August Highlight Reel

Friendly Reminder:
 

This blog is our family's "highlight reel" each month which is not because I don't want to be real...but I just don't take pictures of my loads of laundry, piles of dirty dishes, and fussy children (do you?). My days are full of plenty of mundane activities and crazy moments just like everyone else.

 

We have to be careful when scrolling through social media not to get caught in the comparison trap. You know, the one where you look at someone else's highlights and compare them to our own chaos that surrounds us. I'm guilty of this and finds it only steals my joy and creates discontentment in my heart. God has created each of us completely unique with different talents and strengths - not to compare to others - but for HIS glory.

 

Just like we made sure to put on special glasses to not damage our eyes when looking at the solar eclipse, let's remember to put on "highlight glasses" when looking at people's Facebook feed, blogs, and Instragram posts to guard our hearts and minds from discontentment.

August Highlight Reel:


Judah (1.5) and Hannah's (3.5)
First day at St. John's PDO


While the littles were at PDO, Benjamin and I enjoyed some sweet one-on-one time together doing some of his favorite things: making art, the Pink Palace Museum, IMAX 3-D movie about Africa, Pyros pizza, and playing at the park.


A couple of months ago I noticed Hannah had been biting her nails and it was getting bad. I told her if she was able to let them grow long and strong then we would get manicures together. With a little help of the "yucky polish" and the manicure incentive she did it! It was quite the treat for both of us!

Benjamin started Kindergarten this month! We are homeschooling through the Veritas program, which means he has a class day once a week and we do the rest at home during the week.  He was excited about his first day of school!

In class the tutor introduces the new concepts for the week and reinforces what they have been learning at home. He has ten other kids in his class and has really enjoys the different activities. 

Above was a culture activity learning how to eat with chopsticks after spending a week reading "Ping".

Homeschooling has reignited my love for planners and post-it notes : )

 

I have really enjoyed the extra, intentional time Benjamin and I have spent together. It has been exciting to watch him learn new things and for me to be a part of his learning process.

 

We have also enjoyed being able to get out with all three kids and do fun things like playing at the Art Project...

 

and Children's Museum.

 

Soaking up the last days of summer!

 

This month we got to celebrate Mamaw and Papaw's birthdays.

 They are 94 and 98 years young : )

I'm so thankful our kids will have special memories with their great-grandparents.

We treasure the time we get to spend with them.

 

Last day in the pool for the summer

 

My first French braid!

 

Hunting season is around the corner so Frank is introducing Benjamin to firearm safety.

He likes to practice being quiet for hunting - lol.

 

We had the privilege of getting to spend a Sunday afternoon/evening with the Brand family

 

Thankful for a friend like Kerri!

"....a sweet friendship refreshes the soul." Proverbs 27:9

 

There was much anticipation and excitement leading up to Hannah's first fishing trip.

 

She caught her first fish and was beyond thrilled!

 

After fishing, Josh and Frank took a tour of the property.

 

(Here is a real life pic for you)

After a blow-out diaper I was bathing Judah while also helping Hannah balance/wipe on a RV toilet

...all while 36 weeks pregnant.

Thanks Penny for capturing this epic moment : )

Lydia and Judah taking a break on the RV

 

 

For my last two pregnancies we used a pumpkin...So Bethany got a watermelon.

We are T-9 days till meeting her and could not be more excited!

 

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If You Give Your Husband A Hammer: Chapter 2

 (cont. from July post)

 

He will eventually forget using a hammer and start using his muscles to demo the utility closet...

 

and your entire pantry

 

displacing all of your kitchen junk you hide out into the open.

 

Then your kids will make a box tower when you are suppose to be packing them

 

Your husband might even pose for a picture because you ask him to : )

 

After looking at the project he will decide the exterior wall of the house will need to come down too.

It won't be long before your son decides to pick up the hammer and start his own demo

 

Then your plumber friend (who doesn't like pictures taken of him) comes over to help with rerouting the radiator pipes and stays until 1am

Due to lack of sleep, your husband will loose his mind and purchase an antique mountain goat mount for $20 which will scare the UPS man

Finally your husband will begin the clean up process

 

and put down hardwood floors using a nail gun while the kids are in bed

  

But they won't mind because they will be happy to watch and "help" when they can : )

 

You will sigh with relief as phase one of your kitchen remodel is coming to a close.

 

Even though life has been messy and busy recently you are thankful to have a super handy, hardworking, and amazing husband who can do the work himself!

 

**The third and final chapter of "If You Give Your Husband a Hammer" will be written this Spring once Bethany is here and hunting season is over**

 

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