Nighttime (one-sided) conversations

Jonah has been really into making comic books lately.  They're pretty cute!

The other day, Caleb was seated up to the counter eating something (as usual) and I was in the kitchen working.  Jonah made some comment, as he passed through, about his latest comic.

When he had left the room, Caleb said "Oh believe me, I have heard ALL about it!  It's called 'Dead Man's Chest', and the cover has a picture of a skeleton with an arrow pointing to his chest."  He proceeded to give me lots and lots of details about it.

He said that is what Jonah talks about all night, while Caleb is trying to fall asleep.

I couldn't stop smiling to myself thinking about what that looks like.

Caleb lying in his bed, eyes closed, trying to sleep.  Jonah lying face up, wheels in his head turning non-stop, mouth going on and on, not really caring if Caleb responds or not.  He has a captive audience!

To appreciated this scenario, you must know that Jonah loves nothing in this world more than talking, and I can never seem to give him as much listening time as he would like.

It sure warmed my heart to think of the memories those cute brothers are making.

This room swap is working out exactly as I hoped!

Sports

Sports are such a large part of our lives these days!  

It was Simon's first time playing soccer this season

You can see that he took it pretty seriously.  Much more so than some of the little girls.

Savannah played on the freshman volleyball team at Williams Field this year.  They had a great season, and Savannah was awarded "most improved player."  It was so fun to watch her play!

And Eli thinks that he is just as big and capable as all the other kids around here!

Josh and Jonah are, of course, playing basketball again this season, but somehow I don't have any pictures of that on my computer.

My favorite place

The girls and I attended a special Mother-Daughter dinner on Wednesday night.

We played a game where we were asked questions about each other and had to compare answers to see how well we know each other.  One of the questions was "What is your mom's favorite place in the world?"

When we turned over our cards to reveal our answers, all three of us had written "our house/home."

There was a little catch in my throat as we celebrated that we had gotten that one right.  I am so glad they know how much I love my home.  Yes, I love my house, but I especially love my home.

I love home because that is where my family is.  I really enjoy every one of those wonderful kids who bring their own talents and humor to contribute to our family.   I love the feeling there as we learn and grow together. I love that it feels like a refuge and a safe place to gather to escape the world.

It made me feel like I am doing something right.  My girls recognize that I am content with what I have, and that there is nowhere in the world I would rather be than at home with my family.