Here, this more accurately reflects the moments we share in our house - everybody doing something stupid and then cracking up later. Even Hayes joins in. :)

A brief update of March: Matt passed his Doctrinal Orals! We are so excited, because after 9 years of Seminary, he is graduating in May. We are so looking forward to beginning our 2nd year of we-are-not-in-school marriage. What will that be like??? Matt is trying his best to not think too much about his March Madness bracket, shovelling lots of snow, and playing with his kiddos.

I, am reading a new favorite book "The Shack," which I love, seriously considering quitting BSF (which has most recently become a burden and no longer a tool to help me in my walk with Christ), and just about to give myself 100% into being a mom and actually admitting that 1) I enjoy it 2) that I am fulfilled by it and 3) that I love homeschooling them too. So, don't ask me what I'm doing for myself because this is IT. I am loving being free to find my significance in BEING (still in the Lord's presence) and not in DOING . . . .

Our 3 sons! Here they are . . together and happy one moment, sharing (a rare occurance) a chair together and possibly a moment. I have decided that I'm not sure if my personality "handles" chaos well . . . or if I just pretend I do and play off of Mr. Youth Group that I'm married to. At any rate, I don't really think it matters because my life is chaos all the time - nobody really cares if "I can handle it" I just GET to handle it. I'm thankful for the quiet moments like this picture would have us believe and love it when the boys snuggle up for a good story and then slowly fall asleep on my shoulder. That makes all the chaos worth it.

Ahhhhhhhhh, to be the fourth child. This is how I found Hayes when I turned the corner to check on him . . compliments of Caden. Hayes is such a good natured kid that he just went right on playing with goggles on.

Hayes is now 5 months, weighing in at 15.5 lbs and going on size 12 month clothes! He is busy watching the world unfold around him . . or trying to - with or without goggles.

Asher is 3!

Happy Birthday Asher! We've hit the trying threes . . . or shall I say the tumultuous threes. Asher is three and squeezed in between two brothers . . ahhh, the well adjusted middle child. Whoever said middle children are well adjusted must of been referring to their adult years. . because he is anything but well adjusted.

Still in diapers (yes, we should be able to just teach him how to change his own diapers at this point), always has a wound somewhere or now a chipped tooth with a neighboring gray tooth(he's our ER child), and running all day long (which accounts for most of his wounds). He's quite charming when he wants to be, hates being man-handled (would prefer a time-out over a spanking), makes his displeasure KNOWN, and his bark is worse than his bite. Very obiendent, in love with our friend, Addie Piehl, as well as Spiderman and Lightning McQueen, he's a huge blessing to our family. He loves his siblings . . especially wrestling with Caden.

We enjoyed celebrating this third birthday and making him feel quite special. We are praying the passion and zeal God has given him would be channeled into serving Christ . . . harnessed for furthering the kingdom and gathered up to lead others to Christ.

Days of home schooling

Homeschooling has been challenging, but a project I've thoroughly enjoyed. Why are we home schooling? The top reason for us is character. Being able to work on laziness and using math to do it! However, another reason why we home school is to help nurture the love of learning. My kids fly through their days playing, creating, and enjoying every day to its fullest . . . and not to mention learning all day long. This particular day, I caught Hannah reading, outside, enjoying the sunshine and practicing reading for quite some time. I stole a quick pic . . just to prove that we are doing school in the midst of having a 3 month old and 2 other brothers as well.

This is where I sit with Hayes and where Hannah sits to do her work. We like the sunshine and the nice big window right by us . . . we are not always all smiles as this picture would lead some to believe. The challenging part of home schooling is working on character issues, sometimes all day long! But, in the end, (and I mean, the VERY END - from which we are a long ways off) it'll be worth it.

Hayes . . almost 4 months!

Here's Hayes - 4 months tomorrow! He is so fun . . when he gets excited he squeals and screams - cute now, not so cute when we can't get him to stop. He loves being entertained, taken care of, and loved on - classic youngest child. He's still, (we are loving this) sleeping soundly through the night. His laughter makes us joyful . . Hannah just remarked the other day how glad she is that we have him.

Probably, one of my greatest discoveries is bath time. When you have a 6 year old, it is so much easier to just let her hold him during bath time than trying to use a silly plastic tub! (For all you readers who are freaking out right now, I don't ever leave the bathroom). He loves it and splashes all around and Hannah keeps him warm in the water. Selling the plastic tub . . . one less piece of baby gear to clutter our home.

"Deer in the Headlights." Need we say more?