Summer Camps 2013

My biggest fear about summer vacations from school is that my kids will get bored.  Not annoying, whiny, or rambunctious, but B.O.R.E.D.  Now don't get me wrong because annoying, rambunctious, and whiny all happen. My kids are no exception, and I don't blame them.  That is why I chose not fight those fires and get down to the root of it all with boredom.  You know what I'm talking about (uh, huh, I see you nodding your head)!  So my solution was summer camps!

I aligned a few options for the boys to chose from depending on our vacation schedule and they chose the ones they would enjoy the most.  Once we had our vacation schedule finalized we registered them for their camps.  Josh chose to do the Camp TLC at Trinity Church and Carter chose swim lessons at the University of Redlands with the Ducey Swim Camp.

Camp TLC offers different options, or electives, for the kids to chose from when they come to camp.  Josh chose to do field games.  He enjoyed it for the first two days, but grew bored with them.  He said next year he wants to try the Bulldog Sports Camp at the University of Redlands.  I have heard rave reviews, so I'm excited for him to try it.

Carter's experience w/ the swim camp was amazing!  His teacher, Bryan Ducey, was an excellent teacher and I greatly appreciated his patience with Carter.  On the first day Carter wasn't so sure about all the people and vastness that is the U or R pool.  So Bryan put Carter on his back while he taught the other student.  Carter eventually warmed up and learned so much.

Needless to say, I think we averted boredom!

Kinley's Baptism

This post is long overdue, but alas here it is:  We had the privilege of sharing Kinley's Baptism, on June 9th, with Michael's sister, Julie and her beautiful family.  It was a gorgeous day and everyone was excited, including little Kinley herself.
Pastor Scott performed the baptism.  We really appreciated during the sacrament how Pastor Scott went down to Josh and Carter's level and talked to them about how influential they are in the upbringing of Kinley.  It was pretty neat to see their eyes light up with the knowledge that they too are important on this day.  Finishing the sacrament, Kinley's Uncle Ed, led us in a beautiful ending prayer.

Carter is 4

We love celebrating birthdays at our house.  We try to make them super special and memorable, which usually means we drag it out for a few days.  Who doesn't love celebrating something for a couple of days, right?!
Carter's 4th birthday was a blast.  We celebrated with his Grandma Parine, who was visiting for the long weekend, on Sunday afternoon.  It was wonderful that Grandma Parine was able to be here for Carter's birthday and meet lil Kinley for the first time.  Thanks for coming to visit, Mom!  On Monday afternoon, we celebrated with his two bestest boy buddies, Luke and Jonas.  After the boys had some fun on their own we invited their families to join us for dinner and cake.  These boys are great together.  I just treasure their little friendships and how each time they see each other their little faces just light up like they haven't seen each other in years.  So precious and I can't wait to watch their friendships continue to blossom.  Then on Tuesday, his actual birthday, we were joined by our framily, the Layels, for dinner and gifts. Always a wonderful time when with the Layels.   It was a special three days for this sweet boy indeed!  We love spoiling you with love and attention Carter-roo!!

I remember the day Carter was born like it was yesterday, yet today he is now 4.  Carter has made such huge strides in so many areas of development this year.  It's exciting to see him grow into quite the little boy.

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.  

1 month

I can say without a doubt that Kinley's first month has gone by the fastest of all the children.  Makes sense when you are running around with two others already, right?!

Kinley is such a joy!  She started smiling and a little bit of cooing a couple of days before her 1 month milestone and since then brightens up each night feeding and day with lots of smiles.  The boys are just goo goo eyed over making her smile.  Pure joy watching the three of them smile and laugh!  Simply makes all your fears and doubts melt away when you have this beautiful smile and blue eyes staring up at you...

I wouldn't say we have a set schedule but we are getting there slowly.  Regardless of how the night goes (and she is pretty good there), I wake her at 6:30 to feed and we keep on a 3hr feed schedule for the rest of the day.  Her naps are what is throwing our scheduling out the window....she has been quite hit and miss with napping in her crib, prefers my arms, so her naps are full of interruptions and very short.  We'll get there.  I'm not worried.  The boys weren't great nappers either and that all changed after a few months time.

At her 1 month appointment her measurements were:

Weight: 9lbs. 15oz.
Height: 23 1/4"

So, she has gained 3lbs. and grown 3 inches.  As Michael so kindly informed me at her rate of growing she will be taller than me by the age of 2!  Thanks, Honey!! LOL

To a family of 5

It's still amazing to think that we are a family of 5.  Honestly, it blows my mind that Michael and I have completed our family.  It seems like just yesterday that we got married, but that was almost 9 years ago. Guess you could say it's been so much fun that time has just passed quickly.  I wonder if our parents thought the same thing as they stared at those little faces around the dinner table?!

Kinley Kate has been such a blessing of an addition to our family!  The boys have embraced her with open and loving hearts and LOTS and lots of kisses.  I think she will be well protected by her older brothers as she grows up.  They are completely in love with her.

I asked myself and many of my friends with three or more children before we had Kinley what life was like adjusting to with the third child because for some odd reason going to number three scared me more than going to two did.  My mind was set at ease as I grew to really realize that it didn't matter because each milestone this sweet child made it was the last time we would be experiencing it.  So, I chose to just enjoy and remember how quickly time flies and each of those milestones passes.  I want to remember and treasure each and every one of them to the fullest.

And what's not to love about this sweet, beautiful face....

Kinley Kate DeJong

She's here!  And she is absolutely beautiful!

Kinley decided to make a bit of an early entrance on Saturday, April 6th from her scheduled arrival of Friday, April 12th.  It makes me smile thinking about the bit of chaos and scrambling we did that afternoon to get the boys out the door and get us to the hospital before my contractions progressed much more.

Upon our arrival at the hospital and being examined it was determined that I would definitely be having the baby that evening.  Rejoice!!  I was pulled in to the OR room around 9:15pm and our sweet baby girl, Kinley was born at 9:55pm.

We feel tremendously blessed by her presence already and the boys are thrilled to have a baby sister to take care of and love on. They love to spoil her w/ kisses!!

Welcome Kinley Kate DeJong! 8lbs. 6oz., 20in. @ 9:55pm on April 6, 2013.

Me waiting for my c-section.

Meeting Kinley for the first time

Josh and Carter being introduced to their baby sister, Kinley!

Meeting her Auntie Kris

Meeting my good friend, Lisa.

Meeting my good friend, Julie.

Kinley Kate DeJong

My brother and sister in-law surprised us for a visit while they were in Palm Springs

On our way home!!

Two very happy big brothers!

One happy Uncle Vonn!

We have plenty more pictures to download of our beautiful girl.....