Thoughts of a Spring Evening

(warning...blurry pictures ahead)

We bought Everett his first swing...

 Tonight was the perfect night to try it out...

 We had perfect weather today that made me crave summer and fall at the same time. One two three push...feel the wind through his silly hair...

I gaze at my hydrangeas coming back. They were so dead and quiet all winter. I pray I wake as they did. 

I glance down at the sight of shoes on the wrong feet, but put proudly on by a three year old, and it makes me ponder. What precious moments are these. 

A giggle that only my heart knows. How I love your smile dear Everett. 

I longingly stare at the sunset, wishing I had more a  view. For every color is created by God for God and for us. I see my surroundings in my view also, just amazed at what I have been blessed with. A fence for my house and a swing set for my children.

Could anything be any sweeter than this Spring's night?

Austin found it. He felt the wind in his hair and opened his mouth to feel it too. 

Dare I even say how big my little man has gotten? One week and he will be five. What a glorious 5 years this has been.

Six hands, 30 toes, 3 faces, and my heart that is complete. Thank you Lord for this sweet night:-)

So tired of sickness

Can this winter be over yet? Or was there even a winter? Seriously, up to 70 today and 50 tomorrow, no wonder my family (and myself) are sick all the time! Just to name a few: random high fevers for Austin and diarrhea, cough and congestion for Logan...seems constant, Mike has been feeling like he is on the edge of a healthy breakdown for a while, drinking Airborne every day, I had pneumonia two weeks ago, OUCH, and poor Everett seems to get it the worst. We were "sick free" for about 5 days and now Everett has another ear infection and croup. It came on so suddenly it frustrates me! I put him to bed last night totally healthy, going for a follow up app today and he woke in the middle of the night with the worst croup he has had yet. And yes, he has had this about 4 or 5 times. I had to sleep in his room because I was so concerned about his breathing and every time I didn't hear him breathing I woke up (his breathing was so noisy). Like I said we already had an appointment today for a follow-up for his last ear infection with ear drum burst. I went in with the hopes of getting some steriods for his throat and going home. But nooooo, another ear infection and they gave us steriods for his throat, but it didn't work. My girlfriend has recommended some home remedies for both, so we are trying that out as well.

Seriously, this is so draining! I just want a healthy family so I don't have to overstock in kleenex and tylenol, or run out and buy a humidfier just in case the vaporizer isn't working. Anyways, I need to see the good in all this...thankful for doctors that are available and for being able to get care when I need it. There...I am thankful:-) I am just praying that Everett isn't an ear tube kind of guy.

Like I said, Everett was fine last night, and I have pictures and video to show of it. Usually when mike isn't home during the evenings (which has been 4 out of 5 nights lately) we have a dance party after dinner because I am procrastinating with the dishes:-) Everett found his "cheesey" face for the camera and every time I went to take his picture, he would make this face:

He looks so much like Logan in this picture:

Austin was doing a few dance moves:

Then I scolded Everett for getting in the TV cabinet and he shot me this face...no noise behind it, just a whiny face:

Wanted to share these few...I was practicing with my new backdrop...love my boys

My boy...my sweet little boy. He was the third boy to steal my heart and continues to melt me from head to toe. He squeezes the hardest, and loves long. He is passionate about what he wants and is so willing to help others. Many times I have heard him trying to break up fights between others. He adores Logan and is such a silly boy with him. He loves his Momma and wants to be just like Daddy. This week he turned 3 years old. This will be a fun year of seeing his personality shoot out even more, growing taller, and becoming even more independent than he is. So blessed to have this little man in my life and as one of my sons.

We decided to have a Top Chef Birthday party

Played "Pin the wooden spoon on the Chef". Blind-folding a bunch of toddlers is hilarious!!

Plates all ready for the decorated cupcakes

Balloon city!!! 

Austin was in awe of the transformation of the house

Cupcakes ready to be played with and decorated by the mini-chefs

Chef-hat cupcakes for the adults...yum yum!!

The chef hats that were created....nice culinary academy huh?

Austin was a bit overwhelmed in the beginning with all the people and the cupcakes out in the open. At least Logan was smiling well!

Austin's masterpiece:-)

Gotta have some good grub for the adults!

Mini-wraps and fruit kabobs for the kiddos

"Happy Birthday to you....Happy Birthday dear Austin!!!"

What a fun day he had! After it was all done and everyone had gone home, I asked him what was his favorite  part of the party. He seriously looked at me with no hesitation and said "All my friends". Awwweee! What a sweet man...thanks so much for those who celebrated with us!!!

Three sweet monsters

Went to the park, took some pics, loved them:-)

This one makes me laugh

This one makes me happy

This one melts my heart:-)

Momma In Focus Friday!

My girlfriend Casey does this on her blog and I haven't done it in forever! Now, it can be hard to get ALL of my boys together for photo, so here is my littlest one and me. It was a beautiful night and the other boys were all sweaty and playing hard on the playground while I just sat and starred at this beautiful creation.

I am starting to think that God knew what he was doing giving me all boys:-) There is something so special about them, so tender, yet rough. When they tell me, a momma, they love me I know it is meant with all their hearts. With boys you have to let go a little more and sooner so they can become a boy/young man/man of God, so this time as little ones I am cherishing more and more. Don't get me wrong, they aren't easy all the time! They fight and punch each other, climb furniture and flip each other over while laughing, and they think dirt is the new clean. Anyways, I am just so happy with my three men that I get to see grow up:-)

Getting a grip

It has been a while...lets say over a year, since I have felt I have had a grip on things. My house, my mothering, my walk with the Lord, and being a wife. Not sure what it is today because usually the rainy days turns me sour the minute I wake up, but I am feeling on top today. Very happy about that.

Life in the Morris household continues with little boys growing up and babies getting bigger. Mike's job situation remains the same...unknown:-) I am hoping in the next month or two we will have a more clear plan. I have "started" my photography business and am very excited about it. My portfolio is fairly complete for now and am starting to charge people. Who knew that I would be doing this someday? I guess it is a good way to bring in a little extra money for the house and I get to be artistic. Something I miss terribly! Mike and I have been budgeting tightly lately, which has made us realize going home to MN really isn't in the picture for Christmas time. We are sad about that, but also excited because our boys are so much older that they will be totally into it. Very excited to explain the Christmas story again to Logan because I am sure he will understand it all the more this year. Oh man...the questions he asks...

"What is inside a tree?"

"What is inside teeth"

"Why do we want to go to heaven?

oh and then he says one night in his bed..."mom, I am afraid of the skeleton inside my body". HA!!

Austin has his own funny things....he points with all of his fingers, makes the funniest confused faces, is starting to potty train a lot more...been dry for about 3 days...except for about 2 accidents. And I love how he says Chick Fil A...."Chik-A-Fil-A"

Anyways, that is quite the tangent. Basically, we are chugging along...things coming up this month: Running a 10K, mike continues training, visit from Papa, more photography and school for the boys!

OH...I have a 6 MONTH OLD!! Here is the little guy in action learning to sit up. A few facts about the little guy:

He has brown eyes still...getting more and more brown every day. Mike is in denial. I think they are beautiful

He has almost mastered sitting up, but I still put pillows next to him so he doesn't bonk his head.

He had croup this past week...awful sounding, got some medication for it and learned he weighs a whopping 18 POUNDS! YIKES! His six month check up is this wednesday.

Still wakes up 2-3 times a night for a feeding and it is hit or miss if he wants to sleep past 5 or not.

Takes about 3 naps a day...two short and one long one.

Eats 3 meals a day usually...rice cereal for breakfast, a small fruit for lunch and a small veggie for dinner.

Has started this funny thing with his lips, he sucks in the top lip and then spits with his lips and toungue...tonight when he was done nursing before bed, he looks at me, sucks in his lip, then spits milk all over my face...couldn't help but laugh at him.

He is in 9 month size clothing, and almost 12 month size pants with his cloth diapers. Which, by the way, have become second nature to us...very glad for that.

Logan still LOVES to play with him, although he has become more rough with him lately. Just today Everett was on his belly and with his cloth diapers his bum is pretty padded. So we found Logan squatting and bouncing on Everett's bum. Seriously kid?

Everett must know he is our last because he is such a cuddle bug. After every time he nurses he just lays his head on my shoulder while I pat his back or rub it. It melts my heart every time! Just the other day he fell asleep on my shoulder! He can be so lovely and smiley at me...it just makes me so happy:-)

I will have his 6 month photos coming up soon!!

Beautiful boy...I know I am partial though

I tied some strings for Logan and he hung his super heros on it...so fun for a little boy with a growing imagination.

Woody hanging on for dear life!

Getting down and in Everett's face...but making him laugh!