Our Aweful Beautiful Life

We have grown up with the Ruemler's. This isn't really news to anyone. Our families have spent a LOT of time together over the years, and while Stacy is my best friend, and while God didn't grant me my own sisters, He knew what he was doing when he paired us with a family of four girls. They gained two brothers in Trent & Matt, and I gained four sisters and a best friend.  Over the course of the last 10 years, you could say we've all been through a lot together. While Joe's battle with Cancer probably stands out as the most defining life event our two families linked arms on and tackled together, we've also shared in plenty of joy....my wedding, Stacy's wedding, Kendra's wedding, Matt's wedding, Jessy's wedding, my kids, Kendra's kids, Stacy's boys, Jessy's baby....and now finally, FINALLY, Maggie's found the man of her dreams, and we got to help her celebrate their marriage. And while we are elated and happy to share with ...

Keaton, I'll let some of these pictures speak for themselves. You can range on any given day from absolutely adorable to total punk, from sweet snuggler to class clown. We've learned in your 2 1/2 years, this is just who God has made you. Your spunk gives us gray hairs, and keeps us on our toes for sure!    Recently, since potty training, your nightly routine now includes declaring you "have to pee" nearly every time I get downstairs from tucking you in, and get myself settled in for the night.  Just Monday, I had big plans to fold the mountains of laundry while watching my TV indulgance, Dancing with the stars.........so I tucked you all in, and like clockwork, Colton HAD to have a drink and you HAD to pee. Fine. Whatever. Pee, get a drink and BACK TO BED. In the mean time, your Dad has come in from working outside, and went upstairs to retuck you in. Nearly 10-15 minutes go by, and I hear shuffling around in the kitchen, someone ...

Keaton, it's weird with you. I mean, it's weird with you in SO. MANY. WAYS.....but what I'm alluding to here, is how when we wrote stories on this blog about Colton when we first started this blog journey. So often it was - "his first smile", or "his first time going to Grandma's house" or "his first tractor ride".....goodness we documented EVERY first with Colton. And with you, Keaton -- I get to record our final go at things. (Emmalyn, sorry babe, this is where the middle child kind of gets ripped off....bear with me though, you're my only girl and there is value in that....trust me and Aunt Jessica on that one). You were our final one to watch roll over, learn to crawl, start to talk and now, our final one to potty train. Hold your horses....we're not 100% there yet. Because,well, you're Keaton. That would be FAR too easy. But I think we've made it to the finish line between the hours of 7am-9pm....which is a feat. An...

Well, it wasn't Florida, and it DID rain most of our first day, but we still had a great time getting away for SB2K16!! We joined up with the Wiese clan are invaded Southern Indiana for a few days of fun! We left in a rain storm Thursday morning of Spring Break, and headed towards Bedford, Indiana to see the Blue Springs Caverns.  Of course, as on any trip with a potty training child, sometimes, you have to do what you have to do to keep moving while accommodating a pee break. Thankfully, Keaton's a boy, and was seated on Dad's side of the van! :) Yes, that's I-65 in the background. Whatever man. We pitstopped in Bloomington to have lunch. Kids were happy campers! We prepped the kids about having to be quiet in the cave, and they were so good. All 6 kids were so intrigued, sat still, and listened to our guide. We were super proud of them, especially after having to wait nearly 45 minutes before the tour started. We did some mining for gems while we waited and ...

Emmalyn, remember about a year ago -- when Keaton broke his collarbone, I nearly died from the worst puking flu I've EVER had, and Colton and Dad got sick too, but you managed to be okay through all of this? And how you wouldn't go to school, were having some issues with this stressful time in our life? Well, child, a year has passed and my dear one, you have found a way to cope with these things. Not to be outdone by your baby brother and his two trips to the ER and his stitches and follow up appointments, you made sure your middle child presence was known! So, on Monday, I went to lunch with Nat & Stac, as we always do. (11:30. Moe's. Joey in a bowl. Pork. Pinto. Extra lettuce....you get the routine). Anyway, when we got in the car to leave, about 12:30, I saw a missed call from a 563 number, and thought it was weird....because it was the schools number. Let me just stop here and say I was NOT prepared for the next 15 minutes of my day. And poor Nat, sat next to m...

There's a song that's popular right now, called Stitches. We love it. It's catchy, and fun to dance to. Little did we know this would soon become our theme song....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbfpW0pbvaU So, Friday afternoon I was at work, and had done my what seemed daily check on Keaton's potty training progress. She texted back, "call me"....and I got so excited, because he gets to call when he poops in the potty! So, I excitedly dial the phone, only to hear Pam say..."um, we've got a puker"............................NOT what I wanted to hear. Especially since we had a girls day planned for the next day, down in Bloomington to FINALLY see Lindsay since she'd moved to Evansville. To make matters worse, Abby, Natalie's little girl, was puking two, which means 2/4 of us had puking children. By 9pm, Em had joined the ralphin ranks, and I just knew the rest of us were to follow. Fast forward to Sunday -- only Keaton and Em had fall...

Eight. Eight years ago, we received a gift, new job titles and a world that has forever been changed. Mom and Dad were our new roles, along with son/daughter, brother/sister, event coordinator and shop facilitator (truck driver), and friend. We had no experience, just a wing and a prayer.  Now here we are celebrating your 8th birthday. Someone upstairs was listening to our prayers, thank the Good Lord! We prayed many of them! We kicked off your celebration by hosting a slew of boys the weekend before your actual birthday, because you've asked for a few years to go listen to Uncle Matt announce the TC basketball games. Until now, we've had no reason to go...but Frontier AT Tri-County, Homecoming, one week before your birthday....seemed to make sense. We had a great time with your friends (after your mean mom laid the smack down about no tattling and playroom rules basketball and everyone getting along). Boy did I enjoy all those little boy giggles -- what fun you all had! So a w...