Blocks!

The boys got some blocks for Christmas, so this winter we really got into stacking blocks. It was a family affair. The girls and, yes, Jeff and me, love to build a tower and watch the boys scamper to it and giggle as they knock it down. 

 Emma setting the stage for Micah.

Micah finding the surprise for him and making his way toward the tower.

He started to get a new hitch in his routine. 

He began giving the tower a held tilt before he shoved it over.

He reached out to push it over, AND, sister sneaks in and makes her own debut. 

See the foot?!?! Haha, oh Jens!

Now it's Noah's turn. 

He sees the prize and is giving some love to the sister who made it for him.

And, he attacks!

Yeah mom, I conquered that tower!

The other fun element in our tower building and knocking over adventures was watching the boys' different approaches. These pics do not really portray the boys' differences as much. When we first began this game, each boy approached the blocks in SUCH a different way. Micah would basically attack the tower--racing to knock it over with noise, laughter, and a no stop attitude. Noah on the other hand was quite unsure. He would tip toe up to the pile, look around, look around again hoping to gain approval, and then slowly get close enough to tip it over with one finger all the while watching us to see if he is going to get into trouble. So cute! It's been so fun getting the chance to watch these little guys grow up together and be SO different but so connected! It always makes me wonder what our J would have been like. Would he have the personality of his identical brother or his fraternal brother? I can't wait to find out one day! 

And the skies opened up ...

So, God opened the skies yesterday and let in some of his sunshine in my house and specifically with my big girl, Ems. He gave me a little taste that this hard, exhausting work will (hopefully) pay off.

We had a really strong morning with school. She seemed responsive and willing to work without complaining, arguing, and flipping out when the going got tough. I was able to stay calm at the beginning when she started to get out of control, and she responded awesome.

So, at the end of school, I was complimenting her telling her how proud I was of her attitude and choices to keep trying hard when she came across tough words.

She turned to me--beaming--and said I prayed last night that God would help me. Every night I get on my knees and pray that God will give me patience because I don't like it when I am bad. I want to be a leader. I like to have fun with school and you. This morning was great and I really had fun with you.

WHAT?!!?!?!? Screeeeeeeeeech! Stop the presses!!

I, in turn, beamed to her and told her how PROUD I was of her desire to do what God asks her to do!

Yes, we had a moment! :o)

Thank you God for further illustrating that you won't leave us in our messes ... that you promise to use us despite our weaknesses ... that if we seek you, you will find us.

On another fun note, last night Emma was telling Jeff and me that she gave her only dollar to God on Sunday even though she really wanted to keep it. She said that it is God's money and so many better things could be done to help other people if she gave her money!

Yes, yes folks, two moments ... one week! 

Double Trouble

So, I knew adding multiples to my already trouble girls was going to be quite the challenge. Well, the boys certainly have not disappointed! ;o) Here are some pics of their latest shenanigans.

First we have the pantry incident. Micah, who loves food with a passion, got lucky the other morning when he went to the pantry and discovered that the baby lock was not hooked. The little love then proceeded to grab the Pringles and empty the can onto the floor. Noah, not to be one to miss out on food, stumbled upon the event and quickly joined his cohort in crime. They were shoveling crumbs into their mouths as quickly as possible.

Uh-oh, bro, we're busted!

Hurry! Shovel it in!!

The next best part to this was that the girls stumbled upon the boys at the same time I did. What do you think they did? Yes, those of you who know my daughters know their love for food too. They, Jenna especially, promptly jumped to their knees grabbing the chips--no crumbs for them! Gee, thanks for the help girls!

Next up, we have operation empty drawers. Most mornings the boys spend about 30 minutes in their room for room time while I work with Emma. I leave the door open and place the baby gate in the doorway. Some mornings they don't mind and some mornings they hate it. Well, on this particular morning, they decided to get even with me apparently. They each chose a drawer and decided to pull as much clothes as possible out. I suppose they felt that they needed to help me change out the seasons. 

Caught in the act.

Noah and his damage.

Micah went for the top drawer.

Here is his pile.

Oh me, oh my! Not a quiet or slow day around here.

 Which, I know is true for all mommas whether they have one or four! I have to say that I do enjoy my two---four trouble makers! 

My Crazy Girls!

So, we went to get our hairs cut today. Jenna actually got quite a bit cut off, and Emma got ... wait for it ... BANGS! She was pretty impressed by herself! :o)

Well, I tried to snap a few quick pics of their new hair do's, and this is what I got. Ha! Oh, how I love the spirit and spunk in my girlies. Though, yes, that spunk can drive me crazy!

Thank you God for my girls! 

The God Journey

We are embarking on the season when this two year amazing spiritual journey that I am on began. It was two years ago this spring that Jeff and I were giddy about expecting our third child which shortly thereafter became a two year whirlwind of twins, triplets, loss, and homeschooling. These events have done nothing short of spinning me into a million knots through fear, joy, confusion, anger, hurt, sorrow, despair, frustration ... the usual day in parenting, right?!? ;o)

When I feel my earth shaking, I go straight to books. I love words, communication, deep thought. Coupled with the Bible and sound advice, I feel like books can get me through anything. These are the books that have been pushing me or I am hoping to push me through this season in life. 

Currently I am re-reading One Thousand Gifts and first time reading Good and Angry. These are two amazing books that have the potential to be life changing. 

This God Journey business is so amazing yet so challenging. I know he is using each of these events to mold me into the mother, wife, and daughter of his that he wants me to be. As I try so hard  and seek so deeply, I fail so often. And, man, what a deflating, defeating experience. This current leg in this journey has me on my knees daily and knee deep in confusion and frustration. The name of this leg is Emma and homeschooling. Though Ems has been a journey all her own these past six years, this new leg as taken on new depths and proportions I never imagined. This easily fits in my top three of most difficult life moments. I believe this is because this is not just about training my child but it is about God training his child, me.

Despite the deep frustration and deflation I have been feeling during this leg, I am hopeful. I feel that our growth is at a new level and I sense change in me and Emma around the corner. I was brought to Lamentations 3:20-27 once again. This verse is such a verse of such depth for me. Verses 20 and 21 coupled with 22 on really reached the depths of my soul during our loss of Jeremiah. Now, the verses 22 and on rejuvenate me in this quest with Emma. 

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends!

His mercies never cease.

Great is his faithfulness;

his  mercies begin afresh each morning." 

I am so grateful that I serve a God who allows me to start new each morning despite how miserably I failed the day before. It brings such comfort to this flawed mother to know that his faithfulness never ends and he won't give up on me. 

Hopefully, the growth that has been budding will soon transform me and my first born into the change we so greatly desire--well, maybe I just desire it now. She doesn't know yet how much she, too, desires or rather needs this change in character! ;o)

Jenna Turns 4!

So my sweet, second born love turned FOUR this past month! Really!? Can it be? Despite the fact that I am amazed that she can be this old, I can't say I am sad and weepy. I do love to think back and remember loving on my baby, but I really love getting to know my older girl and figure out who this kid is! I enjoy learning more about her and watching her personality come out more every day. Furthermore, these pictures perfectly display this endearing and crazy child that I have! Each year, we take a pic on the kids' birthdays. This pic is with their special crown/hat. Jenna clearly wanted nothing to do with the picture taking process. Well, actually, I think she began a bit shy and therefore her angry came out. 

I will not smile or look at you, mom.

Being forced to smile...

Distracted by sis ... I thought for a bit that this might be the best pic I get!

And, finally, the smile comes out and my sweet Jenna beams for a moment.

Then the silly Jenna pops out, and she does her token silly face.

Ems just couldn't handle not being in the picture process. She stole into a pic! Even though I got on to her for picture crashing, I'm secretly glad she did! hehe! :o)

We have been keeping the parties low key this year just to scale back a bit. We still, however, always make a special cake and invite our besties over to share. Jenna chose Cinderella this year.

There's a proud Jenna beaming in all of her glory.

And, boom! There's the shy Jenna as we sing happy birthday. 

And, there's the crew of besties. No, this is not a good picture. 

Yes, this picture makes me smile, and I will adore it for many years to come!  

(Despite the look that there are tons of children here, we are still missing Noah and Megan! Can you believe this is only 4 families?!)

Happy Birthday, sweet Jenna! You hold such a special place in our families' heart beat of life. You provide the laughter and tenderness as you make sure we see you smashed between the strong, first born and unique, special boys.

You love to snuggle with mommy and daddy which most of the time we just can't get enough of. You absolutely love playing with your Little People, little princesses, and dinosaurs. You love to line them all up in huge lines and groups. You also love to make your brothers laugh at you. You love to laugh and you love to eat. Even though you tend to let your sister lead in most situations, you are certainly not  afraid to voice your opinion and try to step out and lead on your own at times, too! Which, I am glad to see because you need a strong back bone to belong to this fam! ;o)

Oh, and you still have this little habit of sucking your thumb and twirling your belly button. Yes, I too am shocked that I just revealed that on the internet, but I just had to document it!! We are working to scale them both back, but I just have to make sure we never forget your little habit! hehe!

We feel blessed to have been given these past four years with you Jens, and we absolutely can't wait to see how God changes you in the next year as you begin Pre-K and learn even more about God and his world. We love you, Jenna Faith!!

Simon Archer

Introducing:

Simon Archer Hay

My newest nephew has made his debut!!! He missed Uncle Jeff's birthday by one day, January 19th, 2012. He is absolutely gorgeous, and we are so proud (As if I had anything to do with with his birth! Ha!!)!! Unfortunately, I've only gotten to see him this day since his Indiana grandparents were here during week 1, and we were sick during week 2. We get to have lunch tomorrow with them, and I am so excited to see this little guy again! I know I am not the photographer in the family, but hopefully the photographer will be able to take some photos in the next month, and I will get to share those.

We love you so much, Simon Archer Hay! We are so excited to welcome you into our family!!!

Uncle Jeff ticked him off ... not me!!

I love this pic! Owen is such a GREAT little guy! This little 2 1/2 year old was doing his best to be obedient after several hours of being stuck in a small hospital room. Finally, he had to let a little bit of 2 year old energy out and was getting a bit squirrely on the couch. I love it!!

This one makes me smile too!

Isn't it so amazing to see the preciousness of a new baby!?!?! It just makes you reflect and thank God that he gives us such amazing, little gifts. My heart completely swells with amazement each time I see this miracle of life. Of course, the miracle runs even more deeply these days.  Thank you, God, for your indescribable gifts!