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Wow, you have your hands full!

You must be very busy!

How do you do it?

Do you know what causes that?!?!?

A couple of weeks ago the four kids and I went to a local diner for breakfast. It was a different diner then we normally go to so the owners don't know us. Not that we go often but when we do we usually go to the same place so the people do know us. So anyway, the cook, who I think is also the owner, came up to our table to tell me how well behaved the children are. I thanked him and away he walked. Next the waitress came back to our table and asked, "Are these all yours?" Well, yes, "these" are all mine. To which she then said in quite an exaggerated voice, "WOW, you have your hands full!" Now mind you, the kids were being well behaved, mostly, other then kicking each other under the table, but people not at the table wouldn't have known that.

This kind of comment doesn't even catch me by surprise any more. Quite honestly, I barely even put another thought into them after they are said. However, that day I realized that my children, especially Katelyn, put some thought into them. A few minutes later, long after I forgot the comment, Katelyn said to me, "Mommy, are we a handful?"

First my heart cracked a little. I wonder what my kids think of all these comments. I can't say that I ever really put much thought into that. I came up with "comebacks" to say but they make me feel better. I now realize that they are also very important for my children as well. So my answer to Katelyn was, "Well, sometimes yes, but you are always a heartful!" It just came out, without even a thought, and that was the perfect response for me to say and for her to hear. And, I meant it!
Sometimes the comments must make the children feel like we have done something wrong by having more then the average amount of children. What I say back to these comments is extremely important. Not only am I setting a good example for the kids but also to let them know that they were all very much wanted and loved.
So when people say I have my hands full I will let them know that my heart is also full!
When people say that I must be very busy I will let them know that I am very busy but it is a great busy and one I love!
When I am asked how I do it I will tell them that I do it with a smile on my face because I am doing what I love!
And, when people ask me if I know what causes "that" I will let them know that I do but enjoy it so much I just keep doing it! And just giggle inside at the shocked look on their faces!
BTW, I would like to add, most people just make these comments as small talk and don't mean anything negative by them, and that really doesn't bother me at all.

It's moments like this

..... when all I can think about is how very blessed I am with my life.

When I stop all of my other thoughts and I thank God for every single thing He has blessed me with.

When every small thing that may be challenging a the time seems like nothing in comparison to what is right.

When I take a moment to really realize that I have it so amazingly great.

That everything, from the clothes on my back, the food on my table, to the health of myself and my family and good friends, is a gift. A true gift.

It truly was at this exact moment, that I had these overwhelming feelings of gratefulness. I had to take out my camera, and take a picture, because these are the moments that I am just filled with love and thankfulness.

These moments happen at odd times. Sometimes when I walk into the living room and see two of my kids sitting snuggled up together. Sometimes as I am watching them ride their bikes on the street. Sometimes when I am following them to the bus stop. Sometimes when I catch Chris reading a book to Ben. Or wrestling with Connor. Sometimes when I see the excitement that the kids have when they see their grandparents, all four of them.

These are the moments that catch me, and remind me, of the great life I have.

These are the moments that all I can think about is how blessed I really am.

These are the moments when I stop all my other thoughts and thank God for every wonderful thing in my life....

candy store

During the summer

I kinda feel like




A kid in

a candy store...

1st swim meet!

Both girls are on the swim team this summer and are really enjoying it. Last week they had their first and second swim meets. They did really well! Although before their first race they were both feeling pretty anxious, which is very understandable.

Maggie watching and waiting for her race to be called.

Katelyn waiting too.

This is right after Maggie's first race. She really was beaming with pride and pretty relieved that the first race was behind her. She did so well!

Here she is getting a little pep talk from her daddy. And, he really knows what he's talking about because he was a great swimmer on the swim team all growing up.

Go Maggie Go!!!!!!!! Backstroke race!!!! She was in the first lane so I was able to get right next to the pool and get a good picture.

Katelyn is getting ready for the horn to sound so she can start her back stroke race. Getting pictures of her was a little tricky because of the lane she was in. She did really well. As the matter of fact she placed 3rd in her freestyle race! Her very first race EVER and she placed 3rd! WOW!

A few days later the girls had their second meet and where much more relaxed. They did great again and Katelyn even swam in her first freestyle relay in which her team placed 2nd!!! And it was CLOSE!

The girls were both so excited to find lots of ribbons in their folder showing just how wonderful they did in their two races so far. They actually only have one more meet this summer as we decided to stick to the low key ones for their first year on team. Next year though, I have a feeling we will be going to quite a few more!

Beach week

Recently the Chris, the kids and I, Nana, and Pa headed to Pa's beach house for almost a week. Well actually, Chris was only able to stay the weekend because of work but the rest of us stayed almost a week.
It is always one of my favorite times of the year! I love it there, like a little piece of Heaven on earth.
As soon as we arrive the kids are so anxious to head to the beach and this year was no exception. So as soon as we got settled we headed down.
Last year Ben took most of the week getting used to the sand, he really disliked it for most of the week. Not this year though, he didn't even get 5 feet onto the beach before he laid down in the sand to play. It took me a few minutes to coax him down closer to the water where everyone else was.


So the week was filled with most of the day spent at the beach having so much fun.

Connor was champion "clam digger" this year!

Looking into the water with the sea scope was a whole new view of the ocean!

Wind blown and salt water hair was pretty much the norm for the week.

Smiles, pretty much all day, were on all of our faces.

Chilling out and enjoying each other was top priority.

Catching fish and crabs was so much fun.

Lot's of looking by everyone led to finding some great ocean critters.

Katelyn surely was "queen of the net" catching many fish every day.

Sandy feet, yep, that feels so good.

Eating some snacks to keep up energy was a must.

Lots of energy was needed since going out deep with Nana was a favorite with the big kids.

Spending time with Nana and Pa was just wonderful.

Connor catching a big crab, which you can't really see in this picture, was the highlight of the week for him. Although, catching a baby pike was right up there too!

Then, at the end of a long day in the sand and the sun, snuggling on Pa's chair watching farm shows was great.

What an amazing week!

Just me

And the babe...

Not the greatest picture there is, but there are so few of me and the kids that I wanted to use it!

Wordless Wednesday