Greatest find of the summer!!!

I was going out to do a few errands this morning and saw a garage sale at the end of our street with some kids stuff, so I drove down to check it out. To my surprise I found this...

A BRAND NEW NEVER OPENED bike trailer. We have one, but now that we are a family of five who loves to bike, we need another one. I know you are dying to know what I paid for it, but you will have to read on first...Next I came across these other treasures. A brand new never opened alphabet floor puzzle. Just last night I got the three that I have (same brand) out for Melia and she put them all together. Also found two construction hats to go with their tool bench, two games, a mask making kit, musical tub toys (also never used),....

Leap frog fridge magnet letter, a gymb*ree long sleeve shirt and sweater vest, and finally a pair of Old N*vy fleece lined jeans and shoes for P.

ALL of this for $27.45. What a steal. The bike trailer was only $20.00 (Target is selling the exact same one right now for $159.00). $2.00 for the letter magnets and everything else was 10, 25 or 75 cents. The women was so excited, because this was her first garage sale ever. We both felt like we hit the lottery...I found a lot of great stuff for very cheap prices, and she was watching her tables empty faster than she could add up the prices.

Gearing Up

Gearing up to head back to work. Can't believe it's that time already. I have been to school twice in the last week to try and get organized. I am teaching a new program this year, which brings about MANY changes. For the past 8 years I have taught 3-5 year old special needs students. For a three year period in there, I taught 3-5 year olds and birth - three special needs children. This year I am back to teaching the 0-3 population. This means switching schools, principles, staff, and a whole new group of parents and kids. The classroom is being moved within the building, which means unpacking and setting up the classroom also. When I first heard that I would be teaching in this program, I was not super excited about it, but after having the summer to think about it, I am coming around. I have spent the last few days going through files and organizing all the paper work, and next week will have to spend time in the classroom getting things set up. Before I know it, Sept. 1st will be here and I will be officially back to work. Teri and my mother-in-law will be taking care of the kids again this year, which I am very thankful for. Summer is winding down, and fall is just around the corner. My baby boy is almost 11 weeks old. Where does time go? I have enjoyed spending so much time with the kids this summer and will miss them when I am at work. Thankfully, I am able to work part-time again (the reason for the switch in programs). My heart is at home, but duty calls. The anticipation of heading back is always worse. Once I get there and fall into the new routine, I do not dread it as much. For now, I will enjoy the next week and a half I have to be home full time.

A Day at the Beach

This morning, my sister and Syd, sister in law, Emma and Lilly, my mom, and myself and the kids all went to the beach. This was the first time for my kids this year. They had a GREAT time. We had to drag Melia and Emma out of the water for lunch. Sand, Sun, Sweat, Smiles, Swimming, Snacks, and Sand Castles describe our morning. What a fun family day!!!

Sydney

Emma and Lilly


The boy among all the girls!!!


Eva

Swimming with Nana

Sand Fun!!!
A break for lunch

2 Months Old

Our little guy turned two months old yesterday. Where does the time go? He gets his first shots a week from today. When I weighed and measured him, he weighed in at just under 13 pounds and is 23 1/2 inches long. He has grown so much this month. I don't think I could love him any more. I love the quiet time we have together in the morning before the girls wake-up. He is usually awake from 6:30-7:30am (the it is back asleep for a couple more hours) and this is P and mommy time. I feed him, and then we snuggle in bed, smile, talk, and play. It is such precious time. With three under three, I cherish the individual time I get with each one.

Changes in month two:

• smiling and talking a lot more
• sleeping 11:00pm-6:30am
• nursing every 3-31/2 hours during the day
• can be put in bed awake and will go to sleep on his own for naps (most of the time :)
• baby acne still sticking around
• when laying on tummy, he will pick his head up and move it from side to side
• still in 0-3 clothes, but a few things are getting too small and we have passed them on to his buddy Ty
• staying awake for longer periods of time during the day
• Still loves his swing and bouncy seat
• loves being outside
  
• becoming more attached to a passy

(don't mind the yelling from his little sis in the background)

Smiling for the camera

All the pictures and video wore him out

Dedication

**Update on Sleep...both girls are asleep and it is 9:20...it has been a LONG time since this has happened!!!! This round goes to the parents!!!

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is
old he will not turn from it. Proverb 22:6

Yesterday we had the privilege of dedicating Parker to the Lord. We agree to raise our children in the things of the Lord and understand that they are a gift from Him. The dedication is when we declare this publicly among family and friends. The day was extra special because were able to share it with our best friends who were dedicating their little boy, Ty, to the Lord also. We all went back to our house and had a wonderful barbecue with 70 of our closest family and friends.

Family Photo
But as for me and my household, we will
serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15


Ben, Rebekah, and Ty

Group Shot


Best Friends


The boys - These three boys were born within 11 days of each other.
It was so fun seeing them together.

Ty, Gabe, and Parker

Our children

Kisses for Parker


Our Boys!!!

Eva showing some love to Ty and "B"

The day proved to be too much for Eva who fell asleep eating her macaroni and cheese at 6:45pm (we put her to bed and she slept until 8:00 this morning)