The Days Events

 "Check out my PUNKINS!"

 This little chair was a gift for to me when I turned 3.  My children love it, although the non padded edges can prove hazardous!

 We took the kids to Stearmans for dinner.  Logan loved the airplanes!

And, Gavin...well he just loves life in general.  Overall, a nice and quiet funfilled day.

Walter's Pumpkin Patch {2012}

 

 

 

 

 

 

It has become a tradition.  This year did not go as planned, but I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day.  The air was warm, the breeze was cool.  The trees seemed to talk as the leaves rustled softly.  I watched our children, running excitedly back and forth with shouts of joy to one another. My smallest  waddled around, completely overwhelmed by the magnitude of everything  the patch had to offer.

I listened to the older ones, as they tried to explain to each other just where we would go next, what we would do.  The pure joy on their faces made me smile.  As I looked at my best friend, I couldn’t help but think, “She is one of the bravest, strongest people I know.”  We are incredibly blessed to have these friends.  Of course there were moments of breakdown.  What 3 year old could handle a 3 hour play date without some source of frustration, right?  The tantrum pulled me back to real life for just a minute. 

As I hid behind my camera, trying to capture the raw, unprotected emotions displayed by the children, I couldn’t help but think what life would be like without them.  Where did I find joy before I was entrusted these 2 beautifully distinct souls?  What filled my days and my nights?  What filled my dreams and my nightmares?  What made me whole, gave me inspiration to be better and to do more?

 And then I remembered…they did.  They filled my dreams before I ever knew  them.  I knew I was put here on this earth to be their mom.  As God’s plan for our family has been slightly different than the plan that I had envisioned, I am reminded that he is in control.  As crazy as our wild days(and nights) can be, I find peace in that. 

The Other Part of the Birthday {Gavin 1 yr.}

birthday boy

 excited brother

loving friends

 Blow out the candle!

Cake by Nana

 Lots of friends

Hmmm...

 Yum!

We had Gavins bday get together with Nana and friends today.  I am still saddened that after an entire year of divorce, my kids don't get to have one big happy party with all the people that care about them...maybe someday.

We had a great time, neverless.  Any excuse to go to the park is a good one for us.  Me not wanting to clean up the house after a birthday party sounded even more perfect!  The weather was mild, the company good.  I asked everyone not to bring presents as my children have more than they will ever need.  Somehow we still ended up with some new books, a stuffed puppy and a new tractor.  Another fun birthday, still can't believe his is 1!

Fall Funtime Playdate

Let me just start by getting the frustration off of my chest...today did NOT go as planned.  Darn the rain!  We had this pumpkin patch day planned for a month.  It hasn't rained in 45 days.  Not only did it rain today, it POURED.  So in lieu of the pumpkin patch we had a fun, friendly get together at our house.

The kids painted pumpkins...and each other.  Gavin made his very first finger paint(I am so proud!).  It's just too bad that it is a pumpkin that will spoil.  Gonna have to break out the paper and paint again soon!

We had lunch and desert.  We played until the Mama's and Gavin were drop dead tired.  I love these kids.  I love my friends.  We are so extremely blessed to have such people in our lives. 

Birthday Wishes & A Little Artist

(photo courtesy of Hilary Phipps)

This afternoon we attended the bday party of a little NICU grad of mine.  What a cool idea!  That had it at a little studio called Paint the Towne.  Everyone got to paint a canvas, enjoy some food and each others company.  My boys both look less than thrilled in the pics but I assure you they had a great time!

Days like today make me miss my time in the NICU.  I do love helping moms and babies breastfeed, but I also love being a NICU nurse.  I know that I am where I am now for a reason and have certainly loved have more flexibility in my schedule while my kids are young.  However, I do miss the deep bonds that sometimes formed between myself and the parents of the babies that I cared for.

I think someday I will go back.  I think when the time is right God will let me know.  Until then, we will continue to celebrate the lives of these amazing little people and rejoice in the hurdles they have overcome, milestones they have met.

Picnic!

 

 I asked Logan if these were the turkeys we would eat for Thanksgiving.  He said, "No, these are Miss Sherry's turkeys.  We don't eat them."

 Gertrude the pig

Lovin on the ponies

 

 Quick pic while the boys were close to each other...

Lovin on Miss Stefennie

 

Today one of the fun-loving gals I work with had a "picnic" at her house.  I don't think my boys ate much but did have a blast running around the farm and getting loves from all the ladies.   Sherry's hubby, Randy, is also a favorite of my kids.  I don't know how I managed not to get a pic with either of them!

 



Gavin {1 Year!}

 

Wow...so he looks a bit cake drunk in the last pic!  Today our boy is one year old...can you believe it?  I can't...it seems like only yesterday.  I remember the awful bedrest, the wonderfully fast induction and his dramatic and swift entrance into the world.

Dear Gavin,
  I can't believe you are 1!  You are the pure joy heart of our family.  You are always smiling, rarely cranky.  You adore your big brothers and watch their every move.  You eat like a champ, anything we will give you.  You have 7 teeth, almost 8, as that left front bottom tooth will be coming through any day now. 

  You still sleep 3-4 hours then get up about every 2 hours to nurse...it's ok...the experience in this mom has taught me that our avoidance of formula is worth the lack of sleep.  You are only this young, for a little while.  After all, you are a snuggly little sleeping buddy.  I do love nursing you, it has been a blessing and my new career has made it so easy to keep up with supply.  We have been blessed to donate a full supply of milk to another baby for her first 9 months along with a partial supply for twins.  I am a lucky woman.

  You are so full of joy. You have two dimples, and they both light up my every minute, every hour, of every day.  I can't imagine how much joy you will bring to our lives in the coming years and I can't wait to watch you grow, all the time cherishing these precious moments when you seem so small!

  Sweet dreams my love,
Mommy