Fall

October 18, 2011

Fall

And so much has happened! I lost a week in there...seriously...for the past week I kept thinking Adelyn was only 5 weeks. I guess the week of the LIFE Retreat at Edgewood just kinda slipped by with all the craziness. We packed in some late nights of work and she came with me. She was a total trooper and we had a lot of support to get through those couple of weeks...and once again the LIFE retreat will forever be etched in my heart and mind as an incredible weekend. Praise God.

I had an interesting moment on that retreat. It was Monday night that is sort of the pinnacle of the weekend...the one part that I wanted to be really present to. All the rest of the weekend Addie was INCREDIBLE but she was having a minor meltdown during this hour or so. It was so hard-I so badly wanted to hear the talks/etc but I had to leave and be outside with her to get her to calm down. In a moment of frustration I heard a reminder voice (call in God) say to me, "Your a mom first." Bam. That hit me. Trying to work through all of this transition has been wonderful and challenging at the same time. And when it comes down to it, there are just some things I have to let go of and know that God will take care of them when it comes to work. And as always, he has. Thank goodness for lessons in life like this..

Well the kids continue to be a joy. Just today Jackson met me in the hallway carrying his little sister. Needless to say I about had a heart attack. I was in the back getting ready, Addie was in her swing and Jackson was watching a cartoon. I heard Addie start to cry so I headed out to get her and here came Jackson saying, "Baby sister is sad momma." Okay-great...thanks Jackson. But I think I'll handle it from here! Whew...thank goodness she is gaining head control and that he didn't drop her.

We've had a couple of trips since the last post. Our annual trip up north for Lespercamp proved AMAZING. The leaves were prime and the kids were wonderful along with weather that allowed them to play outside most of the time. Jackson picked up the phrase, "or what" that weekend and although we aren't sure where it came from it's pretty darn cute. "You gonna get me some milk momma, or what?" "Can I ride my tractor, or what?" Seriously kid-he cracks me up.

Aunt Kenzie and Uncle Dillon came up for the weekend when Michael was traveling...it was so nice to have them here. And we made a quick day trip to Cedar Falls to see my sister Helena who came to visit from Sweden with her daughter Magdalena who I had never met. The last time I saw Helena was at our wedding five years ago so although it was a quick trip it was well work it!

Jackson remains his combine, farm, tractor loving obsessed little man. Our second trip was this past weekend for "Carroll County Roundup" at my parents farm. The Allens and 'Camps made their trip home for harvest time. There is nothing I love more than being in the field or on the farm at harvest time...and Jackson has the same affinity to it. He was in HEAVEN riding with grandpa in the combine and continues to talk about it. We got to see Uncle Cass play football and even had dinner at the Templeton Still. It was an awesome weekend and I know we are making great memories for Jackson and Dawson.

Addie continues to grow-in fact I can't believe how big she has gotten. She is hitting a little bit of a fussy phase but I know that six weeks can be a peak for that...but all in all she is an incredible little girl. She lifts her head, has started smiling in response to people, and coos often. It's so sweet. I'm loving this time with her and looking forward to the next month of less work and more just me and her time.

Michael remains busier then ever but still doing an incredible job of keeping up with it all. Tomorrow he leaves for his orientation at WTU in D.C. I can't believe he is starting school again-I really don't know how he is going to do it but I do know it's a blessed time for him. It's so great to see him so happy in all facets of his career. Young Life has been total blessing for us as it grows in Verona and teaching just fires him up so I know these studies will only help to continue his growth in those places. And through it all he continues to be loving and supportive of me and the kiddos.

And I've started a little more with photography. I've been doing a few 'shoots' for friends and I can't believe how fired up I get with it. It will be a fun little side hobby. Plus the fall photo shoots are just incredible with the leaves and turn of color. I'm totally getting my use out of that camera and enjoying dabbling in it!

We are so thankful for all that we have...I think I write that at the end of every post but it's so true...I never want to take our family for granted.