{ 3 Little Boys}

Oh, how these three little boys wear me out!   

Someone once told me that having three boys right in a row is extremely tough.  They weren't lying!  :) 

Blake is 7, Derek is almost 5, and Jett is 3.  They are either constantly fighting or the best of friends, and when they are the best of friends, it is not always a good thing.  When they are getting along, they are usually being sneaky and gettting into some sort of trouble or making some kind of  mess.  For a while, it was just Blake and Derek, but lately they have been recruiting Jett.

I have to be honest, most days I feel like I am being pecked to death by a giant emu or other large bird.  I feel like just going into my bedroom and praying the day away just to survive.  Patience has always been something I have wanted to have more of.  I know that part of  Gods plan for me was to have so many children so that I could learn more patience.

So many nights, I lay in bed feeling guilty because I yelled too much that day or that I didn't make the right parenting decision.  Some days I definitely feel like a big failure in the parenting department. 

I think we all feel this way sometimes as mothers.  I have decided lately to be easier on myself and just love the heck out of them and do the best I can. 

 "May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience." (Colossians 1:11)

{18 Months}

My baby is a year and a half. 

♥♥♥

I have been feeling a little down lately, knowing that my baby is not going to be a baby for much longer.  The newborn and baby stage is definitely my favorite.  I love how dependent on you they are and the nursing, snuggling, and even baby cries.  I do love watching her grow and learn.  It is amazing how much my Lily P has changed in the last six months since turning one.  She is so funny (seriously, I could see her on SNL in the future :)).  Her little personality is really showing now and it is so fun to see how she interacts with others. 

I am SO grateful that she is ours and that God knew we needed another beautiful little girl in our family.

Here are some things about Lily Pearl at 18 months:

-She is a MAMAS girl, most of her day is spent in my arms.  :)

-She loves her pink fluffy blanky

-She LOVES hotwheels cars and Jetts big garbage truck

-She loves swimming and being outside

-She has only been walking for just over a month

-Her feet are extremely tiny, she still wears a size 3 shoe

-She weighs around 26 pounds and has the best rolls in town  :)

-She is hardly ever called Lily, it is usually Lil' P, Punk, Punky P, or Pearlie Girl

-She loves mashed potatoes and any fruit

-She is a water drinker, she doesn't like milk or juice

-She LOVES LOVES to 'shake it' when she hears a good song

-Ask her to do her 'pretty smile' and you are in for a treat :)

-She ADORES her brothers and sister, especially Derek and Kylie

WE LOVE YOU OUR LITTLE PUNKY P!!!

*all photos of me & Punk were taken by my awesome Blake.  :)

{Art}

'Art is not a thing; it is a way' - Elbert Hubbard

I love these photos of my Ethan painting.  He is SO passionate about art.  He is happiest when he is creating and  there is nothing better than watching him in his element.

It makes my heart happy that he has such a talent that makes him so happy!

{Breakfast With Lily P}

I ADORE breakfast time with this little one. 

I love how she has to have her blankie in just the right place on her highchair while she eats.  I love that she always picks a different stuffed animal from her room to join her every morning.

I love how she takes eating so seriously.  :)

I love her messy, sticky little fingers.  I love how she just shoves it all in her cute little mouth.

LOVE this precious girl.