Field trip

We went to the Avila Valley Barn for a field trip today with our homeschool group.  It was fun, except that Weston had a runny nose so he was a bit grumpy and tired.  The boys had fun riding the tractor down to the somewhat sparse pumpkin patch and picking their own pumpkins.  We had lunch there and then they ran through the hay maze for a bit.   It was hot today but fun.

baby on the verge

This baby is on the verge of waving goodbye and hello and on the verge of crawling.   You can just see it at any second he's going to do it on his own and it will be done, no going back.  He has been scooting around on the hard wood floors for a couple of weeks. Its funny to put him down on the floor and then turn around and he's gone!  I love these pajamas we bought him.  They are so cute and they glow in the dark,  just in case you lose your baby somewhere in the dark.  As you can see in the last picture, he got tired of me snapping the camera at him and needed me to hold him for awhile.  Its been cold the last couple of mornings and the kids are wanting to sit under blankets with me on the couch.  I love it!  Today is Columbus day- no school, how nice.  

oh boys

Caleb, little sweety.  He loves trying to play his guitar with Matt and Jack. 
Here is Jack holding Weston like a machine gun and shooting him at me.  Thats so fitting for a boy.  I was wondering the other day how many instant replays I hear every day.  There is inevitably many 'awesome' events that take place that I miss and that they have to re-enact for me.  Maybe they watch too much football with Matt.  

Wednesday

Today was a weird day.  On one hand it was really nice with me and the boys.  We had our devotions and then Jack asked if we could sing a worship song.  So he played Everlasting God on his guitar, Caleb and I played the egg shakers and Weston chewed on a harmonica. The whole day just seemed to glide by like a gentle breeze.  I even got to see Jack hugging and genuinely comforting Caleb after he had hurt his feelings.  These are the things that a mother treasures in her heart.  

Then on the other hand I have a couple of friends who are in such turmoil, my heart is hurting for them.  Its crazy because just as I was typing a 'couple' I instantly thought of four more people and if I stopped to think I could think of more people who are hurting.  Thank God that his love is so deep it can bring relief to all of those who come to him for help.  And I get to be a part of extending his love to others by prayer and friendship.  Tonight my heart is full of hope in God that he can make a way for my friends.    

I added this picture of Weston from his bath tonight.  He loves to look at his hands.  He is so delicious right now, the pudgy tummy and cheeks and of course his toes that I am obsessed with.  I know that sounds weird to all of you who don't have kids but trust me they are a great joy to me.  He has Matts hands I think. 

Bloggers block

I've had a minor case of bloggers block this week.  I suppose its mostly because I've been feeling grumpy.  Its too soon to have a loss of things to talk about!  Although, I've never been one for a lot of words as you all know.    

 Weston is not sleeping well which is probably why I've been grumpy. He's perfectly happy all the time and Matt and I are tired!  Weston loves music now, any bit of song that he hears he starts rocking to, he's becoming quite a good head banger!  I will try to get some video of that on here soon.

 Jack and Caleb were discussing starting a band when the 3 of them get older...The Barker Bro's.  Can you imagine? They're so cute sometimes.  I love moments like that when I see them planning and laughing and imagining.  Caleb has already come to me a couple time humming a 'new song' he made up.

I love home schooling.  The kids are doing well and I love building our family and getting to see them grow.  Jack loves his chess class, its all boys sitting around for an hour playing chess and having fun.   He also loves soccer but they have lost their last 3 games so he is learning how to deal with that.  

Caleb is keeping us all laughing as usual.  He says random things like "girls are projects" and "what animal do carrots come from?".   He has also been testing his limits which is always fun.  

His soccer class started back up this week after a month break.    He and another boy kept trying to give each other high fives but they kept missing.  It was awesome. He loves running and dribbling the ball, his blond hair blowing in the wind. 

Matt is great as usual.  He picked up a little side job this week.  So on Thursday and Friday he worked his regular job and then went to the side job until 9 at night.  

We are hoping to come home for Christmas so pray that we will find some good ticket deals.  We would love to see everyone and have everyone meet Weston.

Bad-nit-nin anyone?

New favorite family pastime- badminton or bad-nit-nin as Caleb calls it.  The boys are very serious about the game.  Jack dives for almost every hit, we play until it gets dark, sometimes even under the lights.  Weston usually sits in his walker and watches, then eventually Matt or I have to play while holding him.  I've gotten rather good at it. Tonight we lost one of our birdies in the big tree in our back yard and always we have to pause the game to get a birdie off the roof.  Good times...

D is for Diane!

How fitting that the week that Caleb is learning the letter D that it is Diane's birthday! Happy Birthday cousin! Hope you have a great day! We love you very much.