adventures with cereal and teeth

I thought I was going to wait until Jesse was 4 months old to introduce him to rice cereal, but his appetite is growing and I could tell he was ready for something new. So at 3 and a half months old, he is offically a LOVER of cereal...he can't eat enough of it. He munches is down so fast and doesn't have an off-button, so I am forced to cut him off at a certain point. LOL!!! There is no turning back now. our son is going to be a chunky monkey in no time.... who needs a teether when you have fingers??? HAHA! our little man is definitely trying to cut some bottom teeth right now. all of us grit our teeth and smile, trying to be patient when he screams...*phew...he sure does have a good set of lungs on him.

3 months old

Our lil man is 3 months old today!! I can hardly believe how time is flying by. Seems like just yesterday, I was still recovering from his birth. Now I am watching him smile and laugh and trying to roll over. I am also remembering that next month he will start to eat rice cereal and from then on, time will go by so quickly and he will be growing so much. Jesse is very anxious to see him grow up and be able to run around and play sports, etc., but momma is cherishing the snuggling, innocent, baby days.

Making memories to take to Morocco

Tonight was one of the best times that we have ever shared with the boys. We were able to have them over to our house and take them out for a fun night at Pietro's Pizza. Julian and Salena were best buds...making silly faces at each other seemed to be their pastime while waiting for dinner to arrive.

Jesse and I definitely felt the difference with 6 children instead of the normal 3. The looks we got from some people who saw us walk into Pietro's with six kids were hilarious! LOL The funny thing is, none of the kids look THAT much different from us, and could very well have been ALL OURS. What an adventure!!!

Julian and I played cowboys and indians for a span of only about 2 minutes...but we were both cracking up laughing. He is so full of energy and quite the intelligent little boy as well. He loves to make sound effects!! SO CUTE!

DJ and Evan were THRILLED to be offered computer time by uncle Jesse. HAHA! I believe they played the same game the entire time and were so good about sharing and taking turns. I was definitely impressed! Sorry about the mouse boys...it was sticking pretty bad. LOL

Bubbles were a hit with Salena, Moriah, and Julian. They played out on the porch for a good 30 minutes, covering themselves with soap. But despite the cold weather and slimy hands, they were determined to stay outside as long as I would allow them. Once I saw their shiny, red noses, I knew it was time to warm up.

Thanks to Sybil for allowing us the privilege of spending time with your boys tonight. You and Dom have done, and continue to do, such a wonderful job raising them. They are so obedient and respectful, yet full of energy and love for life. Jesse and I are hoping that we can take them to Wonderland before you leave...so let's make a date!!! We know they won't let you forget ;)

We will miss you guys!!

As I looked at my calendar this morning, I realized that Dom, Syb, and the boys will be on their way to Morroco one month from today. I am so excited to see what God has in store for them over there, but I am sad to know that they won't be around us for awhile. I really enjoy spending time with them and watching the boys grow up.
Family is so important and when part of it is farther away than some, it leaves us the responsiblity of making sure that the relationship stays strong over the miles. I have been just as guilty as others in not doing my part to stay in contact with those that are farther away. I have begun to dedicate some of my time to dropping a line to my family who live farther away. I want them to know that I care. I hope that everyone will do their part in making their family feel closer to home. Drop them an e-mail...send them some pictures...let them know you are thinking about them. Along with Dom and Syb, don't forget our Marine sister, Crystal. She may not be as far away as Africa, but she needs our love sent her way as well.

Rejoicing in times of trouble

I have come to learn that this life will often throw you a curveball and just leave you crumpled in the dust to fend for yourself. But this is when I rejoice because we have Christ on our side and He provides for His children.

Yesterday morning, 5:45am, my cell phone rings and I see that it is Jesse calling. My spirit sinks because the only reason that he calls me this early in the morning is to tell me something bad has happened. I answer, half asleep, and try to sound positive. He proceeds to tell me that the Jetta is on the side of the road, broken down. After telling me the story of his "adventurous" attempt to get to work, he tells me that he needs the phone number to the tow company and that even though it is EXTREMELY early in the morning and raining and cold, that I will need to wake up the kids and go pick him up...in Portland. SAY WHAT!!??!! Everything inside me was screaming at that moment. There I was in my WARM bed, half asleep, with a quiet house full of SLEEPING children, and now the tides have turned and are about to stir up a storm. Despite my feelings of..GRRR!!!....I refocus and realize that my husband in stranded on the side of the road in the freezing rain and needs me to come to his rescue. Long story short, we pick up Jesse, call the tow truck a couple hours later, and the Jetta is now in the shop.

Now usually this would send Jesse and I into a state of grumpiness and worry about how we are going to come up with all this money for the tow truck and the car repairs, and usually it ruins the entire day for us...but we have come to learn that worrying about small things like this will not accomplish anything. We have learned to put our trust in the Lord and rest in His peace, knowing that He will provide. So instead of sitting at the house all day, wallowing in self pity, our family enjoyed a wonderful, care-free day together.

We rejoice in the fact that God has blessed our family and that we are not in need. We have a roof over our heads, food to eat, electricity to warm us, running water and clothing...even the luxury of owning two vehicles so that we are not completely stranded. God is so good. So even though we may have obstacles thrown up into our routine, we will conquer those challenges with God's help. If you put your trust in God, nothing can get you down. Why worry when you have the Creator of the Universe on your side??