01/06 - This cold and wet weather makes me crave all the warm, savory soups 😋. It's so convenient to let something simmer all day in the slow cooker and have dinner hot and ready when it's time for supper. Some of our family favorite include chicken taco soup, loaded baked potato soup, and chicken tortellini soup. What are your favorites? Also, we love chili, but hubby says chili is NOT a soup. I disagree. What do you think?
01/12 - Moments I want to remember always 💜💙💜💗💙
01/14 - The tooth fairy has been busy busy at our house lately! With three of four kids actively losing teeth, I think this is the fourth (or fifth?) visit she's made in about a month! 🦷🧚🦷
01/15 - A few photos from our week at LIGHT Academy . . . experimenting with chemical reactions, sight word bingo, math lessons, learning to tell time, examining things under a microscope, cutting and painting snowflakes, baking cookies for our business, and coloring white carnations. Finding our routine again after break has not been easy, but even our tougher days are filled with blessings! #homeschool #LIGHTacademy #homeschoollife #handsonlearning #reallife #mrsteachermom
01/18 - I'm thankful to have my little handyman to fix all the things! #BrensonCharlesJacob #eightyearsold #thrivinginthird #lilhandyman
01/19 - We're having a guitar jam session today! 🎵🎸🎵 #BrensonCharlesJacob #eightyearsold #thrivinginthird #guitarplayer
01/21 - Enjoying the same spot at Disney Springs 16 years apart . . . me in 2004 and Bren in 2020. Photos like these are my favorite! #disneysprings #disneyworld #comparisonphoto #mrpotatohead #BrensonCharlesJacob #eightyearsold #iwastwentythree
01/25 - We had the best time with our friend today. She is the sweetest little thang, and it was a joy to share our day with her!
02/02 - Everyone needs a twin to enjoy a book with 💗💜. #twinbies #twingirls #fiveyearsold #adventuresinkindergarten #raisingreaders
02/03 - And just like that, they're SIX 💜💗. #twins #twingirls #twinbies #sixyearsold #BrookeElianaMae #BrecklynSarahFaith
02/05 - Besties for the resties! We enjoyed the beautiful weather yesterday before the nastiness came in today. It was so fun watching how much these girlies enjoy each other!
02/07 - "And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation." 💜💙💜💗
02/09 - This kid lives to play outside. Does it matter that it's only 22 degrees out? Not to him!
02/10 - Happy last-year-in-single-digits to Boog! He asked me if the weather was this cold and icy on the day he was born. Nope! Not even close! It's not slowing him down any, though. He just put on an extra layer and went out to play anyway. #BrensonCharlesJacob #nineyearsold #birthdayboy #littleman #icestormbirthday
02/11 - For Bren's birthday this year, we constructed this fun way to store his nerf guns on the wall of his bedroom. If you scroll through the pics, you can see what the wall looked like before and what the other side of his room looks like. I love that it all coordinates so perfectly, and he loves having easy access to those nerf guns 😄. #BrensonCharlesJacob #apeekinsideourhome #ninthbdayproject #nerfguns #ihatchuptheideas #hubbyexecutestheideas
02/15 - Unpopular opinion: I love the snow! Even though it's too cold to be outside, I'm enjoying how beautiful it is. ❆❆❆
02/16 - When I was planning out our semester a few months ago, I decided that last week and this week we would do a supplemental unit on Arctic animals . . . specifically penguins and polar bears. We've studied facts and anatomy of polar bears and penguins, read non-fiction and fiction books (Mr. Popper's Penguins was a hit!), played in the snow, watched videos, written our own fun stories, played with patterns and numbers, and even did an activity that showed us how a layer of blubber protects these animals from the severe cold. I love when things work out perfectly, and this has been the perfect time to dive into this unit, for sure! #LIGHTacademy #homeschool #homeschoollife #homeandhavencommunity #nosnowdayshere #werehavingtoomuchfun
02/17 - If y'all haven't made snow ice cream yet, you need to! Ours was delicious 😋! ❆🍨❆
02/18 - Eleven years of your sweet and spunky has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Happy birthday to my biggest girl who spent the morning roller skating around my kitchen in her new house robe 😁! #BriannaElisabethJo #birthdaygirl #elevenyearsold #sweetandspunky
02/22 - I have often said that raising twins is like living a social experiment, and it's always so interesting to me to see how their differences manifest. I know all humans are unique, it's just so much more obvious when they are the same age at the same time.
My twins are being raised as similarly as possible for two humans with the same schedule, diet, simulation, amount of screen time, etc, etc. Yet, they still develop at their own pace and in their own distinct way. Brooke has always reached gross motor skill milestones before Brecklyn. She rolled over first, crawled first, walked first (by more than three months!), learned to ride a bike first, learned to swing independently first, and so on. Brecklyn, however, had mastered the pincher grasp when Brooke was still batting at things with her whole hand. Brecklyn wrote her name first, learned to use scissors first, could use utensils to eat first, and could thread tiny beads on a string long before Brooke.
I love seeing their personalities come out in their schoolwork, too. Brecklyn's handwriting is on point. She always writes her name on the line. Brooke's handwriting is not as neat, and her name is often floating or not even near the line. Her papers are often crumpled, too, because she's always moving.
There are several personality traits that have been with them since they were in the womb, and I love seeing how those things come out as they get older. It's all just amazing to me!
#twins #twinmom #parentingthoughts #weareallunique #fearfullyandwonderfullymade
02/23 - I mean . . . 😂
02/27 - Today we had a fun tea party to celebrate Brianna's birthday with a few friends. The girls drank tea, ate yummy treats, did a couple activities, then ditched their fancy shoes and chased each other around the yard in their dresses 😂.
02/28 - 💓 winter sunset 💓
03/01 - This morning begins track practices for the spring season. It's chilly, but the sun is shining! 🌞🏃🏃🌞
03/15 - Monday morning track practice . . . watching elementary kids learn to run hurdles is quite entertaining! #gofalcons #LIGHTacademy #trackpractice #hurdleday #fabulousfifth #thrivinginthird
03/17 - Happy St. Paddy's Day from my crew to yours! We've had fun dressing in our green through the years, but I can barely handle how my sweeties have grown 😭. #justforfun #throughtheyears #stpaddysday☘
03/24 - Just over here running the mom taxi with my crew. 🚕🚕🚕
03/26 - We had a little cake baking and decorating fun this morning!
03/27 - 💓 family 💓
04/03 - We had a great first track meet today! It's been fun to watch these kids do what they enjoy and push themselves to be better than the time before. #lilrunners #gofalcons #BriannaElisabethJo #fabulousfifth #BrensonCharlesJacob #thrivinginthird
04/04 - 🌹🐣🥀 Weekend vibes 🥀🐣🌹
04/06 - After not seeing her for well over a year, we were able to spend a few {short} hours visiting my Granny today. Many restrictions are still in place, but it was worth the trip to see her in person! 💓🐅💓
04/10 - It was a cold and blustery morning for a track meet, but we still enjoyed watching these kiddos do their thang! #gofalcons #lilrunners #trackmeet #springinOklahoma #BrensonCharlesJacob #thrivinginthird #BriannaElisabethJo #fabulousfifth
04/11 - She's waited so patiently while all her siblings have lost tooth after tooth after tooth these past several months. Today, it was finally Brecklyn's turn to lose a tooth 🦷! I think I see lots of tooth fairy visits in our near future 👀🦷🧚. #BrecklynSarahFaith #toothfairy #sixyearsold #adventuresinkindergarten
04/13 - When your friend knows exactly what you need and exactly when you need it!
04/17 - Brenson put knowledge from his Life Skills class to good use today when he sewed a button back on one of his sweaters. This wasn't his favorite task, but the button is securely back where it belongs! #BrensonCharlesJacob #thrivinginthird #lifeskills #sewingskillsforlife
04/23 - This week is National Infertility Awareness week. Many of you know my story because you stood by me and walked with me as it unfolded, and for that I am forever grateful. For those of you that don't know, I would like to share it with you.
I was blissfully unaware of the world of infertility before finding my own membership in the "infertile club" in my early twenties. I never dreamed that I wouldn't be able to conceive or carry a baby. Yet, that's exactly how my story unfolded. I remember vividly the first time a doctor said the word "infertile" to me. It felt like a punch to the gut, and in my head I heard so much more than "infertile". I heard "broken", "unworthy", and "defective".
Our infertility journey included years of tests, doctors appointments, oral meds, injections, and procedures. It included major surgery on my reproductive system, daily injections to sustain my high-risk pregnancies, and four devastating miscarriages. It included tears, disappointments, and heartache.
However, it also included the incredible love and support of family and friends. It included me digging deep to find strength I never knew I had. It included God's faithfulness, love, and goodness becoming evident in my life in a way I didn't know I needed.
For all of you who are in this place, I love you, and I'm praying for you. You are not forgotten.
My infertility timeline:
2001 - married
2005 - "infertile"
2006 - 6 months oral fertility meds
2007 - diagnosed with PCOS
2008 - surgery to overhaul reproductive system
2009 - more medicated cycles that finally led to a high-risk pregnancy
2010 - Bri was born!
2011 - medicated cycles that led to my quietest and most normal pregnancy
2012 - Bren was born!
2013 - medicated cycles that led to high pregnancy and miscarriage of baby at 13 weeks
2013 - medicated cycles that led to high risk pregnancy and miscarriage of baby at 7 weeks
2014 - medicated cycles that led to high risk pregnancy with TWINS
2015 - Brooke & Brecklyn were born!
2017 - surprise natural pregnancy with Bristol that ended in loss at 16 weeks
2018 - pregnancy that ended in loss at 11 weeks
#infertility #infertilityawarenessweek #infertilitywarrior
04/26 - We had another track meet on Saturday, and this time all four kids competed! We came home tired, well decorated with ribbons and medals, and a little sun-kissed, but it was so fun watching the kiddos run! #lilrunners #trackseason #adventuresinkindergarten #thrivinginthird #fabulousfifth
04/29 - An amazing sunset is balm for my soul tonight. Nothing is more beautiful than God's artwork. #sunsetonsummittrail
05/07 - We spent the past few days at the National Homeschool Track and Field Championships, and while my washer is running overtime to catch up on laundry, I want to record a bit about the experience.
This was a huge meet with several hundred events and over 800 participants. The number of spectators and crowd noise alone was pretty intimidating for Brianna and Brenson, but they had a blast competing. Brianna competed in four individual events and a triathlon (which included a 200m dash, shot put, and long jump). Her highlights including setting a PR in the 1600m race, and holding her own in the triathlon (she placed 7/18 in her age group). Brenson participated in 5 individual events and a triathlon. His highlights were winning his heat in both the 50m and 100m dash (and placing well overall), winning first in shot put, and placing third in the triathlon in his age group.
It was two very long days, but these kids had great attitudes, cheered on their teammates, and gave their best in competition. I love watching kids from all teams rallying for each other, playing football together between events, and patting one another on the back for a job well done. It was a great time of making memories and connections!
05/08 - Today called for a celebratory lunch . . . and in this house that typically means hibachi! We not only survived but THRIVED in our fist year as a homeschool family. The kids have done amazing with this transition, and I've loved watching them each blossom in special ways. Homeschooling has been a great blessing than I could have imagined! #LIGHTacademy #homeschoolfamily #endofyearcelebration #adventuresinkindergarten #thrivinginthird #fabulousfifth
05/09 - I'm blessed beyond measure with the best momma and four amazing kids. Happy Mother's Day! I pray this day has been kind to you all.
05/11 - This appeared on my frig yesterday. Based on the handwriting, I know exactly who wrote it, but the questions is why?!? And while she's not wrong that children aren't easy to take care of, I hope she also knows that they're 100% worth the effort! #keepsmelaughing #noteasy #butworthit #adventuresinkindergarten #BrecklynSarahFaith
05/13 - Today was our official last day of school at LIGHT Academy, and it's been a great year!
Brianna completed fifth grade strong, showing initiative and dedication to her studies. She also loved running cross country and track this year, continued to become proficient in the kitchen, learned to cross stitch, and grew as a pianist. I can't believe this was her last year in elementary school 😭.
Brenson rocked third grade and had the easiest transition to homeschooling. The freedom to dig a little deeper into subjects he loves has been one of his favorite things this year. He has continued playing guitar, loved being on a cross country and track team, and thrived in his shop class with his grandpa. I'm also pretty sure he grew about five inches this year!
Brooke began the school year as a pretty distracted and impatient student. It's amazing how much she's grown in her ability to focus! She also learned to read this year and really excelled with her math. I discovered that she is an auditory learner and can memorize passages, facts, and scriptures easily. What a gift it was to teach her this year!
Brecklyn is a serious student and likes to sit and just hammer at something until it's completed. She started the year already knowing how to read, but her fluency and comprehension have exploded. Math wasn't her favorite, but she held her own with it. It's been amazing to see her eagerly try to read everything she sees and just soak up any information she can.
Our school name - LIGHT Academy - is an acronym that stands for Learning, Investigating, and Growing in His Time. I truly feel like that's what we've had the privilege of doing together this year, and I couldn't be more grateful.
05/18 - We're making our way back home after spending the past several days celebrating with my nephew, JT, and his *now* wife, Mallory. We were able to watch them both walk across the stage at their college graduation. Then, a couple days later we celebrated with them at their wedding. It was a great trip, and we're thankful to have shared with them in these big life milestones!
Hey Jeremy - you now have a SON who is MARRIED!
05/25 - We're working through a neat unit on birds of North America this summer. The kids are fascinated by some live eagle cams we found on the internet and can't wait to see an eagle fly into view of the camera! 🦅🦅🦅 #LIGHTacademy #homeschool #summerbirdunit
05/27 - The post-storm sky has me like 😍😍😍. #stormonsummittrail #sunsetonsummittrail
05/29 - Lunch date with my sweet and chatty girl today . . . she's a joy! #BrookeElianaMae #twinA #shesatalker #lunchdatewithmomma
05/29 - I just put a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup on my s'more, and it's next level! #youshouldtryit #itsdelicious #reesespeanutbuttercup #backyardfire #smores
06/02 - We're painting the American Robin with watercolors today. There's something so therapeutic about watercolors 💧💜💙💜💗 #LIGHTacademy #NorthAmericanBirds #summerstudies #gatherroundhomeschool
06/09 - This past weekend, we took a little road trip to the beautiful Ozarks of Branson, Missouri. My kiddos had never been the Branson before, and they were definitely wondering about what kind of place we had taken them when we initially rolled into town 😂. Our primary reason for going there was to be part of the lectureship at the Branson church of Christ, where we were uplifted by the services and seeing many familiar faces! While there, we also enjoyed visiting a fish hatchery and the Tablerock Lake dam. It was a quick little trip, but I'm grateful we were able to go!
06/14 - I am realizing that if your eyes are open, you can find adventure, fun, discovery, and history just about anywhere you go. In the words of Brianna, "This is pretty impressive for a state that mostly CORN!" 😂
🌟Adventures in Iowa 2021🌟
⭐ Iowa State Capitol tour ⭐ downtown Des Moines ⭐ Des Moines Sculpture Park (with sculptures from around the world) ⭐ delicious Iowa Farm-to-Table restaurants ⭐ historic Bridges of Madison County ⭐ hours of swimming in the hotel pool ⭐
06/18 - Like father, like son.
Thank you to all the dads out there who are striving to train up their children in the way they should go.
#dadsday #handsondad #fatherandson
06/19 - These three had their very first ice cream truck treat today! 🍦🌞🍦
06/23 - On this week's agenda for Brooke and Brecklyn was Will's Wild West Camp! In all our travels, whenever we tell people where we're from, we hear, "Oh, the Will Rogers place!" We've never participated in this camp before, and thought it was high time we have an experience like this. Brooke and Brecklyn had a great time!
06/27 - 🗣100%
06/30 - The kids are participating in a summer running program where they meet with a group and run 10 miles a week. Running in the heat, rain, and wind isn't always fun (although sometimes it is!), but they're learning diligence, discipline, and perseverance. Love my little runners! 🏃🏃🏃🏃
And that's a wrap on the first half of the year! Life is finally beginning to feel somewhat normal again, but we've definitely learned to not take anything for granted. I love having this snapshot of our life to look back on and appreciate all the moments that make up our every day!
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