Happy Father's Day!

Here are four incredible kids who wouldnt be that way if it wasn't for you.
You are their hero.
And I think you're amazing.

sometimes we just need to. . .

dance

the haircut

Si is the reason I bought a baby-leash. He's the one i'm worried will run into the street. . . or jump into the pool . . . he's the reason we rarely eat out and we learned at little lou's baptism that he is not ready for big church. but the boy knows how to sit still for a haircut! he's a champ. it takes some courage for a two year old to get up in that big chair and have a stranger bring a buzzer to your head (we ended up holding down my oldest and running a #3 all over his head while he was screaming. and once we tried to cut it in his sleep but only finished one side.) I love it long, but the poor boy shouldnt have to endure the summer with that much hair on his head (p.s. J, did you shave your head yet?) Good job, little monster!

before

after

"As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” Deuteronomy 33:25

I'm still really tired and a little sick. At home I was getting 4 or 5 hours of sleep a night, between staying up and doing chores or chatting with J, getting up at night with a kid or a dog, and waking up early for a kid or two. Although there were some mornings where I just cried out "Lord, get me through this day so I can lie down again tonight!", I functioned really well. Now, I just feel exhausted. You might say I was running on adrenaline and now I'm crashing. But I think that God gives us just the strength we need. Lina Sandell thought so too. She wrote the words to this hymn.

Day by day, and with each passing moment,

Strength I find, to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,

I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.

He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives unto each day what He deems best—

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me

With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,

He Whose Name is Counselor and Power;

The protection of His child and treasure

Is a charge that on Himself He laid;

“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”

This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation

So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,

That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation

Offered me within Thy holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,

Ever to take, as from a father’s hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till I reach the promised land.

but i know you really just came to see pictures:

please be patient, blog. i need one more good night of sleep before i can give you the witty, engaging posts that you deserve. . .

let the vacation begin!

when we got on the road this morning at 7 (yes, be amazed) si said "goin to mimi and papas!" and then, as we got on the interstate, he said "awe maaannn. i wanna take a boat." I thought that was the funniest thing, "did you say take a boat? i asked." "yes." well, a boat might have been a bit faster, even going from georgia to tennessee. An 8 hr trip in 10 hrs and 45 minutes, but we're here. the kids did really well. the big kids colored in their new coloring books for hours and hours, we listened to music and watched movies. i have a routine down. park and go inside the restaurant for diaper changes and potty(usually this can't wait). then get back in the car, go through the drivethrough, park and give the kids their food while i nurse the baby, go get gas, then i eat when we get back on the road.





anyway, i had more in mind to write, but i am falling asleep--too many 4 and 5 hr nights lately.

sunday, day 14

we didn't make it to church this morning due to too much snot. there is a whole lot of snot at our house right now. i'll spare you the pictures. we did make it to church tonight though and our baby did not like the nursery. and she will not take a bottle. this could be a problem.

Sunday project:
i gave this little crayon pouch at the birthday party yesterday, along with crayons and a coloring book. our kids thought it was neat, so i bought each of them a coloring book and finished up their crayon pouches this afternoon. i've decided the pouches are cute, BUT, it was just dumb of me to make something for 2 and 3 year olds that tie in a cute bow. the fact was made clear to me when one pretty dramatic 3 year old, let's call her Smella, threw her cute little crayon pouch across the room in anger because she couldnt tie a bow.

we might be heading north either tomorrow or tuesday. i'm a little more eager to get there now that my mom told me that this fabric is on sale at joannes: