October :: {[random acts of kindness]}

As I mentioned before, we spent this past month taking some time to think of others and hopefully make them smile. When we started out, we were going to attempt one a day. My anxiety helped me realize this was a bit much...and really this project was supposed to be fun and not a burden, so we took to completing as many as we could. Here they are...

 

Day 1

Bentley left 5 extra pennies on Sandy after he took his turn at Meijer.

Day 2

we left a thank you note and a gift card on a car in the hospital staff parking lot

Day 3

we brought dinner to a family from church whose son is recovering at Mary Free Bed from a terrible car accident.

Day 4

we brought dinner to the neighbors who both work full time...

and were having a rough week.

Day 9:

we brought donuts to the nursery ladies that watch the boys so I am able to participate in Bible Study once a week.

Day 10:

we hid some $1 in children's books on our adventure to the library!

Day 11

we brought treats to daddy's office

Day 12

we went on an outing with MLIFE and paid for someone else's child too.

Day 13:

we left treats for the mailman to try and brighten his rainy day! :)

Day 14:

we held the door for someone at church

Day 15:

we left quarters on the air compressor at a local gas station

Day 16:

we left flowers and a note for Auntie Jenna on her car while she was at work

Day 17:

we left a gift card on the gas pump after we filled our tank

Day 18:

we left a thank you note and treats for our garbage man.

Day 19:

we paid for the person behind us in the drive thru at mcdonalds.

this by far was the most rewarding, although i was slightly disappointed at first.

the receipt showed it was for once ice cream cone, costing $2.12. i know it is about the action and not the dollar amount but i was bummed i couldn't have paid more for someone, maybe someone who might have really needed it. turns out, it was an older couple who ordered an ice cream cone, to share. They were so excited they kept waving and even honked as we pulled away. it felt really good to know that we had made someone smile, even though it only cost us $2.12. :)

 

Day 20:

we gave treats to our neighbors when we were camping

Day 22:

we were able to help a friend out and two of her kids so she could take the others to the doctor.

Day 25:

we left an encouraging note on the hand dryers in a public restroom

Looking back this was a fun experience - I definately got more out of it than the kids did, but hopefully next year (at least Bentey) will understand a little better. :)

5 month comparison.

winding down october

we had a rather quiet weekend this weekend, compared to the last few.

but of course, we couldn't have a weekend that was completely event-less.

 

saturday morning we got up and went to trunk or treat at ridgepoint.

it was very cold, but bentley had fun and loved all the loot he got! :)

he constantly asks for candy, but only eats about a quarter of it.

he would prefer to use it as "dirt" to play trucks

guess i wont have to worry about cavities.

we made some halloween goodies to bring to dinner with friends :)

sunday, i locked the kids AND the keys in B's truck at church.

It's funny how the Lord is always waiting to help us.

A friend happened to be sitting in his car next to us which we didn't know at the time, and he was honestly one of the last people we expected to see at our church. I stayed by the truck while Brandon hitched a ride home with our friend to get his phone and use his On*Star app to unlock the doors so I could free the kids.

Looking back I kept much calmer than I imagined I ever could have, but why panick when you know the Lord has it all figured out before you even know it's going to happen?

my teething little harry got held during nap time.

it was the only way he would sleep and of course i will NEVER pass up

on baby snuggles.

Sunday we cleaned the boat and got it ready to put away for the winter.

kind of bittersweet since we made so many fun memories this year, but we are already looking forward to next year.

Bentley woke up this morning asking, "boat ride? boat ride?"

:)

we are getting ready to do some trick or treating this week! :) stay tuned!



WEEK//IN//REVIEW

This week, life happened, and changed any sort of plans we had. But we survived, and thoroughly enjoyed our slow, laid back week as a family.

 

Monday:

hanging out at home, recovering from the weekend.

tuesday:

woke up to a pinched nerve in my neck.

i litterally couldn't move, it only felt okay when i laid down.

thank goodness for my mom, sister and my prince of a husband, we all survived.

barely :)

wednesday:

bentley makes himself at home at the chiropractor, where we have been

spending time EVERYDAY this week.

after a few adjustments, i could at least move somewhat, so we played outside and enjoyed our last tease of summer.

thursday:

we spent the day with auntie nenna and made cushions for baby kaindl's rocking chair.

i love how they turned out and i can't wait to use them while rocking my new sweet neice/nephew.

friday:

we laid low and spend the day indoors- it turned cold overnight...brrr!

preston came to play in the morning

and we ALL enjoyed afternoon naps.

we are looking forward to another low key weekend and spending time with some friends we haven't seen in a while.



five.months{{5}}

Harrison Lee -

It seems almost wierd to even call you that, considering you go by "hooey" at home these days, thanks to your big brother. :) That isn't the only nickname you have...daddy and bentley also call you howgy. Don't ask me why.

Anyway, you are less and less a baby every day my little love. You are less and less little, too. Some of your favorite activities right now are your exersaucer and your music table. You are rolling over and love to lay on the floor and watch your brother play trucks in front of you, usually just inches from your face. You smile the biggest when Bentley shows you attention. You are working on sitting up, you get excited and then fall over. You're pretty close though.

You are still in size 2 diapers and 6 and some 9 month clothes. You are nice and chubby but you are also very tall. You were only one pound heavier than Bentley was at your 4 month checkup but you are THREE inches taller. I have to go to bigger clothes often because things are too short.

You are sleeping 12 hours at night, about 8pm to 730-8 am. You are taking two naps, but they vary in length and timing depending on our schedule for the day.

You are eating 6 ounces still and getting applesauce for breakfest from a spoon, and cereal for dinner from a spoon. You love to be spoon fed and you smile the entire time and then shake and squeal with every bite. My project for next week is to start making some veggies for you.

You are still a very easy easy baby. You are always happy and smiling and just go with the flow. Your little personality is starting to develop daily and we can't wait to see this happen more and more. You are such a blessing to us, and we are excited to see what the future holds. We love you sweet boy!

 

pumpkins&&leaves::

my favorite part of fall!

 

monday night we carved pumpkins. my husband really put me to shame with his super carving skills but we had fun as a family to nothing else matters, right? ;)

Bentley was BEYOND excited with he & Daddy's masterpiece..he is slightly in love with Mater.

since Harry was already in bed, he was the lucky one who got to claim my masterpiece as his own. :)

daddy is really going to be busy next year, i have a feeling a face won't cut it for prince Harry again.

with the weather being so warm again, we have been outside as much as possible.

the boys have been having fun in the leaves, and of course their wet sand box. :)

 

we have a slow next few weeks, which we are looking forward to.

its time to rest up...in just a short time baby kaindl will be here to soak up ALL our free time! :)



Camp & Treat Weekend 2012

We had such a fun weekend up north, spending time with friends and family and camping at Whiskey Creek. It was a weekend of Halloween - games, prizes, trick or treating and more. Bentley had a blast, I am sure it will be a big topic of excitement for the next few weeks!

 

Cousins reunited. They were SO happy to see each other, Bentley couldn't stop squealing and jumping up and down when he first saw Craven.

I probably don't have to mention the boys slept REALLY good.

and were always smiling! :)

our little clark kent. isnt he handsome?

&& our adorable little monkey! :)

enjoying some carmel apples.

the boys playing together. these four are quite the group, and had so much fun together

ready for the hay ride and some trick or treating.

we had such a fun weekend together and it was so great for the boys to be able to spend so much time with their cousins they don't get to see enough of anymore. thank you danielle and chad, craven and cohen. we had so much fun, thanks for your hospitality!! xo

 



A little smile for a rainy day

I just love baby giggles.

&& couldn't be more proud of my "counting" toddler :)

{{week.in.review}}40

This past week was week 40 out of 52 we have each year.

It is just me is or does it seem unreal that a new year is only 12 weeks away?

time seems to be going faster now that ever before.

 

this week was a "slow" busy week for us. we finally didn't have any major upcoming plans I had to be ready for, so we spent some time at home, catching up on things and taking some monster naps! :)

 

tuesday we went and had lunch with papa at Gentex for his birthday. The boys always love time hanging with the "big guys" and daddy at work!

Wednesday we had lunch with the other Gapa!

Its amazing how small both grampas's laps got in the last two years :)

my happy little bug enjoying lunch.

and I attempted a new project during naptime.

they're definately not perfect but I know what I would do different next time.

I can't wait to make more!

wednesday night i went out for dinner with some girlfriends...where I learned that one of them is FINALLY getting married! :) We are so excited for them and look forward to celebrating...yet this year!!

 

friday we headed to post family farm with my MLIFE group from church.

b had an absolute ball, he didn't want to leave

and harry slept in the baby bjorn the entire time like a little angel.

such a fun fall day we had together!

we are looking forward to a low key weekend, hanging at home and taking care of some unfinished projects, and enjoying the fall weather, if we can. :)