This & That...April

The little man turned 10.  Double digits!  A decade old!

I'm still in denial.

He also started baseball (12U)... and being on the shorter end of height spectrum compared to kids his own age.... Well, he's pretty cute. (But don't tell him I said that)

Bailey's been playing soccer, and we went to a Sporting KC Game.  

Being a football family, a game ending in a 1-1 tie was baffling.

But we had fun!

Easter was good, and I am proud of the fact that approximately once a year we manage to get cleaned up and look nice, and smile for a family photo that actually looks like we like each other.  

(We do!  We do love each other!)

I'm ready for May.

Finding Joy Amidst the Pain

About a decade ago I was a senior in college.  I was a girl with a checklist....a schedule for how my life was going to lay out.  I have always been a person who likes to know what's coming next; a planner by nature.  I dare say that I was self-centered enough to believe that I alone was in control.

As I was finishing up my coursework, contemplating the next steps in my career, and beginning a life with Dain, we found out I was pregnant.  Just like that,  our world got turned upside down.
Life is funny that way.

On April 4th, 2005 our sweet Kale Bug came into this world, and suddenly in all the uncertainty, I was certain of one thing: God's plan for my life,  for our life, is so much greater than our own.

It's a mantra that I, that WE have carried from that day on.

Today we said goodbye to the sweet baby that was growing inside me.  It was unexpected and painful, and yet through  the despair there were glimpses of joy:

My doctor and his staff were incredibly helpful, and made all the arrangements for getting me to see a specialist when I was simply too shocked to know up from down.

The staff at Menorah Medical were loving, compassionate and accommodating.

Our sweet children, who can, mostly certainly sense the pain more than we give them credit for, cried along with us, but also offered the optimistic perspective through a child's eyes: "God has lots of babies, mama.  Maybe he will send us another if we ask."

And of course, friends, family, and coworkers have lifted us up in prayer and support.

The pain is there, but rest assured, so is the joy in trusting in God's plan.  For now, we will count our blessings here on earth, and find comfort knowing that we have a new, tiny, guardian angel watching over our family.

Thank you for love, prayers, and support.
~Katie & Dain

Reflections

It seems that every year without fail, January sneaks up on me and catches me by surprise. I am inevitably taken off guard that not only have the holidays come to a screeching halt, months of endless cold await, and I swear I can feel a sense of uneasiness radiating through my bones.  Oh how I wish I was one of those eager souls who greet the new year with excitement and lists of ambitious resolutions! Rest assured that I have not lost my tease-worthy cheery disposition, but admittedly I approach the winter months with a sense of obligation: Must trudge through until spring!

All winter-grumpiness aside, I am nothing but grateful for the year I just had, and joyously looking forward to the coming months and the arrival of the new baby.  Much like the other three, Dain and I are thrilled beyond beyond belief, but even more so than in the past, feel a deep appreciation for the tiny being that is settled inside me, and the fact that it really is nothing short of a miracle that together we are capable of creating and nurturing another human.  How's that for profound? :)  In full disclosure, I spent the better part of December anxiously awaiting the sound of the baby's heart beat (something I never recall feeling in the past) and a wave of utter relief made my eyes brim with tears when the doctor finished his customary questions and held the fetal doppler to my stomach.  That glorious sound never gets old!

Looking back, I am especially thankful for my husband who cooked and cleaned and carried our family through weeks of exhaustion and nausea that left me feeling run over by a freight train for the better part of two months.  One of the hardest parts of pregnancy is the aches and pains of the first trimester, when nobody even knows you are expecting!  I feel like I owe my dear third graders a hug and reassurance that my energy and patience levels are recovering thanks to a much needed two-week winter break and transition into the second trimester with a baby on board.

I've been reading a new book by one of my favorite authors, Katrina Kenison, who writes on motherhood in such a way that I am certain at times she is speaking just to me.  Today I read:
"Meaning an purpose come not from accomplishing great things in the world, but simply from loving those who are right in front of you, doing all you can with what you have, in the time you have, in the place where you are."  With that, I will go faithfully into the coming months with a positive attitude and understanding that perhaps the bitter cold of winter makes the warmth of spring all the more enjoyable.  Much like my ever growing belly, I can't stop the passing of time, but I can find grace in being present in the moments as they come.

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!