Complete Sweetness.

Lately I've been having trouble comprehending this amazing gift...Claire has started smiling and I can't help but think of the quote, "It is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God love us" Charles Dickens.  There is something about this baby, something so wonderful...she is just beautiful and precious.  Sometimes I just put my face against her sweet hair, breathe her in, and feel an incredible sense of love and awe.  We are so thankful for her. Thank you, Lord, for this baby.

Eleven Years Old!

Our beautiful Katie turned 11 on Tuesday!  It's so hard to believe that she is 11...seems impossible!  We celebrated Katie's birthday by going to El Pueblito to have dinner!  We had a lot of fun, and she loved the birthday sopapillas and everyone had fun trying on the giant sombrero!  Happy Birthday Sweet Pea!  We love you so much!

Two Months Old!

Our little Claire turned 2 months old on Monday!  We visited the doctor, and she weighs 13 pounds and 14 ounces and is 23 inches long!  She's doing great, still a little night owl, but we couldn't love her more!  She is precious and amazing!  Katie had a program at school Monday evening, so we snapped some family pictures on our way out the door.  Katie did a great job, and Asher and Claire were both so good during the program. 

They're holding up two fingers because little Claire is 2 months old!

Our family of five...we are so incredibly blessed!

Three years old!

Our sweet Asher is 3 today!  So hard to believe that the time has gone by so fast.  He is so big, 41 inches tall and weighs 45 pounds!  He uses complete full sentences all of the time, but sometimes his words are still hard to understand.  He doesn't use his binky anymore, but we're still working on potty training.  He really doesn't have too much interest in it, but everyone says it just "clicks" with boys and you just have to be patient.  He's such a ham, always being silly to make us smile.  We love you so much sweet Asher boy!  Happy Birthday!

Make A Wish!

Asher and Evan!

Good Morning, Sunshine!

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, coffee is brewed and yummy...and Miss Claire woke up HAPPY this morning!  She woke up cooing and gurgling and talking...such sweet sounds.  Yesterday in church she gave Miss Helen a real smile, and has been giving us some little hints of smiles all weekend.  She's been sleeping a little better, but still waking up at least twice during the night to nurse.  I treasure that quiet time with her, though, so the giant bags under my eyes are ok with me.  I will have the rest of my life to try out different eye creams, but I won't be able to go back to these newborn times with her again.  I have to remind myself of how blessed I am.

See?  I seriously need some under eye cream (and an eyebrow wax, haircut, dentist appointment, and to put on some make-up for heaven's sake)...but look at this sweet baby!

We had a good weekend.  Kris took our pastor's son turkey hunting on Saturday morning, and they harvested 2 jakes-it was his first time hunting and they had a really good time.  Our church had a youth revival this weekend, so Kris took Katie to that each evening.  Kris felt like Pastor Chap ministered to the adults just as much as the youth.  I was able to take Asher and Claire out for a few walks in the double stroller that we borrowed.  It was so good to get outside!  Yesterday we worked in the back yard for a little while after church.  Katie learned how to mow, and let me tell you...our yard might not be the straightest cut with her doing it, but she was really eager to learn!

Safety First!  Eye and ear protection-check!

I have been reading about the fruits of the spirit in Galatians...just trying to really concentrate on letting the Holy Spirit take over my life and heart.  I know I need to work on all of the virtues, but the ones that I really struggle with are patience, gentleness and self control.  Kris and I have been really having trouble in disciplining Katie...I need to remember the root word of discipline, disciple...which means to teach.  We're just having trouble being gentle and having self-control (not going crazy when she's really being defiant).  I know it's the "tween" years that are starting to creep in, and I know that we just need to be patient with her and keep on loving her.  Parenting is hard work, but I know it's worth it. 

See?  Totally worth it!

five piles of laundry...

There are five piles of folded laundry on my dining room table...and I am so thankful.  I just feel incredibly blessed this morning.  It's amazing to me what God can do.  Just 3 years ago we were waiting on Baby Asher to be born at this time of year.  I never imagined in my wildest dreams that we would have another baby after him...it's amazing...Claire is amazing...Katie is amazing...Asher is amazing.  Even though there are difficult moments, and sometimes when I feel like I can't take another minute, and nights when I barely sleep, I still feel so lucky.  I never dreamed that I would be able to be a stay at home mom, to just be privileged to take care of my family full time.  I was thinking of that a couple of nights ago.  I remember trying to think of excuses to reschedule appointments and take a little extra time off to spend at home when I was working.  I just wanted to be home, to hold Katie and Asher, to catch up on dishes, to do something crafty, to fold laundry...and now I have five piles!

happenings...

My kids!

Jeepin' with Zack!

Napping in the sun!