Two Weeks

It's been a busy, fun, exhausting first couple weeks. I've had time to blog...but I'd rather snuggle my baby girl...

Or listen to my biggest girl read...

Or eat the wonderful plastic food meals my middle girl makes...

Or play a game with my one and only boy...

But I thought this was too funny to not post. Don't you think she just rocks this mohawk? :)

I think I told you...

...how long she was and how much she weighed.

...she was healthy and we are feeling beyond blessed.

She has the cutest little fingers. (Here she is holding Becca's hand.)

She has an adoring (although somewhat guarded) group of siblings.
(Some are still waiting to see if there's enough love to go around.)

But I think I forgot to mention, she has a TON of hair. For the family readers who remember my husband as a baby, does this remind you of him at all?

You know, minus the bow and all. :)

Guess Who's Here in Time for Dinner?

Breeley made her arrival today just before 2pm. We are so thankful after an eventFULL labor to have her here safe and sound. She is not a little girl at 8 lbs 3 oz and 21" long. Thanks for sharing our joy!

When Oreos are involved, Is It Possible to Lose?

When it comes to Oreos, my kids are dedicated.

To the wonderful white filling, that is.

The race was on.

Someone has his eye on the prize. :)

And we have the a winner.

Does she look like she lost?

I didn't think so either.

Exhilarating

Remember the feeling of flying through the air?

Remember knowing the security that comes from a Father's arms strong enough to catch you?


Remember the freedom?

Remember the hug at the end?

As I was looking that those pictures I thought of how big and strong my heavenly Father is. Watching my child trust her father, makes me more and more aware that I need to trust God as she trusts her Daddy. Changes are (obviously) coming to our house. I can get overwhelmed easily as I get excited about all that is coming. The sleepless nights and endless laundry. The three kids and a baby who need me. As I was looking at these pictures this verse came to mind.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:28-30

One word came to mind.

Exhilarating.

His Strength.

His Endless Love.

His Capability.

It's quite...

Exhilarating to be in...

His ARMS!

Summer is HERE!

It's finally here! Memorial day weekend was HOT. Thank goodness we were at Mom and Dad's with their pool. The kids were in it at least 4 hours each day.

Tyler was so ready to try out his new snorkle gear. Unfortunately we left a rather important piece at home. Never one to miss out, he kept the mask on. Until he realized it was very difficult to breath. :)
(Hope wanted to take a picture too!)

(my mom)

I even braved the swimsuit one last time. :)


Marley had had enough!

Becca has gained a lot of confidence in the pool this spring. Being able to touch the bottom will do that for a girl! :) On her first trip in, she was able to swim across the pool and back. I'm so proud of her!

When the adults wouldn't let the kids in the pool (you know at 7 a.m.) they played in the sand box, watched movies, and the big boys (I have a nephew Ty's age) played with Lego's. Ty and Becca enjoyed getting pictures of Hope and Marley playing together. When my youngest nephew comes over it's a whole 'nother set of fun. Putting three two year olds in a room and watching them try to learn social graces is nothing short of hilarious.

This whole week has been hot and humid. I don't mind the hot...it's the icky sticky sweaty feeling that comes with the humidity. The kids and I headed to the splash pad on Friday to cool off. It was such a fun time. Hope was big enough to get in with Ty and Becca this year. I almost missed the getting in the water. But then again, if I had I would have had to put on my picnic tablecloth bathing suit. :)

Notice Becca's short hair? I came home from an appointment on Thursday and saw some hair in the bathroom. Then I saw her. She had taken her gum out of her mouth and it got in her hair. So, rather than risk having to throw her gum away (the forewarned consequence of playing with gum) she decided to "fix" the problem herself. I'm so sad to have her long hair and pony tails gone. Hopefully a lesson was learned.

What Did You Just Say?

There have been some funny comments flying around our house lately. I cannot for the life of me remember all of them, but here's a few that we're still grinning about. :)

"Wow, she's that old and still picking strawberries!?!" (Tyler upon learning our newly found strawberry picking acquaintance was in her 70s.)

"Daddy's cwyin', and cwying and the baby elephants are twying to get him. In Jesus name, amen." (Hope, praying for Daddy's bad day.)


"What grade am I going to be in?" (Becca on learning swim lessons were in her future.)

"It sure doesn't take much to content Hope!" (Tyler when he shared a tiny piece of his bubble tape with her.)

"I only drownded a little bit." (Becca on being underwater.)

"The lobster isn't going to get me?" (Hope being put back to bed after a bad dream.)

Laughter is the BEST medicine! I hope plenty is filling your life.