who worked on sanding the walls.

Spacious sanctuary.  The items piled in the middle
belong to the owner of the building & will soon be moved
to a storage unit. 
Sound equipment wires were also put in place
that morning, so that's why the ceiling tiles were moved.

Pastor Dave taking a brief donut break. 
Otherwise, he was busy all morning tackling projects.   

Found it humorous that people once played paintball in here.

Men at work

One of the extra rooms

This sweet, dedicated mom was working hard, while her little one slept.

Maryann had a crew working on the women's restroom.
Bye bye flowery wall paper.

  
Looking forward to seeing how the place looks all spruced up!  

New Furniture

Out with the old couch...

Goodbye to the couch & love seat that my husband called "uncomfortable".
He always felt like the back cushions were throwing him out of it.
Is it wrong that I spent many nights laughing, as
he wrestled with the couch cushions?  ;) 
Regardless of how uncomfortable it was, he fell
asleep there quite a bit. 
I called it his "Lover Green Couch". 

Before we said goodbye, we had to get a photo of L with
the couch cushion that's been turned over for years.

It was turned over, because
when he & a family friend were toddlers, they created a
"masterpiece"...with an ink pen.
Neither confessed or snitched on the other. 
Mystery to this day.  ;)

In with the new...

Using the same red accents, for now.
 To change it up, I'm thinking of going with more of a aqua blue...or some shade of blue.

Bedroom Make-Overs

The boys now share a room & all of their upstairs toys are in the other room.  It's a beautiful thing, and as a family, we're loving it!  Today, I added some finishing touches, by finally hanging up things on the walls & labeling various bins in the playroom. 

Sorry...no "before" photos.  I'll just "paint" a "before" picture for your imagination.  Imagine each kid having a bed, a dresser and every conceivable toy on earth cluttering up his room.  That might be is an exaggeration, but you catch my drift.  :) 

Below are some "after" pics.  I picked up a few items at a local super store, but used many things we already had in the house.  In fact, I was able to eliminate the use of several baskets/bins, after going through toys/massive paper piles again. 

All wall-hangings in playroom are from the boys' painting class.  I was thrilled to have a place to display all of them!  They make the room bright & happy.  Kid art rocks & it's one of my favorite things about the room transformations.

My goal was to have the rooms ready in time for summer break, so I'm surprisingly ahead of schedule.  So far, the whole deal is heavenly.  :)

   

Tons of floor space! 
Perfect for getting out race tracks
...and dare I say, LEAVING them there overnight without the fear
of stepping on them. 

With all the floor space, there's now more room to actually
use the basketball hoop that's been hanging over
the closet door.

 A peek inside the playroom closet.
All the dress up clothes. 
Boom!

In hopes that things get put away where they actually go. 
A girl can dream...

Finally using the window seat as an actual seat! 

J relaxing & reading

Brothers.  Buddies.
Sharing a bedroom!

They still each have their own theme,
from the previous room assignments.
J's side is OUTER SPACE!

They share the bulletin board, that's across from their beds.
Yay for leftover bulletin board boarders, from my teaching days.

L has a cowboy theme.  Nice coonskin cap.  We'll have
to keep an eye on that, because Emmy the cat occasionally
mistakes it for an animal that she feels compelled to attack.