Monday, February 26, 2018

Breaking News: Luke Turns Three!

My little Lukey pie just turned three years old yesterday!  He held the "baby of the family" role for longer than the rest and also since he is the fourth he just seems to carry on as the "baby" in my mind.  But he will correct me promptly if he ever hears me call him that!  He is not a baby!  He is not a big boy!  He is Lukey!  Luke is such a happy camper.  He is a boy with big brown eyes (and gorgeously long eye lashes!) that can melt his mama's heart.  He is with a blanket and a sippy cup saying "juice." He is smiling and laughing and keeping up with the big kids.  He is crawling in my lap whenever there is one to crawl into.  He is animal loving, outside loving, candy and juice loving, question asking, non-stop jabbering. He is sweet through and through.  

All Luke wanted for his birthday was a whistle and a blue sucker (he is still working on colors, but has blue down!).  I guess it must be all of Jude's basketball games he was drug along to that inspired the whistle.  We did get one for him, but as predicted it has been confiscated numerous times already. We also got him a giant semi truck to go with the combine and grain cart.  

His birthday was on a Sunday and after talking about how it was coming for so long (since Mikey's) he couldn't really believe it had come and insisted it was tomorrow.  Anyway Gil's parents joined us for church and then we had lunch at Godfather's.  My parents joined us later at our house for some cake and ice cream.  I made some Super Why characters to go on the cupcakes and Alissa made him an adorable shirt to go with the theme.  I thought Super Why was a fitting theme not only because he loves the show, but because 'why' is one of his current favorite words.  He needs to know all the things!!!

This year Luke has learned to play by himself, become a big brother, become nearly potty trained (oh heavens!), moved to a bunk bed with his brothers, bottle fed some baby calves, helped with lots of chores, got many rides on the side by side, and so much more!


our crazy family

the grandparents

luke and his whistle!




Thursday, February 15, 2018

Growing Into Yourself



I recently gave birth to my fifth (and final) child.  I also made the difficult decision to quit my job and just focus on being a mom for this season.  I wanted to soak it all in.  All the "lasts."  The last newborn baby of my very own that I will hold in my arms.  The last tiny newborn clothes to wash.  Even the last sleepless nights.  I wanted to make sure to cherish them all (just like I have been instructed to do from the mothers who have come before me).  But of course life happened and I got tired and hungry and exhausted from being needed all the time by my five tinies.  And while I would say I really did cherish those first "lasts," they still flew by before I knew it.  My wee babe is now nearly six months old.  And my first wee babe is nearly nine years.  How did that happen?!?!  As I was thinking about time and cherishing it I realized something that astounded me: each day we become more of who we were created to be.  This is especially true for children.  And why it is so bittersweet to watch them grow.  My tiny newborn was not meant to stay a tiny newborn.  He grows and changes EACH DAY, SO MUCH!  And each
day he is becoming more himself.  More of his personality grows, more of his looks become evident, and the more I fall in love with him.

The same can probably apply to myself as well.  While our society begrudges growing older and idolizes youth, I cannot help but ask why?  Why do we try to stay where we are (or even go backward) when what we are becoming is so much greater?  We become more ourselves.  We gain wisdom, experience, understanding, joy, and even pain.  We are better off for having these experiences, for doing the hard work of living.  And while there are plenty of great things about being 20, I wouldn't go back.

And that is what I try to remember about my children as well.  While I sometimes grasp for time to slow down I try to remember that the joy really is in seeing the transformations.  Seeing the wee babe, so fragile and helpless, become a smiler and a sitter and finally a toddler.  And the toddler begins to talk! Then run!  And climb!  The child chooses to share!  To help someone in need.  Learns to read! And play an instrument!  To try a nw sport! Drive a car!  Get a job!  And so much more.

We are all meant to grow and change.  Each day is a chance to become more of who we are.  And to watch our children do the same.  My fifth little one will soon be the chattering two-year-old asking "why" every two minutes.  I will miss having one of those around.  But I cannot wait to see what a ten-year-old can do!

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Mikey's Golden Birthday!

Mikey boy turned five on February fifth!  Happy "Golden Birthday" big boy!  I didn't really know what to do for a golden birthday...so it was pretty much like all the others!  Our next one won't be until Jude turns 18, so I guess I have some time to plan for that!  

Anyway, I seriously cannot believe this crazy boy is five years old!  He has given me a run for my parenting money that is for sure, but he is so full of life and laughs and loves that it is totally worth it.  I still believe there are BIG BIG things in store for this one some day.  

He had a "Paw Patrol" theme this year.  He got some more mission cruiser toys and also a new outfit to sport to school on his big day.  Dad also could not resist getting him a lego, so he got another Lego Batman one: the dune buggy.  Oh, and Grandma Carolyn went all out on his five year old quilt.  Just look at that beauty!  Bonus he actually loved it and is so happy to sleep with it each night (that does not mean however that he has given up any of his other blankets or quilts and now sleeps with a whopping two quilts, three blankets, and two pillows.  He and Luke have moved to the bottom of the new bunk bed while Jude is on the top.  It has been a pretty smooth move so far (now to get Thomas into the crib in Cora's room...)

As I said, Mikey is just so full of life.  He loves playing loud, laughing loud, going to preschool where he is thriving (and has almost learned all his letters...finally!), being outside, having computer/ipad time, Legos, books, songs, animals, he just loves life!  He is my buttercup, my blond haired blue eyed boy.  He and Cora have gotten to playing together very well this year.  And sometimes it even happens with Jude or Luke and if I am super lucky all four can play together for spurts before one or another comes tattling about something or another.  He had his first year of showing a calf at the fair, his first year of swimming lessons, his first year of preschool, and his second year of cubbies.  He is sure that now that he is five he is bigger and heavier and stronger.  He is a challenge and a joy.  We love you Mikey!!!!!

birthday morning

he loves a present!

birthday cupcakes he helped make

quilt from grandma

proud boy

sad boy...hang in there luke, your day is coming!