what about Jo?

Lots of folks have been asking about Josie....how is she doing without her best buddy during the day? Well, let's just say she is a little lost. I have seen some strange - almost bizarre - behavior in the past few days. We had a friend come to play and she is a few years older than Josie. Sweet little compliant JoJo was downright bossy. Then, I walked into the kitchen yesterday and she was lying on her stomach, licking up crumbs off the floor. Really? We had a talk then and there about needing extra attention and appropriate behavior. So, I think this kindergarten thing is hard on everyone in different ways. Yes, it's every bit as tough as I thought it would be, plus some. Josie will be fine but I can only imagine that she is lacking direction and purpose. I start "Mommy school" with her next week so that will help, as well as extra time together, with Kate, and special playdates. I also plan to be more intentional about including her in the care of baby Sam. She adores him and feels so special when she gets to help. Time for Josephine Marie to come out of the shadows and become who she was made to be!

Kate's 2nd Year

Dear Kate,
What a year it has been with you. You have grown up in our eyes so much...yes, you are so very TWO. You wake up jabbering and go to sleep doing the same. We don't understand everything you say but you have a way of communicating to make sure we do. You are a little copycat of Jack and Jo, and a mini-mother to baby Sam. You make us laugh with your endearing face and smile. You love to be the center of attention, and usually are with your knock-knock jokes at dinner, dancing, and outgoing personality.
We still can't tell what color your eyes will be. I think that is just about right for you since you have been a mystery since I met you two years ago! You are so unique with your dark hair, eyes, and porcelain skin. You also tan so easily and I find that funny. You are our little "short round" and still have that soft baby skin that I love to tickle and hold. I almost dread the day you lose that baby look about you!
This year saw you going to preschool one day a week with us, learning to walk and run, staying at the farm with Jack and Jo without Mom, getting your first of many haircuts, and becoming a big sister. We all adore our little Katie Kate, and don't remember life without you.
Happy birthday to our dear one. TWO looks so good on you.
Yours,
Mama

to kate:

"Can I go back tomorrow?"

After greeting me today after school, these were Jack's first words.
I choked on my tears...from joy and pride.
We can't believe our son is old enough to go to school but it is surely time.
He is ready in every sense of the word. He was so excited the night before that he had a hard time sleeping. He woke up smiling this morning at 6:45, ate a huge breakfast and even complied with the massive amounts of first day photos. Will and I drove him to school, sang "This is the Day" in the car together and prayed over him when we got there. We walked in together and when he found his name on the door, he grinned from ear to ear!
He immediately found his seat and wrote his name on his paper and started coloring. No tears. No anxiety. No looking back. We stayed for a few more photos, gave him hugs, and slowly walked out. I turned back one last time and just watched him...and I had flashbacks of the last five years at home...great memories made with my son that I will never forget...singing, dancing, playing games, learning letters and numbers, cooking together, reaching milestones. And then Will grabbed my hand and we kept walking.
The day has been so busy that we haven't had a chance to let it all set in that we have a schoolboy in our house. I don't really think Jack realizes how life is now forever changed and different. I thought he would be totally exhausted, but as soon as got home, he said, "Um, mommy, you ready to play some baseball?" So we played a few innings, had a snack, played with the sisters, ate dinner, took a bath, and he was falling asleep as I read to him at 7pm.
It was a great first day and I will never forget it.

four for #4

Dear Sam,
At four months, you are such a joy. As I write you are sitting in your bouncy seat kicking the toys. You are surprised and delighted every time you get one! You are predictable and easy-going. You love to suck on your fingers, preferably the two middle ones on your left hand. When you are hungry or tired, you cry loudly but can be soothed easily. I love our cuddle time in the morning before the others wake. You are so happy and peaceful and seem to save your best smiles for me!
This month you have continued to roll from tummy to back but not the other way yet. You "talk" when anyone is near. You nurse 5 times a day and sleep 9 hours at night. You take four naps a day and put yourself to sleep with the help of a swaddle, white noise and a pacifier or sucking your fingers. We do have to be careful after you eat. You need to stay really still and upright or you will spit up volumes! I am sorry that most pictures of you are naked. It's just so hot and you sleep swaddled.
You like being four months old. You are at a content stage and we are enjoying every minute with you.
Love you,
Mama

countdown to kinder

one new backpack - check
unopened school supplies - check
crisp uniforms - check
one elated five-year old - check
two nostalgic parents - check
three oblivious siblings - check

A week from today our firstborn will take a huge step. Everything is ready, but yet part of me wants to back out! We meet the teacher on Monday, and school starts on Wednesday. This is what I have been preparing him for. He keeps asking about the new friends he will make. You can bet I have been praying for the students and his teacher. We ask for your prayers too!

My mind is racing....did I appreciate all the moments I had with him at home? Did I make the most of teaching him kindness, respect, and humility? Have I encouraged independence and confidence enough? I am so proud of who he has become in five years! He is going to be a light in this world and it is bittersweet to send him.

This house is going to be so quiet without our ringleader and activity coordinator. It is a countdown for all of us. For Will, he will miss coming home to his little buddy at lunchtime. For me, I will miss our conversations and my best helper. For Josie, she will lose direction and her closest companion. Kate will miss her role model and adoring big bro. Sam doesn't know it but he will miss Jack's songs and laughter. Please pray for us as we all adjust!

Kindergarten....ready or not, here we come.


Jack on his first day of Sonshine Club, September 2006

H2O

We can't get enough of the water this summer. Each kid has grown leaps and bounds in their safety and skill in the pool. Jack is almost independent, Josie is swimming well with a vest or floaties and Kate swims around in her little floatie suit, wanting to do everything by herself. I have even taken all four to the pool by myself! That is a stretch for this mom...I tend to be a little paranoid when it comes to water safety. Sam had his first swim last weekend and kicked the whole time. I look forward to many summers of swimming.

the four musketeers

We have had lots of fun this summer with our best buddies Ethan and Rachel Starr.
Thanks to Lisa for sharing some photos from some of our memories! This is a dream come true for Lisa and I...raising our babies together. We remember:


going to Vacation Bible School together....lots of singing, creating, and even a petting zoo on the last day!


celebrating Doc and Mam's birthdays together. Thank you for driving so far to join us!


going to Hawaiian Falls together. Lots of swimming, eating, splashing, and laughing. A great day!

Jack, age 5
Ethan, age 4
Josie, age 3
Rachel, age 2

sib security

With this photo, my friend Lisa confirmed what we have known: Jack is Josie's security. He is a loyal and faithful big brother and companion. He is her protector and advocate. Oh, how she will miss him when he goes to kindergarten in a few weeks!

The Bartels

Congrats to our dear friends Chad and Helen who were married today.
It was a special time with this couple who has grown up before our eyes the past 5 years. More pics to come of this celebration!