A Favorite Picture

I know I've probably said this a million times about all of my kids...but this little guy has brought so much joy to each of our lives. He is such a happy baby and sweet to his brothers and even the dog. As #3, he is developing quickly since he desperately wants to keep up with his adoring big brothers. He would much rather play with their toys than his own and just this past week he has even started standing on his own.

This time last year, we had no idea how much our lives would change in only a few short months. I think it's fair to say that every member of our family is delighted that God brought Ty into our family.

I love this picture of my baby and me - though I often find aspects of this stage in life challenging, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I'm constantly reminded how blessed I am with my three beautiful boys and amazing husband. I never want to take these years for granted.

Making It Work

We are debating all of the sleeping arrangements in our house. We have three bedrooms. Currently, Calvin & Patrick share and Titus has been sleeping in the guest room (his main crib is in their room but that isn't working). I think we are going to trade beds with my parents and let them use our guest queen and we'll use one of their twins.

We have been debating whether to just put Titus in that room or whether to separate the boys and put one of them with Titus and give the other one his own room. You see, bed time has not been fun lately - the boys keep each other up, get out of bed, and just generally aren't minding very well. BUT when we put them in separate rooms, everything is way better. We really want them to be successful in the obedience and sleep departments and we truly want bedtime to be a positive, good time.

Since we aren't moving any time soon, we have to come up with a new plan. So I think (as much as this pains me), we are going to have to give up having a dedicated guest room. We love having overnight company but the reality is that this is the house God has given us (we really do like it - we just built it before kids! :)) and we need to make it work the best that we can for our family. We will still have a hide-a-bed and an air mattress and an extra twin bed but it won't be quite the same. :)

Now we have to determine who goes in what room. I'm excited to see how these changes (and the new black out curtains) will work to improve bed times, nap times, and even cleaning. I'm sure that some day they may be able to share a room again, but I really think this will be the best way to make things better and to give them success.

On another note, Titus has been sleeping MUCH better. We've been able to drop the late night bottle - he has a bottle right at bedtime (between 8 and 9) and then he has been sleeping until 5:30 or 6. This is truly amazing! I'm not ready to say it's a permanent change yet, but it has been great for the past week or so. Maybe it will stick!

Spending Time with Great-Grandparents

My mom, the boys and I had the privilege of visiting my grandparents for a few hours during Spring Break week. It was fun and the boys just love all of their grandparents and great-grandparents. I'm so thankful they have a chance to know my grandparents. We have been blessed with a tremendous heritage. Here are just a few pictures from our visit.

The "Grandpa Trap" - I think every grandkid has been caught in this many times. :)

Visiting about school and games.

Titus charming everyone :) - they hadn't seen him since Nov. He has changed a lot!

The boys with my grandparents. Such wonderful times building memories.

Something New

Saturday night, some friends of ours arranged a surprise evening. We met up at a local Mexican restaurant for fantastic food and then we had a 30-minute private salsa lesson. Of the five couples, only one knew how to salsa. And despite our initial nerves (we are really, really not good dancers), we had a great time! It was a wonderful workout, we actually caught on a little, and we had a chance to watch others after our lesson as people started arriving for the "dance party."

While I don't think salsa dancing will become our new hobby :), we would try it again. I think it probably gave us a little more confidence when we are at weddings or events with dancing. All in all, a fun evening with great friends! Here's to trying something new!

Menu Plan Monday

I've not been doing very well with menu planning lately. I've had loose plans but I'm finding that things aren't getting used up as well. So...I decided to participate in Menu Plan Monday today after a couple of months hiatus. At least for this week, I think it will help me to do a better job at using all the produce we have.

- Spaghetti & Meatballs, Salad, Sauteed Zuchini, Garlic Breadsticks

- Hamburgers w/mushrooms, caramelized onions, balsamic mayo & cheese, Carrot Salad, Fruit Salad, Chips

- Pizza (probably vegetarian or cheese), Veggies & Dip, Apples

- Grilled Steak & Black Bean Mixed Green Salads w/avacado, tomatoes, etc. :), Bread, Fruit

- Eggs, Pancakes, Yogurt

Friday night will hopefully be a date night this week. So there you have it - the plan. I'm hoping the weather is nice and we can enjoy eating out on the deck and using our grill. Check out orgjunkie.com for menu inspiration. :)

Gardening Season

Today is a BEAUTIFUL day! Gardening is the plan, so we are off the store for plants and seeds and flowers with three little boys in tow. :) They may get a play set today...we'll see. And we desparately need an umbrella for over our outdoor table after our entire table with the umbrella flipped and broke last year. We have the worst luck with umbrellas - a new one just about every year. :)

Anyway, I love the start of gardening season - the smell of the soil, the beauty of the plants, and most of all...the anticipation of delicious produce. Ah, summer. Enjoy your day!

A Look Back

Since Calvin celebrated his birthday this week, I thought it would be fun (at least for me :)) to look back at each of his birthdays with us. The first we had the privilege of celebrating with him as our son was when he turned 2 (he came home October of 2006 and turned 2 in April 2007). Here is a pic from each year - I can't believe how much he has changed!

2007

2008

2009

My Heart

I'm often asked if it's been great having a newborn and while my answer is yes, I have absolutely loved it, it's been a bit bittersweet. The past 8 months have also been very hard - hard as I more fully realize the neediness of infants. It pains my heart that I wasn't able to be there for my other two. I feel so sad that they didn't have someone nurturing and taking care of them. And while I know that their caregivers did the best that they could and they loved our children (that was clear), the reality is that they couldn't possibly attend to every need. So while these months have been so fun watching Ty grow and develop, they have also deeply touched my heart. It has effected my parenting style and parenting decisions. I definitely tend towards attachment parenting and I know it's because of our experience in the orphanages and our experience now as parents of a newborn.

So you see, my heart has been heavy in the midst of joy. It has been amazing and I wouldn't trade our experiences for the world but that won't stop the sad realization of the months we missed and of the children now who are waiting. But I'm so thankful for each of my children and thankful that God knew when each of them needed to come to us. I'm thankful for their growth and development and the many, many moments we do get to enjoy!

And I hug my kids a little closer, spoil them just a little, and pray.

Birthday in Pictures!

The Birthday Boy - anxiously awaiting present time! :)

Who isn't excited by a pile of presents?!

Patrick watched as Calvin unwrapped the gift he choose to give him - 2 monster trucks. He was happy that Calvin wanted to share. :)

This was his main gift...

He started to realize what it was...

He was thrilled! After weeks of air guitar and using books, arms, elbows etc. as guitars, he now has one to play. He loves music and has been enamored with guitars especially!

The face of a happy musician.

The cake coming his way....

Blowing out the 4 candles.

A delighted boy!

The Orange Racecar Cake! I was pretty happy with the way it turned out but the real test was whether Calvin liked it - he chose a chocolate cake and I filled it with strawberry filling. Yum!