Somehow in the rush of my last post, I left out several things from this summer. Backtracking to...
4th of July
The 4th of July felt a little eerie for me this year. It hit me in a weird way, an unexpected difficult anniversary. You see, it was the one-year mark of Myla's second seizure. The seizure that seemed to hit me the hardest, because suddenly her episodes weren't a fluke. I was triggered by finding our unlit firecrackers from 2017, ones that had been stashed hoping for a brighter day. Remembering our celebratory night with friends foiled, the planned memories of cracks, pops, and flashes vanished like the smoke did every year prior. We traded them for memories of a cold ER, needles, and tears, everyone's tears. I remember the frustration, shock, and confusion building inside of me. I relived that emotion on July 4, 2018. I felt the jolt, the sudden catch in my throat, the forceful tears. The unwelcomed pain that I didn't realize was still there. But it was.
We let the kids light firecrackers at home one evening and I fought back tears thinking of how different our celebration looked this year, compared to last. I was celebrating in a whole new way - celebrating many seizure-free months, celebrating very few breath-holding spells, celebrating the four of us being together, and celebrating finally making the memories of cracks, pops, and flashes. I realized I hadn't fully healed from the trauma of last year, watching my child's body do something so unspeakable, seeing the life robbed from her eyes, appearing lifeless. Those moments may never fade in my memory, but I can look at her today and see the life God has breathed into her. She's full of joy and she spreads it to everyone she knows. I might still feel the pain from last year, but mostly, I feel the joy.
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| We love our Schelkopf twins! |
Helms Visit
Our dear Helms family visited in July and we just loved every second. There's never enough time with them, so we're hoping to head their way sometime this fall or winter.
Ruthie and Myla were inseparable. I told Ruthie she could move in with us, because she's the best little babysitter around.
It's so fun to see the kids pick right up where they left off last time, each of them just growing a few inches taller from year to year. Trevin is starting to be able to run with the "big boys" and loves getting to spend time with his cousins. So many sweet moments for the kids and such a refreshing time for James and I to see Chad and Amy. Illinois needs to be just a little closer.
Fairs
Hamilton County Fair was a hit this year. Myla is finally old enough to really get in on the fun. Of course, she would have been happy to just ride the train over and over and over again, but we did manage to convince her to try some other rides, too. Trevin on the other hand wanted to do all things and he even bummed a couple free rides from the workers since he was having so much fun.
They're clowns even when we're not at the carnival...
Trevin went to the state fair with his school again, so James and I took Myla for a special day of one-on-one time.
Myla got to ride the sky tram for the first time and loved every second of playing in the corn. James was sure to eat plenty of nitro ice cream to make the trip worth it.
Anniversary
When I left you last time, James and I were sneaking away for an overnight in Omaha. We had zero plans, but just needed some time away. We celebrated 7 entire years of marriage. SEVEN. I don't even know where that time went, but I'm grateful for the progress we've made. I don't cry all the time and he says words now. It's been good to grow. We looked back at our hard moments and the fun ones, too. We laughed at our selfishness and the way our relationship looked in the past. We shook our heads with a grin and said, "I'm glad we're past that." It's been fun to really find our groove and have our hearts, passions, and schedules really align. Here's to hoping Year Seven will be one of growth and pursuit. It's bound to be an adventure.
We dined at Nicola's in downtown Omaha and then grabbed ice cream at Ted & Wally's. We love walking the city. It is so unlike home, but we love to explore what is foreign to us. In the morning, we took a long walk and found an old-time donut shop. We about had to make the mile walk back empty handed, because they didn't take card and we rarely carry cash. Thankfully, I remembered at the last second that my mom had sent an anniversary gift (cash!) with us for our trip. Thanks, Mom - you saved the day!
The remainder of our day included Sam's Club, Target, and Northern Tool + Equipment. That's love, my friends.
On the Farm Front
We LOVE when it's sweet corn season! We stocked our freezer with a year-supply and ate plenty fresh along the way.
The kids and I helped lay pipe one morning, seems like just yesterday, but now we're loading it back up. (Thankful for all the rain!!) All of the crops are turning and we're looking harvest straight on. Bring it on.
The Big Move
Ashton and JT have moved back! I took the kids and my nephews up to SD to help pack some boxes and bring a load home. We had a lot of fun and were really excited to get them settled in Aurora. They've been working hard on their new adventure, the most darling bakery in all the land. They're gutting and remodeling a building on the square, and when it's done, I will eat all the donuts. I promised her I would. Just doing my job as a good sister. I'm so excited for them and for the tastebuds of all the locals.
Stockham BBQ
We celebrated the 40th Annual Stockham BBQ. We had a beautiful evening with a great turnout. Meat, music, pie, and ice cream. Doesn't get much better than that!
It was great to see my hometown full of life.
The Fort
We've been working hard on the fort this summer. James has added a top deck and Trevin has enjoyed lending a hand. We've finished the steps and just need to add the railing on the top. It's been fun to watch the kids run out and play, letting their imaginations run wild. I hope this spot brings hours and hours of memories for them throughout their childhood.
The End of Summer...
As the beginning of school was just around the corner, we made a last quick trip to the lake. The kids were thrilled to play in the sand and float around for hours. Myla kept yelling, "I can swim!" and then bellyflopping into the water. These spontaneous moments are some of my favorite.
Turns out if there's even a tiny bit of water left in the kiddy pool, two-year-olds will find it and decide they need to "swim".
Cousins!
Speaking of cousins... football season has started and we LOVE it!
James celebrated 28! In honor of that, he took his dad kayaking down the Dismal River by Mullen. It was a little fast and furious, and they got dumped, a lot. But they had a great time and I was happy they were able to make some new memories together.
First Day of School!
Last year, at this time, I was all sorts of overwhelmed at the thought of school and schedule and real life. But this year we all handled it like champs. We thrive in routine. Trevin has enjoyed this year so much already. He's woke up excited every single day so far. We've found rhythm and we are officially a school-family.
My daily "bus route" is just part of the norm now. I actually enjoy the quiet on the way back home and get to burn through my audiobooks and podcasts like nuts. The extra time in the car provides for a perfects space for memory work and studying for spelling tests. I love that I don't have to carve out precious time for it in our few hours after school. After we finish our memory verse work, we usually jam out to some music to help set the tone for the day. It works every time. We've had so many happy mornings, something that never used to be part of who we were.
Myla asks every day if she can go to school with Trevin. She misses him while he's gone, but she plays really well by herself. She also enjoys being able to go into Trevin's room while he's gone. I don't know if letting her do that makes me a horrible mom or an awesome mom. I suppose it depends on which kid you ask...
Trevin loves being back with his friends. He's learning to read, and fast! We studied for a science test this week and I had to pinch myself because I WAS JUST STUDYING FOR SCIENCE TESTS. He's always going to do this to me - make me older than I really am. That's what happens when a baby bride has a baby.
We're back at Hampton Lutheran this year. We've committed to reevaluate our decision at the end of each school year and see where God is leading our family. For now, it's been obvious to us that we're at the right place. Trevin has Miss Pope this year and she's been amazing. He loves going to class and she really makes it fun for him. She was even kind enough to get each of the students a stainless steel water bottle with their name on it for their desk. She's awesome.
We celebrated the kick-off to school with a fun run and picnic with the school. The kids both received medals for completing the race, both of which will be found around their necks, almost all the time, even to this day.
Trevin:
+Loving everything shooting and sweets. (In case you couldn't guess, he gets the shooting from me and the sweets from James. Nope...)
+James insisted on making homemade ice cream for some friends for the first time. Trouble was he didn't start it until after supper. We ate vanilla soup, but it was good vanilla soup. Everyone was dying in laughing fits from this and Trevin accused him of feeding us "poisonous cereal".
+Trevin received his personalized Bible from our church this month. He loves showing everyone that his name is on the cover. Each morning, during breakfast, we've been reading through the Bible, chapter by chapter. Now that Trevin has a full Bible, he tries to follow along while we read.
+There's a patch of wildflowers not far from our house. James always stops to pick them for me when they're in bloom. (The picture on the left was from a couple months ago.) Last week, James passed the tradition on to Trevin and my heart went pitter-patter. If he doesn't turn out to be a gentleman, it won't be the fault of his father.
+One day Trevin asked me, "Mom, how many packs do you have?" He was referencing my abs. I had to tell him I have two, and their names are Trevin and Myla.
+He's suddenly a grown boy, making his first solo-drive on the 4-wheeler, (just around the driveway). He's more cautious than you would ever guess, and I'm happy about that.
They are quite the pair.
Myla:
+Myla says more things than should be allowed for a tiny human. Words come out of her and I think, "How on earth did you retain that word?" Not bad words, just words beyond her 2-year-old comprehension.
+She loves animals... loves to hold them hostage and force her affections on them.
+It's really hard to catch her with a smile that doesn't have a nose-crinkle. And I love it.
+As she's eating ice cream, "Myla is it delicious?" Her response, "No, it's ice cream."
+She loves tomatoes. Like LOVES them. I could give her a fancy spread of everything delicious and she would eat the tomatoes first. One day I told James, "I could live without tomatoes." She butted into the conversation and said, "My can't live without tomatoes. My love tomatoes."
+She's always talking about the "titties". We're trying to work on her "K" sound, like urgently. As if that wasn't bad enough, she definitely calls Creek, "Teet". Teet the tittie.
One day I had to tell her, "Myla, don't kick the cat." With all sincerity, she replied, "Only mom kick cat?" I don't even know what to say to you all about this. So I'll just move on.
+I love asking her questions because I never know what she's going to say. One day, I asked her what she loved. She said, "Um little shoes... and food." She's my kind of girl.
+My Aunt Linette has made Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls for all of us nieces and nephews, and now she's making them for our kids. Myla loved it and has it propped up on a "special shelf" in her room. I pulled mine out the other day to show her that we had matching dolls, and she thought that was awesome.
+She caught her first fish. And it was adorable. James saw she had it on the line, so he went over to help and she yelled, "No!! My do it!! My do it!!" So she did. She reeled it in all by herself and was a giggle-storm when she saw it.
I'll remind you what Trevin's face looked like when he caught his first fish...
These kids could not be more different and it's hilarious.
Last week, we spent some time with some of our closest friends. We did the new Aurora Escape Rooms, watched the Husker game, and ended the night with a bonfire. It was one of those days I wouldn't mind repeating. (We "technically" got out of our room, in case you're curious. But if you ask the owners, they might say otherwise, so no our time didn't make the wall.)
James and I take off for a Goertzen wedding this weekend in Arkansas. We're going to take our time getting there and back and hope for a small breath before we likely jump into harvest in the next week or so. Hang on to your hats, folks. It's about to get crazy.
Here's to harvest, growing on the farm...
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