Kind of a Big Deal

One Pod But Two WAY Different Peas

 
Between the momma-joy of watching Ben swim, Judah trying to "catch" Ben and help him to the steps, and Abe's hilarious but absolutely sincere attempt, I am just smitten to the core with the personalities of each of my boys. Lately there has been much blessing in seeing glimpses of how the Lord has gifted each of them and how He is growing them up into the men that they are called to be. While there is still much little to each of my men, there is also a forthcoming maturity that has been making itself present in small degrees. Sitting through big church without an admonishment to sit still. Putting away their bikes without having to be asked. Setting the table with FOLDED napkins :) All precious gems that have been diligently sought for and are now being mined by our family to enjoy. While this season of many young children is full to the brim with work and repetitious training, how thankful I am that our gracious Lord gives us sweet spots just like this, that we might be encouraged as we labor with Him and in His strength in the raising of these treasures.

What We've Been Doing...

EEG'ing...

Slowly weaning....

Busy baby chasing...

Kitchen schooling...

Sheet washing and the usual mess making....

...

Sushi*home*dating...

Early planting...

 

{Early planting} lesson learning... 

 

Finger healing...

 Kid bathing...

Mouse catching...(and BB Gun shooting.)

 Spring dust bowl surviving...

Sunset enjoying...

Easter hosting...

Blue Bell eating...

 Park sitting...

Mini-fig playing...

Just a little of what we've been up to lately. 

Legos

Big Brothers Are For...

Oh Where, Oh Where Have My Babies Gone?

Thanks to a recent and much needed download from my phone to my computer, we've been enjoying long lost videos and pictures of my gents when they were just the wee-est of babes. Although I probably considered these out-takes at the time now they are as sweet and precious to me as ever could be! How it kills me to see my lads so small. Their little words, their little idiosyncrasies that have carried through even two and a half years later; how I miss those days! Alas, such is the cry of every mother, "If only time would just stand still!" But it doesn't and so these videos serve as a strong admonishment to me to put my feet down right amidst this day, right where these three rowdy boys and one snuggle-y girl are in my midst. For one day soon, I'll be pondering over these lost days with my littles. And until the day of that magnificent discovery {you know, the one where they figure out how to bottle time?} occasionally you'll find me here at the computer perusing after children are long tucked away just to hear another "trust in the Yord." 

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
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Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Blameless Dorks?

One of our favorites around here is Steve Green's Hide Em' in Your Heart. It's usually on continuous play whenever we're driving. Although most of the songs are extremely catchy and fun, my favorite of them all has to be A.B.'s take on Philippians 2:14. He sings it throughout the day although his interpretation isn't what we would call, "Theologically sound."

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The actual word is not "dorks" but "pure" but it's all in how you hear it, I guess :) Listen to the correct but not so hilarious version here!

Resemblence Much??

Summertimin'

Life, Happening

Today marks four weeks since our little Gracie Belle joined our family. It's still so surreal to think that just a few weeks ago, none of us knew who the little one growing in my belly was and now, it's hard to imagine what life was like before her. As was the case with Judah, there's just something so sweet about having a baby in the house. She is constantly the center of attention and her cries are almost always immediately met with comforting shushes and little hands ready with her paci, so much that turn-taking is usually required during our days. That is, when I can actually get them out of her swing : )

What our girl has brought in sweetness though, she's also brought in sass. While I wish I could say that the last few weeks have been nothing but a baby-moon, the reality is that it's been pretty rough waters. A bad case of reflux has left our sweets fussy-fussy during the day and up most of the night. Thankfully, our dear pediatrician took my cries for help seriously and sent us for a Upper GI Scan to rule out some more serious stuff and and to try and diagnose her reflux. As of this last Monday, she's now taking Zantac and already we've seen such a huge difference. Like, three hour stretches at night, difference. While that may not seem like much, it beats the 45 minute stints she was doing. 

The strange thing about her reflux, however, is that it has absolutely not affected her weight in any way. In fact, she's our biggest baby! At our last weight check on Monday, Grace tipped the scales at 10 lb in a brand new disposable diaper. Both the nurse and I did a double take. She was up 28 oz. from her previous appointment 12 days prior. So  while the past few weeks have been a little hairy, I am VERY thankful that our girl is healthy and growing. 

And let me just say that I cannot get enough of her cheeks, her deliciously round belly, or how she's starting to look like her daddy! Okay, the bows are pretty fun too...

As for life with the Ju since little sis's arrival, well, it's been a little interesting. For starters, this boy wants nothing to do with momma. Only daddy. In fact, when he broke his arm, he wouldn't even come to me. Rather, he cried louder when I tried to take him {compound that with a case of the Baby Blues and I was done for}. Quite the curve ball, I might say. I expected resentment towards the baby but not towards the baby-momma. Also not expected, just how grown up he looks all of the sudden or how big and white his booty looks when I change his diaper.

As for the big boys, I'll just leave you with this last little funny. I must confess that the thought of nursing in front of the B&A made me a little uncertain. While I absolutely and wholeheartedly agree that nursing is natural and should be in no way be made out to be shameful, I also didn't want to give a 37 minute dissertation on the physics of nursing ever time I sat down to feed the baby. I also didn't think it appropriate for them to be  spouting off the anatomical names of a woman's body at the ripe ol' age of four. So I kept things casual and general. As in, "Mommy what is baby Grace eating from?" and I would say, "My chest. Mammals drink milk from their mommas." And then we would move on. Really other than a few of those conversations, the boys haven't had much else to ask or say about it. That is until tonight when Ben so kindly pointed out to me, that both of my "feeders" were out. Between that and pointing out to me while I was pregnant that, "the baby not only made my tummy big but my bottom big too," I'd say he's quite the astute little boy. Ah, life with littles!

{Four}

Most assuredly and undeniably four.

Words Like Honeycomb

Today amidst the waiting chores, the clatter of breakfast dishes, the chug of the washing machine, and the  growing grocery list, my boy spoke straight to my heart. 

"Don't worry Momma, I will take care of you."

How his love humbles me. 

His momma gone all weekend for a little R&R, finds herself frazzled and a tad bit overwhelmed come Monday morning. 

His remedy? Compassion, love and grace.

Oh, that I would remember the sweet words of my boy.

When the tears threaten and emotions run high over lost trinkets or misplaced treasures, to remember compassion instead of frustration.

When anger overtakes and crossed arms come up like a road block, to remember love instead of impatience.

When 9:00 am has already seen a day's worth of correction, to remember grace instead of condemnation. 

Lord, help me to remember.  

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24