Four years ago today my status as a mother was redefined. I went from being a Mom to one child to a Mom to three. Just like that my world was forever changed. And isn't that just how these little people are? They are life changers. They change the way we women think, what we call our selves and how we structure our days.
(Lucas and Ashlee, 3 days old)
Being called "Mom" is one of the greatest blessings I've ever known. Most people say that the transition from one child to two is the hardest. Some people say that going from two kids to three kids is the most difficult. For us, going from a family of three to a family of five has certainly been the most challenging days of our young marriage. The first three months of Lucas and Ashlee's life is a complete blur. How I WISH I had known about blogging then, so I could have recorded and captured some of those first memories with three babies, all under two years old. Not that I would have really had time to blog, mind you. I was basically a milk truck, servicing the needs of two people on an almost continual basis.
(Our family of 5 on May 30, 2006.
The first time Elizabeth met her brother and sister.)
Now, just four short years later my babies aren't babies anymore. They are kids who no longer need my help to get dressed or brush their teeth or eat their food. They don't need me to help them put on their shoes or go down slides. They don't need me to do nearly as much as they used to. And a huge part of that makes me sad. Just this week, the older three all worked together and got their entire breakfast ready, by themselves. They got the bowls out and the cereal poured and Elizabeth poured the milk. I was thrilled, then sad.
Yes, my babies are growing up. At the homeschool convention I attended this weekend, one of the speakers said something that resonated with me. She was speaking on having lots of little ones (she herself has 8 children, 6 of which are boys...the Lord has a special place in heaven for her, I'm quite sure) and she said these words, "Moms, cherish these early years with your children. Because, even though the days are long the years are short."
How true those words are. Many times I look at the clock and say, "Wow. Only 11:00am! You've got to be kidding me!" But then, on days like today, on the birthdays of my babies I think, "Wow. Four already. You've got to be kidding me!"
(Lucas and Ashlee - 2 months, Elizabeth - 2 years)
Yesterday we had a cowboy and cowgirl birthday party for Lucas and Ashlee. We had a rootin' tootin' good time, that's for sure. Here are some of my favorite photos from yesterday...
Cowboy Aaron with Cowboy PawPaw
Fearless Cowgirl Olivia
Cowboy Lucas blowin' out his birthday candle
(Note that there were no Cake Wrecks this year)
Cowgirl Ashlee blowin' out her birthday candle
(Note that even though it was a Horse ridin' party, she chose fairies for her party decor. I love it.)
Cowgirl Sisters
Cowboy Lucas and his horse Noah
Cowgirl Ashlee and her horse Chico
(Could Ashlee be any sassier? I think not.)
(Lucas and Ashlee, 3 days old)Being called "Mom" is one of the greatest blessings I've ever known. Most people say that the transition from one child to two is the hardest. Some people say that going from two kids to three kids is the most difficult. For us, going from a family of three to a family of five has certainly been the most challenging days of our young marriage. The first three months of Lucas and Ashlee's life is a complete blur. How I WISH I had known about blogging then, so I could have recorded and captured some of those first memories with three babies, all under two years old. Not that I would have really had time to blog, mind you. I was basically a milk truck, servicing the needs of two people on an almost continual basis.
(Our family of 5 on May 30, 2006.The first time Elizabeth met her brother and sister.)
Now, just four short years later my babies aren't babies anymore. They are kids who no longer need my help to get dressed or brush their teeth or eat their food. They don't need me to help them put on their shoes or go down slides. They don't need me to do nearly as much as they used to. And a huge part of that makes me sad. Just this week, the older three all worked together and got their entire breakfast ready, by themselves. They got the bowls out and the cereal poured and Elizabeth poured the milk. I was thrilled, then sad.
Yes, my babies are growing up. At the homeschool convention I attended this weekend, one of the speakers said something that resonated with me. She was speaking on having lots of little ones (she herself has 8 children, 6 of which are boys...the Lord has a special place in heaven for her, I'm quite sure) and she said these words, "Moms, cherish these early years with your children. Because, even though the days are long the years are short."
How true those words are. Many times I look at the clock and say, "Wow. Only 11:00am! You've got to be kidding me!" But then, on days like today, on the birthdays of my babies I think, "Wow. Four already. You've got to be kidding me!"
(Lucas and Ashlee - 2 months, Elizabeth - 2 years)Yesterday we had a cowboy and cowgirl birthday party for Lucas and Ashlee. We had a rootin' tootin' good time, that's for sure. Here are some of my favorite photos from yesterday...
Cowboy Aaron with Cowboy PawPawFearless Cowgirl OliviaCowboy Lucas blowin' out his birthday candle(Note that there were no Cake Wrecks this year)
Cowgirl Ashlee blowin' out her birthday candle(Note that even though it was a Horse ridin' party, she chose fairies for her party decor. I love it.)
Cowgirl SistersCowboy Lucas and his horse NoahCowgirl Ashlee and her horse Chico(Could Ashlee be any sassier? I think not.)
At four years old, Lucas loves all things cowboy. He loves horses and boots and guns. He is amazingly affectionate towards his littlest sister, Ella, and takes his role as oldest brother seriously, on most occasions. He is determined, energetic, loving and a complete Daddy's boy. He's an early riser and has recently begun forgoing his afternoon nap. He adores bugs and dirt and sticks. He is eager to please his Momma and still enjoys handing out hugs and kisses when they are requested. He's been asking Luke tough questions about Jesus and sin and we are praying over his little heart and that he will one day be a man living for the Lord.
From tiny baby...
...to a big boy, we know that God has great things planned for Lucas' life. How we pray we will be parents who equip him to study God's word for himself so that he can live boldly for Christ.
At four years old Ashlee is the life of every party. Ashlee loves life. And, her love for life is most clearly shown in her affection toward her family. Free with her kisses and hugs, especially on her younger sisters, Ashlee is known to shower them with love, often to the point of making them less than cheerful. Luke and I both agree that Ashlee lives life full throttle. She runs just about everywhere she goes and she experiences, joyfully, a life that is filled with abundant laughter. Even though she is the reigning drama queen (at least until Olivia dethrones her) she is also the peacemaker of our little brood. She freely gives of her toys and often settles for her second pick so that someone else can have their hearts desire. I pray that her attitude of service and love for other people continues to grow as her relationship with the Savior does too.
From an excitable baby...
...to a joyfilled little girl, we pray God will use her servant's heart to draw her to Himself and, ultimately, a life devoted to sharing with others where ultimate joy truly lies.
Lucas and Ashlee,
We love you more than we could ever express. Happy 4th Birthday, sweet babies!
Love,
Mommy
From tiny baby......to a big boy, we know that God has great things planned for Lucas' life. How we pray we will be parents who equip him to study God's word for himself so that he can live boldly for Christ.At four years old Ashlee is the life of every party. Ashlee loves life. And, her love for life is most clearly shown in her affection toward her family. Free with her kisses and hugs, especially on her younger sisters, Ashlee is known to shower them with love, often to the point of making them less than cheerful. Luke and I both agree that Ashlee lives life full throttle. She runs just about everywhere she goes and she experiences, joyfully, a life that is filled with abundant laughter. Even though she is the reigning drama queen (at least until Olivia dethrones her) she is also the peacemaker of our little brood. She freely gives of her toys and often settles for her second pick so that someone else can have their hearts desire. I pray that her attitude of service and love for other people continues to grow as her relationship with the Savior does too.
From an excitable baby......to a joyfilled little girl, we pray God will use her servant's heart to draw her to Himself and, ultimately, a life devoted to sharing with others where ultimate joy truly lies.Lucas and Ashlee,
We love you more than we could ever express. Happy 4th Birthday, sweet babies!
Love,
Mommy