My Mommy Vacation

Lincoln recently sent me away for a few days. Oh, how excited I was! Although nothing makes me happier than being a Mommy, sometimes I need a time of quiet and refreshment so that I can continue to be the purposeful, intentional mom that I set out to be. No one can do their job 24/7 without getting burnt out...and my job is being a mom. I escaped to my cousin Jayna's house in Northwest AR (see Jay, I'm catching on...). I left around 1245 on Wednesday and for the next four hours I saw a lot of this...

It was nice, I surfed radio stations and sang to some good oldies as well as some country songs that I used to listen to growing up. I was able to get in an hour long conversation with one of my friends who is leaving for Ethiopia this Friday. I can't explain how wonderful it was to have a conversation without being interrupted a million times over!

Finally I saw this...!!

I arrived just after she had gotten home from work. After climbing the three flights of stairs (no wonder she is always in shape!) and getting inside we got ready to go out to dinner. First we hit a really cute outdoor mall and found her a sweater to wear over her dress for a wedding she had that weekend. Then we met our other cousin, Miranda, who also lives there, at Carrabbas for dinner. Feeling like a real adult, with no children and none to take care of at home after dinner, I enjoyed a blackberry sangria. It was the first alcohol I'd had in I don't know how long, and it was actually mighty tasty.


My beautiful cousins...I'm so lucky to have family!

We hit the sack early (because what mother doesn't dream of doing that?!) and the next day was full of quietness and slowness. I slept in until 8:15 and then woke up and ate a bagel while I watched some A Baby Story. I laid on the couch and read my book for awhile and then slowly got around (well, if you consider putting on clean sweatpants and a long sleeved t-shirt getting ready...!). I ventured out on my own and went to Starbucks where I sat in a comfy chair in the corner and read my book and drank a coffee.

Ah, it was glorious. As I watched business people come in and out at such a fast pace I thanked God for giving me this time to wind down and relax. I let everything slip away as I entered the world of the characters of my book. It was awesome.

After I finished my drink I went to a HUGE Goodwill and slowly walked around. I found a wicker chest, several books, a movie for the kids and a movie for Jayna, two sweaters, a few plates for Brittany, a brand new Christmas Ornament for Gray, and some other treasures. After leaving there I ventured to Target to get spray paint for my new chest...but they don't carry it!

So, I put Walmart in my TomTom and had a hay day! In Bentonville, Walmart headquarters, it first took me to the Distribution Center. After choosing another Walmart it took me to the Home Office. Luckily there was an actual store just across the road! I got my spray paint and a few other supplies for a craft I've been wanting to complete.

I went back to the apartment and decided to just chill! I watched some more TV (we don't have TV and it was really nice to actually watch some of my old favorite shows). I took a bath and read my book.

Jayna got home from work and we went out and spray painted my chest. Then we packed her for the wedding she was attending this weekend. As she pulled out these shoes I was a bit jealous. Can you imagine me wearing these? Running after four kids?! I must say, I daydreamed for awhile about being able to wear shoes like this someday...

We made dinner together, and then headed to the movies to see The Switch with our cousin Miranda. It was funny, and I really enjoyed seeing a movie in the theater again! The next day I took my time getting up and around and headed home around 11:30. I got home just a few minutes before the boys got home from school and it was wonderful to see everyone again.

Jayna was a wonderful hostess! Thank you Jay, for letting me sneak away to your place for a few days. I so enjoyed seeing you and catching up again. Let's not make it that long (for just the two of us) again okay?!

Celebration of Nations

Last Saturday Britt and I packed the kids up and headed to the Celebration of Nations.

The parade was short, but sweet. We were excited to see so many countries represented in our small community!

There were fun things for the kids to see like the Chinese dragon and Camels from India.

After the parade we headed to the booths to look around. Unfortunately they were far too close together, and the crowds were massive, so we didn't spend much time there.

We're excited for next year, hopefully there will be more involvement. We're thinking of ways we can get our boys (and hopefully some other Ethiopian adoptive families) involved! We'd love to walk in the parade and hold the Ethiopian flag up high!

Silas lost his first tooth...at home!

Silas lost his first tooth (since being home)! When did he lose it? Of course the one full day I was gone on my "mommy vacation"...little stinker! It's the tooth right next to his front tooth (yes, the other front tooth still hasn't made it's appearance...it's been gone since about April.)

He told me on the phone, and in the background Lincoln says, "Silas, tell Mommy we'll wait until she comes home to throw it on the roof" (this is the tradition in Ethiopia that we fully intended to continue), and Silas says "no way Dad, I want to put it under my pillow and get money!" Ahh, kids...

So...under the pillow it went (the night mommy got home)...


and he laid down to sleep...

and awoke to three dollars! Here was our conversation when he came running into my bedroom in the morning:

S: Mom, I got money!
M: Awesome babe.
S: Here, mom.
M: It's your money Silas, you don't have to give it to me.
S: Is it play money or real money?
M: It's real money honey!
S: I will buy french fries with it.
M: You don't have to buy food with it, Mommy and Daddy buy your food.
S: REALLY?!


Ah, sweet Silas. I love you. I really do.

Adore

I was looking through some pictures a few days ago and ran upon two that just spoke volumes to my heart.

They reminded me how important it is to be someone with strong character, someone who practices morals and values at all times, someone who speaks with kindness, someone of modesty, and someone of faith.

They remind me that we, as women, are always looking at someone else...

and someone else is always looking at us.

I am so blessed that Graysen has some awesome role models to look up to during her life.

She absolutely adores these two...

I adore them both too. Thank you girls for loving Graysen.

Fall Soccer: Weeks 3 and 4

Week three brought the toughest game yet for the orange team. This week we played the blue team and they were all kindergartners and gave us a bit of a challenge, but we still pulled out a victory. (am I sounding like a soccer mom yet, because I'm trying to...I honestly don't care whether we win or not!)

I was finally able to meet up with Shelley! We went to high school together and have boys in the same kindergarten class. We've been emailing since before school started, but this is the first time our paths have finally crossed!

Graysen's always ready to help pack up after the game!

The big girls this week traded silly bands when the game got a bit boring for them...

We were so excited to have Baylee at the game this week! She is the most precious 4th grader alive and we love having her around.
Thanks for the great shot of our boys Shelley!

Week Four was picture week! I sure hope their real picture turns out a bit better than this one did!


Finally, a picture of one of the coaches! I'm so proud of him for taking this on (he said he would never coach a little kids team...) and being so wonderful at it! He is so patient with the kids, and has a real desire to teach them the rules of the game and see them excel!

Casey and Easton came to watch! Graysen and Mya loved having Easton there to run around with.


Miss Tiffany came to watch as well! The kids just adore her, we're so lucky to have her as a babysitter.


The final week of soccer is next week, then we get a break until spring!

I'm off...

This afternoon I'm going away.
I am heading to my cousin's house
all. by. myself.

I am so thankful to a husband who is willing to let me sneak away until Friday.
He actually suggested it himself! It makes me feel very loved.
It also reassures me that he acknowledges the work that I am doing at home.
I am thankful that I am getting this rejuvenation time before I'm losing my mind and we're functioning in crisis mode at our house.

Although I'm looking forward to some quiet hours to myself, and very much looking forward to some uninterrupted conversation with my cousin, I'm a little nervous.
I'm a little sad, and I know I'm going to miss my kiddos.
I'll miss the noise level, the flurry of activity around me, and sweet voices saying "mommy, mommy, mommy" without even giving me a chance to answer them between each 'mommy'.

So, off I go, into the wild blue yonder,
ready to read a book, take a bath, take a nap, and watch some mindless TV.
I'm ready to eat food that is still hot,
I'm ready to have adult conversation.

Most of all, I'm going to spend quiet time studying God's Word and meditate on how to apply it to my life and my family.

Kids,
I hope you have a wonderful few days with your dad.
Know that I am missing you, and that I'll be a better mom when I come home.
More patient, more loving, more kind.

Weekend Wanderings

I stole my title from Kim, who is an expat living in Hong Kong and takes her family on "Weekend Wanderings" every weekend while they explore their "newish" town! I always enjoy seeing her adventures and thought I would document our own this weekend.

The boys came home on Thursday with their ribbons from the races at school. They were proud. Graysen was proud of them. (yes, she's wearing her dance clothes on a non-dance class day.)


We had a three day weekend this weekend, and we made the most of it! Thursday right after school we made our first caramel apples of the year!

step 1: wash the apple

step 2: peel the caramel of the wax paper (yeah, I wasn't sure how this would go, so I bought the "kit" this time.)

step 3: cover the apple with the caramel

step 4: put the stick (with YOUR name on it) in the apple

Then we headed outside to help our neighbor (a single lady) pick up all the black walnuts that had fallen from her tree. The kids adored gathering them in their shirts and dumping them into the wheelbarrow or their wagon.


We hauled them down to the field behind our house and made a huge pile!


They also got a bit distracted and swang on the tree swing for a while...


Thursday night we made a pallet on their bedroom floor and they were able to watch another movie while falling asleep.

Friday was spent outside. All. Day. Long. My master plan was to find an apple orchard to take them to, but every orchard I called (within 100 mi. one way) of us didn't have a crop yet. Boo. Regardless, we made the most of our day and played in the yard, picked up more walnuts, jumped on the trampoline, and took a bike ride all together. It was nice and relaxing.


Friday evening we had soccer practice and then Hunter and Graysen went to spend the night at Grammie's house. She has at least one of the kids every Friday night. What a saint.

She always has fun activities planned and crazy meals (like green eggs and ham - eaten while reading the book of course!). This week the kids got to experience her jacuzzi tub for the first time. I'll post pictures later when I get them off of her camera. They are too funny to miss.

Blake and Silas had a "special night" with Mom and Dad (which mostly included playing video games and eating spaghetti...both their choices). It was nice to have some one on one time with them, as it rarely happens.

Saturday morning started with a visit from our social worker doing another post placement visit. I loved visiting with her, we sat for an hour and a half at my kitchen table and talked about how to solve the world's (mostly African countries) problems. Ahh, how I wish all of our ideas could really take flight and work - and help! I found out she is a wonderful sister in Christ, and I do look forward to a friendship with her in the future!

After that, we went and picked up Hunter and Graysen, came home, ate lunch, and headed to the MS&T Football game. Go Chad! Unfortunately, it was a loss, but Chad did score both touchdowns. We're so proud of his skill and dedication to the game he loves.




From the football game we headed to The Church of God here in town, as they had a fun fall festival free to everyone in the community!

horse back rides...

my beautiful girl waiting to go down the bouncy slide...

face painting...

we were blessed to go with this beautiful family on a hay ride...

and this one...oh wait, that's only half of them...

oh, there's the other half, well, kind of. Sorry Heather!

Okay...here's the craziest family of them all!

The Krueger's invited us over for some taco soup, and who can pass that up?! We headed to their house and enjoyed some taco soup, four wheeler rides, playing on the swing set, and roasting marshmallows!

my hubby and I. I'm so lucky to be in love.

a little wrestling is always good. you couldn't tell that Lincoln was under there can you?

i love these two. i can't put it into words. you just have to experience their love for each other first hand.

Saturday night Mom had Blake and Silas spend the night. It was their first night away from me without Hunter! They had a blast, Blake slept with Grammie, and Silas slept with Papa. It was also good for my soul to have some time alone with Hunter and Graysen. Just the four of us again...

Sunday we went to church. I am so glad we are at Greentree...it does my soul good to get some worship and lessons in with fellow followers of Christ each week.

Funny story. Every Sunday on our way home we drive through McDonalds and get Lincoln some food to scarf down before he gets back to work. The kids of course, always want food, but it's a good time to teach a "self restraint" lesson. Anyway, this week Blake informed Lincoln that when he gets old and has a job he's going to "get in car, drive to get french fries, and I share them with my son!" It was sooo funny! He made sure his dad knew that HE was going to do it differently!

When we got home the kids and I made some fall decorations (I got the idea from this mom). Kind of fun - and easy! Kind of like pumpkin / gourd things, right? See, two parents and four kids!


Then Marcinda and Carl came over to roast some hot dogs and make s'mores. They brought their fire pit. Man, I would really enjoy one of those!


It was a good weekend. Lots of fall, lots of fun...right up my ally. I can't wait to see what the rest of the month holds for us!