June Stuff

I have a few more memories from June to keep!

The memories that I love – those random moments throughout the day – those moments that fill our days!

Fridays are all about cleaning our home, getting grocery and DATE NIGHT!

Traditions are important, you all.

I am the grocery runner these days, and I go very early in the morning.

This particular day, the lady in line in front of me told me my cart was a work of art, ha, ha!

When you can only push one, you get resourceful!

Sometimes date night involves errands, sometimes it is just all about coffee and ice cream!

Chad got his first car at the end of June!

A 2005 Chevrolet Equinox.

I know that because I asked so I could tell you.

We have named his car Larry.

The front of our home looks like a used car lot now!

This photo will always remind that my children like to spend time with me, and that we have two dogs who need to be taught not to beg.

I caught the mowing and weed eating crew cooling off after that big job one night!

The pool is still a HIT – especially for the youngest three and I, as we are home a lot and are super glad for something to do that has us outside and exercising a bit!

We love Chunky Monkey smoothies.

And I love this kiddos freckles!

And eye lashes!

And smile!

Blake worked from home for a few days in June and I could get used to that SUPER DUPER quick.

It was wonderful!!

This was at the end of his day – snack break with the swimmers.

Even though we are home so much these days, there is still a need for rest sometimes!

Even furry puppies need a daily nap!

Surprise!

We still eat!

Which I am sure you already knew, based on the fullness of that grocery cart above and all.

All this beautiful kale from our garden makes yummy things!!

Another surprise!

We still love to play games.

It’s actually a great way to stay connected to each other!

We still love books too!!

We have found a few things to watch here and there, but the list of ok things to watch ran out very quick.

I sprinkled some school days throughout June, and it was good to do so!

It filled the day with purpose, and they love school, so why not?!

We had Tate wear a mask one day during school to practice for an upcoming doctor’s appointment.

Chores happen every day – winter, spring, summer and fall!

It was me and my trio most days (and still is) and we are working hard to settle in to this new season!

June, you are a distant memory already (how is it August?!), but I am so thankful to have your memories kept here!

These days are sweet!

A wonderful season of life!

It is busy!

But I know I will miss it SO much someday, so I am holding on TIGHT!!

Happy NINTH Birthday, Tater Tot!!

Our Tate turned nine years old on Monday, August 3rd!!

We celebrated his birthday on Sunday evening with our favorite people!

Tate chose fish tacos for dinner – a GREAT choice!

*I used my “big” camera for these photos, and it is not working well! The coloring and lighting is terrible! I am glad to have these memories anyway.

After we all ate that amazing meal, it was time for gifts!

Lane told me his favorite thing is choosing, wrapping, and giving his siblings a birthday gift!

I agree!!

They jumped right in to playing four person chess!!

A gift that was a HIT!

Addie Mae made an amazing cake and I added some homemade vanilla chocolate chip ice cream to the menu!

Tate was so excited about his cake and ice cream, but honestly he does not like sweets!

He only ate about one third of his dessert before he asked “Mom, can I be full?”

TOO CUTE.

Mr. Tate, we could not be happier that you were born!!

We are SO thankful we get to celebrate you!!

As we waited to get you home from China, we imagined days like this one!!

Happy, happy ninth birthday, Tater B!!!

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

A Trip To Indy

Blake and I made a last minute quick trip to Indianapolis to visit my Mom and my brother!

We left in the morning on Friday, July 24th, and took our two side kicks with us!

It was a beautiful day for a drive and our trip was uneventful until we were around Rockford, Illinois.

We sat in a traffic jam for an hour!

With very little gas in our tank!

Everything turned out fine – and we even let the kiddos stretch and move around while we sat there.

We were thankful for good snacks that we had gotten at Costco earlier that week!

It was exciting to arrive in Indianapolis!!

The view of downtown from the highway was beautiful!

We had two very happy kiddos when we could finally get out of that van and see their Grandma and Uncle!

We stayed at my Mom’s condo with her and my brother went back to his house so we could have his room there.

We enjoyed all of our meals on the beautiful deck that my brother and his friend built!

I could not get enough time out there – it is a wonderful spot – and the weather was perfect and there were no bugs!!

We went for lots of walks around the community that my Mom’s assisted living condo is in.

It is a beautiful place!

We also enjoyed eating out of my brother’s amazing drive way garden!

When there is a will, there is a way!

Saturday afternoon we went to our favorite store there and got some coffee and ice cream.

There was a mandatory mask order in Indianapolis.

Eliza snoozed on the way there, but someone else was wide awake and spunky!

In the afternoon we rested and then the guys went to Chipotle to bring back some dinner.

It was yummy!

Sunday morning we enjoyed breakfast together and then loaded up to head back to Wisconsin.

It was a quick trip.

But I am SO, so glad we went!

The kiddos slept a lot on the way back home.

We ran into a big storm while we were driving!

It rained SO hard and traffic was almost at a stand still.

It was beautiful after the storm and much cooler!

We stopped for a pick-me-up on the way home – it is such a long drive!

We had planned to go to Indy back in April – all of us – even Kay’s!

Of course that trip got cancelled because of Covid.

Then when we were just feeling confident that it would be ok to go, the riots started.

So we waited some more.

The Monday before we traveled I asked Blake if he thought we would ever be able to go – and he said “let’s just do it!”

I love my guy!!

I texted my brother and thankfully arriving in four days was great with him!!!

It was SO good to see my Mom and brother!

My Mom’s condo feels like home away from home for me – I just love it there!!

We are hoping to go back again SOON.

Thankful for the memories made and now these memories kept!!

Tate and Eliza are still talking about the trip!!

Thanks, Mike, for your amazing hospitality and for all the yummy food!!

CAN’T WAIT TILL NEXT TIME!!!

Another Forever Family Day!

Five years ago today Tate Owen leapt into his Daddy’s arms in Hohhot, China, and started his new forever!!

He yelled “BABA!” as he ran to Blake, and gave him a kiss on the cheek as he jumped into his Daddy’s arms!

I was sitting half-way around the world in front of a computer in the middle of the night waiting for my turn to tell Tate how much I loved him!

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It was not too long after that first photo that we met over Skype and Tate immediately blew me kisses and called me Mama!!

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I cannot believe it has been five years!!

It has been SUCH an amazing journey!!

Tate loved BIG that very first day, and he has loved big everyday since – bringing joy and smiles to anyone and everyone!

I can’t wait to see the plans the Lord has for our precious cherub!!

God writes the best stories!

Happy Forever Family Day to Zhang Hong Yang, our Tate Owen!!

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH, TATER TOT!!!