Our days in pictures...

Four kids.  It feels like a lot more than three.  Life is crazy busy with a house full of little people.  It's been hard to keep up with the blog.  And I really want to.  I want to, not for your sake, but for mine.

 

  Days blur by so fast, I'm afraid I'm not going to remember - remember the mess, the sticky floors, the things the boys did when they had a moment to themselves, the cute way Mathias looks in his helmet, the way Belle smells when she wakes up, the busy joy that surrounds the three boys as they play together, the way they stick together on a bike ride, the quiet way they play cars on the floor, the millions of meals I made, the days where I didn't shower until 'nap time,' all of it -- the wonderfully exhausting life I get to enjoy. 

 

It's all going so fast.  And I try to savor it by snapping pictures as often as I can, hoping that someday I can go back and give thanks for the moments that are hard to give thanks for now.  Hoping I can go back and enjoy the moments that pass too quickly today. 

 

Because one day my house will be clean and quiet.  One day.  And I will sit quiet and give Praise again for God's hand in the mess.  For His grace in spite of my messy attempts at parenting.  For the privilege of being a mom to these beautiful people.  For the honor of being my husband's best friend and partner. For the freedom to homeschool.  For the big light-filled house we call our home.  For the love that is so rich in our home during this season. Praise.  Praise to God, from whom all blessings flow. 

 

And then comes t-ball

To say that Malachi was excited to finally be on a baseball team, is an enormous understatement.  This kid is all sports.  He takes it so seriously and I just love to watch him.  He's not the best one on the team but he is one of the best.  Yes, he's a good hitter.  Yes, he can throw the ball fairly accurately.  Yes, he can field the ball pretty well.  But the reason he's one of the best players is because he is a team player.  He encourages his teammates.  He gives them high fives.  He pats them on the head and tells them they did a good job.  I don't care if he can play ball; I care that he is a good leader and a good teammate.

Do you see what is happening here? Malachi is right handed.  He decided that he want's to be a "lefty" which means he is insisting on being a 'switch hitter.'  And he can do it!

Daddy is a coach on Malachi's team.  Malachi tells him that he is his 'favorite' coach. 



Malachi running for second.  He's #11.

Mathias found a friend on the sidelines.  This is his friend, Josiah.  His big brother is one of Malachi's teammates.  They play t-ball on the side lines, lift their shirts to feel a sprinkler spray on their tummies and whatever else they dream up together.  It's an extra fun bonus to the two-games-a-

 

week commitment.
 

 

Videos to come...

Baseball Season

 

Baseball in Winona with Uncle Thomas and Daddy.

 

Baby girl waits in the grass and plays with flowers...

 

She's getting her first tooth, sitting up and totally in love with her big brothers.

 

Mathias plays at the park.  He wants to try everything.  He's such a playful kid.  What he really loves is people.

Did I mention he's a poser?  :)

 

Anabelle is such a happy baby.  She's sure to return a smile to all who engage her.  She's got big baby cheeks and a playful personality.  She kicks her legs and jumps up and down on my lap, squealing with joy at her own antics.

 

Her brothers love her and willingly give up nose, ear and hair for her entertainment.  They love connecting with her and making her laugh.  She is the great encourager. She can make a sad brother face turn in an instant with her sweet touch (or drooly grab).

My handsome big boy.

 

Fun family memories.  Uncle Thomas is always a humble and willing playmate for my boys.  I'm so thankful for the way he's given his time and attention to connect with these young men.

 

Malachi is the great imitator.  He has always been able to see and do.  It makes him a good athlete.  But it also fuels his creative lego productions.  His lego guys follow the seasonal sports with football fields, basketball courts and now, baseball fields.  The details are impressive.