For You, Grandma!

I really did try to capture a cute photo of the boys wearing matching shirts that Grandma and PawPaw gave us. Here's what I got.

 

This was my only photo with all three looking at me.  

 

Here's Joel showing off his bottom (literally and figuratively) while Clark protectively looks after Levi.

 

Then it all fell apart when Levi decided to go for the tambourine.

 

But this picture by far says it all.  

WATCH OUT HERE COMES TROUBLE. 

Oh, and thanks Grandma for the shirts!!

Peek A Boo! I See Me!

 

Here's Levi seeing himself for maybe the first time.  I think he liked what he saw.  

Oh how I wish we could all look upon ourselves with similar acceptance and awe.

 

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 

Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.  Psalm 139:14

 

Levi, My 5 Month Old Cutie Pie

Levi Joseph is now 5 months old and 21.5 pounds.  He loves bouncing, being held, and his momma.  So he spends much of his day being toted around in his momma's arms.  He is super smilely.  He loves to roll around the house and play hide and seek.  We have lost him a few times when he rolled under furniture.  He's wearing 12-18 month clothing and size 4 diapers.  He sleeps 10-12 hours a night (hallelujah) on his belly (by his choice not, ours).  He hasn't started solid foods yet, and we don't have any plans to start soon.   He is almost sitting up by himself.   He is a delight and a joy to us all. 

Enjoying the Little Years

I am so blessed.  I often feel unworthy of all the goodness in my life.

I have an amazing husband who loves me more than himself.  I feel that love every day of my life.  I have three amazing sons who make my heart melt over and over and over.  Even with all this, I have to be honest, I get a little bogged down.  Sometimes, I let the little things steal my joy.  I often long for what I don't have like freedom, independence, quiet, time to think, and alone time.

           Lately I have had zero time alone.   I often long for moments of quiet or an hour to accomplish anything without having to tote a little one (by little I mean 22 pounds or more) around too.  I go to bed with my body physically exhausted from all my mommy duties--piggy back rides, races through the house, carrying loads of laundry up and down the stairs.

Lately I have been getting up in the 5 o'clock hour just to have a few minutes to myself to pray and think.  One recent morning, I had a revelation.  I needed to stop and be thankful for the lack of time to myself and the fatigue and the noise and the messes. 

Here's the truth:  

Holding my baby in the wee hours of the night and breathing in his baby scent is so much sweeter than browsing the perfume counters at the mall.  Playing good guys/bad guys and running around the house for the 100th time is by far more valuable than hitting the treadmill at an elite gym.   Reading Green Eggs and Ham with four wiggle worms on top of me is more precious than cuddling up with a good novel and cup of coffee.

If I am not careful, I will miss all these treasures of the little years.

 

Here's us during our little years.

 

My family in our true form--

Levi whacking Joel.  Joel being distracted.  Clark being goofy.

 

 

This is our miracle photo: everyone looking.

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for taking this one!