Maryland Spring

This is what we see when we look out our window every-single-day! I would say we are very blessed.

Spring makes me happy, very happy!

The beauty we are surrounded by now is absolutely amazing, I really am in ahh every time I see a bloom. Things LITERALLY bloom over night here!

It is incredible!

Cotton on Trees

The Cherry Blossoms in Maryland remind me of cotton, but on a tree! It is beautiful this time of year here. I was amazed by all the cherry blossom trees and really I could have stayed all day and just soaked in their beauty....but then I'm reminded I have to chase 3 kids around!

Just me and my honey!

Bernell and Lolita were brave enough to venture out to DC with our crazy bunch. We really enjoyed having them around for a visit!

Brynlee's having a hard time with the whole "natural smile" thing, but she's cute either way.

It's the best by far of all of us together. Does it get any easier to take a family photo when they get older?

Trey man has just been a walkin boy for a few weeks. He was 15 months old before he realized it was for him, but man alive he learned literally over night!

Grateful to be a Mother

I'm feeling extra grateful tonight to be a Mother. When Ethan is out of town (or just gone till late hours which is usually the case) I tend to use my evening time after the little rascals have gone to bed to ponder. For some reason I have thought lots about my three little blessings. I get to be with them 24/7 and am so glad I do. We have a schedule that works pretty well around here (I know its a bit ridged when they are in bed by 6:30 and 7), yet I often wander if I try to rush things too often.

I want to soak up the way they each are now!

I will forget in a month what each are like right now. As I heard my friend Lyndsey say not too long ago, I want to "memorize" each child. I always want to remember what it feels like when I pick Trey up from his crib from being startled for some reason late at night. His head goes right nice tucked between my shoulder and neck. He is light but getting bigger. He fits so nice around my arms. it's the ONLY time I ever get to snuggle with him. He just feels good as I embrace him. Can I always remember how he says "bawwwwl"?

Never Ever do I want to forget how squishy Addy still is, to kiss her cheeks is like a little taste of heaven. She still has the "baby squish" at 3 almost 4 and I LOVE it but....It will go away and will I forget that? Will I forget how it melts my heart when she puts both of her hands on my cheeks and chin and tells me she loves me???

One day I will miss that Brynlee always has "one more thing to tell me" before she goes to sleep. Will she still want to make sure she gets a hug and kiss from me before I drop her off at school? I melt when she says I want one more big hug and squeezes me tighter than I thought she had strength! Can I keep up our in "bed talks" when she is a teenager????

Amidst all this love do I still get easily frustrated? YES YES YES but...... when I remember these moments I find patience later to handle the difficult times a little better.

So for today I am trying to see the Saviors love more often in my three gifts to give me that patience when things are not so fun and happy!