I blinked ~ 8 yrs passed!

Where have the last eight years gone?  He was my little 5lb 12oz baby...

...now his daddy says he is old enough to have and use his own tools.

{and yes, I was informed that in 8 more years he would be driving. yikes!}

Birthday Parade

All of our children's birthdays fall from the middle of January to the first part of March~  It's one big party bash for a few weeks around here!

 

 No picture of the Lego cake allowed.  It was quite disastrous, looking a lot more like some cheap off brand of building blocks rather than the much-loved Lego.  {What 7 year old boy doesn't like Legos?}

And my attempt at a lower sugar cake for the family members that prefer not to eat too much sugar was pretty much a bust too.  Chalk it up to experience~A birthday cake is just better if it's unhealthy!

He liked the lamb, and managed to destroy most of its face.  {note~it's not a great idea to let a one year old cram his mouth FULL of cake.  yikes!}

And this one tells a story.  He is quite pleased to be four, although he keeps asking when he'll be five??!  We sang to him when we were in Florida.  He didn't have a cake or candle yet, but we sang anyway.  He sang along through the whole song, then smiled and leaned over and blew out his pretend candle, and then leaned his head back and let out an adorable giggle!   

And my oldest.  Ten Years Old.  TEN! 

I could say that "time flies when you're having fun" but that's an overused cliche.  It is true that time flies, though.  And she's growing up.  Fast!



Happy Ninth!

Yes, this is a belated birthday wish for my oldest. Our life is pretty busy... new baby..school..funeral this week...and I just plain forgot about a blog post!

Here she is..... 7lb 4oz of sweetness!

Her birthday gift.

Another birthday at our house! L turned 9. {halfway to 18...yikes!}

Her favorite activities: Paint. sew. craft. read. dolls.

She has always liked to play with her dolls. Now she is starting to like to make things for her dolls, rather than just play "house" all of the time.

She always has her nose in a book in any spare time. I find myself saying things to her that my mom said to me: "Please don't read at the table" and "No, you can't finish the book before you do your chores."

She is a good big sister to her 3 brothers, and a great help to me.

Happy {belated!} Birthday, Sweet Daughter!

I'm Three!

Three years ago, we were blessed with our second son.......

He was a very easy, content baby. Set his own eating/sleeping schedule and just easily transitioned to sleeping all night. His first protest to life was when we decided it was time for him to stop sucking his thumb!

He's my dark brown eye, blond hair sweetie! At three, he's just beginning to talk alot...and I think his favorite thing to say is "Mommy, wook {look}!" He's full of energy and likes to sing...although he sings whole songs on tune, he only gets a few of the words. His latest songs are: Here I Am to Worship {I really don't know when/where he heard that one!} , Jingle Bells, and Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday to You, LittleM!

Birthday Treats

Cupcakes decorated by my children

Talk about being spoiled on my birthday...all this on top of the pancake breakfast! And I didn't even take a picture of the bag of Cadbury Eggs my sister brought for me. Yummo! I haven't even opened them because I'm afraid once they are opened my will-power will fly out the window! It's a good thing they are only in the stores in the spring!

Oh ~ I found a picture...just so you can drool!

Birthday Breakfast

So today is my birthday. {31st..to be exact!} My dear family cooked up a scheme to surprise me with breakfast. And I would have been still snoozing while they fixed it, but it happened to time to feed the baby. So I sat in the rocking chair and pretended that it was normal for my daughter and husband to be sneaking around in the kitchen at 6:30 in the morning!

My two biggest boys - waiting patiently

The chefs - sweet daughter with the idea, sweet husband with the kindness to help her pull it off!

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes - they sure know what kind of recipe this mama would pick!

Complete with a gift of bubble bath - they do know what I like !

This little plaque was tucked down in the gift...it has the verse John 16:24 which says:

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

I decided to put it on the little stand beside my bed. Because I'm sure that the time is quickly coming that when I hear a cry in the night I will groan {big-time} and wish I could stay snuggled in my warm covers. {speaking from experience..this isn't the first time I've had a newborn!} So I put it there to remind me to ask the Lord for strength, love and patience when I crawl out of bed, again, to care for our sweet baby.

So it has been a special start to my day. I have a family that loves me. Oh that I can show God's love to them as I care for their needs.

Boys and Their Toys

We had Dad and Mom over last night for supper. They are heading to Florida to spend the rest of the winter...Mom had a birthday this week and they will miss the birthdays of all three of our children. So, it was a chance to celebrate before they took off. (yes, I'd love to go along especially since it's 16 degrees this morning. brrr!)

Grandma and BigM

Since Mom had four little boys herself, she knows that a gift of Legos is awesome!

Yes, Daddy likes them too!

Do you think he likes his vice-grips? Clamped firmly to the pillowcase...no chance of them running off during the night :) He is quite thrilled with a "real, metal tool!"

1 Year Old!

It has been a year since the arrival of my sweet nieces!

No, these aren't multiple pictures of the same little girl....

Here they are, all together :)

They were little ladies, not making too big of a disaster of their birthday cupcakes!

When I see them, I am reminded again of the miracle of healthy children. Praise God!

Birthdays/Easter Celebration

We spent Sunday with the family...4 birthdays to celebrate and an early Easter.

Beautiful, springy centerpiece

L is now 8 (in March) and LittleM is 2 (Feb.)

Happy Birthday, sweet children. May God keep you through this year.

Coloring Fun

Christ the Lord is Risen...HALLELUJAH!

Florida

Well, I guess it's time to update. I've been negligent, I hear! We went to Florida in February to visit hubby's parents. We also spent some time on the Keys...relaxing!! I'll think I'll just post some pictures and call it good. Then move on with life!

To Grandma's, AT LAST!

I like this picture because it looks like they are carrying on quite the conversation.


Grilled Hamburgers, Corn on the Cob, Fresh-Picked Tomatoes, Avocado, and Strawberry Shortcake. Need I say more?

Hunting for shells

Little M was quite content to sit and play with the sand. He was quite mesmerized.

Beach where we stayed on the Keys

L's sandcastle. Complete with a moat and a well.

Tenth Avenue North in concert at Islamorada Community Church

He's a natural sunbather!

Up early to see the sunrise

Beautiful! If I had to describe this picture with one word, I think I would choose FREEDOM!

Little M cleaning out the strawberry bowl

Swinging on Grandpa's swing

L and I on our walk out to Black Point

Strawberry milkshakes, Strawberry sundaes, and cinnamon rolls for lunch at Knaus' Berry Farm

Celebrating with a balloon. LittleM's 2nd Birthday.

Our Alligator friend at Anhinga Trail

L with Grandpa Great

Happy Birthday!

We were blessed with a very relaxing trip. Beautiful weather and lots of fun times. Thanks Dad and Mom for letting us crash in on you!