Sweetness after the storm

Maybe it is the sunshine or the fact that it's not -50 outside anymore, but the kids have been so sweet to each other this afternoon. All this is a huge change from what the week has been like. Typically, the Ella and Carter play together very well (which is such a wonderful blessing this winter). However, all the conditions were set for the perfect storm this week: over tiredness, mom & dad both busy with work, being cooped up inside, and general boredom. Last night, I was meeting with the girls from Bible study and Scott could see in my eyes that I had just had it with Ella and Carter. His comment over the whining tones at the dinner table was, "you are coming back, right??????" If it weren't so stinking cold, I would have met him in the driveway as he came home from work.

So what changed everything?? Who knows? naps? the threats of spankings? mom looking possessed as I told them to go to separate rooms? Or just the general fact of TGIF?? By Thursday I was dreading the weekend...now it is looking more promising. :)


As for the happiest baby in the world, Christian just doesn't get phased by much. Which is probably a healthy third child coping mechanism. He is so hilarious these days. He finds the kids, Gus, and Scott and I wildly amusing. He will just sit back and have this huge belly laugh as he is watching the crazy happenings of our so-called-life. He is great. I want to lock myself in a room with him and just soak him all up. He is at such a perfect stage. Although he is nearing the walking milestone, I'm just not ready. He sleeps well, eats well, plays by himself well...ah, he is truly a little gift. I am sad that he is our last but trying to look on the happy side of things, it is a good way to end. I just pray this continues to be the pattern for him. I need to snap some pictures of the growing weed. Hope this is the start to a happy weekend for all!

Good stuff

This is not my own, I actually cut and paste it from another blog that I was reading. I need this reminder. I think I'll print a copy and put it on the mirror in my bathroom along with the oddles of pictures the kids have placed there. Enjoy!

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place,but have not love,I am a housekeeper, not a homemaker.
If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements,but have not love,my children learn cleanliness, not godliness.
If I scream at my children for every infraction,and fault them for every mess they make,but have not love,my children become people-pleasers, not obedient children.
Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh.
Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.
Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.
Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.
Love accepts the fact that I am the ever-present "mommy",the taxi-driver to every childhood event,the counselor when my children fail or are hurt.
Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, and runs with the child,then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.
Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection.
Now I glory in God's perfection of my children.
All the projections I had for my house and my children have faded away into insignificance,And what remain are the memories of my kids.
Now there abides in my home scratches on most of the furniture,dishes with missing place settings,and bedroom walls full of stickers, posters and markings,
But the greatest of all is the Love
that permeates my relationships with my children.

-Adapeted by Jim Fowler

Celebrations

The spring is busy for us birthday wise. And for my dear friend Kelly, January is her month. So being the ever-so-smart lady she is (along with having an almost three month old & heading back to work next week) she scheduled her first "joint" birthday party for Luke and Brooke. It was one of those wonderful, fun, sweet, and exhausting evenings that I enjoy having. As I watched these two children open gifts in their living room, I couldn't help reflect on how lucky I am. Here I sit with two of my best friends and their kids, all whom I held in my arms shortly after their arrival into the world. Now I am blessed to be able to celebrate with them in these awesome milestones of their lives. Ella and Luke have grown up to be a little more like brother and sister rather than friends. Carter and Brooke are only three months apart and they are both the firecrackers of each family, which always proves interesting when we gather. Ella and Kaylie (daughter to Shannon) are the horse lovers {who even managed to follow Grandpa Larry out to the horse barn to help get them settled in for the night} (despite the frigid weather). Dominic and Carter.....well let's just say they made up quite a team at this gathering. Oh, it was so fun to see all 8 of these kids play. I won't lie to you......it did get a little crazy a time or two but hey, what do you expect of 8 kids between the ages of barely six and almost 3 months??? It was a riot and as they continue to grow the times will only be more interesting! Here are a few pictures:

The birthday boy Luke aka a PowerRanger

The birthday girl

Ella helping to oversee (and photograph) the gift openingCarter getting down to the important business of eating

(one must take off the party hat, you know)

{Playing dress up in the playroom. What a handsome cowboy}This picture is precious, Christian was just enthralled with Brooke, who

happens to be wearing Ella's 2T jammies! Where has the time gone??

Kaylie & Ella enjoying the festivities

Christian was Mr. Sociable, waving at anyone and everyone

The C-A-K-E

After everyone else had gone, we snuggled the kiddos into their jammies to end the night with a movie while the parents enjoyed a glass of wine and conversation. Carter and Dominic didn't get too far into the movie before they discovered throwing the popcorn was more fun than sitting still to watch TV. ........BOYS!@#!

1,2,3 and 4

I can't believe it...(actually I knew it was coming but I am just in denial) Christian was playing in our room last night and that little turkey took 4 steps from me to Ella. It was so cute and he had no clue we would all erupt in screams and claps. All this hulabalu startled the poor kid! So after his little jaunt from here to there we spent the next 15 minutes trying to get him to do it all over....in hind sight I'm not sure why I would want to encourage this???? Oh, yet another step in our baby growing up! He is also about to pop one of his top front teeth as well. Ho hum! I didn't know I'd be so sentimental with all this stuff. Who knew???

What do other kids do in subzero weather?

We have had VERY cold weather here lately. So cold, that I haven't let the kids go outside in quite a long time. Except for yesterday when the sun was warm and it had "warmed" up. For the last week and a half, the kids have been playing this delightful game of TRAVEL. Now this is a game that Ella has been playing since she was about 18 months. She is the biggest pack rat and LOVES to pack things up into different purses, bags, or backpacks and pretend she is headed off on some adventure. She now has Carter tuned into this fun game and they actually spend hours "packing and traveling". As of late, they have made the living room craft closet into their airplane and packed up to go off to Hawaii! They don their swimming suits and even used one of the blankets for the ocean. They were adorable and completely entertained for a long time. They invited me to come, sit on the beach, and even let me read my magazine while I sat there watching them "swim". Christian had to get in on the fun. He is into copying so after watching them run from the hallway, slide onto the blanket and roll around: Christian did his best to join in. He would rapidly crawl onto the blanket then roll back and forth squealing. It was precious. I wish I would have thought to video it. However, I was too busy enjoying the moment...however insane it was to be sitting there watching my kids run around nearly naked as it snowed and was FREEZING outside. Christian "enjoying" the ocean.
The boys also got haircuts on Tuesday last week. Christian had been pretty shaggy but I just couldn't bring myself to get it cut. But in a lucky chain of unplanned events, we popped into the salon and got the boys all dolled up. They were both great and I think they look pretty (big) and handsome!

Laughing it up while the kids are "diving into the ocean"

Carter: "watch me dive in face first mom, it's w-eally t-old in the ocean!"

Super Dad to the rescue!

There is a super hero who lives at our house. It's not Spider man, a Power Ranger, or even Super Man himself. It is my dear husband! He doesn't have extremely large, bulging muscles, or any super powers. But he sure is a hero to our kids and that is the most important thing! All three kids typically run/crawl screaming to the door each night when he arrives home; full of hugs and kisses and each one talking over the other to tell of all the excitement of the day. Scott takes it all in stride, thrilled to hear of each adventure or heartache. I am so thankful for Scott and his continued commitment and energy he brings to our family. We are both reading parenting books right now him; Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters, and I have just wrapped up Bringing Up Boys. Both books stress the importance of active and strong fathers and I am so glad that he fills that role so well in our family. If you read this babe, I LOVE YOU! Thanks!

Last Sunday he took Ella and Carter out to play in the piles of snow. The kids wanted to dig some tunnels and so.......they did! After being outside for over an hour, I called them in for hot chocolate! They had so much fun! Here are a few pictures from their fun.Before the digging began.

His and her tunnels tunnel

Christian even enjoyed a swing around the yard in his toboggan

Super fun and super crazy

We have been up to our normal fun and crazy business of being a busy family of five around here. Unfortunately, I haven't taken time to blog lately. If the stars align tomorrow and all children allow me semi-productive time at the computer tomorrow (via napping or cooperative play) I will post pictures of our happenings.


By the way....did you know a Super hero lives at our house? I will fill you in more tomorrow! Good night!