A tad late, but still worth sharing...

Okay, so apparently I had absolutely no idea how extremely difficult it would be to come off the summer months and jump into full time teaching, while Mike is in 5 night per week classes, and all 3 kiddos are in school!  I am beginning to loose my identity as I have forgotten what time to myself is.  I am not talking anything fancy, I find myself longing for a simple trip to the grocery store alone.  Instead, I wake in the morning, and within 5 minutes of being up, the kiddos are by my side.  We ready ourselves for our day, and then part our ways to our separate schools.  When we reunite at 4:15pm, it is then dinner time, homework time, and completion any other loose end chores.  When the crew is tucked in at 8pm, I find myself quickly packing lunches for the next day, cleaning up dinner dishes, and then simply crashing by 9-10pm.  The 16 straight hours of non stop moving have taken their toll and I fall asleep in hopes I will have enough energy to do it all again tomorrow.


As these days test our strength and determination, I happily look back on the calmer times - this summer.  Here are some pics I am late to post, but have enjoyed uploading this evening.  Yes, they include our trip to Chicago in August, a trip the Cleveland Zoo, Ella's Safety Town Graduation, our first taste of fresh eggs from the girls, and even Horse show stick pony races.

1st day of Preschool

This week was Linc's 1st day of Preschool.  Well, he was lucky enough to go last year for 2 days a week for the month of May.  I wanted him to see what it would be like, before the long summer home with Mom.  This week, he went for 5 half days and WOW!  I don't think he could possibly love his time there anymore than he does!!


Miss Scott has him loving every minute thus far!  He is up each morning raring to go - and home each day full of stories of his adventures, a short list of names of kids who "were bad", and numerous reasons to return the next day!

(Thanks Papa for taking pictures of his first day - we will cherish these shots!)

Looking to find the 25th hour in the day...

Okay, so it has been a month since I have signed in and updated.  Each night I give it an honest thought, that tonight will be the night, but then I simply:
a) run out of time
b) am so exhausted that I say, "I will do it tomorrow."
c) debate pulling an all nighter just to feel like I have a grasp of it all again, then end up falling asleep.


School is in full swing!  I have lots of great photos to share, and will get to them soon - I promise!  I have some grand adventures to tell about as well.  


Until then, know that I am teaching full time. Mike is working full time, and then also at class 5 nights per week.  The girls are at school and loving every minute of it!  And Linc is gearing up to start preschool Sept. 6th.  If we survive this year, it will be a true and utter miracle... not mention lots of prayers, hard work, and determination!


PS - The chickens are doing well - we are collecting 6 to 7 eggs per day!  

Beating the Heat....

The heat this summer has been pretty intense.  We are used to cooler days, in this neck of the woods.  So, to help the kids beat the heat, Mike constructed a contraption that allows the kids' playground to be converted into a water slide park!

Well, I secretly know I may have triggered this invention of his when I suggested we put the hard plastic pool at the bottom of the slide.  Other than some extremely funny trial runs down the slide by Lexi as she bounced out of the pool, due to speed and the hardness of the plastic boat pool, this was not one of Mom's best ideas!  Although, I have to admit I had not laughed that hard in a few days and the laughter we all shared was like medicine to the soul!

(Sorry, no photos of my brilliant idea...  how about this goofball one instead? )

So, the next day, the kids and I took the "Wipeout pool" down to the playground in the backyard.  (For those of you not aware, the kids named this pool after the game show.  The kids like to reenact the game show in it. Well, this pool has provided lots of giggles for us as well!) This was a MUCH MUCH better idea.

We used the hose to wet the slide, but that too was a tad dangerous.  Then we tried using buckets to keep rewetting the slide.  Again, not the best, but it was working.


So, Mike then took a trip to Home Depot and made the kids a water pipe that the hose hooks up to (as posted at the top of the page), where all the sharp pieces are out of the way.  I had a chance to take some great shots of the kids in action!

However, with anything in life, we were reminded that no matter how safe parents try to make things for their children, there is always room for mishap!  And so, Sunday, we had a mishap!  Actually, Sunday, Ella had a mishap.  She lost her third tooth, but in a not so pleasant way!  LOL  She slipped on the ladder with her wet feet, and knocked her previously loose front tooth out!  Apparently this tooth was not meant to wait a few more weeks to wiggle out on its own!  LOL

Parenthood sure has a way of keeping you on your toes

Our Extended Family

We received a heartwarming message and picture from Tino, our Marine, this week... 

"A special pic for the Adams Family.  We love you."

Take the time to thank the many young men and women who are putting their lives on the line for us!  Thank you Tino, and thank you to your entire platoon!