Livin' the dream

There was a little girl who was asked, along with the rest of her kindergarten class, to stand up onstage in front of fellow students, teachers, and parents and tell them what she wanted to be when she grew up. The principal started making her way down the line and the little girl stood in place listening to each of her classmates "A doctor... a teacher... the President of the United States... a fireman... the President of the United Sates... and then it was her turn, without a thought she said, "a Mom" the whole gymnasium erupted with laughter and there she stood bewildered, did she say something wrong?!... at least that is how I remember it. I was that little girl. I have no clue what my thoughts on motherhood were at 5 years of age, besides that I thought it was an occupation. I'm guessing I didn't realize that it would take endless effort to be a good one :). Or the fact that motherhood uses the skill sets of nearly every occupation that was mentioned that day- that there would be times that I would have to diagnose and doctor my kids back to health, or that I would spend decades teaching them everything from potty training to the basics of English, how to share, how to respect authority, how to read, how to make a bed, how to make friends, how God and the gospel changes everything, how to forgive, and how to love well. That I would have to govern and be a judge in my home and decide what "laws" should take precedence, what battles are worth fighting, and what discipline is fair. That I would have to frequently rescue my children from danger (mainly the danger of themselves), and the list goes on. The task is limitless, the responsibility terrifying, but the pay off is worth dying for. As my kindergarten self would testify I do get to do the very thing that I dreamed of. I get to be a mom and now that we are in California I get to be a full time mom without the pull of a Real Estate career. Of course I am human and there are times when the dream feels more like a nightmare... when there are nights upon nights of interrupted sleep, poop explosions, diaper rash, whining, food throwing, and screaming, wall drawings, ungratefulness, selfishness, and loud tantrums that make me want to break down and have a tantrum myself, and at times I do. But I'm thankful to have a perfect heavenly Father that somehow forgives me and redeems those moments of my own foolish selfishness and in the moments of my children's- He has equipped me with everything I need to navigate, discipline, and encourage their hearts and give them hope in the blood of Jesus the Christ who is able to take away the reproach of their sins and restore peace and joy. My soul... remember this!  

All of the above to say... Motherhood is a worthwhile occupation, it comes with great purpose, and it is an incredible gift.

Since we've been back out west here is some of what we have been up to

Starting the morning off in the best way.

Adalai started Kindergarten at The Classical Academy which provides 2 class days and the other 3 days she is home schooled.

Adalai's first day of Kindergarten at home and PE at the pool!



Remy is right there with her every step of the way ;)



Below Adalai's first class day in Mrs. McNiff's Kindergarten Class. She's such a smart little thing and is loving it so far!

Traever has been doing an awesome job of taking study breaks with the kids. He's always quick to remind me how fun our little ones are. I'm thankful for a husband that is such a good Dad to our children!

When we're not doing school or spending time with Daddy we're busy doing normal things.

It seems like we grocery shop a lot.

Yep, totally normal.

And doing our best to seize these sunny days.

Adalai swinging at our favorite coastal park in Del Mar.

Remy and Thatcher at Carlsbad beach. Our Remy is such a California girl.

Exploring Balboa Park.

And Birch Aquarium in La Jolla which was small, but definitely worth it.

They had a huge variety of sea horses.

The view from the deck there isn't too bad either :)

Remy, Thatcher, and I have spent a few afternoons strolling through the Safari Park before we pick Adalai up from her Class Day.



It's a pretty fun place to have a picnic.

This baby cocakatoo and my baby Thatcher were so cute squawking and staring at each other.



Or we hit up a near by park to burn off some energy. Below was one such day at Dixon Lake.



 It's been anywhere from 80-105 degrees since we have been back from Illinois. So definitely pool weather!

And when it does rain it's a gentle shower that nearly always results in a rainbow which we can usually see from our street. The midwesterner in me thinks it's pretty ridiculous. I mean this is right!?

And the other part of this Midwestern girl longs for chilly autumn days, to look out the window and see our huge oak trees changing colors, bonfires, and cook outs with family and friends. But for the time being this is where our good Father has placed us and I am so enjoying this concentrated time that He has given me with our youngsters. It's been so refreshing to simplify life and just be with them. Soon enough these seminary years will pass us by. I'm cherishing these times!

Sweet Summertime

It was refreshing to be in familiar territory this summer and to enjoy the company of those we know and who know us well.

Cousins became a little more like siblings.

And little friends picked up where they left off.

We got in on a lot of beautiful moments.... watching our little niece Mercy take her first steps, celebrating her 1st and Emma's 3rd birthdays, watching our niece Livie take off on her bike for the first time without training wheels, celebrating the marriage of Jenna and Brad (one of Traever's cousins), and many more less monumental moments that were just as happy... roasting marshmallows on the back porch, the girls growing caterpillars and setting their butterflies free, watching the kids ride horses, swim in the lake, jump on the tramp, catch fire flies, dance, run through the rain, have their first sleepover with cousins, soak up time with grandparents, aunts and uncles, trips to Indiana to visit family and friends, a family trip to St. Louis, hearing Traever preach some of his first sermons, and a sprinkling of restful evenings in between.

Life at the Herman's

This summer there was a lot of talk of ponies as well as a daily pony/unicorn race through the house.

Mercy's first birthday.

The amazingly talented Chad, who can drive a mower while holding a baby and 2 toddlers and dodge 2 little ones who are learning to ride bikes. I think this is a good illustration of what we experienced this summer :)

Listening to Mamaw read stories.

Having some fun with Great Grandpa and Great Grandma after a picnic in the park.

Spending some time with the Guingrich clan.

Stopping to visit great friends as we traveled 

Fourth of July Fun

Horse back riding at the Goose Ranch.

and the 4th of July picnic getting rained out.... hahaha Thatch's face.

Neukomm family weekend get-a-way to St. Louis.

St. Louis Zoo

Petting goats and sting rays. There were some pretty cool animals I just failed to take pictures.

The girls on their first carousel ride.

The Magic House in St. Louis was the coolest children's museum and most interactive play place I had ever seen. 

 Posse weekend at Norris.

  

Safety first.

It was such a fun weekend but poor Thatch was ill so if he wasn't sleeping in his pack and play he looked about like this.

Back to the west coast

 The last few weeks flew by as Traever wrapped up his internship which totaled to about 550 hours of teaching, preaching, study/preparation, and discipleship. A huge thanks to Bethany Baptist Church and the entire staff there; they have blessed our lives immeasurably! Traever put a lot of time in but always came home smiling; he really enjoyed the work that he got to do this summer. Here is a link to the place where he was teaching: http://www.peoriagospelinstitute.org/#/welcome and his bio: http://www.peoriagospelinstitute.org/#/about-us/staff . We got in our last play dates and suppers, got our personal home in Morton ready to rent, sold and bought a different van, and prepared for the long haul ahead. 

One last picture before good byes. How I miss my sister.

California bound.

We looked back to find Rem like this.

Some great friends of ours who had just moved to Denver were sweet enough to keep us one night as we traveled back. It was really good to catch up with them and I think our kids had a pretty good time too.

The drive was gorgeous and once again Traever drove the entire distance while I took care of the kiddos and read him a couple of books. The kids did amazing; they really are the best travelers! As we were nearing Las Vegas Adalai looked up and said "I call this land...Light Land" to which we chuckled and then appropriately told her it's other nickname. I'm pretty sure she's terrified of the place now. We made it back to our California home in the wee hours the trip totaling something just over 40 hours.