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!

12/52

No pictures of Olivia this week:( Just pics of the boys being boys and brothers- sam started walking this week!!!

11/52

Saturday Morning at about 2:30 am my head hit the pillow beside Nate in our bed in cold Amherst.  We had driven all day long with a group of 13 students plus staff and our kids from Atlanta GA after a wonderful week serving and visiting with friends.  Nate and the students stayed on a farm helping and served in a few downtown places helping those in need.  I stayed with our good friends from PA and had adventures with our kids- a playground in the sun, fun with water, botanical gardens, the world of CocoCola, the Aquarium and more.  A few wonderful things about our trip:  Our kids really are amazing- they slept well in new places, shared with each other, traveled well in the car!  I connected with half of our staff team/friends from our time in PA- a place I never wanted to go, but now couldn't imagine our life without those connections! I love Coke!  I really enjoy hanging out with students- and love that had the trip Olivia was asking "where are the students?  when are we going to see the students?"  Glad to be home, though I miss the WARM weather and friends.  Grateful.

10/52

Jamberry Nails after almost two weeks - pretty good I think!

Grandmas came to visit last Friday afternoon and we had dinner at Chili's- we embraced technology for entertainment while waiting for the food.

This is Sam's newest trick- he likes to see what happens when he puts both fingers in his nose and blows- ha.

After we got to play outside this guy actually fell asleep watching TV- here's to warmer weather!!!  And a trip to Atlanta this Saturday!

Brother's Painting together- I love Sam's stance.

Fireman Isaac

Olivia is so grown up- a new springy outfit!

Outside.  Enough Said.

Our friend Inez celebrated 5 last weekend with a paint nite party- we had quite the group of artists!

  

When Nate is away...

We try to have some fun :)  Nate went to New Jersey a week ago, just for a few days, so the kids and I made pizza and cookies, went to a bday party and church before we welcomed him home!!!  (and asked him to stay put!)

Happy 3rd Birthday Isaac!

We kept Isaac's bday celebrations simple- playing at the Family Center, Lunch with the family at Chickfila, "Car" cupcakes at home, face timing with cousin Drew and presents!