Just Pics

As promised, I am back.
And this time I am just here to share some sweet faces.

Is this not the cutest laundry you have ever seen?
I mean really, most days I dread that laundry basket.
Not this day.

I love this one of Finn.
Maybe you have to know him to really appreciate it.
His hair is not going flat, it is just wet in this picture.

There is nothing sweeter than a little brotherly
post-bath playtime.

There.are.no.words.

If You Can Believe It....

This baby is 8 months old. I know...where does the time go? I wish I could say it has been an amazing 8 months with this sweet little pea, but that would not be entirely true. He definitely made life interesting around here. You see, I have had super easy babies up until Cade came along. Luke slept through the night at 6 weeks, Finn did it around 8 or 9 weeks. Cade? Oh chalk him up to about 6 months. Now, I have had many friends tell me that this is quite "normal" and that their babies didn't sleep through the night for at least that long, but around here we value our sleep, and Cade was putting a real damper on that. He was also a bit of a fussy guy. I will say that the poor kid never got a chance to get on a "schedule". He probably would have been an amazing scheduled baby. It just wasn't in the cards for him. Being the youngest of three boys he was constantly on the go. I was always waking him up when he was asleep to head off to pick up a kid. Or I was trying to make him sleep when he wasn't ready, knowing that pretty soon I would have to get him up to shuffle him some place else. It was hard. I don't do well with crying babies who are sort of inconsolable. Wh does really?

BUT...

Do you ever just know when some things happen for a reason? I know for a fact that I was supposed to have a fussy baby. Why...you ask? Well, if you know me in real life, you know that I am always on the go. Or should I say, I WAS always on the go. Having one baby surely did not slow me down. If anything, it gave me more to do. Parks, zoo, museums, play dates, baby classes...you name it, I did it. When Finn came along, nothing changed. He adapted quite nicely to my busy little schedule I had created for Luke and I. I never sat still. I was never quiet. I didn't want any of that. I remember having a conversation with my mother in law in which I told her that more than a day or two of staying home...meaning not leaving my house at all....would make me insane. Well then came Cade. He sure didn't fit into my busy schedule. He pretty much demanded that I abandon that all together. At first it was just easier to be home...I mean other than the required events, like dropping off and picking up kids from school. Then it became actually kind of comfortable. I spent so much time at home, by myself that I started to get still and quiet. I realized that I had been lacking this in my life, and by lacking this, I was not at all connected with who I REALLY was, or what I was REALLY doing with my life. I started to search for deeper meaning, deeper spirituality, a deeper relationship with God. I had no idea, that in doing so, God would change my life so dramatically. I had gone to church and loved the Lord my whole life. Only I realized that I had never really had a relationship with God. Sure I threw up prayers when things got confusing or uncomfortable or hard. But when all was well, my prayer life was fairly non-existent. I didn't do that on purpose, I just didn't realize what a real relationship with God could be like. Well, to wrap up this long story, I know that God slowed me down for a reason. He has had quite a bit to tell me these past 8 months. He needed me to hear what he was saying to me, rather than just waiting for me to call on him. So, when I told you in my last post that things would probably look a bit different around here, that is why. I am different. In a good way. I need to let you know that. I cannot wait to share what God is doing in my life and in those around me. Of course I will still post pictures and give updates on my kids. There will always be random posts with no real content. But sometimes I want to share bigger, more important things too. Maybe things that will affect you in one way or another.

SO...

Thank you Cade, for making me slow down a bit. I wouldn't change it for the world!

It Has Been........Awhile

I have gone dark on my blog for a long time now. Life just took over and I couldn't keep up. There were many things that kept me from coming back. It wasn't just a time thing. In fact, it was way more than just a time thing. I highly doubt there are many of you still out there, but at any rate, I would like to come back. Things are going to look a bit different this time around. I am not exactly sure how it will look just yet. I am still thinking that through. I look forward to reconnecting with some long lost friends, and making some new friends. I am not sure when I will be officially back in action, but I hope that it happens soon. Until then....

Wordless Wednesday

Sweet Fussy

I call him my Sweet Fussy. It describes him to a T. One minute so sweet, and the next oh so fussy. I feel like I give him a bad rap on here, so I have come to rectify that. I will show you just how amazing he is.

Here it comes. You can see it right there, in that bottom lip. He is getting ready to let me know that all is not well with him.

The fussing commences. Good thing you can't tell how much time lapses here.

Wait, he is reconsidering things. Maybe life is not so bad after all.

Yes, life really is not all that bad. He is happy again.

Sweet sleep here he comes!

Can you see why I am yet again head over heels in love with a boy? God keeps giving me the most amazing boys to love. I never thought I could love a Sweet Fussy quite so much and yet, I sure do.

On Location With Finn

After my last post, I realized that I posted these pictures of Finn to my Facebook page, but not on my blog. This was just a few weeks ago. I took Finn outside and just had fun taking pictures among all the beautiful leaves in our yard. I am not going to lie, they turned out so much better than I ever imagined they would. That kid really is amazing! I think I need to get him a modeling gig. Anyway, the leaves are gone now, and I am so grateful that we took the time to go out and enjoy them while they were there.

Sneak Peek

As my mom so kindly pointed out, I dared to say that Cade had turned a corner. Well, I should have never opened my mouth. Sadly, we have been back to fussy. It is not everyday. Some days he is literally THE PERFECT BABY. Then for some reason, other days are just really fussy....pretty much most of the day. I just keep telling myself, it all goes so quickly. It really does. In some ways I think that Cade is helping me to slow down a bit. I say helping me because sometimes I don't take time to just "be". Every now and then I need to be reminded to be still and listen. I know God has so much to tell me right now, and quite frankly if I didn't have a baby to keep me home a bit more....well, I probably wouldn't stop to listen. Thank you God, for my sweet, fussy baby. I know he is bringing me closer to you in many ways. For that I am so grateful.

The weather has been so amazing this fall. I realized that I needed to get out and take some pictures of the boys while I still can. I hoped to get a few good ones for Christmas cards and I think that I accomplished that. It sure wasn't easy. Trying to get two high energy boys and a fussy baby to "smile and look at me" is nearly impossible. Here is a sneak peek of a few of my favorites, without revealing "the one".








The best part is, we did this photo shoot in our own yard and maybe a few in our neighbor's yard. The one directly above is actually in front of our neighbor's house. I had high hopes of taking everyone to some beautiful location, but that just wasn't in the cards that day. When I started looking through the pictures I was amazed at how great these turned out just here at our house.

Dare I Say...

I am a bit nervous to say this, but I think we have turned a corner around here. Cade has been sleeping 7-8 hours the past 4 nights. He is like a new baby!!! No more inconsolable fussing, and much more day time sleeping! Even though it has only been 4 days, it has made a huge difference for everyone! I am not spending nearly as much time, trying to deal with a fussy baby, and there is more time for everyone and everything else. Although, is there every really enough time for everyone and everything? I think not. Well, I will take what I can get.

Last week, Luke has home from school Wednesday, Thursday and Friday due to conferences. I can't wait to share a bit about his progress in school, but I will save that for another post. Instead, let me show you what he did one afternoon while he was home with us.





Ummmmm...yep he took all those. He is starting to show some serious photography skills. He actually kind of likes it, which really excites me. Maybe this is a hobby we could share?






Thanks Luke. You are a budding photographer and an amazing big brother!

Life As We Know It

As if adding another little person to this family isn't enough, we have been crazy busy too. We have enjoyed lots of visitors. I was indescribably blessed to have my mother in law come stay with us for 16 whole days!!! If you have been reading my blog for very long, you know I adore my mother in law. She spoiled me rotten, taking the night shift with Cade. Gosh I miss her :)

We also got to visit with Ryan's dad, which was long over due. It was nice to spend time with him, and watch him play with ALL the boys!

After he left, my sister came for a few days. I always enjoy her visits. Sadly, she came at the start of Cade's fussy phase. I don't think she minded all that much. She seemed to enjoy loving on him, fuss or no fuss.

Next we loaded up the Suburban and headed west...to Chicago. We enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and introducing everyone to Cade. Ryan and I were lucky enough to escape for two nights to the Drake downtown (with Cade of course). The other boys stayed with their cousins for a few nights.

Yea, I told you we have been busy. To top it all off, as I previously alluded, Cade is a bit of a fussy little sweet pea. I mean that in the most loving way. We are hoping that that passes quickly. In the meantime, I have been taking lots of pictures. I thought I would post a few of my favorites just for fun. So, in no particular order, here are some of my faves....

My big boy and my little boy.

My Finny Fantastic

I like to call this one...Can I eat those lips right off your sweet little face?

I wonder what he is thinking about.

Finny and Gram at Memorial Park on 9/11

Stretching out

Upside down Lukey

Well, I would love to add more, but Cade just woke up. I got run. I promise I have so much more to add!

Hmmmm....

Hmmmm...

Do you think I could have red hair?
It certainly looks like it in his picture!