Long time, no blog :)

Time keeps creeping away.  I try to savor every moment, but life happens, and before I know it, another day has ended.  A little July recap!

Megs had a birthday!  11 years old!!!  Her smile, personality warms our heart.  Her newest thing this year is sewing!  She got a sewing machine for her birthday.  She's making, "capes" for Devos Children's Hospital, sewing a quilt, and has been very handy with fixing things that have been broken for a long time!  Love you Meg - a - licious!!

Next birthday is Ashley.  (Yes we have good timing with all summer birthdays, except poor Leah :) Ash is 9 years old.  Her spunk, personality and tell ya how it is attitude makes us laugh and keeps us on our toes :)  For her birthday we were camping at Sandy Pines with friends.  She has a love of animals, at this time it's pigs!  She's dad's helper when he does pig chores (whether he needs her help or not).  Love you to the moon Ash-a-roni!!!

 Cake for breakfast for all the kids!!!!

 Friend pictures!

Today we had a day "free."  Nothing on the calendar.  So refreshing.  This summer has been challenging in trying to keep up.  I told Steve, I need to have summers off.  (wouldn't that be nice :)  But I love my job, it's just I love my kids more, so I don't like leaving them to go to work.  Anyway, this week the twins had physicals.  Macy is 46#, 83% and 47 inches, 99%.  Nice!!!

Brooke is 33.5#, 9th%.  41 inches, 27%.  No complaints here.  The girls are ready for school!

We've had a nice break of not seeing any doctors for awhile.  We put the specialist on hold awhile back, because we needed to breathe.  But now we are back at it.  She's got four appt's coming up.  Nothing major, but all issues we need to address.  Another thing her PCP asked was if she had her tonsils removed.  Nope, never had those removed.  I said, "let me guess, she doesn't have those either.  Not the 1st thing she was born without."  Silly girl, full of surprises. 

This is a picture of the last of her medical supplies.  We haven't done tube feedings or IV's since March.  We don't even have the IV pump anymore, so why do I have the supplies?  Well, I don't  anymore.  We kept a small box of tube feeding supplies and put them in the basement.  We are hoping not to need any of it anymore.  But if we do, that's ok too. 

Nice clean bathroom.  Free of medical supplies!!!



We'll keep you posted as we see specialist.  We are headed off to camping again and Megan is headed off to Cran Hill with a friend.  So fun!!  Just enjoying the day!  Feeling content and at peace.  Thank you Jesus!!!

Knee High by the 4th of July!

I recently heard you must know a farmer to understand the phrase, "knee high by the forth of July."  I guess I've always known farmers so that phrase is not new, but it is said every year.  And this year the corn is "knee high +" by the forth of July.  If you need to blow up the picture to see the beautiful corn behind our beautiful girls please feel free.  It is all magnificent :)

Our fourth was fun.  The day itself was low key.  Hung out at home, the girls and I cleaned Steve's office, we cooked some hot dogs with my parents over the fire.  It was all good.  At night we headed to the fireworks (which were spectacular might I add).  About 5 minutes before the fireworks started Brooke had to go to the bathroom, her tummy hurt.  So off to the bathroom we tread.  After a long wait we got back to finish watching the fireworks, as I muttered under my breath how SICK of her stomach issues I am!!  The fireworks lasted an hour, to which Macy and Brooke fell asleep.  Off to the car we went.  We parked in a field so we were trudging through with MANY other people, head lights behind us.  Macy picks up her head from my shoulder, looks at me and says, "my tummy hurts."  "really?"  I said, as she leaned over and puked everywhere.  I didn't know what to do, so I laughed.  Are you kidding me?!?!!?  The girls ran to tell Steve what was going on, as she continued to vomit 3 more times.  We made it to the van and just hung out for awhile.  Macy proceeded to tell us her intake for the day, and puking did not seem out of order anymore.  As we get in the traffic to go home, Brooke starts yelling her belly hurts again.  Oh for the sake!!!!!!!!!!!   Once we got to the rode Steve made it home in record speed with Brooke dry heaving in the back seat as Macy said, "good thing Brooke can't puke." 
Ahhhh yes, a night of Koeman entertainment.  Macy recovered nicely.  Whether it was a bug or excessive food may never be determined.  Brooke continues with her stomach issues but she see's the MD the end of the month and we'll see what recommendations they have. 

Today is 19 years that this craziness began.  It wasn't as crazy, in the beginning.  It just grew into this and I wouldn't change it.  Happy Anniversary my love!  Can't wait to see what the next 51 years have in store. 

The gift of another year!

 Their big sister made their cake.  She even went to the craft store to find the right decorations! Nice work Ashley!

                                                                     More gifts!!

                                                Megan made them fleece blankets and a game. 

The gift of another year.  We are so blessed by these two ladies, actually by all of our ladies.  I feel like, 5 years old, we hit a huge milestone.  No more baby or toddler stage.  A different stage of parenting.  The last 5 years of been incredible, but I wouldn't want to redo them :)  They were hard.  At times, anxiety filled.  Many tears.  I look back and wonder how we carried on.  How did things get done?  How did we not lose our minds?  1st of all, we had a lot of help.  But most importantly, God carried us through.  He got us up every morning and sustained us through every circumstances.   He gave us patience and peace for the unknown.  And here we are 5 years later.  God Bless our girls!  And thank you for 5 amazing years.  We pray for many more!

Happy, Happy, Happy :)

So, I will first confess I may have a problem.  It was time for new shoes.  So I dragged the girls to Gazelle and found a pair that felt good.  My problem came in when I realized how EXCITED I was to buy running shoes.  I couldn't wait to run!   Had to try them out!  I understand many of you think I am nuts.  I won't deny that :)  A friend asked me a couple weeks ago to explain a "runners high."  I had to think about it.  It's hard to explain.  Many many years ago, I would occasionally run for exercise.  It was different, it was a chore.  Over time things changed.  It became something I wanted to do.  It was not about weight or pace. (I am not speedy :)  It was about peace.  I know that sounds DUMB!  But when you get in the zone and let your legs take you, it's an amazing feeling.  Sometimes I listen to music, sometimes it's quiet and let God do the talking.  Sometimes I do the talking, and God gets an earful :)  But that's the runners high.  The peace you get, when you just let your legs carry you.  All of the noises of the country.  (I have a cow that always moo's at me.  I moo back :)  The smells.......pig farms, lilac bushes (LOVE THOSE), dirt (yes it has a smell), exhaust fumes, dryer vents.   Oh the smells.   The feeling of exhilaration when you are done and the sweet smell of sweat.

 Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

Been awhile!

So much has been going on.  Time is a flying!  Leah had her last orchestra concert as an 8th grader.   I had this bright idea to bring all the children to the concert. I told them they had to support their sister and it was only going to be an hour.  Well, an hour and a half into the concert 2 girls decided to break out into a sibling fight.  Oh for the sake!!  Thank goodness for Grandma Koeman.  She was so calm and smiled and held the girls hands.  And 1 of the girls laid her head on grandma's shoulder and took a little nap.  It was like magic!  Just what this mama needed, because my blood was boiling!  I praise the Lord for grandma's and the sweet music my Leah makes :)

 Ahhhh, Tulip Time!  We got to watch a parade with friends.  Ash did a great job walking, even in the heat.  She earned her elephant ear.  These 3 were just along for the ride :)

 Here's another story.........3 years ago I started painting the barn.  We borrowed my brother in laws sprayer and it looked like a fun toy, so I painted the back of the barn.  Well, our barn got broken into after that, and the sprayer stolen.  So it never got finished.  I recently told Steve I was going to see how much it cost to get it painted and magically he bought a sprayer.  One Saturday I was working.  I came home and he said, "are you ready to paint?"    My response, "NOOO!"  1st of all, I had a crazy busy day at work and had a ton of charting to do. #2 WE DON'T PAINT TOGETHER!!!!  Don't get me wrong, Steve is the love of my life, definitely my better half.  But we know our limits. He just stood there and smiled.  I couldn't say no, so I made him PROMISE not to yell or divorce me and I would help.  Here we are!!!  Barn is painted and we had a great time!  I think the girls had fun too.  Age is definitely making us better :)

 Speaking of age......................wow mama, look whose driving.   Yup our little Leah Rosa!!  We figured out the whole drivers training thing.  Not so hard so far.  We showed her all the different drivers education programs and said, pick which one you want.  I think she choose this one because she really wanted to drive sooner rather than later :)  She gets done next week, but has her permit.  She is chauffeuring us around.  I've been asked if I was nervous with her driving and I have to confess, the first time she drove me around I almost fell asleep.  It's so relaxing sitting in the passenger seat, looking around, talking.  If she has questions, she asks.  However now she's looking at cars for sale.   Oh help :)  (I had to take this picture out of the window.  She did NOT want me out in the drive way with the camera.  bummer :)

 And we just got back from camping with friends.  So fun!!  Below Brooke is on a "big bike" with training wheels.  I brought the bike out and she couldn't even peddle it.  I lost ambition and told her I couldn't push her around anymore.  I just figured her legs weren't strong enough.  She spent 1 night trying and trying and she got it.  So she's riding a bike with training wheels!  Macy's been doing that for a while, but Brooke's always a little bit behind, but determined.  Nice job Brookie!!

 This is a jumping pillow.  Oh so fun!!  Even the mom's got in on the fun.  The pic above is Miss Dawn, our babysitter.  The girls were sooooo excited to camp with Miss Dawn.  She's SOOOO cool :) A lady that worked at the park said she drove in and heard the screaming and said, "sounds like mom's are having fun on the pillow."   hehe  We might be "older" but we are still fun!

 Archery tag! Another 1st for me but fun.  You shoot each other with nerf arrows.  (unless you are like me who screams and surrenders before she gets hit :) Ash couldn't wait to shoot me.  Kids had a great time, moms too.

 And the pool.  Macy has a friend that jumps in the pool with her.  So cute!  They jumped and jumped and jumped.  The swim lessons really helped her. She was confident and crazy :)

That about sums us up.  We've been busy, but it's all been fun.  Looking at these pics I again realize how blessed we are.  5 lively, crazy, relatively healthy girls. They fight and have their melt downs, but don't we all.  They keep life interesting and they LOVE life.  I thank God daily for the gifts He has given us!

A day in the life.....

 "Man's steps are ordered by the Lord. How then can a man understand his way?" Proverbs 20:24

The above pictures are the sight at the Koeman's.  Yesterday Macy started with a "fummy ache" in her terms.  I brushed it off, when I got home from work she resorted to the couch and I thought, "Hmmmmm this could be real."  Then she vomited.  Yup, it's real.  In the middle of the night Ash decided to get in on the action.  Cuz sharing is such a nice thing to do.  I was up most of the night, which is not a big deal. We use to do this all the time.  Makes me appreciate the full nights of sleep. Steve ventured home from the fields around 4am.  At 6am I got out of bed. I thought I better be prepared for whatever comes my way today.  My devotions read, "Man's steps are ordered by the Lord. How then can a man understand his way?" Proverbs 20:24  So true, it then went on to say, since our steps are ordered  by the Lord, we need to calm down and thank God that we are right where he wants us to be. 
I am so glad I read that this morning.  That gave me good perspective as I was driving down the highway with 2 kids puking in the back seat (in buckets, no worries), while taking another one to an orthodontics appointment that ("I CAN'T miss it mom"), as another child sang Away in a manger over and over and over.  Ahhhhh yes, this is where God wants me be, so I will do this with a smile on my face.  However, I won't deny, I was happy when the car ride was over.  I think the girls are much more content on the couch.  And singy girl has more space to use her vocals.
I must say, up until last night, we were pretty low key.  Planting has been going great!  The rain last night may have delayed them a little, but Steve got a little bit of sleep and hopefully they rain was just enough.  Spring for the Koeman girls has been going very well.  I decided on no rec sports this spring and my children didn't protest.  When you end up with practices every night and games, I find it hard to manage.  My priority is my family and hubby, so this has worked for us, for this season.  I told the girls I think we might skip soccer this fall as well, they haven't argued yet (I know for you sports fanatics you can't imagine :)  It's ok, I'm just trying to keep it simple, and happy :)

 Happy Spring to everyone.  I can't express how HAPPY I am to have warmer weather.  It just boosts every one's spirits and the girls talk about camping every day.  Between camping, sports camps, summer camps, and drivers training (oh boy!) I am afraid summer will fly by.  Enjoy every minute God gives us, and smile, because we are right where he wants us to be!

"You're gonna miss this...."

Steve and I are song people. Love music, all kinds of music.  "You're gonna miss this" is a county song.  I like it, I like the lyrics, I believe it.  It's about time going to fast and not to rush things.  Enjoy the moment because it changes so fast. 
There are some things, I believe, I will not miss.  I read things about missing certain things about having your kids home.  So I finally asked my mom, "do you miss the clutter and mess of having your kids home?"  Nope!  She doesn't miss it.  And I don't think I will either. This is just one bedroom and actually looking at the picture I can see the floor, so I'm thinking it's not so bad. (that's how warped my mind has become)  I've chosen to ignore the bedrooms.  When things are left laying in the entry way and tables, I just throw them on their beds. I'm just amazed!

The other thing I won't miss is " mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom"  I know that is my name and role in life.  But why do they have to say it over and over and over.  This morning before church, Steve started saying, "Ashley Ashley Ashley, Ashley, Ashley" "Brooke Brooke brooke brooke" "macy macy macy macy macy macy"  They were like, "dad you are being annoying, why are you doing that?"  They had no idea he was copying them. 

It all comes down to, they are children, they act like children and think like children.  If they acted like adults, wanted everything clean, and never called my name I would wonder what was wrong with them.  Instead, they are pigs and I know someday they won't be (I may have been messy myself and I KNOW Steve was).  I still call my mom often.  Sometimes more often than others.  I expect my children will do the same. Some days when it's x 5 it can be a little overwhelming.  But the good always outweighs the annoyances.

Happy Spring and planting season.  Steve has started, whooo hooo!  Brooke asked him early one morning why he worked so much.  He responded, "because I love what I do.  And this season, it's what we do."  Warmed my heart.  As much as these farmers work, they love what they do.  Praise the Lord.  I pray for a safe season for all farmers and sanity for all mothers!!