Our 2nd Bundle of Blessing

So cliche, but so true: "time does fly"

 8 years ago we were blessed with our sweet middle child

Our first son

A mirror image of his Daddy

He spent his first few years as my little shadow, something he's outgrowing, something I'll sorely miss

As soon as he could move he was on his way, our little stunt man

 Climbing on furniture, leaping from mid-air, scaling impossible heights

he was a superhero by age 2

drawn to animals, ever tender-hearted

And don't tell your siblings, but you've always been our best little sleeper

boisterous and wildly energetic, kind and thoughtful, a child who loves the Lord,

he stole our hearts at his first smile

We love you buddy!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's day to my amazing, beautiful Mama!  I love you!

xxoo

Tornadoes and Terrorists

With the tornadoes in our region last week and the death of an evil terrorist my mind has been in a quandary over how to deal with the chaos.  We escaped damage although our neighbors and friends have to replace roofs and windows.  It was a scary night but the kids enjoyed our family camp-out under the stairs.  Tragically our college hometown suffered devastating loss.  The pictures don't begin to reveal the horror experienced by so many in Tuscaloosa as well as to other towns throughout the Deep South.  The disaster level has been assigned the same level as that of Hurricane Katrina.  http://cw.ua.edu/2011/05/01/alabama-tornadoes-receive-same-disaster-ranking-as-katrina-911/  

It was eerie to see bald pieces of land where some of our old stomping grounds once stood.  We've heard so many stories of extreme loss but also of extreme faith unfold.  My in-laws are still without power after almost a week but instead of complaining they are embracing the board games and "pioneering" lifestyle, they come from good stock, a blessing to call them family.

Furthermore,  we have had several people ask how they can help the tornado victims, this is the best way we know of: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/04/29/how-to-pray-and-give-for-disaster-relief-in-the-south/ 

As far as Bin Laden's death I admit to initial elation at the news.  Go get 'em Navy Seals!  But that soon turned into a feeling of shame for all the rejoicing.  My husband shared my feeling of "sickness over the whole situation" and led me to a blog post that summed it up pretty well for me:

Some Thoughts on the Death of Bin-Laden

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." 

--Martin Luther King, Jr

Blessings,

Who's Coming to Dinner?

In our home I continue to strive to be a chef, often with charred results.  I try to get them to eat their veggies, I cut them in funky shapes, create interesting dips, but 9 times out of 10 this is what dinner time looks like at our house...

but I continue to try

to encourage veggies I bribe with sliders and even thought the pretty veggie presentation would help

Just when I think I have created the ambiance for a relaxing evening, who decides to come to dinner?

Little Man dancing in anticipation of the guests' grand appearance, it was rock concert worthy,
(we fully support dancing on the bar at our house)

The RockStar, surprise guest,"Veggie of The Night Eater", makes his grand entrance, check out the pink, leopard, fur mules

trying a new technique of holding his jaw shut so the veggies may stand a better chance of going down

Celebratory dance and song after eating his veggies!

 Is scurvy for real?

Sibling Love

On the eve of our 8th snow day this school year I have been brainstorming different activities that will keep my peeps entertained and busy enough to not have reason to bicker.  While researching ideas online I came across our recent ski trip pictures and was so touched and overjoyed by one of the seemingly rare, precious moments when their love for each other shines through like a warm beacon, one that makes my heart ache with gratitude and joy of being blessed with 3 children, sibling rivalry and all

Our youngest had taken a spill, and the older 2 stopped in their tracks to help and encourage him

They waited until he was ready and then resumed their trip downhill... while their mama teared up behind them

What moments do you cherish among your peeps?

Blessings friends,

Pajamamama and her cubs

Today we spent the whole day inside, hibernating.  It appears that my children have decided home is their favorite-est place on earth and they are perfectly content to have another jammie day, for the almost 17th day straight, save for short outings that are only committed in undercover pj's or promises to return to such ASAP.  

Funny thing is when they were younger I always felt it necessary to go,go,go.  And always to go, go, go in coordinating, pressed, stylish clothing, lest I be judged as a mama lacking in fashion sense.  Looking back it was me that needed to go,go, go for mommy sanity time. The nice tidy clothes were the one tiny thing I could control, an attempt to portray an image of having it all together, which is laughable as anyone with small children knows.  Especially three children born within 3 1/2 years.  

So now I am able to appreciate and love that my babies are homebodies like me.  I rue the day that is coming too soon when they will be teens stark raving mad to escape the confines of home.  So I cherish these days, hold them tight and close in my mind and heart.  

I take time to indulge in their sweet scents, bedheads, and mismatched clothing.  I know now that wisdom in motherhood is slowly acquired and the image of perfection as a Mom is an impossible goal I no longer feel the need to pursue.  I thank God for His grace and for the three blessings I have been given.

learning to wait, the lesson we need to practice daily

the kids are all right

Here's to trying new things, conquering fears...

Adoption update and other recent events in living color

Summer is here at last!  Do any other moms of grade school kids feel like May is the busiest time of year?  I am sighing a breath of relief and offering a prayer of gratitude that all went well with end of year parties, school presentations (Cha-cha was Elvis for her 3rd grade speech, amazing!), graduations (baby boy graduated from preschool, oh the tears AND karate graduation, we now have a black belt in tha' house), birthdays (middle man turned 7, his favorite gift was the newest addition to the farm, a puppy named, "Shiloh", that makes pet #25), middleman's first soccer game, Cha-cha's liturgical dance performance at our church, and our wedding anniversary (13 years with the love of my life, better half, godly husband).  Now it's time to prepare for our mission trip to Bulgaria!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter, He is Risen!

I hope you had a beautiful Easter celebration and were able to reflect on the amazing gift of Christ.  We had a lovely time on the farm celebrating Easter, Spring, and birthdays....

lots of new farm babies to help us see the 

newness of life that surrounds us.