K3 Apple Orchard trip 2014

We've been talking about apples for two weeks in our class.  We bought some different colored apples and had a taste test.  Most of the class liked the pink ones...ha, ha, ha...most of our class is girls.

"Do you see the seeds inside?  What else do you see?"  A STAR!!!!

Tuesday...we went to the apple orchard!  We read a story to help prepare us first.

One of our little Korean friends was a little nervous about this new experience...not sure what we were doing.  She held my coat while boarding the bus and then I held her hand.  Oh. my. heart.  Her smiles came back hesistantly as we rode, got off the bus, waited for the wagon, rode the wagon, picked apples, and ate an apple.  We shared this brand new experience with five of our little friends and two of the mommies.  How fun to watch them learn and experience the crazy things we do and enjoy in America!

KONKED OUT!!! Mrs. K helped one little one to settle down by patting her back...soon...both were snoozing.

Waking our little tired out friends proved to be most difficult!  Little O took it in small stretches...right off her cot...dead asleep.

Squeezes for my heart!

My girls packed my lunch for me on Tuesday...with a yummy sandwich, Cheetos, apple, cookie, and a note!  Then...they packed it again for me today!  Soup, apple and caramel, pita chips, and fruit snacks.  I'm one spoiled momma this week!

Our girls are passing me up!

A full weekend of answered prayer!

 Miss M has been a huge blessing to us!  She is getting married soon and leaving our preschool/daycare.  We were able to have a break together on Friday afternoon as we look ahead to big changes.  A blessing to laugh and have a break.  "Is this legal for us to be doing this?  I feel free."

 One change involved our family!  Ted and I took off for Illinois on Saturday morning to go through our old house and prepare for the closing.  We are so thankful for our family who helped clean out odds and ends and a few pieces of furniture that were left behind.  Our tenants left the house clean and in good repair.

 When we drove up, I was a little sad at how sad the house looked...no life to make it happy and cozy as it was when we lived there.  I sure hope the new owners enjoy their time there and take care of things.

 As we walked through the empty house, emotions welled up a little.  I saw these words that our tenants had put up...and that started the ball rolling.  Ted had a list of things to check on and soon had my attention turned elsewhere...I think he knew I was on the edge of losing it.

 Time around the table for supper and dessert and conversation.

 Sunday morning smiles.

 The longer a family sits around the Sunday dinner table...the emptier the dessert container gets!

 Napping at Papa and Grandma's.

 More visiting with our family members.  Thanks, guys, for coming over even though you were tired!  It was worth watching Ted laugh till he almost fell out of the chair!

 Monday morning...headed to closing at 9:00.  "I am just really ready for this to be over!"  We signed several documents, handed over a check (yes, we put out money as the seller...it is the Rockford way right now), and the keys.  And left.  35 minutes...wrapped up 15 years of home ownership in the Land of Lincoln.

 We headed back for our dog and things.  Ah...there's a little smile now!  Headed home to our children and "life as we now know it and we will wait for God's timing to find a house."

 By then...we were ready to eat something!  Chik-Fil-A!  "Oh...my friends are going to be jealous!"

 Sweet tea!!!  The response in text to this picture..."BRAT".  See, I told you there would be jealousy.

 God gave us a beautiful day to travel home...and clear roads.  We made it home by 5pm and picked up the kiddos from Uncle and Auntie.  They got extra hugs because they fed them supper too! "You probably don't have food for supper for them.  I never have a plan when we get back from a trip.  Let them eat and then go home!"  Thank you, sis, you saved them from grilled cheese.

Our souvenirs from our weekend trip...the pen we signed with and the plastic folder "it will protect your papers from water damage, but it isn't fire proof".  Well, thank you, because tears of thankfulness have fallen a couple times!  Our church family and family have prayed for us through the steps this event.  We say "Thank You!"  God is good...all the time.  He has had a plan and a time table...everything was provided for on time at the right time in His time!

It is really hard work to be this cute!

 We do everything possible to not lay still to fall asleep at nap!

 I'm still not sure why we waste our time and energy every. single. day. to cover them all up snug as little bugs in their rugs!  Because 5 minutes after...they are all uncovered upside down and inside out on their cots.  Oi!  We have some that fall asleep right away.  We have some that never fall asleep.  And we have some that fall asleep 20 minutes before it is time to wake up.  They are a joy to work with after that!  Wow.

 These two are learning English...the most words they have a grasp of???  "Let It Go, Let It Go", "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?", and "For the First Time in Forever" from the movie Frozen.

 "I'm strong!  See my hammer!"

"See my flower?  I'm going to blow it now!"

All this cuteness day after day makes us very tired!  "I don't remember feeling like this last year!  I feel old and I am only 24...well, almost 25."  Yah, I was thinking I was feeling this way because I am 45!  I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels exhausted!  Tuesdays and Thursdays are our lighter days right now with 13 and 11.  Seems like a vacation compared to the other 3 days!  We have come to the agreement...Too much cute...is not always cute! Children who don't obey...or don't want to obey...or talk sassy...or throw fits...or...AREN'T CUTE NOR ARE THEY FUN TO BE AROUND!  

Parents, don't sacrifice obedience and respect for a cute factor that wears off 

and leads to plain ugliness! 

The season is changing!

We watched the cold front make its approach the other day...and I must admit...I was a little excited.  FALL!  AUTUMN!  HARVEST!  The trees are starting to turn a different shade of green to yellow to orange to red to brown.  Saturday morning was chilly as I took Chevy to get groomed and get a coffee.

 The girls and I ran errands...stumbling across this new found treat!  Oh my!  Caramel covered in chocolate in the shape of an apple.  Too bad I had to share what I bought with the girls!

 A Saturday spent at home...well...after all the errands!  Chili bubbling wildly.  Laundry whirling merrily.  People relaxing groggily.

 Dessert...warm cinnamon apple filling with cinnamon-sugar pita chips...apple pie goodness made easy!

 "I told you!!!" said Ted to Teddy right after I mentioned it would be a perfect day for the first fire of the season.  My guys know me too well!  It crackled all afternoon and smelled so good.

Another weekend treat...my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season!  The windows are open and sweatshirts are always within reach now.  Time to go bring home the fall decor from the storage unit.

Thankful for my sis!

 Mari visits our room every Monday...but most often...we are not there!  She drops off important papers, and this past week...a selfie!  She made me laugh out loud and she wasn't present to enjoy it.

 While the girls were away at school camp, we took the boys to the apple orchard right after school one day.  I enjoyed sitting outside with fresh donuts and chatting!  We don't often get the chance to do this during the busy-ness of life.  Most often...we have people surrounding us...so it is fun to grab snatches of time for sissy breaks.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

 We started counting out the candles...and it seemed dangerous to light so many!  

So we are sending you lots of love and wishes across the miles...and no matches.

                                        We're sorry we can't be there to celebrate with you.

And I'm sorry...this picture made me laugh so hard...that I had to post it for you...

Keep calm and party on...you know...like you know what you are doing...cause after all...you are 68! 

WE LOVE YOU AND ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU!

THANKS FOR MAKING US LAUGH THROUGH THE UPS AND DOWNS OF LIFE!

THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH!

The girls had fun at school camp this week!

 Three days away for just the 7-12th graders at Camp Good News.

 God gave beautiful weather and safety through all the fun activities!

 We are so thankful for all the opportunities the Lord is giving to our children!   They are growing... and learning so much!  A big thank you to all our teachers for the impact they are making in the lives of our young people.