November Blessings (Day 10)

November 10th Blessing: Resting with my Girl

E woke up with a fever (101.8) this morning and so we stayed home from church and enjoyed a day of rest.  I finished up some consignment sale tagging, while listening to a church service online, and my sweet girl laid around lethargically watching me.  When my husband and L left to go to the Titan's football game, E and I put O down for a nap and crawled into my bed.  "Watching" football, we both drifted off to sleep and enjoyed a nice hour long nap.  It was exactly what we both needed... But I sure hope she's better tomorrow.

November Blessings (Day 9)

November 9th Blessing:  Fall in Tennessee

I took the kids to a Birthday Party in small town about 30 minutes outside of Nashville and the fall foliage was just beautiful the entire way.  I'm sure I drove the kids crazy pointing out one beautiful area of trees after another.  I know I've already mentioned how beautiful the leaves are at this time of year, but it was so beautiful that it was worthy of another post.  I am so blessed to live in Tennessee right in the middle of all of this beauty.

November Blessings (Day 8)

November 8th Blessing: My kids are best friends.

Maybe it's their age gap (27-28 months), or just the way their personalities mesh, but I am very blessed to have kids that play so well together.  It's very obvious, to me, that they love and care for each other.  As soon as L walked in the door from school this afternoon both little kids ran to greet him.  O wrapped his arms around him to give him a hug, and E immediately started talking with him.  That's just one example, of many, during the day that I could give to illustrate the kind of loving relationship they all have.  Obviously, they have moments of arguing and fighting, but for the most part they get along so well. 

My Boys: L reading to O

My Big Kids: Making a Huge Lego Mess Together

My Little Kids: Cute and Huggy

 My Little Kids: Playing a Game

My Three: In a Box

A Sweet Note from L to E

November Blessings (Day 7)

November 7th Blessing: The opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom and go on L's Field Trip this morning.

Watching PBS kids online with the kids in the tent

Being able to stay-at-home with my kids is one of the biggest blessings in my life right now.  Oh yes, I've had years (literally) of overwhelming exhaustion, months of feeling isolated and lonely, and days when I just want to run out the front door and never come back again, but I've also shared so many wonderful memories with my kids.  Being in the trenches with them day in and day out for the past 6.5 years has been the hardest job I've ever had, but it's also been the most rewarding.  I'll admit, I've called staying at home with 3 kids my worst nightmare on more than one occasion, but somehow, it's also one of my dreams come true.  I honestly can not imagine my life any other way right now.

Today, I was blessed to go on L's school field trip to the farm.  My father-in-law (worthy of an entire November Blessing Post of his own) was able to take E to school and then take care of O for me.  I've slowly adjusted to having my big boy away at school every day, but I still miss him like crazy.  I am so grateful to have had this day with him.

My L

L and one of his best friends 

 My brown-eyed boy.

November Blessings (Day 6)

November 6th Blessing: My blue-eyed O

This boy is two.  He screamed the entire way home from the park this morning.  Then he screamed and kicked as I tried to get him out of the car seat when we got home.  His tantrum escalated until he screamed so much, in the garage, that he made himself throw up.  I carried him upstairs under one arm praying out loud, "God of wonders... Give us peace."  But, he kept trying to kick me in the throat/face the entire time I was changing his diaper and clothes.  His poor little face was so red from all his screaming.  After his diaper change, I scooped him up in my arms, with his legs still kicking, and rocked him in his chair until he calmed down.  I put my hand over his heart and gently whispered to him until his heart slowed down, and he stopped crying.  Then he settled down enough to quietly listened to books.  I read his three favorite books, and then sang him a few songs as he drifted off to sleep in my arms.  As I carried him over to his bed I looked down at his little face.  It wasn't red anymore.  He was peacefully asleep. Thank you God!  I survived another tantrum.

And I love you little buddy.  I really do.  Two year old tantrums and all.

November Blessings (Day 5)

November 5th Blessing: My Husband

The best decision I've ever made was to ignore the naysayers, ten years ago, and marry the love of my life.  My husband is truly my perfect match and I can not imagine sharing my life with anyone else.

November Blessings (Day 4)

November 4th Blessing: That THIS happened a day AFTER our family photos.

As I was coming down the stairs on Monday morning I heard E tell O, "Great job on your haircut!" I looked up to find O with a crooked haircut and E holding a pair of scissors.  I can not even express how grateful I was that our family photos were finished yesterday!