Just an Update

We're still alive and well here, just haven't blogged in awhile. Here is a pic that never got posted from a couple weeks ago when it was pretty rainy and the kids made tents in the basement.

This past weekend Jason and I went away WITHOUT THE KIDS. HAL.LE.LU.JAH!  It was fabulous. Whenever Jason asked what I wanted to do or what I wanted to eat I would say, "I don't care. I'm just happy to be away and with you." We stayed at a hotel in Des Moines and did a little shopping - that was about all. But it was great and definitely needed. Not only was it great to just be with Jason with little to no agenda, but getting away always helps regain the bigger perspective on life and I needed that desperately. Saturday afternoon we drove to Cedar Rapids so Jason could attend an ALS event. I got to spend time with a close friend from college, which was wonderful.We drove home really late Saturday night and picked the kids up at my sister's house Sunday morning before church. 

First, let me just say my sister ROCKS! She watched our four kids, along with her four, for two nights. Quite the undertaking. But, I'm incredibly thankful to report that everyone did very well. Isaiah had no troubles sleeping like we thought he might and the girls did great, too. One of the girls hid from us and wanted nothing to do with Jason and I when we went to picked the kids up Sunday morning, but I expected that. Getting her from Mya and Sydney's bedroom to our van was difficult and she cried all the way into Ames. I thought church would be a disaster, but she asked to sit with Mya and we decided that was a good compromise to make during this difficult transition back to "real life." She did great at church and we ate lunch with Ehresman's, too, which provided more coveted Mya-time by this child.

I expected a big meltdown at home but IT NEVER HAPPENED! I am seriously still in awe at how well she did once we got home. She almost acted better than normal. In some ways, realizing that she has a mom and dad who return probably did feel wonderful to her once she worked through the tough stuff. Our other daughter did awesome with the transition and Isaiah was pretty clingly, but in a good way that showed me I am truly his mama and he missed me. So thankful for that! 

On  Monday night we did some work in the yard. Isaiah LOVES to help. I will not be surprised when he gets older if serving is his gift. He lights up when he gets to help. Here he is helping Jason dig up the nasty bushes that have been in our front yard (yay!).

You kind of have to see this to believe it: Abram pulling Claire (who weighs three times his weight!) in the bike trailer hooked to his trike. It still cracks me up every time I see it!

My one request of our weekend away was to go to Goodwill in Waukee and Jason was kind enough to say yes! I found some needed clothes for the boys and also some really nice roller blades for Zoe for $7. She could hardly stand up in them when she put them on Sunday afternoon, but by Monday night she was going to town in them. Love it!