A Sons Love

"Mama, I sit on your lap?"

"Buddy, you have to wait a minute until I am finished feeding Heidi and then you can sit on my lap."

His tantrum begins. 

My frustration at trying to please all three of them at the same time is getting the best of me and I let anger and stress come out as I yell at him to go to his room if he is going to cry. 

My own hot tears roll down my cheeks. My little man. Still getting used to the transition of being the youngest and having all my attention, to being a big brother and having to share my attention even more. 

He's not used to not being able to crawl into my lap and cuddle there whenever he wants.

To having to wait for a drink or a snack.

His cuddle space in mamas bed has now been taken over by his little sister and I know this has upset him the most. 

As I have sat holding Heidi and getting used to meeting the needs of one more child, I have thought about how I can have to make time for those same special moments that Caleb and I shared. For those moments are just as precious to me as they are to him. 

I need to take time during the day to just sit and cuddle him on the couch like we used to do. 

I need to place Heidi back into her crib on some mornings so Caleb can cuddle in next to me for those few short minutes after daddy has left for the gym. 

These are moments that we have shared since birth and I do not want to loose that closeness with him. We formed a bond, different than the one I have with Emma, from the day he was born and this bond, that has only strengthened over the years, is not something that I want to lose. There is just something about a mama and son bond that is so very sweet. And this little man of mine is a big hugger and a cuddler. I want to continue to nurture these precious attributes of his sweet personality. I never want him to change this about himself. For his daddy is much of the same - and I want some little girl to be as blessed as I am some day! 

Linking up with Lydia 

Linking up with:

“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.” Titus 2:2 

Our First Week {9/4/2012 - 9/7/2012}

Today finishes out our first week back to homeschool. Here is how it went for us: 

In my life this week… i've realized just how much i really enjoy routine and a schedule to stick to. i have gotten so much more done this week and have gone to bed not feeling stressed or overwhelmed whatsoever.

In our homeschool this week… this was our first week and we are loving it. so far we are enjoying most of the curriculum i purchased and emma is requesting more each day once we are finished. that is always a good sign!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… something that has been told to me over and over again, have fun!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… today we are having our first "field trip"! 

My favorite thing this week was… hearing emma read a list of words on the second day and caleb praying over the start of our third day!

What’s working/not working for us… the Bible curriculum i chose just is not working for us and this is very important to me. the curriculum is wonderful, i just feel that it may be a bit too advanced for emma and i see her getting bored and not paying attention and i do not want that, so back to the drawing board we go! anyone have any recommendations? 

Questions/thoughts I have… homeschooling rocks!

Things I’m working on… being more creative and getting more organized with themed projects and crafts for emma to do at least twice a week.

I’m reading… killing lincoln by bill o'reilly

I’m cooking… yummy dishes from pinterest - avocado chicken parmesan, vegetarian zucchini boats, quinoa + chicken + sweet potato stir fry

I’m grateful for… the support of my husband, the willingness and eagerness of my daughter to learn, the wonderful support of homeschool friends, and the faithfulness of God.

I’m praying for… friends and family

A photo, video, link, or quote to share… my favorite photo this week of caleb praying over our day!

How was your week?

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18

The First Time

She looks around, searching with her eyes the comforting voice she has grown used to hearing. Once found, a look of peace replaces the tears in her eyes. I smile at her and in my mama voice tell her "hi" reassuring her that she is ok and safe now that mama is here, something she already knew once her eyes settled on mine. It amazes me how quickly a baby learns to trust and how much I still struggle! 

I pick her up and carry her down the steps, whispering in her ear many "I love you's" and telling her how pretty Jesus made her, all the while her little hand gripping the collar of my shirt and holding on ever so tightly. We find our spot on the couch, settle in and get comfortable. I do what comes natural and so does she, the suckling bringing nourishment and comfort. She is getting old enough to look up into my eyes, a moment I always treasured while nursing both Emma and Caleb as well. It is as if she is making sure I am still there, never wanting to lose sight of me - her comfort and safe place. 

I place her over my shoulder, patting her back ever so lightly and hum whichever song comes to mind. She nestles into the nape of my neck and I hear the gentle rhythm of her breathing, her heart still feels as if it is beating in tune with mine. Sleep overcomes her and I rise to place her back into her bed, savoring the sleepy cuddles as long as I can. 

She is 6 weeks and 5 days old today. Too old for me already. I want to go back to that room in the hospital on the day she was born. I want to hold her again for the first time. I want to look into her eyes and kiss her soft skin and breathe her in all over again! This sweet baby is truly living up to her middle name of Joy. For she has been such a Joy from the moment I knew God was knitting her together inside my womb. She continues to fill my life with Joy when she smiles up at me and giggles. When she grabs my thumb and wraps her little fist around it. When noone seems to be able to bring her the comfort and peace she needs quite like I do. There is just something so beautiful about being a mama! 

“Joy is the serious business of Heaven.” ~ C. S. Lewis

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. ~ 1 Peter 1:8

Yarn Along {17} + a giveaway

Summer is officially over. Grandma and Grandpa closed up their swimming pool until next year. The leaves are already starting to change from bright green to golds and reds, and {home}School started back for us yesterday. With all these changes, I am finding it easier to slow down a bit and get back into our routine. The last few weeks found us trying to fit in all the things we wanted to do before the end of summer - which resulted in long, fun, days and not much time at home to relax. 

 

Books and knitting are finding their way back into my daily routine. How I've missed them both.Something about the coziness of Falls coming has made me even more desperate to be holding the needles and soft fiber in my fingers again. I decided to start back again with something for myself! Something easy and that would knit up quickly. I decided on a chunky cowl. I chose to knit it in my favorite color, for clothing, grey! This will be nice and snuggly to throw on and go and add a little style to my mommy wardrobe! 

I decided to borrow from the library Killing Lincoln after some homeschool friends of mine recommended it! I haven't started it yet, but from what I have read from others reviews and from the cover itself, it sounds like it is going to be an enjoyable read! 

**********

And speaking of enjoyable reads, I have a wonderful giveaway going on for one of my latest good reads! Details on how to win are found here! Hurry though...this giveaway ends tonight!! 

Linking up with Ginny! 

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ~ Deuteronomy 6:5