Another Week

Here we are at the end of another week. Today we went to a Homeschool Expo. We got some new puppets and a history book. In the afternoon, we went to see the movie "Tangled". It was pretty cute. I stopped at Dierbergs on the way home from the theater to scoop up on some bargains with my dad. Milk and cereal were the hot items this week. LaMonte was home when we got back. It was so good to see him again. We had a really nice evening. We had an impromptu "dance party" as my dad played different songs on his ipod. They I went out for a quick run with Rebecca. I really enjoy the time with her. She is growing up so quickly! When we got back, we played Apples to Apples with Jenny and the rest of the kids.

Home Offer

We put an offer on a home today. It is close to my parents house. It is in a great location. It backs to a large open park with a pond. It is kind of like living on 11 acres without having to mow! The house is an older home and will take some work. It has been well maintained, but the carpet, flooring, bathrooms, etc are all the originals. Even still, the house is a great deal! We have felt incredibly blessed through the process of selling our home in Texas and finding a home in Missouri. We are also really enjoying the transition time with my parents.

LaMonte is back in Neosho this week. We miss him when he has to travel. We have been fortunate to have made it for so long without him having alot of travel. Hopefully it will taper off as time goes on.

This evening for Family Home Evening I asked the kids to come up with a version of "Kindness Begins with Me" that we could sing when we see someone being kind. Jason put the words to the tune of the main theme song for Star Wars. Sarah's version was "I will not hurt my Cavannah. I will not hurt my Cavannah." (Savannah-her cousin) It was a nice evening. We took muffins to my grandma and the bishop who has been sick.

Weekend Camping

The weekend is here! We decided to go camping to fulfill one of the last scouting requirements Jason has before turning 12. Getting ready to go was not so fun. The kids were excited and energetic. Keeping their energy focused on getting everything ready was a bit of a rollercoaster. I was worn out by the time we were finally ready...then it started raining! I vented a little, took some deep breaths, ate a cookie...or two...or three...maybe more... When we finally started loading everyone in the van, Keith came up to me. With a look of reassurance and a pat on the back he said, "Don't worry, Mom. It will stop raining, and if it doesn't I know everything will work out. I have faith." His words touched me, but even more, the feeling of peace and confidence he felt reached over me and I knew it really would work out. I could tell he had prayed and I know when my sweet children pray with faith that their prayers are answered in remarkable ways. As we pulled out of the neighborhood, Rebecca noticed an open mailbox. Keith wanted to go back to close it since it was raining. This example of service led me to think of my grandma. We stopped at a bakery to get her a treat and dropped it off at her apartment. We ended up going a different way to the campground. Consequently, we passed a much closer state park on the way and stayed there instead. This put us half and hour from home instead of an hour and a half. We had such a nice time togther. The kids rode bikes, we went for a walk, built a fire, and cooked dinner and treats. It felt so good to be together. How I love my family! How grateful I am for the power of prayer and the faith and good example of a ten-year old boy!

Sunny Day

Today was beautiful and sunny. My dad took the day off work, so we decided to go for a bike ride to the lake. Jason, Keith, and Rebecca went with us. It was so refreshing! Somehow the weight and worry of everyday life just seems to lift when you are out in the fresh air. We saw deer, a muskrat, snakes, and other wildlife. My dad showed the kids how he could coast about 1/4 mile over the bridge of the Missouri River. At the lake, we met up with my mom and the little kids. We exercized on the "Stairway of Screams"...a full 200 steps to the top. After we all got home, we enjoyed a refreshing treat of Frog Spit. (Not kidding-it's a green pushpop.) David expressed the concern that he actually smelled frog spit. He dropped his worries, however, after being brought to confess that he had never smelled actual frog spit. In the evening, the boys had scouts. Then, I set to work cleaning the basement and talking to LaMonte. It's after midnight now, and I will be getting up to go grocery shopping with my dad at 6:30. We don't want to miss the great deals at Shop n Save!

Swimming and Skating

This evening we went swimming at the Rec-Plex in St. Peters. It was alot of fun, until someone had an "accident" in the pool and we all had to clear out. Luckily, the ice skating rink was open. I really enjoyed watching Keith skate. He was determined to figure it out. He kept charging out over the ice, determined not to hold onto the side and inch his way around the rink. He kept falling, time after times. One time he fell really hard. He rolled up his pants to see if there was blood or bruising on his knees. Then he picked himself up, winced, and kept going. Of all of the kids, he is doing the best at skating now. It made me think a little about life. So often I try to take on more than I am able to do. (Some would use 7 kids as a good example.) Alot of my ideas never totally work out. I find myself crashing and burning pretty regularly. Yet, I think if I looked back honestly I would realize that I'm doing a lot better than I would have if I had limited my goals and ideas to only the things I knew I could accomplish without failing. I suppose sometimes when we are crashing and burning in life it may be evidence we are on the right track.

Transition

We have had a busy year! We are now living in St. Charles, Missouri. LaMonte transferred here with his company. We decided to move in with my parents so we wouldn't have to live in our home while it was on the market. We got an offer on our home in Trophy Club today...hooray! We are having such a good time here. I especially enjoy the day to day interactions with my family. Yesterday we went for a bike ride along the Katy Trail into downtown St. Charles. We found a little cookie shop there and enjoyed "cookies ala mode." I hope it will become a tradition! LaMonte and I are signed up to be in a triathlon in August. We have been going to the community pool almost every day to train. Last week Rebecca asked me to race her. I agreed and we were off. This was my first lap of the day, and I was really going. My brother, Eric, had given me some good swimming tips, so I felt myself flying through the water. I've never thought I was much of a swimmer, but it seemed technique was my biggest hangup. I turned at the wall and continued full speed back to the where we would finish our race. I started worrying about crushing my sweet daughter's self-esteem if I beat her by too much. I thought about slowing down, and lifted my head out of the water to see where she was. I inhaled about a mouthful of water when I saw her gliding through the water about 10 yards ahead of me. I finished not so gracefully as I kept gulping water...a humble woman...a proud mother.

Baby Jacob

It's been over a year since I've posted anything on here. That's pretty embarrassing. On July 21, we had a handsome 6lb 6oz little boy named Jacob Mark Yorke. What a miracle he is! When you are pregnant it is so hard to imagine having another member of your family. Now I can hardly imagine how our family ever seemed complete without little Jacob! He has brought so much joy into our home! Everyone loves little Jacob. Sarah will say, "Where's my baby? Where's my baby, Jacob?"

A couple of months ago we got a new puppy...a labradoodle. A friend told me it was a crazy idea. I explained to her that I have always loved animals and want our kids to have experiences raising and caring for animals. She said I was just pregnant and feeling the need to nurture something. Either way, the dog has added a whole dimension to our daily life.

This summer, my brother, Tim, has been staying with us, doing an internship at LaMonte's company. It has been so nice to have him here. He is so easy-going and great with the kids. Today was his birthday. We had a fun party with him. I am really going to miss him after he leaves next weekend.