Summer fun

Getting Close

We are starting to move closer to the "big build". It is cool to see God orchestrate things. We recently had our home inspection and are awaiting feedback from that. We received positive news from the bank and all they need are the blue prints, which we will be completing with in the week. We purchased our wood flooring for a majority of the main floor. Chuck, our builder, has a duplex we can rent while we build. The good news is it is just a few blocks from us and should make both moves an easy transition instead of one big move and dump. We are looking to close the first week of May. If all goes well we may just sign the sale papers and then sign the home construction loan papers and start to break ground. It is very exciting.

The other day Kate took the kids by the duplex to show them where we are going to stay while Chuck builds our house. Kate told Max that him and Charley will get to share a room with Myles while we live at the duplex. Max said, "that is soooo cool mom. Awesome!" It should be interesting.

However, on Thursday as we left the house for the home inspection Kate told me that it just now hit her we are moving. It made me think about all the "firsts" that happened at this house. It was our first home we bought, first time I did home improvement stuff, all three kids were brought home from the hospital to this house, first birthdays, first Christmas', first steps/ falls, first mothers day/ father day, our first dog, and soo much more. Yes, it will be sad to leave our home, but we are excited for the new adventure of a new house. A new list of "firsts" will be made and I can not wait to experience them. And with God leading the way... how could you not be excited?!

Can't get enough

Lately it seems as though I can not get enough of my kids. Even with the tough times of three kids three and under. I love talking to them on the phone when I have a break at work and can not wait to get home to see them. Monday I walked in the door to dead silence, which was broken by Myles saying "dada". Kate said the kids have been anxiously waiting for me to get home so we could go on a walk. Meanwhile they were passing the time by playing in the backyard with Zena. Needless to say dinner was put on hold and we went on a walk. We ended up going by the park and playing on the playground for quite a while. It was absolutely perfect.

Yesterday while I was driving to work I thought how much I love my children. Words can not even begin to describe the love I have for them. They mean so much to me. My thoughts were then diverted to how much my heavenly Father loves me and He just can not get enough of me. Yet, have I been anxiously waiting for him to come home just as my kids wait for me? Or perhaps I have been caught up in other distractions. The good thing is He is always there pouring out love, comfort, grace, peace, and anything else I need. What a comforting thought to know how much God loves me. So thanks God...not only for my family, but for being an amazing Father.

Happy Birthday Charley

Friday was Charley's birthday. She has blessed us all with her presence for 2 solid years now. For those of you who know Charley, she is one of a kind. She goes to the beat of her own drum, but has a heart of pure gold. Her laugh is unlike any other...it just makes me smile thinking of it. She can make you smile on the roughest days. I can not wait to get home and see her run to me yelling "daddys home". She jumps into my arms, kisses me, and all the cares in the world simply dissolve. I find it interesting how God has wired us to fit certain roles. Charley has a tremendous mothering instinct already. I love watching her care for her lil babies. Here are just some of the things she loves; her family, zena, dancing, her babies, singing (favorite song is "happy day"), shopping, playing in her kitchen, wrestling, and reading. These are just a few of many. Charley you are so amazing and special we love you so much. I thank God for you Charley and I can not wait to see how God continues to use you.

Well, as for all the kids birthdays we went to the St Louis Zoo. We had a great time seeing all the animals. Charley was able to go to the build a bear at the zoo and created a flamingo. It just screams Charley. We even got to see grandma peggy and grandpa steve because they just happen to be in St Louis. We had a great birthday lunch and finished the day with getting new shoes.

Big Boy Now...

Last Saturday Myles had his birthday. I can not believe it has been a year with him already. Yet, at the same time it feels like he has been here longer than a year. As I reflect on the year with Myles I can only start with the incidents which occurred during the birthing process. I will admit that day was probably the scariest day of my life. Primarily because I was helpless when my wife was in trouble. Due to my job I am use to being in control and the one who handles the problems. However, that day in the delivery room was different. The doctors were the ones calling the shots and all I could do was standby, watching as more doctors and nurses flooded into the room with bags of blood for Kate. Watching the frustration on a doctor's face grow is something I never want to see again. They concluded the only thing left would be emergency surgery. They wheeled her bed right out the door and rushed her off. I wasn't allowed to go in with her. By the time I made it back to the room a team of nurses had cleaned it up. So there I was in our delivery room, with my new son and his tiny little bed. The room seemed so empty without Kate and her bed in it. As friends and family began to fill the room we prayed for Kate's safety and precision for the doctors. As time went by the doctors came up and advised us Kate was doing well. We were told the chances of us getting pregnant again would be very very small. However, our God is very very big. We know that if He wants us to have another then we will. I am so thankful for those nurses, doctors, friends and family. We are truly blessed by God in so many areas. God brought you into this world in a very special way Myles. We have a feeling God has a very special plan for you. We love you!

Napoleon Dynamite?

Thats my boy.....

Sunday Fun

Tug and Sammy K have been coming home with us after church on most Sundays. The kids all get to have lunch and play. Today they got to play outside since the weather was so nice. Below are two videos of what they moved on to doing later in the day. The first video is from my perspective. The second is from Sammy K's perspective. Yes, I did let him hold my phone the entire time as Max pushed him. I know the video quality isn't the best. I don't have the iphone 4 yet......

Happy Birthday

Today is my brothers birthday! I know how you are with birthdays Thomas, so I will keep this short. We just wanted to wish you a happy happy birthday! I am so blessed to have you as my brother. We hope you enjoy your upcoming move and pray it is a prosperous one. We miss you and we all can not wait to see you again!

Potty Update

Max is continuing do great on the potty. He has not had an accident in over a week. I can't explain how big of a difference it makes in only having to change 2 diapers instead of 3. Charley you are next.....

Signing Day

On Sunday I signed Max up for his first season of blast ball. It is kind of like tee ball, but for littler kids. Essentially you place the ball on the tee and the slugger will swing at it and run to first base. There is a little horn in the base, so it honks whenever they jump on it. The team in the field is all huddled together and chase the ball wherever it goes. It can be rather amusing to watch. Several friends from church, including cousin Sammy K, signed up for blast ball as well. I was told I will probably be the coach. Good thing Tammy agreed to help me out. I think it should be a fun time. Max can hardly wait.

Potty Time

The last month or so we have been trying to get Max interested in peeing in the big boy potty and not his diapers. He said he wasn't big enough yet, but he would be someday. Well, apparently someday was a couple days ago. Kate was changing Max and he says, "Mom, I don't think I am going to wear diapers anymore". So we ran with that idea and have been working on potty training the last 3 days. It actually has gone fairly well. He tells us when he needs to go and sometimes he just goes to the bathroom by himself and takes care of business. There have been a couple little accidents when he couldn't get his pants down quick enough, but for the most part he is catching on well. We are hoping he continues on the path he is. Charley is getting close to being ready. However, I think we will just try one at a time.

Betty Crocker Wannabe

My wife has recently become a little Betty Crocker. With in the last couple of days she has made homemade bread, homemade apple pie, and homemade cupcakes. The kids preferred when she made cupcakes because they were able to lick the icing off the mixing beaters. Even Zena snuck in there and stole a couple licks. Poor Myles missed out because he was in bed.

I need glue

So this is was the kids big present at Christmas. Yes, I know it is way past Christmas, but I have been replacing tracks so frequently I have not had time to get it on here. It is a great toy. All the kids love playing with trains. Myles does pretty well with it, right before he just acts as Godzilla and destroys the town. The kids love it, and that all that matters. Charley has already broken the drawer which holds the trains because she wanted to make it into a seat. Obviously that did not work.

A Promise

While on vacation back in October, my brother made a deal with me that he would come back and visit more if I updated my blog. So pack your bags Thomas....

A lot has gone on since anyone, if anyone, last read this. Max turned 3 in October and is continuing to impress us on a daily basis. The information he is able to process and retain is simply amazing. I know every parent is bias, but I really believe is extremely smart. Kate and I have no idea where he gets it from.

Charley is getting ready to turn 2 in March. She might possibly be the death of me, but I love her to death. She has a heart of gold, but can be stubborn at times. I love to sit back and watch how she plays so differently than Max. She nurtures her baby dolls and it comes so instinctively to her. Amazing how God instills these different characteristics in us from an early age.

Myles is moving around like crazy. He will turn one in March. He is using the couch, chairs, toys, your leg, and anything he can get his hands on to assist him in walking around. He says dada and mama. He thinks the world of his older brother and sister. He follows them everywhere they go. The look on his face when he plays with them is priceless. He thinks he is so big.

Kate and I just celebrated out 5th wedding anniversary. We have experienced so much in our first five years. At times it feels like it has been more than 5 years- in a good way. I took an training position up at the Academy last January. However, I have put in my transfer to go back to the road. I had more time with the kids and Kate. Not to mention I wasn't donating as much time I am now. We are also trying to sell our house. With the number of kids and the lack of storage space and square footage, we are needing some more room. We have some plans drawn up to build. So we are currently just waiting for God to bring us a buyer. Other than that we are closing in on paying our debt off! The Dave Ramsey Project is almost complete. Only a couple more months. I know I have said it before, but I will keep this updated. If not for Thomas, then for myself. God Bless