so we will always remember right now. . .

My Sweet Boys--

I know that you enjoy looking through and reading my blog books that I have printed each New Year. You like to relive the memories or hear more details about some of the stories. And so I know that at some point, probably not until next January, you will read this. And while I hope that you know this, that you have heard me tell you this over and over again, I also know that at your ages 8, nearly 6, 3 and 19 months, you either don't quite understand yet, or you have so much to do and play, that you aren't eager to just sit and listen to me pour out my heart. So, I will write just a piece of my love for you down, here. So we will always remember right now.

Luke, you are my teacher. You amaze me with all that you learn and retain! This gift of learning comes naturally for you and it's wonderful to watch. And, what you learn, you are thrilled to teach. I love learning from you! But you know what? You don't just teach me marine animals or birds of prey or spy methods or books that you are immersed in, you teach me about life. When you set your mind to do something, you follow through. You dream. You genuinely care about other people's feelings and you don't want them to be hurt. Luke, you are learning how to treat people and you love them well. You accept people for who they are and you are one of the most forgiving people I know. Lukey, at 8 years old, you have so much to teach the world! I want to be more like you when I grow up! :) I love you!

Charlie, you are my encourager. I watch you work so hard at things, whether it's school, sports, etc. and I am encouraged by your determination and your heart. You will quietly and humbly (with that bashful smile) accept our praise and love, but what seems even more important to you, is showing others love. And it melts me--your ability to see when people are hurting (physically or emotionally). You never want to hurt anyone's feelings and will always offer to ride with someone so they won't be alone, or sit by someone for the same reason. You ask me how my day was and offer to help in the kitchen. You tell me that I'm doing a good job or that I look pretty! You will play with a brother who needs some love. Char, you encourage me with your ability to care for others and I love you!

Miles, you are my cheer. Your enthusiasm for life is contagious! Your energy is endless! You have never met a stranger and you have mastered the art of conversation. You are the most outwardly loving of the bunch with the hugs and kisses you give to us all. You tell me everyday, "I love being with my Mommy!" and feel the same way about your Daddy and brothers too. You smile and laugh so much that if ever you aren't smiling or laughing, I know something is wrong. Your love and compassion for others makes my heart soar! Miles, you make me happy every single day. I love you!

Way, you are my peace. When the world is crazy and sometimes I'm just too frazzled, I can snuggle you up in my arms and everything disappears. You are content and so happy. Just a smile or hello from any of us and you beam--which of course makes me beam! The simplest act of rocking you in my arms singing Twinkle, Twinkle or Jesus Loves Me is the most calming part of my day. Just kissing your cheeks and breathing you in slows my heart rate and honestly, just turns me to the Lord every time! Way, you are love, joy and peace rolled into a perfect and precious gift! I love you!

And sweet boys--always remember that the Lord made you this way. You are not self-made. You are God's design and His creation and though it's hard for your Mommy and Daddy to comprehend this, Jesus loves you even more than we do! Nothing you ever do will change that! So be confident in who you are, and Whose you are! You are all treasures to us!

--Love, Mommy

a little St. Louis on St. Patricks!

Last night Luke and Charlie were lamenting the fact that they had to return to school today. One of them said, "I wish we just had to go to school on Saturday and Sunday and could stay home the rest of the days."

I completely understand that feeling and wish we only had 2 days of school a week as well. And that's a typical sentiment around here, especially coming off of Spring Break and lots of lovely family togetherness. None of us want it to end. And for that I am thankful!

Our spontaneous trip to St. Louis had us exploring a new city! We packed our trip full and even after 3 full days in St. Louis, we will still go back for more one of these days. After all, the Cardinals haven't started their season and Grant's Farm isn't open until April either. Those 2 things alone will bring us back! But, we did visit their zoo, and it was great (but if you haven't been to our Memphis zoo, it rocks, and is still our fave, not that we are biased)! We also dined on the Loop and the Hill and played at the Magic House, visited the Arch, enjoyed our hotel pool, room (the boys thought it was the coolest ever) and breakfast!

But, our top favorite experience was the City Museum! Never could I have imagined a place quite like this! Tunnels on the ceiling and under the ground. Tunnels up walls and outside buildings. It was incredible! We spent most of the day there and didn't get to cover half of it! Our children LOVED it and so did Hubby and I---even after we arrived with a blow-out diaper and losing children (don't worry, you WILL lose your children if you visit the City Museum, but you will find them, or they will find you, and they won't know they were even lost, and you will be all smiles)!

We ended our trip by meeting friends (who also have 4 children) from our grad school days at Indiana University for burgers and shakes and had a sweet reunion. On our trip home, we literally waved at our dear friends, the Tenents, as we passed them on the highway headed out for their adventure in St. Louis and then we made a stop at Lamberts--home of the throwed rolls. That's an experience in and of itself!

And so it's back to school for the older boys and work for Daddy, but our hearts are content! It's good to connect and spend 24 hours a day for an extended period of time. We needed it! We soaked it up! And we are thankful for Spring Break 2014: St. Louis!

And now, a Happy St. Patrick's Day to ya!

Dear (future) Daughters in Law. . .

Dear (future) Daughters in Law,

If you ever have children, (and I pray you do, because oh my, what a blessing they are) I'm certain that at some point you'll wonder if you will ever get out and about with them--especially if you have multiple children. Well, I can tell you, that as scared as you may be, you will get out and it will be just fine! I'm not promising you that everyone will be all smiles and perfectly mannered, or that your stroller will fold up perfectly and fit perfectly in your car, or that you won't forget your wallet in your car after you have already filled your grocery cart with food surrounding your littles, or that you won't have to leave a store because of bad attitudes, or that you won't continue on your trek through the store with bad attitudes ensuing, or that you won't have diaper explosions, etc. BUT, I am here to give you hope that before you take that trip with your newest little, when you are worried about how everything works when you venture out of the house, it can be done! Hooray!

#1 way to ensure a successful first outing =  Call in the Reinforcements

I remember my first outing with baby Luke. I took him to Babies R Us--a huge accomplishment! I was terrified! So, what did I do? I called a friend. I had my friend, Jennifer, meet me with her newest little one (her second) in the parking lot. I had no idea how to use my stroller, and my friend was there to help!

(can't find a digital copy of the stroller/parking lot pic, but you can bet I took one--it's in Luke's first year scrapbook! Here's one of the little friends a month later!)

#2 way to ensure a successful outing = Pack prepared

Your newest one is likely to be asleep or perhaps the easiest one with you. OR, perhaps your newest one is the fussiest and most unpredictable. Trust me on this, if you have a stocked diaper bag or purse, you can make it through most scenarios! It seemed when I ventured out with all in tow, no matter what stage, 1 + a new baby, or 2 + a new baby and even 3+ a new baby, I tried to leave the house prepared. Always bring snacks for the bigger littles! This was tougher for me to learn (because I was so rigid in the beginning=no one should eat unless it was a meal time, only healthy snacks, etc.). However, it's amazing how a little baggy of pretzels or pack of peanut butter and crackers can save the day. You never know when you will have a car problem, or that line in the store took forever, or you run into a friend, who convinces you to stop at the park for "just a bit" (which never ends up being "just a bit" if you are like me) or you just can't make it from carpool line to home in enough time (4 minutes) because someone is going to DIE if they don't eat NOW (my current situation--ask me which one of your husbands this was one day! Oh, who am I kidding? I'll forget before you are a reality---it is Chuckles! Whichever of you marry him, make sure to keep him well-fed)!

#3 way to ensure a successful outing = don't panic if it's not a successful outing

You can call for reinforcements and plan away, but honestly, sometimes it's not a guarantee for perfection. At that point, pray for wisdom and patience and do your best not to melt! Then, once you get home, you can consider it a successful outing--if everyone made it home alive! :)

And what inspired this letter to you? Well, I just managed to take all 4 of my children to the zoo for the first time! We've been to church, the grocery, Target, friends, etc., but this was a feat! New-ish stroller and all by myself (adult-wise) we threw caution to lunch and naptime, flew by the seat of our pants and had an AWESOME time! 

I stopped a random stranger to document our fun! Baby Way's first trip to the zoo as well! Love the zoo SO much, but I love my boys even more! And, (future) daughters in law, I'm praying for you already!

this and that

Ohhh boy! Or boys! It's hard to even know where to begin this post, but I have to, or want to, because blogging refreshes me, it's an outlet, it's a memory keeper and because my hubby pesters encourages me to do so (wink,wink, Honey)! I think I may just bullet point this though. . .

1. A friend of mine a couple of years ago tried to get me to watch those healthy food movies that were popping up everywhere, like Food, Inc and Super Size Me. I just couldn't do it because I didn't want to have to change our eating style. Thought it would be too hard. Thought it would be too expensive. Thought I wouldn't have time. Well, with attitude issues and health issues around here, and OH that my little Chuckles told me my tummy was getting bigger (and no I'm not preggo again), I'm a WHOLE lot closer to making some big changes around here! You should see my pantry. Lots of boxed foods. Lots of everything. We're not horrible eaters, we lots of fruit and some veggies, but I need to wake up to some healthy eating that can be had out there and join 2013. For my family! Another friend shared a link to Chris Beat Cancer and he's a motivator! Anyone wanna join me on a new quest? Or at least ask me how I'm doing on it in the next month or so? We'll see if it's just a bandwagon/new year thing. . .I still think it will be hard. And expensive. And I won't have time. . .

2. I'm feeling really overwhelmed by 4 kiddos right now. Love them beyond belief. Don't love their lack of discipline. Just trying to manage our family, get food on the table, clothes washed/dried/folded, littles bathed, lunches made, homework sorted/signed/encouraged, praying with them, devotionals---the basics is tough! Add to that, reading to them, playing with them, being intentional, doing therapy homework, doing therapy, practices, games, all the things I'm leaving out, well that's even tougher! But we've been encouraged lately and one form of encouragement (among many yesterday) came from our new minister over our CC (Sunday School class). He reminded us yesterday that in Psalm 138:8 it says, "The Lord will accomplish all that concerns me." Whatever I am concerned about, the Lord is already there. Whatever energy I need, He will give it to me. Our children's hearts are of big concern to us. So we are on our knees and pray for them daily. We pray for us as parents, that our kiddos will be protected from our mistakes as parents and we pray for wisdom to know how to lead them. Praying is our biggest tool we have! I'm more encouraged than ever from our messages at church yesterday! So thankful!

3. So badly want to update everyone on baby Way, as he's quite the popular topic of conversation these days! BUT, since he's piping up from nap right now, I'll save it for later! Promise!

sunflowers part 1

Okay, before I dive into Way's birth story, let me back up a few days prior to his birth. Every single year since Luke has been born, we've taken pictures in our local sunflower patch. Every year they are beautiful and I just can't resist getting my littles growing up with the sunflowers! Well, this annual event takes place end of July/beginning of August. Because little Way's due date was August 3rd, I was thinking we'd try and grab pictures before he was born, since probably, we wouldn't make it after he was born.

So, the Saturday prior to Way's arrival, we headed out. Our old neighbor told me she heard the sunflowers were up and blooming, so we were ready with the camera and took off. However, upon arrival, we saw that in fact, the sunflowers were not blooming yet. Chad asked me if this annual event was about the pictures or the sunflowers. I said both!! But, I couldn't have both, so I settled for pictures anyway, and we headed off in a different direction, where I snapped some of these. . .

My 3 littles--3 days before Way was born!!

And, while I don't just love posing for pics (especially being preggo), we had to have at least 1 pic with little Way in my tummy! 

Again, I'll be back with more from Way's arrival, but we did manage to venture out to the sunflowers last night--so I have all 4 boys in the sunflowers this year after all! Hooray!!

precious little Miles (almost not the youngest anymore)

I cannot believe that our little Miles is about to not be our baby anymore. Well, before I start crying over that statement, let me clarify. Miles, you will always be our little baby (just not our youngest)!! Luke and Charlie were both 2.5 years old when the newest little brother was born. Miles, though, will only be 22 months--not even 2!! He's at that most precious stage right now too. He melts me. He's so sweet. He's so polite, saying "tank you" anytime that anyone gives him something or helps him with something. He's smiley, he's cuddly, he adores his big brothers, he's quite content hanging on his own, when his sweet big brothers demand my attention. Miles is just in a dream stage and truly he's a dream baby! I'm quite confident that he will eventually reach a stage where I'll throw my hands up and think, "What do I do with you?", but for now I'm soaking it up.

However, in 2 weeks, we'll have another little baby (which we are excited about welcoming into our family), and sappy, emotional, steroid-taking me, is well, sappy and emotional over our little Miles. He's not going to know what hits him, or what hits his Mommy! It occurred to me last week, that I've never made his 0-1 year scrapbook. I seriously got teary over this. I made Luke and Charlie's 0-1 year scrapbook during that year of their life. Sweet Miles is almost 2, and I won't remember the little things, by the time I make his (if I ever do)! These aren't just plop some photos in a book and call it a scrapbook. This is me using scrapbook papers, stickers, calendars, photos, journaling, the whole sha-bang! It takes lots of my time and energy and I love doing it, but I'm not thinking it's going to happen anytime soon. So, I've been fretting. Why in the world do we let these things get to us?? I know I'm not the only one who has things like this. Maybe I'm the only one worrying over a scrapbook, but we all have these things. I'd like to be done!! I think I'm just going to pray that Miles' future wife will forgive me down the road, because really, he's probably not going to care later in life, right?? Or, maybe I'll just pray that eventually get around to making it!!

At any rate, there are so many things I want us to remember about Miles at almost 22 months. . .

--Miles, you love to be outside!!! You bring us your shoes and say "Shoes!" ---which means, "I'm ready to go outside now!" You could play outside ALL day if we let you. You aren't bothered at all by the sweat running down your face and hair! It's adorable how you go straight to "Mahtay" (Mater) and climb on and zoom yourself around. You love finding any and every toy and just entertaining yourself! You even crawl up into your stroller and sit there waiting for someone to come push you. Priceless and adorable!

---You love us to read you books! You are quite content just emptying your book baskets after perusing all of your books, and often come running to us saying, " Book! Book!" and climbing into our laps or pulling us toward the couch or chair to sit and read to you! You always want to bring books in the car to look at as well! We love that you enjoy being read to and that looking at books and learning all kinds of words is one of your very favorite things!

---Miles, you have quite a vocabulary, but some of our favorites that we all laugh at and think are so cute are the way you say, Cheerio (churros, almost like chew-ro), thank you (tank you); you are now saying milk and Mocha instead of gilk and gocha! Your pizza (tata) is nothing like the way the word sounds, but your passion and excitement for pizza is endearing to me because of how very much I love pizza too! We all get so excited at the end of our family devotions when you throw your hands up and say, "Yay God!" (sounding something like yay gone) and the way you fold your hands and bow your head when we pray is so heartwarming! I could go on and on with all of your words, but I'd never stop! We love how much your learning--you are a little sponge!

---Almost as much as you love to go outside, you love to take baths!! I truly believe there is nothing cuter than our wet babies! Ohhhh how I love to eat you up!!! I've mentioned that you are a really happy and content little buddy, but I must say that when bath time is over, you melt like a popsicle on our driveway! That is quite a loud scream/cry-fest to hear!!

---And while there is SOOO much more, I just want wrap up with my favorite thing about your bedtime. Of course, you love to be read to! But after reading and saying prayers, I always ask you if you want to sing. . .and I draw out the word sing and wait. . .and you get so excited for me to name a song! You give me your big silly smile and once I finally say Jesus Loves Me or Twinkle Twinkle or whatever the song is, you say "YES!" and then snuggle up to me and put your head on my shoulder for some last little snuggles before bed. Oh, my sweet Miles! How much we allll love you!! Thank you for being who you are---so perfect to us! And thank you, Lord, for giving us this little treasure!

an announcement of sorts. . .

My hubby asked me a couple of days ago, what date it was. I told him the 16th. He informed me that at the time, it had been 11 days since I last blogged! Ahhh, yes, my blog! I do sooo enjoy blogging! I love sharing our adventures, my thoughts, memory keeping, etc. I have no plans to desert this spot! And I do appreciate how Chad loves to follow along (even though he experiences most of it daily) and gives me a little nudge here and there!
So, let me recap what in the world has kept us so busy! In no particular order. . .

#1 Little Lukey had eye surgery last week. It pretty much consumed me the few days before and the several after. The surgery, at this point, seems successful according to his dr. Praise the Lord! However, it was much harder on Luke and us, as parents, than any of us thought it would be! The anesthesia was a bear, the pain after coming out of it was rough, and now the keeping him from running and jumping for another week may do me in! It's hard to keep a 6 year old down, ya know? He's recovering quite well now, but his eyes are quite red and bloody looking. He thinks it's cool because he "looks fierce!" I'm really thankful for his perspective!!

#2 For the first time in a month and a half, we are sick. Poor little Miles is the worst. A raging ear infection and some viral something or other has him down. He can't breathe and his precious lips are dry and cracked. He has so much drainage that he is choking and throwing up. He is exhausted and just miserable. When I took this picture,

we were looking out our kitchen window at the wind chimes, which were ringing steadily, due to the wind advisories we've had over the past several days. I noticed that when it is cold and cloudy and rainy outside, the wind chimes sound melancholy to me. Yet, when it is sunny and the wind chimes are tinkling, I think they sound cheerful and they appear to look like they are happily dancing in the breeze. Ahhhh, isn't that a perspective on life? The first day Miles was sick, I remember telling Chad, "Wow. I know he's sick, but praise the Lord that no one has been sick for a month and a half!" The very next day, I was bummed out because Miles was so miserable. I wasn't feeling thankful at all. I'm re-reading, my very favorite book, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, with a couple of friends. In it, she ponders how often we are thankful for only the good the Lord gives us (how easy it is), and not thankful for the bad (what a sacrifice that can be). I'm thankful to be reminded of this, because in the trenches of life (and ours isn't too deep) sometimes I forget!

#3 I think I mentioned in my last post (13 days ago), that we have decided to move. We want to be closer to church and schools. It's been in our thoughts for a while, but what put a fire under us, is actually what's in us (or who's in me, rather). . .

#4 and yes, I saved #4 to announce that our #4 is on his or her way!!! Shocker of all shockers, but we are beyond excited! He or she is obviously in the Lord's plan for our family, and why would we want anything different? So we think life is a little crazy and a LOT blessed now, but imagine what life will be like at the beginning of August?? A whole lot crazier and blessed more than we can dream!!

savoring

I've had a lot of people ask me recently if I am ready for our new baby to be here. Lately, it's been hard to answer. Sometimes I find myself giving a big  "yes" which is what people want or expect to hear. Absolutely, I am ready to meet our new little bundle! And, for a couple of different reasons, I want our baby to be born early (as many of you know I want the "movie scene" experience, rather than being induced). But, there is something different about this baby, or pregnancy or upcoming birth than the others. I think it has to do with savoring.

Right now, I am savoring these moments (and just like that, my eyes start to water up---gotta love the horomones). I will admit that I love being pregnant. Some people are like that, some are not. I truly do love it--even when I hurt, though I probably haven't hurt as much as most women out there. I 100% love every movement, which is A LOT, that each of my babies make. There is nothing like it. I have even found myself sad on occasion when I have the real live sweet baby in my arms, because I no longer feel the kicks and stretches in my tummy. It's selfish. I know that I am the only one who has ever felt this baby and my others kick from the inside--and it's a way I bond with my babies. This may be our last pregnancy, we don't know--only the Lord does. So, I am savoring it.

I am also savoring time with my ALL of my boys. When I was pregnant with Luke, I don't think I did as much savoring. I was so anxious for him to be here--because he was our first to be born, and because we had a prior miscarriage. Chad and I thought we were savoring time with each other, but because we had no idea what to really appreciate, I am not really convinced we did savor each other. So, we have focused on that, on our marriage and each other this time around--savoring each other, because it's going to be a whirlwind soon.

I am also savoring time with Luke. He's growing up, almost 5! The other night we was giving lots of kisses to his favorite lovie Bun-Bun and telling him how much he loved him. I asked Luke if he loved me (pretty pathetic sounding, right?) and he said, "Yes, Mommy! I love you even more than Bun-Bun!" Melt my heart. That's a big ol' deal. Of course I know he loves me--he tells me lots, but for him to express it like that was precious. I want to savor this. He also loves Mommy/Lukey time, when his brother is at Parents Day Out for a few hours longer than Luke is at school. Luke and I get to do things one on one and I am cherishing that time, because our routine will be changing soon.

For another 5 weeks, I have more one on one time with Charlie than I've had before too. Because Luke is in school 5 half days, Charlie and I have more mornings to play and be together. He has turned into such a "joybucket" as we have started affectionately calling him. It is amazing to watch him thrive on the attention he gets when he's by himself. We have had so much fun reading books, playing games, running errands, blowing bubbles, etc. and I love to see him beam! I am savoring this time with Charlie too, because things will be different when October rolls around.

I am very excited about what's and who's to come, we all are! Our new addition has already been a blessing in our lives and we can't wait to see that multiplied in so many ways. But for now, I am content. I am savoring!

multiplying love (on having more than 1 child)

I've been thinking a lot about what's in store for our family when we welcome #3 in September! We've heard a lot of comments about us having to move from a man-to-man defense to a zone defense! I do get a little nervous when thinking about taking 3 young ones out and about and not having enough hands to hold all of them. I think about how our kitchen table is perfect for 4 people--2 on each side and how that will eventually change. I think about car seats and space in the car (thank goodness ours has a third row---but someone will still be in the back). I think about our future trips to amusement parks and how we will have an odd number of people (assuming this is our last, right honey?) and so much more!

One thing I haven't been worrying about this time around is will we have enough love to give this new little baby? Some of you might think I'm crazy, but I certainly wondered that very thing when we were expecting little Charlie. I actually did think about whether or not I would be able to share the love we had/have for Luke with another one. Well, I'm here to say--absolutely!!! We have so many friends who are pregnant right now. Some with their third child, but a lot with their second. If you have felt, or are feeling like you could not love another in the same way--you will! The Lord miraculously multiplies our love, rather than dividing it! We don't split our love between Luke and Charlie and I'm not worried about having the divide our love into thirds for this new baby. In fact, I couldn't be happier to multiply our love! We are so incredibly blessed and will soon be even more so! The Lord has been pouring his love on us and that's what we all do with our children!

I came across this post today. It was incredibly encouraging to me (about to have 3), but can definitely be applied to those of you about to have 2! I had lots of anxieties about welcoming #2 into our family, but the advice given here is good!