These past few weeks have absolutely flown by. Life has been such a whirlwind of activity. Each day moves so quickly that when I finally have a few moments to stop and look back, I can't believe how much has happened! Tomorrow is Benjamin's 3 week mark. Let's recap all that's been the life of 4 Van Dyk's (5 if you include the furry one) in the past 21 days. ~ A new baby, Benjamin Steven ~ Mommy recovering from surgery ~ Kayleigh adjusting to life as big sister ~ Daddy learning he will work as a contract employee at Secant for the summer ... 2 jobs for him! ~ Cousin Rachel's graduation open house ~ The first family beach trip to Tunnel Park with Hoeksemas, VanDykes, and Texers ~ Our first overnight as a family away from home, at Grammy's ~ 2 Playdates with cousin Ryan and Auntie Alaina (Uncle Dan even came to one!) ~ A regional championship for Mommy's tennis team ~ Courtney's open house ~ Benjamin's first time with a babysitter (Jordan) while Mommy coached tennis with Robin ~ Tennis Color Wars ~ Sydney's Open House ~ Spring Sports Banquet ~ Daddy booking his flight to leave for a week in July to study administration ~ A State Championship tournament that included 1 flight championship, 1 runner up and 2 semi-finalists for a 4th place finish and a fantastic dinner at Mangia, Mangia ~ Anna's open house ~ Small group baby shower for Benjamin ~ Cousin Brandon's wedding in Georgia (that we couldn't make but heard was absolutely gorgeous) ~ Cousin Justin and Dawn's new baby girl, Zoe Carol Scott was born
That pretty much includes most of the highlights :) I hope I didn't forget any major ones! It's been a whirlwind of activity, and I wish I could look forward to things slowing down, but we have 3 more open houses this week, a staff dinner with the middle school, :), a cottage birthday party for my little brother, and somehow managing to do the usual chores that seem extra hard with two little ones ramming around.
In all the busy-ness though, I rarely find myself stressed like I was when I was teaching. As I survey all of the things that I listed, they are things that give me joy, that make smile ... that keep me convinced that this is exactly the life I want to be living ... busy as it may be. I just need to remember to take time, when I have it, to cherish the days while my kids are still little and snuggle-able ... After all, before I blink I'm certain I'll be taking Kayleigh to kindergarten or watching Benjamin at his first soccer game, listening to Kayleigh's first piano recital, or drilling Benjamin on his multiplication facts (if that's still part of the curriculum by the time he's there) :) ...
Well, I'm going to continue cherishing the blessing that it is having BOTH babies sleeping at the same time during the evening. I might even go to bed at 9:30 ... why not?
A few photo highlights from the events listed above ...
[caption id="attachment_213" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="This was Rachel's Open House at my new favorite place :)"]
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[caption id="attachment_214" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Tying KVA with the school rivals :) "]
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[caption id="attachment_215" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Girls looking spirited for Color Wars"]
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[caption id="attachment_216" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Benjamin's Synposis of his first 21 days!"]
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[caption id="attachment_217" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="Kayleigh's synopsis of Benjamin's first 21 days"]
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