Happy Spring & Happy Third Trimester!

Only three more months and we get to meet this sweet little baby girl!

I can not wait to see and hold her and to soak up every moment of newness that will come with her arrival. 

I am a little nervous for Austin and how he will do as far as adjusting to all the changes that are about to take place, but I hope that he transitions well.

It has become a lot easier with the big boys being older, to distribute my attention to them equally. I try to make sure that I do things with ALL of them, as well as finding those little moments in between with each of them.

The boys are so forgiving when I lack in that area and I look for those special opportunities for one on one time with each of them so that I can sit and talk, or read, or answer questions, or help with a puzzle, tie a shoe, fix a boo boo.

I want to make sure that I always make time for those special moments and not brush them off because I was too busy, or the baby was crying, or I just didn't feel like taking the time.

I have a lot of special memories as a child growing up and I desperately want those same memories for my boys.

It's a day to day challenge and it's not easy! I find myself asking my kids for forgiveness often, but am so thankful for God's grace and my children's forgiving hearts.

With this little girl in the mix I feel like we will all dote on her.

I feel like the boys will be proud big brothers and protectors and I love making them feel special about this blessing that God has placed in their lives. 

I told Noah the other day, "God is giving you a great privilege and responsibility by giving you a baby sister. He must think you will make a great protector and example to her. That you'll show her what true kindness and compassion looks like in the hearts of men." He beamed with pride and says, "I know it! I will definitely protect her and show her all sorts of things."

Made this momma's heart melt into a big puddle.

These Treasured Days

"Mother, you are not wasting your life in your home. God says that children are at the very center of life in the kingdom of God. When you take time to hold a little one on your lap, you are wielding a mighty power. You are in the perfect will of God. You are not only doing something good...you are doing what is best. You are in the very center of God's heart." N. Campbell

These warmer days we've been having, definitely keep us outside a lot more! 

It really feels so nice to feel 70 degree weather and sunshine on your face. The one thing I know I have been doing a lot more is taking walks and taking pictures!

These photos turned out a little more fallesh looking, but I am sure when things begin to turn green it will look much more like Spring!

I have loved being able to take more photos of my boys this year, so far. Last year it was a little difficult finding the energy to get out and take the time, but this pregnancy has me feeling so much more energetic that I wake up and am ready to go and hate to see the day come to an end.

I am sure when the third trimester rolls around I will start feeling that exhaustion once again, but for now I am so enjoying this season of life and this pregnancy.

I don't want to miss opportunities in the midst of  life to make memories as well as photograph memories and moments of my babies.

They are growing so much it saddens me!

And I don't want to miss opportunities to, in a way, document this pregnancy.

I feel rather large and am not a very confident person with my self esteem, but I think pregnancy is a beautiful thing and such a wonderful gift from God that I am willing to put aside my insecurities, for I know I will thank myself later when they are all grown up and older and starting families of their own.

I definitely don't want to forget about these treasured days of mine.

You Were Born..

..And the world was a more beautiful place!

Today is Asher Ellis' birthday.You are six little man! At 3:31 today you entered the world and made it a more beautiful place. You have been your mommy's little sidekick ever since and each day I fall more and more in love with you and your spunky personality.

You say you want to be a police officer when you grow up, even though what I think you mean is one of those cowboy texas rangers who rope and ride, but regardless, I think you'd make the best police officer ever! You have the best imagination and can play with anyone at anytime. I love that about you. I love how you are so sweet and caring, you just want to love and be loved.

You still have all of your baby teeth, you can write your name and many other words. You love dinosaurs, anything cowboy and reading books. 

You have the cheekiest grin and the biggest puppy dog eyes, which may or may not be a good thing because you often get your way with things.

My wish for you is that you continue being the awesome, caring and wonderful little person that you are! That you never let the world change or mold you into someone that God didn't intend for you to be. That you always keep Him close to your heart and continue to pray, continue to ask questions, continue to love with all your heart.

My wish is that your mommy can always be a good example for you in showing you what to look for someday in a spouse that you will grow old with. And that daddy can continue being a good example in showing you how to be the best husband and father that you can be.

I believe that you are going to be even more wonderful with every year that God gives me with you.

I love you little man!

I hope today you have the best birthday ever!