Sneak Peek

No more tears today. Last night was my time to be sad. Today I celebrate.

I said No more tears!!

 That's better. A sneak peek at the Birthday Princess!!

Special birthday post to come later!!

The Last.

One year ago, I was sitting on the couch between my mom and Ben timing contractions. They had picked up strongly around 7:30pm, after 2 days of stalled labor, and we knew that soon we would be meeting our little girl for the first time. Something we had been praying and longing for.

Please excuse me while I go get a tissue.

I don't remember having as hard of a time when my boys turned one. Probably because I was so busy! I was newly pregnant and sick when Samuel turned one and busy with two young boys when Z turned one. I planned big parties for them, wanting to celebrate with our beloved family and friends around us.

But this time? This time I don't want to celebrate with a big party. As a matter of fact, I don't feel like celebrating much at all. I am sad. Really, really sad.

I feel guilty for feeling that way. It's not like I don't want my precious little girl to grow up and to be amazed at the beautiful little person God created. I just don't want it to happen so quickly.

And I probably am feeling the emotions so intensely because she is our last (as far as we know anyways;). The last pregnancy, the last miracle of birth we got to experience, the last little one learning how to smile, roll-over, crawl, clap, wave and on and on. The last.

And already she is changing. It's like somebody told her that she was about to turn one (it wasn't me!) and she decided, "Okay. This is it. Now I get more independent and start throwing fits and wanting to be put down instead of carried. I am one."

I just want to hold on a little tighter but I know I can't. No matter what I do, no matter how tightly I hug or how many pictures I take, no matter how hard I try, I cannot hold on to any of them. They weren't created for me to keep forever. Just to love, to teach, to nurture and to prepare. For when they go out on their own.

So tonight, as I rewind all of the precious memories of the past year in my mind, as I sift through the amazing emotions and day to day miracles of watching this sweet little person of mine grow and become, I will mourn the end of it.

And then I'll let go. I'll pack up this unforgettable year and tuck it away in the shelves of my mind to pull out and lovingly remember and then I'll celebrate.

Because she deserves it.

Mail Time and T-ball!

Anyone else love mail time? I do, I do! Well, aside from bills anyways:) I love to get cards and surprise packages and letters. So fun!

The boys were surprised after school to find 2 special cards waiting for them from Grandma! She is always so thoughtful to us and often sends the kiddos cards for holidays. The boys wanted to say "Thank you!"

Zakkai's Monster card fit him perfectly:) He loved the special goodies inside!!

 Samuel ripped his open and started reading it all by himself. He can't wait to pick out something special! Thank you, Grandma!!

 Tonight I had to take all the kiddos out into the yucky weather for Samuel's t-ball game since B was still on his way home on the train. (he met us there later). It was freezing and sprinkly ~ the kind of cold that leaves your hands and feet numb. Here's Samuel being catcher for first base!

His catching has improved so much this fall. He caught a ball last week and almost caught one tonight:)

 Zakkai kept busy digging for awhile. Unfortunately, wet sand/mud + digging 4 year old = nasty clothes and hands. Thankfully, I had wipes on hand!

This little naughty baby destroyed her napping schedule today and was SO tired at the game. She and I finally had to go sit in the car because she was d.o.n.e.

Here's Samuel hitting a ball! And I took a little video below of one of his turns at bat. He was having a little trouble tonight because he was so cold and a different coach usually pitches to him. He's so cute! His next turn at bat he had a great hit but I was already sequestered in the car at that point and didn't get it on video.

And to the surprise of all the parents, we found out there is another game next week. Either the coach is mixed up or we are:)

We stopped to get the boys an ice cream cone on the way home to celebrate a great fall of hard work in basketball and t-ball! Proud of my boys!

Messy Girl!

Monday comes so quickly and I always wonder where the weekend went! We jump into the busy week with both feet around here, as I am sure you do:)

This afternoon after Zakkai left for preschool, I was around the corner and I heard Eliana making some kind of mess (and boy, does she make messes these days!)

I went to inspect and this is what I saw...

One of the boys had not pushed the tray of paper far enough back and someone, who's getting a bit taller, grabbed it towards her and decided to play with her new favorite toy~ paper! She was having a blast with all this paper. I let her hold a piece while I cleaned up the rest as fast as I could. She's getting awfully ornery!

And this afternoon, all 3 kiddos and I headed over to Zakkai's last basketball practice right after school. He has improved so much since he started and especially since we got him his own basketball!

 He's the blondie in the gray shirt:) They had dribbling races and played games...

 And played follow-the-leader while dribbling. Way to go, Zakkai!

He really enjoyed going each week and it was really fun to watch him succeed at his very first sport! He says next up is Soccer:)

Samuel has his last t-ball game tomorrow night, which we are all going to. He is pretty sad about t-ball ending but says that he wants to check out soccer, too.

 If only I could find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow those two keep talking about....;)

And on top of the last days of fall sports this week, we also have a very special birthday we will be celebrating on Thursday. I'm making something special for our girl to wear with her favorite animal on it. Stay tuned!

Sweetness.

End your weekend with a happy video of our Sweetiana! :) Notice she says "Hi" once or twice really softly at the very beginning, see her mess she makes outside the crib (usually it's worse!) and take note of the pure joy on her face when she sees her big brother:)

This is what life has been like with this sweet girl for almost a year!

Enjoy!