Hello February! For the first time IN MY LIFE these pictures just uploaded IN ORDER from my iPhoto library. You may not understand why that matters, but if you have ever spent hours upon hours of your life re-organizing photos so they appear in order for the blog post, then you now have a little idea. It makes the whole process take at least twice as long if I have to re sort the photos. I am actually tempted to make goals of finishing these posts in weeks instead of months! My whole outlook has shifted- technology: can't live with it, can't live without it.
I decided to start baking bread. I have a dear friend, Ann Cowap, who bakes her own bread and makes it seem so simple. I think familiarity does that; takes activities that seem intimidating to begin and makes them commonplace. So, She passed me a couple of recipes, and off I went! These are the 'easy' recipe, and that's what I needed. I use the yeast that you can't kill as easily, which has taken some of the worry out of the process. I baked one in a dutch oven and one in a pan. Needless to say, the boys love the home made bread.
February always brings David's birthday now, and we all look forward to it for that reason. It was fun to have his party early; it lets me get all the birthdays done before soccer season. Although it is a lot work, it also makes it feel simpler, like planning all at once, and then it is finished. But, I have always been more attached to the actual day, so I like to make sure we do presents on their birthday and make it special. This life size Mario was my idea of fun! haha
Classic.
When I went to school to have lunch with David, I decided to take pictures of all the boys' hand prints on the walls. They don't do this tradition anymore now that Mr. Wood is principal, but I don't mind. All my boys got to put their hand on the wall, and I am grateful for that. (not a single one of them has gotten principal's award since 2022; its now 2025. We will see if any of them ever get it again.) Hayden and Calvin got it twice, and James and David got it once.
David got to open his presents after school when everyone was home, and Mario was there! He got his biggest Lego to date: a Bowser ship!
Happy happy birthday David!! We love you so much.
I think James and Hayden played each other in a soccer game this day. I don't remember who won, but I do remember being impressed by both of them. I am pretty sure James' team won, but it was a close match. Hayden's team is a bit more talented overall than James' team, but a year younger.
David and Modest were invited to Madeleine's birthday party at Sweet Pete's, so we rode there together. She and David are birthday buddies!
Hannah had her miracle baby, and named her Gwen. She looks like a little doll baby, and I didn't go visit her in person.
I don't remember where David got this from, but I am going to guess its a birthday present from Anthony. He is usually the surprise gifter in our family's life; we never expect a gift from him so its always a surprise!
Matt chaperoned the 7th grade history class trip to Washington, DC. James was lucky enough to go with lots of his friends, and they had a great time together.
The Liberty Bell!
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Outside George Washington's house.
Washington Monument.
Lincoln Memorial.
Reflection pond between Lincoln and Washington.
Happy Valentine's Day! Calvin made his own delivery truck to hold his Valentines for his class. David made a shark for his valentines; felt appropriate.
Hayden has his DARE graduation ceremony, so I was excited to go watch him accept his certificate.
Matt and I got to attend the fanciest wedding I've ever gone to in my life. It was absolutely amazing and it was freezing outside! We cleaned up nice I think. and we had so much fun! I really enjoyed it; the band was the most talented one I've ever heard at an event like that. We stayed until they quit playing.
David lost his first front tooth, and the next one was hot on its heels. It was too bad that he didn't lose them for Christmas- James was my only son who got to sing "all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth".
Calvin and his buddies auditioning in 'Jack Jack' for the school talent show. They got chosen to do their skit!
Oh the era when James was buying Prime and selling it at school to his friends. What a funny memory; I had to include it. Me at the store sending him a picture of what flavors were available.
James' wood plaque that his Dad bought for him, and his neon orange t-shirt that said champions. Team photo at the pep rally where they were recognized at school.
We started spending lots of time at the soccer field again as practices picked back up and our home tournament happened in late February. David was a good sport and hung out with me a lot while we watched his brothers. The picture of James is him and two teammates on their way to games with David and Calvin in the far back.
When we went to the wedding, I realized that fancy women in Jacksonville all own fur stoles. I also thought, "man I missed my chance to wear one of these!" So for Valentines, Matt bought me a vintage mink stole from ebay from a woman named Elenor. So, I named my mink stole Elenor in her honor, and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to own her. She's gorgeous and so soft! and she makes me think of my grandmother who owned many furs, but no fur stoles.
We don't always get photos of our boys' soccer teams, but this weekend we got a few! The boys in the white jerseys are Hayden's team. Then, Calvin's team were finalists their division, and Hayden's team was also a finalist in their division. I don't know if they got 1st or 2nd place, but both get a medal. I think they both got second place since the trophy says 'finalist'. I love looking back and seeing their coaches and teammates. We have watched these boys grow up on the field!
David's front teeth finally both out! He was a snaggletooth for a few minutes, but no more!
Thank you Lord for February, for the cold days and soccer games. For David's birthday and all the fun we had together celebrating. For James' DC trip with his Dad. For my baby losing his front teeth. For winning in tournaments. For our time together. For miracle babies. For fancy weddings. Lord thank you for all your good gifts!
