Eight

 How in the world is it possible that we have an eight year old? Goodness gracious, it does seem like just yesterday we went in for a 41+ week check-up at Allegheny General and came out a few days later with bunches of pink flowers and the prettiest baby girl we had ever set eyes on.  But these  days we look at her cartwheeling around or reading chapter books, or cracking eggs for a recipe with ease...and wow, she's pretty grown up. But still as bold and lovely as the day she was born.

This year was a tough one for our sweet girl. She said good-bye to her best buddy since baby-hood when he and his family packed up and moved to Wisconsin. Her best school playmate chose to homeschool instead this year.  Her teacher moved mid-year.  Tough things for a second-grader!  And she felt them all, but she managed okay.  We hugged a lot, encouraged and pep-talked quite a bit, and found that gymnastic lessons brought out the best in her. I'm confident that next year will be a bit easier for her, but for now I'm proud that our biggest girl can do hard things.

She continues to love climbing, jumping, swinging, and swimming.  But not running or ballet-type dancing. She's our most tomboy-like and dresses almost every day in a T-shirt and leggings (school excepted, of course) with a bit of bling in a headband or necklace. She's a foodie with an eye for a recipe and tastebuds for herbs.  Screen time is usually her favorite time of the day, especially a computer game of some sort. Her daddy still pretty much hung the moon for her but she has a soft spot in her heart for her mommy, especially when school is tough.

Amalia June, you changed life as we knew it eight years ago, and we can't thank you enough for that.  We love to watch you delight in life and grow into a young lady. Your report card this year described you as "fun-loving".  You responded, "That's me--fun and loving!".  So very true!  We pray that you will continue to bless us with that fun and love this coming year as you have done every year so far.

Ward Family Tour Part IV (Finale!)

And last but not least, we wrapped up our Midwest tour with a suprise-to-us Ward family picnic/water fight. (I SO wish I had pictures from that!) Then we had a fun overnight with German practice, story-reading, frozen yogurt bars, and more with this special lady.  So nice to see her in her lovely new home!  It always warms my heart to see my girls with their Great-Grandma and her hospitality is top-notch.  We were as prepared as possible for long drive home.  Thanks to the beautiful states of Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin for a great introduction to summer!

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Ward Family Midwest Tour Part III

Just when we things had been winding down for us event-wise, it was time again to get things started.  On to Milwaukee!  The place that the Jonathan and Kaethe Ward family first called home!  So near and dear to us! And this wasn't just any visit--it was to celebrate our dear friend ("Aunt" to our girls) Hannah and her wedding to Matt.  Not that we'd even had an opportunity to meet the guy yet!

(Anyone reading this blog knows that photography is certainly not my strong suit. Thankfully, the wedding photographer was fantastic and took lots of amazing shots like these.)

Even before the actual big day, our time there was filled with a Big Bend picnic (gifts of fans for wanna-be flower girls), swimming, custard, WI beers, former co-workers, and wonderful catching up with Milwaukee residents. I still maintain I've never met kinder people.  Hannah and I even had the opportunity to run a few miles in perfect May weather the morning of the wedding.  Don't worry--our orange pedicures were well protected with our running shoes.

And the wedding itself was everything that Hannah and Matt deserved. A few shaky moments (literally!) but everyone there felt so blessed to be a part of their day and to watch their two families come together. They are off to minister together as pastor and wife/organist in lovely Arizona and we wish them nothing but happiness. Such an honor to be able to stand by their sides on their special day!

Ward Family Midwest Tour Part II

We took off to America's Dairyland the day after Memorial Day to see familiar faces in a somewhat familiar place.  We just weren't used to the combination of the two together!  It was wonderful to see the Ryan family in their beautiful new home.  The house was perfectly situated for hosting two big and busy families and their land is jaw-dropping.  The sunsets!  The woods!  The chapel!  The cows!  (Seriously, they moo-ed at me during my morning run!).  We snacked on rhubarb bars and Spotted Cow and all was right in our parenting world again.

We even managed to squeeze some Madison sight-seeing into the trip with a glorious lunch on the picturesque Terrace of my alma-mater.  I love that place. The sweet potato curry made everything even more yummy.  The Madison Zoo was also a treat and we just keep soaking up the sun and good memroies. Our first stop of the day even included a bathroom back at Calvary Lutheran Chapel, where I had attended a Bible Study during my grad school days.  My first exposure to LCMS Campus ministry--no idea how much of a role it would play in our lives, including introducing us to Mike and Kellie!

The icing on the cake, so to speak, was celebrating Iris's fourth birthday with her with lots of balloons and cupcakes.  Anyone who has ever read this blog before knows that Kellie's a waaaay better  photographer than I am, so here's her link to even more lovely pictures of our time together.  Such a good hostess!

Five for the Weekend

I have so many pictures to sort through and post from our lovely past few weeks but before that happens, here's a few notes of the normal goings-on around here.

1).  A huge hug of congrats to our dear Grandma Sandy for her retirement!!!  Never again will she have to work a visit to Pittsburgh around her work schedule.  What a impact she had made on the many, many children she has taught over the years.

2)  Also an accomplishment to celebrate:  Amalia passed on all of her levels on her first session of beginning/intermediate gymnastics.  It was an excellent fit for her and we've never seen her work so devotedly on a skill.

3) Our big girls also wrapped up the school year with track and field day again this year and came home with some impressive medals.  At the general awards ceremony, Mali was also given the class "Bookworm Award, and Brinnly the "Fruits of the Spirit Award".

4) This just in--Brinnly has a new loose tooth. She's always pretty proud of the new sandals she bought with her own money yesterday.

 

5)  Laney would describe those sandals as "big".  She categorized everything these days as "big" or "little".  Usually, she prefers "big" things or things that are "Big like Daddy". Although she herself is "little".  Mali is "big", I am "little".  She labeled each and every public potty on our trip as "big" or "little".  Even if it gets a bit tedious, it's pretty darn cute.