It's a Golden Life

I'm not usually one to be taken so with a song. I was driving in the car the other night and Casting Crown's song "Already There" came on the radio. I honestly usually listen to music because I like the beat of the song. I'm not really one to be still and listen to the lyrics. I was bored with whatever song was on and switched to KLRC when this song came on. The past year has been such a whirlwind for me. From trying to keep up with every little detail in life, to running a daycare, to having a family. I am getting to the point where I am run down and in need of rest. When I am worn out, I tend to get a tad emotional, and situations bother me more than usual. It's difficult to put into words the emotions that swirl around in my heart and mind from time to time. In those weak moments where I feel overwhelmed the pressure just gets to be too much. Sometimes I just close my eyes and turn off my ears and savor quietness and stillness. Just for a moment. Then I...

Just wanted to remember some of the funny things Malachi says. I washed his Halloween shirt and he said-"is it in the wet washer or the dry washer?"

I love Fall! The smell of wet leaves on the ground, the cool, fresh air, the beautiful colors, the mild weather. Mostly, I love that this season kicks off the holidays. I made a wreath the other day for the front door, and it matches the yellow door great! With Halloween happening next Wednesday, Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before we know it. I have already begun to think about what presents to get the kids. Donovan and I have decided that they will each get 4 presents this year. We are following the 4 things guideline, and starting a new tradition for the kiddos. •want, need, wear, read. It's easy for me to go overboard with presents for the kids. I know that there are certain toys that would be so much fun for them, but they have so many toys already-it's difficult to justify purchasing anything else. So, I sat down with them an talked about one thing they would really like to get for Christmas-Malachi was sure on his Imaginext castle, but Halynd ...

Donovan and I realized this evening that we no longer have a baby. He is a walking, talking, toddler. Here's what little man is up to this month: He loves, loves food. Some of his favorite new things he tried are jellied toast, refried beans and hashbrowns. He will eat anything! He is very adamant about feeding himself with his spoon. I cringe when he makes big messes, but he really enjoys exploring food and manipulating the spoon to his mouth. We think he's left handed-he eats with his left hand and sucks his left thumb. He is officially bottle free! On Friday, we decided to switch to a sippy cup, and he had no problem transitioning. He is a walking pro and no longer crawls :( He still loves to push anything that moves. He even used his friend, Olivia, as a step stool today. She did not appreciate it. Sweet girl. He is about 21 lbs and 28.5 inches (by my calculations). Wears a size 4 shoe and 9-12 month clothes. Size 3 diaper, although I'm thinking we may need to g...

Someday-in the distant future-I am going to look back at our life and just laugh. We are so busy that sometimes I'm not sure how we found enough hours in the day to accomplish what we did. We are so busy trying to get our life established while mingling in between doctors, dentist and specialist appointments. As the years go by, and three kids later, it just seems that we are trying to play the game of Life and enjoy our family as much as possible. I feel as though we use to have the "fake it 'til you make it" attitude. After a while with that perception, life isn't full. Thankfully, Christ gripped a hold of Donovan and I, making us realize that there is an end in sight and that the purpose of our lives are to bring Glory to Jesus. All the things in between now and when we meet Jesus are just blessings. Even the tragedy's, even the trials-are learning, growing, and shaping who we are in Christ. Just the process of our sanctification. So, while we are busy ...

As of September 18, Paxton has been taking steps here and there. He is officially walking more than crawling now. He can get into a squat position and stand up to walk all on his own. This is such a fun age, where he is exploring and learning. His walk, or should I say waddle, is very cute. He looks pretty uptight with his stiff body and hardly bent legs. He is so proud of himself and we are so excited for him. This year has been a long one health wise for our family. Paxton has had 6 ear infections (2 double) since he was 4 months old. We have an ENT appointment tomorrow to determine the date of his tube surgery. I am anxious about him having to be sedated, but excited that his ears will be able to drain and function properly. Between his pediatrician appointments and Malachi's dermatology appointments (earlier this year), we are so ready to be away from the pediatrician for a while :) I have been putting off some dental work since a little before Paxton was born-so I began wi...

I was thinking this afternoon about when Donovan and I first met. And when we decided we were in looove. It was so crazy-he felt compelled to tell me he loved me only weeks after we started dating. I did not reciprocate that emotion of love-I didn't think I knew what love really was. I was 17. I had very recently discontinued the first boyfriend relationship I ever had. I just was not in the place to be throwing around the "L" word. It seems like I've always known Donovan. When I think about my life-17 years full of life-I can't remember what it was like before sharing life with him. I don't remember anyone treating me as special as him. There's something about a young relationship. For us, there were no responsibilities of children, worrying about finances or a home. It seems that uninterrupted love for each other can be tainted by the many responsibilities life requires and that which we put on ourselves as we've gotten older. I like to sit...