Thursday, February 28, 2013

Beware...may be too much info...but I blog the truth

I have noticed lately that everytime I walk into a new room...there is probably a child in it.

I have noticed that when things seem very calm and running smoothly it usually means something is about to rock the boat....

Like when we get out of the door 10 minutes early with four happy kids....that is when Piper makes a run for it which equals a 15 minute dog chase which equals really leaving five minutes late

But on the flip side...when things are not going smooth, I find if I just laugh it off or invision myself on camera on a reality show...it makes me have lots of patience and just enjoy the ride....

Like today...as I was walking into Bible Study...all was good...I was stolling a happy baby with my right hand and holding the hand of my skipping singing toddler on my left...thinking what a super day...
until he tripped which brought me down with him....and I busted my knee and rolled a bit...luckily he landed on top of me unscared and when I popped back up to catch the stroller that was slowly starting to make its way on it own...I saw a sweet smiling 11 week old never skipping a beat....

so here is another visual for you...

I took Samantha to soccer practice and upon arrival I realized by the lip smacking there was no way McRae was going to last on the way home unless he was fed. So I crawled into the backseat with Bo and his DSI to my right and Baylen watching a movie to my left...and a very happy baby with his eyes rolled back into his head enjoying every drop....all was good...I even had perfect view of Samantha practicing....unil

I got to go potty

No No No

there was no way I was taking this bottle out McRaes mouth
there was not way I was taking three boys across a parking lot in the cold

I thought for a moment
Then I spotted the fresh cup of coffee I had gotten to enjoy on the way....to help me make it throug this last bit....and I decided to sacrifice
I unrolled the window and dumped it out
And you can guess the rest
And the best part is with a little help from my chin acting as a holding device...McRae never skipped a beat
and all was happy once again....
And who said being a mom was boring....it is super fun to see how you can solve the many puzzles of the day....
My goal at the end of the day is that my kids felt loved....not that I am perfect in every moment and never lose my cool...but that they see that no matter how busy it gets...that they are loved....very very much




 all impossibilities have a weak spot. Tear it down one good decision at a time.
And soon it will be clear, inside every impossible is the word possible- if only we dare to see it.


Isaiah 40:31
 "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."




Wednesday, February 27, 2013


"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25 

I love a newborns feet
I love a nine year olds girls excitment in reading
I love getting down on eye to eye level with a six year old boy and really listening to what he is telling me
I love hanging with a two year old boy all day...and watching him play and discover and wonder what he is thinking

I can't imagine not being with them all day....as tired and fast paced as it gets...
I will admit I am not a "newborn" kind of person...but once they get 10 weeks watch out world
I crave them
Every single second of them...




Tuesday, February 26, 2013



With a very busy day ahead of me, a dark cloud of stress was hanging overhead. I had written my "to-do" list, and asked the Holy Spirit to help me hear His timeline for when I should get everything done.
Getting ready to tackle number one on my list, I felt an impression on my heart, "Start with worshipping Me." At first I thought, I don't really have time for that. But peace came as I acknowledged I didn't have time not to worship Him.
Setting my list aside, I turned on worship music in my living room. As I listened to scriptures woven throughout the lyrics, I saw again how His Word was exactly what I needed to start my day.

Colossians 3:16
 "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." 

Monday, February 25, 2013

Monday Memories in Motion

First of all I have to say some sweet things that have happened...
today when McRae was asleep in his bed Baylen sat on a stool looking in at him
and asked me to leave because he needed to sing to him
So I listened at the door as he sang
You are my sunshine
And yes
I cried...
And tonight Kevin and I were kidding around
and he was trying to put my hand on my face 
and I was trying to not let hime
and I was yelling while laughing
stop stop stop
A little while later when I was in the back room putting Pjs on Mcrae
bo came back in tears
I could not even understand what he was saying
he said he was afraid daddy and I were going to "break up"
and then he would just live with me 
and that he would be sad
because Daddy knows how to get to all the new levels on Star Wars Wii
WOw
all I can say is wow
He said he needed to plan a date for us so we would not break up
But that he did not want to go anywhere when we had our date
that the kids would go on the date too
I love my Bo
And I can not say enough
how much I love
a baby asleep on my chest
that is probably one of the thing I miss the most
when they are just cuddled there in a little ball
and conform to you
Little tiny feet
sweet smell of their head
and short little breaths
an occasional laugh in their sleep
which I have not heard yet for real
I did have my first convesation with McRae last night 
He was really getting into it
And I love to get Baylen really laughing
And I love that during girl talk at night with Sam she really feels like she can say ANYTHING
and she does
I hope she always feels that way!
Here are some pictures from this week....

 So proud of Bo this year and how much he has grown playing basketball...he ws really into it...

 Can you believe my baby is two months!

 Me and my boy
 and here is another boy to join us
 and wait...another.... :)
 Sweet Sweet sam..words can't express how sweet she was in her pjs singing rain drops on roses...will never forget her facial expressions when singing on stage....and the day before she won the mile fun run....as if that did not make me proud enough...two days in a row of my heart swelling when I see her in action...will never forget seeing her come around that track and counting that she was the first girl....
 Had to take a picture of Bo's attempt to button his own pjs...never thought you could really put two buttons through one button hole...and he was clueless that anything was odd...love it
 baylen...still in his Sunday best....finishing up dinner because he really wanted dessert!
 So goofy but SO cute

 Will be so sad when he outgrows the sleep sacks
 He just fell asleep like this...I put him there to take a quick picture
 All enjoying and afternoon snack....
 Bo amazes me with his lego creations....he sets them up and explains in detail what they are doing...so so creative....Love how the one guy is holding a lego and he said he was serving food....

Feeling thankful for this crew
so very thankful


Monday, February 18, 2013

Monday Memories in Motion

Got to love a fort...all three ate lunch in there on Sat and Sun...


 Monday morning holiday!
 such a busy day....
 brothers,,,,bonded by a passy

 Valentines gifts for teachers....gloves...hot chocolate and kisses
 love special treats on Valentines morning....
 you would not believe how hard samantha worked on each of her valentines
 lunches all hearts or red!
 Sam did this...so funny!!!
 my little baby in his pouch


Friday, February 15, 2013

Friday Freeze Frame

Friday Freeze Frame...is all about wanting to freeze time right now....
McRae snug in a sling...small enough to fit...


Baylen wanting to do Valentines just like his big brother and sister...
even though he really does not have any friends....

Samantha getting super excited about Valentines day
and just simple treasures like
heart shaped pancakes and a little box of goodies...

And cooking when Chef Bo
who is very excited about these cake pops we made

It has been a great week....I do realize more and more things are usually super crazy or super calm...never in between really...and it can change in a matter of a moment....
This week brought us Ash Wednesday, a time to reflect on what it is we want to try and change...and give something up that we really don't want to start back at Easter....that is exactly what I am doing this year...I am picking something along the lines of Fasting, Praying and Giving....with each of them that I hope to form a habit and continue on with...
Good thing each day is a new day
A fresh slate
To start a new
And by the way...
McRae is rocking in his swing right now...and peacful music is playing...and he is the most inocent sweetest thing I have ever seen...when I look back at picutres of the others at this age...I realize that pictures do not do justice...you can smell the baby smell...see the faces they make...or touch their super soft skin....
I love all the phases....but something about a two month old...starting to "come to Life" yet still be so tiny....is heartwarming on so many levels....

"Dear Children, let's not merely say that we love each other...but let us show the truth by our actions"
 1 John 3:18

"He heals the broken hearted and binds them up with his hands" Psalm 147:3

Goal 1: To show the ones around me how much they are loved...everyday...looking into their eyes when they talk..never being too busy to listen....an letting things go that can wait...and being present in each moment....every single second of each of them...good or bad :)
And to know that we all have cracks, the cracks are not the problem,,,its is how we handle the cracks...we are all broken...when we mess up it has nothing to do with our value...its just part of the journey....

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Monday Memories in Motion

Got to love a rainy night
Cozy in the house
with three asleep
and one almost there...
but he is cuddled in a ball on me as I type
As the passy falls out
I put it back in
we both are very content
It is amazing how the days are long
but the years are short
How is it that I forget them this age
It feels like I have never had a newborn
it amazes me
McCrae has grown so much to me this week
He has had a lot of first
He is nine weeks tomorrow!
He started to coo
He found his hand today and stuck it in his mouth
I love his huge smile
He loves to be cuddled
We started proping him up on a pillow to watch the kids play
He loved it!
Here are some highlights from the week....

Baylen and Bo are a hit or miss
Baylen adores Bo
It all depends on if Bo wants him to play or not...
It is usually half an half...when they are getting along it is SO sweet
Baylen will give it right back to him though...

This is how I found Baylen after his nap...he was very proud that he was able to fit two passy's in his mouth!
The many faces of McRae....should I cry or should I not cry?
Or I could just five a goofy grin....as my hair sticks up....
Or be very serious.....
This looked so funny...had to capture it....love Piper knocked out on the couch...Baylen was very proud
Baylen decided to go to the bus stop without pants...but insisted he had boots....
Found batman in the backseat....reading a magazine....
So proud of Samantha...she was King George the third in a wax museum...she was pleased...I was holding my breath...if she is pleased...moma is pleased!
This was so funny! Sam and Bo dressed Piper up..it was the first time they have done this to her...I was wondering how long it would take. After they did they left the room, she did not know what to do. I wish the photo captured what was really going on! She was like a statue...she would not move a muscle!!!! Not even blink...so so so funny...poor piper...she has no idea what they are capable of...I am sure Riley and Walker are looking down laughing!
SOOOOO proud of Bo...he really has been working hard and was SUPER excited about working on his Valentines! He and I went to Menchies....on a date...and then off to get Valentines. He came straight home and finished them all! He was very proud...I am so excited that he is excited...
Mommy never falls asleep on the job...... McCrae looks a little worried....
FYI: Just had to take a little brake because my third child was calling...He wanted to rock one more time...so with blankie and passy we did one more round of Twinkle Twinkle....You are my Sunshine and Itsy Bitsy Spider....

Here is my sweetest little Baby in a bag...love his feet
Samantha got into her Valentines too...she is handmaking each one....

I love......
Having a child in just about every room I walk into...
I was in the den and there was McRae in his bouncy seat....walked into the kitchen to see Samantha working on the laptop....
Moved into the office to see Bo at the craft table....
Only to trek onto the bedroom to find Baylen fighting with a sword against Piper...he loves that dog....

Bo said some funny things this week...he came into the kitchen asking me if he had an "auntie"
I love how Baylen calls ice cream....hice cream
I love how when Samantha is asleep she is loving on lovie like she did when she was three...fingers in mouth and lovie in the nose
I love our girl talks
I love Bo's eyes and his eye lashes
I love how stocky Baylen is....

It is amazing how days can be either really stressful or really good...there never is much inbetween....
Today was a good day....only until we were walking out the door and Bo decided to blow a very loud whistle in McRaes ear which upset me, which let Piper out to escape in the rain....we almost made it out of the house...I guess things were going too smoothly!

I am so glad McCrae is feeling better today, he was having tummy trouble yesterday...I will never forget him looking into my eyes saying help me mommy...it was the first look of many I am sure...it pulled at my heart strings...first time this one has seemed in pain and wanted help....We rocked and rocked until he passed out cheek to cheek in that perfect position....

I am thankful for so many things...I love my kids...my husband and my mom and dad and sisters....could not be more blessed!!!!!

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Monday Memories in Motion

 off to storytime
 Baylen loves to watch my bath






 childern have aged us...and we are kinda starting to look alike
 super bowl football cookies
 Practicing at the track for the barrow boogie....yes samantha picke her attire...she said she still needs to look cute even when running
 Bo on the other hand quickly striped himself of his shirt and shoes...only to be yelled at by his father in a matter of seconds....
 McRae just chilled.... an Baylen had to be taked into putting jeans on since he never likes to get out of church clothes...as he says they are his favorite...


 Bo worked all weekend on books...he made a total of eight. He would put stickers in them and then say what he wanted you to write...I am serious...he did this ALL weekend...very proud!

this is how Baylen rolled into Barrow this morning...boots...pjs....p coat...passy and bike helment...ah yes