Numbers...

The Number of....

.....times I "usually" have to reheat my morning coffee

2 

.....negative degrees it was last week

-25

.....teeth Luke is cutting

2

.....times I load up the wood burner in one day

6

.....times we have breakfast for dinner each week

3

....books I am reading right now

4

.....jammie days we have in a week in the dead of winter 

4ish


.....times Jared makes me laugh in one day
oh so many

.....star war galactic heroes Noah has in his collection

100+

.....hugs I have given or received today from my hub and lovies

dozens


.....times I pray during the day
depends on the day {smile}

.....hours I spend each week organizing and preparing for school 

3

.....houses we have looked at on line this month

50+

.....times Lauren says "NO" in one day

countless

.....journals I write in

 5

(one for each lovie and a personal one)

.....books we read during family read aloud time

3 

.....times Nate laughs while watching Tom and Jerry

several

.....blessings God has given me

I am still counting......

Something special......

So these two have kind of a special relationship. You would not guess it by this picture, but little miss cuteness can be quite sassy with her biggest brother. 

Then....there are times like these that absolutely make me melt. I keep my camera handy on the bookshelf, so that I can capture moments like these.

Noah is totally a lover, despite his action hero personality, and he craves snuggle time with his little sis.  And I know that he is melting inside too, when she wants big brother time.

I know..I know....she still uses a nucki. When to wean her from it, we're not sure. She has been the most attached to a pacifier out of all of our lovies.

Once that faze is over...once the nucki is no longer needed....well then....they just aren't babies anymore. So if you'll forgive me...it will just take a little bit of time for this mama to let go and let her little baby girl become a big girl...sniff.

Thinking of Spring......

What is Luke up to?

Always Time for a Book.......

As a mama, I have goals that I hope to achieve with my children. And no, I am not going to list them all (that will have to be another post {grin}). Anywho, one goal I hope to achieve is to instill a love of reading in my lovies. I so enjoy watching them go to the book shelf, searching through our library for their selection, then plopping on the couch with their chosen favorite for the moment. Pages rustling through little fingers is such a sweet sound to this mama's ears. The only thing better than that is having my four lovies around me as we snuggle up on the couch for a good story. Even after they learn to read Jared and I will continue to read to them as they grow. Noah seems to share in the love of reading to others. He is always willing to read to anyone who will listen, and right now that eager listener is his little sis.  Nate is at the beginning stages of reading which is so exciting. He is so proud of himself after he finishes a short story.....and I have to say that I am pretty proud of him too. The book in the picture is one of the ones I read to the kids during our morning story time. The kids found it quite humorous and Nate decided he wanted to revisit it on his own.....that's how it all begins.

Noah's Morning Verse.........

Every morning Noah starts his school day....um...in his jammies usually, but more importantly he copies a verse from the Bible. He does the same verse  Monday  through Friday, which is most helpful in memorizing Scripture. 

We chose to do this as the first part of our school day because if life gets crazy...which it does {grin}...and we get side-tracked for a day and are unable to do "school", then at least the most important part is achieved...and that is getting into God's Word.  I think of this now because little Luke is running a fever and not feeling well...wanting his mama to hold him all day.  I wish my baby wasn't sick, but I certainly don't mind the snuggle time. So...life happens and we roll with it...and in doing so, we try to keep our priorities straight. Now if you'll excuse me...there is a certain little baby who is going to fall asleep in this mama's arms...sigh...something that never gets old for me.

The Little Viking....

Of course Noah has been eager to dress up Luke. Noah and Nate dress up daily and I never know what to expect. Noah was so excited that Luke seemed to like being a "Little Viking".

Just love those lashes.......

A little girl that's loved.....

Watching these two definitely put a smile on my face. She can be a little sassy with her big brothers....but she would be lost without them.

Loving Nate.....

I grabbed my camera while 3 of the 4 lovies were outside having a blast in the snow. It was freezing as I stood on the porch in my slippers. I had to be quick because the Lukester was inside wondering where in the heck his mama went. As I watched Nate up on the hill, playing, laughing, being free...like all kids should be....I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed inside. I was so grateful at that very moment that Nate was my son, and that God made me his mama. He makes me smile when I think of how far he has come. This little man has taught me more than you could imagine....I pray everyday for my Nate and for God to extend His grace in helping me be the best mama I can be...for Nate and all of my lovies.

My Snow Eater.....

"Mom, I know you're watching me......but it doesn't matter.....I want to eat this snow."

"Yes...I am checking to make sure it is clean...just like you told me.....never eat yellow snow."

"I like to test it with my tongue first."

"The tricky part is trying not to get this cold stuff all over my face."

"Good stuff!"

On the Horizon.......

Lots on the horizon for this family.....

We recently were blessed in finding out that my hub has been offered a position at a university in the mid-west, a true answer to prayer, especially in the midst of this difficult economic time.......

This means our life is about to start a new chapter.....

So many emotions have been moving through me....excitement, nervousness, saddness, joy, overall a little overwhelmed.......

Overwhelmed at the thought that we are moving...starting all over again. Leaving our friends that we have grown to know and love, moving to a place not knowing a soul....

Realizing  that we are not moving back to where we started...still being miles away from family....closer though which I am deeply thankful for.....

My heart truly is excited for this wonderful opportunity, and I am so proud of my wonderful hard working husband.....

It's the saying good-bye and starting all over again that has me a bit sad and nervous as well....

But I have to say..through all of these emotions and changes that are going to take place, I know one thing that will never change....

And that is the love from my God, my Redeemer, my Savior.....

This is a journey, and I feel unbelievably blessed, and I will cling to His goodness through all of my emotions.....because they will change from day to day.....moment to moment....

But my God is a faithful God and I trust in Him....thankful for His Spirit that I am able to trust....

Praying, praying, praying for wisdom and guidance through this transition....

And I can't help but feel excited to see what God has in store for us....a new town, a new job, a new church, new friends.....

A change is on the horizon.....and although not a fan of change myself,  I am looking forward to continuing on this journey with my husband and children.

What is little Miss Lauren up to?......

I am so glad that I captured those eyes.....she gives that look when she's contemplating doing something that she probably shouldn't.

Jared said that this was the "best" batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies that he has ever tasted of mine....sigh...I can't take all of the credit...I did have 3 other little helpers in the kitchen.

The cookies were still warm and she was enjoying every bite....I totally wanted to lick her face....I mean seriously....what a waste of perfectly good chocolate.

I refrained from licking the chocolate off of my daughter's face and gave into the temptation and had one two myself.

My Little Man.....

Ok....so now the big boy is sitting up......

.....and growing by the day....

....still melting my heart with that sweet smile.

Welcome to Noah's Zoo......

Noah is just one of those kids with an amazing imagination....he's always been like that. He was so proud of his zoo that he created.

He took me on a tour, showing me each animal and where they live in his zoo. So amazing the hours of play a simple piece of packing cardboard provides.

Of course his baby sis had to come in an destroy parts of it....thankfully he has a bit of tolerance and a forgiving heart.

You've Got A Friend In Me.........

Nate is in a Toy Story kick right at the moment.....he loves playing with the characters.....watching him puts a smile on my face.

Brother Lovin'

I personally have always found Noah to be quite delicious.....I see that Luke agrees with his mama.