my september beauties

A little disclaimer first...
Isaiah is only in one picture because he has decided that the camera is not cool. He dodges out of every photo I try to take lately. Silly boy.

 Raelynn loves wearing sunglasses and trying on my headbands (although, she'll never wear her own headbands)

  A minute after, I turned around to see her struggling to get the headband off. I could barely stop laughing to get a picture of her little squished face

 Raelynn adores Elias

Elias tolerates Raelynn

She loves to follow him around and do what he's doing

 I watched Raelynn walk into the pantry and close the door

When I opened it to take a picture, she looked quite guilty

 She quickly recovered and gave me her cheese ball grin

 Enjoying their oreos

Elias taught Rae how to take it apart and eat the inside

 Rae loves her purse

I love how girly she looks carrying it around

 The boys have been loving their dinosaurs lately

Elias rarely wears a shirt these days

My baby is getting so big

She's actually pretty small for 17 months, but she looks so big to me!

change around here and to come

We finally decided on a church home. Makes my heart happy worshiping with the same people every week. It makes me even more happy to have my kids know exactly which doors and hallways to walk through every week - it was getting hard for them going somewhere new so often.

Lately, we started homeschooling. Let's just say I'm super relaxed with our schedule.

We made it into a homeschool co-op group this year! I thought we'd have to wait a least a year to get in. Isaiah loves it, and Elias needs to adjust to it a little more.

I get to be a part of a group of homeschooling moms that meet once a month. Without our kids. Just us women.

Raelynn is starting to repeat all sorts of words all the time. I think my favorite thing she keeps saying is "Ball. Goooooo!" I'm not sure why she does this, but every time she finds a ball she yells that. Cracks me up.

I have absolutely no energy, and get tired just sweeping the floor. Pathetic!

Bible study on Daniel started a few weeks ago. I love Beth Moore Bible studies.

Elias seems to sense change is coming, so he's been extra needy lately. A whole lot of crying, a whole lot of whining, and a whole lot of cuddles. Poor boy doesn't deal well with change.  A lot of his tantrums end in, "I just need to cuddle with you!". Okay, we'll cuddle....after you stop screaming.

Around November 3rd, we'll have a new baby in our arms! I'm so excited!

Around November 15th, we'll begin moving into a different rental. Why wouldn't we move 2 weeks after having Baby #4?

We've all been taken down by the flu this week. Raelynn, thankfully was one big puke, and lots of snuggles. The rest of us weren't so lucky. We're all worn, but hopefully on the mend.

So, it's been somewhat busy, lots of tired, and lots of change. I love this phase of life. It's a little crazy, but God's hand is present. I feel totally content in the fact we are following the Lord where He's leading us. Some seasons we just didn't know where to turn or go, but this season of our life, the Lord seems to be so clear in where He wants us to follow. I'm so thankful for the different seasons of life God has taken us through - the confusing ones, the mellow ones, the rocky ones, and especially the neon lighted paths where it's obvious He is leading us down. Good stuff.

worship

I'm not sure why I haven't started everyday off with worship music.

I have been so tired. I know it's because I'm getting over a sinus infection and in my 8 last weeks of pregnancy (praise the Lord!).

I can't help but feel my soul is as tired and drained. I feel like the Lord is teaching me and pushing me to do so much more than I have the strength for.

Yet, I know I do have the strength. I just don't have the will. That's what I've been missing. I've had such a lazy spirit lately.

This morning, I woke up, put on some coffee, and blasted some worship music. It gave me will. Music in the house is like uninterrupted prayer. I can listen and worship without even realizing my kids are being so loud while playing with their trains and legos. I'll find myself singing as my prayer and tears running down my cheeks without even realizing it until one of my boys asks me why I have tears.
I'm not good with words, but somehow, words touch me. Deep down. I'm thankful for those who can write lyrics that align with how I feel, but can't put into words.

Today, I'm thankful for worship music. I'm thankful I can blast it over my children, and still be blessed through the noise. I don't know about anyone else, but quiet time is hard to come by with three lovely, loud beings running around. So for now, I'm so thankful for our loud worship time!

30

When did I get old enough to be 30?! It's nuts!

I've been reflecting on life, and it's so amazing how God has orchestrated it all. I tell you, I had no idea I'd be a minivan driving, 4 child raising, stay at home, homeschool mama at the age of 30.

But alas, God knew way better than I did.
And I thank Him for that.

I wouldn't trade any of it.
Not even the minivan because we bonded over a trip to Oregon a few weeks ago.

Here it is.

The first picture of me as a 30 year old woman.

Bryan took me out last week for my birthday dinner. We tried a new restaurant - Barbacoa. I was really looking forward to trying dessert, but darn Idaho has way too many flies! We opted for the Cheesecake Factory, and let's be honest, I can never say no to cheesecake. It was a lovely night with my favorite man.

Today, Bryan stayed home from work, and made my day perfect. The kids gave me their homemade cards (the best kind, am I right?). Bryan gave me a new lens for my camera that I'm very excited to test out! Josh and Meghan stopped by to bring me coffee and the most delicious cake pop ever! Seriously, go try the salted caramel mocha cake pop. TO DIE FOR. Yum.

Our little family headed for Red Robin for lunch, and ended up at Wahooz for some miniature golf. It was chaos with some very tired kids, but so fun.

To end a wonderful birthday, Bryan grilled steaks, and this old pregnant woman went to bed smiling!

august wrap up

The boys built a fort in our front yard

They had a few splinters, but totally worth the fun for them

Raelynn started loving her babies

She carries them around all day

I wrap up her babies in blankets about 300 times a day

Raelynn had her first black eye

The boys of course had "no idea" why she was crying

I'm pretty sure one of them smacked her in the eye while throwing something

Raelynn adores her brothers and tries to join them in everything they do

The sandbox was a highlight of her day

I got to go all by myself to Oregon and visit with these lovely ladies.

It was an amazing weekend, and I got to catch up with a lot of friends.

It was the perfect getaway before starting school with my little boys.