Ten Years and Counting!

It was ten years ago that Derek and I committed our lives to one another before God, family, and friends.  It was a really beautiful day.

When we married, Derek had been out of college and working for over a year in Maryland, hours from our family and many of our friends.

Since then, we have made new friends, added family members, and have built a life together.  The loss of loved ones and not being able to help our children in life-threatening situations has probably been the hardest part, yet day-to-day life with three young children is not so easy either.  But life IS good together.

So how did we celebrate this tenth anniversary?  We went out for ice cream with the kids.

We tried out a new-to-us ice cream shop that is right in town.

The ice cream was good and messy.

Tomorrow we'll spend some time by ourselves as a friend babysits the children after tee ball in the morning.  We still don't know what we'll do!

My sister Amy painted this of us from our wedding day.

You can read how we met here.  You can read a bit more about what happened in the next three years before we were married here.

Evan's Construction Site

Derek made this construction site for Evan.  Perfect, huh?  You can read more it at This Simple Home, if you like.

At the Park

This past week I was all prepared to put water in the pool early in the morning so it would be ready (not really cold) before Esther's nap time.  Unfortunately, that day was supposed to be chilly.  Ready to do something, the children and I had our "chores" completed by 9:30 and went to the local park. 

 (Too bad the picture below has the tree in focus instead of Evan.)

 Meghan wrote in her summer journal on the way home about all the things she saw.

Though I initially wanted to do a hike with the children, I was wise to just let them explore an area for a while.  Since we did it this way, we had time for the playground before we needed to come home for lunch.  Of course, the pictures were nice, too.

Summer's Arrival

This summer I am being intentional about planning a few things for the children and I to do together.  I do not want the summer to go by without a few special memories made from regular life.  To help inspire me, I gathered a few ideas and turned them into this poster.  I also created a flexible summer schedule so the children would be motivated to do a few chores (namely bedrooms) in the morning before playing or going any where.

As a friend pointed out to me, my desire to do something shows that I am in a much better "place" than I was last year at this time, or even a few months ago.  It's a testimony to how life has changed for us...for the better.  Last summer I was still just surviving...barely getting by...and not really having much fun as a wife, mom, or even as a woman.  Esther was not an easy baby as a newborn...and the fact that she did not sleep through the night until 18 months of age means that I was an exhausted woman for too long.  The lack of sleep definitely impacted me at a greater level that I didn't even realize until recently...

Anyway, back to summer thoughts.  (All links are to my other blog.)

We've made the plastic bag kites again that we like so much.

 Meghan read to me while I folded laundry.  It was so enjoyable, and truly was quality time together, especially since I read to her first.

 We celebrated Derek and Father's Day with a Star Wars book and a root beer float.

 Esther enjoyed pipe cleaners and a Parmesan cheese jar.  Don't let the simplicity fool you.  The Big Kids liked it, too!

 We started a fruit of the Spirit study (following my own reading of The Fruitful Wife, which I definitely recommend and linked to my review).  Which fruit would you like to eat?

 Esther can wear a pony tail, but it only stays in for thirty minutes, or so, since her hair is so fine.

 We explored germs with dirty hands and apples.

 We went to the local park to just explore and enjoy nature.  (More pictures on a future post.)

We've invited a friend over and met friends at another park.   We were invited to another friend's home.  We have also signed up for summer reading at the library.

Two of Meghan's tee ball games have been canceled due to soggy fields and lightening.  We enjoyed the extra time home!

Next week begins two weeks of swim lessons followed by more summer fun!  Whew!

Meghan's Final Day of Kindergarten

Today was Meghan's final day of kindergarten.   It was really a great year!  She learned so much and really grew, despite already reading (chapter books) before kindergarten.

(This picture is just cute because of the little person in the window.)

Today was Meghan's only day being allowed to wear flip-flops to school.  With an early dismissal, I wasn't sure if the children would have recess, so I let her.

 

 Below she is walking/running to the van at the end of the day! 

See the bus?  It hasn't pulled away yet.  That is where it lets our neighbor and Meghan off.  It is a bit of a sore spot for me.  :)

(This is my second post today, so be sure you check out the other one, too!)

Gaping Hole

 Someone has lost her third tooth!

She's rather proud and excited!

Kindergarten Graduation

On Monday evening Meghan graduated from kindergarten.  It was a warm evening with the parents (and more family members) of 150+/- kindergarteners gathered together to celebrate in a hot gym.  

Before the ceremony, Mrs. O (assistant), Meghan, and Mrs. M (teacher) posed together.

 Meghan had a speaking part before the first song.  She said, "Kindergarten is a year to learn and grow."

 Her class sang a cute song with plenty of motions.  She really got into it.

 Here is a proof of Meghan's kindergarten graduation photograph.  Beautiful!

It's hard to believe my baby is growing up!

Let Summer Begin!

Last year Derek broke the Slip N Slide the first time we used it, so Derek bought a new one for the family.  This time it was a double slider, but the water pressure just wasn't as effective...though they still had fun.

 And...we had corn on the cob.  You may not be able to tell, but Esther was practically laughing as she was holding her corn in her mouth without her hands.

Yesterday morning we also went strawberry picking.  I forgot the camera.  It was the best strawberry picking we have ever experienced.  Though it was warm (about 80°), it wasn't humid, so it wasn't too bad.  Not only that, but the strawberries were very plentiful, so the picking was easy.  We picked just over ten pounds.  (At this strawberry farm, when you purchase ten or more pounds the price drops to $2.50 a pound.  Not bad.)

Evan's First Year of Preschool

Thursday was Evan's final day of preschool until the fall.  He enjoyed it, though sometimes he wanted to stay home with me.  His favorite activities were Show and Tell and playing on the playground.

By the end of the year he had overcome any stage fright and had lots of fun performing on the stage on the last day.

This is the best picture I have from the day of him...but it is severely cropped to remove the other children from it.  He was so proud on the stage!  

 I tried to get a picture of Evan and his teacher.  Mrs. K. was a great teacher this year!

Evan did very well academically.  The only thing he needs to improve upon is his fine motor skills, though we already knew that.  He has come a long way already this year though!

We are definitely ready for summer!  Meghan has school until June 11th, though she has kindergarten graduation on June 3rd.