December {Christmas Party}

 We've been with our small group now for almost two years...and they are SO MUCH FUN!!  This year we repeated the ever-popular "ugly-sweater-and-white-elephant-gift-exchange" idea...and, well, the pictures say enough!

 okay...I should explain these two...somehow the dog collar/taser thing made it's way inside...and a good 20 minutes was spent shocking each other. 

Reverting back...

Our big kids have done a great job adjusting so far...although not without a few incidents...but I'll spare you the gory details.  (but it does involve cherry chapstick)

Anyway...this past week, they've been reverting back to baby behavior...hence the baby carrier.  Thankfully I'm not the one carrying them around!  :-)

December {Christmas Programs}

We had three programs this month!  Oliver had two preschool programs, and then he and Lily had a Sunday School program at church.  I never get tired of watching though...these are so sweet!

And the the one at church...we really sat in the wrong spot for these...so this is what we saw...

(Lily is just visible laying her baby down...)

Holy Knit Booties, Batman!

Our sweet neighbor Helen brought over the cutest little gift yesterday--knit Cubbies booties!  Brahm will be so warm AND showing off his team spirit!!!  Can you believe she MADE these?

 

Brahm (Month One)

Brahm is one month old already!  So hard to believe--and yet, he fits right in with our family--just like he's always been a part of it.  

We are totally smitten with the little guy...

At one month, he:

*sleeps 3-4 hours at night

*eats like a champ!  (Weighs 8lbs 9oz.--but started at 6lbs 13oz)

*still sleeps so much during the day--and is really taking good naps!

*definitely has his fussy times.  From about 5-7am he grunts...and wriggles...and burps...and shows off other noises...  He is extremely gassy!  

But once he's gotten it all out--he's happy as a lark!

*loves to smile!  Has just started this week smiling consistently for us.  

I love seeing those silly grins!

*loves his brother and sister.  He is starting to follow us with his eyes--

and often sits in his boppy watching Lily and Oliver play

*has every need met quickly!  Oliver and Lily love to help 

by grabbing diapers and wipes, wiping his spit up, 

and sticking his pacifier in every. chance. they. get.  

What loving siblings he has!

We can't wait to see what month two brings, little boy...  What a fun Christmas this will be!

three

I absolutely LOVE being a mom to 3 kids. 

It feels like such a nice 'full' number.  Our van is full-er, our table will need the extra leaf soon, our little bedrooms are full.  There is always something to do, someone to hold, something to be cleaned...Most of the time, it feels really nice. 

But sometimes, it's really overwhelming.  (take this morning, for instance)  Sometimes (or often) I start to think that I'm pretty capable of being a good mom on my own.  And then when I have rough days, I'm reminded again that, even on my BEST days, I need God's help for this!  I lose my temper too quickly, spend too little time with them really listening, try to do too much, and get frustrated when it's not going as I pictured.  

I'm thankful that we get a new day to try it again.  Thankful that God doesn't require us to be a 'perfect' family, but rather, to learn how to love each other more each day.  I'm thankful that God can use the good and the bad to grow Oliver, Lily and Brahm into people who know His grace and mercy and love.  

Being a mom to 3 (or more!) isn't easy.  It's not always fun.  And it certainly doesn't always go the way I'd like.  But it is good. 

Coffee Filter Wreath

I had seen this wreath on Pinterest and LOVED it!  It is SO easy, and cheap.  All you need are coffee filters, a foam or straw wreath...and hot glue!  It took a couple of hours and was easy enough that Oliver could help!