Go Rachel!

Rachel's preschool program was last night and it was adorable. Rachel's class is crazy--loud, wild kids (mostly boys) were all messing around and being naughty before the show and sweet Rachel is just sitting there in the midst of the chaos, waiting quietly for the show to start. It was so funny.
Rachel did such a wonderful job! She sang all the words and did all the actions and it was just plain cute. We were so proud of her.

Air guitar!



With Miss Melva

Oh, Rachel--we love you so much! You are a sweetheart!

So sweet...

A few weeks ago Rachel got a small cut on her toe. As Ben was looking at it and bandaging it, Luke came right over, sat down next to Rachel, put his hand on her leg and announced, "I'm going to help Rachel be brave." It was the most tender, sweet thing! Love these kids.

Happy Mothers Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! There are many mothers who have influenced me and many who I look to now as I try to emulate their wonderful mothering.
I just wanted to write for a minute about my feelings on motherhood.

These three cute kids are mine. All mine. And, boy, do I love them! This picture was obviously taken before I became pregnant with #4. Well--actually, I was pregnant then! Just didn't know it yet.

Each one of my children holds an indescribably large portion of my heart. It is hard to put into words the love that I have for each of them. I remember talking to moms before I had my own kids and they would say something to the effect of: "I've always loved kids. But when you have your own, it is different. The love is extreme. You live and breathe them." And now that I have my own, I fully agree. I am enamored by my children. Even when they are misbehaving or being difficult, that love is there. It doesn't mean you always want to be around them or that they don't annoy you at times, but there is this strong connection that cannot be broken or even weakened.

And it is beautiful.

Sometimes I look at one of my kids and it's like I can see their soul. I see them as a perfect creation, with hearts that feel, minds that understand, and individual talents that are already developing even at their tender young ages. Their spirits are so strong and so unique. They are each a miracle and each so different. I like imagining them all grown up and going forth into the world with their own arsenal of strengths. They have so much to offer. It is such a humbling responsibility to be entrusted with my children's care--to refine them and help them develop into the people they were meant to be, to help them reach their potential. Sometimes I struggle with the best way to raise them, especially because each of my children seems to need different things at different times. But I find that praying each morning that I will spend my time well, listen to my children and be there for them helps me to do just that. I've also found that when I view my children as little people that get in the way of my to-do list, I am not happy. Those are the times I am easily frustrated and annoyed by them. When I am conscious of my role as a mother first, before a housekeeper, I feel the sweet joy and satisfaction of mothering.

I relish time with my children: singing, reading, laughing, working, creating, talking, and playing together. I love stroking their soft cheeks and looking into their large, beautiful, clear eyes.

I have found so much fulfillment in my job as a stay-at-home mom. There are extremely hard days and extremely wonderful days. And thankfully, there are way more wonderful ones than hard (although that may change once this baby is added to the mix!!!). I am eternally grateful to my own mother who I look to all the time as an example of how to parent. She is amazing! And I am grateful to my grandmother and my mother-in-law, who are also wonderful examples of mothers who know. And, of course, my wonderful mom friends, who continue to amaze me with their patience, creativity, and unconditional love for their sweet children. I am so blessed.

And bring on number four! I think I'm ready??? :)


(This picture was taken on Saturday amongst the beautiful tulips at the Tulip Festival. So pretty! Aren't these kids great???)