Happy September

It is September.  For me, it's like January all over again...without the frigid weather!  But I love September for new beginnings, new ideas and well, I can't lie...apple crisp!  
So we have begun a new school and our fall happenings are in full swing.  We have 2 playing soccer, 1 playing football (hmmm...who could that be?) and 1 who is simply along for the ride!
  

 I can hardly believe I have a 3rd grader on my hands.  This is a big year for Caleb has his subjects are getting a bit harder and the workload a little heavier...we will be learning together!

 Josiah is excited to be in 1st grade this year.  He can't wait to be able to read!

 Yup, Little Miss Hannah has joined our class this year.  We are still working on the fact that not every school day is a party and she has to actually do her work but we will get there!

 So there you have it...Mommy's class for the 2013-2014 school year.

 Oh yes, and there's the student "along for the ride".  He is so far making our days a bit difficult to get through since he likes to be heard with screaming and yelling but we will find our routine and figure out how to incorporate a 22 month old into our school day...

 Caleb has been asking to play football for 2 years and is so excited to be playing this year.  He is playing flag football and LOVES it already!  He counts down the minutes until his next game or practice and this is one event I don't think he will let us be late for.

 Huddle up!  Caleb has a great coach.  We know him through a homeschool group and though he is super nice and has fun with the kids, he is still tough on them to help them get better and is passionate about teaching them the sport.  (Maybe he can teach me...I so don't get the game!)

 It's awesome to watch your kids be and feel part of a team.  Caleb is always cheering on his teammates when he is not in the game.  He is so engaged in the game. 

 Hannah's first time playing soccer.  She was happy to join the boys in the day of sports on Saturday.  It was so cute to be able to tie those shirts up on her!

 The girl in action!

Josiah playing for the second time.  He is playing really well and does his best to go after the ball.  He doesn't say too much about it but I do think he is enjoying it once again!

COTW - Year 2

A few weeks ago we got back from our second year at Camp of the Woods in Speculator, NY. It was just as fabulous as last year and even a bit  better I think because we knew what to expect, what to bring (and what NOT to bring!) and the kids knew the fun that was ahead of them.  So much so that Hannah asked pretty much every 30 minutes if we were almost there. Yes, for the whole 5-6 hour ride!
But quite frankly, Dave and I love this trip just as much as them.  There is so much quality time spent together and with the kids and being able to be fed spiritually throughout the week is such a blessing.  We also had a few  more families from Mount Hope go this year so it was awesome to plan a couple events together and just get to know one another a bit more...that happens when you are on vacation together.
We all had so much fun playing mini-golf, sports, going to the beach, entering sand castle contests, hiking and really getting a lot of quality time together.  We come back from this trip very refreshed.
Here are just some of the highlights of our week.

 The kids dressed up for the costume parade and carnival.  Yes, that's Jonas with the elephant hat.  The kid has a serious fixation with elephants. Some kids like dogs...our child, elephants!  It was the first animal sound he made.  

 Once at the carnival, Jonas would not leave the 3 Little Pigs alone.  He followed them everywhere they went like their little groupie!

 My date with Caleb this year was a hike with a COTW group.  Such a funt time to spend with him.  He was so proud of himself for climbing to the top and as well he should have been.  I was proud of him too.

 So Mommy had a few highlights during this vacation and this was one of them.  I ran my first 5K race.  Some of you may know and some may not, but since January, I have been on a weight loss journey and have lost 23 pounds.  I still have more to lose but running became one of my exercise routines.  I have been training for a 10K in October and used this 5K as a training point.  My goal was to finish between 40-45 minutes and I finished in 38:39.  I was really proud of this moment.  I have never considered myself a runner and still really don't but have enjoyed this new venture as part of my journey.

 And this picture may just look like a picture with a friend but there was nobody's face I wanted to see more at the finish line than this special lady.  Missy is my dear friend in so many ways but has also been my personal trainer on this journey.  She has encouraged me, prayed with me and for me, got me through injuries and setbacks and cheered me on every step of the way.  I thank God for her and I could not have run this race without her.

 These guys met me on the way to the finish line and ran me in.  I loved hearing their little voices cheer me on.  Josiah, our little photographer even got some great pics!

Just after the finish line with my cheerleaders.  

 This year's group shot...our group is growing!!!

 This picture is becoming a tradition.

 Dave was so great about being intentional during our week to give me some time alone or with the other moms.  One way I used that time was to create this plate throughout the week.  I absolutely love how the end product finally came out!  We will use it celebrated all the milestones in the Libby Family.

 This is a true picture of what this week is like...it is peaceful, relaxing and refreshing.  Seriously, if you have not been, you need to consider a trip there.