Football!

Here's some pictures of the boys in their Appalachian State jerseys that their uncle Kyle sent! They look like little men in these! And yes, the one picture of the two of them shows a typical play session. Just your usual toys, a costco box, a spatula, and a random star!! The most fun!

Collin and Jack are still loving school and have learned to pray. It is the cutest and sweetest thing. They will put their hands together and Collin says "Amen!". They will do it with me before meals and before bed. They love it! I'm so thankful to their teachers for this wonderful lesson. I pray they keep it up lifelong...

Caroline is a month old tomorrow! She is getting so much bigger! She is so strong and can already hold her head up when she lays on me and turn it side to side!

A very special name

My sweet Caroline is named after another very special Caroline. Her mother, Monica, (in picture), graciously let me use the name after her precious daughter. My mom and Monica grew up together in San Antonio and have known each other for many years (dating back to high school pranks and all!). We lived in San Antonio for 3 years and became very close with Monica and her family. We spent lots of time at their house, took vacations together, and blended our two families alot! Monica has 4 children and Caroline is the third in line. I so remember when she was little just falling in love with her. I held her ALL the time and just played with her like she was my own little doll. She loved this as well and we were very close. We moved away and we would see the family about once a year as we got older. Caroline grew up in to quite a young woman. She was very active in church, volunteered, and enjoyed her friends. She also had a gift for reaching out to others, particularly those who were hard to reach. As I understand it, in high school when everyone forms cliques, Caroline's only requirement to be her friend was that you were genuine. Very sadly, Caroline died in a car accident several years ago. It still just breaks my heart to think of her pretty smile and sweet demeanor. God has a very special angel by His side. Sometimes I think He thought Caroline was too sweet for this earth of ours.

Her mother, Monica, is also very special. While this is extremely difficult, she always manages to smile and have kind words for others. I'm so glad she got to come visit last weekend and meet "baby Caroline." It was so sweet and I treasure seeing them together.

There's a picture of the two of them and my favorite scripture for difficult times...

Psalm 23: 2-3

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

On my own...

I'm very sad this morning as I just dropped my mom off at the airport. She's been here a month and has been a tremendous help. Not really sure how I'm going to do this on my own, but we'll manage! I'm so thankful that she can come and stay so long and is such a big help! Not only did she help me recover at the hospital, took care of the boys, and took care of Caroline, but let me list a few of the other tasks she tackled while here... organized the garage so we have space to actually walk in the house, put a fence up in the backyard to separate a place for the boys and a place for the dogs, hung pictures, redecorated my downstairs bathroom, found a climbing plaything for the boys, hung a ladder, made me install a laundry system, did about 400 loads of laundry, grocery shopped, picked up food, the list goes on and on. I know I'm forgetting things! She also made me go through some "dry runs" of picking the boys up at school by myself and taking care of everybody the last couple of days on my own so I could feel like I could do it! That's really what a good mom does.. does things for you and then shows you how you can do it on your own! I"m so thankful to my mom and so glad my kids have her for their granny!

Now the real fun begins.....stay tuned...

I'm going to try to post a couple of new pictures too! All right, I'm still learning and posted my picture twice! I'll get some more of the boys soon too!

Two weeks

Caroline is 2 weeks old and weighs 7 1/2 lbs. as of today. She made quite a jump, as a week and a half ago, she was only 6.2! Obviously, I don't have to worry about if she's getting enough to eat!
Everything else looked great! She's as sweet as can be!

The boys played tee ball in the backyard yesterday. "Played" is a very loose definition! More like walked around with the bat and ball... They are liking playing in the backyard though. We are currently searching for a climbing structure! The stuff never ends!
Okay, Collin is crying, so that's all I've got!!

Backyard Shenanigans

The temperature has finally calmed down here in North Texas. With help from their Grandma Melissa the kids played in the Garden of Eden known as our back yard (work with me here)

Still trying to figure out how to make these blogs easier to read...hope everyone is doing well

Three carseats!!

I definitely had one of those reality moments when I saw all 3 carseats with the kids in them strapped in the minivan! Could not quite believe they are all mine!!
I am glad to be home, although the hospital was wonderful and really like staying in a hotel!! Caroline and I got some quality bonding time!
I am really enjoying her. The second baby (or third) is so different since you are much more relaxed! You can really just stare and enjoy and love on her! She's been very good so far and I am getting some sleep and good naps thanks to my mom. My favorite thing is taking a nap with her in the room in the bassinett next to me!
The boys are adjusting well. They are so young, if it doesn't directly affect them, they're not interested. Jack laughs every time she cries and Collin just does his typical Collin stare at her. He keeps trying to get people who come to visit to take her home.
Thank goodness for my mom! I'm not quite sure how this is all going to work when she leaves, but we'll just go one hour at a time. ... I'm trying to really be present and notice the moments when all 3 are quiet and happy. It really does actually happen quite a bit during the day, but it's much easier sometimes to get caught up when they are all fussy!!
Like right now I'm savoring that Caroline is sleeping in the playpen and the boys are playing in their playroom without fighting. I'm drinking some coffee and publishing this post! And my nice mom is doing my laundry! A very nice morning!!

A baby, some friends and a Jackie

Caroline is home and enjoying herself. Grandma Melissa is doing a great job helping with the boys and Lindsay. Lindsay is doing a great job feeding Caroline.

Our boys were so glad their best friend Haley came over to see them. I hope I am spelling her name correct

Jack is wondering if he can fit in this box. "No Jack, you cannot"