Beau Turns 1

My precious, blonde headed little boy turned 1 on April 5, 2014 and I can hardly stand it.  I wrestle with the idea that this is my last one year old birthday, my last sweet baby turning 1, walking, baby talking and smirking his way into my heart.  G-d really knew how special Beau would be to us and how precious he is as our last little guy.  He makes all things right in the world and has a special place in our family.  

It's been a quick year of watching him grow.  Seeing him take his first breath in our bedroom, watching him learn to laugh and roll over, then seeing him take his first steps at only 10 months old...whew time flies.  He's such a joy and a sweet baby.  He LOVES music.  Always kicks in with a dance move when he hears the music come on.  He LOVES daddy. He LOVES water and he LOVES mommy! He's a lover for sure. 

We just had a handful of friends over as an excuse to hang out and eat birthday cake. I cut out a portion of the cake for him to do a little cake smashing but he wasn't into it.  He was not sure what to think about the frosting on his hands and was tentative to even touch it.  His precious little skin and his belly rolls sitting there staring at his cake...agh swoon! I love him. 

Happy Birthday sweet Beau, we love you!

Roller Coasters, Mini Golf, and Arcade Games

My twins have turned 7.  Impossible but true.  I don't know how we got this far but I feel like we just brought them home a few years ago.  I barely remember those days and nights of having two babies to feed and love.  I have retained only happy memories of those times and am so thankful I took pictures.  It helps stir the memory of what life was like back then although I'm confident not as hard as I had expected and certainly more joyful and rewarding than I had anticipated!



It's like with any babies, those early days slip away so fast and then you blink and you are looking at a talking, walking, little person and the lacking sleep and hard work are SO WORTH it.  The kisses, hugs, laughter, and the joy on their faces is payment for the sacrifice put in to loving them, providing for them and giving them a home.

I'm not sure what has happened to today's mothers (besides the lies of the feminist movement and the lies of a "have it all" culture) that they think sleepless nights, rocking and holding babies, and the sacrifice and hard work of bringing them up is somehow an imposition rather than a glorious opportunity and the definition of the job "mother".  That is what we are....MOTHERS and motherhood comes with being a little tired, and aching over what the best thing is for our children, and praying over our sleeplessness so we can find a little function in the morning.

Don't get me wrong...I was often tired, I still am with small children.  I too struggle with the sacrifice and the aching.  But it IS MOTHERHOOD.  IT has BLESSINGS and JOY and it doesn't matter what job you choose you have sacrifice, aching, and challenges.  ISN'T MOTHERHOOD WORTH IT?!

It was for me.  Every minute of having two small babies, feeding and the balance of nursing them, loving them and making time for everyone to have a piece of me when they needed it...my 3 small boys were worth all the demands and now, 7 years has fluttered by and they don't NEED me nearly as much.  They don't demand my TIME nearly as much.  They are walking, talking, precious boys making all those sleepless nights worth it.

I'm so blessed to be their mom.  Happy Birthday Brody and Trace.

For their birthday we kicked off the day with donuts and then they got to spend the day with daddy and Cole at Castles N' Coasters.

It was their first time going and we did a pass so they could do unlimited rides, mini golf, and $10 of arcade games.  They spent the day there from 10-5.  They had a great time.

There were two rides that, funny enough, Brody was tall enough and Trace wasn't.  That half in difference really cramped Trace's style.

At 5:30 they were home for cake and ice cream and a few presents from grandparents.  It was a special day!

 

Sipping a Cup of Tea

It has happened. My sweet Brynnie girl is now 5.  FIVE...F.I.V.E...what?!?

I feel like we just had her 3rd birthday party in California as Justin's parents house.  A Hello Kitty Party with sweet, tiny little 3 year olds.  Now, here we are turning 5!

Well, the girlie little girl (still tough as nails beneath the girlie exterior) wanted a girls party.  Trouble is, we don't know a lot of people with girls, much less girls that are between 4 and 6.  It's a shame really. She's surrounded by boys even within our group of friends! G-d must have something pretty special lined up for her husband.

So, I was troubled with the thought of not being able to pull off a girls party.  Then, the Lord gave to me the name of a place I'd seen before.  Girly Girlz.  I wasn't entirely sure what it was all about or that it would fit the bill but I called any ways just to find out.  Sure enough you can have a quaint little party with 3 girls and they get to do a Diva Day Spa (makeup, hair done, some dress up, and a picture to keep) and a Tea Party with Pink Lemonade, crackers and gummie bears.  They then bring out cupcakes and cookies for the birthday celebration.

It was a cute little party with 2 of her bestest friends her age and Grammy joined us too.  I was so thrilled with how cute they were with their hair and their makeup and their nails.  It wasn't too long or too short.  Just too too cute.

Brynn of course is my special little girl and I'm so glad we have years of special parties together, us girls.  G-d knew what he was doing when he gave me her and I'm so thankful.

Someone's 3!!

My sweet Westin officially turned 3 today.  Incredible.  There is an endless amount of things that make Westin special.  Aside from his crazy sense of humor and wild spirit, he is recklessly loving, an amazing communicator, and a desperately happy little man.  Everything is funny. Trouble is lurking everywhere.  Mischief abounds.  Laughter ensues.  And pure stubbornness and determination fester.  He is so precious to me.

We had a casual get together today for him.  Mikey Mouse cake, a few presents, a castle bounce house, some friends we love, and lots of bike riding, running, and laughing.  He'd been counting down the days to his birthday.  I was surprised at how much he was aware of his birthday.  He really was darling about it.

The bounce house was delivered VERY early this morning. It was scheduled for 2:00pm and was delivered at 10:00am.  Justin had the idea of trying to get the kids to take a nap in the bounce house and the only one who really fell asleep was Westin...for almost 2 hours.  He was too cute sleeping in the bounce house.  Justin snapped a quick pic for me, as I was out at the clinic for a bit before picking up the cake.

Oh my goodness isn't he cute?

Once 2:00 came around they were ready to rock and roll with some friends.  The Huisman's joined us for the fun, having kids all our kids ages.  It was perfect.  The neighbor girl, Adalia, came over to jump and play too.  They just played and played. I barely saw them except for blurry running back and forth.

We did Mickey Cake, candles and Thrifty Ice Cream.  It was delish.  A little bit after Auntie Nonny and Nik showed up and shortly after them Megan and Molly came to play.  We ended up grilling hot dogs and hamburgers with them for dinner on the driveway.  Justin did such a great job today meeting everyone's needs, making food, and entertaining friends and family.

It was a terrific day for a terrific boy.  He got several different types of trucks and some electric tools.  He was too cute with those gifts.  I just LOVE this boy.  So thankful he is mine!

Looking forward to another lovely year with my Westin boy and all the energy and love he brings to our lives.  Happy Birthday Westin Baby!