Questions

As you can imagine the questions that have come out of having this new little bundle have been across the board since we got home.

I wanted to record a few just because they are so stinkin' cute/funny/please-go-ask-your-daddy-embarrassing, that I don't want to forget them, ha!

Areyna has asked me several times where the baby comes out, but it is in front of tiny ears and out of pure uncertainty as to how to answer have asked her to remember to ask when she is alone with me.  Well, she decided to ask Nonnie at the dinner table while we were at the hospital instead, who gave a rather crafty reply, although I'm not quite sure the kids bought it:)

Zeke, while watching me feed Jude: "WHAT is he doing?!"

Areyna: "How dark was it in your tummy?"
Me: "Very dark.  There isn't any light in there."
Areyna: "Well, why not?"
Me: "It's not like you can turn a little light on in there."
Areyna was satisfied with that one.

Cai: "I want the baby's milk."
Me: "Um...nope!"

Areyna: "When will Jude be big enough for me to feed him?" (from a bottle I presume:)

Alethia: "Baby tummy?"
Me: "Not any more!  G-daddy is holding the baby that was in mommy's tummy.  Now he is YOUR baby too!"


Cai: "Baby cute!"
Cai just keeps bringing toys and "bubbies" to stuff in his face:)

Areyna: "When will Jude stop eating I want to hold him!!!"

It's been a time of learning for all.

The View From Here

Hooray Meals

Who needs a McDonald's Happy Meal when Nonnie brings her own "Hooray Meal" to the house?!

With as many kids as we have who can afford Happy Meals these days?  Well, you don't have to worry about breaking the bank with Nonnie's patented "Hooray Meal".

Each Meal Includes:
1 Gift Bag - Gender Appropriate
1 Baggie of Tyson Chicken Nuggets (amount may vary depending on the child's appetite)
1 Baggie of French Fries (cooked, from the freezer)
1 Baggie of Fresh Fruit (amount and type may vary depending on the stockpile in the refrigerator)
1 Baggie with a fun toy in it (thought out in love for each child, of course;)

These "Hooray Meals" have been all the craze in the house as Nonnie has brought enough supplies for 4 of them during her stay!  The BONUS toy at the end of the 4th Hooray Meal is the gift bag to stuff full of whatever your little heart desires.

Thanks, Nonnie, for the fun memories you have made with our kids over the past week and a half:)  We're sure going to miss you!

The View From Here

Date(s) Day

My mom gifted us with an afternoon lunch date the day before Valentines to get out, just the two of us, just to enjoy each others company.  I wouldn't want to spend an afternoon with anyone more than my best friend:)

But even after our date together we still had plenty of little Valentine's needing to spend some special time with us.  We ended up having a day full of dates yesterday.

Josh decided to take his girls out for an afternoon at the salon.  He told me that Alethia absolutely LOVED her first manicure...if you couldn't already tell from the pictures:)  Then they finished off the afternoon with some ice cream.

Then I decided that while the 2 littlest(s) were sleeping, that Zeke and I would sneak out for our own little date.  We took a stroll through the library as he helped pick out books for each of his siblings.  He is a giver and this was a perfect way to show his brothers and sisters love, by picking out books that he thought each one of them would love.  Then we headed over to Sweet Cici's and indulged in some awesome ice cream.

Yes I am very well aware that the weather was beautiful outside yesterday and that my little stud looked like he was ready for a blizzard, but that's how he rolls:)

And what better way to end the evening that a family sized fort!  By the way, my mom came across the most brilliant idea!  Fitted bed sheets are fabulous for fort building.  They fit perfectly across the tops of chairs and tables...brilliant I tell you!

It's All About The Choice From Your Heart

I LOVE Valentine's Day!

I love making it fun for the kids.

I love sneaking special little notes around the house for Josh.  And I can always tell when he's come across one of them when I hear a little giggle.  Yes, giggle:)

I love thinking about all the little things that make me love each individual in my family.

I love taking a special day out of the year just for expressing that love for those closest to me whom God has placed in my life.

But, last night as I was cutting hearts and decorating for our fun day it continued to get interrupted by two girls fighting over covers and bed space and boys crying for another sip of water and just "one more kiss from Baby Jude". 

When it was time to start thinking of all the cute little things that I loved about each one of those kids who occupy those not-so-quiet rooms in our house, it quite honestly felt a little forced at first.  I knew that it was just a feeling and that it would pass and I decided to continue.  It didn't take long for my heart to soften, thinking of the way Zeke likes to give gifts to everyone, no matter what day it is, or the way Areyna helps so much with all her brothers and sister.  Then there is Alethia and that contagious smile of hers, and the way that Cai can look so darn cute as he carries out a disobedient act, making it almost impossible to discipline him.  And I can't forget sweet little Jude and his snuggles and smell and little fohawk:)

Then there is the man who is my best friend who I get to live life with.  I could go on and on about the things that I love about that man!

This morning as the kids came out of their rooms giggling with delight at the paper trail of hearts on the floor...

And the name places on the table...

And paper heart chandelier,

I was reminded of how sometimes it can seem hard to love those around us.  At times it may be burdensome, even forced, but love isn't something that always comes naturally, especially when there is any certain amount of whining or fighting with the other involved party:)  But love is a choice.  We can choose to give up when it gets hard to love that hard-to-love other person, or make that choice to work at it...

The View From Here

Welcome To The World

 Meet

Jude Warren Via

Born: February 9, 2012

7lb. 4oz

Welcome to the family sweet boy!

We love you already...

Pretty Sure

I'm pretty sure I totally just fought through contractions to shave my legs in the shower this morning.

I'm pretty sure I just sacrificed 99% of my air supply, through contractions, to give a fresh coat of polish to my toenails.  (A girl has GOT to look good when she is going into labor;)

I'm pretty sure that Josh and I have been talking like this trip to the hospital is a quick little getaway from the chaos of the already 4 excited children in our house, ha!

I'm pretty sure I am more than excited to see if I will be coming face-to-face with a little Jude or a little Talitha.

I'm pretty sure that I am more than ready to be done being pregnant for the rest of my life.

I'm pretty sure that Areyna was born 5 days late, Zeke was due on his due date, Cai was only 1 day late and that #4 (born to me) is coming on his/her due date...

Because I'm pretty sure that our baby is coming TODAY!

Oh Happy Day, it's Thursday:)