Celebrating MJ's Fourth!

This year again we went for a hike to celebrate MJ's birthday...I guess the picnic lunch and two kids was too much for us to remember because I forgot to get the camera out of the car:-) SO trust me it was a beautiful hike, albeit extremely HOT! It didn't help that I had Daniel in the carrier...speaking of that who knew that an extra 12 or so pounds could make an "easy" hike that much harder:-) Could be I am a "bit" out of shape...But it felt awesome to be outside and to get some exercise!

The cake is a pretty serious event...MJ helped decorate and it turned out so cute!

I don't think Daniel was impressed...see the burp cloth, if you hold him, you better have one!

See even Holden thinks the cake is serious business!

Daniel, still not impressed...

Cake and Ice Cream YUM!

Now for presents...Daniel says, "Mama said Knock you out! I'm gonna knock you out"

Miss P was wishing it was her party...She wanted the presents for herself...it's hard when you are 2...she sits here in between her cousin (boy) and little brother...soon she and MJ will be outnumbered...they will have to stick together...

Are we done yet?

This is seriously the sweetest picture ever! I am not sure if it is because I told Holden he couldn't "help" MJ open her presents or he was just tired from missed nap, but he sat here with Grandpere the whole time they opened presents, and then came to play at the end of course! I love my boy!

New do...

It was time, this cut was Beth and Tom's idea...The conversations went something like this...

Me: I want to cut my hair, I need something different and funky.
Beth: Why don't you cut it really short.
Me: I am too fat for that!

Me: I want to cut my hair, I need something different.
Tom: Why don't you cut it short and wear it crazy like when we were in college?
Me: Really? I am not sure I am confident for that again...
Tom: yeah I love it short...

So short I went! And I love it too! I don't feel too fat:-) Besides my baby is only 2 months old!



It's quite difficult to get a picture of yourself in the mirror:-)

And just for fun...me and my boy:-)

Happy Birthday MJ!

Today you turn 4...You are such an amazing young girl...You challenge us, and surprise us, but most of all you bring us so much joy...I am so glad to know you, and to be close enough that we see you almost daily...

You are my girly outlet:-) And I am sure your sister will be too!

We love you and look forward to this year and everything that being 4 will bring!

Mr. Personality

This week we have seen more of Daniel's personality...Huge smiles directed at us! I am convinced that God plans this milestone at just the right time, when you are so exhausted and nearly at the end of your rope, and then BAM! smiles! And suddenly it's not so bad, and it is ALL worth it to get that awesome reaction from your child. I keep meaning to get on here and blog, but when the time allows I am usually so tired, I am afraid my post will sound negative and grumpy...which I don't want, because I really am so thrilled with my boys, but a mama can get worn out!

As seems to be the case in this newborn phase for me...God is working on my heart. I am hearing a lot from Him and His word, on contentment. Being content where you are, content in Him not your circumstances. It is amazing and hard at the same time. Each night I pray a prayer giving the night to God, and asking for strength, patience and comfort through it. And each night I have been blessed not only with these things but also special time to reflect on God and His gifts, time to pray with my newest son, and an attitude that craves these times instead of dreading them...It's pretty awesome to experience.

Now I am asking God to continue His work, and to remind me during the day, that my life is to be an example of Christ living within...and my mission field is my kids right now. I confess, that although I am cherishing this time at night, the lack of sleep is getting to me, and my daytime parenting has been less than stellar. I yell more than I want to, I have unrealistic expectations of my 3 year old, AND my 7 week old, and I am neglecting my house, and our nutrition and probably my husband. I ask God now to help me be contented in Him throughout the day, and to not let the trials of the day, or the tiredness interfere with that contentment. Because truly if you are not content in Him, it won't matter how much sleep you get, how much time you spend with your little ones, what is made for dinner, what your house looks like, or how many tantrums your little one does or does not have, you will always want more. I also ask, for His strength and patience to help me to be the best mom, wife and friend I can.

The sermon at church today really reminded me about living out the word of God and the changes that come with following Christ, not just saying the words. That it is about deep relationship, not simply the "right" words. I was convicted that since home is where you can be yourself and let it all hang out, yourself should really reflect God's work in you and your contentment in Him. The only way to truly do that is to live what you say you believe. My kids need to see a mom and dad truly changed by their belief in and love for God.

Again I come back to the song "You Are Mine" by Mutemath
Everyone has their obsession
Consuming mind, Consuming time
We hold tight our prized possession, You are mine

Or as I sing it, "I want You to be mine"

I am also currently reading Francis Chan's book Crazy Love...SO good, again it is always so great when I see God's hand, and His direction in many paths of my life...obviously this is something He is teaching me right now, and I need to learn it and let it change my heart.

Love-ed

When our friends asked about throwing a shower for us, we opted to wait until baby was here and have an open house:-) That way our friends could see our new house and meet our new babe...We didn't need any baby gear, so we made it potluck:-)

So our friends threw us the most amazing open house...Amy put it all together with some help, but she thought of EVERYTHING, including a bubble machine for the kiddos and a water balloon game:-) It was supposed to be close to 100 that day so we were a bit worried...turned out to rain that morning and a beautiful 90ish day!

We always feel so loved when we have our friends over:-) It's so nice to be a part of a great community, and we had friends come who we haven't seen in a few years, one friend from highschool who just moved here:-) It was great!

We needed a family pic for Holden's preschool the next week, so we made an attempt...the above is after Daniel decided to spit up all over Tom:-)

Holden and I waiting for the cleanup

And the four of us...Thank you to all our friends who joined us and those that couldn't make it, we love you all and feel so blessed to have you in our lives. God has really gifted us with a great community here and we look forward to sharing our lives with you all for years to come:-)

Day Six...

No tears...good report from teachers...all is well:-) And he had fun!

Day Five...

Today was better...He still got teary and "didn't want to go"...BUT as long as I didn't give in he was fine...of course when we said goodbye to daddy, Holden stuck out his lower lip, and daddy said, "what's wrong buddy?" The waterworks started and we had a bit of crying... I loaded him up, and as soon as I turned on the car, no tears...He just asked me to give him to Ms. Danica when I was ready to leave...SO we got there, I stayed two minutes delivered him to Ms. Danica, and left...

No tears, and more fun! We are getting there!

Seriously you got to love this boy!

Ahhh Sleep...

The last three nights Daniel has had one 4-5 hour stretch of sleep...it has been wonderful...His belly seems happier since I cut out dairy and eggs...so maybe that helped...could be he is approaching his 5 week mark, one book I read said the 6 week change happens 6 weeks from the due date, regardless of the birth date...not sure I agree with that but whatever:-)

I am one happy mama! I told Tom I felt like we might have turned a corner...but I was a afraid to say that, because we all know what happens with parenting...once you think you have it figured out they change it up:-)


On another note seriously my boys are just like their father! hehe...Remember Holden with his lounging and with his "construction"...and now Daniel...look how he has one leg up while he sleeps...Tom does this and it used to drive me crazy because I thought he was awake when he did this, and I would talk to him and no response...too cute that Daniel does it too!

Baby A 6 weeks!

She was due to be born sometime in the next week or so...We are so glad she is here, and thankful she is doing so well!

Couldn't you just eat her up! Too cute!

We Love to Swim!

Seriously! The kids are in the pool EVERYDAY! Mostly with Grandmere or Daddy...But finally I think the moms are ready and up for it again! I was in this pool almost everyday before Daniel...now I am ready to be back...Especially with this never ending summer we seem to be having!

Day Four...

Ugh...today was hard...the kind that make you realize parenting is hard...and new seasons are hard on everybody...

It started well...Holden came into our room in the morning, and was excited about preschool, he still said he was going to cry a little, but he was excited to go...hmm during breakfast he starts saying he wants to stay home...and then come the tears...

It was nearly impossible for me to load him up and take him, my heart broke, I want him to LOVE preschool and want to go...when I pick him up he is so excited to have gone...but this is not a scene I want every morning! So with two crying boys I headed to the school...he was fine in the car...when we got there he was excited we had time for the park...BUT when he got out of the car the tears and clinginess was back...we sat on a park bench and I held him and I held Daniel and we waited for school...in the classroom he was fine until I said goodbye then the tears started again...

Ms. Danica, assured me he would be fine, and if not she would call me...SO I headed out, put on my sunglasses and shed some of my own tears...I called Tom, cried to him, and called my own dad...who told me this is part of parenthood...I told both men, to try dropping Holden off crying and see how well they did! My dad couldn't do it, and I am not sure if Tom could...it stunk! But I knew they would call if he needed me...I love his teachers...they love the kids, and they are not going to keep a child there who doesn't want to be there...

So I spent the 2 hours waiting for the phone call and feeling like the worst mother in the world! BUT when I went to pick him up he was in circle time(a good thing:-)) and he ran right up to me and said, "Mommy I had a GREAT time at preschool!" The teachers said 5 seconds after I left the tears were gone and the fun began...so maybe the tears are just for me?

We waved goodbye, Holden blew kisses and away we went...I hope this is the worst! But we will see how next week goes!

One Month...

Can it really be? My baby is one month old? Time goes SO fast! Especially with two kiddos! One month ago I was afraid this baby would never come...I was afraid I would have to be induced...but then 8 days after an expected due date, Mr. D came and joined us! What a joy he is...A challenge and a joy...

Most who know me know that I don't do the newborn stage well... might do ok, BUT I love when they get a bit older and can start communicating, and hanging out is fun :-) This stage where you have to guess what the cries mean, and you don't feel confident in your abilities, I wouldn't trade them, but they are really hard for me...I love the snuggling and the smallness(although Daniel seems HUGE to me!) But I hate not feeling like I know what to do...

So many things are easier this time, because I have done it before, but some things are different...Like a sleepless night is not followed by a day of naps, but by a day filled with my 3 year old! Which I love having both of them...its just hard...


Their are so many joys though...Watching Holden come into the big brother roll...watching him own it:-) He gives Daniel big kisses, brings him toys to "play" with, runs to him when he cries, telling him, "it's OK big brother is here" Those moments melt a heart...

And Daniel, well, he has his smiles...yes already, they just started this week...the real I am smiling at something(mostly the fan, but sometimes mommy) smiles...he is amazingly strong, and loves to look around...we had a few rough weeks but we have a few things figured out and I feel like we may have turned a corner and are figuring ourselves out...at least for this week:-)


One thing I love about this stage and I loved with Holden, is looking at this little guy and knowing that God created him for a purpose, and for us to care for. He picked us as his parents, and that is amazing! I spend a lot of time worshiping and praying in the middle of the night and again its a sweet, sweet time with my son and my God...It's truly amazing how God uses children to shape us, and teach us...I think parenthood as in any circumstance when God is pruning and shaping is a challenging but so amazing season...

3rd Day - new week

Today, unfortunately we had lots of tears, and sadness...it broke my heart to leave him, I am so thankful I have a friend whose son is in that class because she took the time to pray with me after I left him, and said all the words I needed to hear...

When he realized I was leaving, he wanted Ms. Danica, of course, and cried while clinging to her...

My time at home while he was there was so sad, I kept waiting for the phone to ring and for them to say he hadn't recovered...it never did...

I arrived at the school a bit early...and as I did I saw them walking back from the park area...he was still in Ms. Danica's arms so I thought maybe it had been bad...but my friend peeked in and said all was well he was in circle time not in her arms...so when I talked to the teacher, she said this was the best day yet...although he cried for about 5 minutes, he recovered, and...PARTICIPATED! so good! He had paintings to show me (which he told daddy were for his office when we got home...hmmpf!), and he told me, "Mom they have brushes here! you don't have to use your fingers!" Then he waved to the teachers and said, "Bye, see you next day!" So hopefully Thursday will be better....

Although he has already informed me he is going to cry a little bit each day...just because...