The Birthday Celebration: Carter Turns 4 (almost)

Carter's birthday isn't actually until next week, but if all goes as planned, that's the day we will be bringing Sophie home from the hospital.  So, I really needed to do something beforehand (mom guilt) because I didn't want his birthday to be overshadowed by her.  

So, we went to Amarillo.  With that came the park, Discovery Center and an early evening of swimming.  He got to hang out with both sets of grandparents and a few cousins, too!  Life was good, and he loved every single minute.  

We brought some bread for the ducks and geese.

He opened some presents.

And, everyone played while we tried to keep the food from blowing away for an hour or so.

Water guns were there for all, and John Paul got the biggest kick out of spraying himself in the face.

The Discovery Center was a ton of fun, as long as random children weren't running up to my kids taking away what they were holding and screaming, "Mine!" It wasn't terrible, but there were some very possessive little ones there and it was all I could do not to jerk it back out of their hands and give it back to the boys. Calm down and walk away, Britt.  I did.

All Carter had wanted for weeks was a "stwaberry cake."  Then the little toot was too excited to eat it.

We made it back home and Carter's present from us was waiting.  He's basically spent the last four days on it.  

This little guy lights up our lives.  He's very "spirited" yet so kind.  A people lover but an anxious one.  Full of energy and remembers everything he hears.  He loves tractors and construction vehicles, could watch cartoons all day, prefers the outdoors, and adores his grandparents.  He has to have his routine (often saying the exact same thing at the same point in each cartoon watched or following a very specific order in his night time rituals).  He loves candy, specifically gummies ("Everything is better with gummies."), and enjoys a slim jim as a snack.  Carter loves to learn but wants to do it his own way (don't try to tell him how to hold his crayon)!  He's stubborn but doesn't want to hurt feelings.  He loves life.  And, he loves Jesus.  He's quite the ray of sunshine in our lives, and the past four years have been nothing but a blessing.

Happy Birthday, baby boy.

Those Guardians

Friday had been a long day.  Nothing terrible happened, but not many great things did either.  I think I'm just a little on edge and moving slower (not a great combo with three rambunctious boys)!  We had spent the day at my mom's (she wasn't there though), and after naps, we had a Mass to participate in and a graduation party to attend.  The boys were still recovering from an extra long week, and their demeanor showed it.

So, we made it to Mass (and my mom kept the boys - such a blessing).  It was the anniversary of our priest's ordination and he held a Blue Mass (I guess that's what they call it when they honor service men and women and members of the police department, fire department, etc.  As we were leaving, Father gave us a key chain with a Saint Michael medal on it, explaining how he isn't only the patron of the policemen, but of all in need of protection.

We quickly put the medal in our car and headed to the graduation party where we'd meet my parents and the boys.  It was a great event, and we left late (just trying to stretch the boys a little more, ha!).  As we left, the rain started coming quickly and heavily.  When we were about 1.5 miles from our turn off, we almost couldn't see, so we braked, put our hazard lights on and slowed way down.  Apparently the semi truck behind us didn't notice and within seconds he was inches from our suburban as we were being pushed off the road.  We barely missed him sideswiping us, and just as he cleared our vehicle, his trailer jack-knifed and he started hydroplaning down the highway.  Luckily we were going slow enough to stop before crashing into him, and he got it under control down the road, but I have never been so scared for our lives as I was in those moments.

I have to believe that Saint Michael was hovering over our car, protecting our little family.  Even more so, I believe our guardian angels were with us.  After listening to this CD a year or so ago, we pray daily for the protection our guardian angels offer.  They came though.  Oh, did they come through!

Plus it didn't help my worry when I found a pray card in my planner earlier that day that I have no idea where if came from.  It had a picture of the Holy Family on it with a poem called God's Child and Yours:

"I'll lend you for a little while 

A child of mine" God said - 

For you to love the while he lives 

and mourn for when he's dead. 

It may be six or seven years 

or forty two or three 

but will you, till I call him back, 

take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you 

and, should his stay be brief, 

you'll have his nicest memories 

as solace for his grief. 

I cannot promise he will stay, 

since all from earth return 

but, there are lessons taught below, 

I want this child to learn.

I've looked the whole world over, 

in my search for teachers true, 

and from the things that crowd life's lane 

I have chosen you. 

Now will you give him all your love, 

nor think the labour vain, 

nor hate me when I come to take 

this lent child back again?

I fancied that I heard them say, 

"Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done" 

for all the joys thy child will bring 

the risk of grief we'll run. 

We'll shelter him with tenderness, 

we'll love him while we may, 

and for the happiness we've known 

forever grateful stay. 

But, should thy Angels call for him 

much sooner than we planned, 

we'll brave the grief that comes 

and try to understand.

Needless to say, many prayers of thanksgiving continue to be offered that we're all safe and sound, together as a family.  And, I think I'll be a bit more okay with slowly chasing after them, too!

WIWS: 38 Weeks

It's time for another round of What I Wore Sunday with the ladies of Fine Linen and Purple.

I think the week of not much sleep for the boys finally caught up with us.  After the ranch party, we've had a few other events and a couple of days of bad naps, and let's just say this Saturday night made us pay a little bit.  It started with John Paul falling off the pew onto the unpadded kneeler (completely my fault).  That sent us to the cry room.  And, I think the older two maybe got a little jealous (ha!) and earned themselves a trip there as well.  We made it back out just in time for John Paul to yell, "Hi Fahder!  Hi Fadher!" at the priest for the entirety of the final blessing.  Thank goodness this priest loves kids.  

dress // Motherhood (from first pregnancy)

38 weeks and "about ready to pop" or so I've been asked more times than I can count this week.  I would ask myself that too if I saw me at an event, haha.  One more OB appt.  One more week of semi-good sleep.  One more week as a family of five.  One more week of just me and the boys.  We're so close, and while we absolutely cannot wait to have this little Sophie in our arms, I'm praying for a week of really enjoying these kiddos and making the most of our last few days of "just us."

Have a blessed Sunday and check out other outfits on FLAP!