Six!!

His birthday breakfast request: PB&J, donut holes, scrambled eggs

I'm not even sure how it's possible, but my first born is 6 years old!

Trip is so much like his dad, that I should just let J write this post! He is the sweetest big brother, which often causes us to place really high expectations on his ability to look after his little sister and brother. But he seems to be proud of that responsibility. He is also very social like his dad. He wants to be entertained by activity (or television, or games) all of the time, which can be a little exhausting since he is homeschooled and sometimes his siblings - and his mom - need a break.

Trip is a big thinker (should I repeat, just like his dad). He comes up with these projects or activities that are incredibly complicated (and often literally impossible) and gets easily frustrated when they cannot come to fruition. It's hard as his parents to encourage his big ideas, but also to explain that sometimes those ideas take along time - like years - to see accomplished. 

In school, Trip's favorite subject is Latin. Although he really does lead his class in all of the memorization. And while it has taken a while, he is really starting to love writing and keeps a journal of pictures and little sentences. He writes sweet notes to his brother and sister and parents and I find them torn out all over the house. I tried to explain that he can just keep them in the journal, but I think he wants to give the notes as gifts, so the paper trail is endless.

note to Wills - his best friend

learning cursive

For their birthday party, Trip and Anna Kate decided they wanted to do something together. We had their party at Thin Air, a trampoline and "extreme air sport" park in San Antonio. It was a rainy week, so this worked out perfectly and I didn't have to do much to set things up or host people. Ideal for a really pregnant mama! All of the kids had a blast!

Dear Bubba,

Your dad and I are so thankful for you and we love you beyond measure! You lead your little group of siblings with such tenderness and patience for a six year old. You are smart and kind, silly and serious. I am most impressed with your ability to love unconditionally and to forgive instantly and without resentment. These are gifts from God and He will use them to do great things in and through you. Already, you are a reflection of Christ to your family and friends. I often pray that I could love the way you do.

Our prayer is that you would have a deep and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That knowing Him would remove all fear from your life as you trust in His plan. That He would continue to develop the loving attitude that He has already placed in your little six-year-old personality.

We love you so much!

Big 2 (and a half) Year Old

I am 6 months behind in publishing this post because I am 6 months behind in getting him to the pediatrician for his 2 year checkup! Pitiful! His appointment is still a month away, so I will go ahead and write while I have a minute...

Height:
Weight:

Development: Wills loves shapes and numbers. He knows the difference between a hexagon and pentagon. He can identify random shapes like a rhombus. He loves pointing out shapes and counting. Physically Wills is very coordinated. He wants to do everything his big brother and sister do. He loves all sports and has great hand-eye coordination. He climbs and jumps off of everything and rarely learns his lesson after falling and getting hurt.

Likes/Dislikes: Wills loves to dance and as he says, "show us his moves" which include a lot of hand rolls, booty shaking, and running in circles and jumping. He is a rough little boy and gets in trouble all of the time for hitting. In typical third-born fashion, Wills struggles to share and always seems to think he is going to get a toy taken away from him. Although in reality, both Trip and Anna Kate are very sweet with him most of the time.

Stories: Wills is very independent and sometimes just goes quietly and does what he wants to do. At our Monday school group, he escaped a fenced in playground without anyone noticing and made his way across a parking lot and into the school building where he found me! At church, he escaped a baby gated area and made his way onto an elevator before anyone could catch him. This has happened so many times under my supervision, that I don't hold it against the caregivers, although they are always very apologetic.

Six months ago, I wrote, "Turning 2 has actually been a less "terrible" experience with Wills and sort of a turning point in terms of his ability to communicate with us." Boy was I wrong! My opinion today is that he is easily my most difficult toddler. And that is saying a lot, because AK was very strong willed. My theory is that he learned from the best (Anna Kate) and has upped his game! His fits are astronomical. While AK could get you with the sheer pitch of her screams, Wills adds in the physical element swinging his arms and flailing his body to make the fit especially dramatic. Thankfully he is to the point where he understands the mere mention of a spanking and knows to turn off the fit. Anna Kate never really could turn it off until she was ready.

Wills can be the most cuddly, sweet boy when he wants. I soak those moments up because most of the time he is just too busy! 

Most of Wills' affection is directed to his animals. He has about 20 that he sleeps with every night and chews on their tails, ears, hands like a pacifier. He loves his animals!!

 

Those cheeks! Someone told me the other  day that God made toddlers so stinking cute because if they weren't their parents would toss them to the curb! I thought that was funny. He is cute!

William Randal,

You are an adventure! You bring joy, laughter, frustration and excitement to our lives and I love every bit of you. You are smart, brave, strong, and loving. You make people laugh! As you've become a big 2 1/2 year old your personality has developed in so many ways. You are dynamic!

Your Dad and I pray that your strong and courageous personality will bring glory to God. That you will love Him zealously and that your passion will draw others to the Lord.

"Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect..." 1 Peter 3:13-15

We love you buddy!

Sleepless Nights

I am 39 weeks and one day pregnant with baby girl. Each day feels like a week, and each night even longer with contractions, insomnia, heartburn, and just an aching body. I know the reality - that it will all be over SO soon and I will have sleepless nights with a newborn (and three others who wake up occasionally). And the even greater reality - that one day I will get a full night of rest every night and I will be sad because my babies are all grown up.

I found this article on the Desiring God blog and just love the reminder that it provides to trust in the Lord for each moment, even when I am exhausted!

Sleeplessness causes us to look away from ourselves — our capacity, our resources, our energy reserve, our mental acumen, our physical strength, and our careful planning and scheming — and it causes us to rely solely on him who “does not faint or grow weary” (Isaiah 40:28). It is there, in the middle of the night, with the baby — or computer, or hospital IV, or mental stressor — that we find ourselves coming to the end of ourselves. And the end of ourselves is a very good place to be.

The reason we fear sleeplessness so much is because we know that we will come face to face with our limitations, our weaknesses, our vulnerabilities. We will find we are not all-sufficient, that we cannot provide what we need to get through the next day. But “fear not,” our Father tells us, “for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

God himself is the only All-Sufficient One. He always has been. He always will be. He brings sleeplessness into our lives so that we will remember this. In this place of exhaustion, we find God’s grace to be ever present.

Wills at Bat

This boy is such a BOY! This video is from about 6 months ago, and I am still amazed at his coordination. Whether he's climbing, jumping on the trampoline, or hitting a baseball, golf ball, soccer ball ... he is always spot on! I think he takes after my dad and brother in so many ways, and this is one of them. I love seeing strong genetics at work.

Growing Up

Baby Girl

18 week ultrasound

22 week belly picture

19 week belly picture

Kids playing babies, practicing for baby sis

BVI Marriage Retreat

In May (which seems like a lifetime ago) we had the opportunity to go on a week-long married couples sailing trip with my parents, sisters, and their husbands. We laughed a lot, ate too much, got a little sea sick, and enjoyed time with each other in the beautiful British Virgin Islands.

For a long time after J and I got married, we wondered who our siblings would chose to spend their lives with, because selfishly we wanted it to be people we thought were awesome. This vacation was such an answer to that prayer. Both of my sisters have been blessed by husbands who balance them so perfectly. Not to mention, they are a lot of fun!

Of course, our parents have been such a strong influence on each of us and our view of Christian marriage. And even though we sometimes still roll our eyes like teenagers when they offer advice (or book suggestions, or podcast suggestions from Focus on the Family), we owe a great deal of credit to them for setting such a strong example of a committed marriage with Christ at the center.

We all looked forward to this trip for a long time, and it didn't disappoint. I can't believe it has already come and gone.