five + two: May 2010

Life as we know it is hard to put into a word, or a sentence, or picture, or book. There are many levels of joys, with hardships mixed in, chaos, surprises, messes, and many evidences of the Lord's faithfulness. I rarely get a chance to write. I'm lucky enough if I get pictures on the blog, let alone more than a few sentences. But there's so much to say. I mean 7 people in a family, in a (somewhat)new town, planting a church. I don't want to forget this time in our life, and I know I will if I don't write. So, here I am in the yard, watching two children out of the corner of my eye, starting to write, with the faint chance that I might actually finish.

The two

My most cherished moments with Nate these days is on our porch after the kids are all asleep (or at least we deceive ourselves into thinking they are). We sit on our old couch on the porch that we still need to get rid of (we're looking super ghetto or maybe like a college house, but we're not going to lie, we love our ghetto couch!). Anyway, we sit on the couch, often with wine in hand and talk over the day. These happenings are somewhat limited as the little twinsies often don't agree to the whole sleeping thing before 9:30. Um, I need to pause and go take care of a child (or 3 or 5), I'll be back...

So, here I am. Back. It only took 7 days to be "back", but I made it. This is exactly why I don't write much. But here I go again. Anyway, my answer to how we are doing definitely varies on what time you ask me. In the morning I'm usually doing great. Afternoon I'm doing fine. Late afternoon, usually going a bit crazy. And from 8 o'clock and on there are two scenarios. EIther everyone's hunky dory in bed and so am I. Or, I hear cries/requests/protests and I get just a tad bit crazier. I finally get to sleep and then it's the morning again and I'm great. Thank God for new days and fresh perspectives. Can I get an Amen?!?!

As far as the church, the Lord has been good. Despite our crazy life right now, He continues to provide and remind us that it is His church, not ours. I love listening to Nate preach and see the Lord use him. It is amazing to see your husband used in the way the Lord intended him to be. It is clear this is what he should be doing and I am blessed as his wife. We are officially at Sunday mornings now and it has been a nice, smooth transition. It is fun to see how the Lord provides and surprises us. I mean, yes, it's hard. But we expected it to be and so it is what it is and we're glad we are where we are.

The 5

Lucy (Lu)

Quite a proficient hoola hooper (workin' it at the Farmer's Market)

This girl, she's still got personality- Big personality. She cracks us up and keeps us guessing. School has been great for her, she just loves it. Speaking of love, a boy just today told her that he loved her! Really? Then she assured us he only loved her as a friend. Hmmm, are we starting with this stuff already? Seems way too early to me! Whenever I ask her how her day was she immediately jumps into the recess happenings. Who she played with, who she didn't play with, what they did, what they didn't do etc. Right now it seems like recess is pretty much the only factor that makes a day "good" or "not so good". She's soaring with reading and math at school and the main complaint we get from her teacher is that she talks a bit too much. This was shocking to us. Lucy talk too much? Never! She's a joy this girl and we love her. There is a bit of attitude creeping in here and there, but we just keep prayin', loving, correcting and trusting. And hopefully the, "you don't want me to be happy!" comments will cease. Trust me Lucy, we want you to be happier than you could ever imagine.

Will (chomperific)

Oh chomps, where do I start? Perhaps with the fact that you get upset at me if I flush your poo without letting you getting to look at it and evaluate how big it was. Or maybe, with how you can play "Star Wars" for hours in your head without knowing what is happening around you. At all. Oh yes and then there was the time we were in the car and you dropped your Bible. Now this had already been a bad day, but really Will, did you have to say this? "Hand me my Bible right now or I will hit you in the face". (I know, it's shocking, but he said it, what can I say?) I then proceeded to talk to him about how he can and cannot talk to me. Then he proceeded to say, "Please hand me my Bible right now.... or I will hit you in the face." Alright, well we're learning. A lot of teaching and learning going on right now. He's still a boy of extremes. For example today was a really great day, no major meltdowns. But then we have those days. You know, those days- moms, you know what I'm talking about. I've found a high correlation with lack of sleep to those days. Late nights and no naps make for a deadly combination with this kid. I still would define him as sugar and spice. As sweet as anything, but as spicy as anything. We love you Will and you bring our heart much joy. You are a "good guy". Ok, Molly crying, she didn't quite get the memo that we're "cooperating" tonight, so I'll have to continue later....

One of my favorites is when they hold hands without me asking them to. I really do think they like each other. They're a funny duo. Just tonight they were having "who can play dead better" competitions. I think Lucy won, she could hold her breath longer.

Ada (Ada dooze)

Now it's necessary to sleep with 5 pacifiers. Not really, only 2, but she's in heaven when she gets 5.

Lovin' the backyard. She would be outside all day if she could- be she can't, sorry darlin'.

Can't believe she's one and a half now. She's growing up so quickly and becoming sweeter every moment. So far, this girl is chill. We went to the park for Mother's Day and she literally sat in her high chair for and hour just watching- maybe even longer. When we are around people she pretty much just observes and soaks it all in. She's pretty quiet, especially around people. But it's been fun to see her start to develop her vocabulary. She now says "done", "mama", "dada", "papa", "baby", "done" and gives us a cute little kiss as a substitute for saying "thank you". I suspect that pretty quickly here she'll really be flying with the whole talking thing. Ada is still a breath of fresh air in this family and just great. She's into dolls, her little kitchen, climbing, and playing outside. She's also reaching that age where she wants to do what the bigger kids are doing. Now if we get something at a drive-thru she wants it too and she wants to be playing what the older siblings are playing and sitting where they are sitting. This can prove to be a bit challenging sometimes. But the older kids really do love her so it actually works out ok.... usually. She also really has taken to the twins. She gives them toys (Molly now has a little bump on her head thanks to Ada's generosity), gives them (and takes away) their pacifiers, and wipes their spit up for them. I envision them being good friends.

Kind of looks like they're all sleeping, trust me, this would never happen. I don't have those "just fall asleep anywhere" kind of kids- never have. I do however, have the squirmy kids, thus why Ada isn't in the picture- couldn't sit still long enough to make it through the "click".

Henry (Tank, or Hank to Tank is what Wills says, I think Will thinks Henry's a transformer)

Look at that face, seriously, just look at it! He is a "nice boy" as we say. Those eyes are to die for.

He's our cuddler, cat napper, tender little boy and we love him. It is so interesting to see two babies growing next to each other. These babies were so different at birth and that still continues. He has not been super napper by any stretch of the imagination until the last two days. He actually has taken naps the past couple days that were over 2 hours! Lets keep this trend going. I would also say they are finally pretty consistently sleeping through the night. Simultaneously my milk supply has been diminishing. I think with sleeping through the night comes less milk. So, Henry is starting to have formula more often. He doesn't really care though, food is food in his book I think- total boy. He's still about double Molly's size and has well deserved his name Tank.

Molly (Mo Mo or rooster [she sounds like one, she really does])

This one continues to crack us up. I mean, she's hilarious! This picture doesn't quite capture her big personality but it does capture her cuteness for sure. Major extravert here- major. She loves people and is so eager to smile- she has a somewhat permasmile. I can't wait to see who she grows up to be. Your smile makes many smile- you are a blessing to so many already.

Alright- I feel done writing. This blog post only took 2 weeks or so to finish. There are probably all kinds of spelling and grammatical errors that I'm going to ignore and just march my finger over to the publish button instead. I've been reminded why I don't write much. Also, I must do a quick kudos to anyone who is still reading,very impressive. And to the few and the faithful, good night, I'm going to go eat some of the cookies that my husband is making for me (told you I have a good hubby) and watch the last 2 episodes of Lost!