I'm back

     Hi all! I know, it's been a while.
     I've been trying to get into the new rhythm of things, now that we're done with sickness... for now, and now that I feel like I know how to be a mama to two boys, I feel like like is starting to feel normal. Summer is coming, and I get to be outside more. Perks of us having a park behind us... we can go out and have fun without driving anywhere. ;)
     James is almost 2 years old now. He still isn't talking yet, but he says a few words, and signs a couple as well. He's been a tough child, and still is, but there are days when we're outside, and he splashes in the puddles or runs in the field making noises, that make me grateful that I'm his mama. I get to see him discover things, and handle situations on a daily basis. I get to see him be a big brother to Ezra, and oh my goodness, how he loves his little brother! <3
     Ezra is... well, the face that makes us all smile in the morning. He's 9 months old now, and always full of smiles. He reminds all of us to be a little more joyful. Ezra loves his big brother, and often times if he's fussy, and I bring him over to his big brother, he calms down. Ezra loves playing with Lego's, spoons, books.(when he gets his hands on them) He sits up really well, and is so close to crawling! He scoots a little bit, depending on his mood.
     I tell my husband often times, "God knew what He was doing when He gave us Ezra!" Ezra is seriously my laid back happy baby.
     As far as myself goes, I'm back to teaching piano lessons, in between naps, making dinner, and keeping up with the household chores.
     This last week, was the starting of some ladies in our church doing a group Bible Study during the week, which gave myself some fellow-shipping with like-minded mamas. Along with starting the group Bible Study, my mom and I are trying to do a book study together on Psalm 117. I have to admit, I don't have as much time to do this as I'd like. But, I love my mama, and this seemed fun to do as a mother/daughter thing. Plus, I always love the Psalms. ;)
     This season of life has been a growing period for me both spiritually and physically. Having a son who knows how to test my patience on a daily basis, has reminded me how faithful my Savior is to constantly forgive me and to be patient with me daily.
     So, that's what's new for me lately. I'm hoping to write on here a little more often, but we'll see. I like to publish things when I have a picture of my kiddos to go a long with it, but my computer isn't always wanting to do that.
     What's new with ya'll? Any summer activities you're looking forward to? 

Feeling Accepted

     This past week, my husband and I went up to Missouri for a Family Reunion that happens every 3-4 years. It was such a sweet blessing to be able to meet everyone, and feel loved and wanted.

     One thing that many of you many not know about me, is that I struggle with feeling wanted. I struggle with feeling accepted... for who I am. I tend to think of myself very lowly, and often times read too much into things, and feel un-accepted. In most circles that I've been in, there were clique's, most of which I was never a part of, mainly because I felt like people didn't accept me... they didn't make effort to help me be a part of their circle. They didn't welcome me in.
     So when I went to Missouri, and felt accepted by the family members there, I felt very loved. I felt like I did, when I moved here to Ohio. Where people excepted me, and welcomed me into their group. When I was sitting off alone for even just a few minutes, they'd join me, or they'd welcome me into their circle, and let me know what they'd been talking about.
     All of us to some extent struggle with feeling wanted. We want to be loved. We want people to like us... that's the human part of us. If you've never felt like you're on the outside, then I'd encourage you to look at others around you... welcome them into your conversation... even if you don't really want them to. Make people feel like they're loved. It's not enough to just say hi, you need to have a relationship with them. Check up with them every once in a while. Ask them how they're doing... and when they say, "fine." Ask them again... "No really, how's everything?"
     Another thing I ask, is that you try not to talk to the same person every week, and no one else. Especially if they're at church, and you see them every week to begin with. Go out of your comfort zone, and talk to other people... they do exist. ;)
     Any way, sorry to be totally off subject, but hey, it's me. :) I loved my time in Missouri, and meeting so many new people. We played games, stayed up late talking, ate lots of food, we laughed many times, had a tea party honoring Josh's grandmother. (who passed away many years ago from cancer)
     On our way back, we stopped in St. Louis with Josh's parents, and one of his brothers, and stayed at a hotel, went to a couple Museum's, had coffee, took pictures, played games, and rested. :) I've included some pictures below.
     What summer trip have you taken or do you plan to take?
     "This is the day the lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." ~Psalm 118:24~

Isn't Josh going to be a great dad someday?! :) I love you Josh!

 My husband and I both got awarded. :)

 Little Liam was just adorable holding this kitten in his overalls. :)

 My sister-in-law, Joanna, and her husband, Derek, joined us in a cave.

 Most of the family... Jonathan,(Josh's brother) and Ashley, were missing in this pic.

Live in the moment

This past week, I was in the kitchen cooking our dinner, when I heard my 5 year old brother say, "I wish I was older!" When I asked him why, he said, "Because then I could go hunting with daddy, and be good at drawing!"
When he said this, it made me realize how, all too often, I've said the same thing. "When I'm older...." How often do we take life for granted?!
When I was 15, I kept thinking to myself, "I'm going to be married and have kids by the age of 20!" I wanted so badly to be 20...Well, here I am 21, now, and I've come to realize that in some ways, we feel dis-contented by the life we live sometimes. We never live the "here and now"! (myself included)
My dad always says, "The past is history, the future's a mystery, but today is a gift, that's why they call it the present."

Live in the moment... it'll be history before you know it.
I was reminded of this again, when my little sister asked me a couple days ago, "Can you read me a book?" I was somewhat stunned... my 11 year old sister, asking if I can read her a book. I told her yes, but realized after I said that, that it wasn't from the heart. I had to force myself to remember that I won't always have these little moments with my sister.
Have you ever had a moment when you've thought, "I don't want this to ever end!"? I have, many times! So, live in the moment. Don't waste your life waiting and wishing! Enjoy each moment you have... whether it's with your friends or family.
“Forgive and give as if it were your last opportunity. Love like there's no tomorrow, and if tomorrow comes, love again.” 
― Max Lucado, Every Day Deserves a Chance: Wake Up to the Gift of 24 Hours

Normal life?... not yet!

Hi All!
Just wanted to let you know that I didn't disappear! ;)
I've been super busy these past few weeks.
I asked my mom a couple months ago if I could put together my brother's graduation, which means to find a building with a low price! ;) Get the slideshow and pictures together, order the cake, make phone calls, make invitations, send invitations, get the music together with my friend to play at his graduation, and figure out all the in between stuff. On top of that, I have to finish my Answers in Genesis online class, and have a couple more assignments to complete. Any way, my brother's graduation is this next week, so I've been super busy trying to get all the last minute stuff in order. My grandparents will be coming this week, and so my parents went on a weekend get-away for their anniversary before they come. While my parents were gone, I took my younger two siblings down to a place called, "Focus on the Family". Some of you may listen to Adventures in Odyssey. Well they have a play-place just focused on that! You can do treasure hunts, watch Veggie-Tales, go on there slides, put on a puppet show, and all kinds of other stuff.

The reason I'm telling you all this, is because, I spent a whole day with my siblings, and spent so much time with them! It's amazing how close you can get in your relationship when there's only a couple of you, and you're doing what you love!
Having a good relationship with your sibling(s) is very rare in today's culture. I feel so blessed to have a family! I've grown closer to my siblings in the past couple years then ever before. Having those special, quality time with my siblings, make's it all the more special. Yes, sometimes my siblings ask me something so simple like, "Caitlin, can you correct my essay for this week?" While it does interrupt my schedule, I need to remember to spend quality time with them, and to make the best with what I have. I don't get those moments back. There was a time this week when I had to finish my assignment before the end of the day, and one of my siblings asked me to play a game with them. Instead of saying, "Sure! I'd be glad to play!", I told them, "I've got to much to do. Maybe later." After I said that, I realized that my assignment can wait; my siblings are more important!
So, my point is, even in the busy time, go enjoy your family/siblings while you can! Make time out of your day to be with them!
I'll be back to write hopefully this next week! ;) Blessing!

Treasure Each Moment

Yesterday was a wonderful day for me!
The morning started out as a simple Saturday.
My mom went to a used book curriculum fair with a friend of ours, so my dad took the time to start to make me a piano bench. (because our chair broke) My dad was making it out of logs, so I helped take the bark off of the wood.

For lunch I took my sister (Joy) out to eat since she had a coupon. Afterwords, our family went to Walmart and Sprouts. Once we got home, my brothers bar-b-qued some Turkey Burgers, while the girls helped inside.

After dinner and dishes, our family watched a movie called, "A Bear named Winnie", which by the way is a true story, and is an amazing movie! Any way's, after that my dad came out of the Laundry room and said, "Would you guys mind if we went to get a little sweet treat" (we all assumed that he was talking about our mom and him going on a date to Dairy Queen which is pretty usual.) we all said, "sure", and then my dad said excitedly, "No, I mean all of us, as a family!" Everyone jumped from the couch, and raced to get their shoes on."

Once we got to Dairy Queen, every one's eyes turned to us. After all, we are a family of 8! We all took our orders and ate, laughing at all kinds of stuff. We had a wonderful time, before we headed home.

...I know that I keep saying this, but, isn't our family important? There was yet another treasured moment that I kept. As we went home that night, I couldn't help but think how blessed I am that I have a family. True, not all the time we get along, but as I've gotten older, I have seen first hand, what a blessing a family is.

so...treasure them while you can!!!

A Snowy Day

This last weekend we got pounded with snow.
It brought me to the point of realizing that I can't always count on good things to happen all the time. I don't like the snow...it's too cold, and too windy.
This last week, a bunch of things that we were planning, were canceled because of the snow.
One of those mornings, my sister wanted to go sledding. So, I took my sister, my little 3 1/2 year old brother, and my 13 year old brother, and we went down to the park nearby and sledded.
My brother, Austin, forgot to mention to me that there was a bump in the middle of the sledding hill. So, down Austin and I went on the Toboggan, and THUMP, ouch! Yep, My body was aching, but hey, it was fun! My little brother, Elijah, was having a wonderful time going down on the sled "by himself", and my sister, Joy, was having a wonderful time with her siblings.

Today, we got about 2" inches of snow. Yep, you guessed it, another snow day! I'm still sore from the first snow day.

I thought about the question, "What if..." what if today was my last day on the earth? Would I be happy about the moments that I treasured with my siblings? Or would I wish that I would have spent more time with them?

There are so many of my friends at church who have a wonderful relationship with their siblings, and I knew that that's what I wanted to have. So, even though it may take some effort, MAKE TIME! Make time for them! Even if it means putting off a project that you really wanted to do, it will mean more than you know to them. Even if it's just reading a book to them, or having a tea party, or playing a game. Make time for your siblings, after all, who knows, maybe today is our last day with them. Treasure it, while you can!

The Love of a Family

The other day my little brother, "Elijah" had his toy gun, and him and I were playing bad guy-good guy.

He turned around and pretended to shoot me; with a little sigh I pretended to die. He of course came over to me and said, "Kate-Kate, (which is what he calls me) I'm sorry!"

I said, "I'm gonna die"

Elijah said, "No!!! You can't die!"

I then said, "Why not?" Wondering why he was so upset about it...he said, "Because your my best friend." :-)

Isn't it wonderful to take in the life that God gave you? To breath in all the blessings that he has been gracious to give us? I love my family!

At times the house may be hectic, and it may feel like were living in a zoo...maybe it's messy, crazy, and a disaster all around, but I find that I miss them most when their gone. I can't imagine life without them!