So Much.

So much to be thankful for.

Last weekend we were all snuggled in the living room, piled in blankets and out of the blue Shay said, "Mama, do you like kids?"  Dain and I laughed and laughed (because it sounded a bit like an accusation), but I said, "What do you think?"  She said, "Well, you have us, so you must!"

We have also have also taken to playing "Would You Rather" with Shay.  It goes something like this...

Us:  "Would you rather spend the day eating ice cream & candy, watching cartoons, and playing with daddy, or spend the day cleaning toilets with mommy?"

Shay: "Uhhhhh....Mama!"  "Then maybe both."

Poor Daddy.  [But all in good fun]  It's pretty obvious the kids think the world of their dad....and how could they not?  Barbies, and football, and coloring pictures, running races, and nightly tackling/wrestling sessions (fair warning: the Hammerschmidt girls are going to be able to hold their own).  He is awesome. 

I am thankful for so much, but perhaps most of all, the laughter.  Laughter has a way of washing away the tears and stresses, it balances the frustrations and busy days.  

Here's hoping your family has holiday season filled with laughter and love.  

I have 942 Pictures On My Phone Right Now....

And the stress of picking my favorites is just too much, so feel free to jump ship now if you don't want a play-by-play of the second half of our summer accompanied by entirely too many pictures :)

But do hear this: There were no grand trips, no amazing concerts, no epic parties or fancy events....but this was by far one of the best summers I can remember.  We colored, and spent hours at the park and pool, we made "crafts" out of recycled goods, and played soccer and basketball and baseball, and explored nature trails.  We ate snow cones, read books, and built blanket forts.  Basically I avoided housework at all costs for 2 months straight....Except for painting the outside of the house and maintaining the vegetable garden (yes, that's me giving myself a pat-on-the-back and releasing a bit of mommy-guilt).  Shall we just skip to the 900 pictures?

A few from our vacation at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Visiting Hutch and my grandparents (the kids Great Grandparents) in Haviland and Greensburg.  At one point Bailey was sitting by my grandma Ballard and said matter-of-factly "Your skin wrinkly and mine is smooth."  My Grandma just laughed and agreed and explained to her that when you've lived a long time that's just what happens.....And they touched each others arms, and smiled, and moved on to the next topic.  It was a precious, fleeting conversation that reminded me just why I love making the 4+ hour trip to see them.

The rest of our summer was spent fishing, and laughing and letting imaginations run wild....

And yes, painting our house....

And just like that, school started again!

Here they are: 4th, 1st, and Preschool

June

We spent a good chunk of June at the ballfields watching Kale in action.  When I look back at previous year's photos, he looks so much bigger, but compared to other kids in his league he is pretty small.  (Small but mighty!)  

The girls didn't seem to mind all of the games because they have plenty of friends we lovingly call "the siblings" to keep them entertained.  They are a funny bunch, I tell you!

Dain helped coach, so Kale got to hang out with his dad AND his friends....double bonus!

Kale also attended KU Basketball Camp, Eudora Basketball Camp, and Cross Country Camp.  What can I say?  The kid loves all things sports related.  

Dain and I managed to sneak away to Baltimore for a few days!  

It can be summed up in three words: MUCH NEEDED GETAWAY :)

Thanks to Grandmas and Grandpas for filling in!

We spent lots of time playing at home (which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE....unscheduled free time is my favorite).  Well, actually, Dain and I started painting the outside of the house in our "free time," but the kids were soaking it up!  Kale created all sorts of things with his legos, worked on his ball handling, and helped me keep the garden watered. The girls played lots of things together: pirate treasure hunts, super heroes, beauty shops, and library. Most of their pretend games involved filling bags and spreading huge amounts of junk toys around the house.  Most of their pretend games also ended in tears and one sister stomping off to pout :) Their other favorite activity was to build sculptures and create art with items from the recycle bin.  We have a growing "museum collection" above the shelves in the kitchen and tacked on the garage door. Have I ever told you how much I dislike clutter?!! Must resist urge to toss "treasures".....

Anyway, this is my polite way of saying "If you stop by this summer, don't judge....we are too busy having fun to keep the house clean." Ha!

We also went on several nature walks at some local places.  I tried to take them out to Clinton Lake the other day, but they had heard a story that "tricksters hide in the bushes and trip you there."  I assured them we would be okay, but Bailey said, "Well, if you are going to make us go, you better pack some bandaids!"  Where do they come up with this stuff?!

Kale and his buddies always hamming it up.  We hit the pool several times a week  so he got lots quality friend time!  The other day we went to the indoor aquatic center, and on the way Kale and his friend created a game in the back seat involving a squishy ball, and pack of tissues, and the cup holders.  Who says kids today can't entertain themselves?

 Bailey lost more teeth.  I swear the gaps only add to her ornriness factor. 

 

Poor Shay crashes hard every couple of days.  Being four is tough, ya know?

I think it's safe to say we are ready for July!

A Beautiful Life

The beauty of my life, is that to the ordinary eye, it's far from beautiful.  It is full sticky situations (and sticky counters), long practices and inconvenient work meetings, trips to the doctor, and daily chores.  And yet, when I take a closer look at all the fun, crazy, and utterly frustrating moments I am reassured that the beauty of life is found in ordinary days.

This year the kids turned 9, 6, and 4, and like most years, I find myself wondering how that could have happened so quickly.  How could my beautiful babies be so old?  Every once in a while I find time suspended as I watch them grow.  I see my sweet (slightly ornery) child who likes to instigate drama with her siblings make a treasure map for her sister and lead her on an expedition around the house and I am reminded that not only is she full of love, she is creative and a natural leader.   My sensitive boy, who grows frantic at unexpected changes, and craves routine calls me into his room at bedtime to talk through his worries, and as I hold him close I am hopeful that he will always feel comfortable confiding in me, but also learn to trust his own inner voice.  And the joyful baby, who is not really a baby at all (but still sucks her fingers and gets away with too much) keeps me in the moment with running commentary about giants on clouds in the sky, what her "butterfly friends" are up to, and requests to hear "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" just one more time.

Sometimes, in the daily grind of painting a house and paying bills, folding laundry, scrubbing pans, and mowing grass, I lose sight of the gifts that surround me every day. Truth be told, I have long suspected that often the only difference between an ordinary life and an extraordinary one is perspective. So, as summer marches on I will work to find gratitude in the little things, because really, the ordinary days are what make my life so beautiful.

 

My Parents

Today is Mother's Day and my dad's birthday and it seems fitting that their "special days" overlap because really, when I think back on my childhood, I remember my parents quietly working together to keep our family unit going.

My dad worked multiple jobs: teaching, managing pools, coaching basketball and football, over seeing summer and night school.   I didn't realize until years later that somewhere in all of that he had completed his master's degree, too!  My mother worked as well, but I remember her more for her role at home: driving us to and from a zillion practices, packing snacks and lunches, making sure our uniforms were clean and we had cleats, toe shoes, and all the gear we needed.  She was the mom who always brought treats to school on our birthday and hand sewed our halloween costumes.  My parents spent their summers sitting in 100 degree weather at softball games and track meets.  They spent their winters in gyms and watching recitals, plays, and musicals.  When Brett was in college they drove three hours to every home KU game, and back the same night so they could be at work on time and I could be at school in the morning.  

My parents did not spend a lot of time lecturing to us on the ways of the world, but I'm quite certain now that was no accident.  This is not to say they were perfect, but nonetheless very deliberate in leading by example.  I watched my mother cheerfully greet and thank every store clerk and restaurant worker she encountered and I learned that everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and dignity.  I watched my dad's interactions with his students and I learned that when it comes to teaching, personal connections are more important than fancy lesson plans.  I witnessed the challenges, the ups and downs and knew that when times get tough you dig a little deeper and stand by the ones you love. I saw them sitting in the stands, the audience, on the sideline of every event with encouraging smiles (even when I struck out, or sang off key, or forgot my lines) and learned that the greatest gift I can give my children is unconditional love.   

One of my favorite quotes is, "We are the windows through which our children first see the world.  Let us be conscious of the view. "

I am so, so grateful for the view.  

Happy Birthday & Happy Mother's Day Dad & Mom!