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Gwendolyn // You woke up tired this morning needing snuggles from me, so I brought Conrad in (he woke you up...sorry about that, girl) and the three of us laid together silently for a good 10 minutes. I scratched your backs. You had to have my arm around you and were jealous that Conrad was laying across my chest, so when he changed positions, I tucked you in as close as I could. After that, I let you pick between two dresses. You picked the one with cream lace. You weren't a big fan of the organic low sugar cereal I bought at Target, but when you brought your bowl into the kitchen it was empty! I think someone liked it. :)
Today was your last day of VBS! You thanked God for our parking space when we pulled in reminding me to "give thanks for all things." You had so much fun this week and can tell us all about how Adam and Eve were lured by the devil who disguised himself as a serpent. You know that sin separates us from Jesus, and you're recognizing what sin is in your own life. You've been asking a lot of questions about Heaven. I'm so excited about what God is doing in your heart, and I can sense that He's pulling you into Him. He's created you to be such a kind, loving, tender-hearted little girl.
You suggested hot dogs for lunch. I served up a delicious plate of hot dogs, apple sauce, broccoli with dip dip and apple slices. You cleaned it all up! The sucker you received at VBS was good motivation. You smiled at me during lunch and said you wouldn't forget to take your plate into the kitchen when you were done like you did earlier in the week. And you didn't.
You just adore your baby brother. Thank you for being so gentle with him. It's so helpful to mommy that I can trust you to watch him for me if I am needed elsewhere for a few minutes.
Your quiet time in your room quickly turned into a nap. It's been a busy week! Tuesday we went to the zoo, and yesterday you went to VBS, had a play date, then we had your play date friends over to our house while their mom had an appointment, then you went to Aunt Trishy and Uncle John's house for dinner and more playing. You've decided you like sleeping under the chair in your room. I don't get it, but I don't mind.
Conrad // I was putting mousse in my hair in the bathroom when I heard your lovely yelling at about 7:45. I'd normally run as quickly as I could to your room so you wouldn't wake Gwendolyn, but it took me a bit longer than usual because I had to finish what I was doing and wash my hands. Alas, you woke her up, but it was time to eat breakfast anyway.
I love asking you in the morning "how was your sleeping time?" because I just love hearing you say "good" in this sweet little sleepy voice. It never fails...I walk into your room and you've thrown all of your stuffed animals out of your crib leaving only your "mimic" aka blanket and pillow. Although sometimes the pillow is out as well. You're usually always sitting with your back against the crib holding your mimic crying and a bit mad. As soon as I open the door and say "hiiiiii bud!" you smile and stand up and let me take your sleep sack off. You know to whisper because the other two may still be sleeping. We went and snuggled with Sissy. You got to wear your Superman shirt today!
You ate your bowl of cereal and an entire banana and requested more. When prompted, you thank me for "breakfast", which is also lunch and dinner and for changing your diapers. Sometimes "dank you bek-fast changing my dipe-as" covers it all.
You walked hand in hand with Gwendolyn into VBS and do such a great job of staying close to me. We said our good-byes and off to Target we ran to exchange two patio chairs and buy a new toiletry bag. I only spent $30 at Target - it's a miracle! (Never mind the $80 spent there last night...) You now remember that the Super Target gives out chocolate chip cookies at the bakery so we promptly made our way across the store. You willingly offered me a "bite"....one lowly mini chocolate chip. Thanks, bud.
When I loaded you into your car seat, I asked for a kiss kiss, which you gave me. I went to back out and you threw your arms out and said, "hug?" You've never done that before, and of course my heart melted.
Probably no one else would know what you were saying, but you started singing "I like to move it move it" once we were back on the road. You were just singing away looking out the window in the back of the van. You always make me smile.
We met Aunt Trishy, Ten, and Lori and her youngest two kiddos at the park. Lori was so sweet and brought me Starbucks! I told her a regular coffee with lots of cream. It was such a fun treat. You ran as fast as you could when you saw Trishy pull into the parking lot and were so excited to see two of your favorite people. We played for about an hour and a half before needing to leave to go pick up Gwendolyn. You loved the swings and went down the slides and ate some crackers while mommy talked about having kids and adoption and tattoos and fashion and shopping and things we struggle with in our faith. The sky was perfectly partly cloudy and the temp just right. I just love time with friends and seeing you play.
You earned a sucker (only because Sissy had one) after lunch for at least trying broccoli.
I was putting you into your sleep sack before nap time and cradling you in my arms while sitting on the floor. You joined me in singing "Jesus Loves Me", both of us singing into each other's necks. I loved the sound of your voice and the feeling of your breath. I started tickling you and you were just laughing and laughing. You even had goosebumps on your legs. Cutest thing ever.
You're currently singing "Happy Birthday" and playing with play-doh behind me (nap time is over...) Happy Birthday is sung a lot around here.
You've been such a trooper going here there and everywhere the last two weeks while Sissy has been at camp and at VBS. You ran more errands with me in the last two weeks than we've run in two months! It's amazing how much easier it is to get things done with only two kids. (Or is it all in my head?)
Luther // You slept 9:40 pm to 4:45 am last night! I know I should put you back in your bed after you wake up in those early morning hours, but I just love the way you feel on my chest with your little arms stretched across my shoulders. You're always soooo warm and relaxed and I think...ohhhh it's only a couple hours until it's time to wake up anyway. We kind of have our routine. We snuggle. You nurse. Mommy tucks a pillow behind your back so you stay on your side, slips out of bed, and tries to get ready before any of you wake up. Some mornings, I even have time for a few sips of coffee and some reading and prayer. Other mornings, motherhood beckons earlier than planned. I've learned to just roll with it. This morning though you were the last of the three to wake up.
One thing is for sure though...you wake up with a smile on your sweet face. It's one of my favorite things. And it's weird because even if we were just side by side an hour ago, it seems I always find myself missing you.
You took a short little nap while we were at Target and decided to wake up when we got to the park. Not the most ideal timing considering it is hard to hold a baby and get a toddler into a swing, but you were content to hang in your car seat for once! Thank you! You didn't last that long before you "needed" to nurse and go back to sleep. Perfect timing to go pick Sissy up!
You read books with us before nap time, kicking your cute little squishy legs on Gwendolyn's bed. I put Conrad down while Sissy "babysat" you in her room and then took you into our room to put you down for a nap while she had quiet time turned nap. You were a sleepy baby boy! I've had to run up a few times to put the pacifier back in, but you've been out since about 2:00. And it's 5:10. Yes, this post has taken me two hours in between runs upstairs for children and pacis, getting snack, cleaning up Legos and play-doh, and getting dinner (frozen lemon peppered cod) in the oven.
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Today has just been a great day. There is laundry to be done and crumbs on my floor and pictures to edit and yet I feel accomplished and at peace with the chaos. I feel like I loved you kids well today. I had some really precious individual moments with each of you. You each individually and in your own way took my breath away causing me to be just super thankful. It wasn't perfect. There were feet in faces (Conrad Cross...) and some discipline and moments of not sharing, but boy is my heart full.
Thank you for this day, Lord. I know it's not over, but I also know you never leave us. Thank you for these kids, for hugs and kisses, for the laughter and thankfulness in their voices, for mispronounced words, for sunshine, for parking spaces, for energy, for work to do and strength to do it, for frozen fish, for lemon Oreos, for friends who pick up Starbucks, for volunteers teaching VBS, for teachable moments, for daddy's who come home, for time to write, and for being a never ending flowing river of grace and mercy and love. Oh, and for the bowl of sea salt caramel chocolate-covered pretzel ice cream that awaits me after bath/bed time (lemon what?!).
So thankful. For all the days you have so graciously given us, I thank You.
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