Keep Calm

I love the rare moments when an aura of calm falls over our home.

 

Moments like last night after dinner.

 

I was in the kitchen cleaning up.

 

 Henry was reading quietly on the couch.

 

Claire was in her bedroom singing to her dollies.

 

Matt was putzing around the backyard, feeding the dog and checking his garden.

 

And Adam was in the family room, doing somersault in his underwear while yelling like a death metal rocker through an empty paper towel roll.

 

 

Science (fiction)

 

Is there anything cooler than a tomato worm?!

 

They might not be the best thing to celebrate (if you're an avid gardener like my sweet husband), but the kids sure love them. In fact, the 3 oldest spent an hour in our garden collecting them this morning.

 

 

 

 

Collecting was followed by hands-on observation.

(aka - squeezing the poop out of them)

 

 

Which was then followed by an internet search detailing the ins and outs of the creatures.

(the worms were allowed to watch the video clips also)

 

Our two favorite clips included a young boy who routinely does nature videos in his yard and an old man who found great joy in hunting for the camouflaged worms and then smashing them with his shoe.

 

All of our scientific research lead us to just one conclusion:

 

Henry: "Oh Adam! Look at this one!"

Adam: "Yup. These are definitely aliens!"

*     *     *

 

Just after I completed this post, I realized Claire was missing.

This is how and where I found her ...

 

 

 



A Word From the Boss

I received my job performance evaluation last week.

Phew! What a relief. Because that evaluation could have gone much differently. Let's be honest, I don't frequently hear those glowing reviews from my dependents. They are very quick to tell me when the food I make is gross. They don't hesitate to talk back when I ask them to do something.  They certainly let me know when they have better ideas than me. But they don't often chime in with, "I love you mommy ... you're the best mom ever."

When I was a working woman, before I became a stay-at-home-and-work-my-tail-off-woman, I received job performance evaluations all the time. Every job I've had came with an evaluation of some sort. My college job, my teaching jobs, my managerial jobs. I received regular feedback on my job performance every step of the way. And then I became a mom - the single most important job I've ever had - and the performance evaluations stopped.

 

 

Some days, I'm just fine with figuring this gig out on my own. But lots of days, I just want a little feedback. Something. Anything, really. And not from the little people who benefit (or not) from my tactics. But from one slightly more mature who sees, day in and day out, just how I handle this bunch of Barron's. And on those days, which are usually filled with a fair amount of self-doubt, I have to remind myself that I am not alone. That there is one who see my actions, knows my heart and hears my thoughts. And not only is He watching me. He is most certainly in my corner, lovingly cheering me on as I tackle my highest calling.

 

So when Henry secretly records a video to tell me, "You're the best mom ever" I not only hear his sweet words. I also choose to hear the voice of God encouraging me along the way.

 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:23-24

A

Big Guy On Campus

We dropped Adam off for his first day of preschool 4 hours, 3 minutes and 26 seconds ago. And I leave to pick him up in 27 minutes. Give or take. Not that I'm counting.

He was so very excited this morning. He tried to play it cool, but try as he might he couldn't keep a grin from lighting up his face. He woke up and wanted to take a bath so he would "smell nice." He was eager to comb his hair and brush his teeth. He quietly got dressed but proudly declared, "This is what I'm wearing to school today, Momma" when he came out of his room. When we were driving to school we prayed for Adam, letting everyone who wanted to chime in. He mumbled a prayer for me in the backseat. He was excited about his new lunch box and water bottle and proudly carried it from the car to his classroom. He "played" with other kids on the playground, ran and found his teacher when the bell rang, and didn't look one bit like he was going to miss me. I can't say the same.

I am so excited for Adam. Excited that there are 19(!) boys in his class. Excited that his teachers are caring and loving. Excited that he is more than ready for this newly found independence. I'm excited that he is spreading his wings and confidently wondering into the world beyond the walls of our home.

Dear Heavenly Father,
You created my Adam. You know his heart and his mind. As he begins this journey go before him and walk beside him. Please grant him sweet friendships, teachers that understand him and a mind that is ripe for learning. Give him words to express himself clearly. Grant protection over his sweet body and mind. Give him a heart to see those around him as you do. And give him a desire to be obedient to you and his teachers.
Amen

3 Month Roundup

 

 

Emily Anne is 3 months old today.

 

She is just as sweet as she looks. And then some.

 

Just for fun I've included a couple pictures of the other kids at 3 months of age. 

 

I've had many people say that Emily is the missing link connecting all my kids. I think they might be right! I see a bit of Claire in the first picture of Emily above. I see Adam in the second picture. And I see Henry in the 3rd and 4th pictures.

 

 I just love all these babies!

 

 

*      *      *

Henry Thomas - 3 months  

 
 
 
 





 

Adam Scott - 3 months

 

 

 

 

 

Claire Elise - 3 months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 
 
 
 



 



The Best Fish in the Sea

Matt got home from his fishing trip late last night.

 

When I came out of our bedroom this morning he was coloring on the couch with Henry and Claire.

 

As I was picking up a bit later I found this ...

Be still my heart.

 

(I sure caught a good one)

Gone Fishin'

 

Matt was on a guys trip the past few days. It can be summed up like this ...

 

 

You're probably guessing my time at home with the 4 kids looked something like this ...

 

Well you couldn't be more wrong. And I'm so glad!

 

The kids and I had hands down the best few days we've had in months. It could have been the fact that I promised myself I wouldn't browse the internet on my phone during their awake hours. Maybe it was because I let the boys watch 2 hours of T.V. every afternoon guilt free while I did whatever I wanted around the house. It could be that Emily consistently takes a 4 hour afternoon nap (!!!!) these days. I know for a fact that I was praying from sunup to sundown. And I also may or may not have finished these 2 items ... (and then some).

 

 

While the "why" behind it may be a mystery I do know for certain that I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the kids while Matt was away. I've known about this trip for 7 months. During those 7 months I imagined the worst. But I never expected the best! What a wonderful surprise.

 

Here are some of the highlights.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tummy Time Out

Our pediatrician would like Emily to have a total of one hour of tummy time everyday.

 

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

 

That's funny. And not realistic at all in this house.

 

Here's why ...

 

We start out doing so great! It's hard work, but she's getting stronger

 

 

But then big sister wants in on the action...

 

 

 

Harmless enough. Until Emily is suddenly being drug across the room.

 

 

 

 

And tummy time turns into "nose in the corner time."

And ends with "I'm sorry" time. 

 

 

And that's tummy time in the Barron house. 

 

3 whole minutes of it.

 

Just 57 more to go before sundown.

 

(yeah right)