Sweet little sinners

I just got this picture back this week from an "Antiquities" photo shoot, a fund-raiser we did for MOPS. This free 10x13 was worth the $10 and thankfully the individual pictures weren't as good so I could turn down the expensive packages pretty easily. Eli shares his Dad's dislike of taking pictures, but even his gloomy face is cute in this. It's funny because he actually is a very happy kid, smiles all the time, we just can't capture it too well in pictures. He really is sweet, and just easy, maybe it's just compared to #1 and #3 that usually like to be difficult (the jury is still out on #4). I was putting the boys to bed the other night and I had prayed and sang with David first. He was not being quiet while I was with Eli so I threatened to discipline him if he talked while we were praying. I prayed first and noticed Eli prayed the quickest prayer he's ever done - and  then I realized he was doing that so David wouldn't get in trouble. He's not always winning the big brother award, though, after a scuffle the other day Eli was crying and saying he didn't want David to be his brother anymore. I asked him if he was always nice to David. He said "Yes, except maybe on Fridays." Even my sweet one has a little sinner's heart. It was quite obvious the other day when we were visiting my Mom. I wanted to take them shopping to get some things for the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes - I let each one pack a box for a kid their age and gender. We watched a few videos so they would understand and hopefully be moved with compassion for those less fortunate. I personally can not watch those videos without crying. I looked at the kids and said, "Ok, who's ready to go? Remember we are not buying anything for ourselves on this trip, it's just for the shoeboxes," Eli looked up and said "But can I get just one thing for me?" FAIL! I got frustrated with his little self-centered heart, but then realized we are probably all that selfish, at least at times, we just learn as adults not to let people see it. As Scripture says in Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and deperately wicked, who can know it?" I've heard teaching recently that the common, popular advice to "follow your heart" is really terrible advice - if we followed our hearts we'd end up in trouble most every time. Thankfully we can follow the Lord, through His Word, and with the help of His Spirit. Hopefully I'm beginning to learn that for myself so I can teach it to my kids. Goodnight!  

Indian Summer Days

Forgive me, that was not exactly a "politically correct" title but it just worked. I have loved these warm days we've had recently - it gave me a chance to enjoy my tan from Jamaica a little longer (shallow, I know). Eli completed his third season of soccer, Sadie didn't play this Fall since she's trying out clogging this year. She might have to go back to soccer....but it's early so I'll give her some more time to improve on the dancing. Eli is definitely improving on the soccer field - which isn't saying a whole lot since he was pretty puny the last 2 seasons. I just want an A for effort, which he got this time, and a few goals. He had fun, too, and is seeming to learn a little about the teamwork concept ("what, there's other kids out there?"). Last night I watched (and cried - if you have a beating heard you would have, too) an ESPN special about a high school kid with Cerbral Palsy who wrestled four years with only 1 win, but it made me realize the character building that sports can accomplish - which is not related to winning...AT ALL. I would be much prouder of Eli if he were that kid's teammate - carrying him off the bus and cheering him on, than if he became some great soccer player with a college scholarship. 

It's so hard to get everyone to smile at once - even while sharing a sugary drink. One thing I will NOT miss about soccer season is the endless pleas for slushies....mainly from Steven. He bought the "souvenir" cup from a couple different trucks and he and the kids ate a ridiculous amount of sugar last Saturday, between the soccer game and a local Fall Festival. 

I love this girl - I'm so thankful that I get to keep her home this year. Even though her strong personality and "leadership potential" (a nice way to say bossy) are challenging at times, I feel closer to her than I did the past couple of years.  

She at times seems closer to Eli, too, even though they have their fair share of fighting. I think they've figured out that life will just be a lot better if they can be allies. 

They had the prettiest horses from a local farm, one that mainly does therapy work for special needs people. It was a no-brainer to pay for a few rides.

This little guy is making me tired. He's so sweet, and funny, and full of life, but man is he difficult. If I say the sky is blue he swears it's green. Every day he doesn't like what I pick out for him to wear (he has these "up pants", aka shorts, that he is obsessed with - I think I'm going to have to literally hide them away until Spring so we don't fight the battle every day). I think we need to re-institute the nap. 

 Eli has really surprised me with his school attitude. I really thought he would be my challenge - but after teaching him how to hold a pencil and crayon he can't stop coloring, and often asks me to start school. It helps that his work is mostly fun - but if I can convince him early that learning IS fun and keep it that way then we all win!

The Sunday after we got back from Jamaica we were hanging out with some friends after church at Wendy's. Mary Jo had a scary little episode that we think was a seizure - and it made me realize she had done something very similar several months ago. I was taking Sadie to the doctor for a well check the following day, anyways, so I added Mary Jo on. He wanted her to have an EEG and see a neurologist. We had the EEG done this morning - she was enjoying having Mommy and Daddy to herself until she had to get 22 leads glued to her head. None of my children will just relax in my arms and fall asleep very easily, especially in that situation, so I hope they got what they needed for the study. We meet with the neurologist Monday - and I'm preparing myself for a "wait and see" diagnosis - in other words he probably can't diagnose it as seizures and we'll just have to watch her to see if she does it again.  

This was after the EEG this morning waiting outside the hospital for our car - she had recovered and was her usual spunky self. She's not giving us any other reasons to be concerned - she's trying to talk in sentences and repeats everything we say. Whenever I read a book or Steven picks her up to dance with her she quickly says "gain" (again) so we'll keep on going. As we head to put her to bed at night she always says "sing...ah ah me" (sing, Jesus loves me). She clearly says Sadie and Eli, her two favorite siblings. David still has some winning over to do after his abuse in the first year, although they've started playing together some lately. Whatever is going on in her little brain I know that she's in the Lord's hands and I trust Him, He knows how precious she is to us - she's His child, first. I'm thankful to the One that made us, sustains us, and gives us peace when we are tempted to worry. Jesus said in John 16.33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world."   

Jamaican me Crazy!

Steven and I were married for 10 years in March and decided to take a big anniversary trip - I put it off until September so I didn't have to rush weaning Mary Jo, plus I wanted to be sure she was sleeping through the night before I left our Moms to deal with that for a week. I felt like I prepared for the trip the entire month - I did lesson plans in advance, made freezer meals, pulled out the kid's winter clothes. Sometimes vacations with little children (even when they don't travel with you!) feel like they're more trouble than their worth - but this one was NOT! We're kinda boring, I guess, because after looking online at some other all-inclusive resorts we just decided to go back to the same resort we went to on our honeymoon - which is still absolutely wonderful. The resort had grown about twice as big as it was when we went 10 years ago but still had the same open, peaceful feel. Here is a picture of the outside of our unit, there are several of these with about 12 rooms a piece. 

 Here is the inside of the room - I love the open windows and private balcony - and maybe the maid service more than anything else. Something I don't think I cared about as much 10 years ago - but someone making up my bed and tidying up my room not once, but TWICE a day? That's paradise!  

Neither one of us are very good at selfies - this is the best Steven could do. It was sad to leave the kids and I had some dear friends praying for me to keep my anxieties at bay, but we quickly remembered how to enjoy each other's company again without the many distractions of every day life. For the first time in 13 years (since he started working) Steven actually turned his phone off. He didn't get an email, text, or voicemail for almost a week! He and his phone really needed that space. And I enjoyed his attention immensely!  

 I really am such a foodie - I got excited about every meal. I worked hard to get my weight down for this trip then went and ate whatever I wanted for 6 days - thankfully the scale was more merciful than I was expecting when we got back. The food was absolutely delicious - I don't think I felt hungry the whole time we were there (we just ate the next meal because it was time to :)).  I counted up the number of meals I normally prepare, serve, and clean up in a typical day at home and was so thankful for the break. This is a picture of dessert one night.... cheesecake I think? It was just such a pretty arrangement!

Ten years ago we were there in April - I of course had been tanning some so I wouldn't be pasty white at our wedding, Steven had not. So, of course,.he got an awful sunburn on that trip and had to go to bed early one night with sun poisoning. I guess I was being nostalgic but I was a little skimpy with the sunscreen for myself the first couple of days on this trip and I got pretty pink on my back - add that to a jellyfish sting and I was miserable for a few hours. One thing they still have at the resort is a lot of activities available at no extra charge, one of them being a Sunset Catamaran Cruise. Steven remembers wearing this same shirt on the same excursion 10 years ago. What a cutie I married. 

This was our view - it really must be one of the most beautiful beaches in this world. I couldn't help but marvel at the awesome power of our Lord, the colors he gave us and the amazing views, it's hard to capture in pictures. 

This was my favorite place to be. With a book, of course. Then when it gets hot you can take the white squishy seat off and float on it in the ocean or pool. It's just perfect. 

We met some nice people, enjoyed playing raquetball (I'm terrible), ate way too much, talked about how much has happened in our lives in the past 10 years. We are so thankful for the blessing of marriage - that God saw fit to bring us together all those years ago. I think we're more in love than we were 10 years ago (sorry to get mushy).   

I can't possibly post without talking about the kids - they did great and were well taken care of by their grandparents (all 4 had a part, and Aunt Leslie! It takes a village with this crew). If not for family I couldn't have left them, so thanks especially to our Moms! We were able to Facetime with the kids a few times which was great to get to see them, and they see us and where we were. The little 2 did not understand, I know, and David has been a little unhappy with me since we got back. I tried to show him some pictures today and he just threw the phone down. Hopefully they'll understand one day that a marriage needs time, too. And he wouldn't be here without ours! I'm getting back in the groove of everyday life - missing the maid and the food from Jamaica. The maid and cook here is just not very good. :)

Goodnight!  

The End of an Era...and the beginning of another?

I realized today that this week of my life is momentous - not sure if that's the word I'm looking for, but it will do. Steven makes fun of me for my nostalgia, but I couldn't help but shed a few tears today as I nursed Mary Jo for possibly the last time. Unless the Lord overrules medicine she is our last baby, and after a collective 64 months of nursing - and just over 8 years straight being nursing OR pregnant (sometimes both), part of me cant believe its over. It's been such a sweet time, an exhausting, rewarding, snuggly, tearful, but absolutely wonderful time. I count it as such a blessing that I could birth these 4 babies and spend countless hours nurturing them at my breast. But I'm also ready, in a way, to end that era - because hopefully, I started a new one this week.     

I started homeschooling Sadie and Eli on Monday, and it has been quite the adventure. I was prepared as I could be, but I still didn't know what to expect. My Mom was here the first two days and I tried to tell my Dad that I needed her as my assistant, but it didn't work. She went home Wednesday and I was on my own. Eli, surprisngly, did great. He seems to love his work, especially playing with the math manipulatives.

David thinks he's one of the students, which is great. He usually sits there and colors while I'm teaching, and for the most part has handled the transition well.

Part of me couldn't believe they were sitting there doing their work - I just had to take pictures!

Mary Jo has mastered making the biggest mess possible at my feet- my housekeeping has definitely taken a hit this week. The kids are participating more in the daily chores but simply being here more, all together, makes it messier than when we are gone most of the day. 

Thankfully we can run out for some recess when needed.

And most, well some, of the week they were fully clothed.

We had some pool time,

dress up time

a little rebellion here and there....but overall I am thankful to be able to try this new venture, as overwhelming as it is at times, it has already shown some sweet rewarding moments. Sadie was the most excited about homeschooling, maybe a little too much, because there was nowhere to go but to be disappointed. She told me Monday night that I was mean - I reminded her that one of her teachers that she had was once called mean, too, but ended up being a great teacher. She responded with "You're NOT great." I took the punch fairly well and realized that she will take some time to see me as her teacher, not just her Mom, even if I'm never "great" :) 

So as I close the pregnancy and nursing chapter of my life I am opening a new one - I thought nothing could be more exhausting or fulfilling than those years but I've been sleeping pretty hard at night - and I'm seeing some promise that these years will be ones I'll cherish just as much. As for Mary Jo, she seems to have changed her drink preference, anyways :) 

Water, Play dates, and "Reawy Big Fishies"

Well my Mary Jo has taken a turn for the better - she now loves the water! While we were at the lake with my parents she just flipped the switch - which was a little scary because she suddenly didn't want any help wading in chest deep lake water...warranting a life jacket despite her protest. Speaking of the lake - we had such a relaxing few days, Church Branch will always hold a special place in my heart and I'm thrilled that my kids are making their own memories there!

 Last week I had strep, Steven taught VBS all week, I killed the car battery one night by leaving the keys in the ignitioin all day (it had been awhile, I was due for a blonde moment involving cars), but by the weekend we were all recovered and ready to play. This week has been much better - we had many fun playdates. 

Here we are at a Splash Park with some friends - I love these places - no one can drown, it's free, and a good excuse to pack a lunch and eat outside! The kids loved it, too. :)

The next day we packed a lunch again and went to see a sweet friend of mine - we've been friends since we were our children's ages, and it's always immediately comfortable hanging out with her. She is due any day with her 3rd so we had plenty to talk about - and the kids had a blast at her neighborhood pool.

My Eli isn't quite the social butterfly Sadie is, he likes other kids but takes quite a while to warm up - whereas Sadie is pretty much instantaneous with her friendships. We've hung out with another family that's going to be in the same homeschool co-op and Eli certainly likes the little boy but they just kinda play next to each other. It will come, I guess! He so sweet, so it makes up for it. 

Sadie is Ms. Social, as you can see. She's pumped because she's had a little friend her age on the street this week - once again they're immediate friends. Below is her favorite school friend, one that we plan to keep up with even though Sadie's not going back. We made quite the painting mess, and probably picked my "fanciest room" to paint in - but it was worth it to see them having fun!

Somehow I don't have any cute pictures of David this time - but tonight I had the cutest conversation. I told him we were going to camp tomorrow after church, so he said "I don't want to go to church" (I used to be shocked and upset when my kids said things like this - now I just take a deep breath and pray this is just childhood honesty). I said "Well buddy, we go to church because we love the Lord Jesus, so we're going to worship Him"

D - "Yeah...because God made me" 

A few minutes later he said "Did God make that light?"

I said "Yes" (Again, in the past I've tried to explain how God made the things we need, then gave us the brains and abilities to make things like lights, but that would be wasted on a three year old mind, so I said simply "Yes, buddy")

D- "Did God make a fishin pole?"

Me "Yes"

D- " Did He make the fishies?"

Me - "Yes, sweetheart"

D - " Did He make the reawy big fishies?"

I tried to divert the conversation at this point because he's had an irrational fear of sharks lately so I didn't want his thoughts to go there right before bed. He's at such a sweet stage and I love to see his little mind working, and hopefully some tiny seeds of faith taking root! On that note I'm heading to bed, its an early morning for me tomorrow with church, followed by a week of camp.....

35, Skyland, and Smith Mountain Lake

My family is finally finished with our birthday season, it ended with my birthday on June 28th (and starts with Mary Jo on February 12th). I feel like birthdays are all I've blogged about recently but... 'tis the season! On the actual day we left for vacation so a couple of days before Steven took me out to dinner and a movie - we splurged on food at our favorite dinner spot - the Melting Pot - then went to the $2 movie. I'm halfway to 70 - you do the math.

We took our annual trip to Skyland Bible Conference - at a new location this year in Bluefield, VA. It's basically our Harrell family vacation and it is such a blessed week. The speakers were great, the kid's program is always so sweet, and the slip-n-slide was a huge hit. Here's David with his fun grandpa - he eventually got brave enough to go on his own (David, not Benne:)). 

Here are Eli and Morris - the little ones didn't weigh enough to go too fast so it was really the perfect slide.

Steven met this little boy at the park and invited him to come out to slide - he came with his great grandpa who was one of the original Rocket Boys! 

We brought the big 3 scooters to ride and they were a big hit - there was a great common area they could ride around on (plus about 10 other kids that had the same ideas and brought their scooters).

I didn't see Sadie much - she is so social that she was always running off to play with someone - but here she is with her cousin and some friends learning to play Bananagrams.

One of the biggest blessings of the week is the children's program, and not just because it allows me to listen to the messages. These sweet people are so dedicated to the kids and put so much time and effort into teaching them about the Lord. Below is David's little class performing for us the last night. He mainly just sat up there and smiled, unlike Eli, who surprised us all with his passionate singing. I never captured it with my video camera but we will never forget Eli singing "The Blind Man" song - our aloof, usually quiet child came out of his shell, to say the least, and belted it out Stevie Wonder style. I laughed until I cried, literally.

After some recovery time at home and another week of swim team - Steven took the kids to Roanoke to Grandma Wina's house. We spend the next day at Smith Mountain Lake - she has a beautiful piece of property there with everything fun you can imagine.   

This, to David, is the "vroom vroom for the water"

Last year I showed Sadie my favorite way to swim as a little girl - put the life jacket on backwards (like a diaper) and run and jump in. Try it, you can't do it without laughing! She begged me to swim with her that way and I did- I'm a little old for it at 35 but I couldn't turn her down and it's still fun to bob up and down in the water. Plus you don't have to touch the bottom so other than the embarrassing fact of how I look it's really a win-win.

Steven's grandpa built this cool boat house years ago before he died, equipped with a bathroom and mini-kitchen. The kids were fishing here, right next to the boat, when Eli looked up and said "Why do you have a boat in your kitchen?" Gotta love him. 

Here is Sadie fishing. They actually caught a few, before the fish wised up and stopped biting. 

Mary Jo isn't so sure of the water, but she liked the boat ok. She is one independent little 17 month old. All 17 pounds of her thinks she can handle this life on her own. But at least she's polite - she's learned to say thank you .."tank two" Supposedly the kids have gotten her to say "shake your booty" as well, but I haven't actually heard that one. 

The kids and I didn't get enough lake time so we're heading to my parent's lake house tomorrow in SC. Summer is great fun and is passing by way too fast. Although I'm actually pretty excited about the school year to start - Steven and I have decided to try homeschooling Sadie and Eli this year. It will be a big undertaking but hopefully a good fit for us. Goodnight! 1