9 Months

I promise this blog isn't all about Ethan!  Although, in my opinion he is cute enough to have a blog all about him ;)  It's just been so crazy the past few months I haven't taken the time to blog about anything else!

Bub-Bubs, as I like to call him, hit the 9 month mark today and it blows me away how quickly time has passed!  My sweet boy is crawling like a mad man, following me everywhere.  He's pulling up and has a mouth full of precious little teeth... and the pediatrician told me yesterday he is getting his one year molars already.  Code for high alert for biting, for this momma!  Everyday, I'm am reminded of what a precious gift and addition he is for our family.  I am so, so thankful for him.

In other news, we have finally kicked off our first official year of homeschooling.  We are doing a mix of Classical Conversations through a local coop and Sonlight.  I know a lot of moms turn the CC work into full time curriculum, but I decided to put emphasis on Sonlight and we are really enjoying it so far.  We are also incorporating Math-U-See and Explode the Code.  Since I'm kind of a newbie I may find that we are taking on too much, but that's the beauty of it all. We can tweek things as we go.

In other great news, I recently put my notice into work to change my hours to per diem.  For now I will work every Monday, but I'm so excited to grab my Fridays' back for my family.  This has been a goal for us since Lucas was born 6 years ago and we were now finally approved for an individual insurance policy.  I can't believe we are finally to this point!  Eventually we may get to the point where I can work even less.

I miss blogging so much!  I'm hoping I'll be able to post more frequently soon.  I have a few posts that are partially finished just to show some of the things that went on around here the past couple months.

A Delicious 7 Months...

Couldn't you just eat him up?

A Mistake with a Sweet Ending

Lately, Lydia has been asking to have her hair cut. We decided last night that today was the day. I offered to take her somewhere to have it cut, but she insisted that she wanted me to do it... and, I'm sure you can figure out where this is going.

She said she wanted her hair to look like her friend H's hair. I convinced her we should try shoulder length first and then cut it shorter if we decided we wanted to. Right after I reminded myself to make sure she didn't have her head tilted I made my first cut. And, well, her head was tilted. So much for shoulder length! So, I tried to fix it, but I kept making it worse. (Are you laughing yet, Jenn? It sounds oddly familiar, doesn't it? Sorry again about your 8th grade bangs!). Needless to say, I made an emergency appointment with a local salon and they swooped in and saved the day. I was pleased to find she didn't have to do too much trimming to even out my mistakes. BUT, I learned my lesson. I will not be cutting her hair at home again.

She looks sweet. And the style complements her tiny little face, so overall it turned out to be a good mistake!

Before: (OK, so I do miss her long hair a little bit.)

After:

(my haircut)

(salon haircut)

Because It Is That Good...

(Just a random favorite spot in my flower garden)

My sweet friend, Amber, posted a link to this article. It was so timely and so convicted
my heart. It may not be as effective for you, but this mom is guilty of putting "important"
things ahead of my children. Really, what is more important than
investing in the very precious blessings the Lord has graciously given me?!
I wanted to post the link on my blog as well because as I said, it is THAT good!

A Few of My Favorites...

Vintage Princess

My Favorite Boys

Best of Friends

Generations (my dad... love you!)

The Light in His Eyes

I Do Believe....

Summer.

Is.

Here!

Hope you are all finding ways to stay cool!

You Made Me a Mom...

When I look back a little over six years ago I thought I might miss out on being a mom. (This was before the Lord opened my eyes to the beauty of adoption.) Getting pregnant was taking longer than I had hoped and I was getting worried. I was almost 30, after all. What I didn't realize is a lot can happen between 30 and 40... and beyond. Just when I had come to peace that the Lord may have different plans for us I found out we were expecting you. And my life has never been the same. The Lord has used you to help mold and shape me in ways no one else could.

The day you were laid in my arms my heart burst open with a scary kind of passion. I was so in love I ached. You, my sweet boy, have altered my life in ways you won't understand until you hold a little one you call your own.

~You have grown into a sweet, vivacious boy. ~

~You love to be silly and you crack your sister up! ~

~You have a strong will that will serve you well. ~

~Curiosity might as well be your middle name. You want to know how everything works.~

~You are passionate about numbers and can be found at least once daily with a calculator in hand figuring out things like how many days you've been alive... 2190 days, Buddy.~

~You are the family Meteorologist. I can rely on you to give me the day's forecast,
with any necessary updates throughout the day.~

~This year I had the priveledge of teaching you how to read. I love to feel your little
body next to mine as we read together.~

~I had the joy of watching you fall in love with your little brother.~

I have been blessed to have had one more year with you!
Happy 6th Birthday, Lucas! I love you so very much!