Biking in the Culdy

burning some energy in Becky's nearby cul-de-sac. good times.

Nora was just down right hilarious on her bike...as her bike would be falling after trying to maneuver curbs, she'd stay upright. and notice her zebra butterfly wings. sweet girl.

Molly. speedy.

Piper, so talented, that she can ride her sassy Barbie bike whilst scratching her tootsies.

Melanie loves her Electra.

Levi, finally getting biking. We delayed on this with him and now it's somewhat tricky for this big, nearly 9 year old boy to maneuver. Gooo LEVI!

Thanks to my cousin, Kara, who is an amazing Pinterest, Etsy, and general scout for all things cool and crafty, I will now implement JOY into every season. Not only a good reminder of a beautiful Christ-like characteristic but of a beautiful boy who was just too precious to walk this dusty ol' earth.

I miss you, Jack.

So, anyways...not much going on here except for some amazingly cool temperatures (I love you, Fall), busy schedules (holy cow, when am I supposed to breathe?), and just general struggling to keep my head above saddened waters, all is well. I talked to my incredible midwife today. I love you, Mary Helen. Thank you for thinking of me, my family and sweet little JOY boy. I hope you get your JOYful birth any day now.

I met with my friend, Christine, at Starbucks, where she had a nice display of JOY and butterfly treasures awaiting me. Today is also 1.) Stillborn, Miscarriage, SIDS awareness day, and 2.) Pumpkin Spice release date at the 'bucks. not that the two are related but....

when one is trying to make it day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second, finding JOY in the little things takes on a whole new meaning. ya know?

I do not take lightly the kind things that people, all of you, you know who you are...have done for me and for my family. I really could cry, and have, just recalling the kindnesses shown, the care given, the prayers lifted and the tears shed on our behalf.

Gosh. Thank You, Lord, for showing Yourself in Your people.

On a side note: we went downtown to visit Victory, the statute that sits atop the Soldiers and Sailors monument on the circle...I hope to "lift", borrow, use some of Tom's pix on here very soon.

I'm a scatterbrained ninny. Good night and God bless you.

P.S.  Shellee, I do hope that when you are in town, you will give me shout out so we can meet up and hug and for me to meet Grace. but be warned. I will cry.

Ok. nighty. for reals.

school pictures once more...

Piper is in 1st grade this fall and really, sass-wise, she should be in say, 6th. She is such a little priss, very funny, observant, and we love having her in our family.

Nora is in K3 this year...whatta big girl. One question I have though, where did this girl get such brownish eyes? there's no denying her paternity...and I was there when she came out soooooo, I'm confused. quite honestly, it's just NOT fair! David actually has a brown-eyed mother...why couldn't one of my kids have gotten them? I'm going to go pout. We love this pint-sized sassafrass lass too...she has been a nice addition to the clan and I love the dynamics between her and Molly. BFF's, baby!

I don't feel I can blog unless I have a picture to put with it.

This week has been just plain weird.

Monday: Got up at 6 and walked with my neighbor chick. Biology for Will. My mom flew to California. No more soccer. School. Karate. Began a Ladies' Bible Study with Tambo, Linda and Dawn. that was the best part of that day! It was so unseasonably warm and I'm just ready for a little more chill. (50's - 60's is good)

Tuesday: Got up at 6 again to walk with Tashena. It was so eerie and windy outside. Sent D and the boys up to storage. Big storm blew in. lost our power. took forever to be restored or so it seemed. Mel and Levi got attacked by other neighbor's pit bull for the LAST TIME. Called Sheriff. Not sure what he did but he went over there, hopefully telling them to PUT THE DOG DOWN. So sleepy and weird all day. Tim W. came to give estimate on finishing up siding on house front etc. (can I get a whoooooop whooooop?) Piano. School. home for more mope. Watched Angela's Ashes to depress myself further. Went to sleep after watching a wrestling session between all 5 kids (Molly's a better fighter than Levi so we had instruction on how to punch like a man for him. marked improvement). baaaaa.

Wednesday: well, we're off to a decent start. One cup of joe down....bills being paid, now to get going on the Harvest Party details. Levi went with his Dad today...so that is cool. Male bonding...hope your Wednesday is a bright, cheery sorta day.

Happy Belated 6th Birthday, dear Pipes!

I find it hard to believe that this little toe-headed beauty is SIX! it seems she was JUST born (and I watched her emerge into the world, wow! what an experience to be on the other end) So blessed to have this little sassafrass lass in our family!

my new favorite pic of Beck and I.

Birthday Loot! woot woot!

Piper and her loving father...

all four of these photos were taken by Melissa, my friend, Piper's Aunt and my sister's sister-in-law. She is a kick-butt photographer!

I have more pics of this big event but of course, they were all taken by Tom or Melissa...why even try to compete to take pix when these two are in the house with their fancy shmancy cameras and patience! ya know?

But until then, and with their permission (can I use your pix, guys?), I will leave you with these pix of my adorable niece, Miss Piper Elizabeth, celebrating her sixth birthday. it's another 10 years till she turns 16 (gasp!!) but she already acts like she's sixteen. hee hee. Becky and Scott will have their work cut out for them.

Nothing gets past this girl.

she is her mother's daughter.

and here, I will insert my evil laughter!

Happy Wednesday, folks!

Piper graduates top of her class....Go PIPES!

speechlessly cute...

the "infamous" photo board

Jazz hands...P is on the right, in the front...

just a little taste of the future....and yes, we did all tear up when we heard Pomp and Circumstance.

P getting her diploma from her cool teacher, Mrs. L.

A little graduation song!

Piper's Nana and Papaw hosted a little gathering afterwards...and we got to initiate the new screened-in porch...very nice!

Amanda and Becky...friends for the long haul.

The gaggle of kids...

Melissa & David...still fun after all these years.

Molly was trying to sneak into P's cake pic. nice try punk.

things got crazy and Maria, Nora, Molly and Piper started dancing on the table...

everyone gather 'round for some delish Boyden's cake...this was the main reason we attended. forget my adorably cute niece and her Kindy graduation...:)

Just wanted to get the Kindergarten grad pix on before time got away from me...

Hope this post finds you enjoying the last evening of your weekend...I am NOT ready for Monday to show up again.

Peace...

Cousins are the best kinds of friends...

Molly and her fake smile. Piper loves to love you, baby (Levi)...their admiration of each other is priceless.

Levi dragging the little girls around...I love Nora's expression here...

Ok, let's color...this lasted for about 5 minutes. it took longer to print up the pix than to color them!

eating bananas and playing store. does it ever REALLY get much better than this?

One of the perks of having my sister work for my husband is that, occasionally, she brings her kids along. It does make for some interesting times. Our kids are all at such interesting ages. Nail biting, hair pulling, mind boggling ages.

Nora is potty trained and Molly is not far behind...almost there, though she does love her Dora pull ups. a lot. I love the dynamics of Molly & Nora and I continue to be so thankful that Moo has a built in friend. I pray they are even half as close and dependent on each other like Beck and I. A beautiful, wonderful thing...

Soccer, I don't miss you...

"I can hold 'em both on my lap" ... so cute!

Go Piper...mid kick

awww.

Piper is the only chick on her team...

Molls found her seat. I think it's just the cutest that these little chicks are buds.

Mel, Levi, Molly and I went to Piper's soccer game yesterday morn.

My kids aren't playing soccer at Mt. P this fall, due to our upcoming trip. Have I blogged that fact yet? sorry...

It was sooooo nice to go to a game, and not worry about snacks, being there on time, knowing that our day was going to be eaten up by soccer, heat, and tired, cranky babies...though we do miss it, it is lots of fun...it IS nice to take a season off...and I mean, really, our upcoming trip is like one soccer season rolled into one 3 week trip across the country, right?

Piper, you did a good job kicking and running after that ball...you are such a doll!

Up next, park pix from the same day...

Backtracking big time....Pipes, forgivest thou me.

Hangin' with 6.5' tall Phil...you know u love him! (he IS the nicest guy around)

yeah, we got you that neat-o Polly Pocket...we're cool like that.

Hi.

I'm hanging my head in somewhat shame. I had intended to blog for Piper's FIFTH birthday, but didn't. or if I did, it's obviously not memorable because I've forgotten. (dang that early onset Alzheimer's. it's eating me alive)

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PIPER POO! Hope you know how funny we think you are, cute as a button you are, and just how much we love you!

(I mean, we obviously didn't forget about you, we WERE at your Princess Bowling party, after all).

Haircuttin' fun with Michelle & Phil

Observing her hair for the first time. Yes, these pix are sadly out of order, but I'm just glad to be getting something up on the blog...so enjoy!

Michelle was trying to convince Pipes that Leela wasn't a killer dog...by night's end (1:30 a.m. actually), Piper and Leela were fast friends! Leela, (if I'm spelling your name correctly) you are a lovely doggy!

Double Phil and crazy-haired Beck...

Pipes, pulling a Sean Penn...

dolly girl!

Piper's new 'do is simply adorable! It suits you well, little Miss!

the proof...Pipes, loving on a dog. a dog, I tell ya!

I like to refer to this picture as baked potato heads...

this pic totally does not fit in with the haircuttin' fun...but I took it on the same day...and I thought Molly was pretty cute in this outfit that Melanie wore about 9 years ago!

Soccer Thrills....

The kids' coach, Mike, is a funny guy! All of the kids really like him and it's neat because he actually has a personality! yah for cool coaches! I'm quite surprised in this pic as well, that Piper and Levi aren't attached at the hip...she usually has her arms wrapped tightly around him...maybe those strings are loosening...maybe. probably not.

at the end of each game, the parents make a tunnel for the little players to run thru, and oh, the joy it brings to all involved. I honestly think this is why we play at this age. Otherwise, these games, quite frankly, are boriffic. No offense little folks or adults involved...it's cute for the first 3 minutes. then I'm done.

Piper, out for blooooood...and Levi stands idly by...letting her do all the work! She did get two goals, and those were just the ones I "saw"...she may have had more but again, read paragraph above...

Luciano came by to hang with us...he lives right down the street...

'Twas a chilly, windy day...everyone was trying to stay warm here...

Go PIPER! Her daddy was so proud!

Piper is behind the cluster o' kids here...fighting for the ball...while Levi acts like he's interested.

~So there ya have it...I wanted to fill you in on last weekend....I'm so very behind on all things blog related...my bad! Life just seems to be flying by at a frenzied pace right now....nice, deep breath! ahhhhh!