Already One?

I can't believe our Lukey is 1 already! And he's still SO tiny-especially compared to his big brother. But it's all good. Luke is just our little Ellington-we call him that because he reminds us so much of Ella. His looks, expressions, even the way he puts his head down on the floor and raises his bottom in the air and looks between his legs playing peek-a-boo. Caleb never did that, but Ella did as a baby-all the time. And Ella was consistently in the 5% range for her weight and height, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised about Lukey. It is interesting though that he eats less solid food than Ella did at this stage. She mostly just had breastmilk until age 1, but on her 1st b-day she was chowing down on corn-on-the-cob. The only solid food Luke cares for is crumbs on the floor! He'll tolerate sweet potatoes and yogurt or spinach smoothie-but only a few bites. Then he's done and just wants to play with or bite the spoon. So I nurse him still 8x a day. And that's okay. But I know that one of these days, he must start expanding his diet.

Ella and Caleb are so good w/Luke. And I can't believe Caleb is 4 now! Luke loves to play w/his hair and Bubba doesn't mind so much since he has a crew cut and Luke can't really hurt it by pulling on it like he can w/mine or Ella's hair. Ella loves toting him around still, though she can't do it for as long now since he's gotten bigger. She'll take him outside to see the animals or give him a ride on the hammock. And Lukey loves to ride the muffin man car. Just the other day, he fell off of it and Caleb said, "Uh-oh. You fell off. You have to be more sensible with this Muffin Man, OK?" Too cute.

We had these pics taken at a lake about 15 minutes or so from our house. Will said it's the last time we're taking pictures professionally...unless we have another baby. Not because he didn't like the photographer-we love her-but because it's such a hassle-finding coordinating outfits, getting everyone to put on the outfits you've picked out, actually making it out the door, and then once you get there, taking 70+ shots just to get one where Caleb is not opening his mouth or biting his shirt, and Luke is not trying to run away so he can explore this new territory, and where Ella is looking at the camera and not at the crazy things her brothers are doing. Arrggh! But even Will said it was worth it all when he saw the pictures.

I am blessed. We are blessed. These pictures are just a reminder of that. And a reminder to treasure these times because already I see how much Ella is changing and growing-she's looking more like a girl and less like my little baby girl. And I almost hate to see that. I keep saying to myself, "I really need to go play with her today in her room-with her Barbie dolls or with her tiny dolls and her dollhouse-before she doesn't want to do that kind of thing anymore." I don't even want to think about the fact that in 6 more years (which will go by just as fast these 7 have), she'll be a teenager. God, please let me redeem the time...these moments with my children. To wake up to what's really important. Not checking my email or organizing recipes, but playing with my children. And instructing them in Your ways. And being in Your Word myself *daily* so that I can instruct them. I want them to see You in me but I have to let You change me first. Every moment of every day. I need to be changed into Your image.

Caleb's 2!

This month has flown by! It's been quite busy with homeschooling, playing the piano for church, and grading SATs. And...birthday celebrations, first Caleb's, then Will's. Caleb's favorite gift was his fishing rod. Will loved his homemade sour cream pound cake the best, I think. :-)

Caleb has added 2 words to his vocabulary, "probably" and "actually" and uses them correctly. "Actually, we don't eat sand. We eat snacks." Or "Probably, Daddy can fix it." Yes, son, he probably can. Oh, and he often calls Ella, "young lady." And not in such a nice tone. Hmm, wonder where he learned that? Just the other day, I heard him squeal, "That's mine, young lady!"

Ella's doing great in school. I decided to go through 100 Easy Lessons again and this time I'm more consistent-we do a lesson every day instead of one every week (like we did when she was 4). She's currently on lesson 48-woohoo! We stopped at 50 last time, so I'm excited about passing that milestone soon. Her prize for finishing 1/3 of the lessons was an afternoon at the park with a friend and Chick-Fil-A for lunch. For her next milestone-Lesson 66-she'll get a picnic w/me and Caleb at a local *free* petting zoo. She can't wait! And she's loving Math-U-See! So glad I got this. And I must say I understand math-especially place value-better by teaching her with this method. She's been building and reading 3-digit numbers and Caleb enjoys building w/her manipulatives and putting them in between his toes!

Miss Ella is getting plenty of social interaction with her homeschooling club day classes in town. She's taking an arts/crafts and tea party Bible study class. She also takes ballet and tap on another day. But her most valuable social interaction is precious time with her baby brother. Just the other day, while I was chopping veggies for lentil soup, I observed them out the window. Hand in hand, splashing in a mud puddle and both of them under her princess umbrella. Priceless. She would have so much less time and memories with Caleb were she in traditional school all day long.

And we're all loving our baskets of yummy fruit and veggies since we joined our local CSA. For a while there, I must admit, I was growing weary of eggplants; however, we just cooked some delicious mustard greens and broccoli (no cheese added!) that both children gobbled down. Awesome!

And I've been reading Crazy Love. Wow. Definitely not a book you can read quickly. In fact, I finished a little over half and had to return it to the library, so will have to check it back out again soon to finish it. It has really got me thinking about what it means to be a follower of Jesus. It really is all about loving God and serving others. That's it but yet those two commandments are the hardest for me to follow. Why is that? Do I really love Him most? More than anyone else, including my own children? Do I long for His coming? Really and truly long for Him? Am I doing the will of my Father by serving "the least of these"? Do I delight in serving others? Do I see them as God does-treasures created in His own image- or as an annoyance that I must try to fit into my schedule? Truly God has been revealing my selfishness. My heart needs to be cleaned out, renewed, restored. I've been praying Psalm 51 a lot lately, crying out to Him for He alone can rescue.

I'm Three!

Ella celebrated her 3rd birthday the first time on Saturday June 28 for her pool party. Unfortunately, like last year, she was sick. She woke up saying her tummy hurt and by the time the party was over, she was running a slight fever. Fortunately though, there were no upset stomach "conditions" to deal with like last year. But everyone else had a wonderful time it seemed. And though she was overwhelmed w/how loud her "Happy Birthday" song was w/18 people singing it to her, she managed to blow out all 3 candles just fine. :-) And she did eat about 3 bites of a cupcake.

We enjoyed having Dayton, Erin, and their 4 kids visit a few times while they were here (including at Ella's party) and just recently got to see Chuck and his girlfriend, Sarah. Also a few days before Ella's party my beloved Sarah spent two nights w/me and helped me w/all the party plans (including a very long trip to Walmart). The night before the party, Laurance and Kimberly helped w/weed-eating and popsicle and cupcake making (guess which one did which?) :-) So, Ella's party was truly a family affair!

On Ella's actual birthday on June 30, my mom, step-dad, and grandmother came up and we grilled out again and let her blow out candles again. She was feeling better by this time but still not quite herself.

Then Will and I got sick with an awful cold/sore throat/congestion thing and I'm just now feeling more like myself. Thankfully Ella only got a small portion of our sickness. And because of this sickness I missed my own baby shower! and Ella missed having Grace over to spend the night w/her that same night. I got some consolation with Emily and Jeff bringing presents and food over later that day and visiting w/us some (I really hope we didn't get you sick!) but poor Ella won't get to see Grace again for at least 2 more years!

Enjoy the birthday photos!

I'M TWO!!!

Please come help me celebrate
My 2nd birthday at the lake
We'll laugh and run, swim and play
And enjoy icecream cake all day.

Well, that was what her invitation said,
But it should have read,

Please come help me celebrate
My 2nd birthday at the lake
I'll get sick, and Mommy will fall
And in unison we'll begin to bawl!

:-)

Here are the promised birthday photos. Enjoy!

And here's a comparison-Ella at her 1st b-day and 2nd b-day. This really makes it obvious how much my baby has grown. Will I ever stop calling her "my baby"? Probably not. :-)

Okay, I'm ready for my bath now!