Spring and Summer update

Happy Spring, ya'll!!! 

  Oh my goodness, I just had to write in yellow. I hope ya'll can read it without squinting! I'm just so happy to be able to use spring colors. Spring is so fun! 

  So, this is probably going to be my one spring post. But ya'll. 
  Three kids? I know I've said it before, and I will say it again! This having three kids thing is NO JOKE! Seriously, it is a ton of busy-ness!  
  But - I wouldn't trade it for the world. It's fun, chaotic, messy, dirty, crazy, exhilarating, exhausting, spontaneous, drama-filled, hard, amazing, and beautiful... There is so much love in it all, and more than I'd ever dreamed of or hoped for. Despite all the laundry and the dishes and the tears and screaming and tantrums, it's a wonderful life, and I'd have it no other way. 
  That said, here is a recap of our last few months in pics, and...welcome to spring~! 

Jared's "school time". I do "school" with him before I sit down and do school with the others, and he loves it. 

"What is it?" you ask. Well, let me tell you...It's a girl!!! We get a new girl cousin in our family, as the Bradberry's are welcoming their 8th child in August. We couldn't be more thrilled! 

Brookey's gymnastics. She has recital in June! The theme is Greased Lightning. 

Jared loves to build "car roads," just like Kaleb did when he was this age! Now, Kaleb builds them for him. 

She loves to draw, anywhere. 

Second lost tooth...in the store, mind you! ;) 

Lake time! It was one of the first warmer days this year, and we decided to take advantage and go to Lake JB Thomas. 

Jared's "school time" 

Our annual St. Patty's Day pic. I don't know why I started taking an annual pic on St. Patrick's, but I did. Well, it helps me get an annual pic, right? 

Oh yes, he's a goofball alright.

He loves to "cook"!

First 83 degree day, popsicle stained mouth, no shirt...yes, please! Oh, the simple joys...

Resurrection Rolls. They have become our tradition on Easter! 

One of our Easter pics. Lol!

New hair for spring~!!!

Circus time, the first time ever! I don't remember when I last went to the circus, but they were in Snyder. So we couldn't resist this year, and went. It turned out to be a blast!

Helping momma in the nursery 

These two...have a love-hate relationship. They are definitely frenemies. 

Jared "school time" 

One thing I have absolutely LOVED about this year is the library. We have gone on and off since Kaleb was two. But this year, the library program has gone above and beyond my expectations, and it's rocked! Every week we go, they have snacks for the kiddos and coffee for the momma's, along with a story, playtime, and an adorable craft. LOVE it. And, obviously, Jared does too!  

Yes, he's growing up. Look at this picture! LOL! This was his pose when I told him, "Let's take a picture of your big boy underpants because you used the potty."

This kid. 

His first dipped cone, ever. Mmmm!

My two BIG boys!!

Helpers! We went to C City recently and got some pretty flowers for the house, and I had to catch my big helpers in action on camera! 

Just a pic of the kids on the couch at library time. Yes, Jared is posing. He's such a ham, ya'll. 

We had some cousins over recently during the weekend, and I just took some shots of them having fun. 

These two. They fought a good bunch, but they also were super sweet when they weren't fighting. Oh, man. Cousins!

Movie night!

Yes, this is a random picture. But...I'm so excited for our beach trip we're taking in August! I recently went to CVS and had to restrain myself...There are so many cute beachy type things in there right now!!! Everything from these ice cube trays (which, I will tell you, are the only thing I bought, and I was proud of that fact!), to cute lawn chairs, to beach towels, to flip flops...and the list goes on! 

Justin helped Kaleb build a pinewood derby car for a race at Mission Friends (it's a church deal he goes to on Wednesdays). It won six times before it was eliminated, and yes I'm bragging. I think that was good! 

And he was proud, too! :) (Thank you, Oma, for this pic!)

  We have a very exciting, fun filled next few months, as well. Not only is it Jared's birthday month, but it is also Brookey's recital, swim lessons, and VBS time. After that comes the 4th of July, of course, then Kaleb might possibly go to camp, and then in August, we leave for a family reunion on Justin's side, then we head on to our beach vacation! Directly following that, we will return home to a new baby girl cousin! It's going to be a really great summer, and I'm super excited about all that's in store for our family! 

  I look forward to sharing posts on how it all goes. :) 

Blessings to you and yours, and HAPPY SPRING!!!

Amber 

Winter update

    Life is good. :)

We've been busy, but that's the usual around here. Life with three kids is never, ever dull. 

   

  We've managed to stay pretty healthy so far this winter, with just a few rashes here and there, and strep throat about a month ago. I plan to keep it that way! Because of the flu being so rampant this year, I've kept the kids in more, and I've been throwing vitamins at them more than ever! Of course, they don't mind - Jared is sad when he only gets one, and the other two get two in the morning. It's hard being the third kid! 

   So, I guess I will use this post as an update on our lives...I will start with Jared!

  The kid is SO vocal. He makes me think he's already three, with his stature, and how smart he is! Let me tell you, though, this momma is ready for the age of three! I'm looking forward to the two's passing! He has a mind of his own, and he screams, and he demands things to be his way, or no way - such as today. We went on a walk, and, about halfway through, he had to be out of the stroller, pushing it, and I was NOT allowed to touch it. He had to do it all.by.himself. If I touched it, he screamed. Oh.my. 

  But, that said, I think we are just dealing with a toddler, and his tantrums will pass, of course, but not until after a bit of discipline, and time. I'm always telling myself, "This TWO shall pass!" :) 

  Lately he's into self portraits. 

  In fact, I have 410 of the same one he took of himself today in the bathroom, just in a minute or two. 

  But anyway, he is so smart. He already knows his colors, and he understands what all of us at the dinner table are talking about, most of the time! We ask him a random question sometimes about what we are talking about, and he can usually keep up. Love him! 

  And...he's a little ham. 

   If you catch him doing something he knows he shouldn't, he will look up at you and give you this face. 

  Oh, that boy. 

   I took this picture below a few weeks ago, because he was so interested in the kid potty after I brought it out. 

  He was really interested...and now, he's not. But - I have learned that I need to be a little more lax in the potty training department. So...I ask him each day, "You want to try and use the potty?" 

If he doesn't, then hey, I asked. :) I have learned to try and let the kid lead the way, not the mom! In the meantime, we sit on the potty whenever we feel like it, and we stick our tongue out! 

 In other news, we celebrated Justin's 35th birthday, and Brookelynn's sixth birthday this last month! We had the party at Dominoes in the party room, and Brookelynn wanted all things Moana, so Justin got to celebrate with a princess party...But I don't think he minded. :)  

 Brookey-Lynn, 

    We are so glad the Lord has entrusted us with you. Ever since you were born, you've lit up the room with your smile, and your sweet spirit. We're so excited to see where the Lord leads you in your life! Your joy is contagious, your laughter is a blessing, and you live up to your name. You are always reminding us to pray at the dinner table, hence your middle name Faith. When you are gone for a day, sometimes we forget to pray! You are a joy to be around, and we love you oh so much! 

                             Love, Mommy  and Daddy 

  And...what's Kaleb been up to? Kaleb has just been doing what he always does. He is SO smart, that's what. In Math, we've been learning addition and subtraction with flashcards. I've been having to make the problems harder for him. Instead of 9-4, it's 945-4. Just an example. If I don't make things harder for him, it's way too easy! 

   And, since I've now updated on all the kids, I will give you a little update on us...Justin's been working at Kinder Morgan. He's been really enjoying that. He loves his coworkers, and he loves the job itself. I'm so glad for him to have such a good job!

   

  The kids and I have been working hard at homeschool. Kaleb and Brookelynn are doing My Father's World first grade, and Jared is usually doing a learning game on his IPad, or playing with Abigail, our cousin, while the older kids work on their school. I've really enjoyed having Abigail come over. She's an amazing help, and has babysat Jared since he was basically a newborn. She's so good with the kiddos, and they are really good buddies now.  Jared misses her when she leaves, and the next day is always asking, "Where is Abigail?"

 And Justin and I have been leading worship at our church a few weekends a month. That has been a tremendous blessing, as well - one I'd always hoped would come to pass in my family! I play the piano and sing, and Justin plays guitar and sings. He's the head worship leader, and I lead alongside. It's been so fun! 

  

  And...I will end this blog with just a few more pics of our month!

  

Oh, Oreo...He will be one year old on Easter this year. He definitely has a personality of his own...and his own litter robot and self feeder that calls him three times a day to come and eat. It's Justin's voice recorded saying, "Here, kitty, kitty." No, Oreo is not spoiled. ;)

Love this merry go round! 

Well, next time I write, it will probably be Spring, since I'm averaging every three months or so! I cannot tell you how excited I am for March and April to roll around this year! Even though we've had some sunny days this winter, it still doesn't beat the springtime! 

Blessings on you and yours, 

Amber