First Steps

Even though this is the third time around experiencing those first steps... they still amaze me and are so delightful to the heart!  I think I could watch him walk around all day long!  Kallan is definitely the most daring and unafraid of the three when it comes to walking.  We also found out he can walk much better if he is holding onto a toy or TV remote!  Freezing this moment today and remembering how sweet and precious those first steps truly are.

PS - obviously he wasn't amused by me trying to get him to walk on video...  but it is still cute!

Rainy Day

Pitter-Patter Raindrops

I hear thunder,

I hear thunder,

Hark!  Don't you?

Hark!  Don't you?

Pitter-patter, raindrops,

Pitter-patter, raindrops,

I'm wet through,

So are you!

from: The Usborne Book of Poems for Little Children

What I do on a rainy day...

Light a Candle

Read a good book with the kids

Listen to my new CD

(note: my husband was so kind after being gone for so many days, he came home with a little surprise for me last night!  I had told him I really liked one of the songs on this CD, but now am tickled to have the whole CD that was just released!  Thanks love!)

Hoping you enjoy the pitter-patter raindrops, the sweet smell,

and the freshness of a wonderful spring rain!

He Turned 6...

Last month, he turned 6…

How dare he!

My heart could hardly believe the day had come and he was now six. The age where a child begins to move from little boy to big boy. The day when you can no long hold up one hand to show your age, but you must use two. The age, I’ve discovered, where opinions become a little stronger, humor becomes a little funnier, and love, grace and patience must run deeper for the both of us.

He was thrilled to turn six, and he wanted a sports party. So a sports party we had. Out to get doughnuts with dad in the morning, day of school and Lego-playing, and then a party with a group of boys he calls friends that afternoon.

Birthdays are special, because they are special days just for you. A day to celebrate the life God has given, the life God is shaping, and another year we have shared together.

Liam, the moment you came into this world and took your first breath, you changed my life forever… you made me a mama. For these last six years you have taught me to love more deeply and rely on God more often. You have stretched me to uncomfortable places in trying to parent you as well as opened my eyes to a deep joy for the littlest things in life.

I love the heart God has given to you. One that longs to love Him deeply. One that loves to be around people. One that loves to learn and be challenged. One that is creative and full of imagination. One that is intense with emotion, whether it is pure joy or extreme frustration. God has made you just as He purposed, and I know He has grand plans for your life. You are my Liam, and I love you!

 

 

 

 

 



Who Knew?!?!?

Who knew that something as simple as these.....

Could make this mama oh so very giddy and happy!!!

Sometimes it truly is the simple things in life that bring such great joy!

Happy Saturday!

What I'm doing...

What I wish I was doing....

Writing out in this space the various thoughts, feelings, and events that have been going on in our lives

Sharing pictures from the past few weeks

Reading a book

Sorting through and editing my pictures

Taking a nap

Being more patient

Pulling together an amazing curriculum that would make our days full of learning and more fun

What I need to be doing...

Changing diapers, changing laundry, changing attitudes

Cleaning and then a little more cleaning

Putting away all the stuff and suitcases from this weekend (it's only Tuesday... right???)

Figure out what we are having for supper

Catching up on my "things to get done" list

Giving more focused attention to the little ones

Enjoying my moments a little more

What I am doing...

Teaching, training, and disciplining all day long

Living in a really messy house

Taking more deep breaths and trying to lower my voice a little more

Feeling like I am constantly busy with my little ones

Playing with my kids

Ignoring my kids

Going to "Hawaii" and partaking of the wonderful fruit that my girl has colored and cut out

Listening to really great Christian music as much as I can and soaking Him in

Trying to clean when I can, trying to step over the mess when I can

Just doing the next thing today and opening my arms to this day God has given to me

Hopefully I'll find some time in this space to share some more thoughts soon.... but my days are full!  So until then, this is what I'm doing!  

A Little Green Fun

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Despite still having fevers... we're trying to have some fun!  Thank goodness for old preschool crafts tucked away in file folders!

What Sick Looks Like

He came knocking on our door Sunday evening.  We weren't sure who the visitor was.  He came with the gift of a cough and then fever for Liam.  No big deal... this happens all the time.  Or so I thought.  Then he decided to stay, and make himself comfy and cozy in our home... sharing his love with everyone in our family.  Who is he?  He is Mr I... or unofficially called Mr. Influenza.  Yes, all five of us have been hit by our guest, and hit very hard.  At first I was skeptical to give Mr. I his official name, but after looking up a list of symptoms...

Fever - yup

Muscle Aches - yup

Headache - yup

Tiredness - yup

Dry Cough - yup

Head Congestion - yup

Runny or Stuffy Nose - yup

I have surrendered to calling Mr. I the flu and have realized that we all have it.  And no, this isn't a 24 hour little bug.  We are in for the long haul... or at least a few more days.

It's kind of crazy that we all have it, all at the same time.  It's nice to be able to sympathize with each other and understand how the other person is feeling, but it's hard that there isn't a well person in the house to take care of the sick ones.  It's been "fun" to do fever checks and rate who is the highest and who is the lowest.  We've had lots of snuggles, lots of TV, and lots of hang out time. 

Yes, we are sick... and this is what sick at our house looks like.

Even though these rough days, I'm seeking to find the gifts of grace from Him.  Open my eyes and hands to the little things He continues to bless me with.

We had NOTHING going on this week... not one thing to cancel or reschedule

Extra Snuggle Time with my little ones

Our Temporal Thermometer

New LEGOS that have been keeping my big boy busy, happy, and entertained

Extended cable that has a great children's show on somewhere 24/7

Motrin and Tylenol

Good Naps

My boys who struggle with breathing issues are still breathing easy (a HUGE praise!)

Orange Juice and Grape Juice

Kleenex

Knowing He is watching over my sick little ones at night while I sleep

A walk to the mail box soaking in each breath of the spring air

Sleeping through the night

An unplanned spring break from school

Knowing we will all eventually be well again

A Little Tooth

Check out what happened at our house this morning...

Liam lost his first tooth, and he was so excited!  I guess he was trying to get some LEGO piece apart, and that helped speed up the process a bit! 

It feels kind of crazy seeing my first born, lose his first tooth.  I remember how exciting it was to see that first tooth come in, get the cold teethers out of the fridge, keep the Motrin handy at all times.  It feels as if it was just yesterday that this little guy was showing off his new teeth...

And now they are falling out.  One of those events that is exciting and sad for a mama at the same time... But celebrating with him today and enjoying his new smile! 

A Blessing

May the Lord bless you and protect you.

May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.

May the Lord show you His favor,

and give you His peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Blessings, protection, smiles, favor, peace... taking in God's blessings today...

Happy Sunday Friends!

My Boy Liam

Just in case you think I have forgotten about my boy... my first born... my oldest... well, I haven't!  :)  

He is the one who I can chat with during the day.  He is the one who likes to tell me jokes, and stories, and show me his latest building creation.  He is the one who loves snack time, loves to play outside, and loves LEGOS.  He is the one who was beyond thrilled that the calendar turned to March today... because it's the month when he turns six. He is so much fun!   

   

I. Love. This. Boy!