My Heart is FULL

I didn't anticipate how much the "little" things would mean to me... I should have, I've done the postpartum, overly-emotional mom thing three times before.  The thing is, no matter how many times you experience adding a new person to your family, you're never quite prepared for the exploding feeling of love that goes along with it.  You always wonder "How will I be able to love another child as much as my current children?"  When the time comes you just wonder why you ever doubted.  I love doing fun creative things with my children, I love celebrating, I love outings... BUT when I'm really honest with myself, I love the day-to-day, ordinary, non-glamorous things. 

 

Things like... Watching my big kids hold their baby brother.  Seeing the pride, love, and tenderness in their eyes:

 

Watching them play dress-up (and knowing that one day my baby will be right in the middle of it all!):

 

Seeing my big boy build a block tower for my little boy (and hearing him say "I can't wait to teach Carver to play blocks!"):

 

Watching my big girl become more and more a little mommy with each passing day:

 

Watching my little girl find her "new place" as she adjusts to not being the "baby" anymore:

Watching my kiddos snuggle and watch cartoons together:

The day after the kids got home we filled up water balloons and let them have a water balloon fight in the back yard.  They had been begging to do this all summer.  I got out the Bjorn and sat on the steps to watch them.  Marc participated.  As I snuggled Carver and watched them running, giggling, (and sometimes pouting) I was overwhelmed with such contentment.  I silently prayed that God would prompt me to see the daily blessings as I love my family and serve them.  The sacrifices become less because I know that the time and energy I am pouring into being a wife and mom does not go unnoticed.  God has richly blessed me in so many ways--I only have to choose to focus on the blessings...

 Little boy--you are loved more than you know!  Not just by mommy & daddy... you have 2 BIG sisters and a BIG brother who love you to the moon and back!



A Week with Grandpa & Grandma

June 30--July 5th:  While we were enjoying some peace and quiet at home... the kids were having a blast at Grandpa & Grandma's house... 

Macey--Riding Home with her "Big Sister" Stickers on her Eyes

Poptart and Dress-up!

 Swimming with Cousins...

 

 

Playing Barbies

 

Sleepover with Jadyn

Video Games & Popcorn

Making S'Mores Together

Boys' Sleepover

Making Birthday Cupcakes for Kassie:

Visiting the Kroc Center Indoor Water Park:

 

4th of July Fireworks:

On their way back home to see Carver!

Cousins!

Can't wait to add 2 more to this crazy bunch!                                    

 

Life with One...

June 30--July 5:  During Carver's first week, we were able to enjoy some time with just him!  Our house was so quiet... and clean!  It was great having some time to "ease" into being a mommy to a newborn again.  Here's a glimpse of our week:

 

Sunday/Monday--Hospital

 

Tuesday:  We spent the morning in the hospital.  We had lunch before we were discharged around 1.  On our way home we stopped by Marc's bank to say Hi and show off Carver.  We spent the afternoon relaxing at home (and watching Lost!)  That evening we ventured out to Target to pick up a few things we needed.  Carver was the center of attention!  After Target we went to Five Guys for dinner--this was a first for both Marc and I and we were not disappointed!

 



Wednesday:  Marc went into work for half the day.  I enjoyed some morning snuggles with my little guy before two of my friends came by for a "Moppets" meeting.  Between the 3 of us we have 11 kiddos so meeting with only a newborn and 4 month seemed so easy!

Thursday (4th of July):  We enjoyed a quick visit from the Penningtons that morning.  Parker and Barrett were both excited to meet Carver but were disappointed that Sadie, Macey, and Kinnick were not around.

Marc and I enjoyed a relaxing morning (and more Lost!)  We gave Carver his first bath...

And took him for his first walk...

And Marc cooked us an amazing meal--BBQ Ribs, corn on the cob, bread, potato salad, and fresh fruit.  I was super impressed at his most amazing ribs to date:

That night we met some friends to watch fireworks--Carver slept the entire time!  We for sure felt like first time parents when we pulled the stroller (new to us) out of the back of the van and it took us almost 5 minutes to figure out how to unhook it!

Someone is NOT so happy that it is the 4th of July!

Friday:  We took Carver to his first doctor appointment.  It was nice to do this without corralling the other kids in the waiting room.  After his appointment we went shopping for a new microwave (because ours had broken) and picked up some lunch at Subway.  We made it home in time to enjoy some more relaxing (and Lost) before our big kids arrived home that night.

We loved every  minute of our 2-on-1 time with Carver.  So much time for naps, relaxing, and snuggles.  Thanks Grandpa & Grandma Henry for entertaining the other three!