How do you know when Summer is over?

We officially have another week of summer, but around here, once football season starts, it's really fall. Our friend Rick comes every Sunday, and fends off our children, while trying to watch the game with Allen. Saturday is Alabama day, and Sunday is Steelers day!

New Hair

FINALLY!!! I think it's been since February since I had a hair cut. The best part is that I found a new hair do person. It's a girl this time, and she's RIGHT BY ME, in Helena!! She's super sweet, and we had a good time chatting while she cut my hair. And we made super cool plans for some NEW HAIR COLOR in October. Allen's not too happy with my hair color plan, but I think he may just get over it!!!! He really likes this do, though!

And does this look like me??? I look really old. I was up with a sick Baby Zane last night, but good gracious. Oh well. It's the hair that matters!!!!





I got Laney to take a new picture, after I realized you couldn't even really see my hair in that picture up there. This one's not much better, and I think I'll give up. Sorry, Jackie!!!

The first day of soccer

It wasn't enough that we started school AND a new Bible study this week. We started a new soccer class too. Laney was up before the sun, and I knew it was because she was worried. We got there, and she did fine, and then, suddenly, she is RUNNING towards me, yelling, "Mommy!" Giant tears were streaming down her face, and we quickly retreated to the bathroom, where they have a bench were we could sit for a second. She was just overwhelmed, much like her mother has been all week. She was one of the new kids in the class, and there were other kids who knew what they were doing. It was hard, and she wasn't sure she was up for the challenge. I agreed. It was hard. But, I told her there were times in life when things were going to be tough, and there were always going to be people who were better at things than we were, blah, blah, blah.... But, she WENT BACK OUT THERE, and honestly kicked some butt. Our beloved Coach Rob, Daddy, and I were very proud.
One of our stories this week is about a missionary named Gladys Aylward. She faced many challenges in her life, but one particular time, she had to go into a prison full of rioting prisoners. The theme was courage, and Bible verse was 1 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound mind." That's always been one of my favorite verses for worry wart me. Anyway, this afternoon as we were going back over the events of the day, I burst out laughing. She looked at me like I was crazy, and I told her, "You were COURAGEOUS, just like Gladys Aylward!!!" We laughed together, and officially became home schooled nerds!!!
Granted, going into a prison full of rioting men, is no where near getting back out on a soccer field, but to a 5 year old over thinker, is was a HUGE deal. I was really proud of her. So proud in fact, as I told her for the 50th time, she rolled her eyes, and said, "OKAY, Mom..." Bless her heart.

As the girls were having a tough time, the boys were having a BLAST. Decked out in their game day gear... They were on an empty field next to the one Laney was on. Zane looks so tiny! Jude literally ran the entire time. And Daddy tried to "punt the baby." Don't call DHR. He was just kidding...! I love that Jude is just a blur!













Jude was TIRED!!! After soccer, we ate Zaxby's and watched the Alabama game! Roll Tide!!! It was a good Saturday!

My head is going to explode

I am so overwhelmed right now! Mentally, physically, just the whole ball of wax. It's all good, though. I've learned so much this week, I think I'll just.... explode.

Hopefully it will all eek it's way here, but I'll have to sort it all out first!

This song just sums things up for me. I am praying a special blessing on David Crowder's life, because of the blessing I receive because of him. This song just ushers me straight to the throne, where I worship in awe. I wish you could listen to it, but this is the next best thing, since I am too tired to figure out how to get the actual song on here:


How Great

I'm so bored of little gods
While standing on the edge of something large
While standing here, so close to You
We could be consumed
What a glorious day

I give up, I lay down
Rest my face upon this ground
Lift my eyes to Your sky
Rid my heart of all I hide
So sweet this surrender

CHORUS:How great Your love for us
How great our love for You
That grace could cover us
How great Your love

How marvelous, how brilliantly
Luminous, You shine on me
And who can fail to give You awe
To fear You, God, so sovereign and strong

What a glorious day
What a wonderful day, today
What a glorious day
What a wonderful day, today
Glorious day

The first day

Whew! We did it!! No tears! She was great. I was the mess. I was TOTALLY unprepared. I should have done so much more preparation. I couldn't believe it. Me-Miss Overpreparted (or Mrs. Overprepared). I don't know what I was thinking. I've been so hard on myself, and then finally, I asked forgiveness, and I felt better! I have LOTS of homework to do tonight. Me. Not her!!!

She did great, though. When we were done, she said, "Can we homeschool tomorrow too??"

Jude wants to do it again too!! He did some with us, and some of his own stuff too. He was so sweet, patient and excited. I love that boy.

Zane kind of tottled around. He was okay. Not great, but okay. We're getting him on a new sleep "schedule" and I don't much blame him for being fussy. I just wanted to concentrate, and at times I felt myself getting frustrated. Then I was okay in the same moment. It's inch by inch, right???

After school, we ate our "after school snacks" that Mimi sent.

Then we went to Best Buy! Today is September 4th!!! Woo hoo! The Office, Season 3!!! I had a gift certificate and a Reward Card certificate, so I could get the super deluxe set!!! A treat for me! I know, I got treats yesterday too. It's a shame when you spend all your fun money by the 4th of the month! I don't care, though. I'm happy!!! I can't watch any of it tonight. I have homework! *hee*

We went to Chick-fil-A for our "Back to School" lunch treat, and now we are DONE partying!!! Back to our previously scheduled life!!! And on with school! Yea!!!

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. I really did feel them!

Back to School Bash Day

We were so lucky that our Back to School Bash (or our TO school bash, since she's never been IN school...) was on Labor Day, because Daddy was off all day! I knew first thing it was going to be a good day. I was holding Zane, making our eggs, when I happened to look down in the bowl where I was cracking the eggs. Guess what I saw....? Isn't' that great???

So the boys all dressed alike, at Jude's request. Well, actually he wanted to dress like Daddy, and I helped Zane dress like Daddy. I didn't want him to be left out!!!

Then we headed to our special destination. Chuck E. Cheese. Yes, I know. Two and a half words that strike fear into the hearts of parents everywhere. But, the kids love it. And, we get there at 10 o'clock in the morning. Nobody's there yet. We have our fun, and leave when it starts to get crowded. That's the ticket! And they had such big fun! (The picture are fuzzy because Zane apparently licked the lens. Oh well....)

Then we headed to Michael's and Hobby Lobby for Back to School supplies (okay, it was actually scrapping supplies for Moms. But hey, a happy mommy is important, right?) We had coupons and there were BIG sales. Look at this super cool paper I got!!! (I hate my picture is blurry...:( )

Then we came home and the kids played outside and blew bubbles while Allen grilled us an amazing dinner. Then we put 3 crying, exhausted babies in the bath, and all collapsed into the bed. Laney kept saying, "This was the BEST Back to School Bash Day I ever had!!!" Okay, so it's the ONLY ones she's ever had, but it was a good day!

I think we're ready to start school now!!! Happy Labor Day!

The Apple didn't fall far from this tree...

Okay, fine, I bought the shirt. But Hayes made the pants, and they were supposed to be for Jude. Laney found them, and put this outfit together all by herself. And has worn it for the last two days. She did very intently watch 5 minutes of Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest yesterday, and when I paused it, before it got scary, you know, she said, "I had NO idea that Pirates of the Caribbean was so BORING. AND I couldn't understand a WORD they said..." Well, at least she knows how to dress the part!