This is my first time taking video footage on our camera, and ultimately my first time posting video on my blog. This is the kids doing what they do best.....wrestling and being goofy!!

Nothing Exciting

Justin and Jacob are back in school....they seem to be loving it so far. This friday they both go to Wiard's Apple Orchard. They are pretty excited!!

Joey and Madison enjoy their afternoons without their big brother's around. They get to take a peaceful nap with no interruptions (ha ha)!!!

We are still working on getting Joey to talk, and Madison is just growing up waaaayyy too fast. She is pulling herself up on everything, she has recently started walking along the coffee table. She loves watching her brothers play, and we are still waiting on her first two teeth to come in. Josh and I are convinced they are never coming in.

Josh has been working a lot. Hurricane Ike brought lots of rain and wind which translates to lots of work for Josh. My work has also been very busy due to the weather, but we are just settling down to normal work loads again.

September has gone by way too fast. I know the rest of this year is going to fly by. October I am supposed to be going to Las Vegas, and the New Kids on the Block concert which I am super excited about. We hope to start Justin and Jacob in swimming lessons! November is Madison's birthday and of course Thanksgiving. I have to work weekends in November, so that won't be too much fun, but we will make the most of it!!! I have to work Thanksgiving too! :(

Then before we know it, we are looking at christmas time. I can remember as a kid thinking it took forever for christmas to come again......summer break felt like FOREVER......now I find myself saying, wait, stop, hold on. I need another few hours in this day!!! And wait, hold on, my daughter was just born yesterday only to realize she is 10 months old now!!! It's absolutely insane.

Ill be sure to post pictures of the apple orchard....the boys are super excited because Granny Shupe is taking them on their field trip.

Little Maddie

What Can I Say

Justin's Birthday

Justin is 5 today. I don't think its possible to have a favorite child, but each one holds a special place in your heart, and creates a different relationship with you. Justin of course was my first, and that will always be special to me. He showed us what joy children bring to your lives, he showed us what it meant to love someone so unconditionally, and so much, you didnt think possible.

Justin is the sweetest little boy, he loves his brothers and sisters so much, and is always looking out for them. He takes a lot of responsibility on his little shoulders and seems to love doing it. I am so proud of him, I can't believe how big he is getting. Even as I look at these pictures, I remember and treasure every moment, but man has it gone by fast.

Justin started in a young 5's Kindergarten class and seems to be doing very well. The teacher told us that he writes his name very well. Josh and I could not be more proud of him. He is practicing letters M,O, W, H, A, & L, and is also learning sight words "IS" "THE" "DAY"! It's going to be a very exciting year!

For his birthday today, we are allowing Justin to pick where he would like to go for dinner and a fun activity we can do as a family. I will be sure to post all about it!!!

Stress

It's been a while since I have posted, and I apologize to any of my avid readers - ha ha! Don't get me wrong, a lot has happened, and I hope to share some of our fun. However, this post is trying to get some tips on some good stress relievers.

Although I did not change jobs, my job responsibilities changed at the beginning of July. I was really looking forward to the new challenge, but man is it stressful. I feel overwhelmed at times, and lose focus of what I am trying to accomplish. I always like to think of myself as someone who can handle pretty much whatever comes my way, but this has been a difficult adjustment for me. I still love my job, ok, most of the time I love my job.

Josh and I were talking about some things that we can do as a family for stress relievers, and then things I can do myself. I love scrapbooking, and have always thought of that as a good outlet for me. However, lately, I am way too over critical with my own work, and find myself stressing out about the perfect page......so, thats not working out too well and I have put my scrapbooking career on hold for a bit.

I am going to be starting up tennis soon. I love tennis, its exercise, and what better way to relieve some stress than hitting a ball with all your might. I might even picture a few of my co-workers and direct reports on the front of that ball as I am smashing it across the net. I will let you all know how tenniw works out for me.

Please, please, please, send any suggestions you may have.........i need HELP!!!

Ode To Jakey

Happy Birthday Jakey

Jacob Michael

Leo

August 18th is Jacob's birthday. He is turning four years old, and has a ton of energy. Jacob loves playing guys - Spiderman, GI Joe, Superman, Batman, whatever he can get his hands on. He loves playing sports, and swimming. Jacob will try anything and loves helping daddy "work"!

Jacob is anxiously awaiting pre-school, and does really well with counting. We are working on writing his name and practicing letters. Jakey is a little sweetheart, and a bit metro-sexual at times. He has to "get ready" every morning, which includes doing his hair, brushing his teeth, putting deoderant on, and he even tries to put in contacts just like daddy. He often comes downstairs smelling like daddy too, he has learned how to spray the cologne.

I can hardly believe he is turning 4. Seems like yesterday we were bringing him home to meet Justin.