Flip, Flop and Roll!

Ellie's balancing act

Luke's table

nice form, Luke!

this girl's got some muscles!

they always do their stretches first

when can I join in?

Luke and Ellie started their first gymnastics class in early April and have loved it! It's been a lot of fun watching them grow and learn new things. Ellie was painfully shy at their first class. She was literally frozen still during all the stretching....would.not.move. Now she's flipping over the bars! It is so great when they try something new and then look over at me with huge smiles on their faces. Watching them gives this mama great joy!

I try to keep Adalyn busy with food and milk, but most of the time she's antsy to get out of the stroller and join her sibs. It would be convenient if she'd sit still during their lesson so that I could watch Luke and Ellie, but who can blame her? Her sibs are just having too much fun! 

Time of Transition

I know that the 2 or 3 people who read my blog have been waiting with great anticipation for my next blog post, so...I'm back :)

 I wouldn't want to hold you in suspense any longer.... We're going to be a family of SIX in October!! Woohoo! We are very excited to be adding to our family again, and we are incredibly thankful to God for giving us such a privilege. I am currently 16 weeks along and starting to feel better now that the 2nd trimester is well underway. Luke and Ellie are both very excited to have another sibling. Ellie wants to name the baby Morgan no matter what the gender is, and Luke informed us that he prayed to God asking for a brother and God said "yes." :) I really want to know the gender early this time, but Dan does not. Grr. I know I have a fairly high chance of a repeat c-section and I don't want to be sore, caring for 4 children AND doing laundry for the new little one....I'd rather have all the clothes ready early. It seems that thus far I have been unable to convince Dan of the convenience of finding out the gender early, so I suppose we won't be finding out. You see, there's this passage in the Bible about how wives ought to submit...

The last couple months have been very challenging, which is probably why I haven't posted in a while. Throughout the first trimester I struggled with overwhelming fatigue and fairly challenging nausea (no vomiting thankfully!). While I tried my best to deal with those symptoms, I was also trying my best to raise up a little girl, whose name might be Adalyn, whose temperament is incredibly strong-willed, stubborn and feisty. She cries and screams. ALOT. Like--I put in her crib and close her bedroom door 1-3 times daily--cries and screams. It's been very challenging, frustrating, and lonely. I have felt insufficient to meet Luke and Ellie's wants and needs (anyone love reading a book aloud to two older children while the youngest screams and claws at you?). These past few months have helped induce a number of fears. How are Luke and Ellie developing? Ellie doesn't even recognize all her numbers! Is Luke learning his phonics in a timely manner? Eek! Luke can't tie his shoes yet! How am I possibly going to homeschool this fall? What if the last few months are a reflection of how Adalyn and my relationship will be forever?! Where is my relationship with Lord going? When I have quiet time I either want to run away or sleep.

So needless to say, I have struggled the last few months. It's been a rough patch in my mothering journey and hopefully I will grow from it. At this very moment I feel defeated, but prayerfully God will redeem it. Adalyn is a beautiful and affectionate little girl who knows just how to melt a heart...I just pray that as God holds intact the feisty spirit He gave her, He also breaks her will so it grows into alignment with His. That's all for now. Someone's calling... ;)

The Things Kids Say

I was driving away from church today when Luke told me that Ellie had just hit him. I pulled over and talked with Ellie about what God tells us in the Bible. I asked her if she kew what God says in His Word and she said, "Obey your mommy and daddy?" I told her that was true, but that He also tells us to love one another. She admitted that hitting Luke was not showing love and told him she was sorry and asked him to forgive her. He said, "I forgive you, Ellie. Let's hug each other when we get home, alright?"

I love those kids.

Later in the day, Luke started talking about how much he wants there to be 3 girls and 3 boys in our family (including Dan and I), and he cried out, "Oh God, please let the baby be a boy!"

The Incredible Two

My gracious mother-in-law watched the kids for me this morning so that I could spend some time learning from a woman who homeschools her 5 children (5!). I also got to go to Whole Foods...all.by.myself. I seriously felt like I was on a shopping spree. It was so easy! But much to my dismay, I did end up having to pay at the end (bummer!).

Anyway, Luke and Ellie told me that they got to watch The Incredibles while they were with Meemaw, and as soon as they got home they got dressed into character. Luke insisted on being Elastigirl (I tried to make up a new character, Elastiboy, but he wasn't having it), and I'm really not sure who Ellie was. Maybe Dash (a boy, go figure). They were quite cute running around the house like this...

strike a pose!

sweet sibs...they love each other, and it's very sweet :)

Why Have I Taught Him To Eat Well?

I got a phone call from Dan this evening, and as we talked, he passively encouraged me to go through the Dairy Queen drive-thru and get a couple blizzards. You know, if I was really craving one, he wanted me to know that he wouldn't be upset if I brought him home one, too. He wouldn't hold a grudge. Just thought he'd let me know. Uh huh.

As I pulled into the drive-thru (you actually thought I'd ignore that encouragement?), Luke recognized where we were. Now, before you think I'm a frequent flyer at DQ, just know that Luke remembers everything. It's true. I promise.


Luke: "Mom, you've had too many snacks today. You should not be here."

What?! Did I ask for his opinion? How can I get out of this? He's so right, but I want Dairy Queen!

Me: "You're right Luke. I'm going to eat much better tomorrow, and I'm going to the gym in the morning, too"

That oughta take care of my nosy cute little accountability partner.

Luke: "Uh, THAT is good!"


I LOVE that boy. Truly, there is never a dull moment with him. Earlier today, after he watched 'Hook' with Ellie, he told me that thinking of me is his "happy thought."  Okay, Luke, we'll call it even. :)

March 1, 2003

Happy anniversary to my best friend and my love! We've had our fair share of highs and lows, but it's been worth it, and I'm so glad he's mine. He is an encourager, a helper, a friend, a refuge, a comedian (don't shake your head, Dan!), a teacher, a strong arm, a lover of God, a great father and a faithful husband. I can't imagine life without him!

We got married at the tender ages of 20 and 21 (he totally robbed the cradle), with barely a dime in our pockets, but I wouldn't have had it any other way! Nine years and three children later, we're still very much in love!

Here's to 9+9+9+9+9+9+9 more years!

Things I Love...About the People I Love

One thing I love about Adalyn is:
-- how intently she stares at me when she is drinking her bottle. I'm sure a lot of babies do this, but I swear she and I have had some pretty deep conversations during her mealtimes. So deep, in fact, that they can't be put into words. :) And this is another reason I have yet to get her on a sippy cup.

One thing I love about Ellie is:
-- how affectionate she is. She can be a very independent little girl, but she also loves hugs, kisses, cuddling and being wrapped up in blankets together. She used to be a total mama's girl, but she is becoming very affectionate with her daddy, much to his delight!

One thing I love about Luke is:
-- his sensitivity to spiritual matters. He asks really good questions about God, heaven and prayer. Lately, he's been praying and thanking Jesus for dying on the cross, taking away his sins and washing him white as snow. I love it! Just this morning we talked about how he's been tranformed by the death of Jesus into a beautiful butterfly - a new creation! He loved that!

One thing I love about Dan is:
-- how encouraging and faithful he is (wait, is that two things?). As I struggle with things most moms do - a messy house, a tired body, screaming and needy children, a burned dinner - he is always an anchor in the storm. I feel like he knows how to encourage me in a Godly manner very well. He can let me know that the house looks just fine, without undermining the importance of "keeping house." Does that make sense? He's a good guy.

I am a very blessed woman!