Little Mommy

Poor little Hannie! I could almost hear her hopeful thoughts as she collected toys to play with. "I'm going to be like mommy. I will gather all my babies and their babies and all of their accessories and my diaper bags and purse and we will go in public!"

I laughed the entire time she played out this imaginary scenario. She probably thought I was heartless, because rather than helping her navigate her overflowing stroller across the dangerous living room terrain, I was taking pictures and laughing uncontrollably. I realized this is what I look like when I take my little entourage to the grocery store. This is what Mike and I look like when we go into church, and although we don't usually express it so dramatically, we have at times felt like Hannie felt today! See the series of pics and you'll know what I mean.

So until we purchase our pack-mule (or goat, or whatever), this visual will definitely help keep the humor in the traveling-with-kids adventures.

No Monday Blues Today!

Figgy and Pop came for the day! Yayhoo dog!

Visit with Friends

Erin and Robert came for a visit today! For the record, Robert does not have his ears pierced... Charis decorated us all with stick-on earrings, and Mike and Robert are good sports :)

The second set of pics are from this morning. We've gotten some snow down here lately, which is a little unusual. Mike picked up a sled for the girls and took them cross-country sledding in the yard today! It made for a great nap!

"Her Name's... Uh... Namah."

Let the creative juices flow.

Speechless

I was holding Bethany one afternoon last week, cuddling the fuzzy little sweet smelling bundle in my lap, and was reminded in an email of the more than 50 million lives lost to abortion since 1973 in our country. I grieve for the precious victims, and I grieve for the millions of women (and men) carrying secret shame and brokenness in their hearts. I pray that they find the sure repentance, forgiveness and healing that's in Christ for each one of them. And I pray that we as a nation, regardless of political persuasion, would rediscover the honor in defending the weak and powerless.

"Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all those who are destitute."

We did stuff!

A snow day and our first family hike this weekend.

Sweet dreams

Puuuuure sweetness to see their little relationship grow!

My Bird was Heavy

This morning while I was getting ready, Charis was drawing with bath crayons in the tub and singing a gospel song she likes: "when my burden's heavy, I shall not be moved..." However, Charis doesn't know what a burden is so she thinks the words are: "when my bird is heavy, I shall not be moved." So this pic is of her "bird," I'm guessing the heavy one, that she drew all over the tub.

All this to say, my bird was heavy this morning. Except I WAS moved. Moved all the way to the laundry room floor (again), where my sweet hubby gave me some encouragement on the phone while I cried.

But I learned something. In this season of life, when three tiny girls look to me to meet their physical, emotional and spiritual needs all day long, I also have to be sure that I am filled with something to give them. That means making some time to be refreshed every morning, every afternoon, and every night. Yesterday was the first day I didn't have two out of three of those personal times, and I was depleted by this morning. Nothing to give. So after a couple of hours of time in God's Word this afternoon, and a cup of coffee, and some quiet, I'm back in the game.

May you also find refreshment in Jesus if your bird is heavy today.

"Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you... For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11

Fairy Queen

Charis: I'm a fairy queen!
Me: you are?
Charis: I am sure do.

'Twas Two Weeks After Christmas

And our decorations are still up. But we needed some adventure today, so we went to Costco for some family fun. Maybe we'll take the tree and garlands down tomorrow. Or maybe we'll celebrate Valentine's Day with cheer and evergreens.

Testing

This is a test post. I just found a way to post to our blog using my phone, which will make blogging much quicker and more realistic. There have been so many times recently that I've wanted to post something! These blogs are supposed to serve as a form of baby book, so I like to keep it updated, but have done a terrible job over the holidays.

Life is good. We're settling into a routine. Things are so busy, and I have so much to learn about the art of mommy-hood. Charis is such a big girl who is all about having "space" to brush her own teeth and put in hair bows, but she needs lots of snuggles and affirmation in between the space. Hannah's sense of humor and growing vocabulary keep us laughing. Bethany is sweetly cherubic and giggled yesterday for the first time.