KANSAS FAMILY TRIP: PART ONE

This year as we reviewed options to be together with my whole family, we decided to take the simplest route.  We would gather in Wichita, where much of the family already lives, and take advantage of local things to do together.  Especially with all of the young children, this proved to be a great plan.  This is our crew - minus one little one year old.


(Lily's face tho 😂)

Our little family drove in on Thursday and got to enjoy being with everyone on Thursday night.



Friday, we had scheduled a lake day for everyone, but for a while, it seemed as if we might be foiled by weather.




We chose to persevere and were rewarded for our efforts by a cloudy, coolish for August day at the lake.  The "titter-totter" 😂 was a big hit with the kiddos.

We had never been out to Mom and Wes's lake house, and it was great to see it and have a chance to enjoy it with everyone.  There was lots of swimming, kayaking, tubing and jet-skiing and a new baby to keep everyone occupied.


(My new niece, Marie, who we are all in love with! 😍)

(such a very Kansas setting with its own charm)

(V was made for the lake!)

(She was shaking it even in the middle of her allergies becoming more and more severe.)

It also happened to be John's actual birthday, so when we made it home, we celebrated with cookie cake.

And, as a super double bonus, it was the opening ceremonies for the Olympics, so we celebrated that too. 👊🇺🇸

I truly never imagined that I would love being with my siblings as much as I do, but it is wonderful.  It is also chaotic, but I love each of them so much and their spouses and children, and I am so thankful we got to play together!  Thanks so much for hosting us, Mom and Wes - you love and serve us so well.  😘

IDLING HIGH

The countdown is on.  School starts in 11 days.  My emotional state could currently be described by the phrase "idling high."  Everything is close to the surface.  Tears and/or maniacal laughter can both be brought forth so quickly.  I watched a clip from GMA about the Magnificent Seven US gymnasts who won gold in 1996 and basically started sobbing, which is a pretty extreme reaction to something that happened 20 years ago.  (Side note: how is it even possible that was 20 years ago when I remember it so vividly?)  It was at that moment that I realized how much I am really grieving all of my children being in full time school.

These sunflowers lasted for a week at my house and did their work of cheering me up any time I glimpsed their happy faces.



Thankfully, I do not have time to wallow in my grief at losing the job of full-time stay-at-home-mom.  We've been up to lots of stuff, and most of it has been really fun.  Here's a quick run-down.

Sweet sister moments.



Well-checks that I totally thought I had done for the twins back in April.



Being derailed by a corroded battery on our way to a playdate, but having John come to save me, so we got to go swimming after all.




Baking cinnamon rolls for guests.



Finishing this blueberry pie from HoneyPies in less than 24 hours.



Always having an audience - even while watering plants



Playing at Barnes and Nobles waiting for our movie to start.



Going to Secret Life of Pets with friends - so fun!

Falling asleep on the way home from the water park.

Bath time smiles.



Working on family picture outfits - always a delightful mix of fun and a little stressful. #firstworldproblems



Enjoying a birthday cake our CFA team bought for John.  It's one of his favorites - the Chantilly cake from Whole Foods.

I'm glad that there are a million and one distractions during this time.  There will be such good and hard with my children all in school, and I know this is exactly what God has for us in this season.  It is really comforting to rest in that assurance and know we are doing what we need to do right now - even if it isn't exactly what I would pick.