Marc's 30th

Marc turned 30 this year.  Nothing big to celebrate... although he and I got to have lunch together with no kids-on a Friday (so that's kind of big!)  The kids and I got him a few small gifts, including the new NCAA Football game for playstation (this is pretty much always a part of his b-day gift because the new one comes out every time at this year.)  I was feeling guilty that we didn't do something more to celebrate... SO I decided to surprise him with tickets for an Iowa game.  I looked through the schedule and picked the games that would be doable for us.  Next I called our friend Andy to help me with tickets (so Marc wouldn't know ahead of time).  It was totally last minute, but we decided to go for the Iowa-Iowa State game (the weekend after his birthday).  Andy was able to get some amazing tickets (they were in the 3rd row close to goal line). My plan was to pack Marc's stuff for him and surprise him after work on Friday by having everything all packed and ready to go; however, our week ended up being crazy... Sadie got sick on Thursday and needed to be picked up from school.  Marc had to get her because I was at Ms. Pearl's.  By the time I got home we had finalized our plans so I decided to tell him then (the day before).  He was pretty shocked (and excited!)

We headed to Andy & Lindsey's Friday after Marc got home from work.  On Saturday Lindsey and I took the kids to the Children's Museum in Iowa City while Marc and Andy enjoyed the day at the game.  They tailgated ahead of time.  Iowa lost, but Marc still had a great time and thought it was a pretty good birthday surprise.  On Sunday, we went to church with Knopps and were able to meet Marc's parents & sister for dinner on the way home.  Great Weekend!

PS--No great pictures... my camera was in the process of breaking this weekend :(  Thanks to my sister-in-law who loaned me her camera to use while I save money for a new one!

MOPS Steering Team

When we made our move away from Streator last year, I knew no-one.  I knew the first thing I wanted to do was join a MOPS group (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers).  I knew I would meet other moms... I didn't know I would make so many amazing friends!  

I won't lie, I was super intimidated to walk into the first meeting.  I was going into a room of almost 40 women and aside from one sweet girl I had just met at church, I knew NO-ONE.  The first few meetings were stressful because I had to work really hard to put myself out there.  Eventually I become more comfortable and started making some very meaningful connections.  I knew by spring that I wanted to be a part of the leadership team for the following year.  I signed up to do "Moppets" with one of my good friends, Erika.  She had one year under her belt doing Moppets and had pulled me in to help as the year went on.  I knew it was something I would enjoy because I could use my teaching background... I didn't know how much work it would turn it out to be!

We ended up with the biggest steering team that MOPS had ever had (13 of us total including our "mentor mom").  God was totally preparing us because we ended up with our biggest MOPS group ever!  Our group this year has the most first time moms ever as well as the most total members ever!  We're still growing but as of now we have 62 moms.  This is fantastic BUT, that many moms means LOTS of kids... over 100 to be exact.  

My job as Moppets coordinator (I have 2 partners) is to organize volunteers for all of the classrooms (Kelly does this part) and plan a lesson, craft, & snack for the classrooms with kids ages 2 & up (Erika and I work together on this).  It's been a challenge planning crafts for 65 toddlers twice a month but I have a big budget and lots of help.  We're learning about the fruits of the Spirit this year and I'm having a great time planning lessons for these kiddos.  Being on steering team has helped me feel even more connected, help me target and reach out to new moms in our group, and helped build new friendships and deepen existing ones.  I love these ladies and I am so thankful to get to do life with them... we definitely get what it's like to be a mommy to a little one (or several little ones!)

Steering Team--1st Meeting of this Year

Steering Team--Summer Retreat

Moms Night Out--B.D.'s Mongolian Grill

Many Faces of Macey

 Angry: 

Happy:

Excited:

Sad:

Surprised:

Scared:

Shy:

Mommy's Girl:

Best Buds

Wowzers!  I can't believe it's been a whole month since I've posted... We've been having LOTS of Fall Fun--don't worry pictures are coming!  

One thing I've enjoyed about Sadie being in school is how well Kinnick and Macey play together.  The 3 kids do well together, but there's generally more tension and fights.  While Sadie is gone, these two can literally play for HOURS.  Yes they make messes, but hey, I'm able to get things done that need done.

 I love how imaginative they are together.  It doesn't matter where they're playing, what they're playing with... they're making up some good stories.  (This trait can partly be attributed to big sister because she's SO good at it!)

 Another thing I love is how fiercely protective they are of each other... sometimes too much.  We play lots with other kids but I often still find them inseparable.  They are always looking out for one another.  We do lots of crafts, baking, and games.  But I really love knowing I can tell them to "go play" together and they will.

 We miss Sadie while she's in school, but we try to make the most of our time.  We also try to save special things to do on her days off and after school.  I'm glad these two get one more year together at home.  I'm also glad they're only a year apart in school.  I think Macey will be lost when Kinnick starts kindergarten.  I hope that their relationship always stays this tight.