To a "T"...

I have to laugh whenever I look at this picture. The kids were SO excited about some "new to us" chairs that we got the other day. They pulled them away from the table and were just sitting on them in front of the Christmas tree. I was trying to sneak up and take a picture of them, but, as you can see from their expressions, they saw me and "posed".

To me, this picture captures their various personalities to a "t". Lauren is ever the proper one, who wants to do things by the book. Brooke is goofy and quirky, while Lance is a little ham who is always trying to elicit a laugh from his audience. God has truly blessed me with these fun and precious little people. I pray that I will have wisdom and patience to guide them in life while keeping their respective personalities and gifts in perspective. (Sometimes that feels like a very lofty goal...on the days I am just trying to survive! :))

My little Tweeb

Happy birthday to my precious Lauren Renée! It's hard to believe that five years ago today she made her early (although not particularly quick, mind you) entrance into the world. After carrying her for nine months I finally got to meet my sweet child, and my life has never been the same. Early on, Michael thought that she looked like a tweebug, whatever that is, and, although it is entirely fictitious, I had to agree. :) In time "Tweebug" shortened to just "Tweeb" and the nickname has stuck. She has brought us so much joy - the joy of being parents, the joys of new discoveries and childlike fascination with things, the joy of just knowing and loving her. She is beautiful, sensitive, sweet and kind. She is very motherly and watches out for her little siblings, sometimes too much - she is a good tattler! A true first child, she is conscientious and particular and she loves to succeed. I love her excitement and innocence, combined with an enthusiasm for little things that I hope she never outgrows. (Her Daddy hasn't! :) ) I thank the Lord for the amazing gift that she is and look forward to all of the great things that the future holds for her.

My family at a glance

Here are some updated photos of my amazing family. Above is my husband, Michael, with our 15-month-old son Lance Michael. He LOVES to be with Daddy!!


Here is Michael with the girls, Brooke and Lauren. Michael and Lauren were in a close family friend's wedding here. Not to be left out, Brooke wore her flower girl dress from my sister Sarah's wedding last winter. :)

Blockade photo

Okay...so maybe I don't need a new computer. I just needed a new program!! Here is the blockade. Anybody want anything?

The blockade

This post would be much more effective with a photo, but, until we get a new computer, I'm not sure that it's going to happen. To start, Lauren and Brooke have been playing AMAZINGLY well together recently. They are caught up in a world of their own and spend hours taking care of their babies, shopping, going to church, and occasionally taking a trip. (I see a reflection of myself in their activities!) Yesterday, I told Brooke it was almost time for her nap so they would have to start winding down. Then I got an important phone call from a friend. While I was upstairs talking to her, the girls COMPLETELY BARRICADED the stairway with toys, furniture, bedding, you-name-it-it-was-there spilling into the family room. When I got off the phone (and it was not a terrible long conversation, mind you) and went to get her I was greeted by this blockade. They wanted to prevent me from ending their fun. Nice.

Fortunately, they were helpful and good-natured about returning everything to its respective spot before Daddy came home. Maybe my mentioning that he would probably just throw it all away helped to motivate them... :)

On the map...

Well Adam, this one's for you. :) I'm finally entering into the official world of blogging. I think my primary purpose will be to keep my family updated on the kids' lives, although I could also see it becoming a place where I exercise the deep academic recesses of my mind. (If there are any...) For all the other stay-at-home moms of preschoolers out there, you may be able to connect with my sentiments.