Thursday, January 26, 2012

Monday, January 23, 2012

So while in the shower this morning i did the math in my head (yay my brain does still work!) and counted, and there have been 76 months since we conceived Joey way back in September of 2005.  66 out those 76 months i have been either pregnant or breastfeeding.  Wowzer.  And to think it's all going to come to an end in less than a month.  Sad? Elated?  Definitely both!


Joey





Ian





 Oliver








The end of an era.  

Friday, January 20, 2012

My last baby has turned one.

Please time, just stop now.  This part is perfect.



photo has been edited to preserve future dignity;O



Thank you...

That I get to stay at home with my boys, just being with them, watching them grow and learn about the world around them. I love my special snack times with Joey when the younger two are asleep and I have the privelidge of hearing all the secrets of life at preschool. I love when Joey's at school and I get some rare one on one time for a monster truck race with Ian while O takes a morning catnap. I love seeing them imagine and fight and rescue and conquer playing out the good and evil in all their toys and action figures.







Thank you for my husband. Though quite imperfect like myself, he has a heart for God that is hard to find these days. We keep no secrets, though it hasn't always been this way. We started out as two pretty selfish people, both of us really not having a clue as to what a loving marriage was. But the amazing thing is that when you have Christ at the center of your marriage, there is nothing that cannot be overcome. For when we ask God to search our hearts and confess any wrong-doing, he is faithful to forgive and remove from us anything in us that is not of Him.  As long as we continue to do that, our hearts will remain soft toward each other, to God, and to others. This is not an overnight fix but an ongoing process.  I am so excited that I get to experience this life-long journey with Joe. If he was ever not with me anymore I believe my heart would just stop beating.



























Thank you for Ian's encopresis.  I know it sounds weird to say that but i am finally at a place where i can appreciate life's inconveniences and struggles.  One because i know that i've prayed for him in faith, that God is working and healing him even though i can't see it at the moment.  And two because i know it is producing in me character, perseverance and a greater compassion for others going through similar things.  And three, Romans 8:28 says "And we know that in ALL THINGS God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  SOMEHOW, this is for ian's benefit, and i just have to trust and wait in faith, and never stop rejoicing.




Thank you for family, for friends, for women who have gone before me, who really know where i'm at now and offer encouragement, insight, and most importantly, prayers.


Thank you God for my life, i have it so good.  Don't ever let me forget it.


Thursday, January 19, 2012

Promises

 But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength.  They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.  -Isaiah 40:31


This verse has been taped to my computer for the past few weeks.  God must've known that i was going to need to be reminded of this every day.  Thank you God that i don't have to hide my weaknesses, but can rejoice in them knowing that you are my strength, and you will uphold me because you make that promise again and again in your Word.  You are my peace, my joy, and my hope, and you are at work within me always.  What a friend we have in Jesus.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Just for the record...

This is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. Raising three boys. Although I can hardly say that because many times i feel as though they are raising me. How I long to be that calm patient mother who always responds with love. How many times times a day Lord will I continue to fail at that? When will I find joy in this everyday life of mine instead of having the supressed urge to scream all the time. When will I find it easy to breathe deeply? Why do I feel like I am so bad at this? I know one thing at least, my kids will know how to apologize for sure, because it seems like i am always needing to apologize to them. It's not you it's me type of thing. They're just being what they are after all. Children. Acting like children. Sometimes i can let things roll off my back but other times it just gets under my skin til I'm boiling. All it usually takes is a drive in the car by myself but sometimes that time never comes and i'm a frazzled mess by the end of the day. I'll be fine. I just feel so abnormal, some days I just wish God would let me drink so I could be like every other mom out there chilling out with their glass of wine, all of a sudden not caring at all that their kids drove them nuts that day. But I know what a lie that is for me so i don't wander too far down that trail. I feel like I'm waiting for some sort of breakthrough,and I pray it will come soon.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Have you met Mr. Cheesy yet?

He takes such good care of him

Oink Oink

Pretty sure i shouldn't be feeding an 11 month old bacon but his brothers just can't say no when he gives them his sad face.  Bleeding hearts i tell ya.

More than meets the eye.


Obsessions- Monster trucks, trains, anything cars 2 related, and the latest... Transformers.  Although it was hard to tell who was more enthralled, the boys or the daddy.  Would've thought he was watching a Seahawks game or something, all eyes were glued, except for the littlest, who just thought they were funny.  But he thinks everything is funny.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

"You're taking away Christmas??!  Now that's a pretty RUDE thing to do!"   -our ever opinionated Joey as we un-decorated the tree.

Happy Holidays.... a little late :-)

Best Christmas yet, thanks to our newest addition, and the boys' enthusiasm for the season that grows each year.  Here are the pics...