Some of what we have been up to

Seems like Kinley has been getting the spotlight on the blog.  Undoubtedly with good reason, but the boys deserve some spotlight time too.

Josh, our soon to be 2nd grader (WOW!!), has been absolutely loving 1st grade.  His love for his teachers and school has not wavered since the start of the school year.  He continues to enjoy learning and though school seems to come naturally to him he is constantly asking questions of "Why", and "How".  I love that although he understands the questions and answers in front of him he desires to gain a deeper understanding of what makes things the way they are.  It is my prayer that he continues his love for learning, school, and pushing for understanding for a lifetime.  It is truly a gift he has.  He also seems to be growing at the pace of a bean stalk.  I can't believe how big and old he is getting!

Although his baseball team's season wasn't one to brag about Josh did really well.  He wasn't very excited about baseball when the season started, in fact, when his teacher, Mrs. Wit asked him one day in class, "Why do you like baseball?" he answered, "I don't! My mom just signed me up!" I just shrugged my shoulders when Laura (Mrs. Wit) looked back at me in the classroom.  Josh's T-ball team last year, the Yankees, only lost one game and had two very talented and wonderful coaches.  They were great with the kids and teaching techniques.  You couldn't help but to like baseball after being on their team and Josh was no exception.  But he apparently forgot his love for the game in-between seasons, but his Momma didn't.  Thus signing him up for coach pitch.  After a few practices his memory and love for the game came back and instead of a frown heading to practice there was a smile in it's place.

Carter is just as sweet as ever.  Welcoming Kinley into the family has been a little bitter sweet for Carter.  He was the baby of the family for almost 4 years, so the little girl stealing his limelight has been hard, but he loves her so much and makes it quite evident.  My good friend, Becca, that usually watches Carter while I work has been gracious enough to take Carter for one day each week so Carter can play with his two bestest friends in the whole world, Jonas & Luke.  This has been a great for him. On the days that he is home we do a little bit of preschool and go outside to ride the scooter, or tricycle as much as little Kinley will allow.  Carter is my outdoor guy and he goes stir crazy being in the house all day with Kinley and I.

Showing off his somersaults.

Lovin on his sister!

Carter, our soon to be 4 year old, has asked to play soccer in the Fall.  So we are kicking up the busyness a notch this coming Fall with Carter in soccer, Josh in basketball, Michael coaching football, and Kinley and I kicking it in the SUV carting them all around town.  Huh, and to think I was going to try to take a class or two...just for laughs I might still try.  Love the busyness that surrounds my family...such blessings.

Michael is chugging along with teaching and taking on the added responsibility of AD for both ACA & RCS middle schools and the RCS elementary school.  His health has been anything but a breeze over the past couple of months though.  He completed the second part of his ear surgery with great success, but has had one ear infection after another since then.  At this point the surgery hardly seems worth the pain the infections have been, but hopefully over time those will disappear.  He had his semiannual check up with the Liver Transplant doctor and unfortunately his levels are high, in-fact higher than they have ever been. NOT GOOD, and quite alarming.  He is on meds that should help and has a follow up in three months.  Ugh!  

As for me, I'm doing the mom thing and though somedays are trying I wouldn't change it for anything.  I have been absolutely treasuring the time at home w/ the kids and the open door policy at the house for friends to visit.  It has always been a dream of mine to have friends just walk in w/o knocking.  For them to know that my house and what is in it is theirs too.  Because truly what makes a home is the people you fill it with.