September

I really did not want to send September on its way. I held on to it as long as I possibly could. We had cold days, a hot day, and several warm days. Just like I like em. I never thought I'd admit to being a summer girl, but I am already longing for more days on the beach, painted toe nails, and shorts. Regardless, we made the most of our September days. 

Now that Cody is the District Manager he has been traveling more and more. We've missed him terribly and are sure to take up every spare second he has once he gets home. Elena has been calling Cody, "baby!"  when he gets home. It's the cutest thing, she screams it as soon as she hears his bike. Cody will graduate in February with his Masters, I think our life will totally slow down after that. Cody will have more spare seconds and may be able to do a few things for himself. 

Kevin is loving school and loves playing with his friends after school. I have no pictures of him because I never see him. The second he gets home he checks in and runs out to play again. Sadly, last night he came in with a terrible headache which quickly escalated and 5:45 pm found him fast asleep. He slept til almost seven this morning but is still feeling under the weather. Poor dude. Kevin emulates all that is good. Yesterday all his friends took off to go around the block after they were told no, I went out to find Kevin outside waiting for them to get back. We had a sitter for the kids on Saturday and Kevin cleared the table after dinner. This boy can see things that need to happen and do them. He's hard working, compassionate, and kind. I want to be more like him.

Julia went through a rough patch of sleeping, AGAIN! It was awful! Thanks to some good suggestions, we are one week of sleeping through the night. It's glorious!! Julia is my little helper. She sits in my back pocket all afternoon and wants to help with everything I am doing. She's very tender (87% of the time) and helpful with Lacey and Elena and is generally the only person that can get Lacey to wear shoes. She loves when i call her, "little mama!" and is so excited when she has learned something new to prepare her to be a Mom.  Julia, is also loving school, but tells me every day, "It's such a long day, Mama!" I have to agree, I'm usually way past ready to pick them up.

Lacey she's a hoot. She's on this "grandpa kick" as we have dubbed it. Everything she says or does was either taught to her by her Grandma, her Grandma told her to do it, or she asked her Grandma. It's hilarious. Yesterday she was doing jumping jacks at her field trip and another Mom said, "Nice jumping Jacks." Her reply..."Thanks, my Grandma taught me!" This girl has a memory for detail like you wouldn't believe. She often tells stories about our summer vacation...from 2013! It's amazing. Lacey has been having issues with her girl parts. It was thought that a kidney was not functioning properly, but after an ultra sound, it is determined both are working properly. She has had several Urinary Tract Infections. Which are no fun for anyone. We are going back in today after her asking to go, "potty in a hat!" (That's what the toilet insert is called for a clean catch!) Poor girly! We are crossing our fingers everything clears up.

Elena Joy turned the big 18 months. Yikes. The poor girl has no record of her life... well, some. But nothing compared to the older kids. I feel guilty. But, I figure, her being the fourth, she will get lots of one on one time with her Mama and that just can't be replaced. Who knows when she got her first tooth, or took her first step, but I know I love her and could not imagine life without her. She's got a handful of words down including, but not limited to, Hot, No, Mine, Daddy, Sheri, Mommy, *Earring, Baby, Ball, Thank you, and Please. She loves her blanket, Goes from not hungry to starving in seconds and meal time usually turns into her throwing herself on the floor in a fit of rage, which causes more rage, which usually ends in her eating her meals in my lap or spending some time in her bed before she will calm down enough to eat.  A few days ago, Cody was watching the girls while I was at soccer practice with the big kids, and i came home to find 4 bags of Cookie mix sprinkled from the tips of their toes to the tips of their noses and every square inch of one couch and a good portion of our sunroom floor. No, no one got in trouble. We were too busy laughing. 

And... for me, there's only one bit of info to share. I took a riding class through Harley-Davidson and got my Motorcycle Endorsement and it's pretty much all I talk about. I love my Harley and I love riding, and I sort of surprised myself. 

We are blessed and we know it. Here's to making the most of October!