Mother's Day Photos

As a gift to myself I'm hoping to make it a tradition to have a picture taken of me with each of my children individually every Mother's Day.  I think I've done it at least three years and counting.  It's fun and sometimes results in some funny photos. 


Mommy and Cora

Eliza (who wore a flower in her hair! Her sister is sure rubbing off on her with the girly stuff!) and Mommy

Afton (still eating breakfast) and Mommy

Russell and Mommy

And the picture that will bring me belly laughs for years to come:
Mommy and Jaron
(Really I'm not attempting to strong hold him into a picture.  It really was a very loving embrace I had around him, however, Jaron who resists smiling or looking decent in most any photo made sure to give me a prize of a picture.)

It's so awesome to be a mom!

Sleep Deprived

Afton's at that in-between state where she won't really take a nap during the day.  I doubt I have ever been at that state in my life, where I didn't need a nap, but of course, I'm a crazy adult who thinks sleeping is a luxury instead of a punishment.  I digress.

After a few days sans nap the sleep deprivation sets in and she just conks out pretty much anywhere. 


Looks soooo comfortable.  At least she still had her pacy and treasured doll.  (Which, by the way, that doll was mine growing up.  She has latched onto that thing and funneled all her intense, baby-nurturing into.)

No time to even lick the spoon clean.  She dropped off into a chocolate pudding induced slumber.  Ahhh, so blissful.  Except for the fact that she woke up wet and I had to emergency steam vac the floor.  I'll have to put that on a resume someday, my ability to be flexible and make sleep inducing pudding.

Summer Goals

Our kids are finally old enough to somewhat get the whole "goal" thing.  In an effort to keep them  occupied on worthy things we set some summer goals.  There have been a few times, I must confess, I wish I had set the goals for my kids. 

A few of them would have been things like:
*Don't drag dirt through the house. 

*Ask mom if there are any jobs I can do for her.

*Smile and be happy and don't use a whiny voice about anything mom makes for dinner.  In fact, beg her to make Brussels sprouts and other vegetables I turn my nose up to.

But yes, that is my wishful thinking.  However, they have set some good and thoughtful goals.  One goal Russell set I felt a bit guilty about.  He wanted to learn to tie his own shoes.  He's only been begging to learn for a few months.  It probably doesn't help that really his only lace up shoes are his church shoes and well, we are usually in a rush to get out the door when he makes the request to learn. 

So after designing, creating and donning his own pirate paraphernalia he was properly prepared to learn.  (From Dad I might add who made the conscious effort to focus about 10 minutes of his time to the task.)

And success!  He did it!!

Magic

There is something magical when you have a baby in the house.  Now Cora is far from being a "new" baby; she is 8 months old but she sure has a strong hold on everyone's hearts.

I wish I could clearly capture how the kids act and react to her . . . the best way to describe it is like magic.

Tonight Cora assisted me in putting all her siblings to bed.  We had to move quickly because she was a sleepy baby rubbing her eyes and yawning but she kept a smile poking out from behind her pacy in every room.  And more important than getting a hug and a kiss from me, they begged to snuggle Cora, kiss her, and even shake her hand. (Thanks for the laugh Afton.)  How their eyes light up as they told her good night and how her eyes were shining right back at them.

What a gift it is to have a baby in our house.  Such a truly wonderful gift.  I treasure it.  Every day brings such precious moments of excitement, smiles, giggles and love with a baby around.  I've also noticed how it brings out my children's desires to serve, be kind, be tender, assist and love.  With Cora they will do anything for her (or for me if it means for her).  "Oh, she spit up, here let me wipe that up." "Oh, she looks hungry let me give her a handful of Cheerios."  "Oh, she looks like she needs a toy, I'll dump the box out for her."  "Oh, I think she poopy, let me sniff her and then get her diaper and wipes."  "Oh, she is crying let me carry her to Mommy." 

She brings out the best in everyone.  Babies just have that natural ability.   
Maybe it's because they were just with God.