I have tried to write this post so many times. In my head I have completed it, but getting myself to the chair and actually typing is a different story. I will do my best to catch everyone up to date and let you inside my head for a bit. It is a crazy place I tell ya!
Elias finished 3rd grade today. He got an award for A/B honor roll and we are so proud of him. He worked HARD for every grade that he got. Poor guy, he isn't one of those kids that can hear something one time and remember it. It was an everyday thing. Day in and day out. Spelling, multiplication, Bible verses, history, science.... everyday he hit the books and it paid off. He has grown both emotionally and physically. He is past my shoulders at this point and is so stinkin handsome. Seems just like yesterday I was changing his stinky diapers and today he is wearing deodorant. He is so funny and I honestly wish I had had a friend like him growing up. He loves his brother and sister and will (most times) run interference when they are being naughty. I have caught him on more than one occassion breaking up a fight, taking them in his room and they are all three eating Popsicles like nothing ever happened. He is so sweet with them. I love that child. I am so proud that he is mine and there is not a day that goes by that I don't thank God for blessing me with him. How can he be 9!!!!
Samuel is doing great. Some days are better than others, but I feel like that light is on its way. He eats like nobodies business, sleeps like he owns the bed and is quick to pucker up for a good old kiss. He really is a happy kid but when he gets mad watch out! Time outs don't work for him. If I tell him no he will literally laugh in my face. Yes, I am serious. Now I am not "strict" by any means. But standing on chairs, hitting the dog, punching the TV... those are all no good. So, we have to have time-ins. I hold him on my lap and cross his arms (I have been pinched, hit and head butted) and he gets a big old dose of momma love. He doesn't like it and that would be an understatement. He gets so angry having to sit still but ya gotta do whatcha gotta do. By the end of the 3 minutes he is crying and wants to be hugged (most of the time) and says, "A-lubb-eww momma" and we just pray that he doesn't do it again. These time outs are great because it can be done anywhere and it works 95% of the time!
He loves to swim and I have realized that swim lessons are in our near future! He isn't too afraid of the water and loves to jump in. My rule is that I have to count to three for him and if I hold up my finger that means wait. If I turn away from him after I have started counting he says, "Ma! one, two" After I hit three and signal him in he jumps with all that he has in him! He loves going under and is so pleased with himself!
He is doing great with the family and friends. He isn't a shy kid at all. If someone says hello to him he is sure to say hello and wave.
Norah is growing like a weed. She had her dance recital last month and did awesome! We were not allowed to see her practice so when it was showtime you can be sure that I was one proud mom! I forgot my camera at home so I am waiting on some pictures that a friend took and will post them then.
Norah loves her brothers but is having the toughest time of the three of them. Norah was the only girl and the youngest. She got TONS of attention all the time and is certainly spoiled by all of her grandparents. Since Sam came home she is having to share that spotlight. I would love to say that things are getting better but it's just plain tough! She was so used to having me all to herself and now there is another little one at home and she is having to share my lap, my arms and my undivided attention. I am really trying to spend some good quality one on one time with her and let her know that she is still my #1 girl. She knows that I love all of my "baby birds" the same but I think that it gets the best of her sometimes. It will be a slow process but one of these days, things will mesh and there will be no seam visible.
She is a very loyal little girl. I have a dear friend that took her out for a girls day. Starr, her daughter Allie and Norah went to Target. Now anyone that knows Norah knows she loves to shop and her favorite store is Target. So Starr told Norah that she could choose something and Norah picked out a Princess place mat. Starr put it in the buggy and Norah asked that she take it out. Starr asked her why and she said, "Bubby and Sam do not have one. They can't get anything." She was so worried about her brothers and their feelings. So we ended up with goodies for all three of the kids because Norah was looking out for them. What a sweet girl...
I love these kiddos. But everyday is chaos. Complete and utter chaos. Now that I have gone back to work we can multiply that by 10. Some days I am doggie paddling, other days I am under. And that's just how it is going to be for a while. Life isn't always rosy around here and most days I fall into bed praying that God would forgive my weak moments of raising my voice, being to strict, being irrational or just plain grumpy. I know there is no family out there that is perfect, no mother that is perfect and no day that is perfect. I don't strive for perfection. I want my kids to look back and say that I did a good job being their mom. I want God to look on my life and say that I used everything He gave me. Thank God, everyday is a new day. And His promises are new every morning.
I have been thinking lately how to simplify my life. I have felt bad for being on the computer so much. For texting too much and face booking too much. I was praying about this a few weeks ago and don't ya know the next week my computer got a virus on it and my phone broke. HELLO!! -LOL- I want to read my Bible more, pray more, really dive into what God has in store for me and my life. I plan to spend more face time with the kids and not so much time on facebook. The beach, the pool, the parks... they are all calling our names. I am looking forward to this summer. I don't want to over plan our weeks so that we are on the go so much. I want to relax and really soak in their faces and their hair and their funny ways.
I really hope to not be gone so long next time! I had no idea that people still read my blog now that Sam is home but got a few requests to make the post more frequent :) THANK YOU!
I will leave you a few pictures of my birds...
Taking a break...
I hope that this post has shed a little light into our life. No, it isn't always pretty. Yes, every child adjusts and attaches at different times and under different circumstances. And yes, even when you think you may have that secure attachment you could be wrong. But each of these children hold a very sacred place in this mother's heart. Each of them is an anchor that hold these feet firmly on the ground. They are a mirror of my day. They are the voice of my heart and the apple of my eye. There is not a single thing that I would not do for them. But I have learned that it is okay to have a bad day. It's okay to be hard on myself and to feel guilty. It's okay to have breakfast for dinner and to skip bathes for a day or two. I am learning to lean on the One that has given me the desires of my heart. I cannot do it all. I will never be the "perfect" mother but He can teach me to be the kind of mother I long to be.
Until next time...
