Rays of Sunshine

Last week we had a week of glorious warmth and sun - days of going for walks, loading up the van without boots and coats and hats and mittens, days of playing in the sandbox. This week we're back to snowplows, slush and muck. But the promise of spring is coming, and my little rays of sunshine still reside in the house, granted with several thunder clouds thrown in the mix.

Why yes, that is a chocolate macaroon in my daughters hand :) Don't judge - she's the third child who had a horrible case of teething all week, and hadn't eaten much in 48 hours, so I tempted her with whatever I could :)

Other Mommy

"Emma, can you get your clothes on?"

"My other mommy told me to lie down for a bit before getting dressed."

"Emma!"

"Okay."

10 minutes later...

"Emma, can you please finish your breakfast?"

"My other mommy told me I didn't have to."

"Who's your other mommy?"

"Over there."

"The teddy bear?!?!?"

"Yup, she lets me do stuff."

Nice, I'm playing good cop-bad cop with a teddy bear. Thanks, Em!

Jessie-Lynn

This little one, our beloved third-born, is a ham. Our precious Jessie, who finally hit 18 lbs, is an expert manipulator. Prior to her birth, I was concerned about how a third would fit in with the dynamic duo, how would this child be able to keep up? God has given Jessie a personality that assures me I will never have to worry about her getting lost in the mix. She currently has 8 teeth, including two molars, and is teething up a storm! This is making it challenging to motivate her to do any moving or exercises, but she's getting there!

Jessie is experiencing some developmental delays in the gross motor category, but is testing well in all the other categories. We're doing therapy withher, and she is making great strides. I think she had silent reflux, combined with some nerve pinching/muscle tightness, so a lot of what we are doing is helping her re-learn how to move, now that it doesn't hurt. Unfortunately, she's developed great techniques at getting us to do what she wants, so it's also about us re-learning how to motivate her. Hopefully we'll be able to get her up to speed within the next 4-6 weeks.

Having children is an amazing twine that wrap us tighter to our Father's heart. We worry about them, we pray over them, and they drive us to our knees. We realize very quickly that we are in way over our heads when it comes to parenting, and beg for wisdom, insight, and overwhelming grace to cover our shortcomings. In all these prayers and wrestlings, we praise God for our children.

Snow days...

So, after predicting snow of epic proportions, we did end up getting about 14 inches, but with the wind, there were frequent drifts of 4-5 feet. Bible study was cancelled, my eye specialist appointment was cancelled, so we enjoyed this rare, quiet morning at home. I taught the twins how to use scissors, something I may regret in the near future. We baked cookies, had a picnic on a 'train', made cards for the VanDykes and played games.

Yes, my fashionista's! Sammi is wearing Jessie's 12 month jeans.

Jessie has finally started to eat real food. She's begun to enjoy bananas, toast and veggies. The little stinker would only eat oatmeal and yogurt for almost 6 weeks, but she's starting to branch out... a little :) Notice the chairs all in a row. That was the train, and Jessie got to be the train driver, Samantha and Emma

Poor Jack

We've gotten several inches of snow over the last few days. While as a mom, this met with great dread. Extra work - switching toindoor shoes and back again, extra layers, crawling across a wet vet to get kids buckled in, trying to ensure the carseat buckles are snug despite puffy jackets, added mittens, boots and scarves. But, as Sammi said when she looked out the window, "God made it snow, just for us!" These daughters remind me so frequently of God's goodness to us! God made snow. And every good and perfect gift is from above. Therefore I will praise God for the snow.

Jack, however may not be thankful for snow. When I looked outside, he had 3 inches of snow on his back? Sammi was trying to burry him, and Emma was giving him a 'snow coat'. No wonder he then ran to VanDykes as soon as he saw Dale. Poor dog needs to be rescued frequently!

Riding hippos

"Whatcha doing?"

"Riding hippos"

"Oh, that sounds like fun. Do you mean horses?"

"No, we like hippos better!"

10 months

This little sweetheart is already 10 months old. With her mad scientist hair, and quick grin, she is a joy to watch. Even this morning, as she was giggling on the bed, we were amazed to think that it was such a different story 6 months ago. She's into giggling, cheerios and her sisters. She loves to stand, but hates to be on her belly. Crazy over Jack, Jessie loves to feed him, and he waits patiently under the highchair. Jessie loves peek-a-boo, her BSF leaders (Bible Study Fellowship) and shopping. Grocery shopping has become a longer affair, because she smiles at everyone, and we get stopped regularly. Especially on Seniors Day :)

We love you, precious little one!