We were blessed to be able to make the trip to Mississippi for our annual Thanksgiving reunion. I love that we have this tradition to be with so many extended family members each year.
Lydia had her first Thanksgiving. She ate great, but was just hitting a be stranger danger age and really was nervous about all the new faces. I hate that this hit when it did. She was fine a few weeks later, but missed out on some fantastic Brown family hugs.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Reminding Myself of the Joy
Lately I have felt more failings than successes. Our days have felt stressed. The days have ended without feeling like many things could be claimed as victories. But that is a lie. Deceit from the chief lie teller who wants me to believe I am not right where I should be and on a divine mission.
Sometimes it takes stepping back and counting the victories for me to see how many their are. Last week there was a day in the life group on instagram (hosted by Hollywood Housewife). Many people (mostly mommas in my feed) documented their day with the things that they wouldn't usually take pictures of and post. I was late to the party and didn't join in, but I kept feeling this nagging that I should. So Friday I just started snapping pics of our regular day with my phone.
And at the end of the day what did I see? I saw my kids happy and playing; my baby napping; my home as comfortable; my friends as supportive; my husband snuggling my baby; the big boys reading; and myself in a favorite t-shirt. There was this whole list of things that were really good, like spectacular. And the tough parts weren't really all that tough.
This was my Ebenezer. I could see The Lord's leading, support and encouragement tucked into every snap of the camera and the moments hidden in between the pictures.
This is our Friday at the end of a busy week where I needed to see the joy in the still shots.
After breakfast and the morning calmness, I laid baby girl down for what I felt was a much needed nap.
And yes her room does glow pink. Two layers of pink blackout curtains and it still lets in the perfect pink light. I don't mind, because you know - pink!
Colin was super itchy so into the lukewarm bath he went
Walker started his chores. He must start early because he needs a lot of grace and breaks to finish anything.
Eli and I got to work on our reading. He has come so far just in the few months of first grade.
Turns out - not so much nap time.
So then there was this. Her favorite toy (and sometimes snack) in the world is paper.
Then we moved onto Walker's reading time and another attempt at getting a fussy baby to nap.
See that baby standing up in the monitor? You can tell how well it went this time.
Also, these two decided to have a foot race all through the house while Walker was trying to read and Lydia was trying to not sleep. So they were sentenced to sit in the corner until we could finish.
A hour and a half after the first attempt, she succumb.
So naturally it was time for a TV break. In my head I have a rule that we never turn it on during the day, but in reality I need a shower and that can only happen when Baby Girl is asleep and the boys are quiet and this is about the only way to guarantee that the two happen at the same time.
So refreshed and clean and filled with turkey sandwiches we jumped back into history and writing.
Eli wanted to play Creationary so badly. Colin agreed. This means Eli played and Colin stood near him while he played.
So they moved onto Candyland and the kitchen floor which was not overrun with the clutter problem as the dining room table was.
Meanwhile, lunch time for the littlest. Avocados are the only sure fire thing she will eat from a spoon anymore.
When Colin lost his mind at the prospect of being sent back to gum drop land, Walker came and joined and tried to reason with him. It really didn't work but within 2 turns Colin got to advance to the the ice cream princess lady - so he chilled out at the prospect of winning.
Of course no one finished the game because of those darn wild cards. It is the game that can go on for centuries.
Sister has gotten rather into the pacifiers lately, so I thought it was probably time for a good sanitizing of all the baby things. Don't ask me how often it happens, fourth kid an all.
The last one working. Always. Focus and quickness are not his strong suits, but his mind goes some pretty creative places along the way to finishing.
800th diaper change of the day. Not really, that is just the way it feels.
Dear "no trash" California. I'll check you in a couple of years. I'm not washing diapers.
One clone trooper heading to sit out because he broke the backyard fence forcefield without permission.
So thankful for the backyard sunshine.
We are not nursing as well as we once were, but we are still marching forward. As long as she will keep trying so will I.
There was an arts and crafts Christmas show going on in town and a dear friend Adrienne had been in the morning. She didn't think it would be a great idea to take the boys so she offered to watch them while Lydia and I escaped to find some special presents.
When we walked out we were greeted with a pastel sky with a giant moon. The early sunsets aren't all bad.
Then there was dinner guarded by Legos Clones.
Finally footy pajamas and good night snuggles.
And the day was done. There were the many moments in between clicks of the camera. There was more grace and less. There was loving kindness and raised voices. There was learning and there was discipline. And I was blessed to be there for it all.
Sometimes it takes stepping back and counting the victories for me to see how many their are. Last week there was a day in the life group on instagram (hosted by Hollywood Housewife). Many people (mostly mommas in my feed) documented their day with the things that they wouldn't usually take pictures of and post. I was late to the party and didn't join in, but I kept feeling this nagging that I should. So Friday I just started snapping pics of our regular day with my phone.
And at the end of the day what did I see? I saw my kids happy and playing; my baby napping; my home as comfortable; my friends as supportive; my husband snuggling my baby; the big boys reading; and myself in a favorite t-shirt. There was this whole list of things that were really good, like spectacular. And the tough parts weren't really all that tough.
This was my Ebenezer. I could see The Lord's leading, support and encouragement tucked into every snap of the camera and the moments hidden in between the pictures.
This is our Friday at the end of a busy week where I needed to see the joy in the still shots.
After breakfast and the morning calmness, I laid baby girl down for what I felt was a much needed nap.
And yes her room does glow pink. Two layers of pink blackout curtains and it still lets in the perfect pink light. I don't mind, because you know - pink!
Colin was super itchy so into the lukewarm bath he went
Walker started his chores. He must start early because he needs a lot of grace and breaks to finish anything.
Eli and I got to work on our reading. He has come so far just in the few months of first grade.
Turns out - not so much nap time.
So then there was this. Her favorite toy (and sometimes snack) in the world is paper.
Then we moved onto Walker's reading time and another attempt at getting a fussy baby to nap.
See that baby standing up in the monitor? You can tell how well it went this time.
Also, these two decided to have a foot race all through the house while Walker was trying to read and Lydia was trying to not sleep. So they were sentenced to sit in the corner until we could finish.
A hour and a half after the first attempt, she succumb.
So naturally it was time for a TV break. In my head I have a rule that we never turn it on during the day, but in reality I need a shower and that can only happen when Baby Girl is asleep and the boys are quiet and this is about the only way to guarantee that the two happen at the same time.
So refreshed and clean and filled with turkey sandwiches we jumped back into history and writing.
Eli wanted to play Creationary so badly. Colin agreed. This means Eli played and Colin stood near him while he played.
So they moved onto Candyland and the kitchen floor which was not overrun with the clutter problem as the dining room table was.
Meanwhile, lunch time for the littlest. Avocados are the only sure fire thing she will eat from a spoon anymore.
When Colin lost his mind at the prospect of being sent back to gum drop land, Walker came and joined and tried to reason with him. It really didn't work but within 2 turns Colin got to advance to the the ice cream princess lady - so he chilled out at the prospect of winning.
Of course no one finished the game because of those darn wild cards. It is the game that can go on for centuries.
Sister has gotten rather into the pacifiers lately, so I thought it was probably time for a good sanitizing of all the baby things. Don't ask me how often it happens, fourth kid an all.
The last one working. Always. Focus and quickness are not his strong suits, but his mind goes some pretty creative places along the way to finishing.
800th diaper change of the day. Not really, that is just the way it feels.
Dear "no trash" California. I'll check you in a couple of years. I'm not washing diapers.
One clone trooper heading to sit out because he broke the backyard fence forcefield without permission.
So thankful for the backyard sunshine.
We are not nursing as well as we once were, but we are still marching forward. As long as she will keep trying so will I.
There was an arts and crafts Christmas show going on in town and a dear friend Adrienne had been in the morning. She didn't think it would be a great idea to take the boys so she offered to watch them while Lydia and I escaped to find some special presents.
When we walked out we were greeted with a pastel sky with a giant moon. The early sunsets aren't all bad.
Then there was dinner guarded by Legos Clones.
Finally footy pajamas and good night snuggles.
And the day was done. There were the many moments in between clicks of the camera. There was more grace and less. There was loving kindness and raised voices. There was learning and there was discipline. And I was blessed to be there for it all.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Park Ballet
When did it become reasonable for an eight month old to look sixteen? This age is fantastically fun. She has her little personality and generally a joy for us all.
She loved being free to crawl and stand in our park with no mulch and little sand. And she looked like this tiny ballerina and my heart nearly exploded.
And her brothers loved being able to play with her out and about.
The adoration hasn't wained a bit in her time with us.
And the joy of being together is mutual.
This hour of play was blessed like few are. I mean, this one even looked into the camera and smiled. No eye rubbing, no tears, just a quick happy shot between a granola bar and running back to well, running.
Seriously, never happens.
There was football with daddy.
And running past daddy.
The time was absolutely electric.
After a foggy week and staring down some days of daddy travel, this is just what we needed.
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