Sweet, Smiling Boy

He's always been the "shy" one.  He's very timid and cautious in most every situation.  He isn't quite sure about being left by mom even if it's with someone he knows very well.  He often cries when mom isn't the one putting him into bed.  He wants mom to pour his chocolate milk, mom to make his sam-wich, mom to brush his teeth, mom to change his clothes, and mom to hug him every morning.  He's particular and needs a routine.  He likes his sports blanket and has it with him whenever we are at home.  He usually has his drink in his left arm.  He likes to wear comfortable shorts and prefers crocs over any other type of shoe.  He can usually be found holding a book and pretending to be at church.  He sings all of the time and learns all of his older brother's lessons from school.  He knows sight words and letters.  He wants to be left alone while he's in the bathroom.  He is who he is, and I like it.

My favorite thing about him, though, is when he opens up.  When he comes out of his "shyness" and shows who he truly is.  He is really smart and recalls way too much.  His vocabulary is astounding considering his age, though most people have never heard him speak!  He's precious and funny and blunt.  He notices everything.  He calls you out if you're not doing something right.  He tells you not to say "gosh" because "it sounds like God."  He laughs with his eyes closed.  He makes his own jokes and writes his own lyrics to almost every song, then sings them in whatever tune he chooses.  He also tends to sing his thoughts to us.  He's genuine and honest most of the time.

Tonight, I watched as he cried being taken into his Wednesday night bible class at church.  I had to walk away knowing it was best for him.  I honestly sat in my study, wondering how he was, if he was comfortable yet, if he was missing me.  However, as class ended, I walked out the door to a surprise sighting of him, laughing with the other boys in his class as they walked back to the classroom hand in hand.  His smile was as big as I'd seen it in a while, and he was happy.  It was the most precious thing I'd seen him do in a while, and while I don't have it in pictures, I'll always cherish Samuel's sweet smile.

Pretending to be a soldier

Nervous about the chickens at the Apple Orchard

Happy to be celebrating Mimi's birthday

SUPER happy to be eating Mimi's birthday strawberry shortcake

Thrilled to have strawberries with his leftovers

Hilariously smiling for Mom after school one day

Excited to have dinner with Mom and Dad...

all to his sweet self!

Back to School

I was intrigued when I read her response to my email concerning my son entering his final year of Mother's Day Out before Kindergarten.

"I think I'm going to need another PreK teacher...let me know if you know any one interested in a part-time job (wink wink)."

I knew she meant me.  I quickly forwarded the email to my husband, and instead of a response, he texted, "WHOA?!"  I wasn't sure if I'd be going back to teaching or not, but the idea was so intriguing.  I love to teach.  I love the opportunity to create in a classroom setting.  I love watching little eyes light up when they've realized something they didn't see before.  

But, God had called me 5 years ago away from the classroom.  He was clear.  So clear that I almost fought His directions to me.  God wanted me at home.  He wanted me to heal from my miscarriage.  He needed me to enjoy my second pregnancy and the birth of our first born without any distractions.  He also wanted me home when I quickly learned I was pregnant for a third time when Daniel was only 3 months old.  He knew I needed to stay within these four walls with sweet Samuel and his energetic, big toddler brother.  He had me here during the days of my 4th pregnancy which ended in a miscarriage, and He was ready for me to rejoice when becoming pregnant a fifth time.  He allowed me to watch Elias through all of his doctor visits, hospital stays, and procedures.  I have no questions NOW about why God called me out of teaching then.

It didn't take us but a day to prayerfully consider this new offer.  It was perfect for me and our little family.  I would teach at the Mother's Day Out program where our boys attend.  I would get paid for doing something I was trained by a university and gifted by God to do.  It was pretty clear to us that evening that I was going to be going back to teach Pre-K in the Fall of 2013.

Here I am.  

13 students (one of them is my own, Daniel), and I couldn't be more thrilled with what God and this program are allowing me to do each Tuesday and Thursday!  It's truly been so much fun and exciting going back to school, and I can't thank God enough for the opportunity to do so!

Our Carpet Area

The Wall of Art

Birthday Bulletin

Daniel was excited to find his name on the wall!

Oh, and to get his treat from his teacher, Mom.

Treat Bags for Students

Mine and Daniel's 1st Day of Pre-K

Just Some Things About the Boys...

Lately, the boys have really come to life in different ways.  I just cannot believe how different three little boys can be from one another, but in our home, it's truly a testament to God's amazing handiwork!

Recently:

Daniel (4 years and 5 months old):

• is beginning to recognize letters. 
• can write his own name...  finally!
• is really into his bunny rabbit he was given by Gran-Ju at a baby shower before he was born.
• holds onto random things.  Pennies, rocks, shells...  you name it, he's got something in his pocket.
• asks a thousand questions.  Why?  What?  How?  Tell me again.
• dresses himself.  WOOHOO!
• is raising money (coins to be exact) for a little girl in our community battling leukemia.  If he sees you any time soon, you'll get hit up for some pennies.  I'm just warning you!  He's the cutest little fundraiser I've seen!
• loves to play baseball in the backyard.  He's crazy good.  Like he's-only-four-how-does-he-hit-so-hard good!

Samuel (3 years and 4 months old):

• is recognizing letters.  A LOT of them.  He picks up more than I thought he could.
• is beginning to write his name.
• tries to dress himself.  
• sings all of the time.  He sings questions to me, pretends to direct the choir, and is teaching Elias to do the same.  Just this morning, he is singing, "Go Tell It on the Mountain" and "Jesus Loves Me," and he just finished asking for chocolate milk to the tune of "Baby Bumble Bee."
• really likes preachers and going to church.
• still cries when we take him somewhere, like the nursery, Mother's Day Out, or classes at church.

Elias (1 year and 4 months):

• says da-da and mom all the time.  He also has added ball, look, and WHOA! to his list of words.
• is running all the time.  
• is really curious.  He opens, climbs, eats everything. 
• has two favorite foods...  strawberries and veggie straws.  
• may possibly have a milk allergy.  YUCK.  He's drinking only almond milk at this time.
• points at everything he wants.  Even if it's something he can't have, he stands and points until you acknowledge his want.

Elias' 13th through 15th Months...

Time is flying by in our little piece of the world.  Since having Elias, I'm serious...  There isn't enough time in a day to do half of what I'd like to with our boys, but I'm loving every second of watching this sweet boy grow.  Most of this post is in pictures.

In his 13th through 15th months, Elias:
Weighed around 26-27 lbs.
Wore size 18 and 18-24 month clothes.
Wore size 5 wide and extra wide shoes.
Had a "thing" for shoes...  He always wants them on!
Slept from about 8:30 to 7:30 every night.
Took an hour nap at 10:30 every day.
Danced by bouncing and bending his knees.
Always had "nose" injuries/scratches.
His eczema was awful.
Was rough and loved wrestling.
Enjoyed being tickled and lifted into the air.
Was starting to like his monkey stuffed animal Bekah gave him
   when he was born.  Hugged it every night when going to sleep.
Liked Thomas the train and Mickey Mouse.
Was drinking soy milk only - we think he may have a milk allergy.
Was sick only twice during these months...
Of course, he needed antibiotics and steroids.
Got a LOT of breathing treatments.
Became a BIG "singer."
Holds books and sings at the top of his lungs.
Went to Bekah's and later Seth's birthday party.
Favorite foods were strawberries, ice cream, and cereal.
Loved bath time, water play, and being outside.
Went from having 5 to 8 teeth.
Enjoyed the vacuum and sweeping.
Climbed on everything!
Was CRAZY good at listening, following directions, and understanding us.
I can tell him we're leaving, and he'll go straight to get his shoes, bring them to the door, sit down, and wait for me to put them on.  It's amazing!
Only says a handful of things:  mostly ma-ma and da-da.
Saw his first fireworks at the White House Carnival on 4th of July weekend.
Spent time with James Evan!
Traveled to Missouri to visit his friends, the Calhouns.
Was a biter.
Bit TWICE on his first day of Mother's Day Out.
He went for three weeks while Mommy was recovery from hernia surgery.
Began giving real kisses and biting stopped.
Had his first haircut,
   but because Mommy loved his curls, it ended up being a trim.
Loved to throw.  Balls are easily his favorite toy.

Gained a love for cereal and eating straight out of the box.

Went bowling with the family.

Enjoying the food at Bekah's birthday party!

Was a big hugger...

Loving on Mommy at Bekah's party!

Our little water baby!

Getting a ride on the tractor with big brother.

Imitating Daddy with his mower.

Going to Touch a Truck day in Goodlettsville.

He hated the heat and the sun in his eyes.

Started acting like the "big" kids.

Sitting and eating at the table.

Celebrated Father's Day with Grandpa.

His favorite treat was EASILY the ice cream cone at Mimi's house.

Happy Father's Day to Elias' Daddy!

Look, someone has 6 teeth at 14 months.

Early morning routine:

sitting on the couch with brothers watching t.v.

Getting his check-up at the pulmonologist's office at Vandy.

Cleared for 6 months...

Given Atrovent inhaler as needed and Flovent for daily use.

Eating his ice cream at Jason's Deli after his appointment.

Giving hugs to Paula!

Loving on Kameryn.  Didn't want her to go!

Favorite thing to do lately is sweep.

No joke, this kid loves to clean!

His personality is EXPLODING! 

He's hilarious and knows it.

Houston, we have a climber.

He didn't think he could see the boys outside, 

so he went and got this pot to stand on.

He's too clever to be so small.

Singing us a song!

His very first view of fireworks!

Spent a lot of time with his cousin, James Evan! 

He really loves James.

This was an eventful trip to Sam's!

Enjoying the pool at the Ball's house!

Cow Appreciation Day at Chick Fil A

Kissing his Chick Fil A cow.

Cutest little cow

Getting his very first haircut/trim by his Aunt Ca

and Mimi came to help.

Eating while passing the haircut time.

After the trim...  Still curly!

On the way to Missouri, we stopped at McAllister's 

for lunch and sweet tea!

Their tea is as sweet as Elias!

Being tickled by James Evan!

H O T

Waiting on our name to be called at Lambert's Cafe

Trying out the four wheelers

at Bass Pro Shop

Eating frozen custard at Andy's

This kid is always eating...

a lot of ice cream.

Hot day of play in Missouri

Mikaylen, Karaley, and Elias

Karaley did all of the precious, heavy lifting.  :)

Got stuck while getting his ball out from under the chair

Big boys eating lunch together

These two brothers love their lunches...

and each other.

I just melt when I see this.

He was the only boy still awake, 

so he laid down in the living room on his pillow,

drank his milk, and watched t.v. by himself.

Bet you can't guess what he's eating?!

Plum Yum frozen yogurt!

Twins.

The first and only fruit this boy will eat...

STRAWBERRIES!

Later that afternoon,

I found E in his brothers' room looking through books,

and when he happened upon this page,

he kept pointing and smiling!

Seriously, what 15-month-old figures this out?!

When he couldn't reach the water - 

He went into the boys' bathroom, got their potty stool, 

brought it all the way into the kitchen, 

placed it next to the fridge, climbed up,

and was pushing the water button on the fridge...

Laughing all the while.