Happy Birthday Samuel!

It's official, the big number four candle has been blown out. He reminds me daily that he's not a baby, verbally and physically, and just like his brothers, he shows me no mercy. He insists on zipping up his own jacket and putting on his shoes. He gets the keys to my van, pushes buttons to open doors and climbs in his seat. He snaps on his belt and says, " K Mama, I'm ready." When I leave him at Mustard Seed, he simply says," Bye Mama." He fills his own cup with water and he pushes in his chair after meals. He knows how to navigate my iphone and sucker me into buying apps. Small people knock on my door and ask me, "Can Sam play?"
I could just cry a river and at times I have. (The night before his birthday, to name one.) He has technical skills and he shows intelligence and independence, he has manners and confidence ... he even has a social life! What is happening??
This is all part of the deal, right? The part of parenting that allows you to be so happy and so sad all at once. The bittersweet cup we drink from, the pride mixed together with pain ... the slow flight from our nest.
Dear God, Thank you for the appointed calling of being a mom. Please give me strength to endure the process and fill me with gratitude for every moment. Enable me to love them the way you love them, and help me recognize your work in my children, who belong to you first. And as they all outgrow their footed pajamas, may they rise up as men for your cause.
Happy 4th birthday to my precious little man ... who will always be my baby.

Silly Sam

Being adorable can be both, a blessing and a curse, just ask Sam. I am usually biting the insides of my cheeks to keep from smiling when I have to discipline him. He makes me laugh. He makes us all laugh. Everyday. It's everything, from the way he dresses himself to the half wink, pirate eye that he uses to be cool or mad or shy or funny. It's a multi expression face, you can use it for whatever you feel like and it works. It's very similar to the arrangement of multi purpose words that he uses. A group of words that rhyme, you just fill them in wherever you want. They usually start with footy booty or pooty hooty. It can sound like this- " Sam, what do you want for breakfast?" " Hooty pooty. " or "Sam, where are your shoes?" " Footy booty pooty. " or "Sam, why are you so cute?" (smacking himself on the forehead,smiling) " Tooty Pooty Hooty. "

There are so many ways this boy keeps us smiling! :)

A Birthday Prayer for Elijah

~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~
-Mark Harris

After I read this post to Elijah today he said, "I'm gonna get wings?"

Catching sight of eagles in Alton, Illinois... and ice cream, of course.

Lauren....

This is not a figment of your imagination....do not adjust your dials.... you're not on the wrong blog. The pictures posted above are genuine in existence. That's right you are looking at a baby girl born to Matt's oldest brother Jeff and our sister-in-law Shannon. She is just this tiny little bit of a baby, perfect in every way. Congratulations to Jeff and Shannon and to all the extended family. After three sons and six grandsons....lucky number seven for my mother-in-law and father-in-law is precious little Lauren.
~ Daughters are like flowers, they fill the world with beauty and sometimes attract pests~ AU :)

Just thought I would give Jeff some trouble about the future with this little beauty. ;)