siblings – Page 3 – The Bless Your Heart Blog

A Grace Filled Mother’s Day

Where do I even begin?

I’m a momma three times over now and I’m not sure I could be any more joyful. Never, EVER did I think my heart could hold so much love…so much adoration…for such beautiful little creations…

Our days have been full of so much grace here lately; grace for things that might not seem like a big deal to anyone else but things that spoke so richly of His love for me…

A decent night’s sleep before induction (unlike the last two births)…

My babies waking up earlier than normal so that I got to love on them before I left for the hospital (which was a good thing since that whole labor thing took a little longer than we were expecting)…

Checking into the hospital with a nursing staff full of familiar faces that were excited and ready for us to meet sweet Sayble…

Rainy, cloudy, overcast weather that kept our recently planted grass nice and moist while daddy was away taking care of mom instead of the yard…

Decisions that I was nervous about making that ended up being made for us since we had some small progress…

A nurse that encouraged us to sleep until the next round of induction drugs could be administered because labor would come if it was going to come…

A doctor who is patient and understands the desire for natural labors…pretty sure had I been in a big city, they’d have just cut me open and snagged baby so they could attend their kids’ track meet since it was taking longer than expected…

Blood sugar and blood pressure that stayed right on their respective cues from start to finish…

A baby who’s heartbeat never once showed signs of distress during that lengthy process…

A nurse and a doctor who delivered their baby’s naturally who encouraged me just as much as my sweet hubby and doula-mom…

A friend who volunteered to cover a shift so I could squeeze her hand off while she championed with me to have this baby…

Being able to allow myself to sleep through some of those first few hours of contractions…

Pitocin finally doing the trick and other than transition, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be…and pretty sure transition would be bad regardless…

Pushing out that sweet baby girl in nine little pushes…

Post-partem drugs doing what they were supposed to do to help my uterus really clamp down back into place and size…

An easier recovery (mentally and physically) than Wryder’s birth…

A (so-far) seamless transition from two to three…or four to five…

I feel like grace was the word for this pregnancy from the get-go…and I’ve experienced it so richly the past week or so that I’ve found myself not being able to help but pour it right back out.

As a type-A kinda girl, there have been plenty of opportunities (now that there are five of us in one house) that didn’t quite meet my rigid expectations and I’ve noticed that I’ve dealt with them swimmingly. I haven’t felt rattled or frustrated or disappointed…I’ve just felt a sense of nonchalance…trust me, THAT is grace.

I know that grace is an area I struggle with; I don’t have much for myself, much less for anyone else…but when I see it in action, it literally brings me to my knees. It is SUCH a breathtakingly beautiful thing. How I looooooooonnnnngggg for more…and long to give it away more…

So this Mother’s Day that is what I wish all of you mommas and mommas-to-be and mommas who’s hearts are burdened for whatever reason or season…I wish you grace…

That you would be able to see how readily it is available for you and that you would reach out and receive it…

That you would fully understand the weight of the job you do but know that it’s not all up to you…

That you would cut yourself (as well as the mom next door) some slack and dwell in the shadow of the Almighty as He works with you to fill in the gaps…

That you would give it away even when you think it is undeserved – because isn’t that really what grace is…

Happy Mother’s Day to the women of the world! Grace to you in all you do!

Ready

I feel like I’m to the point that I am READY.

I’m ready to meet sweet Sayble.

I’m ready to labor and push and bring her outside of my body.

I’m ready to snuggle her and swaddle her and get to know her outside of the womb.

I was scared to death of the whole labor process with both Sawyer and Wryder and I don’t feel that way this time…and I pray I don’t pass that point of readiness.

I feel like I’m perched on the diving board and I’m READY to take that leap into the deep end…the house is cleaned and organized and bags are packed and the ‘big brother/big sister’ shirts are made and we have diapers and wipes and formula and bottles and the carseat is in the truck…but labor hasn’t commenced so I can’t take that leap just yet.

I don’t want the longer I wait to increase anxiety, because that happens sometimes doesn’t it? When you feel SOOOO ready and you just wanna jump in feet first but you have to wait and then the enemy starts whispering fears into your ears…general anxiety sets in…and you’re a blubbering mess. Don’t ask me how I know.

I would LOVE to go into labor on my own this time. I haven’t had that luxury with either kid prior…apparently my womb is quite comfy. 😉 I keep telling the Lord that He knows the desires of my heart, but I trust that He’s knows best as well. He has been so faithful this pregnancy, friends.

I had so many fears going into this one. My heart so longs to be obedient to Him and I wasn’t certain that He was ok with us having a third one. I was reminded that He views children as blessings…He wants us to fill our quivers! We have the means and the ability to create more warriors for the Kingdom and He would bless this addition. He is the giver of life so even despite our efforts, if Sayble wasn’t meant to be, she wouldn’t have been. But she IS.

Her story has looked different than the other two, but no less full of His goodness and grace. After watching momma’s go through tough pregnancies and walk beside some as they lost babies and after having a bout of pre-eclampsia the day I was induced with Wryder, I have been so scared that I wouldn’t make it with this one. I didn’t want her to be born early and spend time in the NICU in a different city…I didn’t want to be scared to death and have my life threatened with pre-e…I didn’t know how I would carry her to term when I already felt so huge…

But? We’ve made it…and none of that has come to pass. He has showed me that He is trustworthy…again and again and again… Lest we forget…

We go in for another checkup tomorrow…and until He’s ready for her to make her debut, we will wait expectantly for her arrival. I will savor these kicks and stretches and countless bathroom breaks and never-ending house cleanings and day dreams about her sweet face and the last happenings as a family of four.

Pray for our family in this time…that we would wait well and that we would savor these days together…that labor would come in His time and that all would be safe and well and healthy…that we would honor Him with our story of Sayble’s life…all of our lives…He is most worthy.

Worth 1,000 Words: Easter in Nebraska

Trying to get a good pic of 2, 2 year olds is challenging... — Trying to get a good pic of 2, 2 year olds is challenging…

Wryder was ready to tear open that Easter basket!

Breckyn was all about the chocolate... — Breckyn was all about the chocolate…

His face is SO cute in this one! Eggs are exciting!

The Easter bunny was a big helper... — The Easter bunny was a big helper…

Telling the Easter bunny bye... — Telling the Easter bunny bye…

The Birthday Boys

Happiest of birthdays to two of the biggest miracles I know!

My sweet nephews are one today! ONE!

A year ago today, they were born via c-section at 26 weeks gestation. They weighed in a 1 pound 1 ounce and 1 pound 4 ounces. They’ve come a looooooooong way, they have!

Our first meeting... — Our first meeting…

The Lord has been so faithful to their family. My sister-~~in-law~~ reflected back on the past year and I encourage you to check out her story here.

Happy birthday, boys! We love you sooooooo very much! We have been honored to be able to watch the Lord’s hand on your lives and to stand by your family as we prayed for you and over you. You are alive and thriving for a reason, little warriors! We have seen His favor on you and we pray that you will follow Him all the days of your lives!

I hope you get to eat lots of cake and ice cream…and that your momma sends me a picture when you do! 😉 We love you!

Random Rambles

Up until I had kids, I much preferred “fall backward” over “spring forward.” I mean, who wants to lose an hour of sleep?! Well, with kids, spring forward works waaaaaaay better around here. Since that happened a few weeks ago, Sawyer has been sleeping until 8 and Wryder until 9. Wrex and I have been trying to at least be IN bed by 9 every night so I’ve been getting AT LEAST 10 hours of sleep at night. It’s. Been. Glorious.

This Tuesday, Sawyer and daddy had teeth cleanings in North Platte that we had originally scheduled for 10 am. His sale got cancelled so the dentist graciously allowed us to move our appointments until the afternoon…for the sleep factor, ya know?

We slept in, ate breakfast, got around and got to town in time for Wrexy to eat at his favorite Chinese food buffet. 🙂 Sawyer saw this sign in the bathroom and was just incredulous at its meaning…or what SHE thought it meant.

She said, “Pssh. Mom? What does that sign even mean? Who would go to bed in the bathroom?” Hysterical. Love that girl…

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She and daddy were both cavity free and got new toothbrushes and lots of compliments. The dentist just thinks Wrex has the most wonderful teeth. Sigh. I’m sure I’m just a wee bit jealous. Prior to his first visit six months ago, he hadn’t even been to a dentist in 12 years. YEARS, people. He still only had one cavity. One. And I know how much pop he drinks and how often he brushes. He’s a dental marvel… He told me last night that he’s pretty sure he had the same toothbrush all four years in college. I almost threw up…for lots of reasons.

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We’re head to Nebraska for Easter weekend so we’re going to do our little family Easter celebration this weekend. Yesterday morning, we took some time to color and decorate some eggs. This was Wryder’s first time and it went pretty much like I expected it to. 😉

Gosh, she's gorgeous... — Gosh, she’s gorgeous…

Gettin' a little help from daddy — Gettin’ a little help from daddy

Sister's an egg dying pro! — Sister’s an egg dying pro!

Wryder just needs a little more finesse ;) — Wryder just needs a little more finesse 😉

After we got them dyed, we decorated them with stickers and hair and pipe cleaners…

A lot of his turned out like this:

but that’s ok!

Our little egg creatures... — Our little egg creatures…

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Sawyer helped me sort some M&M’s yesterday morning. We’re working on stuff for Wryder’s birthday and I needed yellow, green and brown only. She was FAST! I was quite impressed with her sorting skills…

Wryder did his part by eating anything that sister snuck him or we dropped on the floor.

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I got some new Jams in the mail this week – some unexpected! I decided it was time to take the time to do mine again. (We did Sawyer’s Monday). I love ALL of these – so cute!

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A few years ago, one of Sawyer’s sale barn buddies gave her a two dollar bill and a 50 cent piece for Christmas. I LOVED the sentimentality behind this gift because it was something my grandparents and uncles were always prone to do for us. In fact, there was a number of years that I was positive a 50 cent piece had my Uncle Danny’s picture on it and I referred to them as Uncle Dannys and I would use ONLY Uncle Dannys to buy my school lunches.

Last night, Wrexy brought home a set for Wryder from this same gentleman.

It’s a sweet, sweet thing when people show love to your kids…

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It’s Fun Friday and we’ve got some innocent mischief to get into! I pray you enjoy your weekend – it’s supposed to be a pretty one!

Sissy, Bubba and Sacrificial Love

One of the prayers Wrex and I are constantly speaking over our kiddos is that they will always love each other and be one of each others’ best friends. Right now, that’s a pretty easy thing for them.

Wryder was so lost last week when sister was sick. She didn’t feel like playing and we wouldn’t let him close enough to hardly hug or kiss her and he was definitely missing his “sissy.”

Every week when it’s time to drop her off for Cubbies, he’s usually ok for about five minutes or so and then the constant questioning of, “Momma, Sissy?” begins. He absolutely can not wait for 7:45 to roll around so that he can go with us to pick her up.

Last night was no different. He even asked daddy to move her carseat next to his so they could sit right next to each other. Melt. My. Heart.

During the day yesterday, we ran into Ogallala to run a few errands and let the kids hang out at the sale barn with daddy for a little bit. They had a ball, of course. Once it was time to head home, we had two vehicles and Wrex offered for one of them to ride with him (in hopes *ahem* they’d both take naps on the way home without the other to distract them). Well, obviously they both wanted to ride. How do ya pick???

We decided to let Sawyer go with daddy and as he went to get her out of her seat, brother started crying. After a second or two of thought, she piped up and said, “Daddy, I’ll stay with momma so that Wryder can go with you. I think he’d really like that.”

I was a puddle. I was so proud of her sweet sacrifice. There is no bigger daddy’s girl on the planet than this girl. She even picked out a “ranchy” outfit this morning and put bidding cards in her pocket before we ever walked out the door so she could be like him. It was a REALLY big deal for her to choose Wryder to have that privilege over herself…

We told her how proud we were of her and then daddy loaded up Wryder while I pulled ahead to get some fuel. The boys drove by us and stopped to wave…and sweet Sawyer just lost it. She was crying so hard.

I think there were a lot of factors; she’s still not 100%, she was tired and I think her decision probably hurt a little. Isn’t that how it is with sacrifices? They’re not usually painless. Learning to die to self in order to give to something else is a process and it’s not easy.

Dating someone? Gotta learn to die to yourself in some areas. Marry someone? You really gotta learn to die to yourself. Have kiddos? You really, REALLY have to learn to die to yourself. And oh, it’s a good thing…it really is…but it’s not easy.

I opened her back door and hugged on her and talked to her about sacrificial love and she just kept saying, “I love Bubba so much! I just love him so much!”

I love their hearts for each other and we do our darnedest to foster that relationship. Just yesterday, I came across this post and saved it to my phone…

Today renewed that vigor. Here’s to raising future best friends and leaving a legacy of relationship and family with them…

To my bubba – I love you dearly, too! We’ve had our share of ups and downs but I tend to only remember the ups. You’re a keeper!

And to my siblings I got when I married my Wrexy – you guys have my heart. I love you oodles! I couldn’t have picked better ones myself…

Random Rambles

So, last Friday, I wrote this lovely post about how excited I was about the weekend. Wrex and I were scheduled to go on a weekend babymoon and the kids were going to stay with some good friends of ours in Denver. We were all OVER THE MOON excited! Just as I hit post, my good friend from Denver called and one of her kiddos had gotten quite sick at school that day. I felt so bad for them and didn’t want her to feel bad about not being able to keep the kids that I deleted my post.

After a lot of discussion and prayer, we decided that based upon our schedule the next 6 weeks and just the need for some items from the big city, that we’d turn it into a family-moon instead!

We ate well, swam at the hotel, shopped til I almost dropped and just had a fun time together. It wasn’t quite the weekend I originally had in mind, but it was a good one regardless. We were just blessed that we were able to go…

He gave Sawyer a dollar and she was fired up!!

Wryder's side of the table at BWWs. That boy is HANDSY! — Wryder’s side of the table at BWWs. That boy is HANDSY!

A portion of Wrexy's paycheck sitting in the mudroom... — A portion of Wrexy’s paycheck sitting in the mudroom…

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Before we left, Sawyer had a bit of a cough and wasn’t 100% but she didn’t have fever and still had her spunk. She seemed a little off on Sunday but we thought she might just be exhausted from all of the festivities like the rest of us.

Yesterday, she told me her mouth (throat) hurt. She woke up crying in the night and my incredibly awesome hubby left me in bed and went to check on her. Her throat was hurting pretty bad and she was a miserable mess.

He gave her some Tylenol and got her some juice and ate popsicles with her at 10:30 last night. Honestly, you guys, he’s the dad we all wished we had.

She woke up this morning in BAD shape. I had a baby checkup so I took her in with me; poor girl has a nasty case of strep. We picked up some antibiotics, a lot of different fluids and “How to Train Your Dragon” on DVD. Here’s to hoping she’s 100% soon…and that it steers clear of the rest of us!

Sweet girl still insisted on a green mustache and bows in her hair before we left.

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Yesterday, we talked about St. Patrick and the REAL meaning/reason behind St. Patrick’s day. I was telling the kids that he was a christian missionary in Ireland and I asked Sawyer if she knew what “christian” meant. She said a christian was someone who had Jesus in their heart and she told me that she and I and daddy had Jesus in our hearts.

Little brother piped up saying, “Jesus me heart! Jesus me heart!” Mine about melted…

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Speaking of Wryder, he has been absolutely ravenous lately! The boy ate all weekend until I didn’t think he could stomach another bite. Yesterday at supper, he ate half of a ribeye, a cup of applesauce, corn on the cob, sweet potato fries, two pickles and then BEGGED for a piece of cake! The funny part? There was no cake anywhere around…apparently he just had a craving?!

Today, he charmed his way around the doctor’s office and hospital and scored a fruit by the foot and two suckers. Yes, that was while he was with daddy while mom was with Sawyer. *ahem*

How could you NOT shower him with goodies?!

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Tonight, we’re planning on taking it easy and doing a little rearranging in the baby room while the kids watch their movie. All of that stuff in the mudroom photo above needs to fit in the nursery or nursery closet…wish us luck! 😉

Love Multiplied

I keep reminding myself that I need to blog…but I feel like I’m lacking subject matter…or new subject matter, I guess. We’ve just been playing outside, enjoying this spring-like weather in the dead of winter.

We’ve played with goats and chalked on sidewalks and jumped on trampolines and played at the park and gone on walks and fed chickens and explored and ran and played ball and ate popsicles and built things and rode scooters and had cookouts…but what we’re really doing is soaking up these last days as a family of four.

We speak of and treat Sayble like she’s already part of the family (because she IS) but she’s not out of the womb yet…and we all know that when that time comes, things will change again.

She’ll require more of me than she does now and will need more of my hands on attention. We’ll all work on bonding and transitioning to our new normal as a family of five. There will be less time for individual time with the kids…for everything (for a while) for that matter.

I remember being scared to death before Wryder was born because I couldn’t imagine how in the world I was going to be able to love him even half as much as I did Sawyer. I mean, that girl…

The Lord does miraculous things with love; mine was multiplied, not remotely divided! I mean, isn’t that how He is with us?? He doesn’t divide His love equally among the entire human population and we all get the tiniest sliver to survive on. No way! We all get ALL of His love!

I remember when they placed Wryder on my stomach and I saw his sweet, quivering lip and his little face that looked so much like his sister when she was born I was smitten! As time has gone on, I love him even more…her, too.

I have no qualms about having enough love for sweet Sayble. He’s multiplied it once, I know He’ll do it again.

Until she makes her arrival, we’ll soak up these last days together before four becomes five…before love is multiplied…before we wonder how we ever were before Sayble…

The product of Wrex and I's love... — The product of Wrex and I’s love…

Worth 1,000 Words: What We’ve Been Up To

I was a little absent last week, though I can’t REALLY think of anything out of the ordinary we did – doctor check ups, grocery shopping, Cubbies…just the norm.

There was a little TV watching…mainly so I could watch them cuddle.

Aren't they sweet!? — Aren’t they sweet!?

Wryder got stuck in the chair one time. Then, after all the attention and hubbub, he got “stuck” a dozen or so more times.

I’ve apparently entered THAT phase of pregnancy. You know, the one you just don’t really get cold anymore because you have so much blood and baby pumping through your body? I guess Wrex was a little chilly on the way home Wednesday night and had a good giggle about his pickup settings.

The temp I put the pickup on... — The temp I put the pickup on…

We did a little chicken gazing. I could watch those ladies all day!

Wryder is ALL about driving these days. After almost every meal these days, he’ll pick up his empty plate and use it as a steering wheel. When we were outside, he used the knob to the jack on the trailer hitch as a little tiny one. It. Was. Adorable.

The kids got some belated valentines from Gramps!

Wryder LOVES food. One of his favorites, though…

This weekend has been a REALLY good one! The weather kind of forced us inside to work on some projects we’ve been wanting to get done but haven’t taken the time to do…and a few relaxing deeds, too!

We got baby Sayble’s layette done, as well as our taxes – hallelujah! Those can seem so daunting sometimes but Wrex and I worked all morning and got them done AND get a refund – always a plus!

We let the kids pick out a movie and had a fun supper in the living room…and Wrexy and I had a Bourne marathon! YAY! I’ve been wanting to do this for forever because I often fall asleep or get sidetracked while I attempt to watch ANY movie, but especially ones that aren’t so brainless. 🙂

We had a little outside snow play…

Don't ya just love their hats? — Don’t ya just love their hats?

and a lot of other silly shenanigans!

Tomorrow, we’re back to the daily grind. Thankful for this snowy cold…

Worth 1,000 Words: Our Heart Day Weekend

The kiddos hit the mother load with the mail yesterday, making it an exceptionally fun Friday! Miss Pam, our mail lady, brought them sticker valentines AND packages and cards from great-grandma, grandma and auntie!

Bears and dogs and crayons and tractors!

We were just heading out the door for fun Friday shenanigans and we got inundated with surprises!

My gorgeous valentine girl... — My gorgeous valentine girl…

More heart hair! :) — More heart hair! 🙂

Wryder wanted to sneak in there, too... — Wryder wanted to sneak in there, too…

The animals had to accompany us to lunch at Subway, of course.

We left them in the car for some playtime at the park. Another gorgeous winter day around here…it was lovely!

More interested in showing me the airplane than posing. ;) — More interested in showing me the airplane than posing. 😉

We ran a few errands, came home and took naps and then headed back outside to watch the tractor across the road work ground and eat some of the Valentine goodies we got in the mail.

Eating cookie with bear... — Eating cookie with bear…

Once the cookie was gone, he tried to eat the tin!

Once the sun went down and the wind grew chilly, we headed inside to finish working on daddy’s valentine.

Very serious business... — Very serious business…

Bear even got a special seat... — Bear even got a special seat…

This morning, we celebrated with valentines to each other and a lovely breakfast!

Strawberry hearts, sugar/cinnamon love toast and scrambled eggs!

Opening his gifts... — Opening his gifts…

He LOVED his "Ma-Mouse" socks! — He LOVED his “Ma-Mouse” socks!

Not sure how I'm gonna get them off of him... — Not sure how I’m gonna get them off of him…

Pretty flowers from my hubby...complete with hydrangeas - my fave! — Pretty flowers from my hubby…complete with hydrangeas – my fave!

Sawyer spent the morning gathering some of her most prized possessions to give to daddy for Valentine’s day.

It might look like a pile of junk to the untrained eye, but these are some of her favorite things that she keeps up in her room away from little hands. I cried when I saw it all…it was what she had to give…and she gave it so willingly.

I love the hearts of these people I get to call mine. It’s been the perfect day because we’ve been together…not sure what more I could ask for.

Daddy and the kids ran to town to pick up pizza – a special treat out here in the sticks…especially when you have to drive 60 miles roundtrip to get it! We’re gonna watch a fun show, snuggle and stay out of that cold wind!

I pray you have felt as loved as I have today. My heart is full!