Extracurricular

This week the extracurricular activities started. The calendar is once again full.

Tuesday started Cub Scouts. I was recently called as a Wolf Den Leader and it was my turn to teach. Nothing like jumping in and getting your feet wet. There are 13 boys in our den. They are busy. But I'm excited and I think I'm really going to enjoy this!

Wednesday Spencer started gymnastics again. Seeing him move around the gym and his happy grin made me realize how much we missed it over the summer {that and his constant monkeying around on the furniture ALL summer long!}

A new addition to the mix was ballet for Ruth. It is in the same building as Spencer's gymnastics, directly after his class. It is a 3-5 year old class. Ruth is the youngest by far. Emma would have been better suited for this class. And so it is taught at a much higher, technical level. Simply put it is not age appropiate for a 3 year old. My biggest fear is that it will be a repeat of Emma's ballet experience and she won't want to dance at all. She is doing clogging for sure in January...so... I'm thinking there is no need to push this and most likely we will not continue it.

She sure had fun getting dressed for class though.


She did the first 10 minutes by herself but she got progressively more unsure of the situation so I went over next to her to help.





Spencer took it upon himself to be our photographer. He was able to capture the event in about 30 photos.



We rush home after that for Austin piano lesson. It makes me happy to hear him back at the piano.

On Thursday Emma Lynn had her first Art group lesson with Sister Wolfe. We have been looking forward to this for just about forever. I'm so excited for Emma to get to know and admire Beth. She is such a wonderful role model and Emma already adores her. There are 4 girls in her class and they work with color pastels to practice shading and shadows. Love.



In October Mondays will be Girl Scouts and the week will be officially full. TGIF.

First Day of Preschool

Today we started our Mommy n Me preschool group for Ruth. We are meeting Monday from 9-11. There are 10 different families {and 11 kids} participating. Ruth and I hosted today. She was very excited to plan the snack. :) We learned how we are each SPECIAL.
All the kids thought Lucy was super special. She got lots of love.


Emma Ruf, Bella Johnson, Bailey Blake, Ruth Romans, Brooke Bair, Kesley Stepleton, Claire Johnson, and Zachary Stewart {not picture Canon Hiatt and Kash & Tyson Cobb.}

I loved teaching again. It was fun. But I am also glad that I'm not teaching 30 kids 3 times a week. I love Lucy and she deserves my attention. I'm glad that Ruth can still have this experience. It is such a good feeling knowing you've made the right decision in life.

Tyler Daniel

Our newest nephew is here! Welcome Tyler Daniel Ruf and a BIG congrats to Kelli, Dan and Kenzie! Lucky little Ty now shares a birthday with Aunt Marti. Looks like Lucy and Ty are starting a trend. :)

His arrival was greatly anticipated {Kelli was scheduled to be induced on the 8th but the night before the hospital called and said they were too full. They rescheduled for today.}

He was born at 7 pm weighing in at 9.1 pounds & 20 inches long. Mom and baby are doing well.

We love you TY, welcome to the family!

The Daily Dose

I learned a long time ago that service makes me happy. And honestly I feel like it makes up a large part of who I am. This love started overseas seeing a need in 3rd world countries and a save-the-world syndrome was born. As my mom has said I get a high from serving.

I have learned that you don't have to be in a 3rd world country to give service. The ONE is important and there is always someone around you to serve.

After Lucy was born and I was struggling to be happy I knew the only answer for me was service. I was dwelling too much in my own woe. I needed to forget myself. The answer is a daily dose of service. Some days its big and others just a mere phone call but for over a month I've sought out the a daily act to giving. I have found that it is easy and the Lord is opening doors. This week was full of larger acts of service and it was rewarding. I'm grateful I understand the true pick-me-up. My cup is over flowing.

Labor Day

One of the items on our summer bucket list was to have a GAME DAY. It was one that didn't happen since I wasn't the most fun postpartum mom {maybe next year kids.}

So I decided Labor Day with Grandma and Grandpa Richards was the perfect time to do it. Each of the adult came up with one game to play. After devotional we got started.

Spencer wanted to kick it off with his original "Catch the Spider." You dangle a large plastic spider over the stairs and all the people below try to get it. The first person to catch it 3 times wins.



Next was Grandma's, the classic jump over the jump rope with a sock on the end being swung in a circle {hopefully} near the ground. Later Ruth wanted to take this game to the next level on the trampoline. Good thinkin.





Grandpa had us divide into teams and put a shirt on every team member while holding hands.





For Kurt's game the "it" person sat in the middle and had to answer questions but he could only use one predetermined word. We were trying to get them out by making them laugh. Austin was giggling before it even begun versus Spencer who was like an iron wall. He was good! We couldn't crack him. It was funny just to watch his concentration. Naturally Kurt had to keep at him all day until he laughed. Many hours later he finally cracked with the word "underwear."



I had the kids play a dress up relay.





We had homemade mini pizzas, watermelon and root bear for lunch. Then it was time for Grandma and Grandpa to go home. We are so glad they came. It was a wonderful visit and we cherished the one-on-one time with them. Thanks for coming!

That evening we went on to Grandma Cindy's to let the kids swim in the hot tub and play on the slip and slide. We had more pizza for dinner. The kids loved the water and it really did seem like the last hurrah of summer.

Our Blessing

Today we blessed Lucy Rae. It was such a beautiful day. Thinking of the events makes me smile.



My mom and dad came up from West Jordon on Saturday for the blessing. They were suppose to bring Tim, Elaine and kids but at the last minute they all changed their plans. It was sad, and frustrating but shortly after my parents arrived we attended a baptism and their was such a sweet spirit that calmed me. How grateful I am for that and the peace I felt for the next 24 hours so I could focus on my sweet baby girl.

Kurt gave a beautiful blessing. Those that stood in the circle were Grandpa Bill, Ken and Dirk and uncles Jeff, Dan, Jeff and Doug. Again there was a beautiful spirit in the meeting. Lucy wore the same dress as her sisters accented with red nails {and toes.}


{isn't she precious}

My good friend Kerri {who hasn't been to church in forever} came and stayed all three hours. And she also came out to the house for lunch. This alone makes me
HAPPY.

Another things that made me HAPPY was the weather. Yes, that does sound like a lame factor on the greatness of the day but I must remind you that I go GREEN during the summer. Meaning my house is a sweat fest. Not a fun combo for a gathering of many people. Many prayers were uttered {by myself} for cool temps. The kids woke up complaining that it was cold - they were given strict instructions not to touch the windows or fans!!! When we got home from the church the house was still cool and the increase of bodies didn't raise the temps either. Miraculous. I'm pretty sure I told my mom at least 5 times how great it felt and how happy I was about it. "Ya, I know. You told me." Can I tell you again??

Thanks for the great company and tasty food {pulled pork sandwiches, salads, fruit, lemonade, chips, and Score Cake.} We are blessed with a fabulous family. Lucy is lucky.

Life with the Little Girls

We are starting to get into a routine around here again. As much as I LUH-ve summer the body craves routine. We are giving into the craving.

People keep asking how it is having two at home this year. Maybe they forget that I had two at home last year. But it is different. I miss my brown sugar, Spencey boy. How quickly they jump into the new roles and duties that are required of them.

The little girls, as Roost and Luce are affectionately called, have brought me so much joy. I'm really glad to have them around.

It seems like our days still revolve around feeding Lucy but we do manage to do a few other things during the school hours. {I will not include the mundane items such as laundry and cleaning in this list.}

READ {Pinkalicious is Rooster's current favorite. I remember reading it daily when Emma was this age. awwww.}



Jogging in the jogging stroller. Luckily the girls still like going for a ride and Roost is still keeping me in stride.

House Projects which mainly involve a can of spray paint and Roost holding Lucy while they sit in the stroller.



Frequenting the local thrift and antique shops during our trips to Ontario.

Entertainment provide by none-other than Rooster Romans. She asks me daily when she can go to ballet class...


And most of all we continue to enjoy this sweetie


Rooster is my MAJOR big helper.



{Sorry Luce but I found this sooo funny. Ruth was very determined. and silly. Naturally.}

Can you not see all the fun we are going to have?!! Its a good, good life.