If Only . . . .

If only I had the money to buy these things for the fall season I would be happy - pshhhhh!! Just kidding - to have these clothes would fulfill a dream of mine to finally fit in the fashion world - psshhhh! Still not hitting the write words to explain how I feel about these clothes and my new dream fall wardrobe that I've created. I guess in simpliest terms it would be like this - I like these clothes, they are cute, and if I had them I would wear them and enjoy it! That's better!

As I look forward to the coming fall season (my fav!) I spent a few free moments this morning searching through one of my favorite shops (anthropologie - will NEVER afford) and dreaming of what it would be like to have the money to just buy up all of this stuff. It was fun to dream for a few moments and to keep the dream alive I am going to post my new "fall wardrobe" for all to see. Here is what it would look like -

 $88.00                                      $118.00

$58.00

$88.00                                   $148.00

$128.00

$188.00

$248.00                                   $90.00

$168.00

$158.00

Total spent: $1480.00 (junk change)

sidenote: Even if I had the money I probably would never spend $1480 on a few items of clothes - a waste of hard earned money if you ask me :)

Addie's First Day of School!!!

I really never thought the day would come that I would send my sweet little girl to kindergarten. I always knew it would happen but somehow never was really ready for it. It seemed like just yesterday that she was Rhett's age, waddling around and making up songs and saying "no dea (no idea)". She began the day with much excitement and anticipation and being the first day of school so did I. I only wish that I was able to stay with her a bit longer at the beginning of the school day but I had to go and welcome my own new crop of kindergarteners. Luckily, Addison is such that she parted my side with no sad good-byes or tears. She was SOOOO ready to begin this new journey. After all - she does get to come and give me hugs at recess time which is nice for both of us.

I've never really had too many reservations in sending my children to public school. I work in one and it's great - really great! I do, however understand and feel priveledged that Melba has always tried to maintain the "school-like" atmosphere that I grew up with and loved so much. I sincerely trust all of the teachers and know that all of them are there because they love children and love teaching. I feel so blessed to have my chidren go to that school!! And sending Addison there on her first day was actually a comforting feeling and not one of "I'm leaving her with the wolves" - which so many mother's experience as they send their child to school for the first time.

After school I asked Addison how her day was and usually kids her age will just shrug and say it was good. And then they can't remember any details - not Addison. After volleyball practice on our way home she talked non-stop about her classroom, her teacher, her new friends, recess time, P.E. time and she kept saying that she was going to pray that she could go to school every day. Needless to say she LOVED it!!! I hope and pray that her school experiences are positive and hope that she continues to love it as I did.

I really did not get emotional that first day - probably due to the fact that I had so many things going through my mind with my own classroom that I had no time to really think about it. But as I sat at home that evening and reflected on my day the tears came. Just remembering the first five precious years with Addison and how fast she grew. I realize all too clearly to cherish Rhett right now and his young innocence - it won't be long before I'll be leaving him at the door of the very same kindergarten classroom.

I look forward to this year and seeing how and what she'll learn. I pray that she'll be a little witness and shine for Jesus to her friends and teacher.

Getting ready to go to kindergarten

Addison and her teacher Mrs. Drescher

Cabin Trips

We always try and fit in a few cabin trips during our summer and this year we ended up doing them two weekends in a row. Once with my family and then with Jeremy's family. They were both fun and relaxing trips with lots of fun memories made. Fish can actually be caught in the river now and we floated down the river without having to walk at any point - it was great!!

Bapa Doug and Rhettster

Addie and her BFF

Saturday morning movie watching

Addie caught her very first fish on her very first cast - it was a great moment!

She wasn't sure she wanted to get to close to it!

Rhett LOVES to be thrown in the air by Bapa

Grandma Nancy & Aunt Katie bringing in Chade and Rhett

Floatin the river!

Fountain Family Reunion

What a whirlwind of activity this summer has been. One of the many highlights was venturing to Jeremy's uncles' parent's ranch in Cheney, Washington where we participated in a family reunion with Jeremy's mother's side. It was a fun-filled trip that was packed with many activities and enjoyable moments. Here is a list of the things that we experienced and enjoyed so much.

Golf tournament

Hayride

Manito Park and gardens

Silverwood Theme Park

Bowling with the cousins

Mystery Dinner

Marshmellow Roasting

Exploring a haunted house

Treasure hunt for gold nuggets

Horseshoe tournament

many games of Rook

Late nights laughing

The boys before they left for the golf tournament

Hayride

Manito Gardens

Silverwood Theme Park

Bowling

Mystery Dinner

Haunted House

Treasure Hunt

Cousins exploring the old tree house

The Things They Say

Last night I was reading a VBS card with Addison before she went to sleep and the question was "You've found a chest of buried treasure (Lucky you!) You brush off the sand and open the lid. There's no money inside, but it's definately a treasure. What would you say is inside?"

Addison's response: "Jesus' love is inside"

It was a perfect response!!

The other day Addison was hitting Rhett. Rhett was walking around with a diaper and a cowboy hat on and while she was hitting him he was saying, "Addie, don't hit da cowboy."

Rhett sings constantly and a few of his favorite things to sing are - in his version:

"hey soul sista, hey there mishta mishta on the radio" - that's all he knows so he sings it over and over and over again.

"Humpin Dumpin sat on a gate" - he will say this in a sing/song way while he is playing. I have no idea where he picked up this version but Mimi and Bapa recite Humpty Dumpty all the time to him.