Home!

I love our house...it's never spotless, something always seems to be broken, children are usually running in and out, but it's home! I love the fact that we live here together with our children, and we have many good friends in the area. However, I'm very thankful that the Longsine family, in Oak Creek, WI, offered to have us visit for a few days. It was a welcome distraction after Roger's departure; and the kids were kept busy, I enjoyed sweet fellowship, and everyone had a great time. Well, I don't think Emma had a great time since she is cutting new teeth. 

We headed to the Longsines after dropping Roger off on Monday morning. Thankfully, the Longsines only live about fifteen minutes from the airport, so the kids didn't have a whole lot of time to sit in the car and be sad! The Longsines had been able to get some free passes to various attractions in the Milwaukee area, so I knew the kids would have other distractions during the day as well. The nine children, all under the age of eight, played together while Beka and I visited for a few minutes. We decided on the Milwaukee County Zoo for our first excursion. The kids had a great time! I'm sure that they would have enjoyed staying longer than we did, but the younger kids were definitely starting to get tired! By the time we had a picnic lunch, saw the zoo animals, and packed up, it was almost four p.m. We headed back to the Longsines for supper. The kids played hard all day, riding bikes, walking, playing with friends, etc., so they were tired at bedtime. 

On Tuesday, the kids were ready for another day of activities! This time, we headed off to the children's museum in Milwaukee. What a fun place for kids! There were all kids of activities for the kids, and they all seemed to have a great time...moms too. :) After the children's museum, it was obviously time to go home for a little rest time! The kids seemed to revive themselves after the thirty minute car ride, and they were ready to go again. Off they went on bikes, apple picking, and keeping themselves busy! Later in the afternoon, everyone had a bath, and then we headed to dinner. We got LOTS of looks as we paraded through the restaurant with nine small children! Amazingly, no one spilled a drink, had a meltdown, or bothered the other patrons. However, the kids seemed to really enjoy their dinners, but the adults...not so much! We were busy eating quickly, since we knew it was getting later, kids were getting tired, and we needed to leave before it was a disaster. :) But, it was a good time anyways. 

We left for home on Wednesday morning. I could tell all my kids were tired, as everyone was very emotional and sensitive! It was a quiet ride home with the five kiddos, but as soon as we arrived home, they were off and running! My dad and sister were over cutting grass and working on the house. My dad always says that he can get so much more done without all the "help" around! :) My dad installed a door on the back garage and while he was working on it, Wyatt stripped all the metal off of the old door frame. :) The boys are trying to collect scrap metal for various things they'd like to do or see, and they have become very resourceful! Wyatt wanted to know if he could take the metal out of the cavity in his tooth when it fell out! :) Chandler has been picking up aluminum cans from beside the road as we walk. I can't complain though since it keeps them busy and out of trouble for the most part. :)

Roger was supposed to have his instrument written test on Wednesday, however, he came down with the flu. He hasn't been feeling well at all, so please pray that he would feel better soon. Thanks, Sarah