Ross Reflections. . .

Warming up on the putting green with Dad. Putting with his competitors, Gabe and Nathan. Where do I even begin? Today was a ginormous day for Noah in the sports arena. Gary, Noah and I left for Fort Wayne this morning to take Noah to his very first pee wee golf tournament. We had no idea what to expect and Noah was excited but also quietly nervous. We have been so busy and run down that Noah hasn't been on a course in a couple of weeks or even to the driving range, although he has logged hours upon hours in our backyard swinging a club. He was scheduled to play at a par 3 course, six holes. The big difference for Noah was that he had to carry his own bag, (mom rented him a pull cart) and he had to make his own club selections. No help from us, we were just allowed to walk along but not assist in any way. Thanks for the heads up Luci!! Anyway, I couldn't have been more proud, I even teared up a couple of times. He was so intense, so competitive and so nervous. After he teed off...

I spent a couple of hours this morning at Beth's house helping her paint trim in Gabe's room getting ready for her possible TV debut. When I arrived, Beth was talking to one of Pete's football players from Taylor's team, I introduced myself and headed up stairs to paint. A while later, Beth was telling me how Ty, the football player I had just met, reminded her of Pete so I asked his last name. Needler. I then wondered if he was related to a Mrs. Needler who I taught third grade with my very first year of teaching at Sweetser Elementary. Ty made his way upstairs to say goodbye to Beth and I thought I would ask if he was related to her. Immediately, Ty knew who I was talking about and said no he was not related. As I explained I was curious about her because I taught third grade at Sweetser one year before I was married and she was the other teacher. Ty paused and then said, "I think I had you for third grade." WHAT????? He said I looked familiar but I had intr...

I have to admit that I am a self proclaimed lake snob. I am spoiled having spent the last 14 years going to Gary's parent's cottage on Lake Charlevoix (a crystal clear lake) and have truly remained quite stubborn about NOT going to Taylor Lake, that is until today. It was way hot out and we had no plans. I can count on one hand how many times I have been there in the six years I have lived here. Actually I could probably count with 1 finger, I can only recall one previous visit and goose poop rules that memory. Hence, the reason for me not returning. Well this year all I have heard from quite a few people is how clean the lake is, how they have fired guns off to scare the geese away and that Taylor lake is a hidden treasure. But along with all of these positives remains the fact that the fish still nibble at you when your in the water. Yuck! Well, if it isn't obvious from my little girl's face, Logan had the time of her life and we are planning to return tomorrow. We ha...

Tonight was absolutely incredible. As I type I have a sore throat from yelling. Noah had what I thought was going to be his last baseball game tonight, but I was wrong. His team was decent this year and Noah had a great time playing but tonight was the semi-final game against Pratt Construction, an undefeated team. We had played them three other times and lost each game. Their team was so great, professional little leaguers. I can't even find the words to describe how amazing everyone played tonight, we won, I can't believe it!!! It was so much fun to watch and cheer. Noah had his best game of the season, (in my opinion) catching a couple fly balls, making a double play and getting a couple plays at second base. What a night. This is Coach Spiegel cheering with the team about going to the finals. This was such a huge night for everyone involved, the players, coaches, and parents. We all headed to Ivanhoe's for ice cream since Coach Spiegel had told the players if they won i...

This is what I saw when I checked on my boys this morning. Around 9 o'clock every morning I send the troops outside, today Logan was still asleep so it was just the boys. Isaiah is so loving Noah lately. He is always holding his hands in the "Where?" position, (palms turned up and out to his side) and walks around saying, "oah, oah, oah" Noah has always been wonderful with little ones.(when he wants to) He does have a gentle and sweet spirit that is God given. I love when I catch him in those moments just showing love (or love of golf)to his brother or sister. Isaiah drags a real club around, or shoulders a plastic club, following Noah wherever he goes. Today he must have said something to get Noah to put his club down and teach his younger brother a thing or two about swinging a club.

There are many things that we have purchased for our kids that are neat, o.k., or just not what we thought they would be. Gary has a strong dislike, I would even say hatred for "Large, red, yellow and blue plastic" items and repeatedly throughout the summer comments that he would love to throw it all away, we need none of it. I have to say at times I agree, for a moment, but Gary is serious. He thinks they need no toys, they play with household items. For example, the hot items in the bathtub lately are sandwich baggies that they fill up with water. Logan pretending it is garbage she has collected (why?) and Noah pops the bags full of water and squirts Logan and Isaiah in the face, Nice. Anyway, there are also many things we have bought or been given that I couldn't get through a summer day without. I took this picture today and thought to myself, I LOVE that picnic table. (It is large, red, tan, and blue plastic, sorry Gar) I just love that these summer days are full of ...

"Miss Dorothy" just went to out get her mail and ended up at a tea party. I don't know if she ever made it to her mailbox because we got to talking and Logan asked Miss Dorothy if she wanted to have a tea party. So spontaneously we set up the table, teapot and tea cups while Miss Dorothy popped some goodies in her oven for the party. (The table and tea pot were a gift from Miss Dorothy to Logan this week, we have been loving them.) Logan was beaming as she poured the tea and added the sugar. The tiny cinnamon rolls were Logan's favorite. Gary joined us and we had a great time. Thank you Miss Dorothy for being the most wonderful neighbor and like family to all of us.

Today was packed full of family fun. Gary had an appointment in Fort Wayne at a soccer store for his camp next week so I invited the rest of us along and made a big day of it. Gary seemed thrilled, not so much. We took care of business and went to eat at Chuckee Cheese right next door to the soccer store. Then drove all of a mile to the Fort Wayne Zoo for the afternoon. There are many "ride" options for the kids but Logan always chooses the pony ride. I was excited to have Gary with us so I could take Isaiah for his first ride and the other two weren't left as waifs. (Mom, are you impressed? Is that even right?) Isaiah is my horse lover, a bit obsessed but this obsession is fading and is focusing on golf balls. Side note, on the way to the zoo, Isaiah sat in his car seat longing for a golf ball saying, "I wan golf ball, I wan golf ball" over and over. Gary is quite proud to say the least. When Isaiah's big moment arrived he chickened out, only loving horses ...

I often say one of my favorite things in life is when I find my kids playing together and enjoying one another. It makes my heart smile. It is not unusual to find two of them playing together, the older two when Isaiah is napping or the younger two while Noah sits and reads but today my heart was full when I found them all playing in the sandbox. Common ground that transcends age and brings my sweet children together. I am not regretting my decision to buy new "soft" sand as Logan calls it. I won't get frustrated at the extra work it causes such as changing Isaiah's sheets more often because the sand is so fine there is just no washing it all off without a full bath. I am loving the quiet morning hours before our day really gets started but it is warm enough for Noah, Logan and Isaiah to go outside and play together. The boys walk around the yard with a golf club in hand following a little white ball and Logan bikes a little, imagines a lot and ends up in the sandbox...

On a day when I thought there was nothing to blog about, just minutes before the end of the day, I found Gary outside at 11:30 p.m. DETERMINED to finish mulching the backyard. He was in Muncie for a Dr. apt and wanted to pick up the mulch to have on hand when he had time. So during Noah's baseball game, Gary decided tonight was that time. No stopping him, good thing I had a yummy drink and a chick flick to keep me busy. I was so laughing at my lamp missing from my end table and now resting on the kids' picnic table outside. Like I said, Gary is DETERMINED when it comes to completing a task. Thanks again Gar, I will look forward to seeing your hard work in the daylight. I know you will sleep well tonight. I love you.

Logan has a new love, catching butterflies, although she has the desire and excitement, her hand eye coordination is lacking. She swings the net in the air, looks inside and says, "still empty." When she realized that mom has quite the determination to catch butterflies for her precious daughter, she cheers me on yelling, "I know you can do it" Once I have caught one Logan brings the bug catcher over to me but insists on calling it a drawer. So the last picture is Logan so happy to have caught a couple of butterflies. Business: I am sure many of you have heard this story but this is my journal so I want to always remember it years from now. A year or two?? I don't even remember now Noah and Logan were taking a bath together. I was close by and I heard this conversation: Noah: "Logan, don't touch that, it's none of your business." Logan: "I know Noah, this is my business" as she proceeds to stand up in the bathtub and point to...

Happy Father's Day. Gary ran out to the store and came back with a six pack of IBC root beer, telling Noah that they would "throw back a few during the U.S Open." Noah was so excited he asked every five minutes when the golf would be on. They enjoyed their treat and had a great day watching Tiger birdie the 18th hole to send it into a playoff round tomorrow. Thank goodness we have more beer. This is how Gary wanted to spend his day, watching golf and being together as a family. The boys each took turns on Dad's lap watching and Logan joined Gary later. I feel asleep on the couch, that is why I don't have a picture posted of the two of them. Gary took Noah and Logan to the putting green at the course later in the afternoon. Gary is a fantastic daddy and he showers his kids with love each and every day. I am truly blessed to have a husband who wants to be extremely involved in his children's lives. He has a special and unique relationship with Noah, L...

This is not a weekly thing but whenever a Friday night arrives and nothing else is planned we head to Muncie and eat at Skyline Chili. Of all restaurants, you may wonder why Skyline? Because Gary is from Cincinnati and has Skyline running through his viens. We love the stuff and occasionally convince another family to join us but many just don't return. We are assuming it is the food and not the company but who knows? Actually, Heath and Dez, Dez also being from Cincinnati, have joined us and have expressed interest in joining us on a regular basis. This is also the reason they are moving to the top of our "Best Couples to Hang Out With" list. We really just love having a simple tradition in our family. If I mention to Noah it is Friday, he often asks, "Are we going to Skyline?" It is just what we do, oh, did I mention kids eat free, that is some incentive too. Yes, we even have Skyline t-shirts that the kids wear to bed. We got them free after a certain numb...

Hayden, Conner, Bailey, and my kids eagerly waiting to start lessons. Tomorrow is the last day of swimming lessons and I find myself thinking this is bittersweet. I definitely look forward to sleeping later each morning and not rushing out the door. My body is feeling it these last few days. (remember this mama homeschools and we don't rush out the door for anything in the mornings.) But I know both Logan and Noah absolutely love swimming and their teachers. Logan will have the hardest time, Kyle is the greatest in her mind and I am so thankful he will be a freshman at Taylor in the fall. He has been outstanding!! Mr Yordy, Noah's teacher, goes to our church and Noah will be able to see him there. Noah has learned so much in the past two weeks. Freestyle, backstroke and elementary backstroke were the strokes he learned. Noah worked very hard and was often out of breath after each lap. Swimming is such great exercise. Noah found the backstroke to be the easiest and didn't e...

This was so new to have FOUR GIRLS playing at my house this afternoon, usually I watch a bunch of boys playing due to the high population of boys in Upland. I really am happy for Logan to have these girls to play with on a regular basis. They biked, jumped on the trampoline and pulled each other in the wagon but the hit of the afternoon was "cooking" with the water from the wading pool. Logan's favorite ingredient is butter, adding "a hundred butters" is what she told me when I asked how to make her cake. She has invented a delicious cake flavored like butter toast but also makes chocolate and banilla. (That's how Logan says it). They had a blast and stayed cool at the same time. Marley and Ella dove right in wearing their clothes. The boys, Noah and Gabe, were the minority but didn't mind at all as they ate popsicles, played in the mud and rode bikes. Conner saved them from the girls running over via the path and invited them to play in the sprinkler at...