Hello September

There is a line in You've Got Mail when Tom Hanks tells Meg Ryan that he would love to send her a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils to commemorate the start of fall. I love that.

September brings crisp school supplies, pumpkin spice lattes and the comfort of routine. It shakes us out of the lull of summer and gives us fresh purpose. Boy oh boy does this mama have fresh purpose this September...we have taken a new route in the kid's education and I am homeschooling them three days a week...more on that later, but for now a wrap up of our beautiful summer.

It started with a girl's trip to the river, just grandma, my girls and myself.

 {father's day dinner at The Hunter, sans the kids}

 {birthday ice cream with friends}

 {family beach time}

 {early beach mornings, complete with coffee, donuts and friends}

 {one of the MANY sisters performances i watched}

 {my girls}

{crossfit fam bam goes to vegas}

{mike+lindsey=love}

 {i voted him "hottest groomsmen"}

 {back squats + beer}

{family vegas trip}

{serendipity+frozen hot chocolate}

 {vegas pool fun, kid friendly}

 {cabo pool fun, not kid friendly}

 {bachelorette pool fun, really not kid friendly}

 {rough life}

 {palm springs pit stop}

{pick of the day}

 

{crazy daddy}

{we're on a boat}

{the honey's}

{there we are. on the deck. all smiles.}

 {party time! we celebrate another year of uncle jake and grandma}

 {diapered babes, beach attire and s'mores = blessed}

{happy birthday to grandpa}

 {starting a new chapter of life: Dining Room Elementary School}

 {"P.E"}

 {first day of workshop at Coastal Academy}

 {sammy's halloween costume, check}

 {andrew mark sammons, 8/28/14}

 {la jolla cove field trip}

 {my boys+gelato}

 {blessed}

Well my fresh purpose is calling me, a history lesson to be taught and maybe a possible "field trip" to the beach later. Summer was good, but fall is my favorite.

Real Life

I saw this and laughed out loud. "So true", I said to myself as I began texting it over to one of my closest mommy friends. I knew she would get it. I love my children so much, I love the life that I get to have with them, but truth be told I'm not always in love with it.

On Saturday night we had one of our family dance parties. They happen a lot around here. Drake will randomly turn up whatever music we are listening to and everyone stops what they're doing and we dance. I remember thinking during this particular one that I really can't imagine being happier with our life...fast forward to the next morning...Mother's Day. I am now disinfecting the bathroom because Trent has just vomited. Drake?? Oh he's starting the laundry because this particular bug seems to affect both ends...we'll just leave it at that.

True love stretches you, challenges you and refines you. From what I've learned so far...the joy almost always outweighs the hard...and if you choose it, you will find joy in the hard.

{found them all snuggled together one night}

{they love to "surprise" me at bedtime}

{Sunday morning pancakes after church}

{date night with my partner in crime}

{catching them in their precious littleness} 

This week we are experiencing a heat wave. Today we have been home all day. Juliana caught what Trent had. By 10:30 am we were starting our third movie. It is 80 degrees inside our house and I'm doing all I can to keep Nurse Sammy away from her big sister. Real life isn't glamourous, but it's good. I have purpose, I am loved and I am needed. After all...if everyone was always healthy, got along and minded their own business, what fun would that be?

{"I only like the cream cheese," of course you do sweet girl}

Spring Love

Every year we attempt to capture a great photo of all the cousins...this year could be our best yet...

{these two.}

 {grandma's oldest and youngest...for now}

{big girls}

 [emmy girl}

 {sibling love}

 {da' boys}

{and scene.}

Catch Up

 We both do crossfit now...our poor kids.

Lucy Marie, born February 16th, 2014.

 Melt.

 Annual Daddy Daughter dance at Magnolia.

 Sammy's babies got the stomach flu.

 Lucy's first time to Sunday dinner.

 That one time it rained this winter.

 Trent started playing t-ball...Daddy and Papa are his coaches...it's a family affair.

 Bahama mama...the drink.

 Seriously, we felt like newlyweds again...#takeusback

 Atlantis=Amazing

 Sibling love.

 Daylight savings is the best.

 Sammy Lou is ready to get her tongue clipped.

 First time to ever stick her tongue out.

 Drake and Trent went to Spring Training. Trent with (insert players name).

 My little all-star, so proud.

 Babysitting sweet Lucy :)

 Publishing Party in room 12.

 She just loves him.

 And she just loves him.

 Our gorgeous girls after one of Juliana's dance classes.

 Out to lunch with Daddy.

 Beach beauties.

And now we are here. Easter is right around the corner.

Spring break is in full force. We have spent the past two days at the beach with friends.

I'm loving my time with the kiddos. Drake has started a new job and we are beyond 

grateful for the opportunities the Lord has provided him. For those of you who still check in from time to time, I apologize for the lack of posting. Hope you're all have a blessed spring and soaking up all the sunshine!

My Garden

The other day I sat down to color with Trent and Sammy...immediately Sammy sat down on my lap to "help" with my picture and Trent remained perfectly still and focused on what he was doing. Instinctively I began to doodle a sunflower, that seems to be my go-to when I'm left with crayons and paper.

As the sunflower began to take shape, my mind wandered to Juliana. She is my sunflower. Golden hair with a spattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks. She blossoms when light and praise are showered on her. She is sturdy, strong and confident in who she is. She is a ray of light and energy in our home.

When I colored in the last golden petal, the assistant on my lap got me thinking about what kind of flower she is. A gerber daisy, definitely. Varying in vibrants colors, intense and beautiful. She is moody, like a daisy she has the ability to brighten a room one moment and then be drooping and wilted the next. She is a little more delicate than the other two and keeps our life colorful and interesting.

Then there's our boy. I couldn't think of the appropriate plant to represent him, so I asked him what he thought.

"hey buddy, if you were a plant, what would you be?"
"an apple tree"
Perfect.

I thought about that book The Giving Tree and he is like that tree. He is nutrients to our family. He is smart and wise even at five years old. He represents something different to everyone in our family. Student, playmate, conversationalist, sports enthusiast. He is kind, giving, gentle and tender-hearted.

I love all three of them so much and know that they each have more to teach me than I can teach them. The Lord has been so generous to entrust me with these three precious souls.