preston visit!

Warm December...

Grady home 5 months today

This kid loves shoes. He says "Shoes on?" as soon as he gets dressed. When he's not wearing his own shoes he wants to wear someone else's. HaHa!!! Emma and Ellie have to bring their mismatched shoes from all over the house, back to their bedrooms, quite frequently. I have shoes in every room of the upstairs right now. I think he's pretty excited about having some shoes, as well as the clicking sounds they make, saying the name of WHO they belong to, etc. etc.

Grady is about to experience his first Christmas. This kid is simple and loves just being with people. So many have asked us how we feel or how HE feels about christmas coming. To be honest, we just are excited to have a full house. Grady will enjoy opening presents (new or old), ripping the paper, and watching people have fun. He's pretty easy to please.

Everyone who meets Grady says one of two things:
1) he is so happy and full of joy
2) he knows he's cute and sure makes the faces to be a schmoozer

Yep---that's Grady!!

THE FAM

Ellie's art was chosen to be displayed at the Sylvania art show. What a smile this girl has. 

 Emma and Daddy date day...
Crazy faces. Crazy crazy crazy

These kiddos would wear their pajamas all day long. For real. They always want comfy clothes, which means they are truly like their momma.

Perrysburg parade, but we missed the parade. Time with Harshes and Parker coffee--love the Harsh family. And Harper was Grady's first buddy when he came home. I love that they know each other. :)

GOTR race #2 for Ellie

Sweet moments

Griff is learning about transportation this month in school...all of the different ways you can move. It's pretty fun. :) During Grady's nap today (it was beautiful outside) he wanted to write the word. This kiddo surprises me SO much with his desire to read and write and sound out words. He's a stud. I cherish cherish cherish these moments with Griffin. I can't even wrap my brain around the fact that he may not be with me next year during these moments. I love my little best little buddy.

First Santa hats of the season...!!!

I felt so sick today--the lovely aftermath of traveling to Ethiopia. But it's not too hard to sit in the basement and have Emma teach me math. Which meant me doing a times test. Which meant me missing questions on purpose to make sure she was actually learning something too. haha. Look at this girl...she's just adorable. She is her momma's daughter! I think of my childhood and I think of playing school in my basement.

Rest, little one

Attempting movie night when Grady is still awake, is quite the task. Ha! He sits still for about 60 seconds max. But we'll take it,

It's special when Grady falls asleep in my arms. I try, as often as I can, to rock him until he falls asleep. I love holding him and watching him and hugging him and praying over him. I love the moments I can give him such undivided attention and focused TLC, because it's quite obvious he has three older siblings. 

I love that God chose me to be his mom. 

My baby

Ellie stood up and hugged me tonight, and I realized she's not just my "peanut" right now. How is she this tall? Same size shoe? I wore her vest the other day when I couldn't find mine...my baby...is growing up. 5th grade makes her seem so old. Venturing into conversations about physical changes---her friends starting to filter out a little bit--her independence is increasing. I can't quit wrap my mind around it but the changes tug on every emotion. (Probably for both of us). So proud of her and happy to watch her grow and learn. So sad that she's already preparing for middle school. So exhausted with the prepubescent hormones. So happy that she wants me to know her and hear about her life. It's a journey with this one- Ellie, you teach your dad and me how to listen. And you cause us to check our own motives and intentions and hearts. We love you so much!

The warmest fall EVER?

Most definitely the warmest fall that I can remember. September is always pretty amazing---but October and the first part of November have been insanely wonderful this year. Many 60 and 70 degree days. Apple picking in T-shirts, bike rides still happening all the time, and extended backyard play time. It's such a gift. 

Root beer floats before lunch! YES! It's saturday!

Adventures with the neighborhood kiddos...honestly my favorite thing to do. ;)

Grandpa Snowman and Ruthie came to visit after Halloween, and we had a great day to be outside. Sledding down the back hill without snow is just as much fun as when it's 3 inches deep!