Reminders

It is very easy to say that it has been quite an adjustment having 3 children. It's not necessarily coming back to the baby stage-been there, done that twice. It's not the interaction between Abigail and her brothers-they've been wonderful with her, so kind and gentle and snuggly. The adjustment has been in my day-trying to juggle homeschooling, laundry, cooking, nursing a baby, and everything in between that comes with raising a family. God always has to remind me that His strength is made perfect in my weakness, and that where I am weak, there He is strong. Sometimes these reminders come in different ways. This morning it was through another blog that I read a couple of times a week. This is a mama to 7 children and she shares life as it really is, no fluff. The good with the bad-and I love that. Things are certainly never perfect, but these precious children have been given to us for a time, to teach them about God's love, and for us to learn God's love as well.
This is a quote she had put on her blog this week, so I'm going to share. The title of her post was "God in Motherhood".

"Everybody knows that a good mother gives her children a feeling of trust and stability. She is the one they can count on for the things that matter most of all. She is their food and their bed and their extra blanket when it grows cold in the night; she is their warmth and health and their shelter; she is the one they want to be near when they cry. She is the only person in the whole world, or in a whole lifetime, who can be these things to her children. There is no substitute for her. Somehow even her clothes feel different to her children's hands from anybody else's clothes. Only to touch her skirt or her sleeve makes a troubled child feel better." ~Katherine Hathaway
What a precious reminder as I mother my sweet children. I'm trying to enjoy the little things.

Like the fact that just when I think Abigail couldn't get any sweeter, it overflows.




Like the way she adores her brothers and they adore her.





I am grateful for my life.

Little Sack of Sugar

"a baby is an inestimable blessing."
~ Mark Twain~

Abigail is here!!!!!

Introducing Abigail Grace Lilly!!! Born Monday, January 17th @ 8:06am weighing in at 7 lbs. 15 oz. and 21 1/2 inches long. We are so glad she is here!!!!!


Sweet cheeks


Getting ready to go home in the same outfit I went home in almost 30 yrs. ago.


My cup runneth over.

I'm sure there are many, many more pictures to come!!!!!

Snow Fun

Back in December, we celebrated Nathan's 7th birthday. Even though it sounds cliche, I can't believe he's growing up so fast. He is turning into a young man before my eyes. As I reflect over the past year, I see how much he's grown up physically and mentally as well as emotionally. He is such a joy and a help to me,especially during these last couple of weeks of this pregnancy. He's halfway through first grade, lost a ton of teeth, and about to become a big brother again! But I know my Nathan, and he's definitely up to the challenge. This year for his birthday he chose to have a sleepover with a bunch of his friends. I thought it was a great idea! Am I nuts to have a bunch of little boys running around the house and acting crazy? No way. They had so much fun that night just doing what they do. They played football, roasted marshmallows, and carefully laid out battle plans to get Daddy--running back and forth to Nathan and Samuel's room, ahem, I mean the "ammo room" to get more gear. There wasn't much need to entertain them, they did everything themselves! I just sat back and watched- and refilled drinks as needed. Daddy did a great job playing with them, and the next morning we tag-teamed and made a load of pancakes and bacon. We had some very happy boys! Here are some pics of our weekend!
The birthday boy


A beautiful fire


A quick game of night football


Mommy and Abigail enjoying watching the boys run around


Enjoying pizza...


and cupcakes!


Playing the clothespin game


Someone getting a little sleepy late into the party.


Coming up with battle plans.



The aftermath


Boys becoming men before my eyes.

Wrapping it up with sleepy boys watching Toy Story 3.

Beauty