Life Lately #3

These are just everyday moments of life lately over the past month. They aren't special occasions for the most part, but just smiles on sweet faces that are special to me. 

Life Update in Pictures #2

(I'm starting at Life Update #4 because about four days ago I posted the first three life updates and I'm just now getting around to sitting down at the computer again...)

4. Homeschooling/James' Kindergarten:

Of course, anything has it's challenges but overall this homeschooling experience with James has been wonderful. When people ask I often say that it's just the right choice for us with ministry and that is true. When Stephen is off on Monday's we can all enjoy time together as a family and I don't have to rush our kids home early when events end late or worry about sending overtired kids off to school the next day, but even if we were not in ministry I think I would still just desire this opportunity of homeschooling them. I think right now it is just the right choice for us...but we will take each year as it comes and look to God for direction for us in the decision of education or any decision. I'm glad that we live in a country where we have choices, and I really hope that other moms feel empowered to choose whatever is best for their particular family and set of circumstances in the area of raising their kids (even if the choice is different than mine or others). Here are some pictures of our year so far:

We use My Father's World curriculum. I cannot say enough good things about it. It's perfect for our active learner and I love the way that each theme is woven throughout every subject area. I also love the emphasis on reading, hands-on learning, and the biblical truths that he is learning. I am learning so much by teaching him and our days are exciting!

This is just some of our fun, and most days I don't take pictures. We have taken several field trips that are fun for the family but also correspond to the unit that we are on in school including: the zoo, The Space and Rocket Center, botanical gardens, parks, pumpkin patch, apple stand, library trips, and more!

5. Life with my boys is pretty grand, and I'm thankful every day for the gift of their lives. People comment on three boys a lot when we are out in public (usually it's positive), and although it's a wild ride at times I could not imagine life any other way now. There are no pictures of the hard moments, the tears, the discipline that takes place, etc. but those hard times are what makes these times even sweeter. Here is just a random assortment of life with the three (and of course with Joah that is changing so fast) and me (and Stephen when he'll get in on a photo).They grow and change so quickly.:

Most of the pictures above go all the way back to the summer with the fourth of July, visiting my sister in Florida, and Cow Appreciation Day!

And a few more...my 31st birthday, a long weekend in Chattanooga, Joah's first few swims at Nana and Grandpa's pool, Alabama football, etc.

Life Update (in pictures)

I'm so behind documenting family life on here but I'm going to attempt to hit the high points in pictures tonight. We have had a very busy and eventful summer and fall and the blog has just fallen behind, but I'm thankful we at least have lots of memories made and pictures to document, even if I haven't had time to share many here.

1. The most recent change is that about two weeks ago we accepted a position at another church (still in the Birmingham area). We had fully expected to just commute until our house sold, but we were very fortunate that there was a home that was owned by the church and they were able to shift those classrooms to another building allowing us to use the house for as long as we would like or need. We have been very busy packing and moving (while learning a new job, getting our house ready to go on the market, and caring for two kids with Hand, Foot, Mouth), but we are excited about this change and what the Lord has in store. We really feel like we have come home.

We were sad to leave our other church, and the decision was definitely bittersweet but the big and small of it is that we were in a church plant that comes with unique challenges (anyone that has been there knows) and the health of our family was beginning to suffer as a result and we knew that we could not continue in this particular position/place long-term. 

I took a few pictures of some of the rooms that are unpacked and decorated:

The boys have a schoolroom/playroom now.

And we were able to fit the bunk bed, crib, and dressers in the other bedroom. I know this room will be a lot of fun in the very near future, I'm sure.

The kitchen (with play doh everywhere!)

Our living room

I didn't get pictures of our room. There were laundry baskets and other random boxes still hanging out. We also have a great backyard that connects to all the church land with football fields, frisbee golf course, etc. The boys are in heaven.

2. We took a trip to Old Baker Farm for pumpkins with Nana. We were the last ones to leave and so they even let us help bottle feed the calves. 

3. Life with Jude:

Jude still enjoys participating in school with us. He likes/asks to color more than James did at this age (sometimes things he shouldn't), and he is picking up quite a bit from learning a long with us. He called it "apple school" last week when we did a unit study on apples. He often asks "what's it's name?" and "James, I have a question."

He still loves Mike...

I caught him "painting" his toenails blue after asking about my blue toenails. Ha!

And he loves, loves the grinch! He's going to be "the grinch stole christmas" for halloween this year. We found some green, furry fabric for pants that is going to be perfect!

Joah at 5 Months

Wearing:  3-6 or 6-9 month clothing, size 2 or 3 diapers 

Weight and Height:
I don't even have a guess this month but he's growing growing growing!

Appearance: Joah still looks mostly like James but with his own look too. I think he has some similarities to Jude too. His eyes are still light-ish. They are probably going to be blue but some outfits he wears makes them look hazel-ish. I guess we'll wait and see how they end up...Most of his dark has fallen out too and is coming in much lighter. He has the biggest smile! 

Eating: Nursing on demand all the time. He eats usually just once during the night as well. I have not started any solids yet. I'll probably start closer to six months. I'm not really in a rush because I know his meals are nutritionally complete at this age anyway (and just for practice) and because we have been in the middle of moving and transition and honestly I'm just lucky to be getting meals on the table for the rest of us some days. 

Sleeping: still sleeping about 5-7 hours before waking to eat at night (and maybe even regressed a little) He still generally sleeps many times throughout the day with the longest nap probably in the afternoon when Jude (and a lot of days James) naps. He sleeps swaddled in the rock n play but we are transitioning out of it, can sleep unswaddled really well now now *if* he's snuggled up close to me, loves to sleep in the ergo, and he will sleep in the swing at home and in the church nursery. He even fell asleep in the middle of our empty living room floor in the middle of moving this month. The only place he really doesn't enjoy sleeping is being completely alone in his room in his crib...like all my babies. 

Interactions/Development: he is smiling all the time with big open mouthed smiles, he is really watching things and people this month and loves to interact with sweet smiles (he will smile at people until they acknowledge him), cooing, giggling, watching everything, he has found his hands and sticks his whole fist in his mouth and his feet and sticks those in his mouth too, kicking his legs and swatting and grasping at things with his arms (just a lot more active and squirmy this month), holding his head up really well when laying on his tummy, and overall just seems a lot stronger. He is rolling over in both directions and even pulling his knees underneath him like he wants to crawl. He is managing to get all around the floor now somehow. He's able to put his toys and paci in his mouth now and seems to be in the beginning stages of teething.  He also is acting like he wants to sit up when reclined in the chair/swing and lean towards Mama to pick him up. He is also really strong as far as bearing weight on his legs. He has been using the bumbo and exersaucer this month. 

Outings: Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville at the very beginning of the month, his first pumpkin patch experience, we moved to a new home/church still in the Birmingham area, all the regular places, and he's staying very well in the church nursery (sometimes I still take him with me for Sunday School or the service since he's quiet and content.)

Things he seems to like: being held, being worn in the ergo carrier, bath time (big time splashing now!), being outside, his mam pacifiers, watching his big brothers, his play mat, he's enjoying being laid down more now and swinging in his swing, enjoying toys and the exersaucer 

Things he dislikes; being in the car seat especially later at night or when it's dark or really sudden and loud shouts from his brothers (he doesn't mind their regular noisy playful sounds)

Health: he's been very healthy this month! We are so grateful! He's been spitting up more than ever but doesn't seem bothered by it. 

Temperament: He's probably the most happy, easy-going baby of the three! Everyone comments on how happy he is.  

Joah Baby, I absolutely adore being your Mama! These five months with you have gone by way too fast and I don't sweat the small stuff with you because I know it's all the stuff that I'll miss the most before I know it. I'm so thankful for the sweet, precious little boy that you are. I love your big smiles, adorable giggles, and just everything that's uniquely you. I am so grateful that God saw fit to give me a third, special boy to love. I couldn't imagine it any other way. And I hope you know that you are loved always...forever and ever. 
Love, Mama