WayfaringStrangers

Since the preschool the boys go to is over for the summer, I decided we needed to keep some structure in our summer days. And so, Trader Preschool was invented.   I did most of the planning while I had help after Sammy was born. Now, before anyone thinks I'm some sort of organized, fun mom, please know that we are doing this: 1. for our sanity 2. as easily as possible. "Preschool" lasts about an hour a day, 4 days a week and it's mostly reading books and playing a few games. I thought up some themes, pinned a few crafts (I hate crafts), and bought a calendar for Circle Time. The official schedule is- 1. Tidy Up 2. Bible Time 3. Circle Time 4. Activity (Usually a game like Red Light, Green Light. Something to get them moving). 5. Workbook time (mostly for G) 6. Snack 7. Craft I'm also planning a lot of outings (all the parks, playdates, beach, strawberry picking, etc) to keep our days full. They are so energetic and need that! I'm also enforci...

It had been a long day. I had worked hard to keep the kids engaged- books, games, a walk, playing outside. I was tired from the heat, interrupted nights of sleep, and just the general maintenance of my home and children. I stood at the kitchen sink cleaning up dinner, a dinner that I'd made from scratch and then eaten in segments, interrupted by everyone's needs and a baby feeding session. "Mom," Graham asked, "will you play ball with me?" "No, my hands are busy. And I'm tired. I'm just about done for the day." I answered, a little bluntly. "Aw, you're boring!" he whined. I couldn't believe it. What in the world?? Didn't he consider all that I'd done, all that I do every day? I was anything but boring. Why was he so ungrateful? I turned to snap at him. And then, the Spirit pricked my heart. How many countless times am I complaining, asking for MORE, and ungrateful to my heavenly Father? Every day. Every m...

Samuel is a little over a month old now. He's growing fast, already up to 9 lbs, 7 oz. The overall adjustment of life is going well. Yesterday was Graham's last day of school and his PreK graduation (that deserves it's own post) so now... I'm home all day with the 3. I didn't get much 'rest' after Sammy was born. How could I? Even with help...there's so much to do, and the boys are so active. And so, I quickly found myself in the normal routine, just now with a baby along. I press forward, coffee in hand. Since school is over, today was the perfect day to hit up the library with all 3. Graham hasn't been in a while because I usually go with Patrick while G is at school. The library went really well! The big boys are mature enough to actually play well and not run off. Baby slept in his carseat the whole time. Afterward, we decided to go for a walk in the trail next to the library. It's paved, and Graham rode his bike and Patrick rode his sc...

"It's all enchanted and wild, just like my heart said it was gonna be..." -Nickel Creek

I posted this picture on facebook the other day: A long-time friend said it looked "just right." As in, me with 3 kids was a good fit. I take that as a huge compliment. And the good news is, I feel the same. As I was walking down the street with the 3 boys a few days ago, I thought, 'This is my gang. It's the perfect little group.' I don't mean that there can't be room for more, but right now, this feels right. I'm relieved to be feeling this way. I don't bond with my kids very well in pregnancy. Sure, I'm excited. I like the kicks (until they hurt). But pregnancy, as beautiful and miraculous as it is, isn't my favorite. I don't talk to my babies in utero, I don't sing or read to them. I don't even really think about what they'll look like. But the minute they're in my arms, I feel all the feelings.  With this baby, I had some nerves. G and P are a ton of work...I was kind of scared how we'd make it work with ...

Samuel is a whooping 11 days old. Which is really young. But I feel like his birth was ages ago...probably because I'm so tired. Actually, he's the e asiest  of the 3. Babies sleep a lot. And so far, he's an easy guy. I think I've heard him cry like twice. And that's saying a lot, because the big boys are ALL over him, smothering him in kisses and touching him and begging to hold him. It's been an adjustment. It's only been 11 days. That's what I keep telling myself. The big boys are struggling. They LOVE the baby, but the emotional adjustment is coming out as some negative behavior. And so, we press on and pray and know it will get better. Everyone's just a little 'off' these days. Having my parents help right after the birth and my in-laws here for a week was great. Seriously, it's so wonderful to have loving family help out. Not everyone has that. We are very grateful. And we've also been gifted so many good meals. I forget h...

Baby Samuel Behn joined us over the weekend on April 16 th ! He is just too precious and I am loving having a baby again.  And so, here is Samuel’s birth story, while it’s fresh in my mind. The stats: 14 hours of “labor” 90 minutes of active labor and actual pain Birth weight: 7 lbs, 14 oz Samuel’s birth was somewhat different than the other boys’, although in the end the fast pace of it did seem very similar. From early in the pregnancy, my wonderful midwife and I had discussed an induction at 39 weeks because of my very fast labors. Behn and I were a bit traumatized during Patrick’s 45 minute labor and wanted to make sure this baby was born in the hospital, not during a scary moment on the side of the road or at home. My midwife agreed and that was the birth plan. The induction was set for April 16 (39 weeks) and we were going to try and go a natural route of induction by stripping membranes or breaking my water to get things moving. The night before the indu...