Looks can be deceiving

Isn't she just beautiful? But, it wasn't too long ago, we caught her doing this...

Don't be deceived by the wrapping, because inside, she's naughty:) And we love her!

Games & perspective

Nolan is a belly sleeper...has been since he was about 2 months old. But, now, when we lay him down for a nap or at night, we spend about a 1/2 hour going back into his room and rolling him from his back to his belly. It's like a game. We'll lay him on his belly, leave the room, and about a minute later, we'll hear him talking to himself and smacking the side of the crib. So, we'll go back in, and the minute he sees us, he'll coo and smile. So, we'll roll him back to his belly and leave the room. This usually happens about 5-6 times before he gives up and goes to sleep.I am totally the type of person that would be extremely annoyed in this sort of situation. I mean it seriously takes a 1/2 hour to get him to sleep. But it's amazing how God teaches us patience and perspective. Just 2 months ago, we were DESPERATE for Nolan to roll over...and now, it has the potential to annoy me....amazing. When I get annoyed, (even though it's so cute), each and every time, there is a voice in the back of my head reminding me of the fear and worry we've had the last 4 months concerning Nolan. With each and every time that I enter his bedroom to smiles and seeing him rolled over, I am reminded of just how real the Bible is and that what it says is God breathed...and useful. In Philippians 4:6 it says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Thank you God for the sweet little victories you allow us to have to remind us that you are with us and that what you say is true.

Ugh, transitions!

Around Christmastime, Brandon and I came to the realization that Adelynne needed to be moved from her crib to a "big girl" bed. She had begun climbing out of her crib and along with that came a new rising time in the morning that used to be 8 am, but then it became about 6:30 am. Yuck! We had delayed this transition for 2 reasons...#1 We knew there would be a pretty significant cost involved because we'd planned on doing bunk beds, #2 Moving Adelynne to a "big girl" bed means, well, that she's a big girl!...a realization that Brandon and I both had been in denial about. This weekend we got to talking about Nolan, and that turned into, "can you believe we've done this "baby thing" 3 times? (Brandon said this.) We then both became a little sad thinking about the fact that both girls were big enough for bunk beds (meaning Aubrey was old enough that we trusted her being on the top bunk & that Adie was old enough to be out of her crib.)

We decided to put Adelynne's head at the opposite end of Aubrey's, where the ladder is, so that the ladder could also block her if she was too close to the edge. It didn't seem to be a problem because when we checked on her later, she had rolled into the wall instead:) {Mom, are you getting a good look at how high the railing is around Aubrey's bunk;)?}

Getting them to bed was rather uneventful, the process took a little longer than usual, but they both did well. No one fell out of bed, and both woke rested.

God answers prayers!

Isn't he precious? We think so.
I would also like to point out that he's smiling at his momma! :)

SNOW DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry bud!

I say this to Nolan a lot because he's always fighting for position with his sisters. These pictures are somewhat prophetic I think. No matter how manly or how much of a stud Nolan is, there will always be a "purple brush" in the picture...if you know what I mean;)

Thankful

Those of you who know me, who know me well, would probably not consider me the most positive of people. Or, the type of person who would be considered to look on the brighter side of things. I am old enough to know that I don't excel in this area, and I am also old enough to know I want, and strive, to be like this. I am so very thankful for my family today, and want to share a few things about them that make me thankful.

Nolan Levi...the poor sweet little boy whose daily endeavor is to make himself known...fighting tooth and nail for attention amongst the chaos his sisters bring to the house. I am thankful for his quiet, gentle, soft spirit. I am thankful for the progress he's making in his physical therapy. I am thankful for the way he looks at his daddy. I am thankful for the fact that he knows his sisters want to fawn all over him, and he allows it...happily even sometimes. I am thankful we have him.

Adelynne Noelle...our little rough houser. I am thankful for her personality...for those who know her, she's hilarious. I am thankful that amongst her roughness, she can be very soft and sweet. I am thankful that she tells me I'm "awesome." I'm thankful that most mornings, she calls for her daddy, even though she knows he's already at school. I am thankful for the cute and funny way she "bobblehead runs" down our hallway. I am thankful that she loves Nolan and is always looking to help him, wipe his spit up, and overall just being nibby about him. I am thankful that after her nap today, she snuggled up with me on the couch and fell asleep again, in my arms. Priceless!

Aubrey Lynne...our leader, our lover. Aubrey loves everyone...especially her dad. I am thankful for their friendship. I am thankful for her sweet tender spirit, who prays with me after she's been in trouble...who also talks about how awesome it is that her great papaw John is in heaven. I am thankful for the way she loves on Adelynne. I am thankful she's so excited to learn and do fun things. I am so thankful that she likes to help her momma...Lord knows I need it.

Brandon...my mate and best friend. There are so many things I am thankful for when it comes to Brandon. But mostly I am thankful for him as a spiritual leader and a dad who loves his kids.

I am thankful!