My 3 Year Old

At this time 3 years ago I had been snuggling this guy for 2 hours.

The birthdays of  my children are sweet moments for me, as they probably are for most parents.

As Landon celebrates with cupcakes and candles, I quietly ponder the speed of time.

Here he is at 3 years old.  It's truly amazing.

Happy 3rd birthday Landon!

Wow.  If I could stop the hands of time...I wouldn't.  Watching you grow from inside my belly to the big boy you now are has been a gift from God.  You are so full of life and so smart!  Nothing excites you more than an awesome truck or following your older brother.  You enjoy snuggling still which is something I'll be soaking up as long as possible.  You started school this month for the first time.  We've never been apart for this length of time during the week and you are doing fantastic.  When I drop you off you barely have time to say goodbye due to all the cool things to do there.  We enjoy you so much little man, your Daddy, Isaac, Hadley and I.  You are a wonderful little boy and I know God has great things planned for your life.

And I love you sweet boy.

Happy birthday.  

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.

Isaiah 48:17

Labor Day

Happy Labor Day!

We are spending the day doing homework and hanging out with the kiddos.

These pictures lately have been from my phone.  I'm not completely impressed with the quality, but the ease of getting them from phone to computer makes it worth it sometimes. 

This guy is smitten with Hadley.  Can't get enough of her!

Sewing plans!  Pattern on Etsy.

 Landon loving on Hadley.

The first 2 months of her life were hard on him.  He had been the baby up until then.  Thankfully he is warmed up to her now.  

Sorry if you follow my Instagram (@3_little_fish) and get all of these already :)

Chanciepants grading homework.  This is what I mean by low quality pictures.

If you don't hold the phone just right, it doesn't do well at all.

The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statues!

Psalm 119:64

Hadley and Reading

Linking up with Megan! 

Yesterday Isaac was born.  What is happening to the time?

I can barely stand the cuteness here.  Hadley is trying crushed up cheerios and water in a sippy cup for the first time.  She looks thrilled don't you think?

And today she started to crawl.  I don't even know what to say.

I can't get the video to upload so you can view it here.

I am a week into my English classes after changing majors twice.  I have figured out, since last Wednesday, how to read 200-250 pages of 19th century British Literature in one day.

Fun.  Let me tell ya.

I have actually been enjoying our first book in one of my classes and today the professor gave away the end.  Not cool.

But I do love going into the library, grabbing an iced blueberry green tea and reading.  I'm pretty sure I could be a student forever.  Chance suggested I just go ahead and get my MFA.  

That would require truly being a student FOREVER.  We'll see.

Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."

John 6:29

5 on Friday

Linking up with Darci again.

I love this one!

1

I have had the sewing itch lately.  I started this quilt 4 years ago.  Someday I will finish it.  Someday.

2

We are enrolling buddy in fall soccer like last year.  Thankfully I won't be 20 some weeks pregnant and coaching him.

3

The first day of school went smoothly.  The kids all had a pretty good day.  Hadley's teacher said she had a rough morning. I'm certain it's either because (1) I wasn't there or (2) she likes to lay on a Boppy while eating instead of being held.

I'm sure it's totally number 1.

And this is our outtake picture :)

4

I help organize a women's ministry outreach at our church each 

month.  Our first one was a few weeks ago and it was a success.  God completely blew us away with His goodness at the event.

The next one is September 5 from 6-7:30.  If you're in the area come join us!  Coffee, fellowship and a speaker I know will make you laugh and do some deep thinking! 

And if you are interested in doing this at your church, you can get a starter kit at www.girlfirendscafe.org.

5

I am lucky enough to have a photographer best friend.  We decided 

family pictures were in order this October.  The beautiful fall background and cool weather will be perfect.  It shall be fun!  I love searching Pinterest for picture ideas.

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He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:32

First Day of School

First day of school! First day of school!--Nemo 

 Everyone is exited around here for the first day of school. Preschool, college, and teaching for us. The kid all did awesome being dropped off today. Definitely a blessing. Here are my cuties this morning before school.

By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

Psalm 42:8

Goooosfraba

Does anyone know where that word is from?

It's an old word Eskimo women used to calm their children

;)

I use it to make myself laugh when I'm stressed.

The boys have been extra restless lately.  I think it may be the lack of outdoor time the have here at our current house.  There isn't a ton of room inside and the yard is close to a road.  But never fear!  My dad is building us a makeshift fence to use while we live here.  

This verse below really spoke to me the other night.  I had lost my temper with Landon.  Once he was in bed the tears started flowing.  I felt terrible.  So I went to my bible.  Sometimes even after almost 20 years as a Christian, I wonder how God could love me enough to forgive the things I do.  Thankfully He does even when I feel that way.  I should never doubt Him.  He has never forsaken me.  Not even once.  Maybe you'll find a piece of encouragement from these verses.

Here is Hadley and Chance swimming together.  

This picture just melts me!  They have a special bond.

The kids, Nini and I out on a pitch black no street lamp walk with the babies.  Maybe we should leave a little sooner :)

Cleaning out the garage.  We were using some items from the house to make a "do not pass this line" marker.  The road is just a little too close for my comfort.

And I seem to "complain" about this house we are in now.  I don't mean to.  It is a blessing to have a roof over our heads.  Trying to remember that.

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 John 5:12

5 on Friday

Top of the Friday to ya!

This weekend we have no plans.  It's glorious :)

Linking up with Darci!

1

These kids.  I haven't had much time alone with just the three of them.  School starts in a week so Chance has been at teacher meetings and I am getting a taste of this life.  Yikes!  Sometimes it's difficult to keep my eye on the boys when changing Hadley or something.  Prayers needed ha ha

2

This girl.  I dreamed of having a girl and here she is.  And she is absolutely everything I dreamed she would be and so much more.  I get so sappy about her growing up.  I am truly blessed to get to watch these kids grow up, but sometimes it is hard to see time pass so quickly.  I know God has a plan and growing up is just part of life.  I love it all.

3

Fall.  Do I need to say more?  We are finally in a place that has normal season again!

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Landon with our Pumpkins last year and the pumpkin patch below.  It was beautiful.

4

School starts next week for me as well.  English Education.  I am excited and nervous.  I picked up my books yesterday and wow.  Lots of reading :)

5

I started blogging about my weight loss again here

Being Their Healthy Mom

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1

On Blogging

I love this blog.  It is one of my favorite parts of the world.

I love the fact that once I put it on here, it's automatically saved.  

It isn't going to be deleted and at the end of the year I can have it printed into a nice little book without having to scrapbook a thing :)

This is where I document life and share with whoever would like to know what we're up to.

I just wanted to say I am going to try my best to be around this old blog.

School, Chance teaching, reading, kids, church etc. keep me very busy.

I will keep the blog though and be on here when something important to me needs to be documented.

Thanks for those who stick around :)

Sometimes I can't believe these three are mine.  Wow! 

Mom's 50th party.  All the women 

4 out of 6

Prepare to melt....

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

August

"It makes me wanna buy school supplies.  I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils."

-Tom Hanks in You've Got Mail

And that's how I feel about August.

It's closer to fall (even though it's hot) and for that very reason I bought a pumpkin spice candle yesterday and I plan on burning that baby until it's gone!

I've always been one to try to rush fall and winter here.  I am not a warm weather gal.

But since I don't have a choice on the weather, we have been soaking up the rest of the summer.

 Isaac at aqua camp and jumping off the diving board.  I couldn't catch him in midair so it was either this one or one of his splash :)

 Oh this dreamy girl.  She melts every person she sees.  

We seriously can't get enough of her around here!

 Hanging out with cousins for Corbin's birthday.  And that smile again.  Oh Hadley!

 All of the grandkids (minus baby sister).

I can't believe they are all looking!

Feeding the ducks.  They were getting pretty close outside so we moved back into the van.

 And the goofiest picture of a math teacher I could find.  Chance is currently at his first teacher work day.  To say I am proud would be an understatement.  Here's to a houseful of teachers :)

But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James 1:22