Hazel's Let's Pretend Party!

Princess Tiana! Isn't she lovely!?

These princesses are just so beautiful!!!
Their Let's Pretend Party at school is going to be so fun!

Autumn Fun

Hazel and I had some time to play at the cabin the other day. She made "button desserts" for us and we sipped pretend tea. 

I love her creativity and imagination.

Love her

Oren entertained himself and joined in on the pretending here and there! 

Sweetheart

All three of our boys have worn these little Carharts. :)

This time of year is so beautiful.

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Happy Birthday Sweet Hazel!!!

This girl!!!
Oh, she is so sweet, so darling!!
We love her so!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAZEL JANE!!!!

Loving my time with the littles

Tomorrow this girl turns 5! Wow! I can hardly believe it.
She is a delight.
She is so kind. She is the BEST big sister a kid could ask for. She is sensitive, funny, beautiful.

Bought a chair at Goodwill on Thursday and painted it over the weekend. I love this green.

This guy is very comfortable in the kitchen. He LOVES to cook and bake.
And he tells the BEST stories. Lots of jabber, a few words. He loves to play in Hazel's room and he always heads right for her kitchen.

The guys have been on an Alaskan adventure! They get back today. Merit was a little nervous to miss three days of middle school. Things are pretty fast paced up there. I hope he can catch up soon when he gets home. I know Willem has been LOVING Alaska. It is his happy place. I have so enjoyed my time with the little ones! We did lots of exploring and pretending outside. I did a photo shoot with Jay and Maria's kids, I painted my Goodwill chair- I haven't done a project like that in a long time. Editing some recent photo shoots was something I finally had time for.  I started reading a book, An Amish Christmas. We hit the new JoAnn Fabrics, I took them to the Arcade and we just soaked each other up. I realize that I have been running A LOT lately, this down time was really good for the soul. --- Now this week is very busy, so I just have to take each day at a time. It will be fun to see the big boys later today! 

Matters of the Heart





Oren wasn't in a look at the camera kind of mood today and that is okay.
The camera will be out again tomorrow. ;)

This week our NEW JoAnn Fabrics store is having their Grand Opening!
Hazel chose this darling tea set there. She painted it yesterday morning and I think it looks beautiful!
This morning we headed out to a blanket in the middle of a wide open space and we were two moms, women, having tea. Her imagination is lovely and I love pretending with her. She asked me about my children and my husband and she asked me three different times how my day has been.

My parents had five children.

These hearts represent each of those five.

I know the hearts of these five adults and they are caring, FUN and beautiful.

Physically, these hearts need and will need some extra care. That is where the road gets a bit rough, a bit rocky.

If I seem distracted, I am. My physical heart is fine. My emotional heart is heavy at times.

Natasha is on some new meds and is needing some new care and I know she would love your prayers.

This heart walk has changed me and really, you know, this isn't even about me. But I look to the heavens often. I pray. Sometimes this walk takes a leap of faith. And every day we walk by faith, not by sight.

This journey has made me closer to Katie, my dear friend who has a daughter whose heart needs extra care.

This journey has made me treasure each day.

God is good and He does a lot of meaningful, wonderful things when the road is rough.

Since having Oren, I have missed my mom even more than the few years previous. I would love to thank her for being a fun, dedicated mom. I am sad this defective heart gene took her so young. But the medical field is better now, so much better. Life is precious and life is short.

Life is FILLED with blessings. I am off to soak some of mine up...

Happy Birthday Merit!!

I will always remember this day! The boys and I met Grandma Adie and Fischer at the park for
lunch. The kids ran off to play before they had finished eating and seagulls swooped in to grab their fries and burgers!
The looks on their faces are priceless!

Acting silly with Grandma Adie!!

It is hard to believe that this boy is 12!! Wow. A middle schooler, a great student, a responsible brother, a fantastic son, a talented, DETERMINED athlete. Merit, you are one cool guy. We are so thankful that you are our son!! Praying today for you and that you continue to make great decisions and that your 12th year is blessed!