Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful Kael is enjoying early band. He has to leave the house by 7:00 two days a week and he has such a great attitude about it. In fact, he's had a great attitude about everything lately. I love it.

I'm thankful Kent deals with all things insurance.  With his job change, there have been lots of phone calls, papers to sign, etc. I'm so glad he handles it.

I'm so glad Kylee is having fun at Circus Camp!

I'm thankful Kael let me borrow his sweatshirt when I went for a run last night. I took him to basketball practice and let him know that I'd be going for a quick run while he was there, then I'd be back to pick him up.  Here's how the conversation went:


Maybe you shouldn't go. 
I won't be gone long, Kael.
But Mom, it's pretty dark out." 
I know buddy. I'm going to run up at the soccer complex where it's lit. 
But you should have brought a flashlight.
I'll be fine.
It's pretty cold and windy tonight. 
You're right, Kael. I probably should have dressed warmer.
Here.  I'm not going to wear this. (Hands me his favorite sweatshirt).
Thanks, Kael. 

I love everything about this.  I love that he's cares where I'm going. I love that he's worried about me. I love that he's stepping into a protective role.  I love that he is so chivalrous to offer me his sweatshirt.  I love that he's grown up enough that his sweatshirts actually fit me.  And I love that I had a sweatshirt to wear because he was right- it was pretty cold out.  I'm so thankful for Kael's big heart.  

I'm thankful to be a stay at home mom.  The other day I came home from preschool- it was cold and gloomy so Kase and I made pumpkin bread and pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and even got out the hot cocoa.  Kael and Kylee were so happy to come home to a warm snack waiting for them!

I'm thankful for a fun fall party with my little bat this morning.  I'm just loving being a part of preschool and so thankful to be there with him! 

I'm thankful for my friend who lent me her M and M costume!

I'm thankful for a heritage project that Kael is doing. He has the opportunity to interview my grandma and both she and he are loving this.  What a great way for them to spend time together and how interesting for him to learn about how things were for her growing up.  

Have a great weekend, all!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Oh, how I love weekends.

Friday was Kent's last day of work at his previous job (he started his new endeavor this morning) so a bunch of co-workers and Kent went out to celebrate Friday afternoon.  He left many fond memories and wonderful people, but we are both very excited about his new opportunity.  After the well-wishes, Kent came home and we had a family movie night.  Kylee is going to be Maleficent for trick-or-treat and we hadn't ever actually seen the movie so we watched that.  Kael and Kylee got such a kick out of how Kase said, "Fla-micalent" instead of Maleficent.

Saturday morning we spent prepping for the party! Kent cleaned the garage and mowed, I tackled the inside of the house, and before we knew it, the house was filled with family, ready to surprise Keith for his 60th birthday! We had a great evening celebrating!

Sunday at church Kase sat quietly on my lap the.whole.time which indicated to me that he wasn't feeling great.  He took an early nap, then we just kind of bummed around.  Later in the afternoon we carved and painted pumpkins which the kids loved! Kael also had his first basketball practice.

We have a fun week ahead at preschool with our Fall Party and other pumpkin activities.  Kent will have a busy week with work and Kael starts early band.  How was your weekend?

Thankful Thursday

I'm so thankful for a friend at the library! She ordered some books she knew Kael would like so she put them on hold for him and he got to be the first one to read them once our library got them!

I'm thankful that at least Kael is sleeping in.  Kase and Kylee have been waking up before 6:00 and with the time change upon us, soon that will be more like 5:00.

I'm thankful for some fun Halloween events tonight!

I'm thankful that conferences went well for both Kael and Kylee.  I'm always glad to hear they are doing well in school!

I'm thankful for my mom and Cindy's help watching Kase when I have things going on during the day.

I'm thankful for a fun weekend ahead!

Weekend Wrap-Up

How was your weekend? Ours got off to an early start with school Fall Parties on Friday. I'm so thankful Kent was able to join too! The kids parties overlapped a little so I would have had to leave one early and show up at another late, so Kent offered to come and help split the time.  So fun! 

Saturday Kent helped with Habitat for Humanity through our church.  The kids and I cleaned the house then they hung out at my dad and mom's for a bit so I could start some Christmas shopping! Saturday afternoon Kael had two soccer games and Kylee had a birthday party to go to.  Needless to say, we were all pretty wiped by Saturday night! 

Sunday after church, Kylee practiced her Maleficent makeup.  This idea was totally her own and she wanted so badly to make it all at home rather than buy a costume.  I just love, love, LOVE that about her.  

We spent the afternoon playing in my mom and dad's backyard.  Kael loves that he's old enough to drive the tractor! 

Sunday night a dear friend brought over a costume that Kase might borrow for Halloween.  We have a bat costume for him, but when he heard he could maybe be a pirate, he was sooo excited.  He was smiling ear to ear all night- he loved it!

It's been a busy Monday- then I got a text from Kent saying he had accidentally locked his keys in his truck at work.  No biggie- things like these make me so happy that I'm home during the day and able to help! So I hop in my car to take him the extra set of keys.  I get all the way to his work, only to find out that I'd brought him MY extra set of keys.  Ha! Lucky I had time to run back and forth again to get him the correct keys.  Hope your Monday is off to a slightly less crazy start than mine!

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for my mom who came over one day last week when Kase was sleeping late. She fed him breakfast, got him dressed, brought  him to school and did my laundry and cleaned my sink!

I'm thankful my kids actually slept in on a no school day! Kase even clocked a solid twelve hours of sleep!

I'm thankful for the no school day. We spent the morning at the orchard which was lovely because it wasn't nearly as busy as it would have been on a weekend. 

I'm thankful for the lazy afternoon in PJ's watching a movie with pop and popcorn. This is a big deal because I don't usually let them have pop at home. And rarely at restaurants, even. Seriously, the two liter of Pepsi I let them open had been in our pantry since someone won it at our schools Fun Night last spring. I know. 

I'm thankful for Circus Camp and this human sized hamster ball. Kylee is having a blast! 

I'm thankful that Kael doesn't min practicing his trombone.  I love hearing him play it at home!

I'm thankful for a new opportunity with Kent's job.

I'm thankful Cindy came down yesterday and went for lunch with Kase and me.  We spent the rest of the afternoon at a park- it was a great day!

I'm thankful for a trip to Ledges last night.  The leaves are gorgeous there!

Weekend Wrap-Up

We are fitting so much fun into these fall weekends, it's hard to believe, really.

I'm rewinding quite a bit here but I found some pictures on my phone that reminded me of some fun we had earlier in the week! 

Wednesday we went to the Fire Station Open House.  So many people.  So much fun.  And really, so.many.people.

We found Kylee's fire safety poster! 

Please take note of my favorite photo bomber in the background.

Thursday, this one slept in until 8:30.  A record, for sure. 

After school we met some besties at a favorite park. 

Kylee had an awesome week.  The Insect Zoo visited her classroom, which she LOVED.  She won a door prize from the Fire Station Open House, AND she was Main Event! But all of those things pale in comparison to what she declares to be her highlight of the week- she ran a 7:22 mile at school and "beat all the girls and even all the boys" in her class. Atta girl, Kylee!

Friday the whole fam got flu shots. Actually, I should rephrase that.  Four of us got the flu mist; Kylee requested the shot.  We spent the evening at Kase's soccer game, then headed home to watch some playoff baseball.  We heart October around here. 

Saturday we headed to Pella for our 10 year class reunion at Central College.  The kids went with us for part of the football game, then my parents, who were in town, took them back to Ankeny in time for Kael's soccer game.  Kent and I had a nice time catching up with friends we hadn't seen for a long time.  It was great being back on campus and reliving some fun memories! 

Sunday after church Kylee had a birthday party then later in the afternoon we had a company picnic. The day flew by and I'm so thankful to have a no school day tomorrow!

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful Kylee was the winner from a library event- she was so excited to get all this candy! 

I'm so thankful for church preschool. Kase has been asking lots of questions like, "How did God make you my mom?" I love seeing these big thoughts working in him!

I'm thankful that Kent works in town and has a flexible schedule. The other day it was my turn for carpool duty and my car wouldn't start. Kent came home, took my car and Kase to the auto shop and got a new battery and I was able to pick up the kids!

I'm so thankful to find notes like this left from Kylee. 

I'm thankful for this b-e-a-u-tiful weather.  

Have a great weekend, all!

Weekend Wrap-Up

We started our weekend off early on Thursday night, celebrating our ten year anniversary at The Tournament Club of Iowa, which is where our wedding reception was! What a fun memory and a special way to spend our evening!

Friday Kase and I were out running errands and we ran into my mom.  We ended up having lunch with her then heading back to their house and we all took a walk in the backyard. Later that night, Kent's parents came down to watch Kase play soccer, then the kids went back to their house for a sleepover.  Kent and I had the nicest time going out for dinner with some good friends.  It was a great night.

Saturday morning Kent and I got in a quick walk before the kids came home, then off to Kael's soccer game! Back home to cheer on the Hawkeyes to a victory.  Later we stopped by the Earl May Pumpkin Fest before heading to see Hotel Transylvania 2 in the movie theater. The kids all loved the movie.

Sunday after church we headed up to Collins to have lunch with Kent's family.  It had been far too long since we'd made it up there! Kase fell asleep on the way home so we had a nice lazy afternoon here then went to some friends' house to watch the Vikings game.

We have a nice week ahead- looks like the weather is going to be beautiful! I love fall! 

Happy 10 Year Anniversary!

Ten years.  Ten.whole.years! I'm so thankful to be sharing this life with him.  Looking through these old pictures confirmed what I suspected- we've had a pretty great life together so far! I'm so glad God chose Kent for me.

Where it all began...

At the pumpkin patch last weekend.

At Tammy's wedding.

At the cabin in Minnesota.

Cheering on our teams together!

At Mandy's wedding. 

Watching the Vikings in Kansas City.

This was when Kael was born.  Gosh we look young. And heavier.  Ha!

Desperately sleep-deprived behind those sunglasses and smiles (our little Kaser was probably about three months old when this was taken). 

We've spent a lot of time out on the water together! 

An earlier anniversary trip to Key Largo.

Happy Anniversary to my favorite fave.  There's no one else in the world I would want by my side. I'm so anxious to see what the next ten years have in store for us!