A trip to Loves Park and meeting the puppy

Ready for a break

It is almost Thanksgiving break!

 We got our first measurable snow fall for the season this week!  Some of my little friends were crazy excited.  I stopped to be thankful for the little things as seen through the eyes of five year old!

 How do you make "the best day ever"?  Make pancakes in the shape of letter P  while wearing pajamas!  I think I like teaching K5 because it reminds me of all the fun things that I used to do for our three chair fillers...which in turn keeps me young...right?!?

 Oh...my...heart...we get to meet our new little girlie over Thanksgiving break!  She looks like she is going to be full of energy and mischief.

 Thankful for sissy time to do something that we have not done together in literally...years!  Stamping cards!!!  This time...our dogs were all of a sudden very needy of our attention...taking us back to the days when we tried to stamp with toddlers running around and putting fingers everywhere!  My how times have changed!!!

Thankful for the changing of the seasons!  Thankful for the daily reminders of blessings that God puts in our lives!

Sophmore friends

 What a group!  It is amazing to watch all these kids grow up!  How do you celebrate a 16th birthday?

                                          This night...dress up for a ride to dinner in a limo!

Baby pictures!

 Our new little fur baby is the black and white spotted little girl!

 She has two sisters and two brothers.  Her mommy's human is taking great care of everyone and sends us pictures/updates all the time!

 "Velle, are you ready be a big sister?  Will you teach her good things or naughty things?"

 "Your mommy is so crazy to want another puppy!"  But he enjoys the crazy too!

 Eyes are open! (11/2)

 "Do you even have room for another dog on your lap?"  We will make room!

Sweetest Day 2018

 Our time together is often very minimal these days.  

It is the season of life that God has for us right now.  

Ted spends a great deal of time in Mexico trying to work through issues at one of the plants there.  We don't know how long God will allow this schedule, but we know that He is fully aware of what is happening in our lives.  So...when Ted comes home...he walks through the front door to a warm, cozy place of rest!  When he is home...we make the most of it!  My favorite...cool, fall dates to run errands or kiddos around with time just for us while we wait!

 We tried a new place for treats that was crazy, stupid busy...so we got it to go and went to our favorite coffee place.  We did a little shopping and then picked up Teddy from his ref job...and drove home in rain/snow mix!

 And then another favorite...evenings at home with our children...talking, laughing, watching sports or movies...TOGETHER.  When Dad is home...all is right with the world.

It is in those moments of being together that I sense the peace that God gives as we wait to see how He will work out all things for our good.

Somedays growing up...

isn't easy or fun and make us stop and hear the instruction of a father who is hundreds of miles away because the mother is at a loss!

 is full of different activities that stretch our minds AND time management which drive our parents crazy!

 leads us back to remember where we were, what we did, when we learned things...and we can laugh!

And through it all...we come out grateful for another period of learning and struggling through the pains of growing up!

Harvest Happenings 2018

 It is always fun to discover things...and get messy!  We spent the week looking at everything pumpkin.  We ended the week with a pumpkin party at our house, and it was such a nice evening!

 Treats from one of my K5 families...that little one sure listens to things that I do or say!  Candle...fingernail polish...coffee!

 Velle was interested in pumpkin fun too!

 Someone was very tired at the end of the night...and it wasn't the humans!

 Teenagers are fun!  We hosted a last minute supper to go along with their plan to take a new friend (our exchange student from Brazil) out to experience what Americans do on Halloween.

 Teddy and Caden...the duo of dueling wits!

 "Hey siri, what sound does a llama make?"

 Throw together what you have...

 leave Velle and Mom at home to "man" the candy bowl...

 and wait for little costumed children...

 and come back two hours later with heavy bags...of CANDY!

 Ummm...yeah...each bag was about the same!   11.6 pounds!?!  INSANITY!

 Trading and going through their stash!

 The look on our friend's face...amazement and wonder at this crazy tradition!

 At least our last dental appointment was cavity free!  Here is hoping we didn't just ruin that!