A couple of days ago my husband informed me that I have not written or updated our blog in months, he was right. It has been many months and again our lives have changed. Since last posting Benaiah was born. Boy what a wait that was. Benaiah is now coming up on 6 months of age. For 6 months I have been a mother to 4 amazing children. These past 6 months have kept me super busy. Each day is filled with much drama around our home. Never a dull moment. Within the last few weeks our little boy has cut his not one but two teeth. He loves to chew on everything. Brady is in the 3rd grade this year. He is growing very strong. Brady loves his little brother and has nicknamed him "B". Brendlee and Brilynn are both continuing to grow. Brendlee is very smart. I must give credit to Nick Jr! Brilynn has recently been checked out by her doctor to see if tubes are necessary for her. We will have more information and rather or not she will need them in the next couple of months.
For me and Bob we are both starting new seasons in our lives. For Bob he has recently enrolled and began classes at Kaplan University. For me I have began selling online. I am excited about all the changes that we are experiencing right now, knowing that each one is in God's will for our lives.

To my children

As I looked over our blog tonight, I noticed the small caption that sits at the top of our page. "Our personal Star-lit Agape Journey How the gifts have shaped our lives". Wow! What an amazing thing for me to think about. Bob and I have always considered each of our children a gift from heaven above. Each one of them are a personal gift given to just us. Given to us to raise in the ways of our Heavenly Father. Each one of them Brady, Brendlee, Brilynn, Brandell, and now Benaiah have all shaped our lives in one way or another. For us shaping is not just a past thing, but also a present thing. Raising children can sometimes become a stressful process. I can honestly say during the past 4 years I have found myself wondering if what I am doing as a parent is the right thing to do. So many friend around me have continued to assure me that I am doing everything just fine, yet still I wonder. Four years ago when I married my husband I immediately took on the role of a mother. Brady was 4 years old, hard for me to imagine since Brendlee our first born daughter will be 4 on her next birthday. During these past 4 years I have become a different person and all because being a parent changed me. In my opinion being a parent should change you, being a parent should shape you in one way or another. I often wonder how anyone could stay the same after having children. Children test you and try you, push your buttons beyond what you ever thought you would be able to handle, yet still you stand and make it through each moment.

Along the way Brady has taught me to endure to keep going, to keep running the race of motherhood, no matter what anyone says, or does. Helping in the raising of him has taught me to love no matter what.
In Brendlee's 3 years of life she has taught mommy to be faithful and obedient. She has taught me that little eyes are watching to see what mommy is going to do. she has taught me that Star's shine bright and to try to look at the positive even in the negative.
Brilynn's life inside of me was a journey that was worth waiting for. Losing 25 pounds during my 1st trimester of pregnancy with her taught me that life is a journey and it's worth going through for the end result. Brilynn continues to teach me the joys of hugging,and laughing together!
Brandell taught me in his few short 14 weeks of life that love is unconditional, he taught me all about that "Agape" love. He taught me that no matter what I can make it, I can survive, I can trust my Heavenly Father with my entire life.
Now Benaiah... Only a few weeks left before we meet him and he, himself has taught me everything that I thought I knew, over again. Endurance, Obedience, Faithfulness, The Journey is worth the wait, Unconditional Love, and trust.

This post is dedicated to my precious children. To the ones that have shown me how much I am loved by my Father in Heaven.

Anniversary Getaway

This past weekend Bob and I were able to getaway for about 24 hours. We began our trip after dropping off our 3 children at grandma's. Leaving Bolivar we headed toward St. Louis. We had a wonderful journey to St. Louis with just the two of us. Bob and I really needed this time away to refocus and to concentrate on one another. Saturday night we were able to stay in the Best Western. Our originally plan was to go to the zoo on Sunday morning, but decided to just hangout at the hotel and relax. Bob was able to get a short workout in. We headed to the pool as soon as it opened but only stayed a short time before we wanted to head to Busch Stadium! Going by ourselves gave us time to walk around the Stadium and just check things out. We made our way to our seats and found out we had been placed in the Wheelchair section, sounds a bit weird, but I think it was some of the best seats in the house. The seats were actually plastic chairs placed right behind the stadium seats. I really liked the seats for the mere fact that I did not have to get up for a single person, or be right beside (shoulder to shoulder) with anyone. I felt like the seats were made just right for a pregnant women. The only down part was that we were right in sun with no shade in sight, which made for a bad sunburn. All in all it was an amazing time. Our trip back was relaxing also until we tried to take a short cut back to Bolivar to get our kids by taking 32. After driving 32 for a short time it took us on a whirlwind detour that made me think I was going to deliver our next child. We made it back to Bolivar around 9:00 and made it home around 11:00 last night. This morning we all slept in till Bob was called to go into work at 10:00.

Update on Family

Summer is almost half way through for us. Brady has been with us for almost a month, and we have enjoyed having him around. Summertime means so much to us, b/c of our time with him. So much has kept us busy from Brady's ball practices and games to Bren's acting classes and her upcoming performance in Charlotte's Web. Brilynn has stayed busy as well but in a totally different way. I had chosen not in enroll her in anything this summer b/c of everything else that has been taking place, so instead she has stayed busy becoming a toddler. You know the normal potty training, rubbing poop all over her bedroom, beating up her older sister.

Not just has the kids kept busy,but Bob and I have been running around like crazy. The weather has become very hot and humid and keeps me in alot lately, but being 32 weeks prego as of yesterday, maybe I have an excuse. Now for the reality of it, I have stayed in some and just recently stopped babysitting a sweet little boy. My girls miss him so much. Summer has kept me going here and there taking kids from place to place. The last couple of days I have found several moments of relaxation. Bob has been doing about the same and when he is off he runs the kids around while mommy stays home.

My kids light up my life and within the last week I have more than ever appreciated them.

About the up coming baby. At our recent appointments I have been informed that Benaiah is already sitting way low. I guess in my terms he is already half way out. We are expecting him to arrive in 5-6 weeks, but may have to wait out the entire 8 weeks depending on several different factors. Carrying him the first 20 weeks went by very fast, but now that we are at the end and anticipating him more and more each day time has come to a turtle crawl. I am so ready to see him and see his sweet face, and even more I am ready to see my husband's face when I deliver his son. For those who know us, you know our story, and you know how extra special this time is for my husband. I have been overcome with a pride in my heart for my husband and for the special moment that is soon to take place. I know my son is going to turn out to be a great person because he has a great daddy!

Yeah Yeah

So on Feb 6, I talked about how we got the internet hooked back up, which we did and have had to since, but life has been so busy... As most of you know by now I am expecting. We are due in August and are having a baby boy. Our family is so excited for this adventure. Bob and I have decided this is our last child. Kinda sad that we are closing this journey of having children but I know in my heart and through much conformation that we are doing what is best for all of us. I mean 4 pregnancies in 4 years is alot on one body. Others tings that are happening right now is Bren being involved in a program with the Lighthouse Theater in our town, they have a preschool program called Fireflies. Last night was her first performance of "No More Monkey's Jumping On The Bed". I have to say I think she was so adorable and cute. Brilynn is doing well, she is adjusting to having another little baby in our house. 3 weeks ago I began watching a little boy from church he is only a little over 2 months. She loves having him around and learning alot. This is exciting to me, since she will have a baby brother around all the time come August. Recently Bri has also learned to climb out of the playpen and open doors on her own... Wow my little baby is getting so big... Brady is already signed up for baseball for the summer. It won't be long and he will be at our house for his 2 months. I really hate not having him around all the time during the school year and miss him so much when he is gone... Come on Summer!!! Bob has been working alot, currently being on overnights... yuck... I myself well I am sure you know what my days include... enough said...