Easter

 This Easter didn’t turn out quite as I planned. Yesterday holy Saturday, was a day jampacked. We went to an Easter egg hunt in the morning. It was just our family. As much as I love love love doing things with other people it was nice to do something just us well and hundreds of other people egg hunting at the same time. Then Shannon and I got ready for Kaitlyn’s baby shower. We got home around five And I took Kyle to Kohl’s to look for a shirt and tie for Easter and confirmation. This would probably deserve its own post, but seeing as I haven’t posted in years, it’s all getting included here.

Kyle walked into the store and picked out a bright pink tie. I find this incredibly funny since less than a year ago he claimed he would never wear pink shirt. He picked out a light pink shirt to go with it. The confirmation note said he could wear a Sport jacket. He was thinking about wearing his Mizzou one, but I draw the line at wearing the Mizzou jacket to confirmation. That’s a big fat. No, he asked if he could get a jacket? Who is this kid? He went into the fitting room and on his clothes and came out changed Kid. We bought a nice tie, new dress shoes. He was going to look very dapper on the way home. Kyle asked if we would teach him how to shave what!?!

We got home about an hour later. And began to dye eggs. It’s so fun and it’s so interesting to see the family changes here after year doing the same activity just once a year..

The kids tried using shaving cream to dye the eggs. It was a bust then we ate dinner and watched part of the city soccer game before the next activity began: rolling out and sugar cookies. The kids went to bed fairly late and I still hadn’t put any of the Easter stuff together yet 

I ended up going to bed around 130-2 ish. 

Justin came in around five with the stomach ache and then proceeded to throw up. Lay down and throw up again and throw up again. Everyone was up by 7:30 ready for Easter baskets. Justin would rally and be Only to be quickly stepped by something coming out either end.  

The kids waited on the steps to come downstairs, they came down southern baskets. Justin ate one piece of candy Run to the bathroom to throw up. And then laid down only to be ready to get up when I said, let’s go outside for an egg hunt.after a few minutes, Justin had to run back inside to go to the bathroom. Again we got ready to go. I put Justin‘s dress shirt on, because surely we needed a picture of all of us in our nice dress up clothes, looking polished for Easter, only to the picture as Justin threw up again. 

So I took the other three to Nana and Poppy for breakfast church, and an Easter egg hunt including the infamous kids, hiding the eggs for the adults Easter egg hunt. We went to the Rechtien Easter as usual. They waited until we got there to do the egg and beer hunt. The beer hunt is for the adults when we got home, Justin was feeling much better, but the rest of us were pretty wiped out after lying around for a bit. 

Andrew came outside to hide a few eggs for Justin since he did not get to do any extra Easter egg hunts. Our evening of wonderful family fun. Andrew wanted to surprise Justin. Justin went and found the eggs. Then Justin wanted to hide them for Andrew. He was getting pretty sneaky with his hiding. Then they both were going to hide eggs so that Justin‘s stuffed animals could find them, at this point, I went inside and asked Husband) if he would come out and help me hide eggs, but make them pretty hard to find we hid about 45 eggs. Then the kids wanted to hide them for Kyle and I but at this point it was getting pretty dark so we did our Easter egg hunt with flashlights. Our picture from Easter consisted of us in the backyard. It’s a beautiful thing, we then came in and played a game as a family five minute marvel, a collaborative game. These are about the only games we can play in our family. 

Back to School

 Justin is loving the first few days of school.  He said the worst part of the day is not having homework.

He has also asked to be woken up at 6:10 am everyday to get ready for school.  A few days ago (after sleeping in our bed for a little bit after he had peed - I was secretly so so happy b/c I miss having kiddos come into our bedroom.  I'm glad I hadn't missed the last time a kid came into our room.. (I'm getting a bit emotional here)) I started to wake Justin up to go back into his room and he said it's 6:10!!  He got up and got dressed.  He also went downstairs while everyone was still asleep, and got everyone's breakfast ready (aka got the bowls, spoons and cereal out). He came back upstairs and asked if he could help wake everyone up.. 

Shanny Girl's Golden Birthday

 Sunday we celebrated Shannon's 11th Golden Birthday with a Hamilton Themed Party.   For years we had thought an 11th Harry Potter would be awesome, but thats more of a me dream than Shan.  She would've had HP if I pushed her to but Its not about me.  It's about Her and what she likes not about me.  

Hamilton, the musical, is about the life of Alexander Hamilton.  Shannon knows most of the lyrics (it's a 2+ hour all singing musical).    We listen to the music each week on the way to gymnastics and home. She listens as she falls asleep.  We have learned a LOT by listening to the music.  AND her most recent class project was on Alexander Hamilton, we confirmed that most of the info in the musical is actually true! 

Back to Shannon.  She is thoughtful and kind. Giving and loving.  As with all preteens, she is having a bit more attitude, but at the core she is still the best girl around.  She is thoughtful and kind.  She sees and connects things. Helping out others.

We celebrated on Sunday with family and friends.  It was a beautiful day after snow on Shan's birthday on Friday!

Making $ and

 Today we had a really good snow.  This kids have been really wanting to make money - so they went around asking neighbors if they could shovel driveways.  They finally found someone who paid them to shovel!  The boys also did ours so we have them some $$

going home

 yesterday was a Monday. I am usually home with Justin on Mondays.  But I worked yesterday and dropped Justin off at mom and dad's.   We drove up Milentz... - and I saw all the trees.

then just rang the door bell and hid.  he used to ask that I stand there frozen... pretending to ring the doorbell.   And we did all that... then I walked in and my heart almost burst.. Justin walked in and dad gave him a big hug.  It felt so wonderful to be home and walk into my parents house.  While it is about the house, i think it's more about seeing my mom and dad.    We chatted and had breakfast.  Like we've done so many times.  While we moved and some of it has to do with moving, some of it is kids growing up.  THis year I don't think we would've had all the morning because Justin would've been in school if we had stayed in south city BUT...

I am absolutely loving our new house, neighborhood, and community.  It feels great and I thank God for the gifts we have.  Our house is really feeling like home  but the biggest thing I miss the absolute most is seeing mom and dad and seeing them with the kids,.  It is not their house but them.  ALways welcoming. always loving.

I just love going home.  Home is not just a place the people.  Home is where my parens are.  home is where my husband is.  home is where my kids are. 

  I hope that My home can be a "home" for my parents, children, nieces and nephews and friends. 

 

Centralia fall fun

 Each year for the past, I don’t know how many years, we have gone to Centralia for a bonfire and hayride at Nancy and Matt’s.  Mom and I also put together Halloween parties. It’s mostly mom doing everything and me giving me encouragement to do all the fun things. Past weekend what is our big party. The kids look forward to sleeping outside under the stars but that was not in the cards for this weekend as it was a little cold little rainy and we had some tornado warnings the next night!!

We hung around the campfire eating chili, making s’more’s, and went on a moon light a hayride.

At this point in my life I still push for the things I want, especially when it comes to my family. Sometimes the sisters are a little bit of Debbie downers about something, but we keep doing it and I think they all have fun enjoy your time together whether they want to admit it. Luckily mom and I are on the same page and like to have fun and do all these parties together. And when I say together I mean she plans it is the cross and the food and I just tell everyone what todo. 

I love the fall fun! Especially with family.

Grandma Loubek

 Today is Thursday.  My grandma passed away early Saturday morning at some point (january 9th).  

Her funeral was Tuesday.  and I miss her terribly.    

I hate that due to covid and life we couldn't hold her hand or hug her or love on her when she was dying.   I mean really.  I get that people have to follow rules and do what is best but gosh darn it it sucks.   It is more sad for us - here on earth.  I believe in Heaven with my heart.  Therefore I know grandma is in heaven.   So I guess I'm not sad for her.  She is happy in heaven, but I miss that we couldn't hug her.  Grandma I miss you.   I think you would've loved helping me get ready to move.    

You always made me feel better about life and choices.   

My lenten "sacrifice" is no oreos (and I'm doing it!  for once in my life I am!!)   and doing laundry with a happy heart.     Every time I switch laundry I think of you.