One Thing - 3/31/14

Even though these days of caring for 3 little ones while growing another are so tiring and I often long for peace, quiet, and sleep, there are also many things that I want to remember and not let just pass by. One of those things has been a sweet bedtime routine with Silas that just kind of came about without planning or even consciously making part of our evenings. When both Mike and I are home at bedtime, I usually get Lydia ready for bed while Mike takes care of the boys. I get Lydia in bed before the boys and then go in to say goodnight to them. By this time of night I am wiped out! So, a few months ago, it became a habit for me to lay down in Silas' bottom bunk while the boys finished up getting ready for bed. Silas knows how much I like his bed and has recently started inviting me to come lay in his bed. Some nights he even comes into Lydia's room while I am praying and singing with her offering to turn off her light or close her door so that I can come and lay in his bed. He will move his pillow or stuffed animals to make room for me and ask me so sweetly, "Do you think my bed is cozy?" Or "Is my bed the coziest bed in our house?" Then, he will find a book and climb into the bed with me so I can read to him before Mike does a bedtime story with both boys. Tonight, he first brought 2 chapter books to me to read. I told him he needed to pick a shorter book. He replaced those and returned with 2 story books. I told him again that he needed to pick just one book and out the other one back. He left one with me and as he turned to put the other one away he exclaimed, "Don't start reading it without me!" Sweet boy, I'm not sure if he thought I would start reading the children's book to myself or what. I just LOVE these few moments that we get together and know that they aren't going to last. There will come a day that he won't be anxious for me to climb into his bed with him. And, even more immediately, a time is coming very soon that there will be a hungry baby to feed as soon as I am free. I will take every chance I get to climb into my little boy's bed and read to him.

One more Silas story...the other night Silas came into Lydia's room while I was reading to her and wanted to climb up onto my lap as we sat in the rocking chair. There was very little room left for him since Lydia was on one knee and my ever-growing belly was taking up most of my lap. He struggled to climb up and I couldn't offer much help. As he kept climbing and slipping he asked, "Is this baby big enough to be born yet?" I think someone is ready to have a little more room in Mommy's lap!

One Thing - 3/30/14

The kids and I spent some time at Triangle Park this evening. It was a beautiful evening as the wind had finally died down a bit. We played by ourselves for a while and then some new kids that we hadn't met before came to play. The boys played basketball with a boy who was probably about 8 and was super kind to them - letting them play with his basketball, teaching them a few basketball terms, and taking turns shooting the ball. Jonah and the other boy were wearing blue shirts so they became Kentucky. Silas was wearing a navy blue and yellow shirt so he was Michigan...hmm a 8ish and 5 year old against a 3 year old, can you guess who won? Kentucky.

Lydia enjoyed running all over the park and taking a few spins on the merry go round. She really wanted to climb the jungle gym but is still too little. Yet, nothing stops her from trying to do what the big kids are doing! There is a small steep hill in the middle of the park that separates the merry go round from the swings and jungle gym. The first few times Lydia slid down on her bottom. As she gained more confidence, she started walking up and down it. Once when she was walking up the steep incline, she fell backward then ended up doing a few rolls down to the bottom of the hill. I gave her a moment before going after her to see how she would react. She whimpered at first but then seemed to think it was pretty cool. Someday when I am not pregnant I will roll steep hills with her! 

One Thing - 3/29/14

We finally had a warm day without crazy winds that just about blow you over. So, we spent some time in the backyard this afternoon. We were all ready to get out!!

Lydia carried her purse around with her for much of our time outside. Such a girl!

Jonah has figured out pumping

The boys decided to give up on the tee and try pitching to each other...I don't think either one manage to hit the ball

We are thrilled that warmer weather is slowly returning!

One Thing - 3/28/14

It's been a rough week at our house. There hasn't been anything major, just lots of little unexpected things on top of me working 3 long days. Monday morning an important piece on a garage door broke leaving our garage door hanging off the track and in need of immediate repair. Just a few of the other events of the week...our furnace acted funny, our car got a tire rotation and the dealership thinks we need some new part even though they told us everything looked great just a few weeks ago (definitely getting another opinion on that one), Lydia got ahold of my favorite glasses when no one was looking and broke them in a way that looks unfixable (we will try though!), and after Jonah finished practicing piano yesterday he turned on the bench and fell off of it on top of this cute book rack that held my piano books breaking it such that it can't be repaired. By last night, we were ready for a break! We climbed into bed before 9 so that we could relax and watch our one TV show - Parenthood. Just about half way through the show, Lydia began to cry. We gave her a minute or two to see if she would calm down, but she didn't. So, Mike went in to check on her only to discover that she had vomited in her bed. :( So, I gave her a second bath in less than two hours while Mike cleaned up the crib. I got her back in bed and prayed that she would sleep well. She did sleep well. She let out a few cries during the night but always went back to sleep within seconds. Then this morning, while I was getting ready to head out for a doctors appointment, Mike went into her room to get her up when she woke up only to find that she had vomited a few more times during the night leaving her and the crib a mess again. :( Lydia got her 3rd bath in 12 hours while Jonah got ready for preschool and I got ready to leave. I'm so thankful for a friend who was able to give Jonah a ride to and from preschool on very short notice this morning! And, I am so thankful that Lydia bounced back fairly quickly. By late morning she was eating lots of crackers and playing like her usual self. Oh how we pray this isn't a stomach bug that will spread! 

When I got home from my appointment and grocery shopping this afternoon, I found this on the counter:

Jonah made this sweet note for his sister at preschool this morning! I just love that he was concerned about her while he was at school and that he thought to make this for her. Although I wasn't there when Jonah came home, I guess that he brought this to Lydia and she got so excited about it!

Thankfully, the kids all went to bed happily and healthy tonight. We are praying for continued health. And, we praise God that He is faithful to us constantly - in the quiet weeks, in the busy weeks, and in the ones where so many things just don't go the way we planned.

The steadfast love of The Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." Lamentations 3:22-24

One Thing - 3/24/14

Silas' reading skills have really taken off recently. I think he has had quite a few sight words for awhile. But, unlike his older brother, Sy is not quick to show off what he knows. Last week, he read the first few pages of both Green Eggs and Ham and Ten Apples Up On Top with me. Today, he pulled out a not-so-basic book - Bear Shadow by Frank Asch - and read the first two sentences before giving up. I know he could have done more, but I never push it at his age. It's so amazing to see literacy skills grow!

One Thing - 3/23/14

While her brothers were busy cleaning up the basement Lydia lounged in the recliner and talked on her phone. Is this how it will always be?!

One Thing - 3/22/14

We had a movie night last night and watched Chicken Run. It was the first time the boys had seen it. Today, Jonah's mind was still on the movie. These were his Lego creations this morning -

Off to the left is the pie maker which was quite detailed, the vehicle is the plane the chickens built, and the creature next to it is a chicken. He is so creative! And, when I made my menu for tonight a month ago, I had no idea that chicken pot pie might be a bit strange.