The Bubble Chaser.....

I hope you've enjoyed these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them. It's precious moments like these when I am so thankful to always have my camera by my side.  (If only had I  captured her giggles would it have been sweeter).

I am often fascinated by the enjoyment my lovies experience from life's little pleasures.  They really do make me stop, even if it's just for a moment, to quietly thank God in my heart for the blessings right before my eyes.  

Whether it be chasing bubbles, swinging as high as they can, jumping in puddles, catching snowflakes on their tongue, throwing rocks into streams, excitement for a picnic (even though it's just a blanket in our yard with some sandwiches), getting piggy back rides from their Daddy, playing in mud, rolling down hills......I could go on.....but I think you get the picture. 

All I know is that my eyes are wide open, and I am really trying not to miss a thing.

The Brownie Man....

As you can see by Nate's face.....icing the brownies is pretty serious business in the Cochran household. 

He even makes sure that the icing tastes just right by sampling it himself....it's a messy job, but someone's got to do it.

And when it comes to messes....Nate's our man!

The Infamous Pig Nose.....

If you visit our house you may see a pig nose (or more) pressed up against a window....it is not uncommon around these parts.

Think I'm kidding?.....just look at my windows....valid proof of the presence of the pig nose.

It always gets a laugh....and Noah, who is one to love making others smile,  has the record for the most pig noses....I am such a proud mama.

Happy Resurrection Day!

I hope you all had a special Easter this year. We really enjoyed this beautiful day. It was just the six of us this year....which is a bit unusual. If we aren't back in PA with our family we would get together with our close friends who live up here, (who we consider family).

After having a rough month battling RSV (respiratory virus) and pneumonia that swept through our entire household....we decided it would be best not to "share" our lovely germs. So it was just us this year. But it was really special.

Our last Easter in New England.....everything is the last....as we will be moving in 3 short months! But that is a whole different blog post....and it makes me all emotional, so we'll stick to the cute pictures of the lovies enjoying this most glorious day...n'kay.

It was a day of celebration.....rejoicing that our Savoir has risen! Knowing that Christ took on the punishment that we should have received.....God sending His one and only Son...because He loves us....is The most beautiful blessing one could Ever enjoy. If there is one nugget that we try help our children understand is God's amazing grace....something Jared and I are still learning about....and becoming more in awe of our Holy God as our journey continues.

So the first four photos are of the kids getting their Easter baskets, which they had to find, (all but Luke of course).  We don't do the whole Easter Bunny bit, the kids know that it is their mama who fills the baskets.....however, hunting for Easter baskets Easter morning is a tradition from my childhood that I want to carry on with my children.

Along with the candy, (which I have to have Jared hide from me...sad I know...I'm just so weak), each of the lovies received new Bibles. Their current ones have been loved on alot, and  the binding is completely falling apart....so new Bibles it is....and from their reactions I'm pretty sure that we had some happy little kiddos.

There is just something awesome when a kid lights up and hugs his new Bible.  Even little Lukey got his first Bible....he is so cute...he absolutely loves it. Has been playing with it all day and hasn't eaten it or ripped a page yet!

 

After church we came home and spent pretty much the rest of the afternoon outside. The kids had a blast on the Easter Egg Hunt....more candy....woot woot!

j

 

I had to sneak a photo of my handsome hub in here. He wore the tie that Noah got him for Christmas today....Noah noticed it right away.....and was so happy that his Dad was wearing a gift that he had picked out for him.

We had a nice meal together....even though the kids were filthy from being outside. I didn't mind...we were sitting around the table together. We ended the evening with a family devotion that Noah led by reading John 20.....from his new Bible.


We put 4 very tired little lovies to bed. 

Much love to you all who are miles away and who we miss very much. 

Talking about The Cross.......

I wanted to write a nice narration to the following pictures....but I have decided not to. 

Please just enjoy the view of 4 little lovies and their Daddy building crosses together. 

We talk to our lovies everyday about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins.....and today was a special way to remember.

It's Official.......

I am proud to introduce......

Professor Cochran

Remembering......April 20, 2002

I wasn't certain that the post you are about to read would  be shared on my blog.....however....this blog is about the life of this family...Jared, myself and our children. And in memory of a child in this family I am dedicating these following words.

On April 20, 2002 when I was 14 wks. pregnant with our "first" baby.....an ultrasound revealed that our precious little peanut didn't make it.  Words really cannot describe the intense loss that Jared and I felt at that moment....and for many moments after the initial realization of what had just happened. 

I vividly remember laying on our bed while enclosed in Jared's strong arms as we wept together. I am not going to prolong the expression of pain that we experienced as this is not what this post is supposed to be about.....something amazing happened through all of this.

The first devotion that Jared and I did together after the loss of our baby was in Romans Chapter 5:1-5. As we read these words, still aching from the experience we were going through at that very moment, God completely made Himself known to us through His Holy Word. 

Let me share this scripture:

Romans 5:1-5

   Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.   Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;   perseverance, character; and character, hope.   And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 

Needless to say, we cried after reading these words..but with tears of joy...yes it was still painful, but we felt a huge measure of God's grace right there at that very moment. Who would have ever thought that we are to rejoice in our sufferings? I had actually read that verse many of times before that day.....but this day it penetrated to the deepest part of me....and I know it did for Jared as well.

It made me think of my Savoir. The suffering of Jesus Christ can not be compared to our suffering....as His was more than any of us could ever realize. I am humbled by His vast love for His children whom He died for. The joy experienced for believers remembering  His resurrection is nothing less than amazing. The joy is in the hope that was given to us that one day we will spend eternity in His glorious presence....Praise God!

For many years I dreaded the anniversary of April 20th...sadly it was a reminder of pain and loss for me. But God...who in His divine providence and grace worked through a close friend of mine. She knew one year that this day was approaching, (knowing how I felt) and she said to me..."Why don't you rejoice on this day, thinking of God's grace and how He was with you and brought you and Jared through this painful experience." 

I had just never thought of it that way, and from that day on, my outlook completely changed.  I am forever grateful for those loving words of wisdom. 

(Thank you Eva)

So now, I am remembering.... I am remembering our baby who grew inside of me for a short time and who God took home. And one day we will reunite. I am remembering God's constant love for me through the joys and the sufferings.  I am remembering the deep love of my Savior.

Tears roll down my cheek right now because as I am typing I hear 4 little lovies in the background. 

God's Word is living and powerful. If it has been a while since you've spent time with Him...I lovingly encourage you to make the time...in prayer and the reading of His Word. 

The photo of the lamb you see was a gift for our baby when we first found out we were pregnant...I have kept that lamb in fond remembrance of that precious little life.

Numbers....

The Number of......

.....colors of playdough out at one time today

23

.....poems I read to my lovies this morning

3

.....pillows, blankets and stuffed animals on our living room floor this evening

40ish all together *smiles*

.....snuggles from my lovies today

lots

.....minutes it took me to clean up dinner

20

.....chapters I read in my Bible today

1

.....episodes of Pink Panther Noah and Nate watched this afternoon

3

.....times Luke giggled today

countless

.....lovies under the weather 

3

.....hugs from my hub today

5 

(and I'm still counting)

.....pictures I took today

49

....times Lauren grabbed Jared's arm and said "My Daddy" today

at least 6

.....bedtime stories I read tonight

3

.....tears I've shed since Luke took his first steps

a couple

.....star wars action figures I put away (because a forgetful 7yr.old didn't)

8

.....minutes I talked to my sister on the phone tonight

34

.....chapters I have completed in the novel I am writing

4

.....months until we move to the Midwest

3

.....hours of sleep I hope to get tonight

7

(but not all in a row....of course)

Our baby's first steps....{sniff}

Capturing one of Life's Precious Moments.....

 Earlier today I was cleaning up the kitchen when an excited Nate came bursting through the door....muddy shoes and all. 

 "Here Mommy...here Mommy....flowers for you!!!"

"They're so beautiful Mom!"

I was completely taken by surprise as my heart gushed.

I quickly came around the island and gave Nate a big hug. We put the flowers up to our noses and took in a deep breath.  The boys often request that I put the flowers in my hair....so a few always go into my locks.

I grabbed a juice glass from the cupboard, filled it with water and put them in....even though there were barely any stems. Nate loved how they looked in the "vase".

That was the first of many flower picking trips for Nate today.....right through the kitchen into my hand....and he always had the same excitement. I just didn't have it in me to scold him for the mud he was tracking in.

These set of photos were captured as I was standing out on the porch with my camera, (as I often do.)  Nate was still lovingly picking these pretties to be put in the vase. I made him stop so I could capture his sweetness.....so glad I did. 

I had to smile as I remember the time when Nate was almost 3.  His speech/language therapist, Nate and I  went for a walk. She tried the entire time to get Nate to give me a flower....his language was significantly delayed and he had a hard time understanding that simple concept.  She would put a flower in his little chubby hand and say..."Ok Nate, now give this flower to Mommy." It took over an hour and much patience, but Nate finally gave me that flower...oh how I wish I had that flower.

But since that day, Nate has given me many flowers and I think that it is just the sweetest thing.  He has come such a long way on this journey that he is on. There are days where I feel like he's regressed, (usually emotionally) and I get discouraged.....but I don't stay in that place for long. Nate is growing.....and as he grows he becomes more beautiful to me....it is amazing to see God at work in this little guys heart. I have so much hope for my son.....and I will always look forward to the flowers.

Our Adventurous Side........

Jared and the older two boys were excited to take their little sister, brother and I to a special place the three of them had been the day before. My kids are natural born explorers and I so love that about their personalities. Curiosity is such  an amazing thing in the life of a child.....(unless your Curious George and always wind up getting into trouble)

A view of the farmhouse while we looked back from the pasture....so pretty. I never saw it from here before, (as there is usually multiple feet of snow or cows grazing here)

I am really going to miss this mountain view when we move from New England. We are really trying to just take it all in and burn this beauty into our memory.

Of course Noah and Nate have to be miles in front of their pokey parents....however, in our defense we were carrying a couple of precious pieces as the stroller would not make it in these parts.

Is that flowing water we see???
(One handed shot...Lukey is in my arms and I am in over a foot of snow....I have mad skill{grin}

Jared graciously leads all of the lovies near the waters edge....well...I guess Noah was the leader in this picture....(as usual)

Just couldn't resist a pic with Daddy....so sweet. Jared loves these kind of family outings.....and I love that about him.

And there's  me and my lovies taking a second to pose as we sink into the mud....literally.

Ahem.....does this remind you of anyone? If not you'll change your mind in the next few photos.

My sweet girl....very delicate, and yet isn't afraid to get dirty......at all.

Daddy hanging out with "the Littles"...our name for the Lauren and Luke duo.

Yes...her face is way dirty and normally I would stop to give a quick spit wash....but hey we were in the woods people....and besides...as I'm looking, not quite sure a spit wash would do the job anyway. So just enjoy her sweetness, dirty face and all.

My big boys....everyone else was excluded from this pic because this huge rock they are sitting on is guarded by a moat of thick mud....I'll just take the picture thank you.

Ok...now do you see who Lauren reminds me of?

Definitely the adventurer of the family...the daring one, the one willing to take the most risks, the one who gets hollered at for giving me a heart attack for his ambitious hiking ideas....that's my Noah.

My Nate....man does this guy love to get dirty. He is never far behind his brother, but thankfully he exercises a bit more caution than Noah.....and this mama is very grateful for that.

I have to say that this is one of my favorite pics of our baby and the love of my life.

After our hike out of the woods it was time for a water break and a little snack....granola bars and graham crackers.....yum-o!

And just look who is in the front once again....I love that kid!

My hero!

 (Jared and I both have pretty significant upper respiratory illnesses and our lungs were burning by the time we made it home...sounds weird, but it was worth it)

Well there you have it. Peaking into an afternoon with our crew. Hope you all enjoyed the journey.