Look who is 10 months old...seriously NOT possible...okay I guess I say that every month but really!!

Precious Bentley,

Daddy and I love you more than words could ever say. You came into our lives and added more love and joy than we could have ever thought was possible. You are so funny and sweet and such a snuggle bug. You have the biggest smile, the best dimples, and the most amazing sparkle in your eye. You have stolen my heart and I thank God for you each and every single day. At 10 months old you are crawling, pulling up, starting to let go and falling down on your little bisquit. You say mama and dada, you babble all the time, you laugh out loud with the most contagious giggle. You love to pull hair, especially your sisters ;) At your 9 month appointment you weighed 24 pound s and were 30.5 inches tall you are above the 95% in both height and weight. I love your chubby little legs and toes and every other inch of you :) I love you so much little man.

Love,

Mommy

Our precious Whitney grace has pnemonia :( Yesterday I expereinced the scariest hour of my life. I am always somewhat of a wreck when any of my kids are sick. But yesterday afternoon Whit went from running around healthy and normal after a fun day out together to suddnely 103.6 fever, chills, lethargic, and delirious. I was in mom panic mode...truly. I am so thankful for our pediatritian and his staff. They were wonderful and took great care of her and she is already like a new kid today. I am also very thankful to my mom for dropping everything and hurrying to my house to take care of Bentley and pick up Mallory from school. She is the best. As I was praying and crying and praying as I rushed my precious girl to the doctor yesterday one of the things I asked Jesus for was to keep this memory close to my heart. The feeling of having pure clarity of how blessed I am. Moments like that don't come along that often...thankfully. But there is something about the daily life and taking healthy, happy kids for granted. I love my kids more than I could ever put into words and I want to live every day being in every moment and truly be present in how blessed I am. My sister and I were having a conversation along these lines yesterday morning before all this happened. Jesus uses us everyday. He never leaves us especially not in times of need. I praise him that Whitney is her happy self today. I praise him that I feel refreshed and blessed. I so loved every second of playing with my girl today. I have to say the best part of our sick day was being a student in her art class. She rocks! I love you Whitney Grace. xoxoxo Mommy

Uncle Bench, Uncle Bich, Uncle Biiiiiinch...no matter how you spell it he is the one and only BENCH! And my kids LOVE him. This post is a bit delayed but I have lots of catching up to do from summer pictures ;) These pics are from a trip to Crown Center we made with Uncle B back in July. We went to Kaleidescope, Hallmark Visitor Center, The Rainforest Exhibit, and Fritz's Train Restaraunt. We had so much fun and the girls just loved that Bich was along for our outing. If you take time to read our little family blog you probably know us well enough to know Mike but if you don't he is a dear friend from college and Whitney's Godfather. He is part of our family and we are so blessed to have him in our lives. Bench, Thank you for loving our kids and for taking time to spend the day with us. Stop by soon and be sure to bring your DJ Lance costume...Whit misses her dancing buddy....

A few weeks ago we got the pleasure of having my precious nephew play with us all day! We of course spend a lot of time with my sister and her little family that we LOVE so much! But it was fun to have Leo here so it was just me and the 4 kiddos :) It was crazy fun, and crazy :) Ha! We had a great time and even managed a trip to the park! It was pretty hot that day so we headed back and played in the sprinkler...Leo wasn't to into the sprinkler so he took shelter in the car...funny stuff! I LOVE that kid! :)

As I mentioned in the last post I have LOTS of catching up to do from summer pictures;) Earlier in the summer Amy, Adam, and I took all the kiddos to a Mr. Stinky Feet concert. It was a free event at the library by their house...so cute :) It was a gorgeous day out and the kids had a good time dancing :) It was pretty funny because at one point I was like "Where's Mallory??" and I hear "Mallory age 6" on the speakers...I look up and she is doing a little solo with Mr. Stinky Feet :) She had a good time and won a little Alligator wearing polka dot underwear for a job well done :) I love events like this!! And I love that my sis is so awesome and finding them and keeping me in the know :) A great family outing! Scott was missed of course...but that is why me taking so many pictures is a good thing soemtimes ;) Right babe?

Kansas LOVE!

Here she is at her desk...right across from her bestie, Charlie :)

Summer ending is hard for me...not because I love the heat and sunshine...well I do...but it is hard for me because I LOVE being carefree with our kids all day every day. I love swimming, biking, play places, the park, the zoo, Crown Center, just every day adventures. I really and truly am never ready to get back into a routine and have the kids in school. My sweet Mallory started first grade yesterday...the house is too quiet and I am sad. Mallory is thrilled for school she has the teacher she wanted and her very best friend is in her class. Her sister is pretty pleased as well now that she doesn't have to share mommy or her toys for most of the day ;) I am so glad Mallory loves school! But...I miss her. :( She was so excited yesterday and I didn't cry until I got to the car...I didn't want to worry my sweet girl with a sensitive heart.

Mallory, as you start first grade you are a sweet, confident, smart, caring, sensitive 6 year old. You love everyone you meet and you are always glad to lend a helping hand. You love to talk to me non-stop about anything and everything. You love to craft and think up new games and activities for us to do together. You love spending time as a family and you are a wonderful big sister. I love you with all my heart and I am so proud of you. I will pray every day that you continue on the path you have started and grow throughout all your school years with the same darling personality, love for school, and love for others that you have today.

Hugs and Kisses,

Mommy

We spent our weekend at the lake! We went to Grand Lake with my entire family! We had such a great time and feel so refreshed and blessed. I actually didn't take many pictures until the morning we were leaving...I guess I was too busy just having a good time! :) We drove through our favorite Kansas town on the way there and the way back....Pittsburg :) GO GORILLAS! We of course ate at Mall Deli and walked around the campus...we had fun showing the girls all the different places we lived there. I love being in Pittsburg...it feels like coming home :) Back to the lake...I just feel so blessed to have had time with my parents and sisters and I just adored every minute of hubby being home and spending time as a family. It worked out great because it was our last weekend of summer....Mallory started school yesterday. I loved it on the way back when Whit said "Are we in Kansas again?" and when we replied yes she said "Whew...we made it out of Okeeehomeee." hahahah cracked me up! Enjoy a few photos of my favorite people! LOVE!