Ethan Charles

Today is a special day for my sweet son.  My second son, Ethan Charles was born today.  My smallest baby to date, my miracle baby, the baby that I waited for so long. The baby they told me I might never have... I waited almost 6 years for him to come.  He is sensitive, sweet and very caring and compassionate about everyone he meets.  He takes and takes and when he has had enough he retreats to his quiet place.  I am so grateful for him, he holds a special place in my heart!  I thank the Lord for him! He is 9 years old today and his middle name is after my daddy who died a year before he was born.  I love you Ethan!

April 2, 2012

Well folks, Jason and I made it to year one of marriage (4/2/12).  He has done pretty well of taking on a woman with four kids and then adding on one of his own.  At times, I can see his eyes glaze over, but his patience is overwhelmingly present and it calms me.  The last year and a half have been amazing. Here are some pictures to show our family and how we have traveled this amazing journey TOGETHER!

 This is our engagement photo taken my Michelle Carter of Michelle Carter Photography.  

(All photos courtesy of Michelle Carter Photography)

Our wedding day surround by family and friends! 

Our new precious family joined!

Finding that Jaxon was coming to join us!

Knowing that my 4 angels would love this angel more than life itself was overwhelming!

 A family of 6....almost a family of 7!

And then...that sweet baby came and made that daddy so happy....so overjoyed...beyond words

GOD has truly blessed....How can anyone not see that!

Our cup runneth over!

In the eyes of kids

Do you ever wonder what kids think about?  I do a lot and especially wonder what my little guy Jaxon is thinking about as we take care of him daily.  Does he feel safe and secure?  Does he feel loved, does he really even know what love is yet?  Jaxon has just started crying when he is upset...wanting a bottle usually.  After that bottle, he is the most content little fellow. He is so alert now, only taking 2 to 3 little naps a day.  He is smiling and laughing and kicking his little legs and holding his head up.  Since he was diagnosed with reflux and milk protein allergy he is not been on his tummy or back a lot because he spits up so bad.  So today, I laid him on his gym and let him play and laid beside him.  He smiled and reached for the toys hanging and just "talked" to me and the toys. 

I do not even have to wonder what my older guys and gal are thinking because they sure do let me know on a daily basis, and what they have to tell me is very enlightening!  So glad that they all have a good foundation and are not afraid to have a talk with dear old mom about things that bother them or about questions they have.  It is very important in this day and age to keep the lines of communication open with them.  The world is crazy and so unknown.  I can raise them the best that I can and hope that the old adage stays true..."Raise up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it".

Countdown....back to work I go

Sad :( Just really, really sad.  Sad to be leaving my new baby boy to go back to a career I am so thankful for and a classroom I love so much.  As I type this post, I am watching Jaxon in his swing, moving his little arms and legs, looking around with his big, blue eyes and wondering how I ever left my 4 other children to go to work and was it this hard?  I can truly say yes it was hard, difficult (swallow...big lump in my throat).  I know it will get easier as time goes by but the initial heartache is so painful emotionally. The time at home with him has passed by so fast, I have cherished every minute and I have taken tons of pictures.  I see friends having their babies and starting their time at home and other friends who are counting down to have their babies.  It is such a wonderful experience bonding with and learning about a new little person and watching that one little person blend in so well with your family.  

Back to the real world soon, back to working, rushing, deadlines, and all of the things that make life so hectic, but at least I get to come home to  6 of the greatest blessings ever given to me.  I love my family and I hope they know that I have never taken them for granted.

Happy New Year 2012

I am getting some quiet time this afternoon and I want to take a little time to reflect on the last year and how I am so grateful for the flurry of blessings that have been given to me by God.  We started our year off by attending church.  There were couple of points in the sermon  that made me really think about where I am in my walk with Christ.
1) Do I wake up every morning and think of HIM first and THANK HIM?
2) Do I begin my night with HIM?
3) Do I put God first before others?
3)  Do I cast my cares and worries upon him or do I worry and try to fix it MYSELF? 

I consider myself very imperfect.  I am not the straight line walker, I mess up constantly, I fail daily, I worry, I cry, I get frustrated, I cry, I get mad, I pout, BUT I am FORGIVEN!  Why shouldn't I take a minute, five minutes, to thank HIM for allowing me to wake up, after all, WITHOUT HIM I am nothing.  HE created me, HE has given me everything I have, and in one minute it could all be gone.  Life is busy, almost crazy sometimes.

Several times a day, I find myself worrying about money, life issues, my children...what if every time those worrying thoughts creep into my head, I would just ask God to take the worries from me and give me peace and strength to carry on?  What would happen? Does this mean the human flesh would not let these feelings rekindle?  Well, no but I have a FATHER who cares and who wants those burdens placed at HIS FEET! 

I just thought I would share.  This was heavy on my heart.

Jenn

Where has the time gone?

Jaxon is 1 month old now.  Where has the time gone?  He has changed so much.  He went from barely drinking an ounce to drinking 4 ounces in a month.  He is awake longer and more alert and he listens intently when I talk to him.  He warms my heart.  He gives my life purpose.  Most would think that taking maternity leave means no work, sleeping in, pajamas, dirty house, piled up laundry, etc.  Well, all I do is feed him, change him, but it is a joy, because for the last time (tears) I get to start off a precious angel's life.  When he cries, he knows his mommy will be there, when he is wet, he knows his mommy will change him, when he needs to be held, he knows his mommy will hold him.  When he needs to feel reassured, I will always be there for him.  Being a mommy is hard, but so so rewarding.  It is the most difficult job in the world.  As I watch him look around, sitting in his bouncy seat, I wonder what is going through his little mind.  I know he hears the noises of his brothers and sisters and his mommy and daddy talking to him.  I hope he feels safe and loved.  We sure feel blessed that God gave us another angel here on Earth. 

and then there were 5...

People say I am crazy....but you learn to cope.  Juggling is what I do best.  I love my children with all of my heart.  No it is not easy....They are spread apart in age, have totally different interests...but they are my joy, my leather-seated BMW, my trip to Italy, my diamonds, my yacht!  I don't need all of those things because I have what God entrusted to me and that I have given back to him, because they are HIS.  I get to raise them but truly my children are HIS.  I get to dwell in the memories, the milestones, the grief, the heartaches, the middle of the night feedings, everything about them because mommy's do that sort of thing regardless....mommies are there for everything.  I pray for them, that they will grow up and MODEL HIS PATH (they will certainly be well versed in it),  that one day they will find someone who will love them, pray for them, go to church with them and want to be with them because of who they are.

I love what I have.....I have prayed for what I have....Never do I take for granted what I have, because I know that in 5 minutes it could be gone...(lots of life lessons have proved that, past and present)  Storms in my life, yes. Do I worry, yes, trying to have more faith ( I know God is ON TIME and will make a way!)  Am I perfect, no way, but I AM FORGIVEN! 

Cherishing my life minute by minute!  

In HIS WAY!   JENN