Catching Some Big Waves in Florida

If you know me, you know I’m not a beach person.

At all.

I must explain. Being there is okay but the sand in EVERYTHING and the coming and going I can do without – the packing to go and then the leaving with all the sand and feeling gross. Yeah, I hate that part.

But it’s Florida and being so close to the beach means you have to go at least once so we did.

And today we didn’t find calm seas but huge, crashing waves. Not surprising given all the weather we’ve had but it meant no calm swimming in the gulf.

No calm seas here – look at those waves! And they just kept coming.

Lunch time in the wind with Grandpa – had to sit on the chairs or they would blow away!

Caleb’s ready to take on the waves. Even if he doesn’t match 🙂 But I’m betting that’s just a mom thing!

Kaitlyn and Caleb keeping Rachel and Alyssa from getting pulled under the waves and away from the rocks.

Julianna’s venturing in.

Everyone but Rachel braving the waves. She is pretty tiny and the waves pushed her right over.

Tiny doesn’t mean she’s not adorable!!

Caleb, Kaitlyn and Grandpa having a great time in the waves.

Kaitlyn’s in that wave somewhere 🙂

All the girls playing in the sand – I think this was their favorite part. When we were done they were still digging!

I did venture in the water but every time I did I had to hold a triplet or two tight to make sure the waves didn’t take her away!

After swimming the kids were feeding the seagulls some leftover bread. Not sure who had more fun, the kids or the birds.

Why oh why is it so hard to get five kids to look forward and smile??!!

Also, Rachel’s eyes don’t open and Alyssa can’t give me a good face. I kept trying and this is the best I got!

And some more pictures because well, I think my kids are cute and it’s my blog so yep, more photos!! Also, I’ve got to get something good out of going to the beach and great outdoor pics are what I get. Clearly, I’m not a photographer but occasionally I get a photo I like and have to share.

Rachel running in the sand.

Just did not want to sit on the bench swing.

The mask just cracks me up.

Even though I prefer the pool to the beach we had a pretty good day fighting the surf and playing in the sand.

My Babies Graduate Kindergarten

You know in your head that children grow up. Of course you do. You know that when you bring that baby into the world they are going to eat and cry and mostly grow. They aren’t going to stay babies.

In your head you know this.

But your heart is a different story.

My heart has me a young mother of lots of small children. Not big kids. Not middle schoolers or almost-teenagers and most certainly not the mother whose babies have finished Kindergarten.

Not started, mind you but FINISHED!

Tonight I watched my girls graduate Kindergarten. Unlike when they graduate high school they didn’t really know what was going on and they had cute little hats that just wanted to fall off their heads but there they were crossing the stage, wearing their hats and accepting their diplomas.

Rachel’s leading the class in:

Alyssa and Julianna are bringing up the rear:

With their teacher, Miss Park:

My little artist getting her awards. Rachel earned an “Awesome Artist” award as well as an “Excellence Award” for all areas of academics. She’s creative and smart – receiving the only artist award in the class – I will have to post some of her drawings soon!

My most outgoing daughter getting her awards. Alyssa earned the “Most Friendly” award and the “Bright Idea Award” for making fun, creative story books. Once you get to know Alyssa you know you will be laughing whenever she talks – she’s just fun to be around!

My most competitive daughter getting her awards. Julianna earned the “Awesome Attitude” award, the “Model Student” award and an “Excellence Award” for all areas of academics. Not sure why she got three but she is a bit of an overachiever – like best speller in the class, great reader, straight “O’s” on her report card.

This look says it all – this one is ready to graduate high school already!!

It’s an odd thing the passage of time. As much as I wish for them to stay little I also can’t wait to watch them grow bigger and experience other milestones together as sisters and just as individuals.

As you can see, they are no longer babies. They are big girls ready to move into Elementary school – out of all the “pre” stuff and into 1st grade. They are anxious to grow up and even though my heart isn’t ready I have to let them.

I just have to be careful not to blink because before I know it, it won’t be Kindergarten they’re graduating from.

April Ends

It’s very hard to believe but the year is already a third over. Four months into the new year. Where did the time go?

Seems a good a time as any to go over my New Year’s Resolutions.

Remember those?

I do a little bit.

1. Memorize Scripture

– this has been going very well – with the kids in school full time I have more time to spend in Bible reading and prayer and I’ve enjoyed adding memorizing Scripture to my daily routine

2. Read more, watch less

– overall, maybe – not as much as I’d like to though – I have finished a number of novels, just haven’t read as much non-fiction as I would like

3. Organize and get rid of excess

– I’ve made a little bit of progress but this year has been much busier than I expected and so I haven’t gotten as far as I would have liked. It’s the kid’s toys that drive me crazy because they are never where they should be. Maybe it’s something I’ll have to live with till they move out? I think I could be okay with that 🙂 However, I still have the goal of getting rid of what we no longer use or need.

4. Write

– if you missed it – I did complete my novel – now comes the hard part of reading through it as well as getting the motivation to work on Book 2 in the series!! Either that or starting a whole new novel/series

5. Spend less, save more

– and here is where I need the most work – seems like something always comes up. Praying I can do better on this one most of all over the remainder of the year!!

How about you? Have you even thought about your resolutions since January 2nd?

The best part is that every day is a new day and if I haven’t done well somewhere I can strive to do better for the rest of the year. Here’s hoping the rest of the year is a tad calmer than the beginning and I can accomplish some of these goals!!

1st Day of 2013

As 2013 starts I have the desire to try something new – to post as often as possible with even just little thoughts or notes from the day. As resolutions or “new goals” go I have high hopes of accomplishing things but reality doesn’t often pan out as I hoped.

Today was pretty low key which I think is great for a holiday and a day off. As it is with just our family there are now 9 people in the house. We have acquired one more exchange student! Her name is Hayoung (or Gloria) and she is from Korea. She speaks very little English and so far all we know is she likes to sleep. We are having trouble keeping her awake!

All three “big” girls are tasked with doing the dishes and with 9 people home every day eating every meal here – the kitchen gets crazy!

Kirk did manage to get us all out of the house for a very brief moment to see the local Festival of Lights.

It was our way of saying goodbye to Christmas and the holidays!

Of course Gloria slept through it all…