November Recap

 This post almost got totally bypassed as I forgot all about it. I sent the pictures over and then left it for weeks... I randomly remembered but if I started the December recap, I am betting this would have never gotten done. In any case, our November. It was fast and fun and my days are all running together.  So, I am just doing a photo dump and will explain the photos are we go:

Bedtime around here has been extra sweet, especially when Payton takes the extra few minutes to read to her brothers before bed. Both boys are working through bible studies with parents each night, a routine that Payton loves and now the boys are starting to enjoy as well. 

For the holiday feast, Monte went to eat lunch with Payton at school. Jayden and I went and ate lunch with Riley at school, but we forgot to take even one picture of the time together. Both kids enjoyed having guests with them for a meal! We love seeing them at school doing their own thing!

We go to a library near Payton's school weekly as she has piano there as well one night a week. One night we were there the library was hosting an ornament craft. All three kids made one, but we only got a picture of Payton. Seems to be a running them for November. Life just gets busy!

We made hot cocoa special for Jayden and he really enjoys this special treat!

For Thanksgiving, we went to my husband's parents house and had a great time with them. Again, one of the few pictures I got was of the 3 kids playing at the park together. I also took this random picture:

                                          

Cups I had made for my in-laws years ago, but now my children recognize 2 of the 3 sayings on them. So that was fun! They all wanted to use the cups they knew. It made my heart so happy.

One day we were randomly out running errands and we saw a free box in front of a house. Payton insisted on stopping. She found soooo many things! I have to laugh because I don't normally stop but the frugal Payton side is always seeming to find really good items. She always has her eyes on the lookout for a "free" box. 

Riley and I spent some time together cuddling while the other two kids were sleeping/playing. I sure love this sweet kid. 

We had one weekend where we divided up. Monte and Riley went hunting together at my in-laws land while I stayed home with Payton and Jayden. We had 2 birthday parties to attend, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. The above picture is one of those parties. We also tried to wrap in all the extra fun we could, making a stop at the library in this same town after the party:

And also the park in this town, with their high lookout tower:

And right after Thanksgiving, it was time to pull out Christmas decor:

The kids were glad to see the gingerbread house come back out. I think this was the third year with it and it's starting to look very loved. I am not sure it will make it another year. 

The tree was set up and a few gifts went right under it. And our mantle was put together:

                                              

                                                         

Then on one sunny day we got outside for exterior decor. The kids all get to get on the roof this one time for about 5 minutes before the lights are hung. They live for this day.

I took a belly shot at 18 weeks:

Each year I try to complete a project around the house and this year it was a gnome decor piece. 

One weekend in November, Monte was gone for deer hunting on his own with his family. He facetimed us to share a deer he saw. Riley was so excited. We were all thrilled when he got a deer and could finally return home to us. 

And that was the highlight of our month! November went fast and as I type this, I get a few days break before I start on December's recap. I have no sense of time!

Happy Holidays!

Jayden's Birthday

 Our sweet 3rd child had a birthday! He has looked forward to this day for about a month now. This year is fell on a Monday so my husband decided to take the day off to celebrate with him. Unfortunately, our second child ended up sick that whole weekend so we decided to keep him home on Monday just to make sure he was 100% before sending him back to school. This ended up being a huge blessing as we decided at the last minute to keep our oldest home as well and just spend the whole day celebrating Jayden, as a family of 5. 

Sometimes, the best things in life are completely different from the original plan you had.

Having all 3 of our children home with us for this random Monday, a day that happened to be Jayden's special day ended up being exactly what we all needed. We spent the entire day devoted to Jayden and doing all the things he loves to do, including baking a birthday cake.

                                                           

We had birthday waffles to start the day and since we would all be at home, right after breakfast we started on a cake for Jayden. It was delicious!

One request Jayden had made for his special day was to go play at an entertainment center. We originally planned to go right after school but were able to switch and go right after nap/rest time. Jayden could pick one area (he chose the play world) and we had the whole place to ourselves! We ended up also taking the kids glow golfing since the place was so quiet, such a rarity. 

We stayed and played until dark time and so we grabbed a quick dinner (and Jayden had a packed meal with us I had made earlier that day), and drove to look at Christmas lights. We also stopped at the light festival in the park, a real treat that we all enjoy and look forward to yearly!

We came back home about bedtime and Jayden ended his day saying it was one of his best birthdays yet (at least until next year when we hope he says it again)!

Jayden, 

I can't believe you are 5! You have grown so quickly and the years go by so fast with you. You are living your best life and I pray you never lose touch with that side of you. Our true miracle child, you have taught us more about life than I think we may ever teach you. Keep finding the good in all the cards life hands you, God prepared you for your journey and you are the one that reminds us of that over and over again. We love you more than words can ever say. You are enough, just as you are.

Love,

Mommy

Our October and some BIG News!

 October came so quickly and we also transitioned from summer to fall abruptly, so it goes in the Midwest. Although, as I type this we had a few days this week that felt like spring rather than fall but that is also to be expected where we live. I actually like the variety in weather most of the time. 

Let's talk all things October!!! First, we did what we always do before Halloween and we headed to a few pumpkin patches!

The first pumpkin patch we went with some friends. Monte and I both went down the slides with the kids. Monte hit a bump wrong going down and felt the pain of that for weeks to follow. It was a fast slide and not my favorite thing to do but we will do anything for our kids. 

We went to another pumpkin patch another weekend as just our little family. I think we picked the windiest day in October to go. We came home with more than just pumpkins and goodies (popcorn, slushes, and cotton candy) but also with a pile of dirt in each head of hair. 

                                                         

                                                         

One random night we got a phone call from our neighbors asking to bring us extra food. They ran out of room in their fridge/freezers so they brought us over all the excess. They recently retired and were hosting lots of family while they had their retirement party. And I am here to tell you, it was a true blessing and a real way to show community to our children as we were surprised with this gift. 

Also speaking of food, we made BLT one night for dinner and I forget how easy this is to make and I don't know why I don't have more often:

Note that this is on my homemade subway bread making this a bit more work but it was a few days after making so we were trying to use up the bread as quickly as possible. 

Riley stayed home from school one day and outside of resting a lot since he was under the weather, we also just enjoyed our bonus time with him. The boys made pretzels:

                                                         

                                                         

They also worked on their yoga:

And we got some fresh air outside together:

Our fields were harvested next to us. Which is always a moment for pause and reflection as we approach another changing of seasons:

I have worked really hard at learning to make frittata and it truly is an art:

It has also become one of my favorite meals. Along with having Riley home one day this month we also had Payton home one day (a totally different day than Riley). She woke up with an eye almost swollen shut so we gave her a day to rest and heal that eye. But... we definitely enjoyed our time with her as well:

The kids working on coloring pumpkins, part of Jayden's preschool I had planned that day.

We also made banana bread:

And snuggled on the couch for some tv:

With everyone in school most of the time, Jayden and I love to get out! We met up with some friends this month and played at the local children's museum:

We also spoiled the family and picked up donuts. Something I slightly regretted later as the next week arrived with Halloween and I was reminded of the sugar overdose that brings all on its own. 

Grandma and Grandpa came down for the weekend and we enjoyed them as well as multiple birthday parties and trick or treating/Halloween events. Here we took the kids to decorate pumpkins at our local YMCA:

Way back in May (I think) the kids made special plates at the local library and they FINALLY arrived! We had been waiting so long for these special plates! Despite the long delay, the kids would love to make them again if its offered:

For fire prevention week, we took the kids to our local fireman open house they host yearly. It is fantastic. The kids can tour firetrucks, a meal is provided, and lots of activities are around for the kids. They also do a firetruck parade complete with all the fire trucks, ambulance, and middle school band playing. The kids even got some candy at the parade, a total treat.

                                                Jayden worked really hard on a new puzzle:

He also spends lots of time in the kitchen with me:

Here he is making chocolate chip cookies for an after school snack for everyone. He also just loves a good picture:

                                                             And Riley got a new haircut:

We still try to get out into nature as often as possible, this month was just more challenging for a variety of reasons. Exploring though is really our thing:

We carved our pumpkins for Halloween in between all the fun life stuff we had gong on:

And then Halloween arrived! We have several activities and the kids wear a variety of costumes in a short period of time. Here was have darth vader, princess leia, and luke skywalker for our town's trunk or treat:

Then, we broke all the rules and allowed ice cream for dinner:

                                 For Halloween trick or treating, Jayden was Jake the pirate:

Payton wanted some makeup too for her witch costume:

Riley stuck it out with his darth vader costume, except for the nursing home trick or treating where he switched it up to a fireman. 

                                              

And one of the last pictures I had on my phone for the month:

How lucky am I? All 3 kids coming running towards me. They wanted to have me play a game with them and were super excited about it. In the brief second I saw them running at me and took this photo I was so full of gratitude. I have so much good in my life. It's full and busy and all the emotions but it is so beautiful and rich and satisfying for me. 

And that wraps up our month! Except for one tiny little announcement we are ready to make!

We are adding one more the crew and we are so, so excited. I am still in shock as this wasn't necessarily our plan but it is God's plan and we are leaning into it. 

"A grand adventure is about to begin."

                                                        -Winnie the Pooh

And we even know the gender:

Yes, a baby girl. 2 boys and 2 girls in a span of almost 10 years. We feel truly blessed beyond measure and are so excited to add another chapter into our book. Baby girl, we can't wait for Spring 2023!!!