7QTs - Family Pics, Pool Time, and Frogs in the Street

More of the same busyness and craziness (on repeat until end of July)... 

--- 1 ---

The family pic is now officially old... 

I think I might have mentioned about a month ago that our new bishop was coming to town - which he did and obviously we were there. He kind of tied up all of Lee's time for a few days but I can totally forgive him because he was one of the kindest, most approachable, down to earth people ever - let alone a bishop. 

The girls actually behaved and sang for most of Liturgy - E and R that is. M was doing her normal wandering and sitting as close to the iconostasis as possible. Mostly not a distraction as it is either her sitting RIGHT up front or she is SCREAMING in the back with me  - so take your pick folks. Anyway the bishop was totally unphased by M's need to be super close - though he did take special care not to dip any candle wax on her when he was doing the blessings with the dikrije and trikrije. 

To give you an idea... 

Taken from here...

So anyhow, we were bummed to not get a pic inside the church but we kind of had to clear out of the church and then the bishop had to bless the food in the hall and then it started raining so no pics in vestments but overall I think our eparchy/diocese is VERY blessed to have him as our bishop. 

--- 2 ---

On to more family pics... 

Only this one is definitely the most recent : ) from Lee's family reunion last weekend. 

Goodness there was so MUCH FOOD there and it was all amazing. If you have never had Southern country cooking before you are missing out... big time. 

Oh and there is another family reunion on say October 10 that new bebe might keep me from but I hope someone bring me a leftovers plate home!

--- 3 ---

I've been walking quite a bit this pregnancy - to the tune of 2-3 times a week. At least 2 miles a day and apparently that is not curbing any unnecessary weight gain as I'm tracking right like I was with R's pregnancy - which I find SUPER annoying. 

I've been walking through a rain shower... (which was awesome) 

And making nice with the amphibians that take over the road after dark...

--- 4 ---

M has taken to getting into the big girls things and toting them around like they are hers... 

She's got a while until the 3rd birthday ballerina bag is given but she needed to try it on for size : ) 

--- 5 ---

Our children sleep in the STRANGEST places... 

I could compile 20 different pictures just of them sleeping but I'll spare you!

--- 6 ---

R and M had a quiet afternoon outside as E was stuck inside for punishment...

Among other behavior issues... she WROTE ON THE WALL (fortunately in washable marker) but seriously, seriously... you are FIVE. YOU DON"T FREAKING WRITE ON THE WALLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

K thanks... 

However last week I was kind of in a funk because Lee is working insane hours, the girls were not being fantastic and a bunch of other stuff that I need not complain about BUT it dawned on me:

How can I expect/ask the kids to have good behavior and nice attitude if I'm setting the example of being a crabby-patty. 

Oh the hypocrite I am. I have really been thinking about how my thoughts, actions and words are effecting them this week and everyone has had an exponentially better week!

--- 7 ---

We have been to the pool not once, not twice but thrice this week... Two times for swim practice and one just because we had an afternoon to kill. Taking dinner there is so easy and I should do it more plus there is ZERO kitchen clean up when we get home which is heavenly...

R wanted to wear her swim cap last night and I looked at here and thought "You are 3 and you are going to freak out when I try and pull this rubber cap over your head." But she didn't and she thought she was one of the big kids... 

E has been sporting her cap ever since she laid hands on it. She is desperate to being on the racing swim team (and not just the one that swims before the racing part of the meet starts). I think she might do it with a few more weeks and maybe an extra lesson or two...

So we've almost made if through another week.

Papa's got a wild and crazy day today and I'll be talking to St. Joseph a lot today for Lee and all the other guys out there helping him.