Awesome August : Part 3

Two blog posts on one Monday... wow... mind blown!😂 I have loved reliving our awesome August memories today!

Multitude Monday : 10 Thankful-nesses ❤

Thankful for SOCCER!
So, we took a break during spring sports knowing that a preggo momma being a taxi and cheerleader during April - June, may not be in everyone's best interest. But now, we are so excited to embrace this new to us stage!
With Harrison reffing ( his 1st paid job!), Matt coaching Hannah, and Hudson playing his 1st team sport!
Thankful that Matt joined the board of soccer peeps too- he is such a great networker and relationship builder...excited about this new way to know our local community!

 Back to my classroom... sigh... had hoped there would have been some magic painting fairy that came along this summer to bring this drab room some LIFE! But bless the new janitor's heart when he told me how much he scrubbed the baseboards... I'll take every little bit of clean I can!

 Lulu, clearly unimpressed tho.

 But this saying is all the hearts. And so cute. And helps the nasty wall and 1/2 painted chalk board seem ok. Thank you Aldi for that adorable donut towel!

 Thankful for tag teaming!

 SO.Much.to.Do.

 "Dad do I look like a teenager now?" Oh buddy, stay young. Please.

 Soccer Saturday!

 Thankful for Mimi and her huge heart! She is always excited to cheer our kiddos on during any and all event! And of course getting Lulu rocked and napped is a plus too!

 Thankful. BEYOND words, for Hudson blowing our minds on that soccer field! The happiest guy! Running, sometimes skipping, always smiling and laughing!
Hudson's IEP is for a few things, one being behavioral issues, so when we registered him for soccer, we literally had and still have no idea what each practice or game will look like. His 1st practice was hard. His 2nd practice was easier. His game was INCREDIBLE.
This boy is showing us what growth looks like - and how to be truly joyful in ALL the moments surrounding the growth.

Thankful for Mimi & Hannah sharing a yard sale love! Those 2 find all the goods! 

And of course, in true Mimi form she got them tasty treats from Mcds & Hannah always finds treasures for Hudson. 

 All the smiles for morning chats with Mimi!

 Thankful for a couple of teens sharing their creativity with the Sunday School! Hudson loved his 1st Sunday in his new class!

 And we loved naptime Sunday too!

 This pix is everything... Saturday night was awful... 0 sleep for basically everyone ( well dad got his full beauty rest but that's a whole other story) So after church and a delish meal with friends, which I was AWFUL at  #wearsfeelingsonsleevesalldayerrday ( insert all the please forgive mes to the frands there) We go home to nap... and Harrison and Hudson napped for 3 hours! I had to wake them up to take Harrison to Paint Wars at a local church! It seemed like the perfect back to school High School Only event! He was exhausted & excited & embarassed that I even offered to walk him in to check in... Oh Harrison take it easy on this crazy in love with you momma!

 Hudson and Lulu bonding over Storybots ❤

 After 90 minutes at Paint Wars and Slip n Slide relays.... Ummm can you walk home!? 😀

 MONDAY!!! TODAY!!
He has SUCH joy. SUCH.
And then I Saw this mom meme.. and it rang true to anyone trying to zap joy from his cute crazy self

 THIS.

 Her squeals and big smiles. Obsessed.

And today... as kiddos are gone.. Matt's back to work., and Lulu is beyond chill... it gives time for devotion reflection & time to smell the flowers

 Because... Ann Voskamp blew my mind today with this reminder...

Need a solid pick you up? Psalm 46! And then Shane & Shane's Psalm 46 song~😍

Awesome August: Part 2

Happy Multitude Monday!

Thankful for our back to school groove... for the ability to ease into it... I love & am thankful that Hudson & Hannah began midweek, so they could enjoy a few days, then take a break again. I also love that they start before CPS does. The moments I can participate in the mundane mom stuff, I am ALL FOR! Walking to school, writing Knock Knock jokes on napkins, combing hair and checking those pearly whites for minty freshness! (Sorry teachers, after this week there is just no guarentee on hair styles or breath smells! 😛)
Thankful that I extended my maternity leave ... just by 4 days... but today instead of being in data meetings and ice breakers galore... I am in my neon PINK outfit, no makeup, messy bun, laminating and printing all the things while Lulu snoozes next to me, with that adorable kissy lip face.

One last date before school starts! Zoo time!

 Lulu- ready to tackle the 2 month shots! Little chicky is 11 pounds!

 Thankful for how Harrison handles "stuff"... he didn't make the soccer team... he thought about joining football, since no tryouts needed, but then changed his mind. I think he was over the LONG day at school ( 7am bus to school- 6pm bus home... YUCK right!?) Rather would go to Lifetime with us, and help the littles with soccer! We are loving having him around more!
Thankful that he joined Matt at PGM. Such a good place to visit to gain a little perspective.

 The night before 1st grade!

 And here they go!

 Thankful for these two and the bond they have.

 Thankful that the day they go back... landed on our 15 year anniversary!
Also very thankful that the cemetary where my dad is buried is on our way to the gym, and today I had to go in. Reflecting back to our beautiful, yet HOT, wedding day... when my last words to my dad as we would begin that walk down the isle... "Smile with your teeth Dad" ( you know those closed lip smiles? Yeah I was over that haha, so for some reason I was extra bridezilla about the smiles! Yikes!) Insert all the tears and all the hearts, that no doubt he is smiling with ALL his teeth today... from blissful Paradise... so very loved and so very missed. And his last line of his wedding speech... Alison, you're like Gretel, always leaving trails behind you, well I'm glad you left your flip flops by the back door, that means you have to come back home to get them. Oh Dad you nailed it.

 And then off to Lifetime we went!

 And then to sushi...

 And then to pickup

 Thankful for fun 1st Day of School cookies & for crumbs flying out of mouths as they tried to relive every moment! It's going to be a GREAT year... lots of changes for Hudson, but he is ready for this & we are so proud of his progress!