Park Fun

Random pics from a fun morning at the park! Our neighbors and friends Heather, Alex and Cara came too. Such cuties!

The Farm is Back!!!

We love going to the local farm and look forward to it each year. Jake has honestly been talking about it for months. They re-opened this past Friday and we couldn't wait to go. We went with our friends Talena, Andrew and Lily and Nikki and Sean came too! It was such a fun afternoon. It didn't hurt that it was 80 degrees and they were giving out free ice cream! I can't wait to start our weekly visits to the farm. It was so cute to see Will experience it all for the first time. He LOVED the chickens and the sand box!

been meaning to post this...

I love meeting new people. I especially love when an everyday conversation ends up," wow-ing" me. I am the annoying person who starts talking to you when your in line, or your stretching at the gym, waiting for your car at the wash..elevator...pretty much anytime you probably want to have a minute and just be... I will start talking to you. Annoying I'm sure. I guess I don't do well with silence. The benefit of this highly annoying trait of mine is that I meet some pretty interesting characters. A few weeks ago, I was with Kev waiting for my oil to be changed when a friendly older woman sits next to me. Jackpot! Instant chat partner. I don't remember how our convo started, but it went from babies, grandmothers to poetry. I'm sorry poetry? I LOVE poetry and people who write it. So here she is talking about poetry with me and she gives me a poem she wrote for grandmother's. Instantly...think of mom... But kept chatting. I read it, compliment her and then ask her how long she has been writing. Here is the wow moment... She starts sharing her testimony of how she found God and how He changed her life! Amazing...Turns out, she was in a terrible car accident in the 80's. She lost both legs and they told her it was amazing that she is alive and that she would not ever walk again. She was alone in the hospital that night and feeling hopeless, lifeless and felt she no longer had purpose. It was then she heard the wind blow and God say...write! So she wrote her first poem that night. She just knew that this was her new purpose to spread His love and her story of how He saved her through poetry! I was speechless. I told her I too believed in God and thanked her for sharing with me. She gave me a copy of her first poem...which she carries in her purse and off she went. I'm sure I will never see her again, but I know I was meant to sit next to her and chat. I have always been wow'd by people who confidently share what they believe in or hold dear. I love how she has such strong faith. I love how she has the guts to share it with a stranger because she believes that's what God intends for her to do. I'm glad I met you dear stranger...as I always say... Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet! Oh and by the way...she has prostetic legs, had to learn to crawl and walk again and by the grace of God did it!

Here is the poem:

"Wind Song" by Sandy Hanna

"Praise You Oh Lord"
for this bright new day...
May it exult You
in every way!
The songs from the wind
as it travels through earth;
seem to hum a sweet melody,
expressing rebirth.
And the valleys and mountains,
chime their soft encore...
of peace here on Earth,
and of love ever more.
May we here and rejoice
as we travel through life,
and blend in great harmony,
to God's will, free from strife...
And while trumpets blow loudly
and flutes soft and mellow...
We shall join in the song,
as sweet air through a bellow...
Humming and Praising
each step of the way,
our Lord and saviour...
who is with us each day.

St. Patty's

This St. Patty's was extra special. It is one of my favorite holidays and has been for as long as I can remember. My parents came here from Ireland and I am a first born American. So, I feel the need to keep my Irish-ness alive! This year I decided to have some fun with the kids. We read a story about the history of St. Patrick's day. Did you know St. Patrick brought the pagan Irish word that there is one true God and you can go to heaven?? Never knew that! It made the tradition all the more worthy to celebrate! We also created a leprechaun trap and set it out on Friday night in hopes to catch a wee leprechaun! Jake loved it. In the morning, we found our trap empty. but he left us Lucky Charms cereal and green milk! It was a big hit!

That night, I had a girls night with my college girl friends. I have missed them so much and I really needed a night away to myself. My favorite part was just catching up and talking with the girls uninterrupted. Jon was a trooper and took care of all three boys himself. Thanks hun!! When I got home I was greeted by the biggest hugs and kisses ever. It is always nice to be missed!

Random Pic Update

Loves his feet
and being cute

Jake and Daddy hanging his new bird feeder, thanks Rick and Janet!

Waffle monster

Sweetie post bath. He loves if I sing to him while I dry him

Our new kitchen table and chairs! love them

Kev and Dan (3 months apart) Looks like Kev is wearing a hair piece!

Beautiful Days...

If I could live in one season only, it would be spring. I love flowers, rainy days, cool weather, t-shirts and jeans and nights where the windows are open. These last few days have been in the 70's and it is amazing! I sure hope it lasts. My boys and I have been to a park every day and they are happy as clams. We love being outside. It is a little more difficult with three, but so worth it! Here are a few pics that Aunt Nikki took during a few of our adventures.

Picture Update

This is what our "walks" look like now
Loves floss...

silly day at school

Just precious

"Cheese!" Will got his first buzz cut

Medium boy feeding littlest boy... again precious

Jake Date

As I 'm sure all moms do.. I struggle with mommy guilt sometimes. I sometimes let my emotions get the best of me and feel bad for Jake having to deal with two babies all the time. I know he was meant to have these little brothers for more reasons than I can fathom I'm sure! However, every so often I feel the need to do something special with him. Just Jake and Mommy. This past weekend Pottery Barn was having a cute little Dr. Suess story hour and I thought...perfect! It was during the babies afternoon nap time and I thought Jon would like a wee snoooze too.

It was great! As always pottery barn story times are adorable and fun. This time they went all out and even had games and give aways. In pure Jake fashion... he had a blast. Jake is just pure fun. He is a happy go luckily little boy and he always enjoys everything! I have never found anything he doesn't like! He obviously prefers certain things, but he makes the best of any situation and it makes me so proud. I felt so proud of him that day and just loved holding his little hand and having our chats without interruption. He always has lots to say and it was nice to take it all in. Here are some pics from our little adventure. Of course we went to a toy store afterwards and he got to pick something he wanted! He loved it. Love you Jake.

Enough

I've always wanted to be a stay at home mom. It's certainly not for everybody. I have some friends who would die if they were home all the time. I have just always wanted to. The mundane tasks like cleaning, cooking and tending to children bring me joy. Sure, I have days when it can get dull and I need a break or we need to get outside and see people. But wouldn't that be the same for any line of work? Overall I love my job and I believe that it is important and valuable to me and family. However, one thing I did not anticipate was the way the world views my job. Stay at home moms get such criticism. The world tells me I need more... I should be working, having frequent girls nights to let loose, taking daily time for myself, hitting the gym, having a weekly date night... just to name a few... In other words this just couldn't be enough for someone to have happiness. Well, guess what world... It is more than enough for me. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, interests and desires. For me, I love my life, I love creating a comfortable home, I love cooking a good meal, I love raising my children. For right now... I consider myself blessed to have this job. I'm sure with time as my children grow and need me less, I may dabble back into some of my own personal interests like teaching or fundraising. I just don't view this part of my life as "my time." I carve out some time for myself every once in awhile, sure, but for me...it's about raising my kids to be godly, kind and happy well adjusted little boys. I know this time will fly and I want to do it right. Again, I don't think everyone would agree with me and that's fine. We're all different on purpose!

Random Updates

Feeling the need to blog about the little things...a little bit about each of my boys as they are today...

Jakers:

- You love making forts and tents... you read books and watch movies in them (hence the photo)

- Your going through a major Wii phase. I have had to create a chart that allows you to earn ten minutes a day of Wii.

- You are a very big helper around the house. You like earning chore money and have big plans for it every time you add more.

- You love school and have a best buddy now named Tristan.

- You want to be just like Daddy and are always willing to try food if Daddy says it is good.

- You like me to tell you made up long... super long... stories about YOU. In these stories you must play sports... and you are always disappointed when I stop.

- You have never ending energy and in the winter months it is WAY obvious. You literally run laps around the house some days.

- You are so loving. You hug and kiss me a ton and I love it.

- It is March 1st and you have already started discussing who you would like to invite to our pool.

- You are playing wiffle ball on Saturdays and always tell me you hit a big one!

- And you still very much dislike haircuts

- You love babies and all things little.. and always say,"That's cute right Mommy?"

Some funny words/ phrases you say are:

-"I toll ya Mom..(I told you Mom)"

- When you are explaining something in terms of size, it's always ridiculous... "It was a fousand fousand fousand big mommy!"

- When you grow up ...you want to work with a hammer and have your own office at Daddy's work ?? not sure where the hammer thing comes into play in insurance sales??... but...

- Is that cool mom? (about everything)

- You seem to want to talk about poopy all the time now... awesome... working on that one!

William:

- You are not only walking now... you running!

- You love love love your blanky, paci and your bed.

- You actually beg to go to bed sometimes

- You also love the bath and freak out when I start one

- You like to squeel and yell when you are excited

- You love Jake and want to do everything he does.

- Being outside makes you so happy

- Your hair is still out of control and needs to be cut often.

- You are gentle with baby Kevin and he loves you

- You like rough play/wrestling constantly

- You and Jake already fight and bug each other

- You know some sign language and it is helping you communicate more

Words:

- Daddy, mama, more, no, day it is (there it is), wow, yay, ball, woah, uh oh

Kevin:

- You are as sweet as the come

- You are stubborn and put up a good fight when I weaned you onto the bottle.

- You also love blankies and snuggling

- You have started sleeping very well at night and usually only wake once

- So far your not a great napper, but your getting better

- You like bananas, sweet potatoes and rice cereal and you don't like green beans

- You seem to have my skin... sorry!... you get eczema patches and have dry skin

- Your hair is getting lighter by the day

- You are wearing 3-6 months or 6 month clothes

- You think Jake is very funny and you love watching your brothers

- You coo and smile all day long!

Humbled...

Three boys under four years old has proven to be a VERY humbling experience. Prior to having kids.. and while I was teaching ...I thought I was a super patient, "easy going," person. Boy was I naive. I thought I'd have six, eight... ten kids. No problem. If I can manage twenty plus eight year olds... I could have a couple kids, right? Easy!

Then, I became a mom. Thankfully, the positive aspects of my personality work well with this job. I love kids. I also love to read to them, teach them things, play and be silly too. Snuggling and singing to them, picking out their clothes, tending to them when they are sick, making them laugh, teaching them manners... these are things I am good at and thoroughly enjoy. However, I have learned there are some experiences or, "mommy jobs," that I'm not so good at. For example... listening to hours of crying during sleep training, dealing with whining from a toddler who is overtired, teaching a one year old not to throw food, acid reflux in general... Just to name a few...It's definitely not an easy job. I love it, but like any job there are parts that are not so pleasant.

Motherhood has taken my flaws and insecurities and put them on center stage. For example... I didn't think I cared about what other people thought of me. Especially, people I don't know. I was wrong. The first time I had to walk through Target with a screaming child in my shopping cart is an experience I will never forget. I cared... I shouldn't have, but the red spots on my chest and sweaty, disheveled exterior showed that I cared. I've learned not to care. I still get embarrassed and stressed sometimes, but for the most part I've realized that it doesn't matter what anyone thinks about me or my children's behavior. I know them best and I know what they need. This is just one way that being a mom has humbled me and forced me to be a better version of myself.

The wonderful thing about being a mom is that the great moments far out way the tough ones. It truly is a beautiful experience to raise a child. To hold their small hands, hear their first words, witness true kindness from their little hearts, listen to them sing, hear them say I love you... the list goes on...it's priceless. However, it is far more difficult and far more amazing than I ever could have dreamed. Jon and I often just look at each other and laugh at the absurdness of our life right now. We tried," going out to dinner," tonight. Ha! Panera first of all...in a corner booth far from civilization... two babies melting down and a four year old upset because he had water instead of milk... Oy...We just laughed, ate, and got out of their as soon a possible. It is a precious, but wild ride! I find myself truly living for the day right now. Trying to find some sort of life balance and trying my best to stay as patient and positive as possible. Prayer helps...God always answers and quickly refreshes my mind. All this little chaos just seems so important right now. I try to remind myself that it is a fleeting period of time and the methods to the madness are not what matter. It is the meaning behind everything that does. Teaching my children to be lover's of God and not the world, to be thoughtful, kind, humble, gracious... that is what matters...but, boy do time outs, tantrums and tattling get in the way of that! I love being a mom and I want to be a great one. Here's to another day of trying!

I have a few picture updates... mostly from my phone. That's where we are at right now. If I actually have a second, I snap a quick pic.

Dress Shopping!!

Today the ladies from the Sharp gang are going dress shopping!!! That's right... Abby is engaged!! We are all so excited. Thomas, her fiance', is wonderful and I can't wait to call him my brother in llaw. We are heading out to a little ladies lunch then the shopping begins!!! Oh... the twins and Kevin are coming of course... our third arms...