Notes from the week

This has to be one of my favorite pics that I've taken lately. We found Kale admiring his big belly when he was supposed to be brushing his teeth before bed. There's nothing like a little boy in his diaper holding a baseball in one hand and a toothbrush in the other.

We transitioned Kale to his toddler bed in the boys' room this past Wednesday. I've got to say that so far, it has been the easiest bed transition we have ever made - and really, all of our boys have been pretty easy. He has slept in his bed for three nights now and has not gotten up one time after we put him down. He is still sleeping his normal amount of time too. Last night he did somehow end up on the floor next to his bed though, but besides that, naptimes and bedtimes have been a breeze. All three boys are so happy to all be sleeping in the same room. It has always been very important to me that they be together in the same room. To move Kale, we had to bunk Kade and Kamden's bed, which they were thrilled about.


Here are a couple of pics of the boys on the completed playscape with their buddies, Henry and Eli. I can't even tell you what a good investment the playscape has been. They LOVE being outside now, which I am so thankful for.

Did you notice Kamden's newest dress-up craze - his Batman costume. There were a couple of days where he only took it off to take a bath and to sleep. He has worn it to church, to Kinsey's birthday party, to Real Life Group, and I'm pretty sure on a couple of grocery store trips.

I have to give a praise from this week. I had had a really bad morning with the boys on Thursday. I was going to meet a friend at a local kids gymnastics place for preschool free-play time at 10:00. At 10:00 we were just loading up in the car because the boys were having so much trouble listening and obeying me that morning. I was so angry because the free-play time only lasted from 10 to 11 and you had to pay for the whole time no matter when you got there. So, yes, I allowed my anger to be visible to the boys on the way to the gym. I griped at them pretty much the whole ride. We had a great time at the gym and then we went to see colored Easter chicks at a local feed store before heading home. I was much calmer by the time we got home, but I still was eager to put them down for naps so that I could recharge a little. Well, during their naps, I really felt my attitude change and was so convicted by the way I let my anger get to me and affect the way I treated the boys. By the time they woke up, I couldn't wait to love on them and spend time with them. And....even more amazing, when Keith got home, I didn't even have the desire to gripe to him about how they had acted that morning. We ended up having a great evening together as a family. Before their bed, we usually read their Bible story together and pray. During that time, Kade looked at me and said, "Mama, before I took my nap today, I prayed that you wouldn't be angry with us anymore." I was blown away that his response to my anger was to pray for me and was so excited to be able to tell him that God had immediately answered that prayer. I truly felt God changing my attitude during their naptime! I know I really messed up by acting on my anger that morning, but what a sweet growing moment it was for me to see God answering Kade's prayer.

We have had some wonderfully sweet family evenings lately. I feel like Keith does an amazing job of protecting our family from going all the time, which is so easy to do in ministry. I have come to realize lately, that as social as I am, there is nothing I enjoy more than spending quality time with Keith and the boys (soon to be kids - my whole vocabulary is going to have to change once Brynlee gets here!). I always come away from my time with them with a thankful heart to God for the blessings in my life and am 100% content. Shopping, time on the Internet, looking at catalogs/magazines and other ways I can spend my time never produce those same rewards at the end. Thank you Lord for the gift of family.