Shillig 4 Family

Jake introduced the kids to this Indian wrestling movie and they LOVE it. I heard them talking about it and how they all wanted to download it. Someone said something about how they shave their heads to look like boys. I haven't seen it, but by the picture Jake sent it's a good one that they love. "Dangal (English: Wrestling competition ) is a 2016 Indian Hindi-language biographical sports drama film "

The boys are walking to and from school on their own this year.  This morning I was running late and ended up leaving at the same time as them.  I said goodbye to Jake and when I went to back out of the driveway I saw them down the road, waiting.  They were flashing "I love you" signs and waving excitedly at me.  I slowed down and said goodbye to their bright smiling happy faces.  I love being a mother.  I love that they are grateful for all that me working while they are at school provides.  I just love them so much!

I really liked taking my kids to get new shoes for school.   I thought they could use their old ones or hand me downs (the girls just about fit in mine I was given after the hurricane).   When I realized they couldn’t we made a last min run to the mall.   I am not a fan of shopping, but with tennis shoes it seems like a MUST.   Plus, the military discount is so helpful.   Jake talked to them about how he didn’t get new shoes as a kid and if he did he cared for them and treated them so well.   I told Jake today how impressed I was that our kids didn’t look at the price (yes this could be seen as a bad thing), but that they didn’t think “theirs were more expensive than mine.”   They didn’t ask for brand names or styles.   They truly picked shoes they liked.   They aren’t tainted by brand names, dollar amounts, or worldly things.   They just wanted shoes that were their size, comfortable, and in a color they liked if they had it.  ...

It seems like everyone had a great day 1. The girls' school posts pictures to their Facebook page & it made me happy to see updates through the day by scanning the pictures they'd post for a big bow on top of a head to know it was my sweet girl.  I love that they are still confident being themselves. Daddy made sure and filled out all their paperwork. I helped them lay out clothes and organize rooms. And last night it was hard for me to fall asleep (so Jake and I stayed up way too late chatting) and I wake up each morning before my alarm ready for the day & helping them get ready. I am so grateful for their schools & know that we made a good choice. I still wish I could be home with them as little kids again, but I insist that I embrace each time and season and not long for days gone by or wish for better ones ahead. I love the HERE and NOW and love my husband and babies. Day 2 is gonna rock!

Solomon asked for a picture with Zelda so we did one inside (bad lighting) and outside (better lighting).  That Zelda pic was the first and only one I took, I think she's learned to pose. Aimi Lark and Mali Su are headed to 6th grade. Malachi is in 4th grade and Solomon in 2nd. They seem excited and thanks to a last minute shopping trip they have new snazzy shoes, too! I feel so blessed that they are able to now go to a great school.  After our experience at the terrible school in Arlington I am grateful we are here.  It is a blessing I do not take for granted that I can choose my children's school & make sure they receive a safe and well-rounded education. I am so happy they are happy. I am so happy to give them a stable home. And as Jake says I hope they continue to be "spoiled fresh" (the opposite of spoiled rotten)

Mali Su has been in glasses since she was 4 years old.  She has been asking for contacts for at least two years.  She is quite mature for her age so I know she is ready.  I have vision insurance through work and Jake has ophthalmology covered through the National Guard.  It is a great team effort to get it all taken care of.  I scheduled the appointment and Jake took her.  She did great!  I love the young lady she is becoming.  I love my Mali Su!      

Looking for a house here in DFW I knew I wanted a pool.  If we were buying a house and could say what we wanted I made sure to say I wanted:  good schools, a pool, and no more than a 30 min commute to our current work WITH traffic.  Jake wanted 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms at a minimum since our kids have been through the wringer with hotel life and losing everything etc.  We never expected to get it ALL, but we did!  I feel so blessed!

The girls are excited.   Aunt Kaley said when they got out at drop-off that lots of friends ran over to them, so phew, that eases this Mother’s heart.   I have been dreading the day my kids go to middle/jr. high. Malachi said, and I quote, “98% of the weirdoes from my class last year are in my class this year.”   Poor guy, we are trying to turn that frown upside down. Solomon wanted to check out his list again just to name off all that people he knew.   It is going to be such a great year.   We chose this house largely on the fact that the Elementary AND Middle school were “10/10” schools.   I just hope that equates to 10/10 learning and social experiences.   I love my babies too much for anything less.              

& just like that summer break 2018 is over & I’m honestly sad about it.  Tonight, the boys have meet the teacher & tomorrow the girls have middle school orientation.  They say you only have 18 summers with your kids & I feel like I’m on the downhill side of that.  But, I’ll smile and send them on their way because like the kids reminded me, this year, their school supplies aren’t lost in a flooded school like last year. (stupid hurricane Harvey)

Malachi his home from his 10 day super awesome amazing trip to Washington to visit his Shillig 5 cousins.  He and William are the same age (as well as Atticus and Maddox born in 2009) so it was fun to get these two boys together especially since their Dad's are so close.  Malachi did so many amazing things.  He went swimming a ton in natural waters it sounds like, learned archery, proper shooting. boxing, piano, and the ultimate was the blackberry adventure in the forest that his Daddy had told him all about.  I am so grateful he got to go and will hopefully be able to add the videos that Luke sent.  I was apprehensive at first of Malachi going, but Jake put him in first class and that helped ease my fears of him flying unaccompanied minor.  He said the flight was great and he loved all the new movies he got to watch.  I am so grateful my kids are having the childhood they are having.  It's full of life and experiences and adventures, just how I w...

& Zelda turned 9 on July 4th.   Aimi Lark is tall, kind, cuddly, helpful, innocent, and creative. I love to watch her play "My Little Pony" I love to walk in her room and see her drawings on the walls. I love to hear her tell her friend in California, Kaya, about Jesus Christ. I love how she will take on a cleaning, organizing, or rearranging project all on her own. I love to stand next to her and feel her height beside me. I love the way she gives the smoochiest kisses. I love how she sews and makes and creates things all on her own. I love being her mother. I love her as my daughter. I love Aimi Lark Shillig.    

We decided to work on the yard like we often do on Saturdays and unexpectedly were caught in a downpour.  It didn't stop us from working and laughing and having the best time.  My dress went from knee length to ankle length in no time.  I turned up the music (50s to Disney to 80s) and I think it's safe to say it was our best day of yard work yet.  Aunt Kaley is quite the worker, too!