Back to School Family Parties

Margaret and Harry always have a party for the end of the summer / BACK TO SCHOOL events.  They have food of course, and then they always get the grand kids a card and some school supplies or money to buy some school supplies.  The kids all look forward to this and this year I actually had a kid going to school, so I was even more excited.  :) We had a buffet of delicious food, some socializing outside, jumping on the trampoline, and then Kelsey, Ava and Christian decided it was too hot so Grandma set up the water hose and they ran and danced through the showering hose. 

Here is a picture of all of the grand kids, minus our Sharon Rose, hanging out the windows of Pappy's school bus.  Grandma got one of these pics last year, so we decided to make it our annual tradition. :)

Below are some pics from the water shower thrown by Grandma too.

The kids really enjoyed this and they were SOAKED. Of course Grandma had them covered.  Great memories. :)

We also had our FIRST ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL PARTY with the Hunsberger's too, which at the moment consisted of Ryan, Brianna and THREE and Micah, myself and TWO.  We missed you mom and dad!!!  :)  Reece was also starting school and so we figured we should start the annual tradition, but instead of making food, we decided to eat out.  Crazy, I know, with FIVE kiddos, but actually it wasn't too bad. :) 

We met at Red Robin because the kids all love the balloons and then, they didn't get a balloon anyway, because they were out. :( 

One side of the table.  I just have to say, the boys were pretty lucky, right BRI?  They got the baby. . we got the four toddlers. :) Well, Bri and Ry shared Sofi, a little.  Below is the other side of the table. . .minus Micah. :)

Then we went outside to take some pictures of our BIG KIDS before they venture out into the HUGE world.  I posted a few of my favorites.

I love how their back packs are totally showing off their personalities. I love that they are so excited too. WHERE does time go?

Notice the background, yeah, Micah and Ryan were taking turns making sure they were in the pictures.  This was the best of the three kiddos so I used it.  Notice Micah waving and Ava and Christian are waving at their crazy dad.  Reece is ignoring his crazy uncle. :)  Micah had surprised Christian with his TRANSFORMERS back pack that day when he got home from work, because Christian was struggling so much with feeling left out.  He was ecstatic, so we allowed him to join in the pictures and excitement too. :)

Here they are Nana and Pappy. . .this one was for you.  All five of your babies. :)  A little of their personalities shining out of each of them in this very picture. . .just by their facial expressions. :)

Ava's Kindergarten Open House Night

Well, we had registration for Ava to go to Kindergarten in April of this year, and now it is Time for her to go to school.  Her open house at her school was Monday, August 22, at 6:30 and we found out who she was having for her teacher, and got to take a tour of the her little school.  She is going to Hamilton Heights and she has Mrs. Boward, with a total of 24 kids in her class. 

Here we are in the gymnasium of her school, waiting to find out who she had as a teacher.  This is where the Principal got up and said something to the effect of "well, since the days are so long and most of these kindergartners are used to naps, they will be EXHAUSTED when they come home since they will not get naps."  He was saying this to the parents so we would understand the transition for our kids, but Ava, being the ease dropper she is, picked up on that and that was the thing she told everyone for a whole week.  She told both sets of grandparents, "I am just gonna be esausted you know."  Finally, daddy and I explained to her that she isn't used to taking naps and never has taken naps, so she won't be anymore exhausted than she usually is. :)  It was so funny to hear her say it though.  However, the day is longer than her daddy's current work hours, so he was pretty worried about her. ;)

They took the classes onto the school bus so they could sit on the bus while the rules of conduct for a bus were explained.  Micah was the one she wanted to go on the bus with her and so I waited outside, camera ready, and with a very anxious Little Man. :)  Micah said she knew the answers but wouldn't raise her hand to tell them. I asked her why later and she said she knew them, and repeated them back to me, but she said she was a "a little shy with too many people there."  Hmm, She is not shy or quiet at home. 

Here she is in her class room and showing off her desk and cubby hole.  She was so proud to see her name there.  She looked so grown up sitting at her desk and she was actually really calm and quiet.  I am sure this will wear off but it was sweet. :)  I like the crazy Ava too though.  She did have one question for me about her desk.  I asked her what she thought and she said, "mommy, why is my desk backwards and I can't see my teacher?"  They did have a few of the desks in few groupings and hers was one that was facing the back wall, she had to turn around to see the teacher, and this bothered her. :) 

The open house was really nice because it gave us a chance as parents to meet the teacher, principal and to see the school so we could picture where she was and what she was doing.  I of course started asking her what she thought right away, but Micah reminded me that she needed time to process and then she would talk.  She was quiet for awhile, and then she stared with the questions and thoughts.  So glad we got the opportunity and so glad our little girl is growing up and LOVING it.

When Dreams Come True. . . What Then?

Open Horizons

I was talking to a friend today and we were discussing how we have dreamt of having "babies" since we were literally still babies ourselves.  We started playing with babies around two years of age and we observed our mommies with our baby brothers.  We were sponges and we took it all in. I know for me, all i wanted to be when I grew up was "a Mommy" and that has never changed.  Yes, I sometimes would say I wanted to be a school teacher and a mommy or a nurse and a mommy, but I never deviated from the mommy. My best friend, that met me in the 6th grade, used to get irritated with me because I was more interested in babies and hanging out in the nursery at church than talking to the boys in youth group.  :)  She thought I was really odd and couldn't understand why I was like that. 

I know God places desires in our hearts and I believe when they are in our hearts from little up, then that is a sign they are God given.  I know he made me to be a mommy, a nurturer of my children, a wife, and . . . yeah, just a mommy.  I have babysat since I was very young and I used to pretend they were my kids while babysitting.  When I got to high school, I chose my college career one way and one way only. I felt I had to go to college cause everyone thought a person should, but all I wanted to do was be a stay at home mommy. I literally checked out all the 2 year programs because they were the shortest programs in college and I wanted to go to school, work to pay off my debt and be a stay at home mommy.  That was my ultimate goal.  I saw Physical Therapist Assistant as a good out and off I went, still dreaming of the man I would marry that would allow me to have my dream. . . babies of my own.

I have a weird secret.  I am a hoarder of many things, maybe a pack rat is a better term.  Anyway, I used to, since middle school, go to the little toddler and baby clearance racks and stock up on outfits or baby items for when I had babies of my own.  I know it is strange, but hey, most of the stuff I did use on my two babies when they were of age. :)  It was like a seed of faith for me, that someday my lifetime dream would come true.

In college, Micah and I became close and two years later were married.  Wow, he is my best friend and a great husband and I was so excited. If he would have said yes, we would have had a baby our first year of marriage.  However, he was wise and we waited.  Then, three years later, and after some ups and downs, we found out we were pregnant with our precious Ava.  I was sooo excited.  How could this be really coming true, after all these years of dreaming.  It really did seem as though everything was a dream.  I cried the first time they told me I was pregnant at my first appointment.  I cried when they showed me her little heart beat.  I cried the first time I HEARD her heart beat. I cried the first time I felt her move.  I talked to her in my belly and sang to her. Morning sickness was a huge factor during my pregnancy and I was so sick, but it was soooo worth it. 

Nine months and two days later, she arrived.  She was so pretty and perfect in every way.  She had a head of dark hair and though she started off crying and continued to cry for months, she was mine.  I spent my days dressing her up and taking pictures of her in all her many outfits. I would play with her and sing to her and carry her lots.  I was tired and sleep deprived beyond anything I had ever felt, but I was truly living my dream.  It is sad that during that first year, when they are so needy, we are so tired and then it is over and you realize it will never go back.  Long days but short years.  :)

A year later, we welcomed the other biggest blessing of our lives into our home.  Little Christian man.  He was so tiny and fragile and so munchkin cute.  He did what boys do to their mommy's hearts, he stole it.  Plain and simple.  He too didn't sleep and I was tired with two baby's under 14 months apart and both not sleeping well.  I was pretty sure I was done with the baby stage for awhile because having them so close made it a lot at one time.

Again, the days were long but the years flew by.  Around the time my babies were 4 years old and 3 years old, I was ready for another baby in my home. I also was informed that wasn't an option and I struggled off and on with this news.  However, I was still enjoying my dream.  Every time they would learn to walk, or get a tooth, or ask Jesus into their hearts, or pee in the potty, I would celebrate with them and cry because I was so excited that I was here living it.  I remember the first time Ava went forward for a children's story at church and I cried.  I know I am a sap, but 25 years of wishing and waiting and when it happens, I still had to pinch myself to make sure it was real. 

I am so blessed my hubby worked to keep me home with my kiddos during these years. I will NEVER regret the time I got to spend with them.  They are so wonderful and this brings me to where I am today.  So, I have spent years dreaming of a great thing, being a mommy to my kids.  Then I get to actually have kids and I love it. I love it so much that I don't want it to stop. I want a baby for me to hold all the time.  I have always wondered if i would love my kids when they get to the older years, meaning after six years of age.  Well, I have decided I will still love them and I will enjoy them, but I know now what will change.  They won't allow me to tuck them into bed at night and crawl in beside them to snuggle and kiss their heads, and arms and hands and sing to them.  They will grow too old for that and that simply breaks my heart.  I know all mommys go through this, and I just need to get it out to help myself deal. 

My question. . . .What do I do now that my dream I have spent years dreaming of, is nearing the end. I know I still have my babies and they will always be mine and I will always love them.  That I do know. I also know my job isn't done and there is still lots of work to do, but again, my question is what do I focus on and yearn for now when my heart still yearns for little babies to cuddle. I still have a few years of them really needing me and I am glad for that, but I guess I am just starting to see that time flies faster than I expected and I hate to see it rushing away so fast.  I wish I could stop time right in its place and freeze them just like they are. I know I will enjoy the future and all that entails, but I guess seeing Ava getting ready to go to school just has me all emotional.  I mean, for the first time in her life, she will spend more of her waking hours in the mentorship of her teacher and not me.  She will come home and talk about all she is learning and I will be hearing it second hand.  Wow, and after years of being responsible for where she is and if she is safe, she is now going to spend at least 8 hours a day away from me and I have no idea where she is or what she is doing.  Talk about culture shock and learning to let go!!!

Dont' get me wrong, I am very excited for the opportunities that lie ahead for Ava and Christian and I would never want to hold them back or keep them all to myself, but I just know I will miss these precious years.  I know I will miss holding them on my lap and scooping them up to carry them somewhere.  I know I will make the absolute best of this last year of preschool age I have with Christian and I am truly looking forward to that. I also know I will enjoy my children as they are growing and maturing and learning things.  But, for me, I will NEVER forget these absolutely wonderful years God has blessed me with these two awesome children that have completely stolen Micah's and My hearts. I just hope that someday my heart will not hurt so badly as I watch them grow up and move on in life. I truly want success and everything good for them. 

I consider myself a very blessed woman to be 30 years old and to have been given every dream in my life I have ever desired. I wanted to grow up, get married and have babies.  I was granted that precious chance.  Thanks be to GOD!!! I am so grateful for God's blessings. 

Upstate Memories with Friends

We decided to take a few of our friends up to The Hunting Cabin for a weekend.  We have been talking about it for awhile, but it hadn't worked out.  This was the weekend and we finally made it work.  Matt and Courtney got babysitters so they rode with us and The Pedersen's followed.  We of course stopped to introduce them all to our favorite hot eating spot. . . SKEETERS BBQ.  Here we are all eating outside.  The picture above shows us on our lookout point at Skeeters.

Then we went on through to the cabin.  When we got there, the kids were soon in bed and we unpacked our stuff and started the famous "eating frenzie" while we played Rook into the wee hours of the morning.  Then we all retired for bed only to wake up a few hours later and have some coffee, breakfast and play more Rook.  :)  Then we headed to the Pine Creek that Micah's family used to take the kids to while they were up there.   Micah remembers going there when he was young and so we decided it would be fun to take our three munchkins to the creek and let them splash around.  Courtney, Matt and I hung out on the side of the creek but the others in our group were splashing around and having a blast.

Here Matt and Courtney are enjoying some peace and quiet.

My Beanie and her dad posing taking time to stop from hunting crayfish, in order to pose for a picture as per mommy's request.

Jess was awesome as she was working to get the minnows and tadpoles and all the other creatures so the three kiddos could have a full fledged science lesson.  She actually found a baby tadpole, then found a tadpole that was starting to lose its tail and had two legs, then she found another one that had four legs and a very shortened tail and then she found one that had was a full toad.  What a great teacher. All the while, she was having fun making fun of me for not wanting to get in the water where "scary slimy creatures swam."   I admit, I am a sissy.

While we were as far as the creek, we decided to head up to another famous look out spot on the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.  I remember being there when Ava was a baby, we drove up there and got a picture taken with our family.

Saturday night, we had a campfire with s'mores.  The kids were excited to roast marshmallows for everyone and of course eat tons of chocolate.  We did see a snake that scooted right under the fire pit. I was done and ready to go in after that experience. In fact, I saw it, jumped up in a ball in my chair yelling at the kids to watch out.  They looked around, saw Jess roasting a marshmallow and ignored me.  Even though I knew I was looking quite stupid, I am deathly scared of snakes and still sat in my chair with my legs up beside me. 

The boys most famous moment was when they had a few cougars hit on them, while they were picking up our pizza and wings in town.  :)  We laughed about that one for quite awhile.  It was a great weekend and we think it should become a once monthly event.

The Finale - The Last Weekend

A tribute to a few of our family members that have willingly volunteered and sacrificed for the past twelve years in a music ministry for our Savior.  The Bumbaugh Family Singers.  They started out as the original four, being Margaret, Fawn, Scott, and Micah.  With many exits and additions of family members throughout the years, they ended the last concert with Margaret, Fawn, Scott, Sharon, Renee, Kelsey, & Isaac.  Through the years, they have experienced many different things and have cried, laughed, and grown together.  They have survived RV fires and family Fumes.  :)  For a family to travel for so many years together in such small quarters and still to be talking to each other and loving each other is a feat in itself. :)  They are all having mixed feelings about ending this but they do know that whatever they do and wherever they do it, they will all keep serving the LORD.

So, for the last final concert / weekend, my little family of four invited ourselves along to travel with "our Bumbaughs" as Ava calls them. :)  We were so excited and ready for a day of traveling, a night in a hotel, and lots of new family time with the BUMBAUGHS.

We met over at Scott and Lori's and packed our stuff into the BUS.  Off we went for a fun packed weekend.  We met Fawn, Jeff, Isaac and Sharon at the Scotland park and ride and while we were there, we got a text from Harry and Margaret saying they were at the Shipensburg Park and Ride.  That in itself was a laughing start to our fun weekend.

Some family bus time.  Fawn, Renee, and myself.

Part of the troops.  We were singing, talking, playing Rook, and just laughing lots.

The Sleeping crew. . . yep, you guessed it, Christian wasn't really sleeping. :)

Some of the boys hanging out in the bus. . . don't they all just look so thrilled?

We finally arrived and the set up began.  Then we ate and left for our hotel.  The kids were having so much fun in our hotel. A few things we will remember is the "Mr. Potell. . . Mam, you need to cooperate."  and how Christian was sure his hotel room was our his "house".  He kept asking everyone to come and see his house and then he wanted to see their house.

The next morning, we were dressed and ready to sing at the church.  Here we are ready and waiting.

The Bumbaugh Kids singing one of their songs.  They did a great job as always.

There they are, second to LAST concert. 

Once that concert ended, we had to pack up fast and say our goodbyes to head back on the road to the next concert destination.  Our last and final concert.  Emotions were running a little high, knowing that we were heading to set up for the last time and to sing for the last time.  The sense of finality was a little overwhelming to the family, I am sure, but they all did great and we just kept holding onto the beach trip coming up the next day. :)

Everything is a joint effort and everyone joins into help somewhere and has their part.  A shout out to all that sang, all that set up, all that did all the background things and the product table and sound board.  The ones that cleaned the bus, stocked the bus, booked the concerts, and drove the bus.  Many more behind the scene things too.  May God richly bless you all.

The final set up of the product table.  You guys def. had this down to a perfect art.

The final concert was held at a school auditorium and they had a nice display of food waiting for us when we arrived. :)  I also found a random set of old lockers sitting outside and we had our own photo shoot with the kids.  I will just show a few.

The final concert was an emotional one. I cried, I laughed and I just enjoyed being ministered too. I think that probably everyone there felt the intense emotion involved and I was so blessed to be there for the end and to watch the family end this Season of life with grace and willingness to enter into the next season of life.

The final crew, singing and holding it together.

Micah sang a few songs with them for the final concert too.  It brought back good memories to see him up there with the original four.

I love Margaret's face on this one.  It brings tears to my eyes, knowing what her heart was feeling through this concert. 

Harry surprised the family with a few tributes that he had received from some family friends, the Booth Brothers and some others.  He surprised the family and read them to them.  

Christian and Ava got to go up and sing with "their Bumbaughs" for the Final song.  Here is a close up of the kiddos too.

For the final song, "I'm gonna Praise Him"  They invited up extras our kids included, and the Whitenights.

The kids overtook Kelseys' microphone.

THE END