16/52

What a week its been!  I like our life but it is very full.  I have been careful not to use this word in a negative connotation because I really like all that we are doing- but it is ALOT.  In less than two weeks our schedule will change because classes at UMASS will end for the semester.  That will be a welcome change I hope.  So this week included but was not limited to the following:

Since its been so nice out we have spent a lot more time outside- especially with our neighbors whom we love!  This is a "Nest" Olivia and Jada built together.  Its still there a week later and Olivia re-did it yesterday and I think its even better than the original.

This is actually from a few weeks ago when Isaac went to the dentist...  just wanted to be able to compare it with the one  below where Olivia went to the dentist Friday afternoon.

Isaac and Olivia's first soccer practice!  So fun!

Yoda?

On Saturday afternoon we picked up Johanna, a student in our ministry here at  UMASS, and headed to her home church . Her Mom invited us to be the guest missionaries for the weekend.  Saturday night we joined them for dinner and then Nate shared about our ministry while the kids played on the playground.  Sunday morning Nate preached (best I had ever heard and most peaceful- very cool!) and then we had lunch with Johanna and her family.  

Then we headed to my parents house- how grown up is he?!

Isaac does not enjoy having his picture taken lately.

I usually go for sanity and happy kids.

So while Nate took our staff to patriots day celebrations and marathon monday and then headed back to Amherst to keep up with staff meetings and bible studies, i stayed with my parents for a few days.  We mostly just chilled with them and my siblings who all came to visit on Monday, but on Tuesday morning we headed to the Museum of Science.  Nate and I had one of our first dates there which vaguely came back to me as the boys and I enjoyed a snack and watched the crowds.

In the afternoon Olivia and I enjoyed a mommy daughter date to the movies!!!  This theater is insane!  Reserved seats with controls for reclining.  Cinderella was great! 

On Wednesday Morning my Dad took us to the Stone Zoo.  

After the zoo we headed back to Amherst and joined Nate for dinner at UMASS- what we have been doing all semester on Wednesdays.  Honestly I almost didn't go last night cause I was so wiped but I am so glad I did!  Last week I had told the students who work at the family center we would be at Umass for dinner at 5 on Wednesday. They showed up!!!  They have loved on my boys all year and its been really fun to watch.  After the kids were in bed I got to head to Navnight which I also almost didn't go to but am so glad I did.  We had a great discussion about where to practice the presence of God in our lives.  Today I am trying to put that into practice (maybe- ha!).

15/52

The last two weeks I have been trying to eat "cleaner" (i.e. less sugar and flour)- these are zucchini egg muffins- really yummy!  Though I was disappointed that they totally deflated after they cooled down.

I saw this on a blog last week and stole it- I love it!  We have friends and family and bits of our heart all over the place!

If you are on Facebook you know I ran a 5k on Saturday!  AMAZING!  This is my friends Beth, who has helped me actually run this year!, and her son Holden and Olivia and MINUTEMAN SAM.  (I did not know his name was Sam when our Sam was born.)

After the race I had the chance to drive a student and attend and speak at a women prayer retreat in NH.  Lovely.

Isaac was exhausted from a day with Daddy while mommy was away.  One moment I heard him whining from the kitchen and then quiet...  

Daddy was "on" a lot this week- Monday afternoon I headed to campus to lead bible study for our women's study and I got this picture while I was out.  On their way to the swings.

This time I think he was fighting a cold.

We made it back to Groff Park this week!!!!  This is SO exciting!!!

And we have hung out with our neighbors- yeah!  Olivia and Jada, Isaac and Gianna.

Sam is keeping busy while he waits for Ruby to grow up a little bit more:)

Yesterday we stayed home from the Family Center  cause the boys were up early, had runny noises and were generally whiny.  So I got the idea I could take them on a long walk... and I did!  I was so pleasantly surprised at how well the jogging stroller worked on the bike path that I went again today for a real run!  It was GREAT.  and yes, this view, with a brook gushing under us is within walking distance of my house- SO COOL.

And yes they walked like this almost the whole way to drop off Olivia off at preschool today. 

Easter Egg Decorating 2015

The Saturday before Easter Dawn invited us over for brunch and to decorate eggs.  SO thankful for these mom friends and hope our kids will remain friends for a long time!

14/52

Nate was away at the NELT meetings this week and I always find it challenging when he is away.  This week I tried to really choose thankfulness for all the great things that happened to keep my attitude in check.  Monday morning when I dropped Olivia off her teacher said we have the cutest family ever- The kids all gave each other hugs and kisses goodbye- Isaac with his sneakers over his hands to pretend to be a bear.  Monday was the only day that was really nice out so we played outside after our TV time and then my friend Astrid invited us over for dinner and playing- the pictures above.  We even ate outside.  YES!  On the way over the kids really wanted the windows down and we listened to VBS music and they were filled with such JOY.  My mom visited on Tuesday which is always nice and we survived Wednesday and Thursday too when Nate arrived home mid-afternoon.

13/52

yes! I really found all three kids like this on two different occasions this week.  The first one they were "reading" a book- very impressive!  second one they were just watching tv- an all too common occurrence in our house.  

brothers:  "Isaac go stand next to your brother for a picture." Chokehold pose ensues:)

Where did this 5 year old come from?!

And Happy Birthday to Nate!!!!   We got to take him out to breakfast at the North Hadley Sugar Shack- fresh real maple syrup!!!  Yum!  And Happy Birthday to my favorite guy!!!  

Also- Can i quickly recap one of our craziest Saturdays yet, that isnt too infrequent and that I also didn't get any pictures of?  Woke up as usual- early!- I took a shower and got ready while Nate got the boys breakfast and ready for the day.  Eat Breakfast.  Nate starts to get ready and realizes he needs clean underwear cause we are going to spend the night in Bolton.  Heads to the basement that is FLOODED .  Womp womp.  I have no idea what to do.  Nate does, but needs time and supplies.  I ams supposed to meet with a student who is REALLY hard to meet with.  Kids watch tv, I go meet with student and pick up a wet/vac on my way home, and Nate cleans the basement.  Hours after we had hoped to leave, we start the drive to Bolton to celebrate all "Daman" family birthday from Feb-April- SEVEN in all!  We have a great time celebrating with family in bolton- nate even takes a trip with his dad to visit a friend who wants to give us free stuff.  Say goodbye to family, leave kids and Nate and I head to Cambridge to celebrate my sisters birthday bowling!  Que Date Night with my bro and wife and sis and husband and friends.  Drinks and bowling.  Head back to Bolton and crawl into bed and think- was our basement really flooded this morning?  Did I really read a Psalm with thats student this morning??  We live a crazy life but I don't think I would trade it- no one can say we aren't making the most of it!