Natalie's Day

Since Samuel was working on Natalie's actual birthday, we decided to celebrate Natalie on her Heaven Day.  We took the kids to see Wreck It Ralph at the $2 movie theater and had popcorn and soda while we watched.  Malachi and Sapphira really enjoyed the show and Amira was such a good baby...so quiet and snuggly.  Then we got 7 lavender balloons from the grocery store and headed home to let the kids color pictures for their sister before we let them off.

Working hard for their sister.

Malachi's picture for Natalie.  Every year we let them draw whatever they'd like which is always so sweet, but Malachi's was sad this year, too.  On the left is a drawing of our dog Duke who died several years ago.  The circle around him is the hole he's buried in.  Next to Duke is Natalie in "her hole".  He said that they are in their holes because they died and they are in Heaven now with Jesus.  Very true, sweet and sad.  Love you, Bubbo.

 Here's Sapphira's picture.  She drew her sister and then asked how to write her name.  Such a sweet girl.

Our yearly picture on Natalie's Day.  I love having the family pictures but hate that they will always be missing one member.

Malachi let his off so quickly I didn't get a picture of him with them.  Off they go! 

 So excited to send her sister balloons for her Heaven birthday.

 

 Off they go!

 Malachi blowing kisses.

Watching them until we couldn't see them anymore.

I'm so thankful that I am able to teach my children about their sister and do fun things in her memory, but on the other hand it makes my heart ache.  I wish they could have met her, felt how soft her skin was and heard her little noises.  I wish the fact that babies die isn't abnormal to them.  I wish I didn't have to console them because they miss their sister when my heart is aching at the same time.  I wish it could be different, but since it can't I can be glad.  Glad that they recognize her in pictures immediately.  Glad that they always remember to include her when we are counting up the members of our family.  Glad that they are looking forward to meeting her when we get to Heaven.  Thank you Lord for Natalie and take good care of her until we can again some day.  

We love you, Natalie!

Fair time!!!

Our state fair is held in the city we live in and the fairgrounds are on a main street we use nearly everyday.  Every year the kids see something is going on, ask about it, but we have always been able to get by without taking them.  It is soooo expensive!  It was close to $30 for just the 4 of us to get in! This year, right along the street we take was a display of huge tractors and Malachi begged to see them every time we'd pass.  No getting out of it this year!  Since we decided to skip church after getting home so late from the wedding the previous day, we used our down day to go see what we could see.

Right inside the gate we entered, was a free kid's zone.  There was a hay pyramid to climb with a slide, necklaces and buttons to make, grain to dig in with tractors and shovels, and the kids' favorite, a barrel train.  Samuel was such a good sport and rode with Sapphira since she was nervous to do it by herself.  We'd told the kids the we wouldn't go on any rides so when we told them they could ride this, they were over the moon!  We also watched a funny magic/illusion show for several minutes before the kids wanted to move on to explore more.  Malachi got quite involved in the show and would clap and do motions at the appropriate times.  So cute!

Because we went on the second to last day, many of the animals had already been taken home.  We were still able to see cows, pigs, goats, llamas, turtles, snakes, a couple horses (the Clydesdale horses had already all left.  I had really wanted to show Malachi how big they were.  Bummer), rabbits and several types of chickens.  This incubator full of baby chicks was pretty interesting to them.  We also surprised them by getting an elephant ear and a couple scones to share as a snack.

Even though we'd told the kids they couldn't go on any rides, the kids still wanted to see what that section of the fair was all about.  We had wanted to maybe take them on the Ferris wheel, but it would have cost $25 for the four of us to ride just once!  Not happening!  We told them they could watch a ride go for a little bit so we found the Ferris wheel (it had the most lights!) and just stood for several minutes while the kids were mesmerized by the sight.  I wished I'd taken a picture of their gaping mouths but it was just so crowded.

It was dark by the time we left and Malachi thought our shadows in the parking lot were very silly and begged me to take a picture.  Samuel is at the far left, then Malachi, Sis in the stroller and me on the right.

We all had a good time and I don't think we'll be able to get out of taking them in the future since now that it's gone, they often point out the fairgrounds when we pass by them and talk about all the things they did when the fair was there.  I guess I'll have to look for deals and coupons next year! :)