Homework

Erika has officially started middle school. The homework has started, mood swings, and several outfits later, we are ready for school! I thank my lucky stars she likes to talk, I look forward to our nights together as I tuck her in bed and catch up on the "minor details" in life. Tonight was so pretty, the quietest place she could find was out on the screened porch. It will be interesting with me being the control freak I am, (like mother, like daughter!) to let go and give her the independence she needs. At this point, i'm thrilled she is enjoying her homework!

A little garlic with dinner

The girls and I always like to make meals while daddy is traveling that he won't eat. Tonight we made asparagus as one of our sides, but unfortunately we never got to enjoy it. Being the big helper Ellie is, she tried to do a little too much on her own and added the garlic. ALL of the garlic! Next time I'll be sure to add the seasoning! Oh well. The watermelon was yummy!

My Baby Sister

Katie, my baby sister, is not so "little" anymore! She's the cutest pregnant woman you've ever seen! Having 12 years between us, I will always consider her my little sis, although as I look at her lately, her glow of becoming a mommy in the next 2 months seems to make me overlook the fact that the is "the baby."
In our family, it seems natural to go into the teaching field (all of my aunts are teachers), and Katie falls right into being a "natural." Katie and I had the opportunity (God works in great ways!) to work together with Gina at The Academy and Minds in Motion, a private school and preschool, the last two years. She took care of Elizabeth at the preschool, while I taught at The Academy, where Erika and Emily were. Katie and I were able to work next door to each for two years, it worked out great. If money grew on trees, I would still be at The Academy, no doubt. There is so much I miss. Ironically, Katie and I decided we needed to pour our energy into our homes, but we all know money is not in easy reach.
I love the fact that Katie can call me and say, "I need you to come over," and I'm there. Life changes a bit when God answers your prayers about having a family, and when Katie and Brian weighed out the options, there was no doubt Katie wanted to be home. So babysitting it is. I'm pretty sure I'm a better mom and wife being home. I'm pretty blessed, including having my sisters.

Twilight Mom

I promise I didn't just read this summer-- Loved the series, but glad I have my life back, maybe the house will get cleaned!

Chicago, baby!

The band...

Fun at the wine festival...

Can you guess who's sisters?

There's nothing wrong with a little girlie time, especially with the ones you love best! (This time I'm referring to myself, not my three girls!) For the last five years or so, my friend Barb and I joked that we were going to go to Napa Valley to celebrate her 40th, dreaming of gorgeous views and divine wine. We deserve it, right? As it crept up on us this Fall, we decided to tone it down a notch and go visit her sisters in Chicago. We had a blast, laughing, dancing, and acting like we were 20. I missed my girls and Rob terribly, but I was so thankful to have those memories with Barb. At least she's the one celebrating her 40th! (I'm just her 30-something friend!)

Kings Island

I can't believe that the last time we'll visit Kings Island for the summer is the first time I took pictures and I hardly took any! Pitiful! anyways, great times were had by all, we went with our neice and nephew; so much fun! Look how little Ellie looks in the swings! Too little for the BIG swings, too big for the little swings.... there's always next year!!!! Erika loved the Diamond Back, Emmy was so bummed she was not quite tall enough...

Sneakin' in some reading time!

I feel blessed my girls love books and whenever they need some down time, they pick up a book. I love these two photos I captured of the girls. Emily seems to need some quiet time midday, so I found her on the screened porch one afternoon reading to her doll. Erika seems to need more time at night unwinding; her mind rewinds every part of the day and replays it. Reading helps relax her mind. Except when she can't put her book down, even after lights are out! I caught her one night after I thought she was fast asleep. Sneaky girl!

Cookin' with the kids!

So I find this gorgeous chocolate pie for our cookout tonight, and Ellie decides she wants to help. Well, of course! Here we are, making a mess!

Sandy's Sunset

Tonight as I was in the kitchen, I couldn't stop glancing up and admiring the sunset. On many nights, the sky is gorgeous in our backyard, but tonight I especially was in awe the way the sun was peeking through the trees. It has been three years Sunday since Sandy left us here, joining the angels in Heaven. I feel her a lot, but we believe that the sunsets are her signs that she is near. Whenever there are moments that we wish Sandy were with us (dance recitals, school plays, dinners, etc), things she loved doing with us, we always see a sunset. Tonight, the girls were at the table as I was preparing dinner, and their conversation was priceless. They were discussing if they had a magic pot that doubled whatever you put into it, what they would put in. They were giggling and being very creative (money, asparagus, puppies, friends,) when Emily said she would like to double her American Girl Dolls. That's when I looked up at her and smiled and noticed the sunset. I know it was Granny beaming at her girls, wishing she was there with them. We miss you bunches Granny, you'll never be forgotten!

Summer's End

Bittersweet.... Wonderful summer memories, don't want to let go...

Ellie-bellie

Yeah, that's the best (cleanest I could come up with!) otherwise it would be El-bow, , Lizzie- Granny's name for her) I thank God she was my third and not my first! She's the best, but she requires the most! Kindergarten, ready for the world! Go Ellie!

Emmy May

Emmy Mae, I know it is so southern. But quite honestly, she couldn't be more polite with that southern etiquette. We jokingly call her "Mother Teresa" because she puts everyone else first. Even on the soccer field, she stops to wait until the other playmate/opponent gets up, even if she has the ball. She's awesome. She carries such an amazing "karma" with her, everyone loves her that she comes in contact with, whether she's being silly or she's the next academic scholar. We love to joke and say you don't truly know Emily, until you've hugged Emily. She gives the best HuGs. Thank goodness for Emily.