A yawn and some goals

She yawns and looks adorable, I yawn and well, I should go back to bed! I can't say I look adorable in my morning hours like Katie, but she is my reason for the yawns lately. I don't mind at all. She is worth getting up for! Her smiles even at 4 am keep me going!

Goals:

I am going to start blogging goals. Accountability never hurt anyone! I am aiming for charts! Yes, charts to organize my home better. I have great intentions (sound familiar H!!) and follow through is tricky. I make plans and try. Lately have been failing miserably. I need to schedule to be more firm and predictabale. As Katie grows it will be increasinly difficult to manage my days with five children. I have done this before and had great schedules and charts. It is time for change and routine that works. I want the kids to see in front of them just who does what and when better than I have before. I am sick of my own voice and want to do my best to encourage character development in the early years (responsibility etc...)

One day at a time, one chart at a time, one prayer at a time!

Lord help me!

Hands

She was resting on a shoulder and her hand was gently draped perfectly positioned for a picture. Could not resist!

Her hand instantly reminded me of how God has had His mightly and loving hand on our family. We have been so blessed with meals I am truly overwhelmed. We have been so taken care of in this way. I am sure I have blogged about this before, but I need to say it again. It has done so much for us. Thank you!

I also know that we have been prayed for constantly. There are always issues after birth, good and not so good! Through it all we have been prayed over and God has answered very specifically. What a blessing, again thank you!

God hears and answers, God loves and blesses!

life here...

I swaddle, I rock, I bathe, I kiss, I hold, I touch, I lay down, I pick up...all of these moments I treasure as I know she is our last. Lord today I am so thankful for these moments. I am also enjoying the very cozy moments with her beside me in bed in the early morning hours. She keeps me warm and she is one happy swaddled babe!
I feel so blessed...

Jack Attack

As you can see stuffed animals play quite a role here in the hills! Jack has many favourites that become so much of our day (yes we accomplish our schooling!!). Tonight the game was hot and cold with Samantha. They had a stuffed animal hunt. The laughter was hysterical and made me laugh. I love to hear them laughing so hard, makes my heart soar.

So I leave with you an attack from what looks like a monkey of some sort. I think the monkey is truthfully more frightened.
These are moments I will not forget!!

Friendship gifts of flowers! Thank you!!!

To have and to hold!

I the Lord have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for teh people and a light for the Gentiles, to ope the eyes that are blind, to fre captives from prison adn to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

Isaiah 42: 6-7

I love how God says that he will take hild of my hand. I see each on of our kids take Katie's hand and almost promise her they will take care of her in ways that they can't verbally express. It is a treasure to me as a mom to see how each one loves her, takes hold of her and treasures her. How much more does our heavenly Father hold us!!!

Five in a row

Five in a row all with different needs. I asked myself moments ago, "What did I do today?" So, for tonight I feel I must randomly assemble my moments. One day I will refelct perhaps with more energy!! Right now however, I do sit here a wee bit sleepy and needy of some rest. Here it goes...my day with five in a row!

coffee, cheerios, toast and jam messy floors, laundry, laundry and more laundry

dishes in the sink, school books all over the dining room table (need a space heater in school room, feels like a fridge right now) eraser bits, pencil shavings, broken pencils, maker lids, diaper change, stickers stuck to the floor, wet spots and salt spots, coats laid out to dry, boots in the hallway, mitts on the vent, diaper change, did I mention dishes and laundry, sibling issues, moments during math and language, "I can't do this, it is too much work and too hard"

book reporst times three (only a little painful!) new readers, finishing a reader, artwork, wipe off board full of designs, clicky clack shoes worn all day all over the house and dancing never ending! Diaper change, nursing, nursing and nursing (not crying when I feed her anymore, that is progress!!), meals being dropped by (oh what a blessing), a coffee visit that made my day (thanks Stef P!), my brilliant mother being here to give me all the help I need, washing Katie's new moses basket because our needy cat Lady decided to pee in it (she is a little out of sorts currently, our basement is being renovated and we have invaded her space so she made her own plans, plus she usually does this when a new baby arrives, what is she a kid or something, do dogs do this too???). Sara had a morning bath, thank goodness Chris and Samantha helped while I nursed and changed a diaper! 

There is more, but the bed calls my name so I am ready for the next round of feeding....I am thankful for my five in a row. I need to pray specifically how to meet their needs on a daily basis and enable them to make their day work well!!

Good night....

 

wonderfully made...

A favourite Psalm of mine is 139. I look at this picture and marvel at how Katie was formed in God's image and made just perfectly by Him.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways...For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." ESV

I take great comfort in these words. I too was made in His image and am known by Him! I am so thankful for the countless prayers that went up on my behalf and for Katie. I was worried and anxious many times, but quickly sensed peace that I know came from Christ. She arrived exactly when she was supposed to and the birth and delivery also happened according to His plan. I am glad that part is over let me tell you, but I was not alone and God sent wonderful nurses to deliver the baby (doctor was not even there yet, still at home!) and an amazing husband to walk me through the journey of pain and helping me focus. That is over, it is done, she is here and we are blessed. I can't stop taking pictures so here is another.....

Thank you to my faithful family and friends for always praying for me when I simply could not. I love you!

I love the reminder in this picture, as Duncan holds his new daughter so Christ holds us in His mighty hands. A blessed place to be and remain!

What a Daddy!

This week has given a Daddy precious time with his new wee one. Time during the day he would normally not have. Moments to just soak in the incredible blessing we have been given.

There is something about feet on a new baby. I can't resist taking pictures of the small intricate detailes fashioned on Katie (as I did with the other four!). Formed by God's hands...

Katie....

I just had to add this photo!! Chris went into sculpture mode today while my mom was here. We were at the doctor with Katie (she is now 7lbs 4 ozs and was 6lbs 15 1/2 ozs!!!) I love what Chris made. He said it is from the movie 'despicable me'. I have yet to see the movie!

I truly have so much to say and so little energy to blog about it! So, for now I will do it through pictures. She is a treasure and I feel blessed beyond measure. I see how all the kids look at her so tenderly, hold her gently and just keep touching and kissing her. They waited so long to meet her (hmmm, so did I!) and now she is here and they are fully enjoying her. No offers to change her diaper yet!

Mom and Katie

okay had to post two more tonight before bed! Although what is bed right now anyway? A temporary place to rest until feeding time!! Can't wait to have more energy to blog and add more pics of this time in our lives.God is good, He is faithful and Psalm 126 is precious to me, read when you can!

Katie Leah Grace!

I had to load some pictures and will contnue....