Week of April's Wedding...

Another wonderful week enjoying life. The weather started off with a seriously cool few days, only to hit the mid to upper 80's by Friday...I'm not complaining! That's perfection! The big event of this week was the much anticipated 'April and Nicolas' Wedding. What a perfect celebration. The wedding was so full of God's faithfulness and goodness. The reception was full of fun, my favorite people (except for Bobbi, Tara, and the Hunters of course)... and great memories. This was  just what I needed now that I am getting ready to come out of what Julie Alley calls, "The Newborn Hole"! I have such a rich life! 

April waited in all ways on the Lord's timing to marry her one true love. Tim and I have known her over a decade and have shared many good laughs and special times with her! Her wedding was a true reflection of who she is...intimate, creative, honoring, worshipful and free. They wrote their own vows and Tim and I were so touched by the sweetness they share and the life they have ahead of them. I LOVE WEDDINGS! 

My favorite memory of the week (besides reading Despereaux) was watching the groom dance with his Grandmother. Nicolas's mother recently passed away, so he shared the 'dance with the mom' with his grandmother. The music was Ava Maria, loud and heavenly! Tears streamed down his shut eyes as he held his tiny grandmother, although at times it looked like she was holding him. Someone whispered to me that he mouthed the words : "I miss my Mom."  As a mom of boys, that was too much! I totally had to wipe away a few tears. As I stood there at the wedding reception with my newborn watching this man celebrate both life and death, I had one of those moments. The Goodness of God in pain and celebration all culminated into a few remarkable minutes. It reminded me of a scene in the movie, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (which the kids and I watched with Amber (shout out) on Monday). There is this scene where Aslan has risen back to life, but a battle still raged on. The good people of Narnia were dying and getting wounded...it looked so bleak and full of despair for them. However, what they couldn't see was that Aslan was racing towards them, and in moments they would all be restored to life and health. So... its all perspective. When people ask me lately how I am doing, I find myself smiling and answering that I am good, and I actually answer that I am happy. This is not the first season of my life where I 'feel' genuinely happy...but this is the first time that I feel happy without the nagging feeling that the rug is going to get pulled out from beneath me. Sure, I still have moments like that (driving Tim to the airport last week)...but they are few and far between. The more I know about God's goodness...how He touches our lives, carries us through hardships and always redeems us if we allow Him too, this perspective allows me to rest and enjoy the present. I have had some darker times the last few years, some amazing and unexpected joys and some very precious and intimate moments...all married together by God's goodness...and it keeps me grateful and excited about life and the people in my life (far & near)! This BLOG feature some...  

Last Sunday Whitney fit into her first dress...

Here we found Whitney one morning with her hat covering up her eyes...so cute, but we did fix it for her...

Kate DiCamillo has got to be my favorite children's literature author! Her books say so much with so few words! We started reading The Tale of Despereaux a week before Whitney was born...so after 3 library renewals, I made the kids Pumpkin Spice Lattes (in the crockpot) and we finished this book. SO AWESOME! If you haven't read Because of Winn Dixie...YOU MUST! Especially if you are an adult. She is amazing...

 Notice Lily's Barbie. Well, Lily made her the dress. Of course Police Man Cole questioned her about why it was see through. Oh Colie, we love you!

 These are some of my favorite pictures of my Handsome One True Love, Tim holding Whitney. Love them both. He was in Michigan Monday through Thursday. I sure did miss him...but we had a great weekend and I am always glad when he comes home safe!

 Look at that inch-worm neck. EAT HER UP!!!!

 Ok, Ok, I admit I go a little overboard photographing the kids ...BUT in my defense...I love having all of the different facial expressions! Side note...These were taken at the tree before Cole and Lily's soccer game. A few moments later, Owen comes up to me and told me that a bug fell out of the tree and tried to get him...he was visibly upset. I was like, "No, no...its probably just a stick...go play, you will be fine." He expressively told me it was a bug. Finally I asked him to show it to me, convinced that he would never find the little big. OH MY! When he showed me the beast I was like..."SERIOUSLY! What is that going to hatch into...a bird? A dinosaur?" Some other mom put the quater up next to it for a size perspective. EEEEWWWWWWWW......

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 My One True Love! 11 years soon...

 Cindee and Tina...LOVE THEM!

 Travis and brother Chuck (he's not a priest, just my bro!)

 Cayce (on of my FUNNIEST FRIENDS EVER!) and Tina...favs!

 Cindee and me...

 Cindee and Trav

 The LUPO's (April's parents) who haven't aged a single day since Tim and I have know them! What is the secret???

 Ok, sooooo...this is Wedny rightfully scolding me (again I am ashamed to admit) for my horrible habit of having on a BCBG dress, Madden shoes, and carrying around my camera in a sock! The case was too big!!! This isn't the first time (anyone remember my wallet and lipstick???) I am sorry Wen...it doesn't represent! Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery...although I can't fully say that I am ready to receive help at this point :)

Cindy, Whitney and I (xoxo)

 The Bride and Groom...

 My Girls Mallory and Amber

 Beautiful Hope!

Tim with the Dave's

 Here we have Whitney in another dress that she fits into...taken today after church! Love ya girl, girl!

Last Weeks of September...

 Its been another wonderful week. I mean come on...how can anyone have a bad week with a baby as sweet as THAT around the house? I have probably never been as busy as I am now, but the level of peace and joy in this season is really one of the greatest that I can ever remember! I am reading this book (Beware: CHEESY title that falsely conveys that contents) Destined to Reign with my Tuesday night Bible study girls. It is a fresh reminder of the joy of my salvation. That as a believer, I HAVE peace with GOD. I don't have to wake up everyday with a list 10 feet long of things I need to 'repent of' and 'work on'. Grace, permanent & positional forgiveness, and all encompassing blessings are mine in Christ. I live overly aware of my many shortcomings and failures...and it is so freeing to be reminded that GOD isn't there to judge and pull away from me...but just the opposite. Jesus took my sin, I took his sonship. He has come that I may have life, and have it abundantly! The Gospel in its simplest form is such a fuel for joy and gratitude. Seriously, its been like 16 years and I am still changed!

Anywhoo...week(s) in review:

Here is my angel...and she sleeps like me (with the mouth open...why is that and cellulite so cute on a baby and not on a 30 year old?)...

This week as I was doing school with Owen I realized that he is doing the work as a 4 year old that Cole & Lily did as 5 year olds (mainly b/c I didn't start them sooner). But Owen LOVES school- he asks me ALL DAY LONG to 'do more school'. So as we sat down with our book I realized that he can read...and a lot better than I thought. WHY? One main answer: LILY! She plays school with him all of the time complete with her own assignments, rewards and activities! Thank you Lily- your little brother is miles ahead because of you!

Baylee had a Birthday Party at her Mommy's Salon (Cindee is one of my life long BF's) and I have to say- my girlsfriends know how to throw some parties! Our kids have been to the most creative and FUN parties ever! Here they did hair, makeup, nails, jewlery...and this was before the MAIN show down of the Jumpy Machine!

                                    BEAUTY MULTIPLIED! Love you Cindee & Baybay xoxoxox

Grandma Sug (Cale's Mom) came and visited the kids and met her new Great-Grandbaby Whitney! Everyone had fun, especially my Lily who especially loves her Great Grandma!

 Here we have some more everyday pictures of Lily. Lily is now part of what Julie Alley would refer to as "The Middles". She is so sincere, loving, helpful, funny and kind! I really try to be aware of giving her the attention and mothering she needs... which is hard beacuse she isn't an outwardly 'needy' child.  She may be 7, but she acts like she is 12...she always has. She is always thanking and encouraging me...Seriously, what a treasure! Anyway, Lily- I love you and am forever grateful that you are mine! xoxoxo

 Kristen bought this outfit for Whitney and it reminds me of Kristen 100%! Ok, so it doesn't quite fit yet, but it is still adorable:

 FALL IS HERE! Whitney actually needed this blanket (thanks Kim) a few mornings and nights. YUMMY- could you not just eat those cheekies????

 Owen walks out of the bathroom the other day after Lily did his hair. I wasn't sure of the story behind it, how could you NOT take a picture of this? Turns out he wanted Lily to make him look like a lion...he decided that when she was done he looked like a cub! HILARIOUS.

OHHH and FUNNY STORY of the week. Owen always pretends that we are a family of ______ (fill in the blank with some sort of animal). We have been birds, puppies, dogs, squirells and then tigers last week. So he will adress me as 'Mommy Tiger', and call himself  'Owen Tiger'. So the other day I asked him how his snack was and all on his own her replied:

"Dee-Tiger-Liscious"

Hysterical! 

 This is why I love homeschooling: Reading time on the back porch with blankets and pillows on a crisp Fall day: Whitney got a little fresh air too...

 Had to share this...my triplets going to soccer practice:

 Some more school pics...We taught Cole MS-WORD last week and he is amazed! He has been typing everyday and LOVES it...no Mommy snarling down his neck about his handwriting! And Spell Check...like Christmas Morning for him...

Map work for Writing Class:

GUM is an AMAZING STRESS RELIEVER for all of us. As soon as we sit down we all chew and it seriously helps keep the stress levels down!

One more sweet dreams photo:

Our friend Jeremy is the head coach at Jefferson High in Monticello. We went to their homecoming game last night and I am continually reminded that I missed my calling as a Cheerleader. Grrrr...band!!! Grrrrr. Anyway, poor Whit was way over-stimulated as one would imagine. I did hold her ears tight though.

 Soccer Pics this morning. I am like the worst Soccer Coach's Mom Ever...Poor Tammy is in charge of snacks for like the 4th season in a row and I still don't know that teams name...Go BLUE!

Until next Time...
xoxox