Mason Turns THREE!!!

 

 

Letter to Mac

Dear McKale, Mac, Macky, Macaroni, Mac and Cheese - 

Hey baby.  I love you so much.  We just celebrated your first birthday.  You are AMAZING.  I am so very proud of you.  You are FUN.  You make faces.  You talk.  You nuzzle tight into my neck - usually the left side.  You are eating all kinds of foods.  You are starting to drink milk.  You like to give drooly kisses.  You like to kiss yourself in the mirror.  You like playing with your brothers.  You're different than your brothers in that you can entertain yourself - for a really long time.  You crawl like a bullet to any open toilet and start splashing in it.  You are SWEET.  You love men - Dada, Uncles, Tell, Greg... you'd rather be with them than ladies any day.  You're a great nurser, and this of course makes me so happy. 

Thank you for being my baby.  You'll always be my baby, you know.  I can see in you gifts already.  You have a joy in you, and you bring joy to others.  You are smart.  Determined.  You are called by God to do great things.  Whatever it is you do in your life, I'll always be your number one fan.  Honor God in everything you do okay?  He won't EVER let you down.  You can trust Him in ALL things, no matter what those things look like to you or me.  

I love you baby.

Mama

Crazy Hair in Pre 4!!!

Rubba Dub Dub

Three boys in a tub!
First bath all together.  So cute. 
Blackmail for when they're teenagers.

Picture This

Bumbo Roll

Boys' Dress-Up

After Halloween sales!  Love them!

Walmart had costumes for sale 75% off!

It worked out well for these little boys, who love to

dress-up.  Now our costume bin is nice and full, and

the boys are nice and sweaty from their polyester playing.

Goodbye Happy Tuesdays!

We have had a tradition in our home, called "Happy Tuesdays."  Tuesday is the day of the week where the whole day usually has no plans.  Just Mama home with the babies.  Enjoying fun things, playing together, going on outings, making crafts, doing something outside.  Just laid back fun.  No pressure, no agenda.  

Tomorrow starts the beginning of a whole new season in our lives.  Tomorrow I start working full-time.  My feelings are mixed.  We've been planning for the change for a few months now, so nothing abrupt or hasty.  Up to this point my hours have been slim, initially when Marshal was born I only worked Fridays, then as the boys have been born, grown, my hours have been slowly increasing, until LAST week I worked my last part-time week of 16 hours.  

I've never been a full-time SAHM.  But my time has always be MOSTLY at home.  I've been quite outspoken about how important that is.  In fact I idealized it and maybe even idolized  it a tad.  Maybe wore it as a bit of a parenthood badge, and if I'm REALLY honest was even a little judgmental of people who's lives weren't set up that way.   Well isn't it just like God to shake up our ideals that rely on ourselves instead of Him.  

So here we are, now feeling that God is leading us into a new season where I'm working more.  And most days I'm very excited about the change.  However, some days I have a little bit of a heavy heart.  So in remembrance of "Happy Tuesdays" I wanted to wallow, just for one post, on the beauty that has been in the season up until now, or well, tomorrow.   Sappy I know, but once again I'm pulling the my blog/my party/I'll-cry-if-I-want-to card.  And then I'll move on.  Move on with the amazing things that are ahead.  The amazing season we're stepping into. 

So here are some pictures of things I'll miss from Happy Tuesdays:

Spending the day in yoga pants.

Dropping off Marshal at preschool and going on a coffee-date with THIS handsome boy.

Playing for hours (literally) at our favorite park.

 Seeing THIS happy face when I pick him up at school.

Crafts.

Naps.

Sleepy swings.

I love my boys.  Oh man do I ever.  So I'm remembering the season of part-time with joy and thankfulness.  But I'm also looking ahead with joy and thankfulness.  I'm thankful for my sweet boys.  I'm thankful for Miss Jodi, who loves and cares for my boys so deeply.  I'm thankful for my church, where my husband works a flexible schedule, and is able to pick up Marshal from school, and have Fridays/Saturdays off.  I'm thankful for my dad (Papa) who also faithfully spends time weekly with the boys... all three kids under four, yes he is amazing.  I'm thankful for an education that has helped me find a ridiculously amazing job.  I'm thankful for a job like no other - in an economy like no other.  I'm thankful for the things we've learned, in the seasons we've lived.  I don't take a day for granted.  (Pictures from our last "Happy Tuesday.")

And starting this week we will be having "HAPPY FRIDAYS"  instead.   

Home Depot - Again

Mason is finally old enough to participate in Home Depot building days.  Today was his first day.  He was super excited.  And they made SUPER goofy turkey napkin holders.  Two.  Too cute.  Mac sat and ate puffs.   To each their own :)