I love the backyard!

I truly enjoy our back yard. It provides us with much fun and relaxation, and has become a very popular spot for the kids to play freely.

We had the pleasure of hosting a costume party at our home this year. It was all because we were going to miss our dear friends, the Steel's, that we had grown accustom to attending, and decided instead of moping, we would host one and just use all their good ideas. Here is a great shot from the sack races.

The kids love playing in the rain.

He "didn't want to get wet". He cracks me up.

They take turns pushing each other in that thing.

And who could resist the hammock?
Note: I'm not sure if you remember that Mike wanted this beauty hanging in our home, but look where it ended up! I'm very pleased, and it was from no work of my own, but rather the simple fact that it would not fit where he wanted it. I'm so sad. (sarcasm)

The beginning of long adventure.

Aggie Rae had another ear check-up today. It was quite long, as the hearing testing takes a bit of time, and requires a still baby. The Lord was kind and Aggie was more cooperative than I would have imagined possible. They mentioned at her last appointment that "it is best if she sleeps during testing", hint hint. Since she is not on a schedule that I can manipulate, or predictable in any way, I just started praying then. The Lord was so gracious! She slept for nearly 1.5 hours in my arms. It was really amazing b/c the whole time she had a clip attached to each ear lobe,( it was tight too b/c there are still marks), she also had probes in each ear, and a metal probed taped to her forehead, and is was making loud noises in her ears. To top it all she is really out of the sleepy newborn phase, she is 4 months now and has a much more significant amount of awake time. I'm just saying all this b/c it really is amazing that she slept so long and so well in these circumstances! The unfortunate thing of it all is that, she really needed to sleep about 30 min. longer. :( So her left ear tested "inconclusive" which is important b/c her right ear has "significant hearing loss" we learned after her testing today. So now we need to learn how much or little the left ear is working to know what kind of correction she might need. We are being referred again. I'm not certain at this point the steps that will be taken, we may need to see an ENT first, but our final destination is likely The University of Florida speech and hearing clinic in Gainesville, about 6 hours from here. They deal with these things often and will be best suited to diagnose and treat our little baby doll. The part I'm unsure about is who we see next. There may be some steps we need to take with our insurance before we get to our final destination. I will be calling the clinic nurse tomorrow to start figuring out what needs to happen next. She has another well-check in two weeks for her low weight, so worse case scenario I will discuss it with her Dr. then who is the one who will be doing the referring.

4 month Well report

Well Aggie had her 4 month well check today. Honestly it was a little disappointing. I do believe God is Sovereign, so I'm holding fast to that. But the sweet little girl weights the exact same as she did last month, sigh. 9 lb. 14oz. Though the Dr. didn't think panic was necessary, and I agree, she did want to take steps to make up for it. The good news is she is now old enough to start cereal, which I wouldn't ordinarily do yet, but given the circumstances we'll give it a go. Also she wants her to eat every 2 hours again. I hold no promises there, I'm not sure that our life would allow for it, but I will of course do my best to get her as many calories as possible. Also 2 months ago the Dr. had me switch how we nurse, doing only one side per feeding, but since then her weight gain has been less, only 1 lb the first month and now this. I didn't think to ask the Dr. at her appt. about this b/c I was distracted by Hosea peeing his pants, but I think I'm going back to doing both sides, since she was gaining above average, 2pounds per month on that. She also isn't lifting her head as well or high as they would prefer, so we are headed to physical therapy for that. That should be interesting? So not the best news a mom wants to hear, but let me assure you that Aggie looks healthy and sweet to me, just a little smallish, which is super cute and helps to capitalize on her winter wardrobe. She is responding to sounds and starting to baby babble and baby converse with us, i am so enjoying her and watching her react to her environment. What a ray of sunshine she is.

A Quote from "Becoming God's True Woman"

"As women, we are created to be life bearers. Our bodies have been designed with the ability to mother-to receive, carry and bear young. In fact, our bodies prepare themselves repeatedly to conceive and bear young. We express our femininity by gratefully embracing every stage of childbearing, receiving and nurturing each child as a gracious gift from God." -Carolyn Mahaney

So......How is life with Three???

I've been getting this question a lot. I haven't come up with an answer yet, so I thought I'd give it a shot.

It seems like three children is the maximum to an American average? Most people stop after three, if they haven't already. But we know so many lovely larger than average families that our mere three seem like child's play. Let me assure you, that is not my view at all.

Honestly, it is exhausting, but exhilarating. Hard but fun. Frustrating, but peaceful. It is what God has called me to right now, to serve my husband and three small children and care for our home. See the thing is, "it is all meaningless, a chasing after the wind" (Ecc.), except with Christ it is so much more than that. My heart longs to be with my Savior, and yearns for my children to have the same longing. So that is my focus right now, and hopefully, by the grace of God my focus everyday. I am doing my best to glorify my Lord in the context of our home. He gives me joy when I'm faithful, because He loves me. He is so faithful to rebuke me when I fail because He loves me. He is so faithful to catch me when I fall because He loves me. So I've had some successes and some failures, and have been face down in the preverbal mud, but He still loves me. He is sufficient in my deficiencies. And I pray that He blesses my meager efforts for His great purposes. I trust He will, He is so faithful!

Now for some pictures.


This is Shiloh waiting to be released from "quiet room time", I fell asleep on the couch, so it was longer than planned and longer than usual.

I just thought this was funny.

Hosea come to "cuddle" with me after his nap, which was also obviously my attempt to nap. He fell asleep on me, and I was doing my best to doze also and Mike came home just in time to capture it.

Now you might be thinking, it sounds like she's getting a lot of naps, but let me assure you that is not the case. Getting 3 little people quiet long enough for a nap to occur is a gift from heaven.


Did I mention it was exhausting?

Heart melting

An update with words

Things have been a little busy around here. With Hosea potty training, Aggie and Mike's Dr. Appts. and another visit from Grandma and Grandpa, the computer has not been much a priority. But I'll say this. Mike is well, praise the Lord for that! I know I didn't post on this, but if you heard from word of mouth, he had some unusual blood work and over the course of 2 months several tests. Thankfully the Lord has healed him, his blood is now normal with no explanation other than God's kindness. Aggie can hear in her Left ear, for certain. Her right ear will be re-tested Nov. 2nd. I am so thankful for this, as long as one is working normal development with language can be expected! We had a great time with Grandma and Grandpoo, the kids adore them and they were very helpful with Dr. appts. and we even got a date!! The "potty-train" has slowed down a bit, we are having some regression and I'm unable to give him the attention I wish I could. He is about 70% on the right track. I'm praying for patience and wisdom. I had a new niece and nephew born this month. We are planning a trip to MO for thanksgiving, I can't wait to meet them! Mike has been working more, 2 flights a day. He comes home pretty late and worn out, and is having to work at least 2 weekends a month. I'm praying God gives me the strength and energy to serve and love him during this busy season. I find myself pretty exhausted frequently, but it forces me to rely on God's grace which is a pretty sweet place to be actually. Otherwise I find my self slipping into self-sufficiency which is not pleasing to the Lord. All-in-all we are doing better than we deserve.