Crazy House

In case I haven't mentioned it before, I will just say it now: we are a CRAZY HOUSE!  John started back in seminary in an effort to finish out his degree (Master of Arts in Theology with a focus on Youth/Family at Fuller Seminary) before any of his acquired credits expire.  Most likely, he will not be able to finish before he loses a few of his credits, but the goal is to be done no later than Jan 2015 (hopefully much sooner!).  That means that we committed to a crazy 1.5 years in order to get-it-done.

John's job is constantly growing and changing which is great but it also means a lot of re-inventing and implementing new ideas and processes into youth and family ministry at church.  Then he also has two classes each quarter (most online, some he will fly out to Colorado for one week intensives) to work on.  Its a pretty big deal.

But for now, we felt that the kids are still little and not involved in too many things so John can spend evenings and weekends studying while I manage the chaos.  Of course we miss John when he is busy studying, but knowing its a short amount of time helps!

I've already taken a few weekend trips to Stillwater when John needed to focus so he could have a quiet house to write a paper (15 pages!) or take exams.

BUT, these three crazies are the best thing that ever happened to us and they are the reason we do everything.  Hoping John's degree will give him direction and space to grow as our kids grow too.

These cute photos were before school one day when Eden wore her cute new vest from Baggie and then the boys just HAD to model their outerwear too.  

Random Fall Fun

Here are some randoms from the fall:

We went to the kids' favorite babysitters' wedding in the Twin Cities!  Sarah is a dear friend to our family and the best babysitter in the world.  We are sad she is going to be leaving EC but so excited for she and Ryan!  They are a truly lovely couple and we hope to see lots of them!

Between the wedding and reception, we tried to get the wiggles out with a little dance party in the van!!

Then we headed into the reception armed with backpacks and activities and pjs and snacks!!

I've been doing my best to savor quiet moments like these since my "baby" is growing up too fast.

In fact, when my "baby" started to recognize other littler kids as "babies" then I know she is growing up quickly!  She loves to be a little mommy now to her little babies.

Bennett wanted to bake an apple pie, so we did!!  Can you see the "B"?!

My kids reading the Bible in the bathroom after showers...just because.  Totally P.K.

Sleepy girl!!

Sick mommy for a couple days earned the kids a Starbucks outing after church one Sunday.  One of their favorite things!

And I love a Red Cup when the holiday season rolls round!

Eden gives me a run for my money...she is a busy girl when we drop Bennett off at preschool.  If there is something to hold, grab, rip, pull, pick up, eat, open, close, climb, jump off...SHE WILL DO IT!  Everyone beware.

Eden likes to be cozy!  She always wants to lay down and be covered up?!  I don't know what for, but as you can see, she is perfectly happy!!

Getting used to fall...

Logan's transition to Kindergarten all day everyday has been really smooth.  Since he is 6, he is one of the oldest in the his class and he was really ready for school.  Bennett and Eden have enjoyed some time together and some one-on-one time with me.  We like to play outside together when we can.  Soon it will be cold, so we are soaking it up!

On our way to get Logan.  Today's choice: puddle boots.  It wasn't rainy.

Blue eyed cuties.

We decided it was long enough and we just went for it and picked a color and finally painted our speckled/patched/crackly living room.  By this point in the night, I was just supervising!

We get to drop off early for Bennett's school after we drop Logan so we like to play some games of "I Spy" in the car before we go in.  Bennett is quite the "Spy".

These two have all kinds of crazy antics.  It just depends on the hour whether they enjoy each other or loathe each other.  Someone told me recently that Eden seems like Bennett, but with a little more sass.  Then I just prayed.  Help.ME.

Nights are often Mom duty since John is either at work or studying.  This was so cute when the boys got out their newborn hats and put them on their puppies.

Eden is getting into "BABIES"!  She likes to carry them, cover them, throw them, drop them, all the things good mothers do.

When Eden was upset late one night John went to sit with her and took his sen book along.  I came in to find this adorable scene.  Clearly the sem reading put Eden fast asleep.  :)

Sometimes my van is the nap-mobile.  On this day, I went through Starbucks drive thru and enjoyed a few peaceful minutes.

Anxious to wear her boots!!!  "Boooooooooots"!

And her jacket/coat...we dress and undress like this many times a day!

Its getting chilly, but Bennett is not interested in wearing pants so far.  When I suggested it, I came to the back entry to find him in full soccer gear (shin pads and soccer socks) because "that is kinda warm like pants".  Whatever floats your boat Bennett.  I love that you are an individual!

Logan brings home CRAZY amounts of awesome work from school!  I finally got his world map framed and hung in the toy room.  He is so proud and he should be!!  

We hosted a leader night at our house for the JW Youth Group leaders...complete with a fun Sundae Bar which my kids enjoyed more than anyone.  :)

What a busy fun crazy fall it has been!!  Can't wait to see what the remainder of 2013 has in store!

Fall Soccer Wrap-up!

This was our last day of fall soccer!  The kids will start up again in the spring with the same teams, so we will look forward to that.  For now, the weather is starting to cool down, so its going to be good to get off the fields!  It was a special day because Papa and Nana came for both of the boys games today!

So happy to have Papa and Nana here!

Logan's team has improved so much over the last 6 weeks.  They don't have many practices, but its just enough time for them to get familiar with each other and get used to the game again.  There's Logan going for the ball!

Go #3!

Score!  Logan sure did score a lot of goals this season!!

Logan and his teammates switch off playing time.

Here's Logan playing against his friend William!

They had fun and even cheered for each other when they scored goals.  It was so cute!

Eden needed to try Papa's shades, of course!

Tunnel!!  

Next up, Bennett's game!!

Go Benny!!

Eden sure was happy to have Nana!!

Benny and his buddy Grady got to play on the same team which was fun for all of us because our families are good friends.  With busy schedules, we usually only see people if kids are on the same team or in the same class.

Tunnel for Bennett!!  Great fall soccer season boys!!!