The Intentional Life

I just wanted to take this moment to acknowledge 3 important men in my life: My dad, my husband, and my father-in-law. Dad, thanks for being the provider and leader of our family. Thank you for your Godly example and support through the years. And for being there for our family. George, thank you for raising up a wonderful son who makes a great father himself because of the example you showed him. Thank you to both of you for the Grandpa's that you are to our children. It's so awesome to see the generations continue and the legacy you pass on to them. And to my wonderful husband and father of my children: Thank you, Paul for being the provider and leader of our home, the example of God's love through discipline and mercy. I love each one of you. Happy Father's Day!

Lately I have felt like i am often taking the easy route in life and not moving outside my comfort zone. Sometimes i see this in my parenting (ugh, i really hate to admit that) and often in other areas (i.e. allowing someone else to be the welcoming host instead of going up and introducing myself to a visitor in church) I have been convicted to try the more difficult route and see through with the challenge. With my parenting it would be to stay calm and patient even though i feel like i am ready to blow (one of the residents referred to this as the "Hulk Mom," you know the guy who turns large and green when angry. Not one of my better self-descriptions :( in other areas it is going up and talking to new people (I'd rather be the wall-flower), being self-disciplined and sticking with a devotional time daily (and not letting it fade a week or two into it), and in my personal life - signing up for and completing a half-marathon. All of these things take self-discipline...

I had the best of intentions to post before now but...well.... : ) This last month we emerged from the house to enjoy the warmer weather and sunshine! Owen is into wanting to help. In whatever task Paul or I is(?) doing, Owen is always running up to ask "Can I help?!" So he's often helping Paul fix things and helping me cook. He loves to switch the clothes from the washer to the dryer, and gets out the sweeper to sweep after supper. Hannah is picking up more and more words each day and has quite the vocabulary. She cracks us up daily and loves to be all decked out in a hat, shades, boots, and several layers of clothes. Maddie is continuing to develop and had her 4 month check up yesterday. She is 14 lbs 14 oz. She is doing really well holding her head up and enjoys hanging out on her belly. She has even started to roll a little from belly to back. Maddie is starting to babble and throughly enjoys watching Owen and Hannah run around. Summer is here and school is...

Maddie turned 3 months last Saturday. She is tipping the scales at 13.2 lbs. She's sitting up a little better (loves to sit in the recliner) and always cracks a smile for whoever stops and talks to her. She is sleeping through the night and takes a couple 2 hour naps during the day. She is pretty tolerant of her siblings. They can bounce around and scream and she takes in all in with a smile. I attempted some 3 month pictures and managed to get a few good ones. We got Hannah a regular bed over the weekend and she is loving the change. So far, she stays in bed at night and is sleeping until her normal time. We are certainly thankful for that (but don't expect it to continue for too long!)

She is our sweet little 2 year old. She cracks us up with the way she runs around with her piggy tails bouncing. She loves the colors purple and yellow. Loves to dress up in her shoes, hat, and sunglasses and just walk around the house. She's cuddly and loves to sit on our laps and look at books. Hannah came into our lives and taught us patience with her acid reflux in the first 6 months that kept her crying day and night (and us awake). She now lives life with abandon, running from one activity to the next. Her best bud is Owen and often will follow behind him, doing whatever he is doing. She's picking up more and more words each day and will often respond to you with a "K" or "uh, huh." We love you, sweet Heena, and we're so glad God put you in our lives! Happy 2nd Birthday!

Owen spent about 20 minutes running around the backyard picking these (I think I saw Hannah helping, too). He came running up to the house, "Mom, I picked all these for you! Put them in water, please!" I figured this was a perfect picture of what a mother's flower bouquet would be. Never have dandelions looked so pretty.

Well, life is more full with another little one added to the bunch. Thankfully Maddie is starting to sleep through the night which means a happier and more rested Momma! It's amazing how much better i can function on a full night's sleep. We are loving the spring weather as the kids are getting outside more and enjoying the sandbox and swing set . I am getting back into running and it feels so good! I signed up for a race in October to keep me motivated to continue to run. We are continuing to enjoy our work at Gateway and are enjoying our position as alternates for Jarod and Molly Steffen. A great pick-me-up was that a resident gave their life to Christ this past week while we were on duty. It's moments like those that remind us why we are here and Who we are working for. Picture explanations: The first 2 I had to take of Maddie with this new headband given to me as a gift. Poor Hannah followed a brother so i didn't do a good job of gussying her up to look ...