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.

Fevers, Coughs, and Spots - Oh My!

530am - What were you doing? Me? I was awake with all three of my kids (two of whom did NOT go back to sleep). Jacob and Jonah are sick - fever, cough, runny nose, the works - and Chloe, she just didnt want to miss anything. Now its almost 10am. Is that close enough to justify naptime?
Jacob came home from school Tuesday with a fever of 104.9. Yep, you read that right - almost 105! I know that, in children, high fever isnt something that is too worrysome, but he was miserable. Wednesday consisted of making an indent in the couch, wiping a runny nose and wearing out the tv. Thursday was a bit better. We took advantage of the absolutely beautiful 80+ degree weather playing outside as much as Jacob felt up to.
Jonah and Chloe were fine both days. Chloe was a bit concerned that brother was taking up too much of my time, so I did hear a bit of 'Why aren't you in school?" and "Go away brother" from her sweet little mouth. And now being Friday, lets just say I cant wait til school Monday morning! Jonah has loved being outside in his walker. He can move both backward and forward! His little toes have a few rough spots though after being on the cement. The warm weather is something that Jonah is going to have to adjust to slowly. In barely 80 degrees, he was sweating with rosy cheeks.
That brings us to now - 10am on a very wet, dreary Friday and me wishing for naptime. Jonah has fallen next victim to whatever it is that Jacob has. In addition to the fever, stuffy nose and cough, this bug has left him spitting up constantly - ick!! Jacob seems to be a bit better, but the fever just wont leave. And Chloe, she hasnt been affected yet - still crazy and bothering brothers. Her time might be coming though. Spots may soon decorate my little girls smiling face. Two weeks ago, she was exposed to chicken pox. Now we are playing the waiting game. Time will soon tell whether our house will be overrun with yet another epidemic..lol

Springtime

I cannot believe that March is a day away. Did we even have a winter? I do remember a few days of unusually cold weather here, even our ONE day of snow, but it seems to be gone. Of course, I'm not complaining - I love warmer weather and sunshine! The recent days of warmer weather have refreshed my craving for spring. The windows are open, the smell of growing grass and blooming flowers are floating thru my house. The kids are anxious to be outside too. I dont think there has been a day recently that has kept us inside. The washing machine has started to see grass stains and leaves hiding in rolled pantlegs again.
With this turn towards spring, it has made me think that I might need a new season to my life as well. A refreshing of sorts I guess you could say. The days that left us stuck in our houses made me a bit short tempered and dull. Its not exactly where I want to be. Paul likes to call me a flower because I get recharged with nice weather..lol. So let the sun shine in! I know that only God can truly make my days sunny and bright. So Paul and I are trying to make prayers with the kids and quiet times more of a focus than they have been in the past. We can already feel the change in the air!
Here's to a new season, a new spirit, and a springtime full of sunshine and blessings for us all.