Tuesday, June 17, 2014

…..the update.....

…..I am not really sure how so much time goes by in between my blog posts…..we are livin', we are busy, we are chasin' one another down around our house…….and at the end of the night when mama used to sit down to blog; I am opting for sleep instead……but as I have always written in years past, one of the best things about this blog is the fact that I can reflect on my children, my family, my circumstances and humbly become more grateful……this is my place that I come to in order to slow the pace down and reflect……and I love it more each time I come back……

…….here is a conglomeration of my favorite pics over the last few months and a a snippet of who is doing what right now……..

 …..Brody...….he's growing…..not just in size, but emotionally……he is needing me less, running off without holding my hand more frequently and at times forgetting to say goodbye when he gets to a friend's house and is off for a play date…….growth is a good thing……we want our children to grow and thrive and we want to see them flourish……we NEED to see them become independent after many long days caring for our young……but it is still bitter sweet…..












……right now he still loves Olaf and the Frozen soundtrack, loves to be with friends of the same sex, is the loudest talker in our home, has boundless energy, dislikes walking into crowded rooms, could eat hummus every meal of the day, enjoys imaginary play with Callie, is ending his love affair with Spiderman and moving on to Batman, loves to discuss lions, sharks and dinosaurs, loves to color, color, color and color some more and strongly detests haircuts……he is quick tempered and can get angry at the drop of a hat…...



…..but he gets over it quickly…..he has a gentle spirit, but also has a fire within that can be channeled to fuel is life's passions…..


…..Callie is on the brink of Kindergarten…...


……she loved her 4s class……she had two amazing teachers and made great friends…..she came home with great adventures under her belt, beautiful art that she created and friendships that were so enjoyable to see flourish this past school year…...




…..she was so proud and excited on graduation day…..my shy little one who thrives in smaller groups and dislikes large crowds shined on her special day…...




…..she was sad to say goodbye, but she is awfully excited to jump on that yellow bus next year with Elsa…...










……right now, she has about 8 stuffed animals surrounding her in bed…..she has a name for each one and spends time throughout her day talking and playing with them……she loves to collect things outside, put them in a bucket and make "potions"; she is still deciding if she wants to be a magician or a scientist since both jobs require potion making……she is affectionate, funny, witty, sensitive and charming…..she loves her scooter, loves art, loves to sing, loves doting on baby Mae and only wears dresses…...


….Elsie now prefers to go by Elsa thanks to Disney's hit movie, Frozen and the star of the movie who happens to share her name…...


…..Elsa has taken joy in losing two teeth over the last few months and spends a lot of time wiggling the remaining teeth to determine which one might be next…….


…..her maturity and growth amazed me this year……she learned how to read over night, writes beautiful and educational stories in her free time, made sweet new friendships, had a few setbacks but learned how to over come them and really enjoyed spending time as a family since it was an adjustment to all of us with her being gone so many hours during the week……






…..our girl is fiercely competitive……she is good at bowling, just finished tennis and golf lessons and is learning how to play the Frozen soundtrack on the piano……Field Day at school last week was right up her ally…….






…..right now Elsa loves to swim, she loves to read and write stories, and she also loves to dote on baby Mae…...she is extremely helpful around the house, loves to imagine, takes her time in everything she does, is a night owl, loves to give big hugs, is a good friend, has become very social, is a helper to all and a curious and inquisitive deep thinker…..


…..I snapped a few photos of my favorite notes that I have collected around the house…..I love to find her writing samples and get a further glimpse into her little stream of consciousness……









….baby Mae is a dream baby…..




….from the first few weeks, she was extremely popular around here and it has only intensified now that she is interacting more with her siblings…..




….i have had her attached to me for 7 months now and have loved every minute of holding her…….this was a terribly cold winter, but it made for great indoor time with our new babe…..



….she has been so patient sleeping on the go, adjusting to the schedules of the other three kids, she's been trucked in and out of the car several times a day and never gives us any grief…...




…..she has been my sweet, little side kick and there isn't one day that has gone by that I haven't prayed a prayer thanking God that she has completed our family…..



……right now she loves to eat solid food, still loves to nurse, loves to be at the dinner table for every meal with her siblings, lights up when any one in the family walks into the room, coos and oohs and laughs whole heartedly……has sparkling blue eyes, two bottom teeth that gave her a lot of pain when they popped out simultaneously, falls asleep anywhere and everywhere if she is tired enough, loves to be held and reinforces to us that she is just as happy to be a part of our family as we are to have her complete it……. 




…..school is out tomorrow……summer will officially start and there will be good tales to tell…….adventures to write about pictures to share……and many summer nights that will beckon me to sit, reflect and be thankful…...