Mother-Son Halloween Dance 2019

Last night was the Mother-Son Halloween Dance! I am not a fan of dressing up but the boys LOVE getting to enjoy a night out with their friends so I guess we have at least a few more years of Halloween dances in our future. I also am not good at planning themed outfits but after thinking Keller would be an adorable little ninja (he was Daniel San from Karate kid but we just said ninja to him), I just stuck with it for the rest of our costumes. Here are a few pics before we headed out for the night...

"Little Champion's" Flag Football

Our church is reading through the Old Testament this year. One morning this summer, during our reading time, we were discussing "names" and how God would rename His children under a NEW name; giving them a new heart for Him. As we were talking about what each of their new names were and what they meant, it started a chain of questioning to Alexa to find out what each of their names meant. Piper and Miller weren't too impressed with their name meanings. Charlie was a little more content with his name's meaning, but we all loved when Alexa said "the meaning of Keller is 'little champion' ". Keller's face lit up and he said "I am a little CHAMPION!" Adorable. Clay and I look at him and then at each other almost daily and say, "He is adorable". He is our little champion and we have enjoyed him so much!

This fall we decided to continue to strive to make what we say we prioritize, what we actually prioritize. In an effort to do this, we took a break from football for the twins. It wasn't an easy decision and it was one that was hard for all of us in different ways. However, we can see the sweet grace it was for the Lord to lead us to that decision. We have had a WONDERFUL fall and the twins are gearing up to start basketball for the first time in just a few weeks. 

Keller, our little champion, did however get to play a sport. He played UPWARD flag football with a few of his buddies and a couple new friends. It was low key, low stress, minimal time but great for all of us to spend time focused on him. He loves us watching him, probably more than he loves the sport, and we are okay with that. He would grin from ear to ear anytime he got the ball and would never look ahead of himself as he ran but would look straight at the sidelines toward his siblings, Clay and I. He was THRILLED that we were cheering him on. I will never forget that face.

Here are a few pics of Keller man...

Back to School 2019

We are back to it! Another year is starting and another summer is gone. So many emotions. Sadness is definitely present but the joy of what a blessing they are, and continue to be, overrides the sorrow. 

Coming off yesterday with a lot of "weakness" in my parenting (impatience with this kids and frustrations mounting with how they were treating me and each other) really had me discouraged. I am thankful that the Lord has allowed me to see how much I need them to reveal the yuck in me so that I continue to come to Him to allow Him to clean me up. Thankful for a Savior. Thankful for new morning mercies. Thankful He has gifted me with such treasures knowing I would fail Him and them. Thankful for His protection over them and me and Clay this summer. Thankful that He will continue to be faithful to us no matter the circumstances that lay ahead of us. He was SO good to us last year and grew our family in so many was with all that we experienced, and I look forward to seeing Him more this year in the lives of these babies.

Speaking of babies... the baby started Kindergarten! It isn't quite as much as an adjustment since he started pre-K last year with his siblings but when Clay was putting him to bed last night, he reminded him (and me) that this would be the last of our babies that we would take to their first day of Kindergarten. That'll make you tear up...

So on that note, here are some pics of their first day back!

Keller's 5th Birthday Party

The baby is FIVE!!! How does this happen? How does time literally speed past with the blink of an eye? Five years ago we got an email telling us about this precious baby. A baby his birth mother chose to keep growing. She gave him the option of life when, no doubt, given the situation, it would have been easy to excuse a choice she could have made. I love her. She made such a selfless decision that has continued to show how sweet and gracious our God is. We celebrate this little buddy and all the joy he brings our family and so many others. Here are some pic from his pool party from last night...