Siblings

Today after lunch Lulu and Levi were playing cars and having a really fun time together. Ila May wanted to sit on my lap and be cuddled so Ila and I sat and watched them play. All of the sudden her eyes got heavy and she was out! Lulu and Levi ran over and both kept saying "oh she's so sweet", "she's so cute" and they gave her kisses while she slept through it all.

27 Weeks

I'm 27 weeks pregnant!!  I'm feeling great and that's been about the first time in 27 weeks!!!  I have been enjoying feeling little Silas move and kick.  That feeling never gets old!  That's the best part of pregnancy.  I love just going about my day not thinking too much about being pregnant and then I get stopped in my tracks by a kick or wiggle.  It just makes me stop and smile.  I feel like it's God's gift to a pregnant mommy so we can stop and enjoy the amazing blessing pregnancy is, even when you don't feel so great. I think I can speak for most pregnant moms that feeling your baby move can override any sickness or pain you might be having and make you smile. 

Last night as a family we snuggled in our bed and watched home videos from when Lulu was a newborn up until she was about 2.  It was so fun to watch.  Mark and I just couldn't believe how different life is now with 3 and our 4th on the way vs. just having one baby.  We are enjoying our family so much more the more children we have.  I think we were pretty clueless and I remember being scared to stay home with a baby.  It was terrifying for me!  I eventually enjoyed it but I also remember feeling so overwhelmed with boredom, loneliness and not knowing what I was doing.  I find it much easier to have 3 children then one now knowing what I know.  I can see why people stop at 1 or 2 because it's hard!  But Mark and I last night after putting the kids to bed stood in the hall and just smiled at how much we love and enjoy our children.  It's a lot of work, it's a pleasure and the fruit of that work is so rewarding.  I feel like I grow so much as the Lord molds me with each new baby. I love being a mom and I love being married to Mark.  I can't wait to hold our new baby Silas.  He's already so loved and we are so excited to hold and kiss him.  I'm not stressed or scared or worried because I know that God will get us through anything that might come up and that each day is a gift so I'm going to enjoy it because it goes so fast.    

Levi

 At the end of January we went to dinner at our friends home.  They live out in the country and have goats.  It was so cold out, about zero degrees so Mark and Levi were the only ones to go on the tour of the property.  

Snow Day

 On Jan. 29 it snowed again!!!  We love the snow and of course take a snow day.  

We all made a snowman.  This snow fall was a bit more wet so it was easy to roll the snow.  Last snow day we tried but it was so dry nothing would stick.  We aren't used to dry snow, back in WA we always had wet snow.  So it was fun to be able to make this snow man.  

Then it got hot so the coasts came off.  

Date Night

 While my mom was visiting, Mark and I got to have a date night.  My brother and his wife gave Mark and I a gift certificate to Fork for Christmas.  We had a great time and a wonderful dinner.  This restaurant is right in downtown Boise.

Here is a picture Mark took of Downtown Boise.  Isn't it beautiful?  

My Mom

We had a wonderful visit with my mom.  It wasn't long enough!  The day she flew home I think I cried myself to sleep.  And then cried the next day too.  I think it takes a really good cry after such a wonderful visit to be able to get back to normal.  We miss my parents so much!!

What we did:

Read tons of books

Decorated Cookies

Did homeschool

Did Grandma Class - she taught the kids about Oranges and Giraffes 

Made Valentines cards

Played!!!!

Cooked

Slept

Shopped

My mom rubbed my feet!!!

My mom pampered me

Gave lots of hugs and kisses

Did family Bible time with my mom

Prayed

Went for a walk

Watched two John Wayne Westerns from the 1930's after the kids were in bed

TALKED!!! 

And more that I probably can't think of.  

I sure can't wait till March when my dad and my mom both come for a visit!!