Parenting

Nothing like cuddles with my sweet little man. Noah's obsessed with balls, all balls. He's got quite the arm too. He's such a happy little boy. I can't believe he's 21 months old already, it seems like I just had him in so many ways. He makes us laugh every day, multiple times a day. I am in awe of what a sweet, but ornery boy he is! He's all boy to the core, yet loves to give hugs and kisses and cuddle. He truly makes my heart sing with gratefulness to the Lord.

My sweet, sassy, funny Emma Grace. This pose cracks me up. This girl was prayed for. Before I was pregnant with her, I prayed the Lord would once again bless us with a daughter the next time he blessed us with a child. Once I was pregnant, I prayed he was weaving a little girl together in my womb. Was he ever! He gave us all our hearts desire and oh so much more. I am here to tell you, that when you pray and do it from your heart, the Lord will answer. I know without a doubt he laughs at us often, because she's ALL GIRL and oh so much more! LOL She loves to snuggle, cuddle, hug, kiss and just constantly be touching us...if she's sitting beside you, she's right up against you! She loves to sing and dance, be a princess, and yet has no problems getting as dirty as any boy! LOL

Our 3rd born, Jackson aka Jack. His imagination never stops. He cracks us up. He's also our sensitive child. His feelings get hurt very easily. He gets frustrated fast, although that is getting better. He wears his heart on his sleeve. He makes us laugh in so many ways. He loves Jesus and loves to sing songs that he wrote himself about the Lord, they're often at least 5 minutes long and often times up to 10 minutes! LOL

Jacob, who now has shorter hair, after a HORRIBLE "trimming" incident gone wrong! Although he's our 2nd child, he's been in the oldest role since the day he was born and he is the classic oldest child. He's very responsible, easy going, and an excellent big brother. He often bares more than his fair share, but rarely complains. He's also full blown into being a tween (aka preteen) and can frustrate me to no ends. The problem with being the "oldest" child and being responsible, is that he sometimes thinks he can do what ever he wants and gets attitude when we don't allow him. We're all struggling to find a balance in more freedom, while not too much freedom.

For you who are parents of toddlers and babies or even just in general younger kids (8 and younger)....having your children get older presents new challenges, excitement, fear, and adventure. I've yet to meet a perfect parent. I've observed parents with older children, picked what I liked and thrown out what I don't agree with, and know that Chad and I have to figure things out ourselves with our kids as well. Our greatest guide in this adventure of parenting, is the Lord and the best parenting book is the Bible. God is the only perfect Parent I've ever come across, and we all break his heart, but wow the grace he shows us. I want to be as Graceful, loving, forgiving, and firm as he is. I want our rules to be as clear cut as his arm. I wish I could say I'm all of those things and that our rules are, but Chad and I are not and they're not. Jacob's been our test child for many things, and I hope he forgives me for the multitude of mistakes I've made and that I can be a better mom to each of the following and that through all of the mistakes I made and will make, my kids will show me grace. I just have to make sure that I'm teaching them grace and forgiveness. I'm here to tell you, it's often not something I'm good at all at teaching. It's a needed prayer that I ask the Lord.

Next week, I'll share our 6th child's picture. I'll show you a child who I'll hopefully make a few less mistakes with, in certain area's, yet will make mistakes with none the less!

Now though, here's our true Oldest who stays Forever young, forever 2 years old, and forever my heart and inspiration to be better, do better, love more, and not take a day for granted.....

We only got to actively parent this beauty for 2 years 1 month and 8 days.....they were the most precious days of my life. Cancer ravaged her little body, and Jesus set her free. Not a day goes by that I don't miss that face, that crooked smile, her smell, her laugh, her dancing eyes. I am so thankful to the Lord for making me her momma. I'm so thankful that I was the one who brought her into this world and the one who was holding her when she left it. She makes me want to be a better person.

Parenting isn't easy. It's full of trials and errors. It's full of love, grace, and forgiveness. In just a few short days we'll begin it again with baby #6.