So I can remember

Here we are ... It's October again already. School is really in full swing, activisties are keeping us busy and Christmas trees are on sale at Wal-mart! I'm worried that I'll look up tomorrow and it will be May.  And so, of course, I worry about missing things or forgetting things because life is ten times more complicated right now than usual. 

Yesterday was rainy and dreary and we didn't really leave the house.  The kids played quietly or played iPad a lot of the day and I let them because everyone needs a day like that.  At one point I found McKenna in one of her favorite places, doing one of her favorite things. 

She was in her closet turned doll house playing dolls.  These girls sure have had a lot of play time.  They are nearly celebrities, starring in their own stop motion movies on YouTube.  

I don't want to forget this.  I don't want to wake up one day and realize that McKenna doesn't play with dolls any longer.  Just the thought leaves a lump in my throat.  

I know she's growing up and someday she will ask my help to pack these things away.   

But for now I'll continue to enjoy my time in the closet with her and "the girls".

Dating Again

I've been dating a cute guy for the past few weeks.  We've known each other for awhile but it's starting to get serious.  He's a little younger than me but he's fun!  We frequent places with kids menus and we prefer Friday mornings over Saturday nights. 

We love our time together but we also welcome the occasional third (or fourth wheel). 

I usually end up paying but that's okay because the conversation is great.   We love to discuss sports mostly.  And sometimes church, friends and video games. 

I've figured out his favorite food - these French toast sticks that he keeps going back for. I don't know what's so great about them, but hey, I love him despite his weird food choices.  

Yep, Cooer and I really look forward to our Friday breakfast dates.  We have a running list of places we want to try. Soon we will be able to write a restaurant guide! Our little hour together each week has been just what we needed.  It's fun to be dating again.  Now if I could hair get him to pick up the bill.  

Rounding Out Week 3

Dear Earl,
It's almost the end of my third week of grad school.  Bloom clinical finished up last night and from time to time today I felt like I could breathe a little.  This morning we took Kinley for a long walk on the rail trail and stopped at the Farmers market.  I wouldn't say it was a lazy morning but it was a nice morning spent talking and catching up.   We haven't had much of that lately... time to sit and talk or even just be in the same room together.  The last three weeks have been insane.  But you have been amazing.  You have picked up so many of the responsibilities that were mine.   More than anything you understand.  You get it when I am consumed with reading for hours at a time.  You don't mind that I wake you up when I come to bed at all hours.  You entertain the kids when I need to get a paper done and then you proof read it for me.  You get it and I am so grateful.  I also feel slightly guilty. I am fairly certain that I wasn't always supportive when you were in school.  I wanted your time to be my time and I most certainly tried to understand but I definitely didn't get it.  So I guess I need to say thank you for going first and then cheering me on during my own journey.  It's only just begun, I know.  It's bound to get harder but having you in my corner is one of the greatest blessings.  Thank you for encouraging me, pushing me, giving me a few reality checks and making me laugh.  I love you so much. 
Love, Em

Our week in pictures

Not much time to blog tonight but lots of  to sum up our week:

Monday and Tuesday's I'm not home until almost 8:30pm so no pictures from those two days.  We were just trying to survive after a very late Saturday night at the Penn State game.

But Thursday after taking Kinley to dance we headed to school to have lunch with Cooper.

He really did agree to this picture even though it doesn't look that way!

Friday Earl and I took my mom and dadto lunch to celebrate my moms birthday.  It was just the four of us for the first time in like....at least 11 years.  We had a really nice time. I hope it's not 11 years before we can done together again without kids.

So the pic is not great but this guy was awesome this week.  I'm sure he had a ton of things he could have done on his vacation, include relax, but he didn't.  He did everything I asked of him and a thousand things more. I appreciated his help so very much this week.  He has been the biggest supporter of my career and continues to encourage me.  I am a lucky girl. 

Saturday morning was soccer and despite feeling a little under the weather, Cooer had 2 goals and even more assists. I love watching him play!

Saturday afternoon I did homework and Kinley, bless her heart, colored pictures quietly for 2 hours.  

While we watched the first half of the Penn state game, McKenna and I baked an apple crisp.  

We spent an awesome Sunday afternoon celebrating Lauren's birthday at Knoebel's.

The kids had fun and the parents did too!

So here we are with another Monday behind us.  I don't know how I feel about that.  Time is passing too quickly for me these days.  But!  On to Tuesday!