Settling in to normal days...with a little weird on the side

Life is full.  I have started back up my 4:30 a.m. mornings so I can teach more and it's going okay but I'm a needs-a-lot-of-sleep kind of person so I am tired.  Also, it's weird because this time last year I was doing my mock classes to interview for this job.  It feels strangely familiar when my early alarm comes on and I stumble past our pumpkin decorations to the office.  Can't believe it's been a year!  the other weird thing this month was yet another hurricane coming through our town.  We had anticipated the first for so long and got all geared up, but this one took most of us by surprise.  Not that it was anything terrible, but many of our friends lost power for a day or two and we missed two days of school again!  Such a strange start to the year.

(walking in the hurricane rain around the neighborhood)

Last month we had a fun visit from Mimi and GrandGene.  They took the girls to the boys' cross country meet while Matt and I got to go to a concert and then Mama and I got to have a loooonnng shopping trip just the two of us, while Daddy and Matt took Allie to the Wooden Nickel for a loooonnng lunch.  :)  We ended the night with some Whitt's frozen custard and a showing of our new family fav: Ultimate Beastmaster.

We have spent a lot of time watching the boys run this fall.  They have really enjoyed it and done well.  They have many friends running so it's lots of fun to cheer everyone on.  The boys still don't have that "best friend" bond I've always longed for them to have, but they are generally pretty civil and are having more and more times of just talking together or going out and playing outside together.  Their newest fav game is holding big bouncy balls and running into each other on the trampoline so one or both falls down.  I forget what they call it.  There's really not much I'd like more than to see them showing they care about each other, but I know from experience, sometimes these things take a lot of time, humility, and maturity.  

(I snapped this after church one Sunday when I made the boys run in to Food Lion for groceries.  They were successful, though notice they aren't the most cohesive team!)

 This pic below is my fav.  I love Gray's spirit, out front, giving his all. He's had his ups and downs starting school and I'm desperately trying to figure out how to parent his tween, ADHD, unique self.  We had a few rough weeks, but I think we're getting to a good-ish place and he's even showing some maturity.  He's starting to take responsibility for his schoolwork and he told me the other day after a party that he stopped himself from eating too much candy because he didn't want to feel sick later.  I about fainted.  Sometimes I just see the little boy because he can't keep track of his stuff, neglects his jobs, and forgets the things I ask him to do, but he is really growing up.  Like for real.

 And don't even get me started on Joshua.  He's just about as tall as me now and so mature.  Several times lately I've caught him with a little kid storybook he used love years ago and I wonder if he realizes he is leaving childhood behind and if he even knows how he feels about that.  He wouldn't say if he did.
He was reluctant to try cross country but has really enjoyed it too.  He's doing well in school, keeping his old friends and making new ones, just chugging along being pretty good at about everything he does.  He gets that sullen teenager mood every now and then, but he rarely has a sharp word for anyone but his two middle siblings...and he's willing to work on that.  Love my biggest boy.

 This one is having a pretty great year herself.  I was probably most concerned about her because of her newly diagnosed ADHD and math learning issue, but her teacher is sooo good and she is really thriving.  She told us the other day that they had a big math problem that they had to work on and she was the first in the class to figure it out.  For someone with her processing speed difficulties I was so impressed!  She also recently shared with the family how much she enjoys long tests like the EOGs.  Who knew?  She is something else and continues to amaze us with her outfits, drama, and just Julia-ness.

 Speaking of Julia, Allie wants to be just like her.  They do have conflict, but most of the time it's Allie annoying Julia because she feels rejected.  Usually they get along great though and have a lot of fun dancing, doing gymnastics, playing school, etc.

Hands down, their favorite thing is playing with friends--which usually means their newest neighbors and most available friends Addie and Ava.  Not a day (or sometimes hour) passes that they don't ask to play with their friends.  This pic below was one morning before school.  We asked her what was wrong and she said, "Addie Ava".

 (how we spent our hurricane days...)

 Allie loves school and is surprising us with how much she picks up on.  She can count some in Chinese now after I learned in my class from "Miss Jenny" and passed it along to her.  She also can tell us what days of the week she goes to preschool.  She notices everything and is often the one to find things that people are searching for.  She picks up on things we say too.  Gray hugged her and she said, "I love you but you need take shower."  We were eating breakfast this morning when she announced, "Mama, Julia loungin'!!" because Julia was laying on the couch instead of getting ready.  She was sitting on the potty and I was brushing my teeth.  She was chatting away and then stopped and said, "Stop bein' 'ruptin'!  I tryin' talk at you!"  Well then.

She loves to point out Chinese people that she sees and to talk about China.  "Jesus made sun and Julia and me....and Chinese kids...and I Chinese kid!"  Lately I keep being struck again by the fact that she's ours.  I look at Matt holding her and think- he is really Daddy to her and she remembers no other.  Wow.  When I go to pick her up from her class, she runs to me and calls me Mommy.  I mean, duh, but still--kinda crazy when you think about it.  I told her I loved her the other day and she responded, "I you best friend."

 Joshua is in the midst of the birthday that never ends.  He started the night before with sushi dinner out with Matt.

 On his birthday, a Monday, he got a special breakfast and gifts, then we had his XC meet after school followed by pizza and his requested trifle for dessert.  We ended the day watching some reality show with a guy who likes to catch and tag prehistoric-like alligator fish.  Or something like that.  Then a few days later he got to birthday shop for a few outfits with Nanny.  Then he will have his sleepover birthday party in a few days.  Must be nice turning 13! :)

 What else has been going on these days...

Julia walking to school with Matt and the rest of her school.  Each year they meet downtown and walk in together.  They had to drive to get to the meeting place of course, but whatever.

 Julia's mile run.  About a minute slower than the spring, due to her checking on a sick friend along the way and stopping to chat a few times.  I think she's got some natural ability in there if she wants to put her mind to it when she is older.  She is the social butterfly of the family for sure and that's not a bad thing.

 Gray went to the school Halloween dance with a few friends.  He did not dance, but ate and ran around and had a good time.  He was going to go as a "Dunkin' Donut", but ditched the donut part before he left.

 While Gray was at the dance and the other two had birthday sleepovers, Allie, Matt, and I went out to eat at a restaurant in our neighborhood area.  Allie was particularly fond of Matt's vodka pasta and snuggling with her daddy. :)

 We had a unique pumpkin party at school that also involved making bags to give out to homeless.

Next up, lots of Halloween activities this weekend, a visit from Mimi, Joshua's bday party, XC county meet, days off of school, and probably more that I can't remember!! And that's just October...it may be another month before I get back on here again.  :)

Back to School with a Bang

Life sure has been interesting since I last posted at the end of summer.  We finished up the last week of summer with....

cross country practices for the boys

Matt taking each kid for a meal, or in Joshua's case- a night of camping

finishing up the garage loft paintings

Then things got real as we had CrAzY open houses for all the kids and got everyone ready for Monday morning....

Emotions were as delightful as the outfits on Gray and Allie, but we made it and so far it's gone ok.  We've had our share of glasses and homework left at home, but overall, they are enjoying their friends and like their teachers.  

 A friend got this pic of the 6th graders in the gym on the first day.  Was glad to see Gray sitting with friends, though he is variable with his social endeavors...i.e. he does not understand why anyone would want to talk while walking to class in the morning.  :)  

Our first weekend after school started was Labor Day weekend and Matt and Joshua got to go to a State game.  

 Then it was back to school for everyone.  Even Allie and I got to head back to preschool for a workday and "Meet the teacher" day.

 Somewhere in there, we had our 6 month cardio check and Allie did beautifully!  Her heart is still looking good and we just go back in 6 months for a recheck.

 She was excited for the chance to watch her new favorite show "Word Party" during the echo.  After that, we shopped for a van and went to lunch.  It was a long morning but we felt so happy and relieved at the continued good news.

We've had two birthday celebrations at Nanny and Pa's this month.  The cousins especially enjoy hanging out together.

Friday we bought an old, but new and exciting to us, van and had a big dinner here with neighbors.  We were also surprised and very sad to hear that our dear friends suddenly lost their mom/grandmother early that morning.  The last several months have felt like a season of trying to learn how to comfort those close to me who are grieving.  Even the last few weeks of our Bible Study and some books that others suggested I read have been focused on this subject.  Life seems to come in waves like that sometimes.

On Saturday, Julia got her turn at going to a State game with Matt.  This was her first pass at her game day outfit.  (80-90 degree weather, by the way....and those pants are actually long johns)

This past week was probably the strangest of all.  For the first few days we kept hearing that Hurricane Fran was headed right for us, so in between car pool and work mornings, I (and the rest of our town) frequented grocery stores looking for the essentials to get through the anticipated worst storm to hit NC.  Everyone was talking about it and thinking about it constantly, gas stations were shutting down, you couldn't find water, the traffic and crowds at stores were crazy.  It was a bit unnerving and I am not one to worry about such things.  In the midst of hurricane prep, we carried on with normal life and Allie had her first day of school.  She loved it.

 The boys had their first cross country meet and did awesome-- Joshua 14th and Gray 7th.

 School was declared closed for Thursday and Friday just before the meteorologists figured out that the storm wasn't headed for us after all.  In fact, it was going to loop around our town as if avoiding us like the plague.  Such a weird turn of events.  So we watched and held our breath for those we know on the coast and made the best of our days off of school.  The kids basically had a straight playdate from Thursday morning till Friday night and we had a couple "Hurricane Parties", throwing together whatever food we had on hand to make dinner with friends.  We definitely got the better deal from this storm.

We ended with my birthday celebration Saturday and a regrouping kind of Sunday.  What a week!  This week I look forward to getting more settled with my new preschool class.  So far they are a great bunch, but the best part of the job comes when we have bonded and I have more of a relationship with each one.  I also look forward to a concert night with Matt and some friends and a visit from Mimi and GrandGene to help with that night.  And please some sunshine!!

End of Summer Blues

Our last month of summer has predictably flown by.  We've done a little of this and that.

Gray got an introduction to band with a week of camp at school.  He loved it and was able to play some songs by the end, though I can't say those first few days of practice were music to anyone's ears.  :) 

 Julia started a new dance class.  She did not want me to watch, but I did anyway and Allie sure enjoyed bebopping to some Taylor Swift.  This is not your classical ballet class.  She loves it and we're happy to get her moving.

 We did a little back to school tutoring with Kids' Night Out.  Allie was thrilled to finally get to experience her own "camp" after just transporting her siblings all summer.  She was anxious for me to hurry and "drop her off" the moment we arrived.

 We started the kids painting a section of the loft this month.  They all approached it very differently and have enjoyed it for the most part.  Hoping to finish this week.

 There was some playing around the house too.  Allie loves having her siblings around.  I went to the grocery store for a couple things and came back to the older 3 having built her her own house from magnatiles.

 Matt got to go away with friends for a few days and we were starting to get stir crazy at home.  Thankfully we had a party to go to and enjoyed catching up with our adoption friends and seeing how everyone has grown.

 It's never the wrong time to wear a Christmas vest.  Never. 

 We had some check ups.  Allie was not feeling this part.  She just stared and would not react to the beeps.  I think the room reminded her too much of all her blood draws.  She perked right up in the exam room and chattered away, laughing with her pediatrician about any and everything.  I could barely get a word in.  While the doctor went over with Julia the correct way to wipe after using the bathroom, Allie commented, "That disgusting."  And she thought it was hilarious to sit there without clothes on.

 Matt and I just got back from our anniversary beach trip.  Gray got to do lots of fun things with my parents while we were gone and the others had their own fun with Matt's parents.  Joshua particularly enjoyed a rec center camp that took him all over the place for skating, water slides, go carts, movies, etc.

We did not get many pictures at Emerald Isle and it took several takes to get this one right with our hands showing 15 and not 51 years of marriage.  :)  We had the best time reading books on the beach, biking around, going to play putt putt and to the movies, going out to dinner, and hanging out at the beach house.  So relaxing and wonderful to just be us for a few days.  I had forgotten what that was like.  And while I missed the kids, coming back home to everyone and all our responsibilities has been a bit of a transition!  My preschool job is starting back up again and we're busy getting the kids ready to start school next week.  Like it or not, summer is done and here comes a new school year!

Pre-beach Weekend

We had a fun couple of days leading up to our beach trip.  First, we had KNO middle and high school kids over for a game night...ping pong, air hockey, corn hole, and cupcake decorating.  It was a sweet group and we had a great time.

 Next, I got to go out with friends to celebrate a birthday with a fun cooking class.  The food was great and company was even better.

 Saturday we spent hanging out with Jeannie and fam and getting ready for the big beach trip.

Julia made her much-anticipated beach/Jeannie birthday cake.  Jeannie helped decorate.

Sunday we all headed to church to celebrate Allie's baptism.  The service was so good-- wonderful and meaningful sermon and sweet time shared together with our family and small church family.  We came back home for lunch, cake, and belated birthday gifts for Allie.  We had saved her cake from the weekend before and when we brought it out she wanted to be sung to again.  I told her to call everyone over and she shouted, "Eh-body!  Sing it!"  She loved her special baptism day.  She can't yet understand it (though she did say once that Jesus was going to put water on her), but we look forward to the day when this demonstration of God's promises and love becomes foundational and personal to her.

 She loved this dress that Mama made for her.