Boys Being Boys

This past weekend we were given the opportunity to get away overnight.  We jumped on it!!  It was in the beautiful Anderson Valley at a timeshare location.  We weren't able to get in until 2, so we took the day to moosey on over that way.  We stopped for lunch in Santa Rosa and then wondered through the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens.  It was just a couple of acres big and perfect for our hour of time to be wasted!  What a waste it wasn't!!  It is so wonderful to enjoy God's unique creation through the eyes of my boys!

They love to run and jump and explore.  Thomas found this great big fountain and ran straight over to inspect it and Benjamin was a little slower.

Later we found this giant cactus that had an empty center.  The boys loved checking out the inside.  It was like a secret cave full of things to discover.

I was reading some signs when the boys waundered off with Jared and found a comfy spot to sit and watch the world go by.  As soon as I turned the corner they all said cheese, they knew I'd want a picture since I'd been snapping pictures all morning.

We walked down the downtown street a little bit and found a path that went along the creek.  It was beautiful.  God's beautiful creation mixed with a man made path that just accentuated the beauty instead of taking away from it.

There was a boat ramp that we walked down and the boys were thrilled to find some sand, sticks and stones to play with.

Jared loved this look out part and insisted I go out there with the boys for a picture.  Really he just wanted me to walk out over nothing-ness because earlier I totally froze on the bridge!!  Nice guy, huh?!  I'm glad I did because it was beautiful!  (I know, it doesn't look high at all... it was though, I promise!)

Later I took a moment to just watch my baby stroll along.  He's such a big boy now.  It was a moment of joy to my heart!!

Here he is checking out things mountains taller than he is.  He was fascinated!

The rest of the time away was great, but this is where the picture taking stopped so you'll just have to believe me!

We got the keys to our place, explored downtown Windsor and spent about 45 minutes in a neat little toy store.  We had dinner in the condo made up of microwave dinners for the kiddos and safeway soup for us.  Followed up by homemade cookies and ice cream!!  We played cards with the boys and just enjoyed being a family, which is always extra special when you're away from the distractions at home.  I feel asleep early and Jared watched some funny TV.

The next morning we took our time getting ready and made it (a little late) to church.

I'm so thankful for this unexpected gift.  It was so much more than a free night away!

Andrew is Here

Just 2 short days ago, my baby sister gave birth to her second son!  I was able to be there for the birth and it was just simply amazing.  I have so much to go on and on about, but for now... some pictures, since I know that's what you all really want!!

Look at these two, sleeping!!!  Audra kept saying I was way more excited for what was going to happen then the rest of them.  Yep!  I was, cuz I didn't have to do the hard work.

Here he is, all squishy and new!!

Weighing in at 7lbs, 21 inches--- big boy for being 5 weeks "early"

and a very healthy set of lungs

I loved the tongue!  He did this several times.

The sweet boys!  We need another shot with Ethan in it as well.  I got a little excited and wanted one with my boys and the baby... Then when Ethan got there, it was too exciting!  He was a sweet big brother.  In the meantime though, check out my mom with her girls and her grandsons!

I'll be back with more real soon!!

Brotherly Love

There sweetness melts my heart. Lord, may they always love each other, watch out for one another and love you! Thank you for the blessing of brotherly love. The blessing to see it and watch it grow.Car trips, even just across town, are the perfect picture of our family. Jared and I trying to hold a conversation in the front seat, competing with the noise in the back seat! These two boys can make all sorts of noise, both happy and sad. At times they are complaining. Sometimes they are fighting, thankfully that is rare! Most of the times they are talking to one another and even nicely sharing. The best is when they are laughing. Just being silly, almost trying to out laugh one another. At the end of great family days, you will hear silence. Each one snuggled up and sleeping.

I love our family car. We remind each other when the current noise is too much, that these are precious, fleeting moments.

So much to say, so little time...

So God has been teaching me some serious lessons lately. If I had them all straightened out in my head I would share them with you. But I'm still processing, still learning and still being stretched. What I do know is, I'm glad God loves me so much that He is teaching me. I know He is sovereign. I know I have so much more to learn. I praise Him for growing more love for Him and my family in my heart. I praise Him that I am finally sleeping, praying that continues. I praise Him that Benjamin is sleeping at night and praying that he will sleep better during the day. I praise God that He is with me every step of the way! So, so much more to share, but that is for another time. For now, here's what you all really want, pictures!!

Their love for one another continues to grow!

Thomas loves to be near Benjamin as much as he can!

Thomas, all of the sudden, is such a big boy!! Here he is all ready to have his teeth cleaned.

Like a pro, so not like his mama!
I will get better about taking pictures and will share more soon! Love you all!!

What kind of things would you like to see on the blog?! Who all is still reading? Or who has just started reading?! Leave a comment and let me know! It's hard to stay motivated to post if I don't know who is really checking it out!

Our Growing Family

My 3 wonderful boys!!
I plan on getting lots more of these! All their wonderful faces all right together. Sorry about that babe... but I just love you all squished together!

Me with my two boys! Thomas likes to make sure he can snuggle right in when I'm holding Benjamin.

More time together!
Now to get some pictures of the four of us!!

A Few of B's Firsts

We're enjoying becoming a family of four and have managed to have a little fun outside and inside the house as we are adjusting. Benjamin's weight loss got to be a little too much for the dr's so we had to check back in on Monday. Found out he had lost a little more, so they sent us home with the assignment of getting half an ounce by the following morning. Home we went and packed in as many feedings as we could handle. Tuesday morning he not only made the goal, but actually had gained 2 ounces!! This called for a celebration!! We let Thomas pick, so of course we went to Target to see the Buzz's. His all time favorite thing to do! We made it home and slept the rest of the day. After all, I was only 5 days post-op and we have a new born!!

Benjamin's first bath!

Thomas was so excited to help out. He's such a big helper!!

Thomas took this picture. He's having fun taking as many pictures as we let him.

Family of Four

Here we are, a family of FOUR!!

Waiting for our discharge papers, all snuggled up and enjoying a little quiet time.

Daddy and Benjamin watching the end of the World Cup game moments before going home.

We're home!! Happy mommy with clean, sweet smelling baby.

My three favorite men! Thomas had just enjoyed a chocolate sucker, enjoyed that almost as much as his baby brother.

My Heart is Full

There is nothing like seeing your oldest simply and fully love his little brother. I couldn't ask for more.

His Arrival

Finally, the big day arrived!!

Wednesday evening my parents and sister met up at our house for an afternoon of preparations, dinner together and just hanging out. Audra spent the day helping me (which means, doing) make a roman shade for the baby room. We got the house picked up, packed the last few things and headed to bed by 10:30. It was late, but that's ok, I didn't sleep anyways. I woke up in the night with a sick tummy... it was awful. Horrible pains, awful.

We left Thursday morning for the hospital by 5:30am to arrive to a very busy labor and delivery wing. We waited and waited for the nurse, as I sat there still not feeling so hot. Finally the doctor arrived and was pulled out of the room by a nurse. The floor was full, there wasn't a bed for me. We were sent home. By the grace of God, I did not face this announcement with tears, frustration or utter disappoint. I was immediately filled with peace, calmly changed and headed home. It had to have been the many prayers of friends and family. I went home, took a couple of hours to nap and feel better. Then spent the afternoon putzing around Home Goods with my mom, eating ice cream at Fentons and getting a pedicure. It was wonderful. We ate a BBQ dinner with my parents and Jared's and were headed to bed by 9!! I slept all night, woke up happy and ready to go!!

God is so good!!

I remained at peace during most of the surgery and was totally coherent to hear our Benjamin's first cries. It was strange having him arrive that way. Just show up, prep for surgery and then he's here, but more on that later! After he was born we realized in more ways just how much God's hand was on his arrival. He was breech, a c-section would have been ordered anyhow. He also had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck twice, and then knotted. If I had tried to deliver naturally it would have been traumatic and I would have had a c-section anyways. It was so awesome to see God's hand this entire time.

He is already a blessing to us. Filling our hearts and home with joy. Here are some pictures from the big day!

The knotted umbilical cord. The dr. thought it was so amazing he told Jared, grab the camera, you gotta get a picture of this!

He weighed in at 8lbs, 21 inches, just a little smaller than Thomas. If he had gone two more weeks like T, they would have been pretty close. We'll see how quickly Benjamin catches up.

Papa is showing Benjamin the special toy that big brother Thomas picked out just for him.

The Kile family and friends. They came by the hospital so ancy to meet the baby they had been waiting for. They were all excited to watch Thomas for us on Thursday. Friday was Allie's birthday party. They were happy to include a trip to the hospital in the party plans. What fun it was to see all the girls ohh and ahh over the baby, even Pastor!

The proud Auntie and Uncle excited to meet the new brother. It was Auntie's birthday as well, she was more than proud to share her special day with this little guy! You can see my cousin Molly in the background. She and our good friend Rachel came to celebrate the big day as well.

Grandma and Grandpa Matlock had some special time with baby Benjamin on Friday.

Benjamin Alexander Matlock

Born Friday, July 9th, 2010 at 8:19

A precious joy to our family