This Aldridge Family

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Fair Time!

We are currently at Mom and Dad's in Danville and it's Fair Weekend! And, I forgot my camera! Bummer! We went this evening- the kids petted many animals and even rode their cousin Abby's horse. It was fun to watch the kids run around and play together. I ran into a couple of old friends from high school...it seems kind of weird that we all have little miniture "us's" following us and hanging on our legs! But, we are in our 30's now- wow!

We decided that Miss Maggie got Grand Champion of the fair for the night. Papa proudly carried his youngest granddaughter around and was getting stopped every so often so people could 'oohhh' and 'aaahhh' over all of her hair and her constant smiling! So, in my ever so humble opinion, Maggie won Grand Champion for the 2011 County Fair!

Children's Imaginations

The kids and I were swimming in Grandma's pool the other day. Before I had gotten in with them I overheard them talking about crocodiles in the pool. When I got in I swam down to the deep end and shouted, "Aaahhh, crocodiles!" and quickly swam back towards the kids. Trinity started to get out and then saw the smile on my face and realized I was just playing; Eli didn't hesitate at all, he said, "I'll save you, Mommy!" As soon as I got close enough to him, he jumped into my arms, waved his magic wand, said a few magic words, and cast the crocodiles away from me.

How I love the imaginations of children, and being a mom...it keeps me young and childlike!

Friday, August 5, 2011

The Sounds of Blessings

So, last week my mom, sister, Jessica, and her kids descended upon our humble home for two nights for our county fair. The first night they were here was absolute chaos...a fun, joyful, laughing chaos consisting of cousins who haven't seen each other in a while running around the yard, in the house, giggling and laughing- it was music of the best kind! That same night my oldest brother, Jerid, his wife, Karen, and their daughter, Audrey, also stopped through that night on their way to Colorado. Our home was full of life- my heart was so full and happy just looking around and listening! My nephew Zach asked if they could build a house here! What a great idea, Zach!

My sister and her kids left and my mom has been here for the past week helping me- watching the kids for me so I could work in my classroom getting ready for school to start; she's helped cooked, folded laundry, played, loved, & hugged on the kids- it has been a true absolute joy having her here! I keep trying to convince her to move to Weskan...it hasn't worked yet, but I can be persistent! It's nice to be an adult and have a deeper relationship with Mom- she is an amazing, big-hearted woman!

My daddy came Thursday to stay for the weekend and take Mom and Audrey back home. Plus, to top off my already piled high cake of blessings, one of my very best friends, Belinda, came too!! We have talked and talked and worked on catching up...but, with her, no matter how long it has been since we've seen each other, it's not really catching up- it's picking up right where we left off. It has been an incredible time this past week- spending so much time with family and friends.

I think God was reminding me how much He loves me...not that I've forgotten, but it's nice to be reminded! Being surrounded by family and friends who know me so well...a blessing that is hard to be described adequately in words...it's been the sounds of blessings that I've heart...the sound of my son giggling in the pool when Papa is twirling him around; the whispers of plans being made by two cousins; the sound of stirring as Mom makes her mouth-watering zucchini cake; the gentle breaths of four kids exhausted from a day's play; the laughter of lifelong friends; the conversation between mother and daughter...

and tomorrow morning they leave...yet the blessings will remain in my heart.