{{weekend/rewind}}

What an amazing replay of summer weather we had this weekend! We soaked up every bit we could!!

The boys spent all day friday in their sandbox. Fridays are quickly becoming our favorite day around here, being only one of two days we aren't out the door in the morning for school. Its been great to hang at home, spend time together and play!

Friday night we had a quiet relaxing night since Daddy actually got home before the boys went to bed (first night all week!)

Saturday we took advantage of the sun and headed out to Boulder Ridge with Aunt Britt and Foster. Theres a ton more pics coming, but I had to share this adorable video of my little Harry who loved feeding the animals...and himself! ;)

After some monster naps, we played outside and i worked on some projects for the nursery. pre dinner, of course, the boys heard the ice cream truck, so daddy and I gave in and let them get a treat before dinner for one last time this summer.

TMNT and Spiderman were their choices...yum!

Right before bedtime we lost power, so I bathed the boys by candle light and put them to bed. That lasted all of about 5 minutes. I have never ever seen two toddlers SO concerned that the lights didn't work. 

Needless to say, bedtime became a couple hour ordeal and they finally fell asleep in our bed, by candle light, while we laid with them. {i snapped this pic after we got power back, about 11 pm, before I transferred them back to their own room!}

Daddy and I enjoyed the darkness and quiet together - there is something pretty peaceful in such a busy world about sitting on the couch, in the dark, talking...with no internet, tv or any other distraction. I must admit though, it was nice to have power back. Definately something I take for granted!

Sunday we had a lazy morning. We have been attending the earlier service at church, but this week we went to late service so I could help teach 2nd grade. It was my first time, and I was so nervous but it was a wonderful experience! :)

Had to share this suitcase Bentley made in sunday school. The lesson was Abram's journey to Canaan, so they packed suitcases for their own journey's. He was so proud to show us he packed an extra toothbrush for his brother! :) I just love their growing love for one another!!

The rest of our sunday consisted of this. Daddy has been putting in some super long hours at work, and some nights the boys are in bed long before he gets home. Having him home allllll day sunday, alllll to ourselves was a real treat. He was a hot item, for sure! :)

Monday kicked us off with no power, again...and a busy morning of getting out the door to school. We have a pretty quiet week (if there is such a thing, these days) but a fun weekend ahead, finally celebrating Bentley's birthday with a party & some friends at the Monster Trucks! :) Enjoy your week too, friends! xo

 

Project Princess :: {pt1} ::

a random saturday morning without kids gave me the kick i needed to get started on the nursery. I have been putting it off mainly because i was focused on enjoying summer with the boys, and didnt want to be wrapped up in an indoor project. I had hand painted a border in the nursery to match the boys' truck bedding...so I had some sanding to do, and some priming before I could start painting.

The boys came home and of course wanted to help. I was able to get Harry down for a nap before he "helped" to much, but Bentley stayed up and helped me roll the carpet while I sanded.

I chose a super soft pink - the very top color - for all four walls.

post nap helpers - at least they are contained! I can't wait to show these pictures to baby sis someday...getting ready for her was truly a team effort! :)

After the painting was finally done (sunday)...I took a break. Sanding and painting made me feel like I had participated in the tough mudder that so many people posted pics of on facebook. Seriously, i was beat!

Later in the week I took to wiping down all the furniture. Everything had a nice coat of sanding dust, and the crib has some nice milk stains from Harrison. While I was cleaning I took the crib apart and raised the mattress back up, which Bentley thought was the coolest, and had to test out!

I ordered (and received) some fabrics to make a crib skirt and curtains. I looked locally for what I had in mind and couldn't find anything, so I ended up snagging these samples off Etsy. The large pink and gold dot at the top is a crib sheet...as is the white and gold off to the top left.

So many options, I am not sure what direction to turn. Which left me to call in Gramma for her opinion. :)

Project Princess part two includes lots of sewing and crafting! :) stay tuned....

28 weeks

Sweet princess girl -
we have entered the third trimester. the home stretch. it's getting closer to the time we will meet you!
I have so many mixed emotion as the end nears. I can hardly believe another pregnancy is nearing the end. though you were tough on me in the beginning, I love carrying you around in my body, watching us grow and feeling you move. But, all good things must come to an end. And I absolutely cannot wait to see what your precious little face looks like.
I am still feeling great, but can tell things are changing as we near the end. By things, I mean the fact that I am winded after singing one song at church. I also mean the fact that I cannot find a comfy way to sleep, currently, despite my massive body pillow. I can still put socks on and tie my shoes but it is getting harder...as is getting myself up off the floor. Bending over to pickup clothes off the floor gives me instant heartburn...as does pretty much anything that I eat. I always pictured having a little princess with a head full of hair, but given that both of your brothers were shorted in that dept, despite my heartburn, I am not getting my hopes up! :)
Despite it all, I am still feeling great, and cherishing our last twelve weeks together. Here are some picture updates.
25 weeks 

{my hair! my pregnancy hair has been absolutely AH-mazing!}

26 weeks

27 weeks

{Daddy laughed when I asked him to snap this pic for me...but I wanted it for your baby book! :)}

28 weeks - 3rd Tri!

Im starting to feel large...everywhere. In my hips, legs, arms, face....which I don't remember with the boys. But I do feel like my belly is a bit smaller this time. Dang women hormones must be causing weight gain in areas I didn't really need help! ;)

 

Over the weekend we got your nursery painted. Part of your bedding is here...and I have some sample fabrics on the way to make the rest. Stay tuned...I cannot wait to watch it all come together! :)

{pretend school} 2014

harrison is feeling pretty "left out" of this whole school thing. just like everything else brother does, he wants to "do" school too!

 

luckily, we had a backpack that wasn't in use, allowing us to "pack" it for "school" and have some fun too!

we are enjoying our mornings together, which are usually accompanied by a special treat.

I decided a few weeks back to sign him up for storytime at the library on weds mornings. I wasn't sure if he would be interested or not, but he thinks its school, and he is thrilled to go each week!

I also spend Thursday mornings at a women's bible study with my mom, where harry goes to nursery. Again, we pack his backpack and he thinks its another day at school!!

Both storytime and study are only 8 weeks...so I am not sure what I am going to do when they are over, but hopefully little sister's arrival will be much more fun than school anyway! ;)

 

{weekend/rewind}

Our week was quick, and busy. And we are slowly getting adjusted to school...which has been quite an adjustment (for us all!) to say the least. But my heart is full, and I am looking so forward to the school year and the plans the Lord has for Bentley and our entire family!

Friday night we hung at home, relaxed and had early bedtimes after a long week.

Saturday morning, I was up and out the door before 6 am for a special day with my mom and sister, and some friends. 

The boys spent the day with Casey and Kevin while daddy worked. They were treated to a trip to the bakery for donuts, for breakfast. Their fave!

They spent a wonderful day together relaxing, playing, and "beating up" Casey. They love to wrestle these days!

I spent the morning traveling to Ft. Wayne {quick a sec, ha!} to see Beth Moore, live! I participated in a few of her studies now, and I am hooked. She is true inspiration and just a joy to listen to!

We got great seats on the floor, where we could see her in person, and on the screen.

She shared so much wisdom, love, peace and joy throughout our day together. She just radiates love for Christ! The coliseum help 10,000 women and was sold out - what an experience to worship, study and pray with such an incredible group on fire for God. Something I will not quickly forget, for sure!

We finished up and headed home...all anxious to see our babies and men! :)

Here is a link to a very brief synopsis of her message for the day, if you are interested!

Beth Moore Living Proof Life - Ft Wayne Simulcast

The boys were standing in the door way to the garage when I pulled in the driveway and opened it up. It not very often we are apart, and while it was so wonderful for us all, there isnt anything like being back together again! They had a great day though, as well.

Traveling and sitting all day is exhausting - the boys went to be at 8, us at 9 and I'm 99% sure i was asleep by 9:02!

Sunday we went to church, where Bentley kicked off his Sunday School year with a new class, new teachers  (whom he loves!) and some new and old friends. After church we had the perfect day relaxing and spending time together!

Monday brings us a busy week with lots to do!  I am the one who was looking forward to "routine", right? :)

{Preschool 2014} // the first day

Monday Bentley had his first day of Preschool for the 2014-2015 school year. He was very excited to go meet his new teacher, and see his friends...some from last year and some new.

{for my future record keeping, by excavator, he means the real piece of equipment, not the person who operates it!;)}

Harrison was feeling pretty left out and kept asking to go to "kool" too so we packed up his backpack and to head to Auntie Nenn's and let him in on a few pictures. He was perfectly happy with that.

Bentley is back at Zeeland Christian this year, with Mrs. Parrot. He has a some friends in his class again this year that he had last year, along with some new friends, namely his buddy Chet! :)

Wednesday was the first "real" day of school, where parents don't stay...and the kids go for the full time. Preschoolers celebrate birthdays, and since Bentley just had one, he got to be the STAR helper on Wednesday. He was pretty excited to have me come back, as the thought of being left alone at school makes him a little nervous.

 

We made this "treat" to hand out to his friends, per his request.

All packed up and ready to go for his first "real" day of school -- Smiling because mom gets to come along too! :)

{another "record keeping" note here...part of our new school routine is to pick out your own clothes and get dressed yourself. This morning, he told me he didn't need help, and I found him in gym shorts and his favorite neon puma tshirt. Definitely not what I would pick for him...of all the adorable outfits I buy....BUT! he did what I asked. In other news, I see a closet re-organization project in my future complete with a play clothes section and a school clothes section!}

Along with many "special" chores and things Bentley got to do around the classroom, his friends sang happy birthday to him. he was just a little embarrassed.

Mrs. Parrott did a wonderful job of decorating for him, and making him feel special. He was very proud.

One of his chores was to spell his name on the board. He of course needed help, which I love, because I know the day will come when he won't {probably soon, too!}

He got to hand out his treat to all his friends as they left too! He thought this was pretty cool.

Helping in the classroom has been one of my favorite things about this whole school gig, as a parent. I LOVE to see how the kids interact and learn and I love to get to know the teachers. Helping in class with Mrs. Parrott was no different! I am so excited to go back, and watch how the children have progressed since being here on the very first day! :)

 

{bentleys birthday} weekend/rewind

We had nothing on the calendar all weekend but to celebrate our big FOUR year old. So celebrate, we did!

Daddy worked late friday night so we snuck to Logan's for birthday dessert after dinner.

Saturday morning we had breakfast and presents with Nana and Papa Posma and then headed downtown Zeeland to spend some birthday money Bentley had gotten in a card. He chose the candy store as his place of shopping.

both he and Harrison picked out a sucker...which left some money for his piggy bank! :)

Saturday night we headed out to Berlin for the races with Gramma, Grampa and Sawyer. The birthday boy was over smiling for me at this point - but we had a great time!

practicing his flag man skills.

not only did our eldest get so big in recent days, our youngest seems to be following suit. I couldn't resist this picture of him just taking it all in.

Sunday we headed to church and then to G&G's for birthday lunch with Great Gram, Uncle Jim and Kaindls.

{excuse bentley's falling apart shirt, apparently being at gramma's means undressing from church clothes...}

We enjoyed a wonderful lunch and then sang Happy Birthday and had cupcakes.

Harry and Sawyer got to blow out their own candles too...Harrison's was more like "spit out" his own candle. If you look close you can see the drool coming off his lips as he blows...YUM! ;)

We opened just a few presents...

transformers, legos and monster trucks were the big theme this year. all this favorite things! ;)

Sunday night we headed to Red Robin for dinner. Bentley was excited for his ice cream...

until everyone came and sang to him. He asked the waitress to "not take your friends with you, next time you come back!" A laugh for many years to come, for sure.

Hard to believe another year has come and gone and our once baby boy continues to grow before our eyes! Harder yet, to believe, that tomorrow marks his first day of Preschool! He is so excited, and so am I. Watching him change and grow in so many ways last year was just amazing, I am confident God has great things in store for him this year as well! :)