The Talk

I have been meaning to document this, before I forget all the funny and sweet details! Nile and I had "the talk" with the kids:) Yes, the husband and wife becoming one flesh talk, just to clarify. Nile did a great job of researching which books we may want to use to introduce them to this, and it was also very helpful to read portions of Genesis 1-4 to them. We tried to really focus on what a gift to married people sex is, how God has blessed us with this awesome gift to share with our spouse. The kids' reactions were so different, and hilarious. More on that in a minute. Nile started by saying we were going to have our family worship time, so we all sat on the floor together and snuggled up, with snacks ready for the end of our worship time.

I don't know why, but I have been dreading this talk! I think I was fine with them hearing how everything works, so to speak, but super nervous about when they realized that Nile and I actually do this, haha. So Nile starts reading the Bible and then reads a NavPress book called 'The Story of Me'...so far so good, besides Josie giggling every time the correct names for private parts are used (which are the only words we have ever used for them, so not sure why it was so funny to her:)) Then he reads the next book in the series, called 'Before I Was Born' and I am just beside myself waiting (maybe dreading) for him to get to THE page, the one where it explains the details:) We got past the page, and no one said anything, so I thankfully exhaled. Then, all of a sudden, Gabe says, "Wait, seriously?!" I almost died laughing. And so the questions began:) Gabe had SO many questions, and I just sat there thanking God that all of this was brand new to him, he had no idea before our talk, and that we were the ones blessed to be able to answer all of his innocent and curious questions. What a special time. It was also hysterical, though, as he worked through things in his mind, making connections as he went. My favorite from him: "Wait, you and dad have done that 3 times?! Wait, you've done that 6 times?!" (He was figuring in the 3 miscarriages I've had) "Wait, you still do this?! Are you going to do it tonight?!" (And that's where we drew the only line as far as him asking us questions...we aren't going to announce when we do it, lol!)
After about a half hour (seriously) of Gabe asking questions, Seth said, "Can we stop talking about this stuff now? This stuff scares kids"...smiling while he said it. He kind of took it all in in his calm, low key style...course he couldn't really get a word in with all of Gabe's questions. We finished our discussion, telling them they could ask us questions anytime, that we'd never laugh at them, and that they never need to be embarrassed about asking us things. I would rather answer their questions than have them hear about it from kids at school! We also made sure to let them know they were not allowed to talk to other kids about it, because each family gets to make their own decision on when to talk about these things. Then we held hands and prayed for them, their purity, for this special gift for married people, etc. We needed to go to a church event, so we had to cut Gabe off and tell him he could ask more later. Nile has another book, the 3rd book in the series, for Gabe alone, which we will do sometime this year.

I was so thankful for how Nile led all of this, how God was glorified and esteemed through it all, and how successful he was at making this talk not something to be embarrassed about but instead, something to be thankful to God for. I am, however, very glad this talk (or at least the first of many talks on this) is over. :)

First Day of School (August 16th)

The boys weren't very excited for school to begin this year, UNTIL they saw the class lists posted a few days before the first day of school. They were both thrilled to find out they would be with some of their best friends again. Josie was super excited for her first day...I wasn't at all;) She wanted to ride the bus, so Nile and I met them at their school as they were getting off the bus. I have had a harder time this year with them being gone all day, even the boys. I am already looking forward to next summer and having them with me all the time! Gabe was so happy to find out that his teacher is a Christian. He loves that during certain times of the day, they listen to Christian music in the classroom. And he said he also doesn't love it, because it's really hard for him not to sing along:)

Walking to the bus stop (at the library on campus)

Love how Kevin snuck in here:)

Josie and all the boys, typical. A 13 year old, an 11 year old, two nearly ten year olds, and Josie.

Yep

The Covenant Seminary kids who attend Mason Ridge

Josie in her classroom!

Josie and her teacher, Mrs. Nienhaus

Visit to Iowa

We were able to spend some time in Iowa in early August, so we packed as much as we could into that time. It was a wonderful time of reconnecting with friends and family. The first pictures are from Norwalk, when we were visiting my mom and step-dad.

Notice Josie's beautiful braid, done by my second cousin, Marty.

Gabe loved trying to catch the balls people hit in the water traps:)

Trying to get Josie's ball out, and instead gets...

a tiny frog, lol.

Josie and the frog

Now this was epic. My mom was pretending (just to get a laugh from the kids) to fall into this water trap, which was about thigh deep, as she discovered later:) Unfortunately, she accidentally stumbled a bit and landed with one leg in the water up to her thigh, and couldn't get out. She said, "Help!" and I grabbed the camera instead of helping right away. I knew she wasn't hurt (at this point) and we were all laughing hysterically, so I thought it'd be good to document the moment.

So, precious Gabe tries to help her, and pulls a little too hard:) She did get a big bruise from this one. I am about to pee my pants at this point, and she is, too.

She begins climbing the rest of the way out here

Poor grandma! I do love how she is such a good sport and how much fun we always have with her. I don't think the kids will ever forget this moment:) Love you, mom.

Josie, cracking up at grammies:)

We hit Pella to see my brother and his family. Jer and Cayla came to the Fun Factory with us. I love this picture, one of my very favorites!

Jerod and their new little girl, Eliana Lynn

We also hit Grandpa Pat's and Grandma Nancy's for some fun. This is my dad and my niece, Avery.

Grandma made the kids some yummy sno cones!

My beautiful nieces, Avery and Sophia

And we made s'mores at Nana and Papa's house while visiting Iowa City

The Lary Family's Visit, Day Two

Day two was also super fun, as we hit City Garden in downtown STL for some more splash pad fun. This splash pad has 103 shooting fountains and also some wading pools. I took an obscene amount of pictures, but narrowed it down for you:) Thank you SO much for coming, guys! We had the best time with you...we think it should be a yearly thing:) Love you all!

I just love these guys like crazy!!

So cute!!

A little game J and G were playing, where he pretends to drown and she rescues him. It always amazes me how nice he is to play her little made up games.

I can't believe how much they look alike! Both so handsome (Nile will not like me saying that about him in public, but it's true!)

LOVE their expressions in this one!