Dinner Time

This summer we had our family pictures taken again but the same photographer we have used 4 years in a row. This was probably our final session with her as she is moving and starting her first "real" job.

It's crazy to think that the first time she took our photo Brooks was only about 7 months old. 

At that time we were just starting our life here in Spirit Lake...and to be honest, it felt overwhelming. 

It took time adjusting to life in a small town again. I was home with the kids, trying to make this house of ours a home while also volunteering and forcing myself out of my comfort zone so I could make a few friends.

Work was busy for Andy, he was building his practice, learning about the community, learning about the hospital, meeting new staff, going to community events, fixing up the house, and then in his free time take care of his wife and family. 

But even though we were a little unsettled, we made an effort to have as many meals at the table as possible...all of us.  

Making a meal that my kids love is one of the best feelings in the world to me.  I love it when the kids walk into the kitchen and say, "oooh that smells good Mom, what are we having?"

No matter how busy or stressful the day, those dinners make me feel better. 

This fall I began working part time at the hospital as a pediatric speech pathologist. This is a new clinic I am starting and it is scary and exciting all at the same time. At first, I was over the moon about it...then set in the doubts. (insert every imaginable problem we will face here and trust me, I thought of them all)

The kids were a little skeptical as well. With my new position, Brooks is at a preschool/daycare 2 1/2 days and we will need a babysitter/nanny 2 days in the summer. This did not make them happy to think about at first, and to be honest, it was pretty disappointing and defeating for me as well. 

But one night the kids and Andy came with me to the clinic and helped me move in all my materials.  It was truly a family job and it was so helpful and rewarding for them to be there with me as I set my room up.  After all their work that night, Marie apologized for her initial reaction to my job. She said she was nervous but very excited for me to do the job I love and help kids. This was a complete answer to prayer...something I didn't even know I needed to hear.  

So, here we are in the beginning of a new life change again.  

This time Brooks is in preschool, Bennett is in Kindergarten, and Marie is in 3rd grade. 

 Andy is set in his practice but continues to be very busy while facing the challenges of rural medicine. I am working, volunteering, and meal planning around flag football, church night, dance, piano lessons, and ER shifts.

We are happy, we are tired, we are busy, we are here doing our best, but most of all, we are a family sitting down around the table at the end of the day connecting as often as possible.

The nourishment of that dinner is not only for their growing bodies, but for my soul too.

Beef Buddies

Once again we "adopted" a cow...oh wait, 2 cows for part of the summer!

Marie took care of Bucky and Bennett was responsible for Storm.

These two stepped up and did a great job and learned so much about these two animals.

It was unique having 2 cows and more difficult. However, it was also twice as hard to say goodbye. 

 I think the person who loves this experience more than anyone else is Brooks.  He never complained about chores, always helped with cleaning the barn out, watering the cows, and even got hurt a few times because the cows were a bit bigger this year and feisty at times. He is a champ and fair week is his favorite week of the year.

 Part of Andy & I would like to say that this was our last year, however, it's hard to say no to kids who want to do hard work and have responsibility.  Beef Buddies makes them prioritize their time, get out of bed on time, work hard outside and care for something other than themselves.  We don't know what next year will bring but for now, their trophies are proudly displayed on their desks and their boots are nice and dirty. 

 

Summer So Far

I started blogging 9 nine years ago...it's crazy to think that 9 years ago I wanted to start this little project for a way to keep family members in touch with our Marie while we were raising her so far away from everyone.  

 I would blog at least weekly if not more than that and I loved coming up with new ideas and sharing all that we were up to. 

Now, here we are and time seems to rush by and this blog does not get updated! 

Our life is full and I love documenting it so that the kids will have something to look at one day, but other things always need to get done first. 

So, here comes the a giant picture dump of our summer so far.

It has been full yet free, fun yet boring, and special yet completely ordinary - exactly what summer should be.  

 We still have a 2 weeks left so ready, set, let's finish summer!!!

Bennett is 6

 Bennett turned 6!

This boy was so pumped up for his party with his crew.  He chose bowling and pizza and knew just who he wanted to celebrate with on his special day.  

He had such a great year in TK this past year and was lucky enough to make so many great friends.  They all came to join him for the party!

 We were the only ones bowling on a Monday at 11 - thank goodness because this bunch of kids knew how to have a party!  It was fun to see Bennett interact with all his friends. They were joking around, playing little games with each other, encouraging each other, and everyone got along.

 

Bennett...where do we begin. 

You are a smarty pants who wants to know how everything works and why it works that way.  

You are surprisingly sensitive and often people don't realize how carefully you dissect everything. 

You are a helper, you make friends easily, and you always find the positive side of sometimes a scary event.  Your interests are often beyond your years, but you still love to learn about animals, especially reptiles and dinosaurs.

We love you Bennett, happy birthday! 

P.S.  I LOVE riding that roller coaster with you.