110 with Rachael and Ben: Halloween is coming!

This weekend we will kick-off our Halloween festivities -- a halloween party at Rachael's dance school, a Halloween party with the neighbor friends and a princess birthday party (which no weekend is complete without!) Here are some photo highlights:

110 with Rachael and Ben: New Park Love

We're in love. With a new park. Affectionately known as the 'castle park' because the play structures are capped off with peaks that look like a castle.
See this photo below from the park's website:


While the skies weren't as blue there today as they were in this photo, my two sunshines had a TON of fun there....see this:

It is a privilege to watch them explore new, uncharted territory. It's most fun when that new territory isn't scary (like the first time to the dentist or the first day of school)!
As I expected, they both took to the new park with ease and we will definitely be going back!
After 2 weeks of rain, we were thankful for a dry day (and I did see the sun trying to peek out!).

Annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch!

We continued our tradition of going with our besties to the Pumpkin Patch. This year, we had a lot more fun on the farm than we did having any time with pumpkins....in fact, we didn't even pick one or go to the field and sit next to one...there were more exciting things to do! See one of the funniest photos below....Samantha didn't realize that we were trying to get a photo of just the 4 of us -- so, she cuddled right up next to Mike. It's our 'adopted' 3rd child....we love her to pieces! :)

110 with Rachael and Ben: Fall themed Play Date

What's that saying? While the cat's away the mice will play? Well, that's exactly what we did! Mike and the boys were headed to a hockey game for the night, so the moms and I decided we should get the kids together for a little pizza, cupcakes and play! 7 kids...1 4-year-old, 3 3-year-olds, 2 2-year-olds, and 1 1-year-old! And, 4 TIRED mamas....makes for a fun and crazy time! We kept our normal Friday "stay home day" routine to a quiet one -- some cleaning, playing and a trip to Trader Joe's. I knew our evening fun would be more than enough. And, it didn't disappoint.:) 

110 with Rachael and Ben: Sweet Moments

Today....I didn't pull out the phone to take a picture of our day. Instead, I took in the moments with my heart and my eyes and my ears and my hands.
The moments that filled my heart with joy were these:

When our friends, Avery and Jack, and their sweet mama Ruth were about to help us clean up from hours of play, Rachael and I were close to each other. She leaned over, gave me a hug and said, "I love you, mama." and, I happily reciprocated the hug and echoed her sentiment. Then, I kissed her sweet cheek. She wiped it away, and teased me and she knows that wiped away kisses are replaced by a million smooches and lots of giggles. This exchange allows me to be silly and sweet and focused, solely on her, for that moment....and it's a treasure for the heart.

Later, while putting Ben to nap, he climbed up in my lap to read, which is a rare happening these days. While in my lap, I snuck kisses on his neck and ran my fingers through his fine, light blonde hair. I also was mimicking a part of the book we were reading by playing with his arms and hands. This made him giggle in a way that makes me want to never stop doing what we're doing. Ever. I wish I could bottle that giggle and carry it with me through every situation in life....because in that giggle is an innocence and a full commitment to that moment and that feeling of happy and silly.

These right here are the reasons for the decreased pay check. The reasons for the full heart I have right now. The reasons that I wanted to have this job in the first place. These reasons are a never-ending paycheck for a job that is priceless and that I am so lucky to have.

110 with Rachael and Ben: Change of Plans

So, I woke up this morning, thrilled for another "stay home" day as the kids affectionately call it. They look forward to it all week and, truthfully, so do I.
In my vision for the day.....baking a loaf of banana bread, cleaning up the house a bit (how DOES a house get so dirty after just one week?!), heading to the library for story time (see previous post -- we loved it so much, it'll be a regular thing for us), and then we'll stop by the park for some play and a picnic lunch...with 75 degree weather and sunshine, what could be better?

Let me tell you how this really goes....and the lesson I was reminded of:
banana bread: check
cleaning up a bit: check
getting all ready to go to the library, heading out, and finding a piece of plastic hanging down from the undercarriage of the van: check
dealing with said plastic (ok, dealing with or freaking out a bit....frantic, not nice phone call to Mike included...sorry sweetie!): check
kids dragging out t-ball set while freaking out about car: check
kids having a great time, even though we didn't go to storytime as planned: check
going to car repair shop, with little notice and a super fast appointment: check
getting said plastic fixed for FREE in five minutes: check
STILL making it to the park for super fun play and lunch: CHECK

So, moral of the story: ALL was not lost. The day was not, in fact, ruined. Perhaps, taking the time to do the unplanned was all the better. I'm thankful that I thought to capture the tball on film. R&B were flexible and adaptable to 'plan B' -- take note, mommy!

110 with Rachael and Ben: the pictureless post/Lunch with Daddy at "the" IBM

The lack of a picture has nothing to dofo with the lack of fun! It's just called, I lived in the moment instead of gluing the camera or phone to my face to record it. Sometimes, I like being able to enjoy my kiddos without having to capture one small slice with a device. (Rhyme not intended, but, kinda cool, don't you think?)

Today we ventured to run some errands in the morning: a stop at weight watchers for Mommy....I'm hoping to teach the kids that I go there to make sure that I'm healthy and staying on track. They don't know it as anything other than the place where they get to step on the scale, but, I hope as they grow I have the courage to share with them my battle against food and weight, but, in a way that's about being healthy and taking charge of the choices that we (they) make about food and exercise each and every day. I make plenty of not-so-good choices, and I make plenty of good choices, and ultimately, I hope they keep me level and in a good place for my health and longevity. What I hope that doesn't come across is that it's all about the number on the scale or about clothing size or appearance, because, in fact, it's not. It's about the numbers on the bloodwork at the annual doctor's appointment and about the confidence I feel after a good workout or a day of great food choices. It's about being around for my children's children...for a long time.

After WW, we stopped to goof-off at the dollar store while waiting for the right time to get to "the IBM" (as R&B call it) to meet up with Daddy for lunch and to see where he works each and every day. Mike and I often feel like they don't know what it means when we tell them about work, so, we hope to show them by occasional visits to our places of work.
They enjoyed drawing on Daddy's whiteboard and running the long hallways in the big buildings.
Mostly, they enjoyed a piece of Daddy's day that was just for them. R & B love their daddy so much....both they and I couldn't be more blessed for the daddy and husband we have in Mike.

This weekend, we're gearing up for a get together with wonderful friends, Shannon, Phil, Samantha and Jackson.....our good buddies (both adults and kids), whom we see and have fun with each month. These are our closest friends in Raleigh and it's wonderful to watch our kids grow together. We'll cap the weekend off by hosting our "Amigos" -- a foyer group from church that we joined in May 2007 and haven't stopped! The foyer groups are supposed to last 6 months, but, at 2 years in, our group decided there was no turning back. This is a group of 4 other couples who we look to for great fun, fellowship and as shining examples of a commitment to Christ and each other....we are the youngest couple by 5-15 years in the group and while they remind us of that with talk of 1970's TV shows, we feel a great sense of community and love with them.
Busy weekend ahead...time to clean, cook, and enjoy time with friends.....will be sure to go to work exhausted, but, happy on Monday!

110 with Rachael and Ben: Library Storytime

Rachael and Ben enjoy books after an interactive story time at the library!

110 with Rachael and Ben: Uncle Dougie gets married

And the title says it all....Uncle Dougie got married! He and Christen said "I do" overlooking the ocean at the Vero Beach Hotel and Spa on September 7, 2013. It was a beautiful wedding and everything, including ushering 3 ring bearers and 3 flower girls, down the aisle.
Rachael and Ben were fantastic troopers on the voyage....we left home on Tuesday of that week and stayed through Sunday, stopping 2 nights in Orlando to see Sue and family. It was a great chance to reconnect with her, even though within one hug hello, it's like we were never apart. I pray that Ben and Rachael can have those kinds of friends in their lives.

Cheers to 16 years of friendship!

Some Summer Firsts

This summer, we've had lots of "firsts":

First day at a new school: With my 3/4 time schedule change came the need for a new school for Rachael and Ben. While I was filled with anxiety about the move, the kids (as usual) did great -- just a few nerves from Rachael and Ben was sure he owned the joint by day 2! The new program involves summer camp during June, July, August which is a more 'fun' way to spend each day instead of such a heavy academic focus. Then, on August 26th, the formal school year started. Here are a  few photos....notice, Ben is already involved in a puzzle and not much phased by the fan fare of day 1!

We took the opportunity of a 4-week class to try out soccer....Ben LOVED it! And, was quite good at it. I might have mentioned this already, but, since it was a first, I'll put it here, too. Rachael enjoyed it, but, it wasn't her favorite. 

And, then, there was the first trip to the Zoo! WHAT a blast. It is set in nature and you walk along tree-lined paths and around each corner is a new animal waiting for a view. All 4 of us had a great time...on a kinda-cool, summer Monday....with little crowds and lots of God's amazing creatures.

And, then, there was the All-American summer past-time: Baseball!

We took the kids to their first Durham Bulls game. We are blessed to live in a region rich with activities from sports to museums to markets to cultural events.

As-is typical, we were 1.5 innings in to the game when Rachael asked if we could leave and Ben was clapping at every hit, whether it was for our team or not. :) She finally got into it and enjoyed watching Wooly-Bull's antics and little kids entertain between innings. It was a hot day for a game, but, we made it. We're looking forward to doing it again next season-- in the spring-time! (Only photos were not very flattering...just trust me that we were there!)

And finally, the end of the summer brought Rachael's first dance class...she eagerly joined the group and didn't look back. I can't wait to see what she learns this year!

We are headed this week to Florida to visit with some friends in Orlando and then on to Vero Beach for Uncle Dougie's wedding -- another first coming up -- flower girl, ring bearer and Best Man roles for my loves. Me, I'm just the supporting actress and glad to be in that role, for sure. :) 

See you again soon....with a catch up of our week in PA!