Daybook: October 21st

Outside my window: Fall colours and cool weather. I think we have reached the peak of the vibrance of colours? They are still there, just slowly on their way out.

I am listening to: Silence. Well, that, and the wonderful "on hold" music that my insurance company is playing for me. It's naptime, so that means there are no children awake, but that I do have some miscellaneous work to complete, including calls to insurance people. 

I am thinking: "I am tired...Why is Clara so loud in the bathroom? How much longer will I be on hold?" Riveting thoughts, I know. 

I am thankful: For the month of October. My sweet Benjamin boo, who has been sleeping a lot better these past two nights. For naptime. 

From the kitchen: Cookies! Boo yah. 

I am wearing: My uniform: Black yoga pants and a bright green Underarmor Sweatshirt. And pearls. 

I am hoping: That someone picks up the phone soon! And that my two youngest take a good long nap because besides doing my calls this afternoon, I have, no exaggeration, about seven loads of laundry to fold. It's just so much easier doing it when they are asleep!

I am creating: A long list of minutes I have currently used while on the phone during this past half hour. 

I am praying: For God's peace

Around the house: My fall decorations, hurrah! Two of my three kiddos sleeping. One kiddo playing nicely downstairs....

I am reading: "Carry on, Warrior" by Glennon Doyle Menton. Such a beautiful collection of essays on living and being human in this messy, messy world. 

I am watching: "Marry Me"! Has anyone seen it? It's a new show on NBC with Casey Wilson, who played Penny on one of my favorite, yet now cancelled shows "Happy Endings." It is created by the same guy who did "Happy Endings", so there was a pretty good chance I was going to like it. And so far, so good. Also, "About a Boy," "The Middle," and "Call the Midwife." Does anyone know when "Parks and Rec" comes back on?

One of my favorite things: fall.

A few plans for the rest of the week: The usual business, school, preschool, grocery shopping, etc.  I do think we have are going over to a friend's house one day and James has Friday off due to conferences. 

A picture that I am sharing: The girls eating their snack from the other day. Yes, they are clearly eating their snack as dogs, can't you see?

Octobers Bike Ride

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

-Anne of Green Gables

You've got it, Anne. There is not much I can say to improve on these pictures of the afternoon we had yesterday. It is October. We went on a bike ride. And it is beautiful. 

Six Months

Introducing my half a year old boy!

Ha! He's so round and chubby. And those dimples. My oh My. Like any parent always says, I can't believe how fast time has gone! Six months! He is my dear momma's boy. Make no mistake of that phrase- he is seriously attached to me. Whenever I hold him, he is as smiley and as dimply as can be. When I set him down, it is a different story. I have never had a baby so crabby being set down! He could be perfectly nursed, having just woken up from a nap with a dry diaper, and he is still fussy if he is not in my arms. What the dill. Even still, I love him so. I am so thankful that he is here and I get to cuddle his sweet, smoochy face. 

His little milestones included: Rolling from back to front, front to back, all across the living room floor, trying bananas for the first time two days ago (with mild success), taking two good naps a day with one teeny cat nap at dinnertime, sleeping (mostly) through the night, only to wake up once or twice, and loving his sister Clara. She is the best babysitter for him, and can get him cheered up and happy almost as well as I can. He's huge- in 6-12 month clothing. He is sporting some outfits that James didn't wear until he was ten months old! 

I do love him so, my Benny Bear. 

We had a little photo shoot. 

Love you Benjamin!

You know it's been a while since you last wrote a blog post when...

...your oldest child is in first grade. Last blog post, he was just starting kindergarten. And, he completed his first season of flag football!

...your oldest daughter is now in preschool. Two in school! What the dill. Where are my babies going, and why do they insist on growing up? Also, last blog post, she was in a cast for a month. Now, she is happily cast free and back to her usual jumpy, dancing self.

...your youngest daughter is two. These last couple of blog pictures show her as a baby, just barely one. Now she can talk you ear off like nobody's business.

...you have a fourth child! What the wha!?!? Not only that, but he is six months old today! And though I love him with ever fiber of my being, this clingy, not-gonna-be set-down-or-I'll-throw-a-fit phase has gotta stop. I mean for the love, he's the fourth! He's gotta just roll with it, right?

Let's try to update this thing, shall we?

We played with our princess cuddlers today.

Poor Tiana. She thought playing with Clara was gonna be fun. 

This little firecracker lined them up...all.by.herself.

You do not know the amount of begging and pleading I did to get Clara to sit on that dang couch and take a picture with her sister. Just one! 

It's rainy and fall-y today and I love it. 

Seriously, this beauty of a tree. The colors look so artificial,

 yet I promise it is right outside my front door!

Fractured Femur

This might be old news, but Clara broke her leg. Her left femur, to be exact. In half, a very nice diagonal if you ask me. You wouldn't think that falling off a scooter at Mimi's house would cause such an injury, but in this case, you'd be wrong. An urgent care facility, ambulance ride, two hospitals and twenty four hours later would leave her in a SPICA cast, basically a complete lower body cast, for the next four to six weeks (We're praying for four!). Life around our house has been crazy to say the least, but we have been blessed by so many friends and family who have helped so selflessly and generously. Her next doctor appointment is the 23rd, so pray she get her cast off then!

 This is the morning after she broke her leg. It has still not been set into a cast, though that accident occurred at 3pm the previous day. She's in a lot of pain her, poor little widdy. 

A visit from her brother helped cheer her up immensely. They are such good buddies. 

Melt my heart. 

She was sedated and finally had her leg set and cast put on. Let the healing begin!

At home. A visit from her friend Ellie helped brighten things up!

Flowers sent to her by our church. We are so blessed by so many!

Trying to cool the itch of the cast with a hair dryer. My closed eyes are awesome, I know. We used the hair dryer at first, but later bought a "Cast Cooler" which was much more effective

Pink balloons from her good friends David and Max. 

Another visit, this time from Auntie Corie, Lily, Tessa and Faith. They brought many wonderful gifts for her!

Bicep curls with soup cans. A girls gotta stay in shape, ya know. 

There's that. We're taking it one day at a time around here. We continue to appreciate your prayers for a speedy recovery!