Juliette and The Porch Swing

 On our most amazing vacation ever (that I still need to write about), one of our stops was in Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. We thought a cabin would be a great change of a pace from the hotels we'd be staying in throughout our trip. And, a cabin stay always reminds us of our enchanted time in Colorado and staying in cabins in Estes Park and while the Smokies are not the Rockies, they were definitely something special. (They are broccoli mountains, after all.)

After days of searching for the perfect cabin, we finally decided on one near Pigeon Forge. It had just the right amount of space for us, some entertainment for the kids, a back deck that looked out into the forest with a hot tub for relaxation, and access to a fishing pond and swimming pool. 

When we finally arrived at our cabin in the woods, we were greeted by the most welcoming front porch. Velvety green moss carpeted the ground in front and sunbeams peeked through the tall trees as the sun set. I envisioned a peaceful morning on the porch with coffee and Justin (which didn't happen because we all slept in the next day). At the far edge of the porch was a porch swing. The kids loved sitting on it and taking in the foresty landscape. Juliette, however, fell in love with that porch swing. She sat completely still and content, and would have for hours if we let her. 

My sweet husband took note of this fondness she had for the swing and so did I, but neither of us mentioned our secret plans to each other. While the kids and I were in Arkansas, he went out and bought Juliette her own little porch swing and installed it in the backyard. It was so perfect and funny because I was planning on asking him if we could get one too. I love that he saw the joy the one at the cabin brought her and decided to surprise her with one at home. 

An unconventional first birthday gift, but absolutely perfect and given with such love. 💗

When we bought our house in Midland, we knew right away we'd want to redo the floors. Our last house had wood-look tile and I really liked it. Getting started was difficult though, between being pregnant, Justin working long hours, and our lack of know-how-- I'd mentioned that Pa had just finished re-tiling the sunroom at his and Ma's house and maybe he could come do ours or at least show us how. 

We talked it over with Pa, pulled up all the carpets and broke up the old tile, and prepared for his arrival. The kids and I were super excited for a visitor and I was also happy that we'd finally be making some progress on our "fixer upper". I never imagined just how much work was in store for us over the next few days! 

Watching my sweet, quiet dad bond with my babies over tile spacers and concrete mix is a memory I will forever cherish. He built bridges over his work so that they could cross over without messing up his freshly laid tile. He put each and every one of them to work, whether it be mixing up a fresh bucket of grout or pulling spacers out before the concrete dried completely. Each of them had an important job and "don't step on the tile" made a lasting impression days after he headed back home to Arkansas. 

We also got to enjoy his company in the celebration of two birthdays- Lillie's and Nathaniel's. And during his second trip to help us tile, he escorted me and the kids back to Arkansas for our summer stay with a detour to Medicine Park and Oklahoma's tallest(?) mountain, Mount Scott. We took a quick picture with the buffalo before hitting the road again. 

As soon as he laid that first strip of tile down through my living room, I knew the added sentimental value of this house would make it hard to say goodbye if the time came. (And then add to that the fact that Justin and I delivered our 6th baby alone in the bathroom--we'll probably never sell this house!)

We are so lucky to call him Pa. I am so grateful for him and the love and dedication he has for his family. These are just some of pictures I took of the three trips he made all the way to Midland (a ten hour drive one way, if your stops are quick) to teach us how and to help redo our floors. His expertise is in heating and air, but in all his years of living, he's definitely dabbled in nearly every trade known to man. And if he can't do it the "right" way, he'll certainly do it his own way 😀 He's always there to help when a roof needs replaced, or when a car breaks down, or when a floor needs retiled. 

Today he turns 70, and I couldn't be more proud of him. I love you, Papa. Happy birthday! 

September Kid Quotes

 I took half a break from jotting down quotes this month but did capture a few toward the end of September. 

We started school September 14th and although Penelope is only four, she really wanted to start some school with the other kids. Here she is on Day 3:

Pennie: Can I do another one? I love this. I'm falling in love!!!

I forget all the context over this next one, but basically, Nathaniel smarted off about something and Justin's retort was, "Yeah, Mr. Tutankhamun over there." Nathaniel never lays on the couch without being tightly wrapped in a blanket. 

One day Addie talked about Spam off and on an entire day. I don't know where it came from. We don't eat Spam. We have never eaten Spam. But apparently she knows a lot about it. "Spam is the saltiest food." "Spam is very popular in Hawaii. Or Wisconsin. I forget which." (Now that I'm typing it out... I think she may have been quoting Lilo and Stitch...)

Lillie, watching Five Minute Crafts on YouTube. The girl in the video is doing a makeup tutorial on contouring... "Oh my goodness! She's making her face have muscles! That's so weird!" I'd have to agree, Lillie. 

Pennie: Look what I found! I found it in my panty drawer. How many is it?

Me: It's $20! 

Pennie: Wow! Is that big?

Me: That's really big!

Pennie: Addie! Look what I found! It's mine cause I found it. I know, Mama, we can use it at the arcade. Cause it's a lot of money. Well, kind of. Oh I know! We can use it to buy Julie a unicorn!

Me: I don't think so!

Pennie: Just a toy one.

Me: Nuh uh. 

Pennie: Okay, we'll talk about it at dinner. With Daddy. 

(He is the yes parent, after all.)

Justin: Pennie, what are you going to buy with your money?

Lillie: How about a dog?

Pennie: A small dog.

Dude: Dogs are too expensive.

Gabrie: Okay, what about a small dog?

Justin: Small dogs are expensive too.

Gabrie: Great Dane's are the most expensive.

Dude: Gabrie, you can't base your whole life off of Dogopoly. (Dog themed Monopoly Game)

Pennie: I have something to say to someone, which is Daddy, that SOMEBODY has six teeth! (Julie)

Lillie: I'm her mom now. 

Pennie: SANDWICH!!

Justin: Dude, have you seen this?!

Dude: Umm...no... I don't shave.

Justin: It's like a transformer!

 Pennie, with Linda the Ladybug.

And here's some cell phone pictures from the rest of the month 💗