What's Up

We are here living this busy life with four kids trying to make sure to keep the main thing the main thing... it's a challenge! 

With the addition of fall sports, this season has seemed more FULL then previous falls. Haven't yet squeezed in the yearly trip to pick apples, pumpkins, or take a trip to harvest festivals. Our downstairs painting and minor renovations have kept Daddy busy around the clock. He's very thorough and diligent. So far the change in paint color has made my downstairs feel so much more peaceful (even with the less then peaceful kids! Amazing!) Can't wait to get to the end of the project and have things back in order. (almost driving me completely crazy...)

Here are some snapshots of life this fall:

 Last trip to see the butterflies at the botanical garden before the exhibit was moved. 

The kids have two Grandpa's born the same year exactly seven days apart. We were able to celebrate belatedly with my dad and send birthday wishes to my father-in-law through the phone and mail. 

 Life being spectators at soccer games... Oh dear.  

One minute they are calm and the next minute poor Luke was tackled by his brothers. 

Highly distracting for the serious spectators! Good grief. 

Years ago, we were avid Music Together fans. The boys all participated when they were under 5. Aaron has been on a kick listening to all the old cd's and we have heard them ad nauseum. Last week during rest time, he moved his desk closer to the cd player so he could control the songs easily while playing with play dough. I love that they are making him happy and love listening to him sing along.

 A Sunday afternoon bike ride with the family

The bike helmets came in handy when we took a break to swing on the rope swing. 

 Irina had no interest in the rope swing this time and was happy on the sidelines.

 Our strongman clearing the bike trail

After the annoyance of an eye infection and resulting trip to the eye doctor last weekend, I was not thrilled to wake up with a fever early this week. No substitute teachers here. I stayed in my pi's until lunch and we still worked on school. So thankful the fever was short lived. Life goes on...

This sight below was SO encouraging to see after breakfast! 

Cooperative workers! It's the little things...

We are making choices and thinking about our priorities. 

I don't prefer life feeling so full and frantic. 

Some tough decisions ahead.

Fall Soccer

After lots of rain interruptions, we are ready to get fall soccer going!

Aaron is playing his first season. He's loving it and learning a lot. 

On Saturday, after the coach kept calling him Andrew I couldn't keep my mouth shut. Apparently, the coach has been calling him Andrew since the season started in September and Aaron never said a word. Funny boy!

Irina is playing her second season, and finally had her first game on Saturday. (rain, rain, go away!) During the second half, she volunteered to play goalie and is fearless when girls are charging at her. I didn't get pictures of that because I get so distracted watching the action (and holding my breath!)

Two soccer game Saturdays are keeping the day full, but I love watching them play. I've been told that I'm a bit too loud during games cheering on the team. My excitement just comes out of my mouth and I can't hold it in. I'm working on it though. ;)

Clouds to Sunshine

    
The sunshine and warmth today make me thankful. I didn't realize until this weekend how much the days (and days and days...) of rain had an affect on our family and ME. 

Today I am choosing to be thankful for little things. 

* boys voices that are still easily soprano (LOVE hearing them still enjoying the CD I bought from the Kiev Symphony Orchestra and Chorus concert. Aaron's sweet high pitched voice singing choral music...ahhh! music to my ears.)

* SUNSHINE, blue skies, birds chirping, kids collecting caterpillars and running around in the grass

* hummus and vegetables (I accidentally left a big tub of hummus in the back of the van a week ago and it spoiled. boo hiss!! So glad to finally get to the store and buy more. yummy!)

* a running dishwasher and a husband who can fix ANY appliance, seriously. He is not for hire. ;)  (We had to wait almost a week for the $20 part, but it was much better then paying $100+ for a serviceman.)

* friends near and far (never want to take them for granted! they are so dear to me!)

* imaginations (Darin has been reading the Narnia books with the kids when he is not traveling. They are loving re-enacting scenes from the book. Luke is Peter, Irina is Susan, Ethan is Edmund, and Aaron is willing to be little Lucy. This is how they spent their free time during all the rainy days. Love it!)

* freedom to change my mind (The lists I posted about HERE majorly backfired this past weekend. As in, I was followed around all day by someone asking me what he/she could do on the list and how he/she should do it. Incessant talking. Incessant questions. Nothing satisfied. We were both anxious within a couple hours. The relief it created the first weekend turned into stress all around. But I realized, I don't have to keep doing it. I can change my mind! Ahh! That feels like a huge deal to realize that and it makes me thankful. )

Hobbies?

A wise woman has challenged me recently to think about my personal interests, hobbies, and self-care. In the midst of parenting, home schooling, and a busy life I haven't figured out how to make time for hobbies. Maybe I've even lost a little bit of me? I've actually wondered if it is self-indulgent to make time for hobbies when my family has so many needs. I haven't figured out the right way to think about it. I'm praying and trying to discover what that looks like in a healthy way.

As I sat to make a list of hobbies that re-energize me I wasn't surprised to learn that they are all individual and more introverted. Reading, sewing, knitting (would love to re-learn this! who wants to teach me?), blogging, singing/music, running, flower arranging, some kind of artistic endeavors...

A couple weeks ago, I indulged myself. I put aside my other tasks and chores (as well as a decent bedtime) and did a little sewing. It was such good therapy. The colors, the textures, the cooperative sewing machine, the joy of gift giving... Thank you, Lord, for this sewing time in the middle of a busy week and a traveling husband.

 A ribbon blanket for a sweet baby boy! His delight over the tags made me smile. 

What are your hobbies? How do you make time for them?