such a slacker

Wow! Has it really been nearly 3 weeks since I posted?!? We have had so much going on...hardly time to sit down, it seems.

Here's a short update on our life - 

Since Jacob's Pawpaw passed away on the weekend of Jacob's sister's wedding, the wedding was postponed until this Saturday. We have been busy with all manner of things for the wedding, as well as preparing for Thanksgiving and spending time with family. 

Jacob and his team did awesome in the Ragnar race! They ended up finishing as the 49th team out of 250! They also reached their goal of raising $10,000 for the mission in Liberia! So awesome!!

Asher is a busy little man - scooting all over the house and getting into everything!

Levi has entered the "terrible two" stage, but he has a very contrite heart when he is corrected. What a huge responsibility we have to teach and train our little ones.

Lily is such a little mama. She is constantly "mothering" her two little brothers...which is not always appreciated by them! LOL 

I'm spending all my spare minutes working on the quiet books for the kid's Christmas. I have about 3 or 4 more pages (each) to do for Lily and Levi's books and then I hope to start on Asher's book. Asher's isn't going to be nearly as involved as L & L's so I'm hoping I'll get it finished by Christmas! 

I'm hoping things will slow down a little after this weekend so I can get caught up on blogging and reading all your blogs! 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Running for Libera

Please go read this post by my sister. My hubby is part of the team running in this race. Please pray for the team, the race, and the mission in Liberia. If the Lord lays it on your heart to give, we would be so grateful!

Thank you!

In Heaven

Pawpaw went to be with Jesus early yesterday morning. Thank you all so much for your prayers for the family right now. Our hearts are broken because we miss him, but we are rejoicing that he is with his Savior and his dear wife.

Pawpaw.

We have been spending all the time we can over at Pawpaw's home. He is very close to the end of his journey here on earth. Although this is a very, very difficult time, it is also a precious time because of the hope we have in Christ.

Lots of family and friends have been gathered around him for the last 4-5 days. I always start crying when I pull up to the house because there are usually 15-20 cars lining the street around his house - that is love.

The picture above was taken last week when he was still able to get out of bed. He is now unresponsive and peacefully sleeping.

Please keep all the family in your prayers these next few days. Thank you!

Midweek Randoms

Monday was a really rough day at our house. All the kids were cranky and mama's patience wore thin many, many times throughout the day. I think the main reason for the crankiness was the busy weekend and not getting enough sleep. All three kids were up by 7:00 Monday morning...and they normally sleep til around 8 or 8:30. I think that day will go down in the books as my hardest day being a mother so far. I'm thankful for God's sufficient grace! I can't tell you the number of times I cried and prayed (out loud). 

Praise the Lord, Tuesday was a much better day! 

Jacob has so much going on this week - gone early in the morning and late at night.

It is so, so weird not being pregnant right now! This is the first Fall and Winter I haven't been pregnant in three years. As weird as it may sound, I kind of miss it! That being said, I can't imagine being pregnant with an almost 3 year old, almost 2 year old, and a 7 month old! Wow!

Asher started saying Da-Da on Monday. :)

Levi's favorite song right now is Amazing Grace. When I was rocking him before his nap yesterday, he asked for "Grace" and then after we would sing it he'd immediately say "again, again." 

Lily is getting to be so grown up. She is such a big helper to me and she cheerfully does her chores each day. I really need to make her a chore chart so she can mark off the chores when she gets them done.

After taking our babysitter home yesterday, we stopped by and visited Memaw and my parent's. Lily and Levi were so excited to go to the barn and "help" Papaw feed the animals. My dad is so sweet to give them little jobs to do so they feel like they are really helping. :)

Today we have errands to run and we are hoping to stop by and visit Jacob's Pawpaw. He loves to see the kids.

The verse that has been going through my mind all week is: Psalm 34:1 - I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Oh how I pray that this would be true in me!

Happy Wednesday!

Video: Breakfast at Our House

There is definitely no lack for entertainment at our house! :)

7 months.

What is Mr. Asher up to at 7 months old?

• Scooting and rolling everywhere, but no crawling yet.
• Drooling and drooling and drooling. Hopefully some teeth pop through before too long!
• Sitting pretty well.

• Chewing on everything! No, he doesn't suck his thumb, but he chews on it.
• Eating. This child seriously loves to eat! He takes 4 bottles a day as well as eating 3 meals and sometimes a snack before bed. He hasn't turned away any food yet. He just gobbles up whatever we offer!

• So far he's eaten - applesauce, pears, avocados, green beans, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, egg yolks, pumpkin, squash, chicken, and banana. I'm attempting to keep him grain-free until he's at least a year old. I didn't do this with Lily or Levi, but from stuff I've read, it's best for their digestive system.

• Weighs 16lbs, wears size 3-6 and 6 month clothes, size 2 shoes, and size 3 diapers.
• Sleeps like a champ! Usually two 1 1/2-2 hour naps each day and 11-12 hours at night (straight through). 
• He's been sleeping in his crib in Levi's room for awhile now. He usually wakes up before Levi in the morning, so I sneak in and get him so Levi can snooze a little longer. Asher takes some of his naps in the co-sleeper still. It just depends on how the day is going.

Asher, we are so thankful for you! You are a sweet little man, and we love you!