What Mommy Loves...

Hello all two of you...yes, I know it has been a long time.  We are having all kinds of fun this summer.  We are now in our third trimester and the summer days are getting longer.  This morning I was reflecting on the blessing my children are to me (do you ever have to remind yourself of that or is it just me?)   I was marveling at the fact that God in His wisdom has chosen to bless us with 3 and soon to be 4 little girls.  As I've probably mentioned before, I never thought in my wildest dreams, (ever,ever) that I would have 4 children.  I am so grateful that God's ways and His plans are much better than mine could ever dream of being. 

So what I meant about the days getting longer...this has not been an easy pregnancy for me.  Let's just say it has been challenging to have enough strength and endurance to make it through the day. Even though I am just now in the final stretch, I have felt like I could be there for a month or so now.   If it doesn't happen by noon, it doesn't happen.  I have been trying to spend as much time playing and doing creative things with the girls as I can.  I want them to remember this time as fun and not that mommy thought I was a bother.  So , my house is a little neglected you could say.  I just keep trying to remind myself of what is important and that's not on the top of the list.  

By the way, I do have to tell you that my husband has been more than wonderful through all this!  Yesterday, I slept in and they made me breakfast in bed.  It was great!  

In all this, I want them to know what I love about each one of them, right now in this stage of life!

LILY....

You make me laugh everyday.  you have your daddy's personality...you have such a tender heart even at 19 months.  You are always checking to see if your sisters are okay if you think they might be hurt.  When we ask you to apologize, you already know in our family we hug after we apologize and are forgiven..."ug,ug."

You have a determination that will be "fun" over the next couple years.  At night when I tuck you in, I love to rock you and feel your arms wrapped around my neck as you squeeze me and I squeeze you back.  I have tried to memorize that moment, it is so precious.  I love when you get up in the morning your hair covers your face and stands up in the back.  I love that the picture above shows how you spend most of your waking hours...moving.  In some form or another, usually running.  The picture above was taken while we were at the beach this summer.  we thought we had picked the best time, but didn't want anything to do with having your picture made.  You preferred to roll in the sand and run away from us!  I love hearing you run for the back door at night when daddy comes home,"diddy,diddy,diddy" all with your arms outstretched from the other side of the house.  You are one amazing girl and I can't wait to watch you grow into all God has created you for.

ABIGAIL....

As you've started calling yourself some:)  I love to watch you with your little sisters.  you are so giving and kind to them.  I know at times they must bug you, but you handle it so well.  I love that you have a giving spirit.  You are so thoughtful and helpful.  I love how you can lose yourself in a drawing or painting you are working on, it amazes me to see your creativity grow.  I love to watch you with your daddy.  I love that you don't care what you're doing as long as it's with him.  I love your "good ideas."  they usually are good ones:)  I love that you have a love for God and want to spend time with him. I love that you think you are an adult at times..it makes me secretly laugh inside...I know you still think it is you, me and daddy raising your sisters.  I love to watch you learn and love you love learning.  this year it has seemed that you have grown up so much.  You are willing to try more things than ever before and even if you're scared you are doing them anyway.  I loved watching you learn that you can do so many things and you like trying new things too.  I love when you still call me mommy, although those times are starting to pass as I hear you call me mom more and more.  I love just hanging out with you and listening to you laugh over silly things.  I look forward to all the laughter yet to come...loveya!

ELLA.....

I love that you want to wear a "beautiful" dress everyday.  I love that you will stick your face in the sprinkler outside while you are playing, but scream right now while we wash your hair inside.  I love that you ask for a cereal bar evey morning for breakfast and take one bite of it and then ask for the rest of it hours later.  I love that you smile with your whole body and tell me repeatedly how much you love me.  I love how you are not scared of most things, but freak out if you see any kind of bug. I love how you want to wear the same flip flops with everything.  I love watching you try and be as big as Abby and take care of Lily.  I love listening to you talk.  I love that you are full of questions...could we read through a book with out a string of questions?  I love that you want to read Pinkalicous everyday or Fancy Nancy if you cannot find the other one.  I love that you call yourself a princess, twirl around singing.  I love that you are always telling me that you are a mommy just like me.  I love that we have to change your favorite dolls clothes at night and out of her pj's the next morning.  I love that you have a purse on your arm or a necklace around your neck most of the day.  I love to watch you walk off to school holding Daddy's hand waving with a big smile.  I love when you take my face in your little hands and pat my cheek.  You are such a nurturing little girl.  I can't wait to see you with your newest sister.   I love that when I call you a silly goose you tell me your name is Ella Katharine Thoma.  You are a sweet one with so much love, can't wait to see where God takes that love of yours.

We are surrounded by sweetness.  More to follow soon!