Arguing

I don't get it. What is the point of arguing? Jordan insists on arguing with everything we say. He always has to have the last word, even if it means he will get in trouble. For those of you that know my husband, you know exactly where he gets it :) Anyway, I asked him why he continues to argue when he knows it won't work and he knows he will get in trouble for it. His answer was "I don't know. I just don't know how to stop. I try not to argue but I can't help it." He also cries about whatever he is arguing about. He is a very emotional child, so I get that part, but it is really trying my patience right now. The point of this post is really just to vent. Luke copies everything Jordan does, and this is something he is starting to pick up and I can't stand it. We have let a lot of things slide over the summer with Campbell being here and everything, but it has gotten totally out of hand. We are definitely "parenting outside the funnel" for all you Growing Kids God's Way graduates. O well. This, too, shall pass. I hope.

Happy Birthday Zachary!

Luke, Zach, Cooper and Knox (This picture was taken last September.)


One of Luke's best friends, if you have best friends at age 2, turns 2 today. We have been in a Bible study group together for going on 4 years now. These 4 boys were born all within 5 weeks of each other. They are all 2 now and it is so fun to be around them. I actually meant to do a birthday post for each of them, but I have been kind of busy ;) Sorry boys! What a blessing it is to have this group!

Please pray...

A couple that we used to go to church with, Paul and Erika Maple, lost their baby girl, Eden Elizabeth, about a week and a half ago. She was born on July 9. I don't know all the details, but I do know she was supposed to have heart surgery as soon as she was born. Anyway, she died on July 14. My heart is so heavy for them. I can't imagine what they are feeling right now. Please lift them in prayer. They also have a toddler-age son and I believe his name is Riley. Thanks.

I've been tagged...

Thanks Tam! 8 habits/facts about myself:
1. I got married when I was 19 to my first love! Almost 11 years and 4 kids later, we are still in love.
2. I talk all the time about wanting to be more organized, but it's just talk. I just don't have it in me.
3. I don't play enough. In fact, once in some counseling, one of my assignments was to play. How sad is that!?!
4. Singing is my favorite thing to do. I would love to be on a professional praise team, like the one that travels with Beth Moore.
5. Martina McBride is my favorite singer.
6. I love my grandparents.
7. I would love it if I loved to cook, but I just don't.
8. I have the best friends in the world!
9. I wish I had a better relationship with God. I had a discussion with Him about this last night.

OK. I know I said 8, but I had to add one more.
I typed the last two with one hand. Campbell just wouldn't wait any longer.

Wow...

First of all, let me say that I love connecting to long lost friends through the blog world! I have connected with a couple of high school friends in the last couple of days. So fun!

Now, back to the "wow" part. For some reason, having four kids has knocked me off my feet unexpectedly. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing else I'd rather be doing. I guess I just didn't realize how hard it was going to be. When I had Jordan, I knew I had found my calling. I loved everything about being a mom, and still do. When he was 15 months old, Claire was born. I don't remember the first six months of her life. It was CRAZY. Funny thing is, I didn't realize how crazy it was until about a year later. Needless to say, we waited a while before having more. When Luke was born, Jordan was 5 and Claire was 4. They weren't in that "needy" phase anymore, so I could focus on Luke and they were actually a big help. Well, Luke turned 2 a month after Campbell was born and, honestly, I didn't expect it to be this hard. She is a good baby, but there were several weeks where all she wanted to do was nurse. Luke didn't understand that, so he would just stand there in front of me and cry because I couldn't help him. There is no schedule, I forget to eat, I have NO time to myself. It has just been harder than I pictured.

That having been said, there is NOTHING in the world that I would rather be doing right now. I know that God put me on this earth to be a mom. With all the hardships, frustrations, and everything that goes with parenting, I am content. Content with my role, content to do without some material things to stay home, content in my marriage, just content with life in general. I mean, yes there are things that I would love to have, things that I would love to be different (like having time to go to the gym!), but I love my life. I am continually overwhelmed at the life God allowed me to have despite my shortcomings. He is awesome and I love Him so much. Thank you God for giving me the life of my dreams.

8 weeks!

I can't believe my baby girl is eight weeks old today! I have to admit, the last two months have been harder than I thought it would be. But looking at this sweet face everyday sure makes things easier! I am so incredibly blessed, definitely beyond my wildest dreams. I hope you enjoyed the pictures!

I'm still alive...barely.

Just wanted to let everyone know I am still here. I was trying to think of what to blog about, but honestly, I am just too tired. Campbell is doing well, but nursing around the clock. Can't quite figure that out, so I don't have a lot of free time right now. It is wearing me out, but I am trying to stick with it. The kids start back to school in less than two weeks. We are all ready for that! Hope everyone is doing okay. I will try to post some new pictures in a couple of days.