a new day

A new day.

I'm glad I get a new day, every day.

A new day to make things better, to make things right.  Do I do that?  Not always.   But I'm thankful I at least I have the opportunity.

The Lord has blessed me beyond measure.  I don't thank Him enough.  He is the God who provides all I need and much, much more.  I take things for granted.

Last weekend we went to Eagle Creek.  I'm just getting around to posting a few pictures because quite frankly, I've been in a little pit. My knee hurts, I did something terrible to my tailbone...just been feeling kind of gloomy.  And to top it off, I had a minor accident today (nobody was hurt)  But I'm sure my insurance rates are going to go up because of it.  That might hurt.

I have a great family.  I really do.  Having 5 kids can be, well, stressful at times.  I think I handle it fairly well, but I want to handle it better than just 'fairly well' I want to be an exceptional parent.  I really do have exceptional kids, so they deserve nothing but my best.  My best is not your best though, and sometimes that is where my problem lies.  I compare.  Mothers are so guilty of this.  So I will try to not compare- I will just do my best to be the best wife and mother I can be.  Anyway... here are some fabulous pictures.

Josh and some boys hitting the trails.  This one was a little dangerous. The fence broke off at times and opened to a large ravine just waiting for a 2 year old to plummet off of.



Eagle Creek.  Hopefully the water levels will get back to normal soon.



Christian found a walking stick.  I think he was beating things with it.



Isaac in a tree


This is just a random picture of me and Josh.  Twins.  He's my best friend.


Abigail in the tree...she is a serious tree climber.  She probably would have gone to the top had we allowed her.



Jeremiah with his walking stick.  As you can see, he is trying to break it.


Elijah was at his friends birthday party this day, so he was not with us.  It was odd to not have him along.  He is almost 13- his birthday is in just a few short weeks.  I know he's not "old" but I am becoming more aware that sooner than I think, he will be grown up and living apart from us.  It's a concept I can't really comprehend right now- but I'm beginning to see glimpses, and it scares me;  but also makes me feel excited about what the future holds for my kids.  What are these people going to become?  What great things will they accomplish in life.  I am already proud of them, and I'm sure the best is yet to come.  

oh man-

I started a blog post and I don't have any pictures to post, and I just realized it's 2:09 and I have to leave in 30 minutes to get some of the kids from school, take them to the park, have a snack, then go back & get the remaining kid from school... busy.

I know- I could be less busy.  I could make my life easier.  I could send my kids to public school (which is fine) where they would ride the bus and I wouldn't have to live the life of a taxi cab driver, but I love their school, so I will sacrifice.

A lot is going on lately.  My kids just got over being SUPER SICK with this ridiculous germ that kept circulating.  They are all fine now, and praise GOD I didn't get sick- Josh was out of town last week when they were all sick :(  Taxing on mommy, but just another lesson in life.  What was the lesson?  Oh- yes- life isn't EASY.

Christian is adjusting to kindergarten.  It's been a little tough on him (long day for a little guy!) but he is making friends and beginning to enjoy it.  Big Bunny (his best friend stuffed animal) goes to school with him every day.  I'm thankful he has a teacher who allows this. I've also been eating lunch with him a lot, which helps.

Isaac & Abigail are doing great- they are so happy to be back in school.  hmmm...what does this say about me?  I'm kidding, I know it's nothing personal, they just love school.  That is a very good thing!

Elijah auditioned for the school musical.  They are doing "The Little Mermaid, Jr."  He got the part of Flotsam.  He didn't want to audition because the musical sounded "girly" but I encouraged him for a few reasons.  Many of his friends were auditioning, he has a fantastic memory, a good stage presence, and I thought the responsibility would build some extra character.  Many kids tried out, and out of 150, he is one of the 20ish to have a speaking and singing role.  I'm proud of him.

If I didn't mention it in another post?? Josh got a new job!  He is very excited about it.  He is back in sales, but he doesn't have to do much traveling outside of IN.  No, he's not selling vacuum cleaners door to door, so don't worry.  He won't be knocking anytime soon.  He works for a distributorship selling electircal, pneumatic, and hydraulic products to major manufacturers like GM, etc... He's just not the type to sit behind a desk. I'm proud of him.

Okay- better go pack that snack now and get a certain baby up from his nap.  I can't believe he took one!  Lately he has been protesting.  Have a blessed rest of the week!

happenings...

It's been so ridiculously dry around here.  I like walking through lush, green grass...feeling the dew on my bare feet- watching the lightning bugs light up the dusky sky.  Not so this summer.  I saw one lightning bug, and I think it was lost.  I haven't felt dew in the morning- not once.  My grass is brittle, with a needle like quality. The earth itself feels like a brick. When I go for jogs, I regularly see birds dead on the side of the road. "Have they been hit by a car?"  I wonder.  No.  I think they have died of heat stroke and dehydration.

But then God always makes me aware of what is lovely.  These precious little Zinnias have had the tenacity to withstand the drought.  When the corn didn't make it...when the beans didn't make it...when the herbs didn't make it..when the squash withered  away....when the cherry tomatoes more closely resembled crab apples, these little girls survived.  I have been cutting them and getting an occasional bouquet to dress up my breakfast bar.  It's the little things in life that bring us joy.



On another note, "summer" is officially over in the Masquelier household, and it is now "Fall"  we all know school starts in the Fall, so it must be Fall :)  Here is a picture of Isaac on his first day of 2nd grade.  He really didn't want me to take it because he was embarrassed.  Note that I don't have a picture of Elijah or Abigail on their first day because they wouldn't let me take one.  Silly.                                  

                          

Christian was a little nervous, as he has never been away from home for an extended amount of time- but he did great.  He enjoys school, but he also likes being home.  He has a very small class, only 12, so that is good.  His teacher has plenty of time to do fun stuff with the kids.

Well- all was going well, and then something terrible struck the household.  First Jeremiah started feeling bad, so I took him to the Dr.  She said his throat looked bad, but so did his ears.  She gave me an antibiotic for an ear infection (he is notorious for ear infections)

He is never really this cuddly anymore- and NEVER falls asleep during the day.  I knew he was sick!  

Then Christian got sick.  He ended up with a fever of 105.  Took him to the Dr, and it was strep.  He started taking antibiotics, but didn't seem to improve.  He ultimately wound up in the hospital....poor guy.  He needed IV fluids, a mega dose of antibiotics, and a steroid to reduce swelling.  He got dehydrated from having such a high fever for a long time. All of the other kids wound up getting strep, but they are all doing better now.  Thank God!