Week in the Life {History Lessons, Roping, Loads of Backyard Play}

Sunday, August 16th
We were up late, but we made it to worship.  It's been nice to be back with a body of believers and worship and feel as safe as possible doing so.  We did leftovers for lunch and then we all rested for a little bit.  After naps the kids played outside all afternoon into the evening.

After supper we realized there was a mail package on the front stoop.  It was a birthday present for Xavier from Nannie and Vance.

Such a fun gift - a roping set!  Xavier called our friend, Taaf, and asked if he could buy a square bale for his steer head and Taaf gave him one.  Mike loaded up all the crew - even the little britches that said "buh bye?" and went to the door when everyone was heading out - and went out to pick up the bale.  I got 30 minutes of quiet to wash dishes and make a batch of granola.

Everyone tried their hand at roping before bedtime.

Monday, August 17th

Monday dawned crisp and cool.  It was so lovely out.  After breakfast, we headed outside to enjoy the fall like weather.

I started one of my Busy Mama Bible studies and worked through some of the Psalms.  We were challenged in Sunday's message to try to start and end our day spending time with Jesus versus zoning out to our phones or a TV and I'm trying to take it to heart.

There is so much sadness in our lives right now.  Our hearts are bleeding for families that we hold so dear.  We need Jesus so desperately.

The children played together Monday afternoon and this bonny belle and I played.

After work, Mike hung my retractable clothesline that Andrea sent for my belated birthday and, even though I knew it was too late for it to get completely dry, I hung out a load. Clothes on the line make my heart happy.

We have been allowing the kids to chat with select family members on messenger kids and it's been fun to see them connecting with people they love.  Aunts, grandparents, great aunts...

So far it's a lot of emojis and silliness, but also several "I love you's" to people they hold dear.  We shouldn't ever take for granted being told we're loved, should we?

Tuesday, August 18th

After history with the big kids, I worked on hanging up our new maps in the hallway with my little helper.  The weather was lovely again, so we did our history lessons outside after breakfast.

Over Mike's lunch break, Natalee had physical therapy.  

Xavier asked if we could light a fire and have s'mores while we were playing outside after supper, and I couldn't think of any reason not to - so we did.

Ev has to be in her stroller when there's a fire lit, so she gets to have snacks to keep her happy.  Graham crackers...

And I handed her a marshmallow, but she wasn't too impressed.

 

At the end of the night we had 5 dirty kids with happy hearts.  This one was so grubby that I couldn't even stop the sink - I had to let the water keep running to get her all rinsed out.

Wednesday, August 19th
I laid in bed a long time and prayed while this darling was finishing her sleep.

When I got up we hit it hard - breakfast, clothes on the line, and some history done before we left for Natalee's hippotherapy session.

Practicing without being reminded. 💜

Natalee has had some right sided pain this week, but we was a warrior and pushed through it to complete her therapy sessions.

Hippotherapy makes Evie's schedule a little off, so we just do the best we can the rest of the day.

After supper, we played outside and had a popsicle for a treat before cleaning up for bed.

Thursday, August 20th

Mia was laying on that little couch and Evie squealed and pushed at her until she moved.  The princess is trying to dethrone the queen, me thinks.

When Evie went for morning nap, the big kids and I hit the books.  Another beautiful morning for outdoor lessons.  On Thursday, I let the younger 2 be veggies and they watched Wild Kratts on PBS while we studied.

Practicing!  So good to hear the piano again.

Natalee had OT during Mike's lunch break on Thursday.

She loves this swing and enjoys using it during her sessions.

When we got back from therapy, Papa was here!  He had gone up to visit Aunt Annette, and stopped by on his way through.  He was taking our new van to the van doctor for an air conditioning diagnosis and tune up.  Papa tends to usually bring Wendy's frosties for the kids, and Evalynn has discovered the joy.  She's determined not to miss out on the good things in life.

I mistakenly put Ev down for her nap while Papa stepped outside and he didn't get to tell her bye.  I realize now that she remembers things.  When she woke up, she was looking for him everywhere.

Thursday evening, before supper, we played with cousins and got to see Aunt Penny and Uncle Denny.

Friday, August 21st
After a long morning sitting at the mechanic shop, Papa called with good news about our van.  We're so thankful for his help.

The big kids and I finished our history.  Later in the day, Mia, who was supposed to be recovering and taking it easy from her bike accident, broke her glasses while wrestling with her brothers.  This girl...

Oriole in our yard!

Is it any wonder this kid isn't the injured one?

Saturday, August 22nd
Mike had to work on Saturday for campus move in day.  The kids watched their cartoons, had breakfast, and then we did some of our morning chores before heading down to Missouri to pick up our van and give Grandma and Papa back their van.

This is the only picture I took all day but we had a nice visit in Missouri.  We grabbed some pizzas on the way down, and the kids played and chatted before we loaded back up and headed home to Iowa.  Mike was finishing mowing the lawn when we got home - he worked until 6 - and then we played in the backyard until dark.

And just like that, we made it through another week.  It was a busy week for Mike, with campus classes starting back up, but there was a lot of great time, especially backyard play for the crew!