A Look at 2009

As 2009 comes to an end, here are some of our favorite moments of the year.

Last January we met some of our friends from seminary and had an awesome weekend catching up and letting our kids play together. What a joy that was to reconnect and pray for each other's ministries.Last Spring Micah played his first team sport - soccer. He was very shy and didn't like people watching him, but by the end of the season we at least got him to run out and play on the field. Baby steps!In May, we celebrated Baby C's 1st birthday! He pounded that cake...and yes, we still call him baby c!
When Ed went to Peru with the youth in June, the boys and I went to Kentucky to visit with some friends and then to the beach with other friends. It was a lot of traveling, but we had a lot of fun! It was also the first big trip in our minivan...we broke that baby in!
One of our best memories of the year, is our vacation we took in August. It was probably the best vacation we've had since our honeymoon. We picked the perfect place at Ocean Isle, NC to have the ideal mix between rest and play. One of my sweetest memories was taking Micah to play putt-putt and he got his first hole-in-one!
Micah started preschool in the fall, which was a huge step in our lives. He has done really well and made new friends. We are so grateful for God leading us this way and thankful He has a plan for Micah, as well as all of our kids. It was hard for this mommy to see her little one take one step closer to growing up.
October was a crazy month, but really special because my little sister got married! We were all very busy doing last minute preparations the week of, but it all turned out beautiful. The only picture I got was of our family, none of my sis, but go here if you want to see the real pics.
And last but not least, my favorite little thing of 2009 is our sweet little miss. She has completely changed our lives in more ways than one. She herself is just about the cutest thing you will ever see! Ed keeps asking if she has enough pink, um, I don't think any girl can have enough pink! Hello! Now the transition from 2 to 3 kids has been quite a change for us. Those of you who have experienced this elite club of crazy parents who choose to venture beyond the world of 2 on 2 (or as Ed says "going from man-to-man to zone!"), you know what I mean!
Happy almost New Year's Eve! In our house though that takes a back seat because someone here is turning 4 tomorrow!!

LumberMike

Growing up, my family always cut down our trees on our family property about 40 minutes outside of Richmond ("the Farm"). These are the best trees because they are cedar and the price has not changed in 30 years...free.

Here's Micah cutting the tree down "all by myself!"

Dad just getting the cut started.

Micah loves the outdoors.Not sure if they come any cuter. (Yeah, right now we're in the middle of Operation Bye Bye Paci, but this day he had missed a nap and Operation went on hold)Micah and Uncle George. George apparently got a degree in Uncling. The boys love George so much. His patience is remarkable!

One Month!

Haleigh is one month old today! I cannot believe that little miss has been with us for a whole month! She gets cuter each day. She is starting to fill out and look like a Martin baby with the chubby cheeks and chunky thighs. That's what momma's milk will do to you!

Here are some notable things about Haleigh:
-She is gaining weight fast. We go to the doctor on Monday so I am anxious to see how much she weighs.


-She is awake a lot more now. We are moving her into the "Babywise" schedule and so her waketime, naptime, and feeding times are falling nicely into line! Unless you've been there, that sounds really boring to you!

-Being awake a lot more, we get to see her bright blue eyes more. Her eyes are still blue and that is exciting to me because our boys have always had brown.

-She is smiling! First, it starts out, and you are not sure if it is gas or a real smile...but now it is definitely a smile!


-She LOVES to look at people. When you hold her, she will just stare at you! It is amazing and then can start to freak you out a bit! She would dominate in a staring contest.

-Nobody knows the staring more than her Daddy. She will just look at him, and it melts his heart. Like I've said before, she has had him from before day one. There is something there between the Daddy and his little girl and it is just precious to watch!

-Caleb and Micah love her. Although, right now C has paid more attention to her. He loves to kiss her head all the time. He makes sure she has her paci, points to her and announces bebe, worries when she cries, and makes sure he always knows where she is.

-She sleeps well at night, still getting up once or twice, but goes right back down easily...well, most of the time!

-She is the perfect person to place dress up with!

Haleigh and the Boys

Here's just a few shots from late October and more new ones of Haleigh.
Our kids are so much fun!

Halloween Donuts

No, those aren't donuts stored in his cheeks.

Caleb was a lion for Halloween. A not too scary lion.

Look at those legs!

Had to show you the little lion's tail.

Micah was a Brazilian Soccer player (Kaka). Haleigh was the soccer ball.

Thanksgiving Day. The turkey is getting more plump!

Poor Caleb. Mom orders new bows and hats every day! He wanted to try it on but then realized that this was not at all what he thought it was.

Micah being Micah.


Some newer Haleigh pics.

Joyful Contentment

These days I have many people asking me how I am doing with all the adjustments we have right now. I always say we're good! But in recent days, I'm finding myself running on empty. With little sleep, you just don't feel like yourself. I mean, last night I fell asleep hard on the couch watching my favorite show, So you think you can Dance. That is so not me. I actually woke up upset with myself because I missed some of the performances! But with little sleep, needing to feed a baby every three hours, two other children that need you to feed them, play with them, love them, comfort them, discipline them, and change one of them, you begin to feel stretched in every possible way. Then there's the two most important relationships that get pushed aside, your husband and the Lord, who graciously wait for you to come to them when you get around to it.
So this morning I find myself zapped of the joy that I want to have in this circumstance or phase of life right now. As I prayed, I was reminded of Philippians 4:11, "...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." Content in this phase, not wishing it away, but embracing it, as if it is exactly where I am to be right now. This is exactly where God wants me, and that alone should bring joy. He sees it as a noble task, one to show my family God's love, but also one to grow me in my relationship with Him. Walking through this circumstance with joy is what will bring Him honor, and me peace. So today, I claim this truth, that I will be content in my circumstances and that He will bring me joy. Knowing full well I cannot do this on my own, I ask Him for His grace and strength to get me there.

Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

Turn to me and be gracious to me;
give your strength to your servant
Psalm 86:4, 16

Adjusting to life with 3

Sometimes I wonder, do I really look like the mom I feel like? You know the one. The one that has kids running in five different directions, carrying diaper bags, purses, papers, sippy cups, pacifiers, and a child while pushing a stroller carrying a child with a three year old asking a gazillion questions that really don't matter at the moment. Oh and the three year old is attempting at helping push the stroller, but ends up going in one more direction, that makes six! You've been there? Please say you have or am I just the frazzled mom that has her hands very full.
Anyway, today I had to tackle something for the first time with all three kids...picking up Micah from school. At his school, you have to walk in and pick him up at his class. So I debated for a while, what strategy will I use to go get him. Yes I said strategy! Will I keep Haleigh in the car seat and use stroller and Caleb walk, or carry him? Or Haleigh in the front carrier and Caleb in the stroller? Or the double stroller, but car seat won't fit in it. Can Caleb walk holding my hand the whole way, or will it be a fight because he wants to run loose. Can I carry him the whole way? (He is a tank!) So after much debate, I settled on keeping Haleigh in the car seat and stroller and Caleb walking.
So it wasn't long before I was holding Caleb and pushing the stroller. Already, I regretted my decision. After I couldn't take it anymore, I had to put him down. So he walked on the sidewalk next to the stroller. After repeatedly stopping the look at the grass or the car that passed or just to let him catch up, we finally made it to the building. Then we had to weave our way through the crowds of people and kids in the hallway that Caleb stopped to admire every person! Bless his heart! Good thing I wasn't in a hurry!
After making it to Micah's class, I actually thought, oh good, my three year old will help! So he pushed the stroller, while I had one hand on it and one hand holding Caleb's. Then a repeat of the same thing going into the building. I finally just carried Caleb to the car. I mean, I must have been quite a show for the other parents. No one else is carrying that many kids in. Some have a little one Caleb's age on their hip, but not two plus the preschooler. I had many hold doors for me. I could almost hear their thoughts. I was that mom! Hands full, frazzled, not paying attention to anything else but making it to the car. Whew! I never thought I would be so happy to make it to the van. Seriously, can we get a carpool lane! Better luck next week! Maybe we will go with the stroller and the carrier.

Haleigh Kate Week 1

Obviously, I have been a little busy this week, but I wanted to give a quick update on our precious little girl! She is doing so well and is so precious. It is amazing to see how she has already changed and grown in one week! She has already gained her birth weight back, plus some! The doctors keep telling us she is doing really well, skin color looks good, etc. I am falling in love with her more and more each day! She has had Ed wrapped around her little finger since day one! Here are some of my favorite pics from this week:

Here is Haleigh ready to go home from the hospital

Meeting big brother Micah for the first time
And meeting big brother Caleb for the first time, he was much more timid. It was so cute, he just didn't know what to do!