Little Man

This is how Ryan dressed himself today, in sweatpants and a dress coat! Maybe he is starting his own fashion trend! :)

Why Mom?

Ryan is now getting to the age where he is starting to notice that things are different between boys and girls. Because of this I have tried to be discreet when he is in the room and I a nursing Claire.

The other day however, I must not have been discreet enough because he started chanting, "I saw your boo boos ", over and over. I grabbed a blanket that was sitting nearby and covered up with it. Ryan says to me,

"Mom why did you cover up?"

I replied, "Because you don't need to see mommy's boo boos."

He looks at me seriously and responds, "Why mom? They are so pretty."

Oh my word! I think I may have ruined my son! I am hoping this is one memory he DOESN'T retain. :)

Maybe I need to invest in a better nursing cover...like one of these. :)

Seriously?

After my last post on my sleep deprivation antics, I am beginning to think that lack of sleep is really an issue with me! :) I have yet another thing to blog.

I have been sick the last few days with a nasty cold that included chills, body aches, runny stuffy nose, etc. I still feel pretty crummy tonight but I have things that need to be accomplished. I have to say being sick as a mommy is one of the hardest things. It's hard to get the extra rest you need. Anyway, I set everything up to make granola bars for tomorrow. We are out and I usually pack them in Bill's lunch. I discovered when I went into the pantry that we are out of oats. Ugh! I certainly didn't feel like running to the store at 9:30 for oats, but since we did run out of tissues (I would just go without tissues except that a few of us have runny noses. We could just use toilet paper but we are running low of that too, and I would rather not run out of that and have to drag 4 kiddos to the store tomorrow while I'm not feeling well), I figured I might as well go.

I managed to get in and out of Wal-mart in record time. I actually remembered everything I needed, which is amazing because I didn't have a list (maybe it helped that I kept repeating the things I needed over and over in my mind until I got to Wal-mart), and half the time I forget something even when I do have a list. However, Wal-mart didn't have the kind of oats I needed, so I had to run to Pick-N-Save. I was in a hurry because I just wanted to get home. I parked the car locked the door like I always do, and headed in to my next destination. I was almost to the door when I heard someone yelling, "Mam, Mam," I turned around and see a man calling to me. He then says, "You left your car door open." I look across the parking lot and sure enough he was right. "Thank you." I called back. (At least I think I said that. I don't now maybe I didn't. I was thinking it. But I was feeling pretty dumb, and I'm not sure if any words really came out or not.) I went back to my car and shut the door.

Ok, so ran in picked up what I needed and headed back to my car. When I got to the car I see that the interior light is still on. How in the world? Yeah, I shut the door when I had gone back to it, but it didn't latch tightly (Our car is tricky that way. If you don't close it tight enough the light doesn't shut off.) because I left the seat belt hanging out. Seriously?

I am beginning to think there may be more posts like this to come...

Can I blame it on sleep deprivatin?

This is what happens when I don't get enough sleep. At least I am hoping I can blame my stupidity on lack of sleep. Let me explain what it is and what happened. :)I bought a rotisserie chicken from the store for Ryan's birthday. I always give the kiddos their favorite supper for their birthday. Since I bought it early in the day I just stuck it in the Refrigerator, planning to heat it back up before supper time. About a half hour before supper I pulled the chicken out of the fridge and read the instructions. It said, "Place chicken on a cookie sheet, in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes." So that's exactly what I did. When the timer went off I pulled the cookie sheet out. To my horror, the chicken was surrounded by a mass of melted PLASTIC!! Yes that's right, I never removed the plastic container that the chicken was in in. I just placed the whole thing on the cookie sheet.

I cried! Really, who forgets to take the plastic off? Actually, I wish I could say that I forgot. I think it's worse that I didn't forget, I just didn't even think about it. Besides, the instructions didn't say to take the chicken out of the plastic container. Although, I am guessing that is just common sense...apparently I no longer have any! :)

With a little hesitation, we ate the chicken anyway. It tasted just fine. No one got sick from it, so I guess it all ended ok. :) It makes for good laugh now!

Oh, by the way, I snapped the picture AFTER we took the chicken out. :)

5 years already

Another year has come and gone. My firstborn son is 5 today. I remember his birth so clearly. He was the baby that didn't want to come. After being 7 days late...and then an induction that took 3 days...Ryan Joseph finally made his appearance into the world. He was my biggest baby weighing 9lbs. 8oz. 22 inches. He gave us a few scares during my pregnancy and in the delivery room. Ryan's heart rate kept dropping and then once he was born he was real sluggish. Praise God it all turned out ok, and after a few minutes (and it felt like an eternity) we heard him cry for the first time. Ryan is such a sweet boy. He has had a laid back personality from day one. He has always done things at his own pace...never in a rush at life. He was a very clam and quiet baby. Ryan is kind and compassionate little man now. He is very affectionate and always giving me hugs and kisses and telling me how much he loves me throughout the day. Ryan will often tell me that he thinks I am beautiful...what mommy doesn't love to hear that! He has always been my snuggle bug. His big brown eyes and long lashes melt my heart., and his smile lights up the room. God has given him a sensitive spirit. I know in my heart that he will make a wonderful husband someday, Lord willing. I am so thankful that the Lord chose me to be Ryan's mommy, I am very blessed to have that privilege.

Oh Lord I thank you for Ryan. He is such a blessing to our family. His sweet ways and his tender heart are a gift from you. I pray that you will use his life in a mighty way. I pray that He will come to know you and understand the sacrifice that Christ made for him, and place his faith in Jesus at a young age. Grow him up to be a godly man. I pray that his tenderness will remain towards those around him, and that he would have a tender heart towards you. I pray that he would want to hide your Word in his heart that he might not sin against you. I pray that he would desire to serve you, and that you would make him a strong leader. God, I praise you for his precious life. Ryan brings my heart so much joy...I am so in love with my little man. God you are good. You have blessed our family beyond measure. In Jesus Precious name, amen.

2 years ago today

2 years ago at this time, I was in full on labor with our third child. We didn't know yet whether he was a boy or a girl. After 1 hour of intense labor, (and I mean intense I was screaming for an hour...I waited too long to get the epidural and it didn't work) and 3 pushes, James Ian entered the world at 11:30 p.m. March 21, 2006.

I had no idea how much he would change our lives. The laughter and the joy he brings to our family is indescribable. He is full of energy, passion, curiosity and life. He is our "Curious George". James has a great sense of humor and always has a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. He has challenged us in ways we never imagined. Our family wouldn't be the same without him. He brings a smile to my face every day. We are so thankful for our little man.

God I lift up James to you. I thank you for blessing our family with his sweet life. Thank you for who you have created him to be. We praise you that James is fearfully and wonderfully made. I love this little boy so much Lord. His smile and his funny ways bring my heart so much joy. Father, I pray that He would come to understand who you are and that he would place his faith in Jesus at a young age. I pray that his passions and interests would be directed towards You. Make him into a godly man, one who seeks to please You and do Your will. I pray all this in Jesus precious name, Amen.

Happy Birthday James. We love you so much!!!

Sunday's Comin

Every time I watch this it gives me chills.

4 weeks

Wow, it's hard to believe that I gave birth to Claire 4 weeks ago already! It seems only a moment ago. I know a month isn't that long, but seriously time is just flying by. Even though I have been through this baby faze 3 other times before it is so amazing to watch another baby grow and change. Every stage is still exciting. Watching a life blossom is the most precious thing.

Claire is a very sweet baby. She is a bit fussier then any of our other babies were. For awhile she screamed all the time. That was very frustrating. She seemed like she was in pain all the time. I decided to go completely off dairy this week to see if that would make a difference. So far this week has gone really good. Claire has cried much less, she hardly spits up, whereas before she would spit up all the time and often it would be A TON. I think we may have found the solution. Sigh! Giving up dairy is going to be hard...I love cheese and milk and butter. But, the bright side is I will likely loose those 25 pounds I have left to loose a lot quicker! Having a happy baby is totally worth giving up any kind of food!

I am so enjoying having a newborn. Even though there is a lack of sleep, I don't want her to grow up so fast. I want to savor every minute. Sometimes I stay up a tad later then I should, just because I am taken by her sweetness and how soft and cuddly she is. Speaking of, I hear my baby calling. I must go and tend to her...

Happiness

*A list of things I am thinking of today that bring me joy.

Time in the Word

Hearing my children laugh

Watching Bill wrestle with the kids

Freshly bathed babies

Clean sheets

Homemade bread

Coffee

Bill's sense of humor

A good bargain

my church family

Hearing I love you from my family

Hugs

Seeing God's goodness evidently displayed in my life and in those around me

Bottled Thoughts

I have so many thoughts in my mind right now. Good things, hard things, and stuff the Lord is teaching me. I have started several posts, and then not had time to finish them. I really enjoy writing down my thoughts. It helps me think through life. But, these days I have not had time to write anything. My days are taken up with feeding kids and changing diapers. If I can get a shower in myself and remember to eat something, well that's good. Not a complaint, this is just what life is right now. I enjoy the work the Lord has given me to do.

Hopefully soon I will be able to write again. It is something I need to do. I started this blog because writing is a passion and I find it very therapeutic. And if anyone out there reads what I have to say good...if not, I have a record of this journey I am on. Hopefully someday I can look back and see all the the Lord has taught me.

Beautiful Feet

How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
"Your God reigns!"
Is. 52:7

You are Good

I have to say I feel very blessed. I am so thankful for the church family that God has placed us in. They have just poured out love to us and been so supportive. I had been really nervous about adjusting to having 4 little ones. Bill had to go back to work that Monday after Claire was born, so I was on my own! I don't have a mom that can come over and help out. I don't have my family close by that I can call to pick up and help out whenever. I'm not complaining about that, it's just that way things are. However, we have been so blessed with friends from our church who I consider to be like family, and have stepped in often times and filled in where there was a gap.

I have had so many offers of help lately. I have had a few friends come over so I can run Claire to the Dr. or get to the grocery store. We have had meals and gifts...we have been so spoiled! I am without words to express the gratitude I feel towards everyone.

Last Sunday was our first time taking Claire to our church. I love how excited everyone is for us and the love that has been shown. It is so great to be in a place where life is embraced and celebrated...the world is so opposite of that. There is something so comforting about being surrounded by people who love you and desire to help you raise your little ones to be godly.

I mentioned that when I was in labor I listened to the CD "Sing Over Me". My friend Bethany had recommend it to me, and I am so glad she did. I was listening to it the other day and the song, "You are Good" really struck me. God has blessed our family so much...through good times and bad. He has given us everything we need. This song embodies everything I have felt over the past year. It is a beautiful love song to our Heavenly Father.

We praise you God because you ARE good! Thank you for the hands that you have lent to help us out when we have been in need. Thank you for loving us and for your grace. I pray that my life can reflect You, and that you will use our family for Your glory.

Encouraging thoughts

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lam 3:22-23

I needed to read this (Beth Moore's blog) today. God is good even when I'm having a hard day!

Americal Idol

Anna and I enjoy watching American Idol together. I think we have decided our favorite guy is David Archuleta. See for yourself why we like him.

Snuggle Time

The kiddos can't seem to get enough of Claire. They LOVE to hold their new sister.

What James Thinks

James has not reacted to the baby like we thought he would. He has done better then I expected (although, the last 2 days he has been kind of whinny and wanting me more...so maybe it's starting to sink in.). He calls Claire "Car", he can't quite say her name! :) He loves to give her kisses and touch her head...although his touch is not the softest, we are working on that. He gets upset when Claire cries and he says, "Oh no!".

When we came home from the hospital it seemed like James had grown A LOT. Suddenly he is our big boy. I don't know how it happened, but he changed overnight.

Here are a few Pictures of big brother James.

Holding baby ClaireGiving kissesClaire started crying. James is saying "Oh no!"Plugging his ears...I guess he didn't want to hear any more crying! :)

You can go here if you want to see video footage of what a big helper James is!

Cravings

I am totally craving something right now...but not what you probably think. It's not the kind of cravings I had when I was pregnant...not the food type. I am craving my BED!! Having a newborn and not getting as much sleep as my body would like makes me crave my bed...literally. I can feel it, it's like an ache...my body longs to curl up and go to sleep! :) My bed has never been so comfy as it is now (even though our mattress has got to be over 20 years old and desperately needs to be replaced.) When I do finally get to lay down, sleep is sweet and comes fast. I think I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. Psalm 127:2 says, "...for he grants sleep to those he loves." I really feel that is true for me right now!

I am not complaining. I just think it's kinda funny how much I think about my bed these days. :) Claire actually does pretty good at night. For example, if I feed her at 11:00 p.m. She doesn't usually wake until 3 or 4 a.m. So, I can get about 3 hours of sleep. And then I spend an hour feeding her in the mid morning hours and go back to sleep for maybe another 2 hours. So, on average I get about 5 hours of sleep a night. I think that's pretty good for having a newborn. Although, I would LOVE to get 8 straight hours of sleep...I will take what I can get right now.

I really think it is God's grace that I get such deep sleep when I do lay down. I feel a little more refreshed then I normally would after only getting 5 hours of sleep. God is good because He gives me the strength I need to take care of my little ones during the day!

Speaking of cravings, my soul has been craving time alone with the Lord. I have not had the time I desire to be in His Word. I miss it. Hopefully soon we can get into the groove of things, and find a new normal. Spending time in the Word needs to be a part of that normal. I know that I can not be the wife and mommy that the Lord wants me to be if I am not clinging to the life source. Not only is sleep essential to feeling refreshed, so is God's Word.