It's our anniversary!

Today is our 9th wedding anniversary!

That seems like a big number to me, but it also doesn't seem like we've been married for very long at all. I guess that is a good thing?

We spent the day living our normal lives...I took Drew and Ava to school and volunteered in Drew's classroom, Dan worked from home. We had soccer practice for both kids in the evening and had no running water during the day due to some plumbing issues that we had someone working on. But, we did to get to go out to lunch (with Ava) and we put the kids to bed and had dinner by ourselves-I made Dan's favorite enchiladas. We also broke out our wedding album for the first time in years and showed the kids pictures from our wedding day. It was fun to look back at the photos with them. And even though the day was busy and there wasn't a whole lot of alone time, it was perfect. It's the stage of life that we're in and we love the family that we've created. We have a great marriage and I think part of that is choosing to live in the moment and enjoy the time we do get to spend together--even if it's on the soccer field!

I love my husband and I thank God for choosing me to be his wife. How did I get so lucky?

Soccer Girl

Last night was Ava's first soccer game. The team had their first game last weekend, but we missed it since we were at the beach. She looked so adorable in her uniform, I could hardly stand it! She was excited to play with her team, the Fruit Loops, and to see her friends Catie and Keilani. I made the girls matching soccer hair ribbons to wear and she could not wait to give them to her friends! She did a great job during the game. While she wasn't the most aggressive player on the field, she did stay near the action and got a few good kicks in. When she was playing defense there wasn't too much to do (our team is pretty good and spent most of the time near the goal) so she and another player just played in the grass. :)

We are looking forward to many more Friday night games this season!

Ava modeling her hair ribbon

Keilani and Ava-best friends

First Grade!

I can not believe I am the mother of a first grader!

My little boy is getting so big! Here he is on his first day of first grade:

Drew was so excited to start school again and see his friends. He was really looking forward to staying all day (kindergarten is a half day) and eating lunch in the cafeteria. I wasn't as worried about him starting first grade as I was with kidnergarten, but there was a little anxiety. It's hard to leave your child in the care of other people, especially if you haven't even met them yet! So I met with the principal before school started and gave him a letter about Drew and his medical history. It made me feel better. :) And he was very understanding and even forwarded the letter to Drew's teacher and PE teacher.

So this morning, as I was walking Drew to his classroom I got to meet his teacher. I introduced myself as Drew's mom and she told me that she got my letter and that her older sister has congenital heart defects and has had heart surgeries, so she's familiar with CHDs. We didn't have much time to talk since school was starting, but I felt such a relief! When am I going to learn to let go and trust God? Once again He provided the perfect teacher for Drew--probably the only one who has experience with children having heart surgery. Thank you God for always putting the right people in our lives and for gently reminding me who is in control.

Drew in his new classroom

After school I picked Drew up and took him and Ava out for ice cream--our first and last day of school tradition. He told me he had a good day, he liked his teacher, he liked his friends and that his favorite part of the day was recess. And that is about all I could get out of him! I pray that this is a great year for him, that he learns a lot, makes new friends, and continues to be a kind and compassionate friend.

After school-he made a hat!

Enjoying ice cream after school

Ohio Trip

Our family made a trip out to Ohio to see Dan’s cousin, John, get married. We hadn’t been out to Ohio since Christmas of 2006, so it had been quite a while! The kids were so excited to fly-I don’t think Ava had been on a plane that she could remember. We got up so EARLY-4 am- to get to the airport for our 6:30 am flight. Both kids did great on the planes and even though it was a long day of travelling, everyone was in pretty good spirits when we arrived around dinner time that night. We stayed in a hotel near Connie & Bill’s house (Dan’s aunt and uncle) and spent the days with them and all the cousins.
Drew and Ava loved playing with their cousins! There were 8 kids between the ages of 2 and 9 and they all played really well together. We had a big family bbq one night, complete with volleyball, cornhole (more fun than it sounds!), and catching fireflies! Another day we visited a sprayground, and then of course, there was the rehearsal and the wedding!

John and Katie had a beautiful ceremony at a church in Cleveland with the reception at Progressive Field. All the little cousins danced the night away! It was so special to be able to be with family. What better reason to get the whole family together than to celebrate love!

Daddy and Drew on the plane

Ava on the plane

Drew playing volleyball with some cousins

Aunt Jennifer and me playing cornhole

Ava catching fireflies

Drew and his fireflies-they slept next to them in the hotel!

Katie and John toasting with mead at the rehearsal dinner

Drew and cousin Ron

My handsome son and beautiful daughter all dressed up for the wedding

Our family

Dandrea

Himmelbergers

It's hard to get a picture of 8 kids all looking at the camera!

Happy 4th of July!

Our fourth of July celebration started on the 2nd, when our family got to visit the TNT warehouse and take home A LOT of fireworks! Two years ago when Drew was finally discharged from the hospital after six weeks we came home on July 3rd to a very large variety of fireworks thanks to the very generous Cathy C. who works there. She offered to provide fireworks for our family every year, and so far she has! The kids enjoyed walking through the warehouse with her this year as she picked up various fireworks and loaded them into our box. They also really like their fireworks playing cards!

Drew and Ava selecting some fireworks

Our family with The Big Timer!

Drew and Cathy from TNT

On the actual 4th of July the kids got dressed in the American Flag t-shirts and we all went to church. Then we had a wonderful day on the river with our friends the Parks, who took us out on their boat. I did a little wakeboarding and Drew even got to try some tubing. We cruised up and down the river and had a great time! We headed home around 7:30 to get ready for our own personal fireworks show!

The kids eating snacks at church

The Parks' Party Boat!

Me and Dan cruising

Me and Ava cooling off in the river

Drew's first time tubing-with buddies Tristan and Eben

Once we got home, we got the kids into their jammies and our friend Kate came over to enjoy the show. Drew helped Dan unpack the fireworks and choose which order to do them. Then we sat in our lawnchairs with blankets and earplugs (for the kids) and enjoyed the show!

Getting the fireworks assembled

Watching the show

My attempt at taking a picture of a firework

We hope you had a fun and safe 4th of July too!

Basketball Camp

This week, Drew attended First Covenant’s Sports Camp for the first time. It is a summer program for kids ages 6-12 and they offer programs in soccer, volleyball or basketball. We thought Drew would enjoy basketball, since he played his first season of basketball this year. Some of his best buddies signed up to play too, including Jacob, Eben and Tommy. They had fun playing each night and it gave Dan and me a chance to spend some time alone with Ava. On the last night of camp they had a tournament and the kids got to play a game before getting their medals at the awards ceremony. A fun week for all!

Drew during the game

Taking a shot

 Drew with his medal

Tommy, Brandon (a new friend), Jacob, Drew and Eben

The girls wanted to have a picture taken together too!

Sleep Over!

This week the kids got a special treat: Ava got to have her friend Keilani come over and spend the night, while Drew got to go sleep over at his buddy Eben’s house with a couple other boys who were attending basketball camp.

As soon as Keilani arrived the girls went straight to the dress up closet and got dressed in their princess attire. They played so nicely together! They had a tea party and ate dinner as princesses. Then they helped me bake cookies for dessert. Yummy!

They went to bed easily, although I had to make a few visits back to Ava’s room to remind them that it was time to go to sleep! In the morning, they enjoyed chocolate chip pancakes. They are the sweetest little friends!