Surviving School :)

We are into week two of school here and everyone has survived so far!! I feel far from really knowing what I should be doing and how is the best way to approach it all but, what we have been doing is going well. And I am hoping that the more steady I get on my feet, I'll be able to add in the other things that might not have been in the initial planning. I'm trying at this point not to do too much thinking about what else we could be doing or what I might be missing because I know it'll just drive me crazy and get me way too overwhelmed and I just need to focus on what we are doing right now and doing it well. I'm excited about what we've got going and know it will only get smoother and better! (Kinda sounds like I'm trying to convince myself, huh?) One of the trickiest things right now is keeping Gideon occupied and out of the way for a while in the morning, he wants to be where his sisters are but just causes an uproar wherever he goes!! That and letting Lyla be involved (cause she really wants to be a part of what I'm doing with Gabrielle) but not letting her go through kindergarten at the age of 3(but more and more she is surprising me and I think she could really do it.) So mixing preschool and kindergarten is the big thing I've been trying to figure out. I'm loving it, but I am so exhausted! And we are only in kindergarten!!! How many more years of this... Just kidding!

Ok you don't know how hard it was not to go change my background to look very fall.(I'm really into a tree thing right now, though!) I'm so ready! 30 days!!! I'm trying to wait till the official day before I go all fall crazy, though. I let you know how well that goes...

The end of summer

Wow, I haven't done this since March???!!! I really wish I was one of those avid bloggers who updated almost daily with something great to say. Well, we all know that isn't the case! So where to begin(or should I say go back to)... We've had a nice summer. The kids and I took a trip to Iowa with my mom to see my little sister, her hubby, and little girl. We had a great time! The kids loved spending time in Iowa farmland and spending time with their little cousin. I don't have any pictures of this time because my mom is so great about taking tons of pictures and when I'm with her I get quite picture lazy! Both girls were able to be involved in this years VBS 'Saddle Ridge Ranch'. I lead music again this year, it was a blast. The girls helped me learn all the music before hand and even just the other day they were getting the cd out to "practice our VBS music"! Always one of my favorite parts of summer!
We finally were able to take a family vacation! I really think this was our first official one since, well, probably since we've even been married! We've just never really taken the time to go somewhere. I've taken the kids places when Jesse couldn't come, but we haven't really done it together. (wow, that sound really bad...) Jesse's family was going to California and we were able to tag along! It was the girls' first trip in an airplane-a very big deal! They did great and really enjoyed it. California was great, San Francisco, the beach, Monteray Bay Aquarium, the beach, Disneyland, drive up the coast on scenic highway 1 along with spending great time with the Rousset family. It was just a fabulous time!
And now that summer is coming to a close we are starting kindergarten with Gabrielle on Monday! KINDERGARTEN!! Oh my! I can't believe I have a kindergartner! We doing school at home and I'm so excited about being involved in watching her learn and grow into the girl God has made her to be. We are going to have a great first year! Much more to come about that!
We have more excitement coming this year with the arrival of Little One number four! God has blessed us again and we are very happy!
Many things we are looking forward to experiencing this year and I hope to share it with you!
I just have to say, is that not the sweetest picture?!

I'll try to put up more pictures soon!

A belated bit o' green!

(These were taken on the right day, even though I am behind!)

Hope you enjoyed some goofy green fun!

A little boy

It's all about love love love love love, and cakes!

Wow, I don't think Valentine's day has ever been such a hit at our house before! Gabrielle was really into it this year and wanted to go all out. She started counting down the days a week before, was always on the lookout for gifts for Jesse, talking about how to paint our nails, and was close to tears when she thought we weren't going to decorate the house! I guess it makes sense she would love this day, she has such a sweet heart for others! So it was our big project to cut and glue construction paper hearts to hang because we HAD to decorate! The girls did most of it on their own and it turned out great! (I had fun, too. Maybe we'll have to decorate like this for every holiday!) Then we sat down and painted nails. Red nails with white hearts. They turned out rather cute if I do say so myself! That morning I even got up to make heart shaped pancakes with cherries, powdered sugar, and sprinkles. (which was quite the accomplishment for me on a Sunday morning!)We made sure the table was ready with daddy's card and gift for when he got home(he had been gone all weekend on a youth trip) Then we went to church ready to celebrate the One who taught us to love and gave us people to love!

Caught in the middle of saying 'I love you' for the camera! I had plans to make super cute cupcakes too, but wouldn't you know my oven decided not to want to work the night before or that day! I had some great ideas, too, thanks to my cake decorating class I am taking...

It's a four week course and I've been really enjoying it! I have been pretending i know what I'm doing up until now and decided it'd be great to learn some real techniques. I've got two classes left and I'm hoping they will offer a second course. Here's a picture of my first cake. Well, it's a start!Just wait until next birthday season at our house, those will be some spectacular cakes!

And here's a sweet picture of my babies snuggling their blankets just to make you smile!

Another birthday!

I'm having trouble concentrating on writing today, but I wanted to share a few pictures of Gabrielle's 5th birthday on Monday.

Another birthday come and gone. A new year to grow, learn, and to be the girl God created her to be! Happy Birthday Gabrielle Grace!

A few things about me

This is for you, Jessica!

Ten things honest things about myself:

1.I want to be Amish. There is something very appealing to me about the simplicity of their lifestyle. (I know in reality it would be very a tough way to live, but who says I'm always living in reality?) It is my ideal life!

2.I want to learn how to drink black coffee. I can't do it. What I drink is actually flavored sugar with a little coffee in it. I want to go somewhere and just order coffee. No fancy names, no detailed instructions, no major decisions, just coffee.

3.When all three of my kids turned one, I picked out a stuffed animal for each of them that I wanted them love. All other toys were removed from their bed except that one hoping they bond with it! (nice mom huh? You WILL love this!) Didn't work. They attached to blankets instead!

4.I never thought I wanted a little boy. (what did I know?) I had always wanted to have three little girls. My mom was the middle of three girls, I was the middle of three girls, I wanted Lyla to be the middle of three girls! I'm so glad we have Gideon instead!! I never knew how much I would love that little boy! God knew what He was doing, imagine that! Now I'm wanting another boy!

5.I am clueless when it comes to shoes. I feel I am failing women everywhere just by saying it, but I am at a complete loss! Flip flops and tennis shoes are my best friends!

6.I don't really have favorites. I am so very indecisive that I can never pick what to call my favorite. And if I do manage to pick one, it will most likely change the next time I find something else I like!

7.I have never wanted to do anything other than be a wife and a mom. (well, other than wanting to be a professional ballet dancer, but there's no way that's happening in this lifetime!)

8.I love going to see movies. I don't get to do it very often, but I just get a kick out of going to the theater. Oh, and I must have popcorn if I'm there.

9.I love cold, dark, drippy, cloudy, dreary, rainy days! They make me happy!

10.I am totally running out of things to put in this list!