Main Street, Movies and More: 7 Quick Takes Friday

Yay for Friday!! Do you all have fantastic plans for the weekend? While Memorial Day means a holiday weekend for most, for those of us in the world of agriculture, it's just another date on the calendar.  Which means with Steve traveling back and forth from the farm, I'll be finding something else that needs to be cleaned or organized in la casa or bouncing on my birthing ball with the hopes of speeding up this baby's arrival. Good times! To all the non-farmers out there, I'll be checking your Facebook updates for BBQ and beach pics!

In the mean time, how about a little 7 Quick Takes??...

1. Kick Ball With a Kicker

The neighbors have all informed us that we are so lucky because we have such a big back yard. We nod and smile between gritted teeth, trying not to reveal how much we hate fences, longing deeply to wake up in an abode perched on the wide open spaces of the country. I know I should be thankful for our yard, and really, after loving life on the farm, the boys are doing a great job of making the best of their contained space.  They rotate from basketball to trampolining to kick-ball, which is their current fave.

With the temps rising near 100 this week, the poor things *ahem* were wilting under the sun. After running in and out of the house a thousand times, begging for lemonade and flailing their pathetic bodies over the air conditioner vents in agony, I preached the "toughen up" speech to them (which may have included a few lines about them never having to be pregnant) and kicked them out into the great inferno for the last time.

Their "manly" solution to the situation was filling an old Rubbermaid container up with water so they could dunk their heads in it after rounding home plate.  Watching them enjoy their refreshing ritual, Steve and I were in stitches, completely entertained by the dramatic testosterone fest unfolding in the back yard.

Heat warriors they were, proclaiming victory over the sun with fine displays of grunting, fist pumps and chest bumps, their torso's completely soaked with grit and glory. I love being a boy mom, I really do!!

2. Library, Liquor Store, Local Cafe

Some people might shirk small town living, but I say don't knock it 'till you've lived it.  Although our town my appear a tad tiny, it's big on the important things: family, faith, friendship and fight (our boys are loving playing sports here!). Our main street boasts the most important necessities: a post office, two salons, one cafe, a liquor store and a library.  

I love the library.  The library loves us, because we multiply the literary population exponentially whenever we visit, and we keep their coffers clanging with the payment of over-due fees and fines for "accidental" losses.  Charlie is especially happy when we stop in, he never wants to leave.  I love the way he slides his finger across the pages while mouthing made up words pretending to read.

Yesterday, after the librarian asked, "You want to check out all of these???" I considered borrowing a dolly from the guy next door who was unloading the Bud Light truck at the sanity store, but opted to tote our good reads home in the stroller while Charlie rode on Andrew's shoulders. That's what big strong brothers are for!

3. God's Not Dead

I've been craving some one-on-one time with the boys before becoming a permanent nursing fixture on the couch for the next 6 months.  Ben and Andrew had been asking to see the movie God's Not Dead, so we went together, then spent some time discussing the flick over delicious barrels of Orange Leaf frozen yogurt.

I really do love all of the variety of ages we have dwelling at home right now.  But, I must say, I'm especially enjoying the insightful conversations Steve and I get to engage in with the older boys. They teach us so much! This stage of parenting is really beautiful.

We ended our "date" night with a visit to our Lord at the adoration chapel.  It was a truly special evening, one I will treasure for years to come.

4. Unbroken

If you haven't read Laura Hillenbrand's book, Unbroken, you must get yourself a copy.  It's on my top 10 list of favorite books.  This week I also discovered that it's being made into a movie which is scheduled to be released around Christmas. Yippeee!!  

5. Bets on the Birth Date

Anyone want to chime in on when you think our little one will arrive?? Personally, I'm feeling June 5th.  Not sure why that's the day that's stuck in my mind, but I'm goin' with it.  Earlier this week at my pre-natal check, my doc surprised me by asking me how I felt about waiting two weeks instead of one before the next appointment. I about fell off the table.  

You've got this, kid. His exact words.  Nothing makes a near-forty woman feel fabulous faster than being called a kid. For insurance purposes, I did schedule an appointment for two weeks down the road, but I'm hoping that it's one I don't have to keep!

6.  Who Are You???

I hate to admit it, but this quote is all too true for us.  We're still debating names.  Steve's #1 just isn't going to happen.  Ever. And, I'll leave it at that. But, he's not giving in to my #1 name either due to an unresolved misfortune from the frat-house days.  So the name saga continues. We've never gone to the hospital without baby names.  The very second the baby is born, I have to be able to call him/her by name. It's a must.  But, at this point, I'm considering a game of pin the diaper on the name or the ever trusty coin flip. 

7.  Blog Post Read o' the Week:

For When You Want to Freak Out Because You Just Keep Getting Older

Ladies, read this. 

Over and out!!