Pictures

Here are a few random pictures of Samamtha recently. She is starting to develop the sweetest personality. She is quite the Mama's girl, which doesn't bother me one bit. I'm a fan of having her by my side most of the time.

Although the girl is all smiles, she is some kind of stingy on the laughing. I keep waiting for her to just bust out, but it hasn't happened yet. She loves watching her big sister and brother as they run around the house, and it's only a matter of time until she joins in on the chaos.

I love my little Samers. Samantha Faith, you bring me joy in the craziness of life.

Puppies, Puppies Everywhere

I think I've mentioned them before, but seven weeks ago, Zoe, our youngest boxer had puppies. Eight of them to be exact. Four years ago, when Riley had puppies there were only six. Two actually does make a difference. Oh, and also the fact we have two more kids.

So for the past 7 weeks we have been taking care of the cutest little furballs. There were six boys, two girls, and one tired mama. (Zoe...well, and me, so I guess that would be two tired mamas.)

Right now four of them are sold, although one is still living here while his new family moves into a new home. One of the girls (whom Kaylee named Clementine) was K's favorite. We knew she was going to her new home on Friday night, and that was the night the kids wanted to go to Adam's parents. I had mixed feelings about what I thought would be better for Kaylee...to be her or to not be here.

Finally, I just gave her the choice. I told her she could either be here and say goodbye one more time or go to Mimi and Pop's house, but Clementine wouldn't be here when she got back. Not surprisingly, she picked going to visit Mimi and Pops, but let's just say the devistation was still pretty massive. Let the sobbing begin. I actually just about joined in with her, not so much because I missed the puppy, but because I know it was just so painful for her to know she was gone.

As the tears welled up in my own eyes, I just held her tight, telling her Clementine was going to a loving home where they would love her and take care of her. Today, a few days later, she seems to have recovered from her loss. Thankfully. Oh, I don't know how much more of that heartbreak I could have handled before I tried to keep one of the others for her. Which.I.cannot.do. Oh my...3 kids, 3 dogs, small house. Just won't work.

My Boy

My little Logan is a spitfire to say the least. He's a tiny, little thing, but don't let the size fool you. That kid is strong. And fast. And mischevious. And cute. And sweet. And can headbutt the heck out of me. Seriously, I'm no match for him in that area!

Today I walked into his room, he made this crazy-goofy face and told me to get back to my work, in this voice thing he often does. Okay. Sure. I'm on my way.

Funny boy...

Some nights we have to chase him back into bed over and over. Like a few nights ago. The kid was up until 10pm! (Bedtime is 7, and we even started early that night because he has a cold and we figured some extra sleep would be good.) At one point, I thought he was asleep, then I went upstairs to get something or do something, and I noticed the TV was on. That's strange. I know I turned it off. Yes, I did turn it off, but someone, ahem, turned it back on and was sitting in my chair enjoying whatever happened to be on.

Tonight was a different story. He actually begged to go to bed, and fell asleep almost instantly. I don't know what I did differently, but I should figure it out and do it every night!

I have so much to say about my little guy, but sleep must happen sometime. Tomorrow will be another jam-packed day!

PS...

Blogger is about 3 hours off...it thinks I posted that at 6:08am. Really? Is it possible to have had enough coffee by that time to even move your fingers? Nah...not likely.

A Heart for Prayer

I love to hear kids pray. It's so honest and pure. When Kaylee was little, we started praying with her every night. When she got a little older, we asked her to start praying. For a good while, her prayer was pretty much the same every night, which was fine. It was her prayer, and she was learning to talk to God.

Then after a while, we started to ask her if there was anything else she wanted to pray about, occasionally giving her suggestions. Now she is doing so well. She prays for Megan's baby every night. (Megan is my SIL who is pregnant.) She remembers to pray for anyone who is sick. And last night, on her own, she prayed for the people of Japan...her words were, "That they would be happy."

Let me just say how hard it is to just not break down in tears just hearing this girl think of others and pray for them. As a mom, trying to help her kids grow up in the ways of the Lord, it makes me so excited. I can only imagine the way it makes God smile to hear her talk to Him.

And really, it teaches me, too. Her prayers know no bounds. She knows God is big and able to do anything, so she prays like that. During the day if she wants or needs something, or wants something to work out, it is very common for her to stop, bow her head, and pray right then and there. Then she smiles and goes on about what she is doing. No doubts.

I need that. I need to take my requests to God, no matter what they are, pray, smile, and go on, no doubts. It would be easy for me to say my requests are bigger, or I understand more, or whatever, but really? I mean, does God care differently or more or less for me/Kaylee. Not at all. When the Bible talks about child-like faith, this is it right here. It's being lived out right in front of me.

I have some big hopes and dreams, one in particular that seems a little out of reach. And although I have no idea what the time table is, I feel it's okay to pray for it, so who am I to think it's too big or impossible?

Taking a lesson from the four-year-old who came to hug me goodbye this morning with a, "Goodbye Dear, I love you," (yes, that is what SHE said to ME), I just need to pray, have faith, smile, and move on. God IS bigger than the boogie man!

9 Random Things

Here are 9 random, or not so random things about me... No reason. Just because.

1. I feel the need to organize all the time. When I was pregnant, people told me I was nesting...only thing is, I do it all the time. Only now, I can actually bend down to pick something up.

2. Yesterday, I nearly introduced myself to someone as "Christmas." Weird. You'd think by now I'd know my own name.

3. My mom is my favorite person to shop with.

4. Adam claims I'm going to turn into a coffee pot because I drink so much of the stuff. I'll continue to test that theory.

5. I rarely cook. Conversely, I eat all the time.

6. I currently have 10 dogs in the house. Today, I hit the mark of being ready to get 8 of them out. They are insanely cute and fun, but also an insane amount of work.

7. Yesterday I asked Adam if he wanted to move to Ireland with me. He said no.

8. I'm pretty obsessive about finding good deals. The other day, I got such a good deal on cheese that I'm still patting myself on the back for it. thankyouverymuch

9. I am in the process of revamping the ole blog. Pardon any mess you might encounter...including this annoying font issue.

Birthday Girl...Part 1

I'm sure we could all be rich if we had money for every time someone commented on how fast time goes...especially when it comes to our kids. But...it's true. Tomorrow, my sweet, little girl turns four. Can you believe it. FOUR!

I mean, she totally acts like at least a six-year-old, but in my head, I still remember the day she was born, those first nights (okay, so those are blurry), the first time she sat up, times we spent playing on her floor trying to get her to roll over.

Now she is learning to read and spell. Today I learned she can count to 30 (fast)! She is developing a heart to pray for others. For example, a few weeks ago, our neighbor was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Adam called from work to tell me they had called 911, so I prepared the kids for what they would see. While we were waiting the minute it took the first response apparatus to get on scene, the kids and I prayed for our neighbor. That night, without being reminded or anything, Kaylee remembered to pray for him. ...melts me.

I just love the way she loves her brother and sister. A while back I asked her what she wanted for her birthday. Her quick answer was, "A Cars couch for Logan." She gets so excited when HE gets something new. Of course, she loves getting stuff, too.

It's hard to compact feelings and dreams you have for your kids, but one dream I have is that they would be compassionate and stand firm in their faith. I have been teaching Kaylee that no matter what others around her do, she is to do the right thing. I want her to consider the feelings of others, and be the friend they may be hurting for.

With all my being, I want to hold onto this little girl. Shelter her from hurt and sadness. Teach her what I want her to know, and not what the world wants her to know. But with growing up, comes growing out.


It's only for a moment you are mine to hold
The plans that heaven has for you
Will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I'll pray
For all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to know
You're walking in the truth
And If I never told you
I want you to know
As I watch you grow

Chorus:
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

May passion be the wind
That leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong
Guide you on your way
May there be many moments
That make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories

Chorus:

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly

Kaylee Grace, I love you.