How We've Survived the Last 2 Weeks

Exactly 10 years ago, Peter had left me and gone to WSU for his first semester of college.  That was such a hard time as all we could do was date a voice on the phone essentially.  But at the same time, those were probably some of the most beneficial days to our relationship as we communicated and got to know each other very well.  That separation only lasted one semester but through that we have only been apart a handful of times since then because we just plain don't handle being apart well.

I knew when he took this new job that it would require a lot more travel than we were used to and that sometimes I wouldn't be able to go.  I knew those times would be challenging but I also knew this new job was a great career move and that we would do whatever we needed to do.   The most important relationship I have (besides my relationship with God) is to my husband and if I can join him on his trips, I always do.  But there are trips that come, that we just can't swing.  A 2 week trip to Ireland with a newborn who's adoption isn't finalized, kind of fit in that box.  Much less, we've already been away from our other 3 children for a 10 day trip to Ethiopia and a 12 day trip to Florida to pick up Lillybelle this year.  So another 2 weeks away from the kids would just not be good.  

I got some advice from my friends who I would consider experts with traveling husbands and they gave me some good advice.  As they predicted, the day before he left and the first two days he was gone were really rough. I missed him a lot and couldn't imagine two weeks without him (yeah, I know we are probably pathetic but I really love my husband!) But by the time Monday rolled around I was figuring out a routine and things didn't feel quite so hard.  

A pleasant surprise was how much we were able to communicate.  I was expecting just a couple emails a day but since we had iphones we could easily send texts through ichat to each other. We were able to chat when Peter got to his hotel at night (so midday here) and then before I went to bed at night (and Peter was getting up in the morning).  

I also took my friends advice and let the house kind of go (a little) and worked hard to keep the kids busy and happy. Sometimes it definitely felt like survival mode and I am definitely exhausted.  I don't want to make it sound like I did this alone as I had a great village of support behind me.  The grandparents are always a big help and my friend "Auntie Megan" came and stayed in the guest house and really was available to help with the kids. So I couldn't have asked for anymore help!

So what did we do?  Well, are you sure you want to know?  Because this is totally picture overload but I had a lot to document for Peter ;)

Late night chats with little miss

We made a paper chain for the kids to count down each day.  It started out reeeeally long! 

Post Soccer Cuteness!

We built legos and did puzzles 

Peter wrote each of the kids the sweetest little notes and left them a bedtime "kiss" for every night! 

I went on lots and lots of runs to destress! 

Bina took a special shopping trip with mommy 

First Smiles! 

Silly girl!

The kids took naps! 

We had an indoor picnic

We spent time at grandma's

We stayed up too late 

We slept while brothers and sister played 

We went to the Jungle Gym

And played games 

We goofed off 

Watched football games 

Snuggled with mommy 

Went to a friends house to get pumpkins 

Made our own pizza's 

Played silly cheap games  

Posed for cute pictures 

Went on a date with mommy 

And started quarter #2 of school!



Yes it was a busy few weeks and exhausted doesn't even begin to describe it.  I think a tuckered out mommy and a jet lagged daddy will be taking some naps this weekend too!  

Peter Goes to Ireland

When Peter changed companies last spring and moved into the world of International Tax, we knew International travel would become a part of the job at least a couple times a year. Particularly to the country of Ireland.  

Peter made his first voyage to Ireland over the course of the last two weeks.  We've missed him dearly at home but I enjoyed all of his updates and hearing about all the new things he's experiencing.  His excitement for Ireland and his love of of the people and his coworkers there makes me very excited to tag along with him on his next trip over there!  

He's done a pretty good job of documenting his time over there and since I know he will never post his own blog, I figured the least I could do is share the photos he sent us. He's getting ready to start his journey back across the ocean to us now and we can't wait to see him and hear more of his stories. 

Soccer

The boys are now halfway through soccer season.  They are playing "little kicks" this year for 3-5 year old's. It ends up being pretty much a soccer practice for an hour every Saturday morning.  It's fun for them and cute so it works out well.

Little Sister is figuring it out it too! 

This is what happens when cousins are asked to play against each other. 

I think this is his "I scored" pose! 

2 Months

Our little miss is already 2 months old!  It's always hard to believe time can go this fast.  She's finally chubbing up a bit and we are starting to get to know more and more of her personality!    She now weighs 9 lbs 8 ounces (10-25%)  and I am so glad to see her get some weight on her this month. She definitely made up for some lost time.  She is now in size 0-3 month clothes and size 1 diapers.  She is also a great eater and likes to eat 4-6 ounces at a time. She also likes being a snacker and eating a little every so often throughout the day. Mommy isn't quite as thrilled with that plan.

She has remained a great sleeper and we're getting her on a more regular bedtime schedule which means Peter and I will be able to have some truly kid free time in the evenings!  She usually goes to bed between 8-9 and then will wake up and eat between 4:30-7:00 in the morning and then go back to sleep.  I really shouldn't complain as she is a great sleeper at night as all of our kids have been!

Her personality is starting to shine through as she has started smiling and cooing more!  When she's awake now she loves to interact.  She would much rather spend time on her tummy than her back and is a super strong girl when it comes to tummy time!  She also loves to be sung to.  It is so cool knowing more about her birth mother and knowing her birth mother enjoys music and singing and playing the piano.  She said she sang to her all the time and so far LB really loves being sung to!  She is a super spoiled little girl (as she should be) and is not a fan at all of not being held.  She definitely loves her snuggle time!  As busy as I am, I am trying my hardest to enjoy these moments! 

We love you sweet girl! I am loving all these smiles and conversations we are having.  You've grown so much lately and you are just the cutest little thing!  We are so blessed to have you in our lives!

End of Summer

I'm sure the only people who will enjoy this end of summer photo recap are the grandparents and great-grandparents, but that is okay!  So here are the recent happenings in the Keyser family this fall!

Malachi has been paying close attention to mommy and mimics my actions a lot. Here he was burping his Lillybelle while I burped mine!

                         

Little Miss and her dreamy smiles (and she has dimples!)

Clearly starting to chunk up!  I just love her! 

Daddy brought mommy home some flowers but they were quickly stolen when the princess saw them and with excitement exclaimed "Daddy got me flowers!"  Lately she has become a total Daddy's girl and I think it is pretty cute!

 

Lillyelle took her first trip up to Seattle to meet Uncle Andy!

Daddy took his sweet little princess on a date. It was pretty much the most adorable thing I've ever seen! 

The boys went to the dentist, Eli was pretty chill watching movies while waiting for the dentist. 

I love these boys and the relationship they have.  They were daydreaming together first thing in the morning. 

Lillybelle went to her first football game! It was really hot, but she was a trooper!

The kids have been enjoying every last second of summer.  They recently became obsessed with baseball and have been practicing with each other.  It's pretty cute. I was informed I was not allowed to be part of the team and pitch because I did not have a jersey. 

They're pretty cute little stinkers! 

We went out for our first dinner as a family of 6. That was crazy!

Malachi completed 4 sets of swim lessons this summer and is making great progress. We hope to sign him up for a few more lessons in the winter and see if we can't get that kid full on swimming. He's close! 

Little Miss turned 6 weeks and is now smiling and sleeping great at night - Yay! 

Life has been pretty great if not totally busy.  Things are not showing signs of slowing down here anytime soon but that is kind of just the way we roll!  Stay tuned! 

School

Well September typically marks the beginning of another school year.  This will technically be our second year of homeschool as we continue to feel like at least for the time being that this is the best fit for our kids.  I'm thrilled to get to keep them at home and spend more time with them!  After our first year of school last year, I decided to switch things up a bit this year and felt like year round school would be a better fit for them so we actually started school back at the beginning of July and are on a 4 week break right now.  We will continue back at it in October and keep going with the 2 months on and 1 month off trend for the year.

Malachi has moved up to K4 this year.  This is a great program for him and he is learning a lot! In the first two months he's learned to write almost all of his letters and is learning how to sound out words.  He's right on the brink of learning to read and that is pretty exciting for all of us. It isn't surprising coming from him and the obsession he has had with letters since he was 15 months!  

Eli is in Preschool 3 this year.  He's still not super interested in school until Malachi starts working at it so I think the simple program for him is perfect for where he is at this year.

And then there is the Princess.  Anything her brothers do she must also do, so it made sense to have her do the preschool 2 curriculum that Eli did last year.  It is very basic and simple and perfect to entertain her for a few minutes when I need to ve teaching the others.

Needless to say, I am one busy mama and enjoying the break from school we have right now.  It can prove pretty difficult to keep all these preschoolers busy and have a newborn on the hip but the kids ARE learning and so I guess we're doing something right! 

Gotcha Day 2014

The day after coming home from Florida, we celebrated another big family milestone.  4 years prior, we held Malachi in our arms for the very first time!  It's hard to believe it has already been 4 years but we are so glad to have him as part of our family!  He is a young man full of joy and life!  We couldn't love him anymore, I just wish he'd stop growing!  This year the party was a little bit more low key but I was just happy to be home to get to celebrate the day with him!  

We made our typical Ethiopian feast of Sega Wat, Doro Wat, and Ethiopian Honey Bread.  He also requested homemade ice cream.  

We love you Malachi and are so glad we were home to celebrate your special day with you. It doesn't seem possible that it has been 4 years since you joined our family but we are so grateful for the privilege to be your mom and dad!  We love you more than you will ever know.  You are an incredible little boy with so much personality and joy!  You are also so kind and gentle. God has something big planned for your life!