Summer Family Photos

We have been trying to get family photos done since Lincoln turned 2 (in February).  Every time we scheduled a time we would have something come up-rain, head injuries, etc.  We finally made it happen except it was 100 degrees outside and Lincoln was NOT in the mood.  There will never be a time where they are all on the same page, but these are for our memories!

 

Father's Day

Mark was wanting a weekend at home for Father's Day and we were all settled on that. Then he came home and said he had to work at the lake on Friday, so why not stay all weekend. I'm glad he made that decision. My husband is always working! If he's not at work he is working at home: running around with the kids, mowing our 5 acres, fixing EVERYTHING that seems to be broken lately, and then was wanting to work on fixing things over the weekend!

I took the kids down on Friday. It wasn't until nap time that we got on the boat, so did they nap? Goodness no!!!!

Mack has been wanting to go to the beach-probably because we are trying to plan a family vacation to the beach this winter. It's not easy to find a beach in the middle of Missouri and the lake is all rock on the shores. Luckily we found this place that had a beach! They absolutely loved it and we stayed there for the afternoon.

My kids have turned into lake kids this summer and seem so comfortable on the boat.

Then Mark join us as did my brother's family. We had a yummy dinner and relaxed-just what Mark needed! The guys left early on Saturday for a morning of golf. This is something else Mark never does! It was healthy for him to get away and enjoy himself. That he did!!

Then the afternoon was spent on the dock swimming and fishing:)

And Mack cought two fish!!!! His first fish!

We slowly headed home and made dinner to visit with Papa H. He is getting up to visit us and the kids love it. They have missed him!

Happy Father's Day to everyone. We were glad to relax and celebrate the important men in our lives!

Working Mom to Stay at Home Mom

It's easy to miss your children when you are constantly on the go and running off to work.  My days are busy and I constantly think, "I wonder how my babies are today?" Now that I have this wonderful opportunity to be off for the summer, I have had to sit back a little and "readjust" my motherhood.  I have only been off for a few weeks and I know there is a long summer ahead of me.  In the past we have had a lot of support from our nanny, but the kids are getting older and I am not needing as much support.  Of course I take advantage of Meme when I can, but she has been spending time with her family and will be gone the whole month of July.  Which is what lead me to this post...

Being a stay at home mom is completely different then when I was working everyday!  I realize now how much I expect other people to teach my kids and when I was home with them, we played.  Now the summer days are settling in and I felt myself getting frustrated with them.  Like I said, it's only been a couple of weeks.  They are babies and still need my guidance.  I was expecting them to constantly entertain themselves while I got things done around the house.  These are all things I have on my list to accomplish while being off, but the school year will come very fast.  Today I decided to add some structure-it was like going back to how I was when they were born and I was with them all the time.  It is  taking "readjusting".

 I can't go on without saying we are lucky enough to have a lot of family support.  I do find myself venturing down to our lake house to be with my parents or inviting Mark's parents over for dinner for some company.  We have also been leaning on our Aunts, Uncles, and cousins for entertainment.  So really I'm not fully by myself.  

With all that being said, being a stay at home mom is amazing!  Here is what I have been reminded of these few weeks:

1) I do LOVE this!

2) There are days I'm going to go to bed and feel like I didn't do enough for them.

3) They are all unique and all play different.  They all need different attention from me. 

4) It's okay if the house looks like we have three children (I have-for the first time in my life-let it go!)  I now know it could be worse:)

5) Sometimes I need to give them their own space as well.  Having time in their rooms is very healthy!

6) Sometimes mommy needs her own space.  It's okay to lock the bathroom door when I'm needing "some alone time"

7) Reading a book with three snuggly kids is the BEST!

8) Sitting down and trying to have three snuggly kids fight over my lap is the BEST!

9) Today I broke our patio glass table...felt so bad, but like my husband says, "at least they are all okay and enjoying life!"

10) Having alone time with my husband has helped me figure out all the emotions of being a mom.  It's not easy. It's sometimes not pretty, but I get this amazing time with them!  

My hope is they will remember these times with me.  Again, Mark always reminds me of how lucky I am to have this time.  I agree 100 percent!

With all that being said, everyday with them is sweeter than the day before. I am falling more and more head over heels with my babies!!!!

Life Without a Tube

Life without a tube in my son's chest has been: Amazing, rejuvenating, relieving, and just plain great!

 

We came back the same day Mack had surgery and as you see above Mack and Lincoln passed out on the way home after all the excitement.  Avery stayed back to have one more day with mum and papa.

I started the evening by watering my plants, this in turn, gave Mack the idea to get soaking wet with the hose.  We then turned on the sprinkler.  Mark and I both saw the heaviness lifted off his chest.  He doesn't have to be so careful (granted he still has low platelets-so he needs to be kind of careful).  It was like he had forgotten how much fun being a normal kid was!

 

As we were playing his Aunt Heidi, Uncle Scott, Cohan and Ireland came by because they were going to decorate our house for when Mack came home.  We ruined that surprise by coming home early.  It didn't matter though because he loved his sign and now it's hanging in his room!

 

The next night the Clifton family brought over dinner and a special present for Mack...

A new Slip n Slide!

This meant everyone got their suits on and enjoyed the fun!

Then Mark came home with a new pool! 

These kids haven't spent a night inside without getting wet! 

During the day, they have met friends at the splash pad.  He hasn't done that in a few years!

This picture shows the new Mack!

The week didn't end.  Aunt Meagan and Uncle Jack brought him a new water gun, and not just one, one for every kid! 

We now have everything that has to do with water!

 

Life is good! We are thankful for all our friends and family who came by, took care of our other kids, sent text messages and called! It amazes me every time how lucky we are to have so many wonderful people in our lives!