Indiana :: Day 1

In the midst of my permanent roll of stewwardess to all my children's needs I stayed entertained by catching up on my Real Simple magazines (birthday gift from my dear sister), decorating magazines, and the last two books of the Hunger Games series.  Such a challening, heart wrenching, and though provoking read. The kids slept some on our second day 7 hour drive.  Well, the boys did.  We told Ivory we wouldn't be there until she woke from her short nap.  Next thing I know I look back and she's "sleeping." A few minutes later she "wakes up" and asks, "Are we there yet?"  This is about an hour into the trip.  This girl kills me. 



The second day of driving was suprisingly smooth as well.  That was the Lord answering prayers, so I really shouldn't be surprised, simply grateful.

As soon as we arrived in Indiana the kids jumped out, made themselves at home and got right to playing.
Korban loved stretching out for a good long nap + Ivory + Micah loved stretching out there leges in some good running.  We were excited to be greeted by Timothy, Lynne, Mr. + Mrs. Ross, and Aunt PP.  I love walking through their home.  I'm always amazed by the unique artwork throughout their entire home.  Check out this table Mrs. Ross made from an old door.  And her stain glass clock!  Love it. The oldest daughter, Maggie, is such an incredible artist.  Love the colors and details in this painting.  My kids immediately took the farm life.
The kids enjoyed playing with Chevy, the new lab puppy They enjoyed helping Mrs. Ross move the horses. And they enjoyed looking at fish in the watering trough.  There was lots of fun to be had in the playhouse + a special tea party on deck once Audrey arrived.  Ivory could hardly wait to see Audrey.  She has talked about Audrey every since meeting her two years ago at 23 months of age.  Yes, her memory is killer.  Scary for her mom + dad!  Grandma + Pa were eating up all the grandkid goodness. And the kids didn't mind the attention one bit. Of course the day doubled in fun when Aunt Debi arrived with Carter + Larissa!  June is Debi's biggest photography month so it was crazy timing for her to come down, but I'm so glad she made the trip to come see all of us. I hadn't seen my niece and nephew since February of 2011.  How they've grown!! Lynne is such a wonderful mom.  So glad to spend time with her and so appreciate all she did with my kiddos. Beautiful blue-eyed Larissa. 
The grandparents just got even happier!
Story time, puzzles, cars, oh my! 
Needless to say, it wasn't hard getting the kids to sleep that night.  Love seeing my two oldest sleeping so sweetly next to one another--heart melt.

Don't you just adore the quilt Korban is sleeping on?!  My oldest sister, Sherri, made it.  I am so in love with it.  We use it all the time!!

Weekend Visitor

Friday morning my mom, Korban and I picked up my sister from the airport--YAY!  She flew all the way down from Canada to visit us, meet baby, and take pictures for us.  We stopped for a girl's lunch at one of Debi's favorite restaurants.
Then we did a little shopping, including one of my fav places for accessories

On the way home we drove through Sonic for slushies/limeades.

When Debi comes to Florida we try to make sure she's treated to some of her favorite American stores + restaurants.

While we were enjoying our girl's day Grandpa + Dad held down the fort with Ivory + Micah.  So grateful for these incredible men!  Jason took Ivory to see the homecoming parade--which she loved.  That night he also took her to the foot ball game while Aunt Debi + Mommy enjoyed some sister time.

Sweet, beautiful Lyndsey + Ivory (thanks for tagging us in this sweet picture, Donna!).

When I went to pick Ivory up from the football game on the ride home I asked her what she saw at the game. "There were princesses there! Lyndsey and Chelsea were princeses and other girls. They were inside the gate and then they got out. How did they get out of there?"

I asked her about the football players.  "They were playing football in that gate and I wanted to go in there but Daddy said I couldn't."

"Well, you could get hurt out there."

"When I grow big can I play football?"

"Ummm....we'll see when you get big."


Saturday morning we just had to take Aunt Debi to one of our favorite local shops--the donut shop.  Pa treated us to a delish breakfast Micah anxious to get out of his stroller to eat.

After a delish breakfast we headed back to the house where we worked on a newborn photo shoot of our sweet little man.  My sister works magic.  Thanks Pa + Daddy for playing outside with the kids during this time.  Be looking for some gorgeous pictures soon to come!

That evening we went for a family photo shoot at the marina and then took Aunt Debi to our favorite Mexican restaurant--Pepper's. Aunt Debi + Micah--love watching my kids enjoy their aunt.
Soaking up every minute of time we have together and blown away by the magic she works with her camera.  Love her so much and hate how far we live from each other.  Thankful for the visits we get together.

Korban Love

Ivory + Korban.  The kids love their brother so much.  They both love holding + snuggling him + giving him gentle, sweet kisses.  Ivory loved it when her dad put Korban next to her in bed for a few minutes before nap time.  Such sweet, snuggly moments.
Jason asked Micah the other day if he wanted to hold Korban.  Micah sat down & held out his arms with a big smile.  He loved holding Korban and just sat there kissing him and looking at him.  The other day I had Micah + Korban on the bed and I asked Micah if he could talk to Korban and he said, "Hi!"  I asked him if he could show him the sign language he knows and he signed the words he knows to him.  So cute.  And it was cute...until Micah decided to sit on Korban's head.  He thought he was playing and being silly like when he wrestles with Ivory and he didn't sit down fully or hurt Korban (Korban didn't cry or even whimper).  Oh this kid will be tough.

Daddy + Korban
Love seeing my man with our children.  Such a good daddy. We really enjoyed having both grandparents sets visiting here--and the kids thoroughly enjoyed the attention and spoiling.

Arriving Home

We arrived home Monday, October 17th (Jason's birthday), at approximately 3PM where he was greeted with enthusiasm by his grandparents + siblings.  Grandpa finally got to hold Korban.

Micah was okay with Pa holding Korban as long as he could climb up, too.
"Baby, baby, baby."
Grandma, of course, had to grab some more Korban snuggles when we arrived. Daddy spent time playing with the kids.  Ivory went shopping with Grandma to pick out this tool set for Micah.
Brother Mike came by later that night for a quick visit and a few snuggles from Korban.

It feels great to be home and excitedly greeted by Ivory + Micah.  Now to settle back in and enjoy time at home as a family of five.

Saturday Celebration

Making chocolate turtle cheesecake with Mom for daddy's birthday celebration (a little early in case a certain someone decides to arrive soon).


Micah meets Michael.  Micah, MikeMike + Michael. Say it 10 times fast. Friends reunited.  Christina + Sarah. New friends made.  Sarah meets Michael. Love her smile. Good food.  Forgot to take pictures of the delicious dessert spread--pound cake, chocolate peanut butter cake, chocolate turtle cheesecake, coconut cake + homemade ice cream). Good fellowship. My parents, MikeMike, Micah, Bobo (Robin). Prayer. Sarah, Michael, Cassie.

Playtime. Sleep time.


Such a fun evening celebrating Jason (17th) + Christina's (19th) birthdays.  Love them both.  Btw, this girl is responsible for Jason and I meeting, double that love!

Korban is teasing me with contractions since yesterday at 1pm.  Hoping tonight will bring much needed sleep...or a baby.  Feeling like the former is more likely then the latter.  Either way, praise God progress is being made and we are both safe and healthy.  Good sleep would definitely be welcomed.

When Grandma + Grandpa Come to Town

The Calvary has arrived. On my mom's birthday (yesterday). We were all VERY excited when they arrived.  Especially Ivory.  Who couldn't fall asleep at nap time for her excitement. Strawberries + pound cake + whip cream + chocolate = delicious combination.  The pound cake was made by a 90-year-old woman in our church who is making cakes to raise money to give toward the talents (paying off our Family Life Center loan).  How do you turn down a chance to buy a cake from a 90-year-old lady baking for Jesus?  Not only that--they taste wonderful.  She's known for her delicious pound cakes (she frequently surprises our family with them). 

The kabobs, though not quite as artfully displayed, were inspired by this pinterest photo:

Source: jensownroad.blogspot.com via Lee Ann on Pinterest

After the birthday excitement and before church the afternoon was filled with paper airplane making (Pa bought her a special book)  and Grandma + Grandpa's fun new hp touch pads. Ivory loved the games and listened to Grandma read her a Bible story about Ruth. 
When Micah woke from his 4-hour nap(!) he enjoyed time with Grandpa throwing his dinosaur, laughing hysterically, playing with balloons, and in general being his silly, sweet self.

Ivory came home from church to immediately knock on Grandma + Pa's door for more visiting.  Micah melted Grandma when he reached for her and gave her voluntary snuggles.  He buttered up Pa when he ran across the yard to him.  After a little play time we enjoyed bedtime stories and, of course, Pa + Grandma had to be the ones to tuck her in bed. 
She prayed for Pa + Grandma each as they took turns tucking her in last night.  She prayed they would sleep well and not be scared by spiders.  Ivory, "I can pray now!"  So sweet.

And right now they are visiting in the 5th wheel playing with the new and exciting things Grandma packed away for this trip.  Last few visits Micah has been unsure about visiting away from Mom, but this time he was not to be left behind and excitedly went to visit his new rubber duck friend, "Kack!" (quack).  And now you're beginning to see why this momma LOVES when grandparents visit.