a few days away

About once a year, I hit the road for a work trip.  It's a tiny peek into my old life, nice to connect with work folks and focus on work things for a few days, but also a clear reminder that my favorite place is home with my fam.  This one was driveable and the Lord provided a spectacular day of sunshine for the journey there.

Backing up a little...B is obviously covered up with school and baseball this time of year, so the kiddos got to stay with our sweet friends.  It is such a blessing to have places for them that allows them to stay in their normal routines and have fun with buddies too.  And SO nice for me not to worry about them even for a second.  :)

The night before I left, we dropped Garner off at Katelyn's house.  She stayed with our sweet friends, Todd and Melanie for the first 2 days (and then with the Ruckers after that).  We got her ready for bed there (and let them play some :)) since the big kids and I would be pulling out first thing the next morning.

As we were driving down the road the next morning, Melanie texted me pics from there with Garn.  It went so well and she had a great time with Katelyn and Luke!

The bigs got to stay the whole time with the Links.  So fun and super easy since it's their second home. Hard to express how grateful we are to Matt & Jenn for loving and caring for them so well :)

There's no doubt that they had more fun there than at home!  Making Lincoln log cabins for Presidents' Day...

And day 2 for Garner...she and Katelyn go to the same school so Mel dropped them off together that morning

And then, Garner's teacher at school texted me this to show that she was doing great...love her  :)

Back at the Links, Greer enjoyed some playdoh time with Sam while Gehrig and Madi did school work...

And so much yummy fun making a cookie cake for Presidents' Day!  Jenn is awesome :)

Garner and Katelyn went to watch Luke practice football while they waited for B to pick her up and make the switch to the Ruckers.  Cutie girls...

Facetime with the bigs...highlight of my week from my hotel room :)

On to the Ruckers...sweet boys giving Garner all their attention :)

And lots of playing, resting, visiting and celebrating of Madi's birthday back at the Links.  I was jealous and wished I was there too!  I so looked forward to these pics every day :)

Got home to see Garner on Sunday (after leaving her on Tuesday night) and man, I had missed her so much!  Spent the afternoon rocking her for awhile instead of putting her straight now for a nap...I dozed off some myself :)

Ran to grab groceries afterwards and this...they missed each other too!

My fave view-from-here...all back home together for family worship time that night.

I'm so wimpy when it comes to being away from them and am thankful that it doesn't happen often.  Makes me so thankful to be home with them on a daily basis.  And seriously...so overwhelmed with amazing friends who go beyond taking care of them.  They love and enjoy them and my kids feel it.  As Gehr said when I asked if he missed me: "I'm sure I would have, Mom...I just didn't think about it."  Love.

valentines

With the start of baseball season falling in February every year, we have to super flexible with any Valentine's plans.  Honestly we are happy to go on dates anytime and don't make a huge deal of it falling on a particular day, but lots of rain this season meant that B got home early the night before.  Our sweet friend, Mandy, had already thought ahead to surprising our hubbies with a nice dinner out, so we were set to go.  It was so fun to tell B on his way home that we had a sitter and dinner plans :)

A great time with them and yummy food too...

The next morning...I knew the kids had been extra quiet and even happy to stay in resttime longer than usual the day before.  Since I was getting everything ready to go out with B and have everything ready for the sitter, I didn't really think much about it.  Apparently, they spent time getting Greer's chocolate flavored playdoh she had gotten from co-op, putting it all together to make a big heart, carving "Happy Valentines Day" into it and coloring it with markers to make it red.  I woke to this on my bedside table. It is quite possibly my favorite valentine ever! :)

Once we were up and going, we met up with a group of families from co-op to take valentines to the veterans.  Honestly, I can't think of anything sweeter and am so thankful for that opportunity to spend time with them.  We are so grateful for all they've done for us and our country!

He is from my hometown!

Later on, we dug into the kids' valentines from us...

Lots of sweetness this year...makes me stop to thank the God who is Love.  He has blessed us immensely!

baby sick day

Poor Garn woke during the night with fever and ear pain, got so upset that she lost her dinner all over our bed and then spent the rest of the day falling asleep wherever we were.  We snuggled and napped off and on at home until Dr. was able to see her.  She slept on the way there, in the waiting room, the exam room and again on the way home.  So sweet and sad and thankful for a quick diagnosis and meds to make her all better.

We got back to normal life the next morning and were "behind" on everything of course, but I wouldn't have traded that sweet time with her for anything :)

mama of 6

For a weekend in February, I got to play mama of 6 to my three plus the Rucker three while Chris & Jennifer headed out of town.  Our kids thought it was the best thing ever and it's hard to imagine having an easier group of 6 kiddos.  They match up so well and have been brought up so similarly (mainly because we've copied their parenting ;)), that is was seamless.  Love listening to them together and can't help but pray that our kids always love having their friends over as they get older...

 

We split up for most of the day Saturday.  The girls and I stayed around the house and started with some Valentine's Day baking and treat-making...

...enjoyed a fun girly movie...

 ...and fixed up "Sarah's" hair and makeup :)

Meanwhile, the boys spent the (whole!) day with B at the baseball field...super fun and sure to help them sleep well that night :) 

The night before, I started wondering if it would be a little challenging to get to church on time with so many to get ready at once, but honestly it was great.  It's so nice when all the big kids are self-sufficient and so quick to listen and obey.  All ready in the car and on time...

Then we spent the entire afternoon playing outside, enjoying awesome weather and soaking up the remaining time with their buddies.

Truly such a pleasure...makes me wonder if we could do 6 all the time ;)))