"The days are long, and the years are short"

Our children have grown so much these past few months.  It's fun, amazing, and bittersweet to watch them as the grow.  Here's a little update on each of our little monsters:

Breena is sassy, smart and sweet.  She is very intelligent and eager to learn everything about everything.  She's also got a little sass in her pants (wonder where she got that from!).  Bree is such a blend of Dave & I which is great.  Breena will be heading to a five-mornings a week preschool this year.  She is excited because our little neighbor girl is also in her class.  I never worry about her making friends or adapting to new situations.  She is very friendly and immediately makes new friends wherever we go.  I am thankful that she is outgoing because it is easier to let her go.  But honestly?  I haven't spent much time thinking about her starting preschool this fall because every time I do I start to cry.  I am going to miss her terribly.  We decided to send her five days a week to help prep her for kindergarten.  While I still believe this is a good decision for her, I have a knot in my stomach thinking of how I will spend my mornings without my helper.  And how my boys will adapt without her.  She will be five in October.  FIVE.  When did that happen?!?! She's so beautiful and looks so grown up now.  Such pretty big brown eyes, long blonde hair, & silly smile.  She's a blessing and I love her so.

Eli is timid, hilarious, & creative.  Eli still holds the rank as my most difficult child to figure out!  He tends to be emotional & sensitive.  But also has a heart of gold. Eli is not looking forward to preschool this fall!  He will be going two mornings per week.  When I told him his teacher's name he replied, "no thank you.  I'll stay home".  HA!  Needless to say, preschool may be a bit of a battle the first several weeks.  But he will be just fine there.  Eli loves to ride his bike and play baseball.  He enjoys fishing with daddy & on "papa's boat".  Eli continues to sing at all times.  We've learned to listen closely to the words he sings because it often indicates how he's feeling.  Well, sometimes he just makes things up!  One time he was belting out "mommy pees in the potty daddy pees in the sink"!  HAHA.  Oh Eli.  He is starting to play more with Toby which is fun to watch.  I am glad he has a brother!  Eli makes me laugh more than anyone else.  I love my favorite middle child!

Toby is no longer a baby.  **Sniffle**  He will be TWO in a couple of weeks.  Lately, his words have really started to become clearer!  Every once in a while he will say a full sentence.  Toby will be attending school one morning per week this fall.  I'm guessing there will be tears at drop off, but Toby recovers pretty fast!  I will be working a couple mornings this fall which will be so great.  I want Toby to be able to play with other kids his age & establish confidence in other adult caretakers.  Toby love to read books, play with balls and push anything with wheels!  He likes to "go high mommy go high!" on the swing at the park.  He especially enjoys following Breena & Eli around regardless of what they are doing.  His favorite people are his grandparents, all 4 of them.  He squeals when he sees his "bamma's, bammpa, or papa.  I don't think Toby could possibly get any sweeter.  I could smooch his cheeks all day long and never get bored. Love him. 


Life is busy and crazy.  It's always a balancing act between caring for the kids, house, work, & personal needs.  And MOST days I love spending my days at home with the kids.  I read a quote that said, "the days are long and the years are short".  What a true statement.  Seems like I was just nursing a baby to sleep or up in the middle of the night bathing an infant who had a diaper explosion.  But the truth is, they need me less and less as time goes by.  I pray I've prepared them to face the next stage of their lives with confidence and knowing in their hearts that they are loved unconditionally.  They each bring such different joys to my life.  I have been a mother for almost five years now and there is still a moment in everyday that I find myself in awe that these three kids are mine!

5k

After years of hearing of others talk about finishing a race of some sort-I've finally   decided to join them.  Yep, I signed up to run my first 5k with some girlfriends!  I'm a few weeks into training and this morning I hit 2.5 miles in under 27 minutes!  My goal is 3.1 miles in under 35 minutes.  With 10 weeks to go before race day, I think I'll be able to nail it.  My motivation for any workout? The little people who are waiting at the door for me when I return.  I read a quote that said, "i thought about quitting & then I noticed who was watching".  Running is not my favorite thing to do, but I start my day feeling accomplished & I love being a role model for my kids.  Hard work & determination always pay off.  3.1... Here  I come!