Diapers dry on the line. The ironing pile is still there but at least Gabe has shirts to wear for the remainder of his work week. Bathrooms smell clean. Several vases of flowers were picked by little hands this morning and now their simple beauty brightens this home. Sheets are fresh. The fridge continues to always appear bare (I do shop so this always baffles me!) and yet a meal will be shared again at this table. The gardens have been weeded and given some tlc.

I was away for the past week, the kids and I. It's good to be home. I didn't however realize until just yesterday that it was nearly the end of July. Guess that is what happens when you are on vacation and the only dilemmas to consider are whether we're going to go swimming, 4-wheeling, or pick more wild berries to make a pie.

Sickness looms though we're definitely on the mend. As a result we're back to sleeping soundly at night when we should be. I really missed Gabe while away, but I really missed his help in the night with little ones. I'm blessed to have such a little servant. I may have to tell him where exactly to go several times after coming back into our room a little disoriented for directions, BUT I'll take any forms of help at 3 am!

The kids talk about our stay with both sets of Grandparents, all their cousins, special things we did, and will we do them again. I tell them, "Of course!, but for now we enjoy being home." We really did have a complete ball. I never got that "I'm ready to go home NOW feeling". However now that I am home I'm glad to be back in my pretty little home.

Liam grew up while away. He pulls himself up, has gotten 3 new teeth, and for all intents and purposes joined the ranks of the others in a dummied down version of consistent discipline. His hair is getting long on the back of his neck. It's not as bare for my favorite spot to kiss on him like it always was. He's looking more and more grown up and I'm just amazed how old he is acting. It really shouldn't amaze me. It just also shouldn't be allowed!

Summer is slipping away at rapid rates. I will be enjoying and savoring these last excuses to trade a dirtier/messier house for spontaneous trips to meet Gabe at the beach after work with the kids. Possibly leave the dishes and dinner clean up for a family walk down a dirt road that always leads back to home. Maybe even put the kids to bed early again while it's still light out and eat pop-ice on the swing set with Gabe (like we did that one time and couldn't get over how nice it was!). Oh yeah, we're so spontaneous around here! 

As soon as my very talented and smart husband can get around to fixing our main computer after some sort of crash, pictures will be up of our wonderful time away.

Asher went through a phase of NOT wanting Gabe to leave for work in the morning and to be gone ALL day long. Rightfully so!! We hadn't really told him WHY it was SO important for Gabe to go to work every day. So... throughout the day I started telling him about and showing him things that we wouldn't be able to do or have if Daddy didn't go to work.

Asher now is very aware now that Daddy goes to work so that....

1) Daddy is obedient to God.
2) He can be taken care of.
3) Mommy can stay home with him, Sophia, and Liam.
4) He gets to eat Mini Wheats for breakfast. He gets to eat period. This really put it into perspective for him. Asher LOVES to eat his 3 meals and snacks in between.
5) So that Daddy can get $$ so we can do all those things

So yesterday morning when Gabe hadn't quite made it out the door before we all ventured down the stairs as usual Asher anxiously said to Gabe when he saw him..."Daddy! You need to go to work now! There's LOTS of money for you to get there! You need to go get some of that $$!"

Now to start telling him that Daddy just doesn't go to work and pick through bins of money all day to bring home!

Kids!

Love em'!

Last night the kids were in bed before Gabe came home from work. I was on my way... or at least trying to get there. End of the months are a busy time for Gabe and his absence if need be doesn't go unnoticed, certainly not just by me.

Asher must have woken up in the night in which case I must have sent Gabe in there to assess the situation (side-note: apparently I do that often in my sleep!).

This morning Gabe sent me an email about his quick yet precious little conversation with Asher.

[Well when he saw me he got excited and said..."You came back! Daddy are you in bed with Mommy?" It melted my heart, and just made me thankful we have been blessed with kids who look to us for so much.]

What a great responsibility.

It's a beautiful night. Things were slow here and winding down so I left to go for a quick run while Gabe sat up with Asher and Sophia until they went to bed.

I came home and the house was dead. Babes in bed sound a sleep I presumed as well as this....

This babe is such a peach! He's lovely. He's sweet. And he's mine. And for some reason God saw fit that I would be the best momma for him. I'm humbled!

Liam is about as laid  back as they come. A common question I get asked is..."Does he ever cry?? or even just fuss??" "Is he always like this?" or finally the..."WOW that's the FIRST time I've ever heard him cry!!"

He has often been referred to as a 'funny kid'. He doesn't say much (although he has discovered he has a voice and can scream pretty loud just for kicks!) but his personality speaks volumes. And he is quite funny, I have to say, without really even trying. He gives my day a lift just looking at him, and well, a lot of times this tired momma just really needs that!

He's big. No idea how big exactly. At his 4 month he was nearly 18 lbs in case any one wants to make an estimated guess. He has 2 teeth. He's well on his way to crawling. He loves to be loved. And he loves to be played with by Asher or Sophia!

He's a regular in our bed, and most times he just wants to be right.next.to.me... cuddled close. His smooshy body and soft little completely at peace sighs really have to break my arms to allow this.

I'm astounded at how fast these past 7 months have gone! Time just won't stand still love enough to savor forever the scent of his little neck, or the feel of his chubby toes and wrists that appear to have elastics around them!

I love my days with Liam. I love this time. I'm cherishing it because I know some day I will mysteriously wake up and it will be gone.

Thank You Jesus for Liam.