Happy Birthday Lauren.....

A few years ago God blessed our family with a beautiful baby girl. And today that baby girl turned 3.  This is a post to my daughter, who I love more than words could ever express. 

I will never forget the moment that I laid eyes on you....being in complete awe that I was a mama to a little girl. God is using you in so many beautiful ways, moving my heart daily....I love watching you grow and I cherish the bond that you and I share.

.....you love pink....alot

.....you play with your babies everyday

.....you have a shoe fetish

.....you love to sing

.....you like to chew gum

.....you give each of your brothers a kiss every night...and they love it

.....you get excited when we get together with other little girls

.....you love to fold laundry

.....you are very nurturing

.....you pray more than any other one of our lovies

.....you can be emotional

.....you tell me that I'm pretty all of the time

.....you gave up your nucky today...finally (no more pacifier at bedtime)

.....you cut the tip off of your nucky and threw it in the garbage

.....you cried hard....and I cried with you

.....you like to have your nails painted...pink of course

.....you love love love to be read to...and I love love love to read to you

.....you often end up in bed between Daddy and I 

.....you enjoy going to Sunday School and church

.....you named one of your baby dolls "Noah"

.....you ask to "do school" like your big brothers

.....you are very loving and affectionate

.....you love to help me in the kitchen

.....you like to pick out your clothes and prefer little help with getting dressed

.....you have a wonderful imagination

.....you usually cry when I brush your hair

.....you want a baby sister

.....you love to play outside

.....you are quite a talker....always telling stories

.....your laugh is sweet

.....you love to be tickled

.....you love to talk on the phone 

.....you love looking at photos....just like your mama

.....you are still a Daddy's girl

.....you always used to reply to "I love you" with "I love you too much"

.....you and Luke have a special bond...only being 15mos. apart

.....you often sit and pretend like you are reading a book

.....you still wear a bow or some kind of clip in your hair every day....we call it a "hair pretty"

.....you know what foods are healthy and which are not

.....you would never know you had two broken legs less than six months ago

.....you love Jesus

.....you run to the door every day when your Daddy comes home from work

.....you are a hugger and a snuggler...I love it!

.....you like to dance

.....you love it when Nate chases you

.....you love babies, always wanting to hold one that is near...you even still try to hold Luke!

.....you love to draw and are proud of your art

Lauren....you are loved more than you know. Not only from a family who adores you, but from a Heavenly Father who cares for you more deeply than any of us even realize. God has used you to strengthen my faith in many ways. Thank you for all of the times that you hold my hand and ask to pray with me.....in those moments it is hard to remember that you are only three.....I often well up with tears because of how you talk to God. Daddy and I are so thankful for you and we pray for you everyday sweet girl.

Happy Birthday Lauren

I Love You,

Mommy

Loving These Years.......

All children go through their different stages in life....different seasons throughout their childhood....I really have been enjoying them all, even though some years are more challenging than others. It's the challenging seasons that seem to be the most rewarding. 

I think we are entering a new season of childhood with Noah as he grows and matures.  

There are times when I just sit and watch my 8 yr. old son....and I think to myself....how did we get here so fast? 

I am slowly letting go....and it is hard....because I just want to hold on tight to my baby....but that's not going to do him any good.  I am trying to embrace the blessings of being able to be here, along side my lovies as they experience life while they grow in maturity....and in that growth is where I have to patiently sit in the nest, giving them room.....so that they can fly.

God willing,  Noah will someday be a husband and a father....and yes I think about that....and I pray about that even now....because right now matters.  Someday he is going to be the spiritual leader in his family. What we do with him now will affect the kind of man he will become.

God has been so gracious to us....and Jared and I cling to Him for His grace and mercy in raising our children.  Are there days I feel like a complete failure?.....Yep...it's the many days when I try to do this on my own, when I am not relying and trusting in God.

There are a plethora of tools in raising and training children. The most important tool as parents that Jared and I have is the beautiful truth of God's Word. This is what we must be training our lovies in....every. single. day. 

For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

These photos of Noah are precious to me....not only because He is working on copying one his memory verses (Romans 12:9), but because these photos have captured the way Noah holds his tongue to the side of his mouth....I see this everyday,(anytime he is working hard at something.) As his mama I think that it is cute.  And just in case when he is older and doesn't believe me....I will have these photos as proof! 

Waiting....

Having moved from New England to Indiana six months ago, God has certainly blessed our transition in more ways than I can count.

Our lovies have settled right in....we have made our house a home and are six months into memory making here.

No complaints.....except for one...."Mama, where is the snow?" These words are usually asked by Nate...the snow lover. Our last New England winter was memorable to say the least....more snow than any of us have ever seen. The boys absolutely had a blast playing outside....Lauren was even out there as well.

Beautiful and breathtaking were usually the way I described the white blanket that draped anything that was motionless....for months.  Jared would use words like....ridiculously cold, wet and heavy, relentless....usually as he was snowblowing and shoveling....while I was warm and cozy inside with a cup of coffee, next to the wood burner holding a baby looking out the window...*smile*

So....we've been waiting. Waiting for winter to start....but isn't spring just around the corner? I hope you enjoy these photos of Nate.....desperate for some fun in the white stuff. Of course I was smiling from ear to ear as I watched my son "play in the snow."

If you would like to see our last New England winter, just click on some of the winter months from 2011 located on my side bar....or click here to see one of the most beautiful winter days I have ever experienced.

Taking the Time......

Toddlers are curious little critters.....and Luke is definitely no exception. Our home has a fireplace which we love to use....so warm and cozy sitting together enjoying it as a family.  But of course, fire can be dangerous, so we must give our lovies rules to follow. 

Jared is really good at quenching the curiosity of our lovies. He enjoys taking them aside and explaining things to them....he takes the time to do this. They want to learn, they want someone to take the time to show them how things work.  Having said that, of course Jared always exercises caution whether they are building a campfire or fixing the lawnmower.

I am thankful that their Daddy takes the time with them....even when sometimes it takes much longer when you are explaining something to curious little eyes.  Alot of our learning is by doing...by experiencing. Jared and I  try to include our lovies in as much of our daily duties and chores as possible...taking them along with us....talking, explaining, showing and most importantly letting them help in some way. 

And for me....there is just something super cute when Daddy has a little sidekick soaking up every word he says and willing to help with his eager, adorable chubby toddler hands.