Swim, Bike, Run ... the boys' triathlon

We had fun cheering for Josh and Caleb in their triathlon this morning. They are learning that perseverance and a little sweat is worth it in the end! They swam 70 meters, biked 2 miles and ran a 1/2 mile. Tough but fun!

Josh running

Josh running again (I thought I had put Caleb in here ... oops)

Caleb on his bike

Josh on his bike

Caleb finishing the swim

Josh ready to start

Josh's transition station

Caleb's transition station

before the race

We love the Kids Only triathlon and the month we spend preparing for it as a family. We bike several times a week and run as a family. Many lessons about perseverance, endurance, discipline, fitness, laughing, sweating, etc. are worked through together ... what I love most of all is the joy of setting a goal and working hard and accomplishing that goal! to swimming, biking, and running ... way to go, boys!!

Ellie Can Dance

A few weeks ago the boys had friends over to "make movies". The boys made a work out movie, a baseball movie, and two Star Wars light saber fighting movies. The girls did not want to miss out on the fun so they dressed up and came out to perform. Turn off my music and listen closely ... my Kate is singing. She repeats over and over "Ellie can dance!" and then she ends it up with "Ellie can do anything!" This is just a tiny glimpse into her adoration of Ellie who is 9 weeks older and so deserving of the love!

to summertime fun and good friends...

Summer Swimming

We have had fun swimming this summer and loading up on the sunscreen! With temps over 100 every day, what else can you do for exercise with kids?! I have been so thankful for these fun times ...

to friends, summer and swimming ...

Three

Katiebug turned three today. We woke up at the lakehouse with cousins, grandparents, uncles, aunts and second cousins. She told everyone "I'm not two!!!" Then, she'd show her three fingers. Kate has no idea what three means but she is happy to finally be there!

We all have grown with Kate this year. Daddy met Barbie. Caleb and Josh and I have learned the names of every Princess and what songs they sing. We have all watched "Stinking Booty" (aka Sleeping Beauty) more times than we care to count. We have grown in our patience, learned to slow down and smell the roses every now and then, and most of all have grown as a family of five ... with each other and God as our focus we have security, smiles, and love!

Happy Birthday, Princess Kate!! You have enriched our lives and our family; you keep us young and on our toes; you light up a room; you are our ray of sunshine, little one!

to cake and pizza in the same day, to family, to birthdays, to presents, to Kate ...

Kate's 3rd Birthday Party

Our little Aggie wanted a "princess-mermaid-bounce house-cinderella-Ariel-Barbie-plus" birthday party. I kept asking and wondering what we could do because her theme changed daily and I admit I love a good party theme! Chris thought of an ice cream party! It was perfect for her ... filled the backyard with splash pools, made homemade ice cream with all of the toppings, and had a blast with her little girlfriends from school, friends from church, sweet neighbors and all of her cousins, uncles, aunts, and grandparents.

munchkins - Jordan, Kate, Ellie, Adeline, Cayden and Camden

the sweet Adams family

hugs goodbye

Meme, Lalee, and Aunt Amy ... afterwards with the family for lunch

We were blessed to have both of our brothers and their wives and their six children and both sets of grandparents in town this weekend for the party. We have a close family that travels often to be together - and we are so thankful for them all. Kate had a wonderful day of fun with all of her friends and family and cake and ice cream. I cannot believe she is turning 3 ... I mean, I love the fact that we no longer have diapers and sippy cups in this home, that she can go to school and the church nursery without a complete and total meltdown, that she can wear floaties and function on her own in a swimming pool, that she can put her hair in pig-tails, that she can pedal her big wheel bike, that she can make us laugh on purpose ... and more ...but three years have flown by... I sometimes wish it would just s-l-o-w down :).

to being 3 ...

Drummin' Up Some Sympathy

Seriously, this precious boy can ask just about anything of me right now ... he feels just fine ... can run and swim and do yard-work ... but seriously ... that cheek looks pathetic!!!! He was on the verge of tears when we left my workout place ... he said,"The kids were making fun of me without saying anything ... I could tell by the way they stared!" It broke my heart, but I hope and pray it is something he'll always remember and be sensitive to ... many people look very different from us, sound very different from us, believe very different from us ... but each person was created by God and is loved by God just like Josh!

Surgery Complete!!

Our precious Josh had surgery this morning to remove a tumor growing into his cheek.  He was so excited and so sweet to all of the wonderful nurses, doctors and staff at Mother Frances.  We got up at 4 a.m. and he was ready!!  Here he is in Pre-Op.  He was so embarassed to take a picture because he only had on a gown and Spiderman underwear!

Here he is in Post-Op ... broke my heart to hear him trying to talk when he woke up ... he seemed so fragile and I just praised God that I have had healthy children.  I cannot imagine the weight carried by mothers of children with severe illness.
Here is our room ... he just looked so tiny in that big bed!  I crawled up with him because that bed was more comfortable than any other spot in the room and I just wanted to be really close to him (not that I could do anything medically to help him).  The tumor was easily and completely removed - done, finished, yippee!!
Here is his big high five (Dame tu Cinco, Bryans)!  He will have a swollen cheek for several days and look funny but will feel normal later today.  God is so good and so faithful.
to my precious Josh - May the Lord bless you and keep you; and may His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace!  We love you!!