One Day at a Time

It's a funny, exhausting, soul-picking concept this parenting thing. How often can you not know the answer? How often can you repeat the mistakes you've already made? How often do you wish for some sort of tangible affirmation that it will all work out?  You just want the best, and more, and better for all those around you while at the same time trying to convey that we all have more than enough! 

I am fine. We are fine. Today was a hard day. 

Sigh

All the feels looking back at these (really old) posts. 

So much time has passed.  Time that holds all the value of my heart. These boys- my God, the power they have over me!- from the gray bearded old one to the toothless young one, what a trip! My bigs have since moved out, started lives and dreams of their own- but are kind enough to ask my opinion, send pics, and overall just indulge my need for connection. My littles (and middle) are sweet enough to still want to tell me about their day, and put up with the occasional squeeze when I need it. I truly marvel at them all.

I get it

Wow- been a while.  I don't even know where to begin....

My last post's sentiment holds true, we are just as crazy as ever- but have added another little love to the mix (you know just to see if adding more kiddos would even us out at all...)  But as crazy as it seems, this little love kind of did.  Oakley is an absolute wonder.  We didn't know we needed him, God knew better.

Oakley turned a YEAR old yesterday.  (and yes Mom, I get it- the 5th one really doesn't get any pictures taken of them.  I understand it now.  2 arms + 1 mama + 5 kids + constant movement = IshouldprobablygetapictureofthisbuthowintheworldamIgoingtoholdacameratoo?andwhereisthecameraanyway?

He was just a biddy here- long long ago

The addition of 2 babies in 2 years have made the big boys a little bigger, a little busier, and a whole lot more blessed.  Seeing them care for their brothers is priceless (loud most of the time but a learning, caring opportunity nonetheless)  

Diaper Peeker Photobomb

Obviously, it hasn't made them any better dressers....

Truly, the amount of pants this kid goes through...

So, I'll work on keeping a little more up to date with the times around here.  Until we meet again, enjoy some summer refreshments, let your hair down (or all over the place) and live a little.

Reality Check

I don't know how we got here.  Summer was crazy, life is crazy; then that crazy subsides and new crazy appears in the form of school, football, jobs, etc. 

I get so bogged down in the 'daily' that I forget to look up and acknowledge the 'always'.  These 4 are my reality check.  Crazy comes and goes, it always will- but these 4 make perfect sense.

10 x 10

Everyone is so excited when the end of school rolls around, but no one moreso than Liam.  Summer break means late nights, later morning wake-ups, and most importantly our annual trip to Fruita to celebrate our very special little man.

This year was a little different than most: this time it was just the Deming clan among a ton of other campers, who the boys quickly made friends with-(biggest fire competitions among campsites will always draw a crowd), the weather was not so much "windy cactus" as it was "pleasant soggy", and this year meant longer, more technical rides for a now 10 year old boy!

10 reasons to love a 10 year old boy:

1. You can ride a wheelie longer than anyone I know

2. You're jokes are actually pretty funny

3. You say "please" and "thank you" without being reminded to

4. You try 

5. You talk a big game, but are secretly sensitive

6. You are an amazing athlete

7. Everyday is an adventure, sometimes good, sometimes bad

8. You are quick to laugh & cry

9. You have a great imagination

10. You are so dang cute!

Impromptu Birthday Cake

Mud Makers

Liam: you are all about airsoft guns, your cowboy boots, and sports of all kinds.  You are especially fond of your littlest brother, as he looks so much like you did!  You are as sassy as you are sweet.  And your friendships mean the world to you, which became so clear as your All-Star baseball team ended it's season and the tears flowed.  Not because your team lost, but because it was over.

Liam, we love you.  You keep us challenged, you keep us laughing, and you keep us guessing.  You are an amazing boy full of piss and promise!  We wouldn't have it any other way.

Play Ball!

Baseball has pretty much taken over our to-do list this summer.  Both big boys played for a different league this year, and had great success- Liam's team even won their division's championship (OSU Beavers- was there any doubt?)  Elijah's team didn't have a division tournament but ended with a winning season and some outstanding players and more importantly really great attitudes among his teammates, which made the season really fun. 

 As the regular season ended both boys were nominated to be on the league's all-star team for their age groups.  Although it has been a lot of out of town practices and certainly some grumbling to stop their play to get in the car again, we felt it would be a cool opportunity to take advantage of.  These teams have some outstanding coaches and I think the boys are getting a bit of a wake up call as to what real baseball is.  We have fantastic parents who volunteer to coach the boys in our town- they do a great job;  but it is really nice once in a while for some outside influence (especially in the realm of sports) to teach my kids- and adds some element of (dare I say, fear and/or discomfort) that demands a little more respect and hopefully results.

  Finley started coach pitch as well with his trusty coach (Dad), and they are off to a great start- kids are actually going in the right direction and hitting pretty consistently.  Finley hits strong, but tends to throw his bat even stronger..... its a work in progress.  Considering all the baseball he's seen this summer (unless there is a park within field's reach) he should be ready to hit the big leagues soon.  

And Emerson just patiently waits his turn.....

Liam catching

Elijah pitched awesome this season, especially when he snuck in his "knuckle-curve" (it actually worked!)

lost his team hat first thing, found after picture day...

A Smattering of Life...

This time home with Emerson has allowed me at lot of time to think about how my life has shaped up so far.  The direction Obie and I have chosen to take, and at times, the detours that just led us where we were meant to be. Its odd perhaps that as a young girl I never dreamt of becoming a mother, nor of really getting married at all. (certainly in my mind there were hordes of super cute men falling at my feet- duh) but never in my wildest dreams did I picture 4 little boys sent to me to raise, to love, and ultimately to let go. 

These pictures aren't organized, or orchestrated- but they document a smattering of our life.  A life never imagined but one that I am so thankful for.  Obie and I have been blessed beyond measure, we realize that, even among the agruing and constant reprimands, the punishment and praise.  It is where, and with whom, we were meant to be.