Planting

Before Benjamin was born the kids and I planted some Marigold seeds that we were hoping to later transplant to the garden.

It was still chilly outside so the project took place on the dining room table.

Elijah did a great job filling the egg cartons with dirt.

Madison just liked playing in the dirt.

She stirred it, sampled it, and all around had a great time.

They both love watering the seeds and sprouts.  Hopefully they will continue to grow and we can get them out to the garden.

Benjamin Steven

Benjamin Steven joined our family March 23rd.

 

He has been a complete joy

His older brother loves him and is looking forward to teaching him how to "shoot hoops and play disc golf"

His big sister adores him and is constantly trying to take care of him.

 

 

I was very worried about taking care of three children so close in age.  God's grace has been amazing and we are doing very very well!!  I had not planned on planting a garden and we have one going.  I've gotten flowers planted and we even have some baby chicks and turkeys.  This summer will be great!

Heart Warming

I went in to check on Elijah today after I put him down for his nap.  I knew he was reading before he fell asleep, but it warmed my heart to see him asleep with his Bible open on his tummy.  The boy loves reading all kinds of books, but the book he always goes back to and carries around is his Bible.  I've had to tape the spine because it is coming apart from all the love he gives it.  There are very few (nearly) 2 year olds that I would give a book with paper pages and not worry about pages getting torn.  He does an excellent job!   

Do you see Bob snuggled up at his head?  (The giant red tomato) That is the replacement for his pacifier.  He has done really well adjusting.  I know he still misses it because on rare occasions he will try to sneak Madison's in. 

I pray as he continues to grow that he will ALWAYS love reading his Bible as much as he does now.

Picture overload

I've gotten behind again. I haven't had my camera out as much as I would like. I got it out again yesterday and just set it where I could grab it quick. Hopefully I'll catch more of our days. 

Elijah LOVES biscuits and gravy!!  One of the only foods he will consistently eat.  We work on using a fork, but it's just way faster to use his hands!

Baby Madison is most persistent, taking the shortest route to her new destination no matter what stands in the way. 

Aubrey and I had a whole 20 minute conversation one day, though I have no idea what we discussed.

Elijah loves playing with our old cell phones and he tries to take his own picture.

One of the only pictures I got of our trip to the zoo.

Elijah was roaring like a lion.

We played outside with Grandpa and Grandma's Tonka toys.

We had to get Elijah a new hat since he out grew the old one.  Madison inherited his old one.

They spend lots of time reading books.

Our first skinned knee of the summer.

Cheese!

Breakfast smiles

He loves his sister!

Tonight we go the rodeo!!  Elijah is so excited and keeps talking about seeing his buddy Wyatt!

Wrestlers!!

Madison LOVES her brother even when he's rough with her.  I see some crazy days in our future!! 

Oh No!!

The unthinkable has finally happened!!  The tip of Elijah's pacifier has come off!

 

The last week of school I noticed Elijah had chewed a hole in the end of his pacifier.  I was hoping it would last until school was out when I was planning on weaning him off.  We had been putting it away except at nap and bed time and he was doing well. 

 

This past weekend we went down to my parents house to celebrate birthdays.  By this time, he had chewed numerous holes and I was starting to worry about him swallowing it or choking on it.  We were in the middle of Sunday School and I had gone out with Madison (she was doing lots of squealing :) ).  The next thing I knew, Justin and Elijah were joining me.  The pacifier end had come off....

(Most Sundays in the middle of church we could give him his pacifier and he would lay his head down on Justin's shoulder and fall asleep.)

 

I was rather worried about the service.  We had several tense moments, but we made it!  Afterward we decided to check out a couple of Veggie Tales DVD's for Elijah to watch before he goes to bed.  He held those DVD's the entire 2 hour trip home.  That night he slept with them and has insisted on sleeping with them ever since.  Here he is clutching his DVD's!  

The poor little guy does not know how a library works and that he is going to have to return his DVD's.  I had an idea the other night and ordered him a stuffed Bob the Tomato. (He's the tomato off of Veggie Tales)  Bob has yet to arrive, but when he does, I'm hoping little Elijah forgets about his DVD's and starts snuggling Bob in his sleep.

She's on the move!!

Baby Madison is on the move!! She's been working so hard at crawling.  For the longest time she would push herself backward.  She finally figured out how to move her arms and legs to go forward.  Nothing is safe anymore!!  Poor Elijah has to get used to sharing his toys with little sister!