Family Visit

Last week, we had guests! Paul's parents, sister, her husband and kids came to stay with us. They were here for only a few days, but were able to celebrate Jacob's fifth birthday with us as well as enjoying some amazingly warm weather. We had such a fun visit, and the kids loved being with their Papa, Nana, Uncle, Auntie, and cousins. There was even time to get a few Easter activities in too - we colored eggs and used our backyard as a hunting ground for candy filled treats. We love you guys and had a great time having you here!!

A week of firsts...and fifths

It all started last Saturday - We made an appointment to finally get pictures taken of Jonah. He is five months old with no pictures - we am terrible at these things! We decided to get all three of the kids dressed nicely 'just in case' they would want to be in a picture with him. (I need to add that Chloe has NOT had her picture taken in TWO years - she screams if we even try it so we werent expecting much) Prayers were being sent up all over Goldsboro as we drove to Walmart..lol. EVERYTHING WENT GREAT! All three did so well - even Chloe! In fact, she asked if we could take more pics after the session was over. What a blessing it was:) The only problem we had was that Jonah wanted to move..he cannot sit still but he was smiling the whole time. The pictures are beautiful, adorable....I could keep going, they are my babies after all:)Monday afternoon I picked Jacob up from school and noticed that he was missing something - a tooth! He lost his first tooth at four years old! It had been loose for quite awhile, almost a month. Now, anyone who really knows me knows that I am a complete wimp when it comes to losing teeth, well anything mouth related really:) So, I had been praying that his tooth would fall out either 1) when Paul was home to help me OR 2) at school so I wouldnt have to deal with it at all. Thank goodness God has a sense of humor! The funny part is that he really did 'lose' his tooth - we couldnt find it anywhere! It must have taken a ride through his body courtesy of the hamburger he ate for lunch that day:)Tuesday thru Thursday were great days. The sun shined, the kids laughed, and we were all having a great week.Friday - the dreaded day for moms of four to five year olds everywhere - Kindergarten registration! I think having Jacob in preschool this year has helped calm my anxieties about him entering school next fall. His schedule has been very similar to what he will follow in kindergarten so we are a little bit more prepared. Its amazing, though, what the kids have to learn in that first year of school compared to years ago when we were there! No doubt, it will be challenging, but I know Jacob is ready for the task. The weekend was good - we did all the regular things - played, errands, visited with friends, and church. We prepared for our guests to arrive too! Papa and Nana Jankowski, and Uncle Chris, Aunt Amy, Kaylee, Alyssa, and Hunter will be here tonight to visit with us this week! The kids are so excited to see them and I cant wait for them to meet Jonah as well. So its Monday, and as I said, our company will be here later tonight to spend the week with us. Today will consist of typical Monday activities - school, laundry, vacuuming, etc. Tonight we will have fun being with family, and have a great week together. And then there will be tomorrow...Tuesday, 3 April 2007 - Jacob's fifth birthday! My baby is turning 5!! I guess the point of this whole rambling is that this has been a week of growing up. From pictures that went smoothly for the first time, to loosing a tooth, to Jacob's birthday, it has all been a week that I see my children maturing - and I dont like it! :) I want my babies to be my babies for as long as is possible, and I know that age doesnt change their hearts but knowing my first baby will be five years old tomorrow is so scary. Where has the time gone?? Where is it going? It makes me realize how important every moment that I spend with them is. It is a second, a minute, an hour that leaves an impression on their little hearts and minds for a lifetime. It is a smile or a hug that they will carry with them in each step of life's journey. I pray that God will make each of those moments special. I pray that my children will continue to grow and mature ( but to also know that they will always be my babies). I pray that we all will strive to take care of every second we are given - to make it one to remember.