heavy heart

We are very blessed in this house. We have more than we could ever need or want. I have my rough days just like everyone else. Then I remind myself how extremely blessed we are. Our prayers lately have been focused on this family. I can't wrap my brain around it, but I stop more often to savor the simple things and the small moments that make each day a blessing. And then this happens in my kitchen and I thank God for everything we have all over again... 

Keep praying for baby Treyden and his family so they can find the strength to keep fighting. We're all praying for them!

Catholic schools week

Last week was Catholic Schools Week...one of the kids' favorite times of the year. They get to dress up all week long. The Book Fair is at school aaallllll week. There are fun field trips planned. And they end the week with a mid-winter dance...and I remember now why we didn't go last year... loud music + dancing/screaming children running wild like animals + 50cent hot dogs + dark gymnasium (try keeping tabs on Rowdy in a dimly lit gym!)... this is what my Friday nights have come to!

The beginning of the week started with career day. It's slightly scary to think of these kids having careers and leaving my home... also scary how much Lia reminds me of myself. She wanted to be an EMT :)

Side note: Mom, I'm very sorry if I had a mouth like her. I should have been slapped more. Wowza!

Tayt is a spitting image of his father :)

 No surprise here, Austyn went as an arteeeeest :)

Another day was crazy hair day. After quite a bit of arguing over the wigs in the house, Peyton was the only one who decided to wear one. Useful arguing... not! He pulled it off well :) Lia had a bun mohawk. Austyn made me do some crazy ponies with her hair. And Tayt had the classic mohawk. Since mohawks are not allowed in my house, Tayt was preteee excited for crazy hair day :)

And then came Friday. The theme for the dance was a Masquerade Ball. Austyn hid her mask from me all week because she didn't want me to recognize her at the dance... keep in mind that I approved the dress she would wear for the dance... 

Meg wore her boots with the fur

waiting for dad to get home from work so we could go to the dance

Lia and her friend, Miss M

I'm not entirely sure, but I *think* this is Austyn *wink wink*

Austyn's friend, Miss H, and Austyn...maybe

Lia with a few girls from her class and her teacher

here's the real Drew Rowdy... you can just barely see it, but she's looking at me out of the corner of her eyes... 

Tayt is too cool for masks

supper

Austyn with another friend, Miss M

Lia may have had the best mask :)

Because of the frigid weather last week, Lia, Austyn, and Tayt's field trip was rescheduled to tomorrow. I usually join them for this trip but I have a little one attached to me at all times. I guess I could strap her to my back and go rollerskating ;) I have every reason to believe the kids enjoyed their week of celebration. We love our little school!

pre-wigs, wings, &wine

A couple weeks ago we had our ladies wine night...themed wigs, wings, and wine. While the photos from that particular night may require approval prior to posting here, I think these are okay to include. ;) Drew was such a good sport! Casey and I had quite the time with her...

I wore this wig for wine night...

Casey wore this wig...

Casey ruined this wig by sending it through the dryer... (this is pre-dryer ruining)

matted wig after removal from the dryer...

my Dad got in on the wig action as well. hilarious!

and then thissss happened... apparently he's doing the 'Raji'...and he'll be sssooo glad I included this ;)

gosh I love him. LOL :) :)

Wigs, wings, and wine night was equally as hilarious as trying all these wigs on the kids. Possibly more of our wine night to come!

u-rah-rah-rah Peyton!

Peyton's middle school (gasp) football and Lia's cheerleading are well under way. Running for practices and games has officially begun...not complaining because we live in town and it's not sssooo bad. I'm most thankful their games are on different days so we don't have to juggle that for the time being.

Lia seems to be enjoying the cheerleading. Not going to lie... I thought for sure this would bore her... maybe next year she'll decide to do something else. She is pretty darn cute though :)

closest row. third from the right.

 this one should always be caged...

Last week we were watching Peyton's game in summer clothes. This week we broke out the winter coats. :( Photos below we are enjoying last weeks game. This week Peyton caught a pass and made his first TOUCHDOWN of the season. Dave and I were *extremely* excited. There may have been yelling and standing and clapping involved. We might be thoseeee parents...

Peyton is #20.   Mostly The Follower ;)

Drew may be the aggressive child in this house.

another Smith wedding

Right off the bat... there is an abundance of photos going on in this post. We went to another Smith wedding this past weekend and as usual, I have officially taken too many photos... oops!

groomsman had a little pal

 Homer was enthused about the ceremony

Jake, Renee, and Dave (siblings)

not so girly

 girly

 not so girly ;)

 getaway vehicle

Between the ceremony and the meal and reception, we visited aunt Pigg and my grandpa Z. The meal was delicious... I was a hungry momma!
(photos with grandpa Z to come in another post)

Austyn's creation with her jelly beans

waiting patiently :)

failed attempt at a family photo. Nash bomb!

hurry up and grow girls hair, mine has got to go!

and then there was dancing!  :)

immediately after this photo, Drew pushed him away. apparently she wasn't a fan... I don't mind. boys have cooties ;)

P had fun. He's faking it. :)

sista-in-laws

and then the party was over. done for.



Many thanks to the newlyweds for the wonderful wedding. We all had a great time! Best wishes to you in the future... we can't wait to watch the Smith family grow :)