Birthday in Autryville

Today is Ben's 9th birthday! It's been another blessed year with and for him. I'm thankful for him and what he means to our family. He's so tenderhearted, which I love, and he's a lot of fun for the girls. It's been a blessing since Lauren was born to watch him as a big brother, and that certainly remains true today. Luke has a great big brother to look up to, as do the girls. We love you, Ben! Happy Birthday, and may God bless you abundantly through the next year!

What's Goin' On

So much since I've posted last! I wish I had a better memory, but not sleeping all night is keeping me from remembering and doing and writing all that I'd like to do. Not that getting up with Luke is all that bad--he's still the most precious baby, and a smile from a sweet baby at 4 or 4:30 in the morning makes everything ok! Besides, he always falls back asleep until 9am, so who am I to complain?? He's drinking anywhere from 5-6 oz. every 3-4 hours now, and he's in size 2 diapers. Growing like a weed. He's had a couple of baths lately that were fun!! No tears!! My baby is growing up.

Ben and Lauren are still doing well in school. Ben and I have finally gotten to the Revolutionary War and other parts of early American history and it's going to be fun. We've started reading Johnny Tremain together and it's great--I've noticed Ben enjoying it, but don't tell him that.:) We have a lot of books on our plate and we're just going to take our time through this amazing part of our history.

Spring sports sign-ups are complete and though it will be busy, I think it will be a memorable one. Ben's ready to go for baseball, and the girls--yes, both of them--are signed up for soccer. Lauren played in the fall, but this will be the first for Erin. Mitch says she's the most athletic, which she gets from her mama, of course! When I told Erin that she'd get to play we were talking about how she'd have her own uniform, her own soccer cleats, her own shin guards, etc, and she piped up with, "and my own soccer snack!!" Those of you who know Erin know that comment suits her to a "T". My girl has her priorities in order, doesn't she?

Here's to a week between entries instead of four!

Lauren's Letter in the Snow

A few weeks ago, we had a couple of inches of snow. One day I noticed a piece of paper on the back steps and of course my first thought was irritation-who threw a piece of garbage out there? However, I wasn't going to open the back door to get it. Brrrrr!! A few days later, the snow had melted and it was warm enough for the kids to go out back and play. They called me outside to show me some great discovery, and as I walked back to the house, I saw a piece of paper blowing away from the house. I had to run and catch it in the wind, but I'm glad I did. The paper was an envelope, with the word GOD written on the back(no, not the front). Inside the envelope was a simple message--My God I Love You. I recognized the kindergarten handwriting right away, it was Lauren's. Words won't adequately describe the way I felt that moment. How precious! I called Lauren to me and asked her about it. She told me that she wrote it on the snowy day and thought if she put it outside that God would see it! Again, just precious. I told her so, and we left it at that. She was very shy about it, so I didn't want to ruin her humble spirit. It was a very thankful moment for me. Sweet Lauren!

What??? A new post???

We had some beautiful snow again and it was as cold as, well, as it looks in the pictures! I really, really don't like the cold anymore. Used to not bother me, but after 9 years in the south, my mind has changed!

The kids had a great time in the snow, but as you can see in the first picture, the girls couldn't figure out why Ben wanted to spend so much time on the cold, cold ground! Crazy boy. I'm sure every northern mother could agree, as soon as you get them bundled-up, they're ready to come back in! Ben can get bundled-up himself, so he's free to go out whenever!

Luke is doing so much better. He's weighing-in at 9lbs. 2oz. at 7 weeks, which is what Erin weighed at 1 week, but who's keeping track?;) Poor guy is finally getting some nourishment, gaining 2lbs. in 2 weeks, but aren't formula fed babies supposed to sleep longer at night??? He gets breast milk during the day in his bottles, but at night I give him formula in the hopes of more sleep. So far his longest stretch is 11-4, but that was only once. Sleep, baby, sleep. Do it for mommy! He is a precious, good baby, who makes me forget the lack of sleep during the daytime.

We're back in the swing of school, and Erin has decided that she needs to do math. Every paper I give her to trace, count or color is math, apparently. Probably because she hears, "You better finish your math NOW!", about 15 times a day. Ben and math. That could be a whole entry to itself! The picture of Erin is when she had a short-lived stomach flu(thankfully!).

For all of my friends who thought it would never happen, the picture of me is to show off my highlights. I like them very much. Plus it's more time at the salon, by myself, where it's quiet!