Slip'n and Slid'n

We are trying to find our groove for the summer. It usually takes awhile. This is the first week with no camps. It's so much louder and messier with all at home, but overall, it's fun to see them all together. There has been lots of grumbling as we work through some changes in routines, hopefully that will fade away soon!

 She does not let her size or femininity detour her from doing whatever the brothers are doing ;)

 They should all sleep well tonight.

 

New Sheriff

This boy loves himself some Vacation Bible School.

The perfect theme for my horse loving boy. 

On The Edge

Owen joined 68 middle school students from our church at an overnight camp, The Edge. At 5:30 AM (!) on June 20th, I took a super excited Owen to our church. He boarded this huge double decker bus and headed to Covenant College in Georgia.

He and his two best buddies dressed in the same color (not on purpose!)

The bus didn't actually pull away until 6:25. I was more worried about his safety on that huge bus than him being away from home for 5 days. Oh, the things we moms worry about. BUT I did find myself praying for him a lot the whole week. I wish I could say that about every week :(

One evening, I was super tired (Avery had not slept well the night before) and super emotional (attended a funeral for a friend of mine) and I was missing him a lot, so I laid on his bed and prayed and felt a tad closer to him.

While he was gone, I was certainly tempted to worry. Worry about big things, his health and safety and little things like, brushing his teeth and not eating all junk food. But most of all I consoled myself as I recognized a new phase in his life... I was not a part of his camp experience, he was there on his own. Up until now, I have been a part of most of what he experiences. Yes, I missed him and yes, I worried, but I think more than anything, I just missed "knowing" and I realize this is just the tip of the iceberg. God met me, he did not leave me in my sadness. He reminded me that He knows my boy and his heart and his days. Once again... in faith, I trust.

Owen had an amazing time. He has been catching up on sleep ever since. We get bits and pieces of information at random times. I am (very) slowly learning how to have conversations with a tween boy ;)

Bathroom Progress (or lack there of)

End of Week 2

 

End of Week 3

Slow progress being made. Some days the workers are here less than 2 hours. Definitely lessons in patience. Our backs are ready to be in our own bed.At least 1 more week until we move back upstairs. The dust is crazy and I am SO thankful we aren't sleeping in there. Once the tile work is done we will uncover our mattress and furniture and move back upstairs. Hopefully Avery's room will be complete early next week. Just need the trim put back up!

Last Day of 5th and 2nd Grades

They finished school last Friday. Camps this week and next week will delay the summer transition, But you better believe I am bracing myself for it. The adjustment for all of us is never easy, but we are all excited none the less. We don't have a lot planned this summer, but days with 4 kids always feels busy. I'd love to say I have great plans or goals for our days, but I haven't been able to wrap my brain around it. Just praying the Lord leads me (loud and clear) above the construction noise and my cluttered brain.

These two, up to no good :)

 

We celebrated the end of the school year at a pool party with too many 5th grade boys ;) We all slept great that night!

5th Grade Farewell

The end of an era for my first-born. I can hardly believe my baby will be going to middle school in the fall. He had a wonderful elementary school experience and we feel very blessed and thankful.

1st day of KG (it was raining)

 The 5th Grade Farewell and Awards Ceremony took place June 11, 2015.

Mason was part of the 3-person color guard. Such a sweet moment in his brother's big day.  

I am the kind of person that smiles almost constantly on stage, my son, not so much. 

Although after looking at all these faces not many of them look very excited ;)

 Owen's 5th grade (and 4th grade) teacher.

 Receiving his awards. The best pic I got :(

 So proud of our now 6th grader!

I have so much to learn about preteens and he is moving at a fast pace. It's hard to keep up. Soon he will go on his first overnight camp for 4 nights in another state. Ugh my heart!
I am glad he is such a confident kid but this also has it's disadvantages. He loves to stay busy (socially) and be spontaneous, both of which I could live without, this will be a constant rub in our relationship. I am trying to better understand him and also be considerate of the fact that he will be constantly changing for a long time and has NO clue himself who he is. Thankfully the Lord knows exactly and he walks beside both of us all the time!

Field Day

Last tug of war for these graduating 5th graders. They gave it everything they had :) This was Owen's favorite part of field day every single year.

 

Mason most enjoyed the obstacle course. 

The Littles and I were there most of the morning bouncing between their classes although I was technically helping with Owen's class. Even Grandma and Tripp stopped by to help give Avery and Ryan a little break.

Tomorrow Owen graduates. Craziness!

Owen in Goal

Owen played his heart out in their final game this weekend. He had to play goalie the whole game because their regular goalie was unavailable and Owen is the only other one crazy enough to go after the ball no matter what :0 

These two lost interest quickly especially because their friend from church was there. Her brother is Owen's good friend and on the opposing team.

Somehow she manages to roll uphill. Always doing things her own way ;)

Big Smiles at BG

We have taken a couple of summers off from Busch Gardens with Avery's adoption and adjustment. But this summer it just feel right, so we headed there once again. She LOVED it! I was pleasantly surprised. There was some occasional frustrations when she didn't want to be patient and wait her turn, but that is to be expected.

 

 Mason rode his first real roller coaster!

 Ryan and Avery make a great pair because they are so similar in size and liked all the same rides.

Owen continues to love roller coasters!! Sadly he couldn't convince Mason to join him on more than 1. EJ and I each chose 1, but that's about all we can handle. He is going to need to find a friend to ride them all with ;) Gone are the days I can roller coaster hop and not feel sick to my stomach :(

Never a Dull Moment

We have begun our final (planned) home renovation. This summer we will have been in our home for 10 years! It certainly has changed a lot. There isn't much I will miss about our eclectic master bathroom. 

Here it is in all it's 1960s glory (or lack of).

 

From the doorway looking straight ahead

Apparently the shower was barely holding on. Phew!
 There goes the contractor and our bathroom to the dump.

 

After day 2

 Lovely surprise behind the mirrored vanity.

 The bathroom has been enlarged, thanks to Avery's room. 

The change in floor color is the new addition, which will allow us to have a double vanity!!

Avery has handled her displacement beautifully. She has her "bed" down in the basement near us.

 

Her bedroom and ours have been almost completely cleared out to avoid extra cleaning and so our things can be available while the workers are here. I am always forgetting where I have placed things. It's pretty crazy around here. Thankfully we've had plenty of experience in the renovation department so none of it's much a surprise. It will definitely be worth it in the long run!!