A day of hooky

So Tuesday I did something that I thought I never would, I pulled the kids out of school to make a fun day in Madison. But now that I say that, I knew that someday it would happen. Josh and I had talked about it back when he was farming since farmers go nowhere from April to October.  It's not something that I would want to do if my kids were going to miss something big like a test or if they were falling behind on something. Also once they get older and the classes get harder and there is more work, it won't probably happen, but right now they are at the age that experinces are important and sometimes those can't be controlled to just the summer or weekends.

Anyhow Tuesday morning we had a lazy morning. Didn't race, but yet we still manged to make it out of the house by 825am. it was nice to just be relaxed, hang out in our pj's for a bit. Bella got to play with the calf and chickens.
Our first stop after home was the zoo. Silly me thought they opened at 9am, but its' really 930am, so we decided to hit up the park first.

he looks so much like his daddy these days. 

Once the zoo was open we were off and running. We saw just about everything we wanted to but the lions and tiger. Not too bad. It took us just over an hour and we road the train and carousel.

They were big into reading the maps. 

Always with the giraffes 

First time we've caught him laying down

These giant rodents are so funny

 Not as good as the How tall sign, but still as cute

 He was so close, it was pretty awesome

 Badgers!

 another zoo tradition.

 This little boy so badly wanted to do the train. So we had to do it first. He was so excited and happy to be on the train. Totally worth the money

 This was bella's choice. So we all rode it. The kids had a blast here too

after this we went into the photobooth to get pictures. that was fun as the kids had never done that before. Then we wrapped out our time int he zoo with the gift shop tour.
Next stop was the dentist for max. It was just a check up from his previous dental work. I think i forgot to post about that, but he had to go into the hosptial to be put under for two crowns and a few fillings. Poor kid got the bad end of the draw with teeth. This appointment went pretty well, but you could tell he held it against the dentist since he bit him. oops! But it earned Max a token and he got himself a new bouncy ball.

We then raced to Noodles to meet Aunt Diane for Lunch. My kids were starving since the missed thier normal snack break. it was really busy but we got a good spot. We managed to hang out there with Aunt Diane until the kids just couldn't' handle it anymore. We then stopped at the donut place before heading back to Aunt Diane's place. I promptly stop taking pictures, why i'm not sure,but somehow it happened. The kids did have a blast running around Aunt Diane's place.  We then manged to make it home before the traffic got crazy.  

Life Latley

So life has been crazy. Bella went to camp for a week, while I started back to school with teacher inservice days and a trip to Lancaster for some classes required by our church. Max got to hang out with the Ihm's while i was busy and it was nice to be back in our old area.  We also got to visit Great Grandma and Poppy.  Then suddenly Bella was back from Camp, we recovered from a cold and it was back to school. School hit us all hard.. it was a big adjustment..so very little time for anything other then school.  So here's my attempt to catch up on what we have been up too. 

It was cool for a bit..so we were outside enjoy the wonderful weather. The cows were enjoying the grass and the nice temps too. No Lily has not had her calf yet.. Sept 12th is her due date

We went fishing with our friends. No luck with getting a fish, but lots of fun playing with our poles and the playground

Farm girl!

We got to catch up with Fr Greg. He brought Bella some wonderful gifts for her brithday from World Youth day in Poland. We also got to hear about his trip and fill him in on us. 

We went to visit Daddy's grave before Bella left for camp. The kids now fill the bird feeder themselves. We also had to check otu the soybean field. 

Before she left for camp. 

Grandma came over to help me clean. Once we got everything cleaned up, we went to supper and to visit daddy's grave again. 

A visit to tractor supply. Max was tried and trying to nap on the bags of feed. 

Max with his outside cat, oreo

We are all back together again. I wish that josh was physically in the pictures. 6 months is too long to be without him. Things didn't go as plan so the celebration of life for tomorrow is cancelled, but I've decided to wait u til next summer. The kids amd I need to make it through the year of first. I've heard it's important for support in year two, too.
6 months has been the 2nd hardest date so far, the idea it gets better with time is wrong, at least for me so far. Life does go on and we persevere, but the heartache is like that of the day josh was called to heaven. So many first are about to come and I ache to be able to talk to him. Man, I know he would be so excited for all the changes and the house. In the last 6 months I've looked to the sky more to find any little sign of josh. Tonight he left us a pretty sunset. He also made clouds that looked like a plowed field. It's like love notes from the sky , letting me know he's all right. Tonight max asked "when do I get to go to heaven with daddy?" I told him only God knows but we pray he can grow old before he needs too.
I love you Josh ! 

my friends still wanted to see me even though i cancled the gathering i was suppose to have for Josh.  My mom watched a "sick" max so that i could go out and enjoy a little time by myself. 

Tracey, Andy, Elly and Drew came over too.. it turned into a birthday celebration for drew. I had ordered a cake for Josh, but we turned it into a cake for Drew. We played Pokemon Monpoly and checked out hte new house. 

Back to school night. No pictures of max because it was too crazy of a night and so hot and humid! 

Bella and I had dentist appointments, so max got to play in the waiting room before Bella got done and Nana took them home. 

Wednesday before school started  i was just beat. We were suppose to do stuff with friends, but i felt so awful that i knew i needed rest. I did tell the kids that we could go whereever they wanted to eat.. Bella wanted Pizza ranch. So we went. I was feeling better after the lazy morning. WE also hit up Cabala's since it was near by. 

we took a family shot in our new basement ;)

Then suddenly it was back to school! Bella in third grade, Max in Pre-k or 4 year old kindergarten. Both had great first days!  

Well we did it. Made it through the first day of school. I missed a lot of stuff, ran late and then felt guilty for not being with my kids for most of the day. it's an adjustment to say the least. Max had a great day and Bella says she did too. I'm the only one who thought "he should have been here" But then i arrived home to our pictures from Precious Moments Photography by Tanya Schwendinger, LLC and both kids were so excited to see the pictures of Daddy with us. Max stole the big and put it right by all his tractors. Even my kids go on, but know that Daddy is right there with them always.

My sweet girl!

First morning at school

Dressed in clothes from Drew..which made him happy