fall moments (a lot of them)

One of my intentions lately is to get back into writing/blogging and back into taking real photos on a real camera and back into documenting all of this somewhere, whether that be on this blog or in a scrapbook. There have been other times in the past when my desire to do this was fueled by the need to feel caught up as the family historian, but right now I am trying to put it back in my life simply because I miss it. 

I've been on my computer going through some of the photos taken over the past few months in order to try to figure out what stories I want to tell. Fall 2019 was full of life, and I want to save these moments somewhere. So.... here goes a photo dump in no particular order:

One of our LOA adventures this fall was dodgeball with bow and arrows. It was intense. Some of the more competitive members of the group (ahem, cough, Ben Hedenberg) had huge bruises before the hour was even up. 

I worked a lot on our den. Carpet replaced tile, but first I had to pull up and dispose of the tile. It was really, really hard. There was blood and there was sweat and there were tears.

I got lots of time in with my littlest love. More and more these days everyone else in the family is occupied in other ways and it's just Kate and me. (Often still Drew as well, but less so now that friends and sports have become pretty important in his life.)

Ben snapped this picture on the way into church one morning.
I know the days are numbered when she chooses her outfit based on what will most match mine. 

We spent some time at high school football games, sometimes sweating and sometimes huddled under blankets and sipping cheap hot cocoa.

We spent time at fall baseball games cheering on the Jr. Statesmen and our favorite first baseman. I really love these nights at the ball field. I love to watch the games. I love to talk to the other parents who have become friends. I love to eat cheap overly- salty popcorn and drink Dr. Pepper. I was genuinely sad when the season came to an end.

Another LOA adventure took us to Creepyworld, a series of haunted houses that went on for over an hour. NOT my scene.

We watched a great deal of Cardinal baseball this fall, mostly from our couch, but occasionally from the stadium.

Ben began a new job this fall at ServiceTitan after twenty years at Trane. We're all so proud of him.

a celebratory lunch a couple of hours before Ben flew off to LA for his first week on the job

Drew broke his wrist this fall. This was our first broken bone and we weren't even sure it was broken. He came home from a friend's house complaining that it hurt, but not screaming or in what we would expect the pain to be from a broken wrist. We iced it and kept an eye on it. The next morning, there was no bruising or swelling, but it still was hurting. I called our pediatrician and was told we were fine to continue to ice it and splint it and keep a close eye on it. If it didn't feel better by Monday morning, we were told to come in to the office then. All weekend he didn't really use it, but also wasn't complaining too much about pain. By Monday morning, though, I just had a feeling we should get it looked at.  After looking it over, Dr. Spewak said he thought it might be broken and wanted us to go to the orthopedist for an X-ray. By dinner that night, Drew was wearing a bright orange cast for a wrist broken in two places.  Funny to note that all of this happened in the tiny window of time that this was all out of pocket for us since Trane insurance was done but new insurance had not yet kicked in. We rarely ever have injuries, so the timing of this was really something.

Luke turned fifteen this fall. We celebrated in a pretty low key way- Luke's preference. There were cheeseburgers, of course, and ice cream cake and time spent together doing some of his favorite things.  I love this kid so very much.

Ben and I took a trip to Maine to celebrate our twentieth wedding anniversary. This is a post in itself, but man, it was perfect.

Drew turned twelve. It was celebrated with fondue at home, Ted Drewes, indoor racing, clothes shopping, and sports.

Kate attended Cheer Camp and then got to cheer a football game with her idol, her big sister. All of the cheerleaders made a fuss over Kate, which she ate up. It was a sweet night.

It was extra fun to have Gram and Grandpa here for the night. 

 We have a second teen driver in the house.  Pray for us.

The puppies continued to be loved on constantly. I hope those two know just how good they have it landing in the home of so many adoring humans.

 We had a family date to Frozen II. Frozen was THE movie of Kate's preschool era. I have so many memories of her singing along the the Frozen soundtrack with her sweet off-key little voice. It was no question if we would be seeing the sequel or not.

  Ben had to take a long trip for his new job, so I had a stretch of solo parenting even longer than usual. These two and I spent an entire Saturday just wandering around parts of St. Louis we don't know as well. They can be really great company (when they are not bickering with one another.)

I had help from the kids preparing for my busiest time of year at The Painted Letter. Ben snapped this picture one day and it is worth keeping. Luke was outside sanding signs for me.  Gracie, Drew, and Kate were all hard at work inside my office. I love that Kate happily paints the first coat on each sign for me for the fee of twenty five cents. I love that Drew is a hard worker and will work for as long as I will let him. I love that Gracie is so detailed oriented and has taken over some of the stencil steps.

We enjoyed the fifth grade music program at our elementary school. I ran into the music teacher at Target a couple of days before the show and she told me how impressed she was with all of "the extra time that Drew and Jon and Colby are putting in to the performance." I wasn't sure what she was talking about, and when I asked Drew about it later he almost seemed bummed that she had ruined the surprise. Drew and two of his friends performed "Gloria" in the middle of the concert, complete with hidden Blues jerseys they pulled on out of nowhere and a fake homemade Stanley cup.  I have no pictures, but the whole thing just made me smile.

I do have one measly little picture taken during the final song. The kids created these glow in the dark face masks in art class and wore them to sing.

Kate and her best friend "taught" my preschool class one day. My school was in session and theirs was not, so they planned a morning of activities to do with my class. They had read- alouds, art projects, and games planned. I took the mini teachers out for lunch after school and then it somehow turned into a sleepover. I love their friendship and am so thankful for such a kind friend for Kate.

Kate began ice skating lessons. Luke began Robotics Team, book club, and Video Game Design. Drew joined a book club at school. Gracie is so involved at school that we rarely see her before six in the evening. It's fun to watch the kids pursue interests.

Patti rented a house at Innsbrook for everyone for the weekend. There was fishing and canoeing and wine and Smores.  It was the most fun mini getaway and we were so appreciative of the time with family.

Drew is learning how to succeed in the classroom of a teacher with very high expectations. It's been hard at times, but I think in the end, he will be better for having had this experience.  This picture was taken to text to my friends who I was running late to meet because I was talking Drew down from a major meltdown as he approached hour five of the finishing touches for a project due the next day. We're only smiling because at that point it was done.

Ben and I had so much fun getting away with friends for a wedding in Michigan. I just don't see enough of this guy, and even when we are together, we're usually pretty focused on kid stuff. It was just so lovely to have the relaxed time away with him.

I do not even remember when or why this picture was taken, though my guess is that I was texting it to Ben to let him know we were on our way somewhere. I keep it here, though, because man do I love time with this girl. She is great to talk to and has the biggest heart.

 I'm only skimming the surface of life around here lately, but it feels good to have this all somewhere.