Babies

Lately I have been thinking that I love babies.

No, this is not an announcement of any sort! 

I just think I get babies.  If they are hungry, you feed them (oh, and I do love nursing, too!).  If they are tired, you lay them down.  If they are dirty, you change them.  Babies do not talk back, they do not need discipline, they do not make huge messes all over the house, they are easily lifted out of dangerous situations.  I know that everyone has a different age of child that they click with, and I think that perhaps my age is babies.  My kids are a lot of fun at the ages they are, too, but when I see the pictures of my brand-new (as in 24 hours old!!) nephew, I think, hmmm...there is just something so lovely about newborns.  And maybe this is just sort of a reactionary post in that I'm feeling sort of overwhelmed by the whole discipline thing with my older children who may or may not talk back, need to be disciplined, make huge messes, and linger in dangerous situations.  I'm not sure if we're going to have more kids, but I'm pretty sure I'll always love those just-sent-from heaven blessings, if only for the fact that I can snuggle them and then hand them back before bedtime!

Our Weekend

On Saturday Ryan's friend from college was in town for a choir competition.  His show choir was performing, and his wife and five-year-old daughter were also with him.  The boys were excited to see a show, and we wanted to see them, so we decided to go see them.  I was never in show choir and have not really been around a lot of high school kids in a long time.  It is seriously a whole different world than the one I know!  Being around all of the teens took me back to my high school days (were they really that long ago??), and it was strange to imagine my own kiddos being that old and to wonder what they will be like.  I kind of like just seeing them at this preschool/early elementary age. 

Anyway, Jack and Grant loved the performances and did a great job listening, although Jack did decide to get his groove on during Ryan's friend's performance.  (I didn't mind that as much as chasing Caroline up and down the steps of the bleachers!)  After their part was over, we hung out with Daph-uh-ne (how Jack says her name), and they had so much fun playing and laughing and running up and down the hallway.  It was so cute to see them together.  That night Jack said, "I liked playing with Daph-uh-ne," in a sad voice.  I love seeing my kids have fun with other kids!
Today we visited our third new church in three weeks.  Since our church cancelled all of its children's programs because of a measles outbreak (grrr...don't get me started on that one!), we have used these off Sundays to visit other churches we've wanted to try.  I think this week's church is the one we'd attend if we decided to leave our church.  Is it bad to think like that?  I know several people from work who go there, and we just really enjoyed the worship time and the pastor--down to earth but not fluffy.  I am not a big fan of fluff sermons.

So, that was our weekend.  As I write this post I realize that I have a) been living a very boring life the past few weeks and b) not taken many pictures.  I will try to do better with both in the future!

A fallen world

I have had a heavy heart the past couple of days.  On Monday morning I opened my Facebook only to read a status update from a friend and co-worker that said, "RIP Mom."  This girl's (and I say "girl because this friend is only 22!) mother was also a co-worker and could not have been that old either.  I was sure I was completely wrong in assuming her mother had passed away and read to see people's responses.  As it slowly sunk in that Susan did, indeed, pass away, the weight of it fell heavy on my heart.  Conversations I'd had with her, interactions she'd had with my kids, and advice she'd given replayed in my mind.  And the reality that I would no longer hear her raspy voice or see her high five my kids or have her help me with that dumb toner copier bottle brought tears to my eyes (and continue to do so even as I write this).  I keep thinking that it hardly seems fair that a young grandmother should be taken from her family.  However, I'm also reminded (even from a conversation today) of children who have been taken too early from their parents and families.  All of this brings to mind the reality of living in a fallen world and that death was not in God's plan.  I also feel so terrible for my friend Ashley ("A-ee" as Caroline calls her) as she deals with her mother's death.  She's only slept 3 hours in the past 3 days and is running on fumes.  Would you mind praying for her?  I cannot imagine losing my mom, and I'm 34.  How does a 22-year-old single mom say goodbye to hers?

Two!

Sweet Caroline,

You are two!  Yesterday I felt sad, thinking you will never be my one-year-old again and that I will no longer state your age in months.  However, when I see all that you do and how you fit into our family, I cannot help but be happy as I anticipate this year with you as a two year old.  You are a perfect foil to the craziness and energy of your brothers.  You play quietly with your babies and carry your little purse and blanket around while your brothers wrestle on the couch.  There have been numerous times I have thanked the Lord that he gave you to us! :)  You love to follow your brothers around, doing what they do, especially when they play "Bobos."  You love to wear your monkey jammies that match your brothers'.  You also love to sing all the time.  I sometimes know what you are singing, but sometimes you just sing to sing.  You love doing the motions to "My God is so Big," "Jesus Loves Me," and other songs from church.  You sing "Old McDonald" but only with the cow sound.  You also love to do "Ring Around the Rosie."  You are very loving, always giving big hugs, the biggest of which are reserved for your big brother, Jack.  I am absolutely, positively, head-over-heels in love with you and excited to see what this year has in store for you!

just after Caroline's entrance into the world--I was shocked that she was a GIRL!

brand new baby--you can still see where the umbilical cord was pressed on her chest.  You can also see that she already had some chub on her cheeks and body.  I guess that's what 8 lb. 5 oz. will do for a 20 in. baby!

My little love, being silly and sitting in her big brother's booster car seat!

Camping out in February

We have had a really mild winter.  I remember hearing the forecast in October for this winter, and according to the National Weather Service it was supposed to be a cold, snowy winter.  Hmmm...not so much--and I am certainly not complaining!  Let all of those suckers who live in other places get it.  Oh wait, that doesn't sound so loving, does it.  I mean, I am sure our day will come...but maybe not this year. :)

In the meantime, the boys have been enjoying some much needed outdoors time that they usually don't get in the winter!  Last week they created their own little campsites in our backyard.  I believe the umbrellas were their tents, and they completed their experience by taking out some favorite toys as well.  And, after their fun was done, those blankets went straight into the washing machine, leaf/grass-covered and all!



Jack's campsite--notice that he has all of his stuffed animals, a camera, and his vacation book

Grant admiring Jack's place

heading out for a hike

Grant's campsite--notice he has cars and trucks (along with his favorite bear and 2 blankets)

This is so Grant--his cars are all lined up facing him, and he's snuggly under a blanket, sucking his thumb and rubbing his nose.  Love it!

Super City!

Now that Super Bowl XLVI (46, for those who would rather not figure out Roman Numerals) is over, I thought I'd post my pictures.  Well, no, to be honest, I just have not been blogging lately.  Sorry to all the grandparents who have been pining for pictures and updates!

On January 28 (the Saturday eight days before the Super Bowl) we headed down to Super Bowl Village.  It seemed pretty busy then, but after watching the news in the lead-up to the game, I know it got MUCH crazier down there!  It was so much fun to see all the Super Bowl decorations and to feel the energy in the city.  The boys didn't really know what was going on (Jack still hates football because it distracts Ryan from hanging out with him--hopefully that will change), but I think they still liked being downtown.

the stadium all decked out for the game--pre-Giants/Patriots banners

As a special Indianapolis touch, each team had an Indy race car on the circle. 

the Super Bowl Roman Numerals on the circle--The lighting is not as great as other pictures I've seen, but they still looked pretty cool!

some ice carving

Jack and Caroline with me--Grant didn't want to come up and stand with us, but we did encourage it.  I don't want him to feel like he was left out when he looks at this picture in the future!

For some reason, I just like this picture.  I think it makes the boys look so sweet and small with Grant's big hat and Jack's little preschool backpack while standing in the shadow of the buildings.

the dinosaurs outside of the Children's Musuem all dressed for the Super Bowl, wearing blue and white scarves (which is what all of the volunteers wore) and holding a football ready to be punted

First Snow!

A couple of weeks ago we had our first snow.  The boys were so excited to go play in it, and Caroline didn't know what in the world she was about to experience.  When we put all the gear on the boys, Caroline was more than willing to get hers on as well...and off they went!  (I enjoyed the quiet warmth of the house.  Is that wrong to take advantage of a little daddy snow time?)

First things first--shovel the driveway!  Actually, the boys like to do this at this point (may not be the case in a few years), and since it was supposed to rain the next day, Ryan didn't feel like doing it.

Caroline looks like she's not having fun, but I think all of the kids have had this look in this little inflatable tobaggon and all have had fun.  She was actually laughing at one point when Ryan was pulling her.

Jack took his turn pulling her, too.

Grant pulled his bear when they all took a walk around the neighborhood.

Jack had fun with his bear and sister on the walk.

Since we've had so little snow, these are the only snow pictures we've had this winter--crazy!  I won't complain, though. :)