The Strawberry Patch

Look at this sign that greets you when you arrive at the strawberry patch! Notice the second to the last line...it that hysterical or what? Of course I read this to the children as a reminder to behave.

We've been wanting to go strawberry picking for about a month now. We tried to go on Memorial Day but the strawberries weren't ready yet, so we finally made it back today. We had a long beautiful trek out to the strawberry patch.
These two little boys are becoming true buddies. I think they've realized that it's a lot more fun to get in trouble as a team than to bug each other. The past two days they have been quite the troublesome duo.
The only reason we were able to go to the strawberry patch today was because Grandmom was with us. My sister is out of town for a few days so Grandmom is here to help out.

Notice the "prize" strawberry that Emma is holding. She and Abby were in constant competition to see who could find the biggest strawberry.

Christian was soley focused on picking strawberries for about 20 min. then he and Nate decided that running around and finding rocks and sticks was more interesting.
Nathan didn't pick, he just ate. Notice the red stained chin!
After about his 15th strawberry we told him not to eat anymore because we didn't want him to get sick to his stomach. He didn't listen, he just shoved them in his mouth when we weren't looking.
Abby had a great time and told us over and over how fun this was.
Emma insisted on wearing her bonnet and a skirt today. I guess she was going with a "little house on the praire" look. She totally created this outfit on her own.
Abby and Nate were happy to head home so they could eat some more strawberries. Christian and Emma didn't want to leave because the fun part for them was the picking. Even with lots of coaxing and sugar they won't even try one. In case you're wondering; McKenna did go to the strawberry patch with us but she slept the entire time in her stroller.

Grandmom, Abby, Nate and I just enjoyed some strawberry shortcake after dinner! Maybe one day Emma and Christian will realize what they're missing.

Happy 3rd Birthday Christian

Christian turned 3 this past Saturday, June 14th!

He doesn't know that he actually turned three because we're not going to celebrate until this coming Saturday. Thanks to Grammy & Grampy Chatt and Mommy and Daddy he's going to be getting a bike. He's also going to have a firetruck birthday party with just his 3 cousins. I just couldn't handle a big party this year. He had one last year and I don't feel the need to do something major every year, so it's going to be rather low-key this year.

Hope you enjoy walking down memory lane with me!

My "little" baby boy. 9lbs 2.8 oz

Christian's delivery was definitely not picture perfect. After 18 hours of labor we almost lost him, but God had bigger plans for him and used some awesome doctor's to keep him with us!

One of my all time favorite pictures ever!

5 months old

Christian's first Christmas at 6 months old. This is when he got his first Thomas Train. Ryan thought every little boy needed a train for his first Christmas so we got him one and he hated it. It was a battery powered one that went around the track by itself and whenever we turned it on he cried. Who knew that just a year later he would be completely obsessed with Thomas.

Christian's first birthday was an Elmo party with his friends Dave and Katie McNair. I made red icing for the cupcakes. What was I thinking??? Christian's face was red for days, but you'll notice that I didn't learn my lesson (see the picture of his 2nd birthday).

1st Birthday - Checking out his present.

We had quite a time getting Christian's one year picture! I didn't take him back to get his picture taken for 6 months after this terrible experience.

Christian was literally beside himself with excitement when our friends the Hortons gave us their train table. 1 1/2 yrs old

Hanging out with Daddy in the "tiny" house. 1yr 9months
Christian's 2nd Birthday was a Thomas the Tank Engine party. It was especially memorable because all of Christian's grandparents were there!

Summer 2007 - 2yrs 2 months old

This picture was taken last Saturday on his actual birthday! He was zipping down the hill at Grandmom and PopPop's house. I can't believe how the past three years has flown by. This little boy has completely changed my life and brought his daddy and I so much joy. I can't imagine life without him. What a blessing it is to be a mommy to this little guy!

Wondering?

Are you wondering how I'm able to post on my blog in the middle of the day with 5 kids in my house?? Two words: SAND BOX

Thank you again PopPop!! You've made my life so much easier!

Playground

I am learning the art of bribery, but we'll just call it positive reinforcement to make me feel better. I made a little sticker chart this morning and told the kids that as soon as we got five stickers we could go to the park. Sticker #1 Everyone (including me) has to be dressed. Sticker #2 Everyone has to eat all of their breakfast and clean up their place at the table after they're done. Sticker #3 Everyone has to do one chore. Etc.... We were at the park by 10am!! We might try some more bribing urr... positive reinforcement tomorrow.



I think I'm finally getting the hang of having 5 kids. I know that there are lots of moms who do home daycare who probably have more than five kids. But I don't view my gang as a daycare situation. Emma, Abby and Nate know that my house is their home too. They still come when they're sick, they get baths here if they need them, they have clothes and toys here, they invite their friends to come play here, if we go to Walmart and Christian gets a toy then everyone gets something, etc. And I want us to be able to go and do things like any other family. I have no desire to stay home all the time, so we keep trying to have successful outings. I really want to take everyone strawberry picking, but I just haven't been brave enough yet. Plus it's been way too hot to have McKenna outside, so we'll see if it happens.

Overheard

This morning I overheard Abby talking to herself in the bathroom as she was looking in the mirror. She was saying to herself, "You are just too cute! You look adorable today!" Is she a riot or what? It's my prayer that Abby will always feel that way about herself. That when she's 13, or 18 or 21 that she will still think she's beautiful and that she will always know that she is "fearfully and wonderfully made" in the image of God!

Jesus,

Hold this precious girl close to your heart as she continues to grow in your image. May she always have confidence in herself and see the beauty that you've created in her. Ground her life in your truth so that she'll never believe the lies that this world will try to tell. Guide and protect her all the days of her life. Fill her with love, joy, peace, patience and kindness so that she will be a blessing to all who know her!

Amen

The Haircut

Before
After

Pink Medicine

Guess who loves her pink medicine?? Thank God she's nothing like her brother!! Oh the trials we go through to get medicine in that boy!

Pneumonia (AGAIN)

Here we go again! My sweet McKenna girl has pneumonia. We just got back from the doctor. We are going to do our best to handle it at home. The last place we want to end up is the hospital, so we are going to be doing breathing treatments every 4 hours and she is now on an antibiotic. I'm actually glad to finally have a diagnosis. We've been dealing with a sick little girl for 10 days now. I really do think it started out as a virus and then it must have turned into pneumonia. Today the doctor said, "I'm 99% sure it's pneumonia but we'll send her to the hospital for a chest x-ray just to confirm it." I said "No Way! We're not going through that again." Please pray that McKenna will recover from this quickly. It's no fun to have a sick baby, but she is a tough, cheerful little girl!

McKenna 4 Months Old

McKenna is such a sweet baby! She only fusses when there is a reason and she loves to "blow raspberries" and "talk." She is 14 pounds now and she can almost rollover. She doesn't get to practice her rolling skills too often because she's usually strapped into something to keep her a safe distance from the boys.

A Visit to PopPop & Grandmom's House

PopPop was working in the yard when we pulled in the driveway. We didn't even make it up the driveway before Christian hopped out of the car and ran over to PopPop.

Playing with wood from a tree PopPop cut down.

Racing with PopPop!