After over 6 years of blogging on some site or another, I've decided to stop. My original reason for starting a blog was to keep extended family up to date on the goings on of all my kids. It seems now there are less time consuming ways of doing that. Blogging has become something of a chore and harder to squeeze in on a regular basis with four kids. I keep a journal for each child as well as a photo album, so don't feel the need to document in triplicate.
It's been a fun journey from childless to having four.Thanks for coming along with me!
For His Glory.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Thanksgiving Party
Today D had is first Kindergarten program and party to celebrate Thanksgiving. He did a great job remembering all his lines and reciting poems! It was fun to see how much he's grown since school's started and what a good student he is. D and I got to do a craft together and then D, Kyle, Grammie, K and I got to share a Thanksgiving meal with all his classmates and there parents.
 |
| D waiting for the program to begin! |
 |
| Just like Mama, D is the tallest in his class. :) |
 |
| A very attentive boy! |
Thursday, November 3, 2011
The Measure of a Mom
I've been having a lot of discussions with others and myself lately about self-worth and my role as a mom. With all of the availability of information these days we are bombarded with how every mother "does things". Of course most people only present their good sides online and so it's easy to start the comparing game and come up far short of ideal.
Our ancestors only had other family members as a gauge on motherhood, which in a way is good as family shares many of the same ideas, beliefs, worldviews, etc so one is mostly to be encouraged with that comparison. But when you start looking at how people from completely different backgrounds, beliefs, socioeconomic groups and even countries parent, you are bound to be discouraged. There is no way any one person could meet the ideal of so many different points of view. In fact if you believe as I do, there is no way to achieve ideal at all. So often I catch myself praying and asking God to make me a better mother and then realize that my prayer really should be "make me a good mother". Without Him I am completely selfish, self-centered, and manipulative of my family. I need Him in order to point my kids to Him.
Recently a list of what an Abiding Mom looked like was going around the social network. I printed it off and pasted it on my wall. It's a great reminder of all that truly matters in life and in our role as moms. That said, what do we do about all that other things we have to make decisions on that aren't of eternal importance, but are still important (i.e. education, health, meals, discipline, extra-curricular activities, etc.)? Like I said before, a hundred years ago there just weren't many options and a young mom simply did what her family had always done in regards to the business of life. Now with all of our convenient technology we have more choices and options then we know what to do with and yet we all want to feel like we made the best decisions and "did right by our kids". Of course once we decide something it becomes what is "right" in our minds in order to meet that need of doing the right thing for our kids. By default then any other choice has to be wrong. This phenomenon has caused divisions in families, churches, and communities. I don't have the answer to the question "How do we allow for a multitude of choices and still be confident in the rightness of our own?"
That leads to my question how do I measure myself as a Mom outside of eternal things if there is no "right way" OR should I not be measuring myself by anything else then by how I point my kids to Christ and all that that entails? That is so hard for me as it's not easily quantified and measured (which is totally how I think). I do though want most of all for one day both my God to say "well done good and faithful servant (Matt 25:21)" and my children to "rise up and call me blessed (Prov 31:28)". I just need to be reminded of that and trust in God's leading and equipping of me in the everyday. I heard once that one really doesn't get to see the "results" of how you did as a parent until your kids are parents. That is a long time!! One thing is for sure... being a parent has forced me to pray and rely on God sooo much more then almost anything else I've encountered in life.
In other measurements... the girls had their checkups last week. Both are completely healthy with no developmental concerns. :)
A is 38lbs and 41in (75% in both areas)
K is 14lbs 6ozs and 25 3/4 in. (K definitely has more rolls then A did at this age. But still only 75% for length and 50% for weight)
Our ancestors only had other family members as a gauge on motherhood, which in a way is good as family shares many of the same ideas, beliefs, worldviews, etc so one is mostly to be encouraged with that comparison. But when you start looking at how people from completely different backgrounds, beliefs, socioeconomic groups and even countries parent, you are bound to be discouraged. There is no way any one person could meet the ideal of so many different points of view. In fact if you believe as I do, there is no way to achieve ideal at all. So often I catch myself praying and asking God to make me a better mother and then realize that my prayer really should be "make me a good mother". Without Him I am completely selfish, self-centered, and manipulative of my family. I need Him in order to point my kids to Him.
Recently a list of what an Abiding Mom looked like was going around the social network. I printed it off and pasted it on my wall. It's a great reminder of all that truly matters in life and in our role as moms. That said, what do we do about all that other things we have to make decisions on that aren't of eternal importance, but are still important (i.e. education, health, meals, discipline, extra-curricular activities, etc.)? Like I said before, a hundred years ago there just weren't many options and a young mom simply did what her family had always done in regards to the business of life. Now with all of our convenient technology we have more choices and options then we know what to do with and yet we all want to feel like we made the best decisions and "did right by our kids". Of course once we decide something it becomes what is "right" in our minds in order to meet that need of doing the right thing for our kids. By default then any other choice has to be wrong. This phenomenon has caused divisions in families, churches, and communities. I don't have the answer to the question "How do we allow for a multitude of choices and still be confident in the rightness of our own?"
That leads to my question how do I measure myself as a Mom outside of eternal things if there is no "right way" OR should I not be measuring myself by anything else then by how I point my kids to Christ and all that that entails? That is so hard for me as it's not easily quantified and measured (which is totally how I think). I do though want most of all for one day both my God to say "well done good and faithful servant (Matt 25:21)" and my children to "rise up and call me blessed (Prov 31:28)". I just need to be reminded of that and trust in God's leading and equipping of me in the everyday. I heard once that one really doesn't get to see the "results" of how you did as a parent until your kids are parents. That is a long time!! One thing is for sure... being a parent has forced me to pray and rely on God sooo much more then almost anything else I've encountered in life.
In other measurements... the girls had their checkups last week. Both are completely healthy with no developmental concerns. :)
A is 38lbs and 41in (75% in both areas)
K is 14lbs 6ozs and 25 3/4 in. (K definitely has more rolls then A did at this age. But still only 75% for length and 50% for weight)
 |
| Baby K is already starting to out grow her washpod. :( |
 |
| She really is a sweet happy girl and so excited to be upright. |
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Pink Party
Abi decided that she wanted a pink party for her 4th birthday this year. So we did our best to make every thing we could pink. She invited 5 of her closest friends and seemed to have a blast. It's always interesting to get that many 3-5 year old girls together and see how they interact. For the most part they played quite nicely. Our "party craft" was coloring life sized pictures of themselves. Each "portrait" was very indicative of their personalities! I think the guests went home with full hearts and hands and I know that A really enjoyed having them all here!
 |
| The party table all ready to go |
 |
| Some of the decorations. |
 |
| Kaity's all set for the pink party! |
 |
| Abi and Kaity |
 |
| Attempting to help Mama blow up balloons. |
 |
| Go Abi Go! |
 |
| Happy Birthday to you! |
 |
| Time for Pink cupcakes! |
 |
| Enjoying treats. |
 |
| More friends. |
 |
| So much fun. |
 |
| Pink cupcake with pink frosting! |
 |
| Burning some energy on a beautiful day. |
 |
| I'm four! |
 |
| Fun beads! |
 |
| Fancy dress up! |
Monday, October 3, 2011
4
My #4 baby is already 4 months. She is starting to show signs of her personality. I think she will be more reserved then A or J, but still can hold her own. She smiles when smiled at, is occasionally ticklish, and laughs when genuinely amused. K is finally sleeping in the room with her sister in her crib. She still gets up once a night, but goes right back to sleep. Her day schedule is up for 1.5-2 hrs and sleeps for 1.5-2 hrs. She has had to be the most flexible as we have to take Dean to school and other such things. All the "big kids" love her and vie for her attention. K sucks her thumb when tired, so I guess I'll have to break all four of the habit!
We love and cherish our little baby and are so grateful that God saw fit to bless us with her!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
We love and cherish our little baby and are so grateful that God saw fit to bless us with her!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
For my records...
D and K had their check ups today. D was 49# and 47 in or 3ft 11in. Can't believe he's that big already!
K was 13 lbs 2 oz and 24 in (at 3 months 13 days). She's put on 4 lbs since her last check up two months ago and grown almost 2 more inches! For comparision A (at 4 months 6 days) was 12 lbs 8oz and 25.5 in. So fun too see kids growing and changing. It happens so quickly. All are healthy with no concerns too. :)
K was 13 lbs 2 oz and 24 in (at 3 months 13 days). She's put on 4 lbs since her last check up two months ago and grown almost 2 more inches! For comparision A (at 4 months 6 days) was 12 lbs 8oz and 25.5 in. So fun too see kids growing and changing. It happens so quickly. All are healthy with no concerns too. :)
 |
| Who is this? ;) I guess all my kids do look alike. |
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Older ones
Too often the baby gets the lions share of the camera and posts, so here is one of the three oldest on Labor watching the Colorado Balloon Classic. Awesome pic of the three of them!
In the genes...
I really really tried to push the paci this time around, but I still seemed to have failed. I guess it's in the genes as they look eerily similar here.
 |
| Abi- age 3 months |
 |
| Kaity- age 3 months |
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
My First's First..
Yesterday we got the long awaited call that Dean finally had a spot in the Kindergarten at CMCA. We hurriedly went shopping last night for uniforms and supplies and dropped him off at 12:00 today for his first day (he's in afternoon K). He was so excited and though wasn't sure of all the routines and procedures was happy to jump right in and figure it out. I am so proud of how much he's grown and how bold he is. I'm excited to see all that he learns and how he grows this school year. Also, a big "shout out" to CMCA's staff for making this transition so easy on both student and parent. One of the big reasons we chose this school was for how welcome they make parents feel. I truly felt that they are partnering with Kyle and I in training and teaching our son! Yeah!
 |
| First day of school in his uniform. |
 |
| Showing off the spiderman backpack that he picked out. |
 |
| So ready to go! |
 |
| Did you get a good picture of my backpack? :) |
 |
| Mama (and Kaity) in the Kindergarten hallway. Kyle felt the need to take a picture of me. :) |
 |
| Dean sitting in his class line listening to stories and songs while awaiting school to start. |
Monday, August 22, 2011
Family Camping
Two weekends ago we ventured out on our first family camping trip. All things considered it went pretty well. The boys took to the woods like fish to water so I see many father/son trips in their future. The girls weren't so amused by the cold and we were constantly having to layer them. I got sick during the trip, so much of the weekend is a blur to me. My SIL Emily came along and was a huge help to Kyle with the kids, as I pretty much just focused on K and slept. Considering though that we didn't get rained out, no one else got sick or injured, and they all want to do it again; I would say that it was a successful trip!
 |
| Me loving on a friend's little girl. |
 |
| Kyle preparing to roast marshmallows while Emily holds a bundled K. |
 |
| Miss A checking things out. |
 |
| My handsome and very capable husband. I did very little on this trip. |
 |
| Emily carried K in the Beco for our little day hike. I love having a "nanny"! |
 |
| It was an improved campground, so the kids brought their bikes to ride. |
 |
| D playing ladder golf. |
 |
| Campfire singalong. |
 |
| Mama and J on the hiking trail. |
 |
| Having a snack on the bridge. |
 |
| Kyle doing his best "Sherlock Holmes" impersonation |
 |
| The kids up early for breakfast. |
The many faces of Kaitlyn..
 |
| Our little 2 month old! |
 |
| She rarely holds still while awake. |
 |
| First smile captured on camera. |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)