3.3.16 Blessed.

Two times this week I wish I had taken a photo.  Instead I am going to write about it so I don't forget.

Yesterday was Isaac's 4th Birthday.  He woke up to a dining room full of blue balloons- 39 to be exact:)  And asked for birthday presents until he left for school- those came later in the day.

After a very trying morning with Sam, I managed to get myself and him into Isaac's classroom to eat lunch and celebrate Isaac.  I wish I had grabbed a picture of Isaac with his brother and classmates as they sang to him and he too quickly blew out his birthday candle.  A blue crayon candle.

We celebrated with dinner of hot dogs, peas and mac and cheese- and KETCHUP because that is certainly Isaac's own food group.  He received a construction costume and Octonaut Puzzle.

Today I had my weekly women's prayer bible study at church.  Sam and I left with just enough time to make it there a few minutes early in hopes of getting coffee brewed and not starting too late.  Much to my surprise, my co- leader Sally (who has never been early, let alone on time...) met me in the hall way looking for cream.  As was another member who has always come late.  Huh I thought.  But got Sam down the hall only to see EVERYONE in the group ALREADY THERE.  With decorations.  And a table of food.  And later PRESENTS.  My love language.  A baby sprinkle for our 4th baby, our son.  Just last week someone asked if we had a shower, and I said of course not- its our 4th we don't need anything.  Maybe diapers or meals after he is born would be great.  This was such a surprise blessing to me.  They all prayed for me and this baby too- for health and safety in delivery.  For a name.  For Nate to bond with the baby and help me without me asking.  For me to ask for help when I need.  I am in shock.  We only started this study in the fall.   I have only known most of these women since the fall- some shorter!  (three a bit longer).  I am blessed.  and thankful.  God is our provider and we are not in need.  Amazing.

Ok and I found two pictures...

2.1.2016

What a week!  We went from outdoor play to a snowday.

After taking Isaac to an ENT appt, Sam and I had a long playdate at the park.

Before Dinner on Us (a monday night parent teaching/dinner event at UMASS) I took the kids to Mill River to play.

Wednesday Night we had a fundraiser at Bertucci's for the Amherst family Center.  Our friends Luke and Hannah also came to town and spoke at NavNight. In between, I got to sit at the bar with my mom friends for a drink.  All moments were crazy and lovely.  I am so thankful.

Yep- thats my belly!

Waiting for Olivia's Bus

Making Valentines.  Olivia is SO creative.  Isaac said "Coming right up!" as we went through his list of classmates.

Friday it snowed!  NO SCHOOL!

Our friends Florence and Annabelle came over while their Mom had a doctor appointment.

Best time of day at our house- the sunlight!

At the hockey game that night. Go UMASS.

At a friends birthday party Saturday afternoon- Olivia was able to connect with her friends from her old school.

January 2016

Lets try bullet point photos for the rest of January in hopes of actually keeping up with documenting out life- which I love to do, but its so hard to make time.  Highlights of January 2016.

Celebrating Astrids Birthday with Breakfast at a local cafe Esselon.  Wonderful.  Lingered much longer than we "should" have and celebrated great friendships.  

Thursday Morning Prayer Growth Group Brunch
Carol (far right) invited us over for brunch- in my mind that means fruit and eggs if I am lucky- she gave us LUNCH and it was delicious and wonderful to EAT a real meal before picking up Isaac.  This group has taken effort, but its been so worth it.  And I think my prayer life has improved/changed...  the relationships have definitely helped!

Becky got married!!!
We met Becky as a freshman when we first moved here.
Her Mom and my friend Rhiannon knew each other from church and introduced us.
Mary and Becca in the front row were our Edgers that year. They met with Becky and her best friend Kaitylyn and Ana.
This is a picture of the relationships we hope to build in Navs at UMASS through generations of disciples.

An acquaintance posted this picture of her sons toys...  so "we" had to try to do it too...

Our third son!!!

Watching Daddy head to the dump- singing and dancing included.

Sam knows how to reach the counter and is often hungry. Ha.

Just watching TV

NavNights started... cause the semester started.  Nate spoke at the first one.  We are talking about Questions Jesus  asked.  And we have had close to 30 people every week!

At a birthday party with Isaac for his classmates Lucy and Charlotte.

This is the view from my new kitchen sink.  Complete with greenhouse window.  If you look closely - Nate is helping the kids put up bird feeders.  This moment and photo bless me so much.  How did I get so blessed to have this life?!

And this one!  Having our friends over for dinner for the first time at OUR place.  before this Isaac led them in prayer where they all held hands.  AMAZING.

Sams favorite.

This is not a great photo but I want to remember that the boys and I drove to Arlington on a thursday afternoon to meredith and Nathan and Seo.  It was great.  

When I pick Isaac up from preschool, this is where you will find us- he and his bud Henry on the swings.  I love their friendship.

Remember those warm days in January?  Well, during one of them the boys and I explored the neighborhood.

And then they played nicely for a LONG time with magnatiles.

Sick Day coloring.

Does our life look exhausting??  Cause sometimes it is.  And sometimes you just curl up on the floor and take a break.

1.2016

The first Monday of the new year came rather quickly!  We had packed Christmas break with celebrating and moving and a last minute trip to MD/PA.  And the year started with a bang.  After lots of movie watching on the way home, we declared and bribed our kids for two no TV days, actually three, with football watching allowed on Sunday:)  Isaac had a new found interest in volcanoes so we actually made one erupt with play dough.  Nate worked hard getting our new mudroom ready before he left town for the NELT meetings.  Monday morning Sam, Nate and I ran errands and visited the OB to hear baby boys heartbeat.  After pickup at preschool, the boys and I headed to the library and found some books on Volcanoes.  As we learned our new routine this week, I managed to not let the kids watch TV till 5 when Wild Kratts is on- then I made dinner and cleaned up- so I could go to bed shortly after the kids and be awake the next morning without Nate around:)  Olivia's bus comes home around 3:45 at the end of our driveway which was a great excuse to play outside.  On Wednesday our friend Amy and her family took the boys on an adventure of a lifetime up Mt.Sugarloaf!  A local mountain climb- that was REALLY icy.  They said it was a bit more challenging than anticipated, but Isaac told us they had "orange" bread at the top- pumpkin bread!  And our good friends Astrid and Jim had us over for dinner after so I didn't have to cook.  I am SO thankful for the community God has given us here in Amherst.  Thankfully Nate came home Thursday afternoon :)  And I assume we spent time as a family the rest of the weekend, but I can't remember the details!

I received this cookbook for Christmas and I love it!  Before the semester started and our nights got crazy I made some really great new dinners that were a hit!

Sam and I still attend the Amherst Family Center at least once a week- often on Wednesday when lunch is served.  This week it was actually Sue's Birthday so we had cake that Sam insisted on taking with him but per usual he fell asleep on the way to pick up Isaac at school.

Our new couches!

Playing and waiting for Olivia's school bus.  Thankfully this coincides with the best time of daylight at our new house:)

Yes this happened.  And I am still in shock when it does.  Olivia has library Tuesdays at school.  And yes, Olivia is wearing pink overalls and a turtle neck that were mine when I was little.

Our new couches and rug and table thing!  Thank you Wayfair.com!

Isaac was in the paper!!!  They photographed his preschool class in an article about their playground.  Which reminds me that our saturdays have become filled with grocery shopping for me and a trip to the dump for Nate.  This Saturday I also took all the kids to the library for a special program with singing, crafts, and reading.  It was wonderful to see so many friends from around town!  And I was pretty proud of myself for taking all 3 kids solo!

I also want to note I had our Women's Growth Group over Thursday morning.  It has been wonderful to host people in our new home!!!