Luke is 3 Months Old

I'm sure I will feel like this every month, but seriously where does the time go?  You are three months old today!

weight- 10 pounds 13 ounces (You were weighed at the doctor on Friday)

You are wearing size 0-3 months and size 3 month oneies from Carters.

You are in size 1 diapers and will probably move up to size 2 when we have to buy them again.

You still like to eat every 3 hours during the day. 

At night you are sleeping from around 9:00-3:30 am, then you wake to eat and go back to sleep until 6:30am.

You don't like the car seat much at all, which is not working out too well since we have to drop off and pick up your siblings from school everyday.

You're still a spitter.

We are starting a new prescription today for your reflux.  I am hopeful that it will make you feel much better.

I have given up dairy for the time being per suggestion of your doctor to see if you have a milk protein allergy that is causing you to be very fussy.

You still love to sleep swaddled tightly.

You love your swing.

We are letting you try out the bumbo seat everyday and you like it for a few minutes.

 

Luke,

We love seeing how your personality is starting to emerge more and more each day.  You are cooing and giving the ever occasional smile.  You have been going into Waamba Land at church and this week we are starting CBS (Community Bible Study).  I am so thankful that you will grow up learning about God's love for you and learning to hide his word in your heart.  You complete our family.  Your brothers and sisters just love to hold you and talk to you, as long as you aren't crying or spitting up!  I thank God each morning that He chose me to be your Mom.  I pray that He will guide me to raise you in a manner that will bring Glory to Him and that you will come to trust Him as your Lord and savior.

Love, Mom

 

"Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.  I cling to you; your right hand upholds me."

Psalm 63:7-8

 

 



Bear Hollow Zoo

Saturday morning, the kids decided they really wanted to go somewhere today.  So, we found this great little animal park in Athens.

Bear Hallow Zoo is part of the Athens Park/Recreation System and is free to the public to enjoy.  They offer the animal park, a pond, trails, pavilions, and play park for your enjoyment.

 

In the background you can see Matt's all time favorite animal.....

 

Looking at the turtles

On our way to see the

Momma bear and her

cub

 

two of our cubs!

We enjoyed our trip to Bear Hollow Zoo

 

"The Lord will guide you always."
Isaiah 58:11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're in the Army Now

Adding Luke to our small army of children has made Brett and I reconsider a lot of the ways we were doing things around the house.  Nights can be very chaotic between making dinner, picking up the older boys from football practice at two different schools and two different times, homework with 5 kids, baths/showers, and the bedtime routine.  We are still tweaking the schedule every night to make it all work.

A few nights ago, I came downstairs to find this scene unwinding in the kitchen.

This is the dessert line.

We have discovered that without a routine and a good amount of structure, it can get out of hand very quickly.

Brett is better about executing and keeping the structure in our routine.

 

 

 

The End Result Is...

Happy Kids and Happy Parents

 

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

1 Chronicles 16:34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Happy 4th Birthday Kate

Four years ago today, our sweet and sassy Kathryn (aka Kate) came into our world.

This is our girl today on her 4th birthday

She celebrated her birthday for the first time today with her school friends.  Her teacher, Ms. Kim made her this purple crown.  When I went to pick her up from school, Ms. Kim brought her to the car and said, "I wish you could have seen her face when we put this crown on her, it was priceless."  We took cupcakes to school for her to share with her friends and she got to pick a goody bag from Ms. Kim's birthday box.

I spent part of the day while she was at school, decorating our dining room for her birthday celebration.

 

My sisters always do a photo display of the birthday child, so I decided to give it a try this year.  Kate loved seeing the pictures of her.

 

 

"Many, O Lord, my God, are the wonders you have done."
Psalm 40:5



A New View

Last week, we decided to see if Luke was ready for his bumbo chair.

He still tends to tilt to one side when I put him in it, but he seemed to enjoy his new view.

Caroline came and joined Luke.  Over these past few weeks, she has become more interested in what Luke is doing.

This is my favorite picture.  Caroline is still so young and really had no preparation for Luke's arrival.  I love that she is so tender with him in this picture.

Our sweet boy, such a blessing for our family.

"Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness."
1 Chronicles 16:29



Happy 13th Birthday Nick- You're officially a TEEN!

I never imagined 13 years ago that the years would go by so fast!  I can't believe I am now officially the mom to two teenage boys, plus several more teens to come!

You are an 8th grader this year.

You have a great heart, a super smile, and a positive attitude.  You are playing football for the second year.  This year you accepted Jesus as your Lord and savior.

You're the life of any party and know how to experience the joy in every situation!

You love your siblings and I can usually count on you to help me out with the younger ones.

We celebrated your special day a little early this year because Dad was going to be out of town.  You asked for fajitas and Texas chocolate sheet cake.

What does a teenage boy want for his birthday?

You have been a true Nascar fan since Dad took you and Jake to a race at Daytona International Speedway.  You are loyal to your driver.....Jeff Gordan.  You have been to races in Florida and Texas and this year you can add Georgia.  You and Dad will be enjoying the Advocare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Labor Day weekend.

It was a great day and we all enjoyed celebrating you!  I pray that God continues to use you in big ways this year.  That you will be a light for Him and that everything you do will bring Him glory.

Happy 13th Birthday!

I am thankful everyday for the opportunity to be your mom. 

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."

1 Chronicles 16:34



QUIET

It is 12:00 noon on Friday.  Today is the third day the older kids have been in school.  We are doing our best to get back into the routine of early mornings and crazy evenings.

Right now, I am sitting in my living room listening to the birds chirp on the sound machine playing in Caroline's room.  Both little ones are asleep!  I just had a short conversation with my sister and she said, "you haven't experienced this in about 7 years!"  In reality, I don't think I have experienced this since the first summer after Jake was born.....14 years ago!

I am enjoying my time today, but starting next week I want to be sure not to waste my time away.  I want to make a habit of spending time on a bible study each day.  I want to use my time in a way that brings honor to God and demonstrates how thankful I am to have this QUIET time to renew my spirit and fill my tank.  That way when my older children arrive home from school and Brett gets home from work, my heart is open to them.  I am able to be the wife and mother that God has asked me to be.

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."

Proverbs 31:27



First Day of School 2012

Whatever you do,

work at it with all your heart,

as working for the Lord,

not for human masters

Colossians 3:23

Today was our first day of school.  The summer went by way too fast this year!  But the kids were all excited to get back to school and see their friends and meet their new teachers.  In fact, they may have been a bit too excited.  When I woke up to feed Luke at 3:50 am, I heard little voices coming from down the hall.  I went to investigate only to find this........

Emily was completely dressed ready for school and both the little boys were also awake and hanging out carrying on a conversation in Emily's room.

Our traditional first day of school photo.

As you can see, our kids go to school very early in the morning.

The bus arrives at 6:49 am for our youngest ones.

Jake- first year in high school.  He is playing football and his coach asked each member of the Warrior football team to wear their polo today, so they will become role models within the school.

Nick- 8th grade

Emily- 3rd grade

Her teacher this year is Mrs. Searcy

Matt- 1st grade

His teacher is Mrs. McDonald

Andrew- Kindergarten

His teacher is Mrs. Towe

Kate- Pre-k

Her teachers are Ms. Kim and Ms. Randi

Taken from (www.sixhappyhearts.com)

The two verses we are going to work on at the beginning of this school year are fairly popular and well known, but I feel that putting them into practice will really help make an impact on my kids. 

Our first verse is Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no control.

Our second verse is Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not human masters, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

After such an exciting day, the kids were totally worn out and cranky.  Andrew curled up on my bed while I was feeding Luke and went sound asleep covered up with a towel before we even ate dinner.  He slept soundly after being moved to his own bed until this morning.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Philippians 4:6