{Fella}

This guy.  He kills me.

He is so active.  We had to (finally) baby proof our house.

Or I would never sit down again.

I was completely stressed for about a week with all of his adventuring.

But I think I've calmed down.  Or my in-laws were here and helped me immensely by letting me have lots of breaks, and therefore I've forgotten how crazy he is.

It's funny because in all of these pictures he is seemingly sitting calmly.

But it is a ruse!

This darling little baby that was as sweet as sweet can be, and whom I loved so very much because I was able to enjoy a baby finally, decided to become an active little boy.

And I can't blame him, because I want him to be an active boy, it just may cause me to lost my mind a little in the process.

I get that whole rhyme now about "what are boys made of?"

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails.  TOTALLY!

And he is now 14 1/2 months old and wants nothing to do with walking!  Silly boy!

He is so hard on his knees.  It hurts me to watch him at times.  His feet, toes and legs have cuts all over them.  But he does have 14 teeth, so there must be something to be said about his growth & development! 

Side note: Chase walked at 13 months and got her first tooth at 14 months!!

This boy will keep me on my knees (speaking of knees!)

I find mothering so difficult.  Rarely does a day go by that I think, "I've got this made in the shade".

And if I do, by the next day that thought has long gone out of my mind!

I love being a mom, but it is so hard.  It is mentally taxing and physically exhausting and just plain old hard work.  But I'm so thankful for the encouragers and cheerleaders I have in my life. 

It is so important to have women in my life that have walked ahead of me - those with older kids.

I need them to tell me that I can do it and that this is worth it.  And thankfully I do.

I was able to visit with 2 of them on Sunday night.  I feel like a million bucks when I leave a conversation with them.

Thank you Lord for those that you've put in my life.  I can't make it through this life without them.  Thank you for my children.  That they are strong and healthy and opinionated and active!  All such wonderful traits.  But please strengthen me in the process.  Give me new mercies each morning.  Amen.

...and then there's THIS girl...which is another chapter entirely :)

right now.

enjoying 24 hours without kiddos

Right now I'm...

- apparently so busy that i don't have any time to blog!  or maybe i'm more into instagram.

- back to my pre-pregnancy weight!  very exciting times in this household.  i'd still like to lose an additional 6 lbs.  we'll see.

- amazed that we have 4 weeks of school left.

- planning a fun summer.  chasey & i get to go on a mama-daughter vacation to see our extended family on my side.  we'll also spend some good time in the great NW seeing all of our family up there.

- the mommy of a registered public school attender for the fall.  this was a big week.  she is all registered for transitional kindergarten.  now we're just hoping that she gets into the school closest to our house.  i'm not really sure she knows what all is happening.  guess it's time to we start talking.

- not sure that Beck will ever walk!  he shows no signs of wanting to walk.  speaking of school, he may be crawling to kindergarten.

- enjoying using our home for hospitality again.  i've had about 4 get togethers at our home in the last week.  it's been a joy to use & serve.  

- having a bit of a rough patch with CJ regarding her obedience and willingness to help out around the house.  it's hard being a mom.  not a single. easy. day.  ever.  i'm thankful for the strength of the Lord.  i'm thankful that His mercies are new every day.  and i'm thankful that i can show my daughter every day that i am a weak vessel and that i am in need of the Lord.  that i can't do it on my own.  that i have my own struggles too.  not just her.  you can pray for me!  thanks.

fun girl's day out at la jolla cove with the junior league food & wine festival