"The most important things in life aren't things." - Anthony J. D'Angelo

One Month Old today.

This makes my heart feel like it's going to burst ♥

An utterly biased post....

... but look how stinkin' cute he is :)

Binky face♥

A Night at the Fair

I've never shown an animal, lived on a farm, or really been anything close to a farm girl. But every year I still look forward the Wayne County Fair just like a little kid. There's just something about it... such tradition and fun. And Fair food :)

So I knew that even though Graham is so young, as long was everything was ok, I really wanted us to all go again this year.

About a week ago, I decided I was feeling good about it and wanted to try! It was just the logistics of taking Three under 3... So one night after work Jared stopped on his way home and bought me a Baby Sling so I could wear Graham while the older boys rode in our double stroller. Problem solved!

Mimi and Pap Pap also met us there and were such a big help. (We're definitely still figuring this 3-kid-thing out. I've got it down when we're at home. Leaving the house, though, is still a whole different story....)

We walked through the animal barns and then got some dinner. We were able to find a pretty secluded bench over by the all the tractors, so the boys could run around and play in between bites and I could nurse Baby Graham without being too terribly obvious or on display. Then the boys (and men) all sat on some big farm machinery and we called it a night!

Holden and Bridger both really liked seeing all the animals and Graham slept most of the time and only really started to get tired of it at the end.

So yea, outings take a little more effort/planning these days, but it was worth it. :)

Bridger wanted to pet the pony...

...but settled for the sheep :)

He was really having fun

Baa Baa Black Sheep.... Daddy helping Holden

Our first County Fair as a family of 5!

Playing with Pap Pap

Daddy showing him the turkeys and ducks

Strollin' through the poultry barn

Dinner Time! Running around in between bites.

Goofball.

Mimi snuggling a wide awake Baby Graham

Fed, changed, and all snuggled back up in his sling :)

Boys and Machines... I don't think I'll ever understand it.

But they sure do look handsome ♥

Fading Summer Nights

Truthfully, I'm over summer. I am so sick of being hot. (And being pregnant most of this summer and last hasn't helped, I'm sure.)

But I am definitely not tired of the gorgeous, cool Summer evenings we've been having lately though.

Almost every night after dinner, I take a short walk (my "alone time" for the day) just down the road and back. And it has been so beautiful outside lately... some nights I go down and back to the stop sign twice just so I can spend more time outside, soaking in the warm, pink sunset and fluffy clouds.

I love it.

And I know the boys are going to miss being outside, too. We can't do too much nowadays, but we do go out and play a little or go for a walk around the yard. It's just nice to get out in the clean, fresh air. And Sunday night after dinner at Mimi's house, we went out to play for a bit while it was still nice. Holden played in the car, Bridger tried to kick the soccer ball, and then she blew some bubbles for them to chase. It was really just a mellow, relaxing end to the day.

The warm summer nights are definitely slipping away quickly. And we're trying to enjoy them as much as we can before they're gone.

Bubbles :)

Looks like Mimi might be getting some instruction from the little boss...

Trying to "catch" them before they hit the ground

The only way he was quick enough to catch one.... if it wasn't moving. :)

"Chasing" bubbles like Holden.
Meanwhile, he doesn't even know they're back there.
Goof.

Pop! Pop!

Holden & Mimi ♥

"Raising children is like making biscuits: it is as easy to raise a big batch as one, while you have your hands in the dough. " - E.W. Howe

I came across this quote one day while browsing around, and it made me smile. For awhile now, I've thought that for the past 2 1/2 years (or more if you count the whole time I was pregnant with Holden) our lives have been pretty much all crazy with kids and babies anyway, so why not just keep going while we're still in the "mode"? I mean seriously, who wants to have to adjust back into no-sleep/baby/diaper mode after being well-rested with a completely self-sufficient child for 5 years? Well, I admit. The well-rested part sounds sweet. But having to switch back into "Baby Mode"? Not so much.

And really, "...it doesn't matter how many kids you have... because one kid'll take up 100% of your time so more kids can't possibly take up more than 100% of your time." (Karen Brown) Right? :)

So yup, it's a little hectic around here. But that's ok. If there are 2 in the tub, or 2 already in tears, or 2 needing their diapers changed, or 2 being rowdy on the floor wanting to play - really, what's one more? Just keep it coming and I'll rest one day. It might be years from now. But one day :)

Anyway, here's a few random photos of life around our house nowadays....

Putting those boys to work early!
(Picking up the dog food they spilled....)

The "Big Boys" reading books with Daddy one morning

Bath time for Baby Graham - and all my helpers

See, doesn't he look helpful? :)

Oh yea. They're ornery.

Peeking over Mom's shoulder

My big baby♥

Holden is truly a very helpful big brother. My days would be much harder without him.
(Also, it is amazing what this kid will do for a piece of candy.)

Zonked.

So far, he seems to be able to sleep through anything... a necessity around here with 2 stomping, running, screaming older brothers.

Starting to have more "awake" time now ♥

Who I am.

I've been thinking lately about how much these three little boys just consume my life. And in fact, "consume" isn't even the right word. It implies there's a life aside from them.

They are my life.

First thing in the morning, all through the day, last thing before I fall asleep and every little grunt and whimper throughout the night. They are my first thought, every time, before any choice or decision is made. And at this point in my life, as a stay-at-home-mom to these 3 small boys, I really feel that am pretty much completely inseparable from my identity as: Mommy.

So the past few days I've been thinking a lot about pregnancy and birth, what is means to be a mother, and identity & self-image....

And honestly, it's fairly easy to see what a beautiful miracle pregnancy is - and how amazing our God is to create such perfect, tiny, complete beings within us. And it's absolutely impossible to ignore what a beautiful miracle a brand new baby is.

It can be harder, however, to find the "beautiful miracle" in the post-baby body of the mom.

Things are loose. Things are leaking. Things are scarred - and some changes will never be reversed. My hair is frizzy and undone, and I now always have some kind of spot on my clothing somewhere. Whatever sun-kissed glow I once had is long gone and has been replaced by pasty skin, coupled with almost purple bags under my ever-tired eyes.

And it helps to remember what an amazing thing my body just did: carrying, nourishing, and giving birth to a brand new tiny person. But... it doesn't change the reflection in the mirror.

So I have been trying (and will continue to try) to remember.

Try to remember that I am more than any one thing. I am more than my name or my job. I am more than my thoughts or accomplishments for the day. I am more than my words and more than my actions. I am more than just me or just a wife or just a mother. And I am more than my reflection.

We were made to have children. God knew it would change us. The way we love, the way we think, the way we live, and the way we look.

There's a passage in a small book I have for new mother's where the author writes: "I don't know from where it came, but a comforting thought swooped in to nurture my soul today. Not only is my baby made in the image of God (that's an easy connection!), but so am I!"

And on the days ahead when I know it will be particularly difficult to accept some of the many "flaws" that I can readily point out on my body, I will try hard to remember that. And also this small poem, entitled Stretchmarks:

"A mark for every breath you took, every blink, every sleepy yawn. One for every time you sucked your thumb, waved hello, closed your eyes and slept in the most perfect darkness. One for every time you had the hiccups. One for every dream you dreamed within me. It isn't very pretty anymore. Some may even think it ugly. That's OK. It was your home. It's where I first grew to love you, where I lay my hand as I dreamed about who you were and who you would be. It held you until my arms could, and for that, I will always find something beautiful in it."

I will try to remember that I am "fearfully and wonderfully made." And I am more.

Our Beautiful Gifts