Some highlights from the last few weeks:
The day to day stuff of raising kids has its good and hard moments, but it does seem to be a lot more good currently. I'm so thankful for the little moments of playing on our bed, watching the three of them interact with each other as they play pretend or cheer Clara on as she walks and learns new things. I'm realizing that I need to be better about praying for their relationships with one another now, and into the future. I want them to always love and encourage each other, and to cheer for one another in whatever they pursue in life. Having siblings be your friends is the best!
We've had some trips to the zoo, although we're in a tough stage of Jonah not wanting to walk very much, and Clara not wanting to ride in the stroller. But we'll keep at it, and hopefully cooler weather will arrive soon and we can go more often!
Luke had his birthday (finally the same age as me again!) and it was a quiet family day. Luke got up early to ride with our neighbor, and then we had Chick Fil A for lunch and made homemade potstickers for dinner. We played with the self timer on my phone and got some silly family pictures.
Every Monday we hang out with moms from our church, and got a tour of one of the local fire stations.
Jonah and I get some quiet lunch time together while Noelle is at school and Clara is napping. And then he runs off to play video games to I can have a few minutes of peace. Luigi is his favorite, and has decided that's who he will be for Halloween. :)
Clara is growing and developing quite the personality. She is stubborn, silly, wants her way, only has four teeth, says hi, mama, dada, and (I think) book. She walks like a pro, and is still holding strong as a daddy's girl. Loves Luke SO much!
We've been to Lucky Ladd Farm a few times, and pony rides are a favorite! Clara even rode once while I held on to her. Now that it's fall, we'll have to go a bunch of times to enjoy all the fall festivities!
Jonah started his pre-K program! He loves it, and continues to say that nap time is his favorite. He hasn't napped since he was 2.5, and doesn't actually fall asleep at school, but he enjoys it. He has his best buddy from church in his class, and a new friend who also loves Super Mario Brothers (or so we hear, anyhow.)
Clara is the goofiest goober! She takes one nap a day, and I try to time it just right so she at least has the opportunity to nap for two hours. It's been a balance since I need to leave the house around 1:30 on the days Jonah has school, but at 2:30 on the days when only Noelle has school. I think we're getting into a routine, though there was one day last week when Clara just straight up didn't nap and went to bed at 6:20 instead. :)
On Tuesdays and Thursdays when it's just me and Clara, we're finding things to do, or just coming home and cleaning up. We try to get to the library once a week, and while she doesn't always last through story time, she loves the train table and seeing all the other kids playing.
Noelle and Clara have a few matching outfits and I try to get pictures when I can! I know they'll only let me do it for so long!
Noelle is loving first grade. She's doing well and says her favorite is math, and she's also learning a chant about all the presidents, which Luke and I find ourselves repeating over and over. George Washington was number one. He carried a knife and a heavy gun. He served from 1789 to 1797. He wore false teeth and stopped the whiskey rebellion.
Baby girl wants to be just like her big brother and sister and carry around a backpack!
And another favorite is putting something on her head, often Jonah's (hopefully clean) underwear.
This crazy crew has me feeling oh so tired, but I love them SO much!
I mean, how can that smile and tiny pony tail not make you happy?!?
And I couldn't do it without Luke. Being away from family has made us really learn to lean into each other even more, and we're both seeing God at work in our lives and growing us in Himself in such big ways. I'm so thankful for an unchanging, loving God who wants nothing but His best for me. I'm in a season of being challenged, and He's giving me a hunger for Himself that I hope and pray does not fade away!
