The Muench Bunch

We finished another year of AWANA. Jake finished another year as a Cubbie with cousin Rylie.Jayden did super this year, completing her entire book and going back and reviewing. All this with lots of missed nights due to mommy having a new baby. She had her entire book finished before Christmas and it is supposed to take them until May. She is a smart little cookie and memorization comes easily for her. This year she completed her last year as a Sparky and got the Sparky plaque. Jacob was a cubbie buddy. He enjoyed his time in Cubbies. Mrs Julie was his teacher and she did a great job with the kids. I spent the year helping between the Sparks room and Cubbies. I liked that as I could be part of both kids class and see what they are doing.

With all the rain, Mark hasn’t gotten back in the field. The field northeast of our place known as Roger’s has been bull dozed. Mark likes to take the kids and find copper and steel to take to the salvage yard. Later we went to Ames. Mark went with me to go out for lunch and help get groceries. He was in awe that I do this all the time by myself with the kids. Dealing with car seats and strollers and shopping carts going in and out so many places. It wears me out, but it just comes with being a mom.

Last night it rained buckets!! We got over 4 inches in one night. Now we have a large area of water in our back basement. Luckily it is not in an area of carpet. My Mom came down and we had a nice little birthday dinner for her before she went home with Jayden. They are planning to garage sale over the weekend. Jayden thinks that is great fun. I am sure she will come back with treasures. Luke has been so hard lately, fussing a lot and not taking good naps. It wears me out so much! The kids have been getting to sleep really late lately due to thunder and I am exhausted.

Tonight was the AWANA store which I am responsible for. I have tons of toys and trinkets the kids get to buy with their hard earned AWANA bucks. I shop all year finding bargains and things and set it all up. Mark got in the field and ran until it rained at midnight. He planted 250 acres.

My mom and Alice came down and spent the whole day at my place. They put up the baby crib and helped with anything I needed. Jayden and I rode horses after school. She rode Dakota nd I rode Joe. It has been almost a year since I have been in the saddle. It was nice to get back to riding. Jayden likes the idea of riding, but after about 15 minutes, she is ready to be done. I was just happy to get out and ride.

After school we loaded up and headed to Des Moines for a mini vacation. We spent two nights at a hotel next to the Jordan Creek mall. This was Luke’s first trip. We stayed in a nice two room suite. The first night we ordered out Chinese and went swimming. The kids had a blast. Jayden jumped in like a little fish. Jake was scared at first in the water with his floaty, but got braver. His giant smile and squeals of excitement never ended. Jake and Jayden were asleep in the fold out bed by 9. Luke was up until 10:30 and restless all night. The next morning everyone was up by 6:30, so much for sleeping in. We had a nice continental breakfast. We spent a lot of the day at the mall. Luke had to me moving constantly. Jake played in the play area which was like Disney world to him. Jayden and I got some shopping time. I realized, she has gotten very picky and hard to shop for. Later we let the kids swim more. I let the kids eat junk for super as I didn’t feel like going out. They loved it eati

During the months of Jan, Feb, and March, I have been very fortunate to have Karen and Orrie and Mark get Jake from pre-school for me. It is a hassle having to make that run. Jacob has a new quote when he talks he will say'"I want something that is called a cookie." or "I want something that is called a movie." It's kind of funny. While on the phone, Jacob was trying to get my attention and started pulling all the kleenex's out of the box and tossing them. He is something. I picked Jayden and Claire up after school like I do every Thursday for tumbling. They get to the house, play for a half hour, eat, change, then Claire's mom gets them and takes them to tumbling. Jayden doesn't get back until 8:30. It is a long night for Jayden, but she chose to do tumbling and likes it. Today it rained, delaying planting even more.

Wow, today was beautiful. It has been a long time since we have had such a nice day, 72 degrees. Jacob played outside from noon to 5. Luke was fussy and didn’t sleep much. He did like being outside in his little bouncy seat. Afterschool Jayden played with Jake outside. Jake has been talking a lot about heaven lately and asks some pretty big questions for a little guy.

I think we are finally going to get some warm weather. Today is 60 degrees. The old farm known as Roger’s place is being bull dozed. It is sad to see all the trees disappear. There was an old run down two story house and corn cribon the hill surrounded with trees and a long drive. Soon it will be a field.

Mark and I went to the Cirque Du Soliel show. It was an amazing show of acrobatic performances.We both very much enjoyed the show. The show was 2 ½ hours and tickets were very high $70 each. It was so nice to go out just the two of us. Back at home Luke cried a lot for my mom and he was still congested. My Dad spent the day building the kids a big sandbox. Jake was right by his side the entire time. It turned out very nice and pretty clever with a roll across tarp cover.

The boys and I went to Alivia’s first birthday party. The party was in their heated shop, which Wade is so proud of. Alivia was so cute zinging around in her little walker. At cake time, Alivia didn’t have her own cake, in fact she only got a lick of frosting. Aunt Alice returned from spending her winter in Albuquerque. Today was the first time she got to see Luke. It was so good to have her back in Iowa. We all missed her. Jayden had to make a tough choice and chose to go to her best friends birthday party and miss cousin Alivia’s first birthday party. She went with Claire to a swimming party and had a great time.

Allie went to her sophomore prom with a guy who was conveniently her boyfriend long enough to attend prom. She wore a pretty cream color dress and looked lovely. The kids got to go to Hidden Acres for the after prom party and swimming.

It is always fun when friends have babies born close to yours. Jessica has been a best friend since childhood. It is fun to watch our kids grow up. Her daughter Leah was born within a month of Luke. Kristy's daughter, Avery was born within a month of Luke also.

I love to get Mark and April Fools day and do it every year. I got him good! I had my 8 week visit with my OB/Gyn recently. Today at noon when Mark walked in, I just hung up the phone and told him that was my doctor and I had taken a pregnancy test, and guess what… That led to some shock and disbelief for a couple minutes before he realized what day today is. I did the same to my mother and she kept saying”Oh, Holly” over and over on the phone. Ha ha!