They are all so different yet they all resemble both Chris and I in some way. Their personalities are unique and it is rare to get a picture with all of them smiling. Even though there are days I want to pull my hair out I love these 4 little boys with every part of my body. I cannot imagine my life without them in it. One day they will be grown and gone so I try to capture every little moment. These are unedited pictures I took the other day trying to get them all to smile but just kept snapping the pictures as they squirmed and giggled and made silly faces. Then we lined them up to show how close in size they are (especially Jaron & Jonah). And as I am posting this I noticed that Justus' hair looks like it is getting lighter. ENJOY
I'm a "Soccer Mom"!
Our boys have been begging us for a couple years to play a sport. Jacob in particular always wants to play whatever the school is sending home papers for that week. So with the help of Oma we signed them up for soccer and they love it! It's only saturdays always in the same location, just 2 miles from home. Practice one hour then play one hour. Jaron and Jacob are on seperate teams and they do have a 3-4 yr old group but we didn't think Jonah would cooperate, He has a HUGE personality. (that's a whole other story post maybe one day I'll tell you about it.)
So today was their 3rd game. We have taken pictures and videos and I will try to post both not sure how many I can add to one post. The organization is i9sports and they are focused on teaching the kids how to play together as a team and no pressure to win. They don't even announce the winner or formally take score. The point is to teach the kids to encourage each other and be a good sport. We love that. It's is also boys and girls. All total it will be 9 weeks of games saturdays only. And it also happens to be the sport my husband played as a child so he loves that too! Jacob is #16 and Jaron is #41.
So today was their 3rd game. We have taken pictures and videos and I will try to post both not sure how many I can add to one post. The organization is i9sports and they are focused on teaching the kids how to play together as a team and no pressure to win. They don't even announce the winner or formally take score. The point is to teach the kids to encourage each other and be a good sport. We love that. It's is also boys and girls. All total it will be 9 weeks of games saturdays only. And it also happens to be the sport my husband played as a child so he loves that too! Jacob is #16 and Jaron is #41.
Horrible Headaches!
I have suffered with headaches since I was 11 years old. I usually get tension headaches, sometimes they are sinus headaches and I have had a few real true migraines. I have had MRI's of my head and been on so many different meds to try to help. I went to the chiropractor for years and that seemed to help my tension in my shoulders and neck. I used to work at State Farm before I had children and I sat at a desk all day long so the tension in my shoulders was always there.
Because I am nursing Justus I cannot take just any kind of medicine. Most everything I put in my mouth comes through my milk in a diluted form but is not always safe for the baby. SO most of the time I have to just deal with the pain. I have become acustom to having a headache most of my life.
This week has been particularly rough though so that is why I haven't posted as much. Maybe I'll catch up next week and tell you all about our boys playing soccer with pictures included.....But for now it's naptime. THE most important time of day.
Because I am nursing Justus I cannot take just any kind of medicine. Most everything I put in my mouth comes through my milk in a diluted form but is not always safe for the baby. SO most of the time I have to just deal with the pain. I have become acustom to having a headache most of my life.
This week has been particularly rough though so that is why I haven't posted as much. Maybe I'll catch up next week and tell you all about our boys playing soccer with pictures included.....But for now it's naptime. THE most important time of day.
"Not Me" Monday
Nine Years & Nine Months Old
How ironic is it that our oldest son Jacob turned 9 years old Sept. 12th and our youngest son Justus turned 9 months old Sept. 1st. They went to their checkups at the doctor together and they are both growing great! Jacob is smart and loves to tell me how he makes "healthy choices" for lunch at school. He loves to eat fruits and vegetables because he says they make him run faster. I try to teach our children that anything God makes for us to eat is very healthy. If it grows on a tree or in the garden you can have all you want. If it comes in a box or bag then man makes it and its not the best choice. Even though we do still buy things in boxes I do want to instill that in their minds. So I try to encourage them to eat healthy so they will form good lifelong habits.
Justus is 21lbs and doing a low crawl on his belly all ove the house. He will run over eveyones toes in the walker because he is so fast! And he's also learning to eat baby food. We had an awful experience with some baby oatmeal over the weekend though. One bowl of that stuff and he puked for HOURS. It was so pitiful and he was dehydrated so after he finally stopped dry heaving I went back to nursing. No pumping no food for the next 24 hours and he was back to his normal self again.
Jacob loves Justus so much he really cannot keep his hands off. I mean he picks him up and carries him but I worry he will drop him so I am constantly telling him "put the baby down". I prefer him to sit in the floor with Justus and hold him or play but picking him up makes me very nervous.
Jacob has always been an awesome helper and this weekend when Daddy was out of town and I pulled a leg muscle and could barely walk~Jacob stepped up to the plate. He massaged my feet with lotion and helped me with every thing. What would I do without him? My firstborn son....He's so thoughtful and has a heart of gold. I love that boy more than he'll ever know.
Overwhelmed....
...does not even describe it.
Today was one of those days. Chris is out of town for his dads wedding and he took Jaron with him to be the ring bearer. So I am here with the other three boys. On a normal day it would be no big deal but today was CRAZY! Jonah has a ruptured ear drum (discovered yesterday by all the blood) so I started my morning with the dreaded eardrops. He cringes when I get them out. And we got Jacob off to school on the bus. I thought I would take the pediatricians advice (against my better judgement) and give Justus some rice cereal around 7:30 for breakfast. And he seemed to like it. He's been eating other baby foods during the day but never any cereal.
So he laid down for his morning nap around 9:00am and when he woke up he was a in a puddle of vomit! Maybe he didn't like it after all. I got him all cleaned up and he puked again! So I changed him again and put a bib on this time. A few minutes later he puked again. And over the course of the next 4 hours he dry heaved stomach acid 10-12 times. Poor baby...it was pitiful. So I finally got him to drink some of my milk and he napped at noon with Jonah then woke up and drank some more.
Then Jonah woke up from his nap still grouchy like he was when he laid down. He has been so rude to me lately and today I was too tired from holding the baby all day to even fuss at Jonah. I just tried to ignore him. If Daddy were here he would not be getting away with it. My empty threats weren't helping. After cooking dinner and cleaning up (with many intereuptions along the way) I popped in a movie hoping to settle the boys down for the evening but wouldn't you know Jonah was not interested in watching it.
So he continued to fuss and complain and talk over everyone else (My Nanny is staying with us). One minute he's hugging me "I love you mommy" and then when I ask him to share a toy with Cari (the girl I babysit) he says "don't tell me what to do, you're not the boss; I'm the boss!" then he stomps off "I don't love you mommy". I think he's bipolar
I just get tired of fussing and spanking and threatening so I focused on the baby and tried to just ignore Jonah. Oh and then we tried to skype with daddy but noone can here because they all talk at once. And Jacob is sticking his finger in front of the camera and Jonah wants his face in the camera. Guess we need to have a skype practice session to teach the boys skyping manners. Needless to say I'm exhausted....but suprisingly I don't have a headache....how weird is that?
Maybe tomorrow we'll have a better day.
Our bedtime prayers included:
asking for forgiveness for misbehaving
asking Jesus to give me patience
asking Jesus to help Jonah be nice
and praying Daddy & Jaron come home safely.
Amen
Oh and then came the dreaded ear drops again.
THE END
PS: Justus is back to himself and I'm sure there won't be any rice cereal in our future!
Root of the problem...
Have you ever wondered why people allow money to control them? I have met some like that in my life and it is very sad to me. I am so glad we don't have a lot of money because it ruins people. When a person has money they think they can buy friendships. They use their money to bribe and sway people to do what they want. They use their money to convince people and to deceive others.
The Bible says "the love of money is the ROOT of all evil" And most only look at the "love of money" part but notice the "root of all evil" means the cause of all our problems. The root....where all the evil starts~money is at the root of it. What a shame....
Love cannot be bought and neither can friendships. I am so thankful that God sees us for who we are and not how much we have. He looks at our hearts. The Bible also says God is no respector of persons. That means he does not hold anyone up higher than another. I feel the same way about people. We learned the hard way that people will fail you. They will let you down. We cannot put our faith in people. We must trust God and Him alone.
I will never allow someone to persuade me with their money. I have seen God provide for us so many times. People try to control others with their money. But I will not be controlled or manipulated by anyone. I too, am no respector of persons. We are all equal in God's eyes and we should treat each other equally with the same respect. I don't care if you are homeless or the president. We are all sinners and we all have a soul in need of salvation.
The Bible says "the love of money is the ROOT of all evil" And most only look at the "love of money" part but notice the "root of all evil" means the cause of all our problems. The root....where all the evil starts~money is at the root of it. What a shame....
Love cannot be bought and neither can friendships. I am so thankful that God sees us for who we are and not how much we have. He looks at our hearts. The Bible also says God is no respector of persons. That means he does not hold anyone up higher than another. I feel the same way about people. We learned the hard way that people will fail you. They will let you down. We cannot put our faith in people. We must trust God and Him alone.
I will never allow someone to persuade me with their money. I have seen God provide for us so many times. People try to control others with their money. But I will not be controlled or manipulated by anyone. I too, am no respector of persons. We are all equal in God's eyes and we should treat each other equally with the same respect. I don't care if you are homeless or the president. We are all sinners and we all have a soul in need of salvation.
Deafening Silence
Its not often I can get all 4 of the boys in one picture together without anyone crying or being shy or grouchy. So we got them all calmed down drinking milk and ready for bedtime. They are all so handsome in their own way. I love my boys and I would not change a thing. They spent the night with Granna & Pappa last night (except the baby) and it's really quiet around here. Too quiet actually. We miss them.
The New and Improved...
Same blog with different name. I decided we needed a new catchy blog title. I chose "never a dull moment" because often times when I am out in public with the boys everyone feels the need to comment.
"Bless Your heart"
"You have your hands full"
"O my FOUR boys!"
And I usually say it's never a dull moment at our house. I don't want to sound negative because I love our boys and I wouldn't change a thing. But sometimes it can be hard and I feel like I need to respond with something so that's what usually comes out. I think it's very appropriate for my blog so I am sure it's here to stay...so get used to it. :-D
"Bless Your heart"
"You have your hands full"
"O my FOUR boys!"
And I usually say it's never a dull moment at our house. I don't want to sound negative because I love our boys and I wouldn't change a thing. But sometimes it can be hard and I feel like I need to respond with something so that's what usually comes out. I think it's very appropriate for my blog so I am sure it's here to stay...so get used to it. :-D
Inventions & Crazy hair!
Jaron loves to play in boxes but we didn't have one so the cooler was the next best thing.
Jacob invented this game of deer hunting with bathroom cups he drew deer on and rubberbands to shoot them.
Justus is absolutely adorable.
All our boys are so handsome!
Jaron loves to squeeze in every picture he can!
Beautiful in blue...
Everyone has a mohawk in the bath picture right? or is it just my boys?
And this is a new one....he has more hair than any of our other boys had at this age.
Jonah loves popsicles....who am I kidding this child will eat almost ANYTHING!
Jacob invented this game of deer hunting with bathroom cups he drew deer on and rubberbands to shoot them.
Justus is absolutely adorable.
All our boys are so handsome!
Jaron loves to squeeze in every picture he can!
Beautiful in blue...
Everyone has a mohawk in the bath picture right? or is it just my boys?
And this is a new one....he has more hair than any of our other boys had at this age.
Jonah loves popsicles....who am I kidding this child will eat almost ANYTHING!
Star of the Day
Jaron wanted to bring pictures of himself when he was a baby to school and show the kids before and after surgery. He was explaining his cleft lip and surgery when the principle walked in and took this picture. He later called me and asked if it would be ok to make him the "star of the day" on the first day of school and post this on the school's website. I said "of course!"
Jaron Cote shared his "Get to know Me" Bag in Mrs. Gravitt's first grade class. This kid is just the coolest ever. He's not afraid to share about being born with a cleft lip and palate. He showed pics of himself as a baby and explained to his peers about his subsequent surgeries. As a kindergartener last year, he asked his mom if he could take pics to share at school. She has empowered him to talk about it openly in hopes that sharing will help the world be a better place for Jaron and every child. Now, that is cool and definitely qualifies as my first photo to be highlighted under Dr. Rayburn's Lens this year.
You might be the mom of many small boys if...
I posted this last year but it is so funny and true I wanted to repost for those who might have missed it.
... several times a day you catch yourself saying "get your hands out of your underwear, it's NOT a toy!"
...you have ever said "DON'T CLIMB UP THE FRIDGE!"
...you superglue motorcycles together
...you can quote Cars Movie word for word
...you know all the words the Thomas the Tank Engine Songs
...refer to your children as small, medium and large
...you have a car, dinosaur and a skateboard in your purse at your doctor without any kids
...You see nothing wrong with drinking from a sippy cup in public because you forgot to bring a water for yourself
...they eat food off the floor and you no longer cringe when they do it
...you can not enjoy peace and quiet because you know that usually means they are into something they shouldn't be
...you have ever called a plumber to get a tractor out of your toilet
...everywhere you go someone feels the need to say "wow you have your hands full"
...you son climbs in and out of the cribs at church and other moms are worried but you just say "he's a professional"
...everything you do revolves around naptime
...buying different brands of socks and underwear for each child makes laundry folding so much easier
...slobber on your shirt doesn't mean you have to change your shirt
...you don't mind smelling a diapered butt to see if they pooped
...you no longer panic when they lock bedroom doors just get a butter knife to unlock it
...every night at bedtime you have to clean the toilet and the FLOOR with clorox wipes before the pee drys
...they fight over who gets to hold the door open for mommy
...you have ever said "don't wipe your hands on the couch, wipe them on your shirt"
...you give them a bag of ice to play with outside and they tell you your the best mother in the world.
...you go to walmart singing baby einstein music all the way there and then you realize you don't have the kids with you
...you have mastered going "potty" and breastfeeding at the same time
...you can bathe all 3 boys in one bath in 10 minutes or less
...a trip to CVS is quiet time for mommy
...ear plugs have become your new best friend
...hiding in a dark closet to take an important call is the only way to hear on the phone
...you tell your family and friends to call after 8pm if they want to talk because that is the children's bedtime
...you sometimes refer to bedtime as "clocking out"
...they can all stand around the potty and pee at the same time
...you cut fingernails in an assembly line
...you cried the first time they pooped in the potty
...sitting in the bathroom floor saying "peepee come out!" is a daily activity
...at bedtime, you have ever said "don't get out of the bed unless your bleeding or have to go potty"
...lunch for you is usually the crust off the PB&J sandwiches
...you have ever lost a child in walmart and when you found him spanked him instead of crying
...the car rides are the most peaceful because everyone is strapped in their carseats
...they have learned to read at 4 years old from watching PBS kids and playing starfall.com
...you let them stand on your shoes to pee in a public toilets so the won't touch it with their "neenot"
...you hide NOISY toys in the bathroom closet because they never think to look in there
...you hear "I love you's" and get kisses more than most people. :-)
... several times a day you catch yourself saying "get your hands out of your underwear, it's NOT a toy!"
...you have ever said "DON'T CLIMB UP THE FRIDGE!"
...you superglue motorcycles together
...you can quote Cars Movie word for word
...you know all the words the Thomas the Tank Engine Songs
...refer to your children as small, medium and large
...you have a car, dinosaur and a skateboard in your purse at your doctor without any kids
...You see nothing wrong with drinking from a sippy cup in public because you forgot to bring a water for yourself
...they eat food off the floor and you no longer cringe when they do it
...you can not enjoy peace and quiet because you know that usually means they are into something they shouldn't be
...you have ever called a plumber to get a tractor out of your toilet
...everywhere you go someone feels the need to say "wow you have your hands full"
...you son climbs in and out of the cribs at church and other moms are worried but you just say "he's a professional"
...everything you do revolves around naptime
...buying different brands of socks and underwear for each child makes laundry folding so much easier
...slobber on your shirt doesn't mean you have to change your shirt
...you don't mind smelling a diapered butt to see if they pooped
...you no longer panic when they lock bedroom doors just get a butter knife to unlock it
...every night at bedtime you have to clean the toilet and the FLOOR with clorox wipes before the pee drys
...they fight over who gets to hold the door open for mommy
...you have ever said "don't wipe your hands on the couch, wipe them on your shirt"
...you give them a bag of ice to play with outside and they tell you your the best mother in the world.
...you go to walmart singing baby einstein music all the way there and then you realize you don't have the kids with you
...you have mastered going "potty" and breastfeeding at the same time
...you can bathe all 3 boys in one bath in 10 minutes or less
...a trip to CVS is quiet time for mommy
...ear plugs have become your new best friend
...hiding in a dark closet to take an important call is the only way to hear on the phone
...you tell your family and friends to call after 8pm if they want to talk because that is the children's bedtime
...you sometimes refer to bedtime as "clocking out"
...they can all stand around the potty and pee at the same time
...you cut fingernails in an assembly line
...you cried the first time they pooped in the potty
...sitting in the bathroom floor saying "peepee come out!" is a daily activity
...at bedtime, you have ever said "don't get out of the bed unless your bleeding or have to go potty"
...lunch for you is usually the crust off the PB&J sandwiches
...you have ever lost a child in walmart and when you found him spanked him instead of crying
...the car rides are the most peaceful because everyone is strapped in their carseats
...they have learned to read at 4 years old from watching PBS kids and playing starfall.com
...you let them stand on your shoes to pee in a public toilets so the won't touch it with their "neenot"
...you hide NOISY toys in the bathroom closet because they never think to look in there
...you hear "I love you's" and get kisses more than most people. :-)
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