Birthday Girl

My sweet little Maggie Allyson turned 3 on September 23rd. 

We celebrated with pancakes before church and Pizza Ranch, presents, and Dairy Queen Cake after church.  Since Aunt Aimee won't be able to join us for the big family party in October, Grammy and Bapa brought her over to celebrate in the afternoon, too.

Where have the past three years gone?  This last year, especially, has gone extraordinarily quickly.  She has changed so much, and yet remains the spunky, high-energy little girl that she has been since her birth.  What a blessing!

K-cup stacking before church.

Minnie birthday ears from Grandpa and Grandma G.

Silly girl.

As a side note, I'm finally hanging things on my walls, including this sunburst mirror that I made.

Maggie loved the doctor kit from Aunt Aimee, and set to work giving Bapa's puppy a check-up.

Playing with new toys.

Birthday morning.

DQ ice cream cake.

Pictures of Bode from the week, so he won't be left out.  :)  And he's walking some now! 

Asia gets to roam the house now that all the pups are gone.  Toby isn't entirely pleased to have her back.

Gorgeous fall scenery on a gravel road near Stewartville during my Saturday run.

Week Two

This past week was the second week since school started back up for the fall.  Speaking for myself, saying the first week was stressful would be an understatement.  It has been a real challenge balancing two active children who are used to having my full attention most of the time, seven messy puppies that require care and frequent clean-up, housework, training for a marathon with bum knees, and working eight hours a day at my computer and phone with a to-do list that doesn't get any smaller.  This past week I have been able to find a bit more of a balance and I think my children and husband would agree that I've been a little bit more relaxed and (I hope) patient.  I'm finding time to fit in work, while taking breaks with my children as needed, and finishing my work hours when I can.

The rest of the family is in full swing with new fall activities, too.  Steve is very busy with his new job, but has been home earlier than he was most of the time last year, and has shared that he feels less stressed and busy in his new position than he did at his last job.  Maggie started AWANA Cubbies on Wednesday nights and will start ECFE classes on Thursday nights in a few weeks.

Here are some photos from our past couple weeks:

Third day of work, and we took a break for lunch at McDonald's.  Clearly, we are all going a little crazy.

 

Just one reason why working for more than a minute at a time is impossible.

And another reason...

Two puppies went to their new homes this weekend, including this little guy.  He sure is a sweetie.

They're so big now!

Weekends are my crafting time.  Sewed new covers for thrift store pillows.

Got out of the shower and hadn't brushed my hair.  Maggie said, "Mom, your hair looks so beautiful!"  Apparently, I have gotten into a rut with the ponytail. 

Sunday evening walk to the park.

Sweet pup and sweet boy.

Trying to organize the playroom/office.  Did a quick refinish to that bookshelf with a can of spray paint and some contact paper.

Refinished a chair and got my piano this weekend!

Labor Day Weekend Fun

We had such a fun weekend with Steve's family.  Jim, Angie, Eli, and Lily were able to come down for a couple days, as well as Paul for a while.  Highlights were Pizza Ranch, playing at "our" park, grilling at the city park, and just hanging out and eating!  We were all sad to see our time together come to an end.  Steve woke up sick on his birthday today, so it was best for all to say good-bye this morning.

I was also very  happy and thankful to see my parents this afternoon, as they built me a larger enclosure in the garage for the puppies.  Those little buggers (the puppies) have been escaping, and I have come down to the garage in the middle of the night to find Asia frantically trying to corral them back to their designated area.  I think their new home will be perfect.

I hope Steve is recovered and ready to go tomorrow as we both start our first day of school with students.  Lucky for me, I don't have to get out of my pajamas as I make my commute to the basement.  Not saying I won't, but I don't have to.  :)

How many Gibbs brothers does it take to get a grill going?  Just two, in this case.

Sweet Liliana.

The boy cousins.

Maggie seemed to be unfazed by all the spinning.

These two had a blast in the sandy rocks.

She loves slides.

Angie's pictures were much better than mine.