The beginning

It was Friday, September 6.  We had been counting down the days with a paper chain.  It was the main focus in our house the whole week leading up to it.

Kindergarten. Montana's first day of the next 12+ years of school.

There were a few tears...from mom...but I tried to stay strong.  The parents were quickly ushered from the kindergarten room to be bombarded by the PTA and bagels and coffee. It was a rainy day.  Very fitting with my mood.

But she came home (at 3pm!!) and was so excited.  She made a few new "BFFs" although she couldn't remember their names.  The first week is behind us now.  She LOVES it.  The girl has been tired though.  It is a big adjustment for all of us having her away from 8:30-3 everyday.  Amos misses her, but we have had some sweet time together without her.

A new season. A new era.  

Her first day outfit. Planned out for days

Heading out the door.  So grateful that we can walk to school

Seriously, another picture, dad?

Getting started on her first activity

Community Sucks

Mostly I sing the praises of living in the beautiful mess of community. But it is messy and sometimes it sucks.


Community sucks when...

...people you love move away

...you cannot live up to the *assumed* expectations of your retired neighbors

...you have no privacy

...you are too busy and too tired to connect with people

...people obsess about the most ridiculous things

...you are annoyed and want to be left alone

...people talk about you 

...you talk about people

...you feel watched and judged

...you let people down

 ...you lose perspective

Random Weekend Thoughts

ONE

 We have a neighbor girl who knocks on our door several times a day now that it is summer.  She wants to play, but unfortunately she always makes an appearance at inopportune times...usually around dinner time, quiet time or bed time.  It is hard not to be annoyed.  I have been praying for patience for my children, and now here is an opportunity for me to practice and display patience.

Taking a step back, there is yet another lesson or parallel.  No matter how many times I "knock" on God's door and go to Him with concerns or thoughts, He never gets annoyed with me.  It is never the wrong time for God. He is always available and always willing to listen.

TWO

Aaron and I had a leisurely anniversary breakfast yesterday with Silas.  The big kids were with K & D - again. (THANK YOU!!) Another mom came in to the restaurant with her new baby. This may sound weird, but I could tell that she still had pregnancy weight leftover and you know what? She looked beautiful. In a way I felt like I was looking in the mirror. Of course I am not back to my normal size, but I still look great and I had a baby 4 weeks ago!  I may be rounder and fuller, but my son is my favorite accessory now.  Sometimes seeing ourselves as others see us is difficult.  We are so hard on ourselves, but when I saw this other beautiful mama, I saw myself too.  What a gift!

THREE

I had the privilege of being interviewed for research on birth experiences.  I was asked about what factors helped and hindered me during my pregnancy, birth, and now postpartum.  As a counselor, I know the power of simply sharing your story, but yesterday I was the one sharing my story. And it was empowering sharing my experiences...and it was a wonderful reminder of how blessed I am to have such amazing support in my husband, friends and community. The adjustment to 3 kids has been so smooth as a result of support.  I couldn't have made it this last month without my sister, friends, neighbors, and husband.  I am one grateful girl!

I think another thing that has helped in this adjustment, is the fact that we are going on a road trip tomorrow.  We are loading up our new gold mini van and driving as a family of 5 to South Dakota for our annual 4th of July hoop-la. Knowing that we will be seeing family, the 5 of us will be together without work and chores to occupy our time, and that my kids are going to have a blast has made the last few weeks of resting at home and watching more TV than usual worth it!  Now I better get packing!

SOUTH DAKOTA OR BUST, BABY!!

He is here!

Silas Wisdom Walters was born at home on June 2, 2013.  He weighed in at 7lbs 9oz.  We are so grateful he made it...and right on time!

Although my actual due date was June 1, I figured that I would have the baby in May because both of the other kiddos were early.  The last week in May, my parents came and left, but no baby. My sister arrived on June 1, and I was getting worried the little tyke wouldn't come...

But that night, I woke up around 2 am with contractions.   It was a quiet morning and Aaron and I enjoyed the time together while everyone slept.  Aaron even made scones! We called the midwife at 6:30 am and she arrived around 8 and by the time she got her things set up, I was almost ready to push. Silas was born at 10:30am!  My sister and my friend, Aime, were here to be my post-birth nurses and they did an incredible job of fetching me things, shuttling the kids around, and making food.  The kids were at a neighbor's house and came and met their new little brother. It was so fun to introduce them.

We had a difficult time choosing Silas' name...well his middle name at least.  Both Montana and Amos have "virtues" as their middle name (Faith & Pax) and we wanted to follow the pattern.  We over-analyzed first names and googled Wisdom and other virtues in search of alternative words or definitions that would sound "cool" with Silas. At the end of the day, we went with wisdom...it is straight forward and everyone knows the meaning.  Silas means "forest/rooted" and so our prayer for Silas is that he will be rooted in Wisdom.  I love the imagery of an overgrown forest, all of the roots are connected and those trees grow because of the depth and connection of the roots...May wisdom be those roots for Silas.

Silas Wisdom...we already love you so much.  You have made our family complete and we are so glad you have come.

The most pregnant I have ever been!

Silas Wisdom

7lbs 9 oz

The kids' response to Silas' cry

First family photo.  Our family was missing someone...now he is here!!

Arizona fun

In Sedona

These girls daily made me laugh so hard that I cried...

The guys who spent  most of their pool time reading about and/or discussing theology

Celebrating Aime and Ashley's anniversary.  We definitely enjoyed wonderful food on this vacation!

 And the kids had a pretty good time too with Grandma and Papa...

 

 It was a fantastic trip.  Aaron and I had an amazing time with our friends and we came back feel refreshed and connected which was exactly what we were hoping for.  We missed our kiddos lots, but knew they were in good hands.  Grandma and Papa deserve a big shout out for staying with the kids and being awesome grandparents.

Collecting Sunshine and Happy Thoughts

April 1. Exactly two months until my due date. And exactly two days until I get on a plane to go to Arizona with Aaron and our close friends. Did I mention that the kids are staying home with Grandma and Papa (thank you!)??

Yes, we are going to collect sunshine and warmth for the Northwest Spring that tends to be rainy.  It is supposed to be 90 degrees while we are in Arizona and my goal is not to complain about the heat, but to soak it in and absorb as much Vitamin D as possible.

I am also going to collect happy thoughts about my husband.  You see, in about 3 months I will likely not have very happy thoughts about my husband in the middle of the night when I get up to nurse the baby again.  I know what's ahead with a newborn.  It is an exciting, sweet time with a new little one, but it is also exhausting and I remember the sleep deprivation well. More than ever with a new baby, my husband and I become business partners negotiating schedules and children and chores.  It's too easy forget that he is my friend and I like him. A lot.

So, we are leaving the kids behind to have some fun with our friends and with each other.  Just like I am going to collect sunshine for the rainy days, I am going to collect happy thoughts for the long nights. Arizona seems like the perfect place to do both. 

In 2 days, I will be sitting beside a pool soaking in the sun with my buddy beside me.

Belly x 3

25 weeks with Montana

 The other day I found these pictures of when I was about 25ish weeks pregnant with Montana and Amos.  I thought I would document 28 weeks with this little guy.  As you can see, I get bigger and bigger with each pregnancy! The 3rd pregnancy is VERY different than the first.  When I was pregnant with Montana, I had a lot of time to exercise and eat healthy.  I probably walked about an hour every day.  Currently my form of exercise is running to the grocery store to get my growing children (and myself) more food or running to ballet or swim lessons.  It doesn't necessarily burn calories!!  

Overall, I am feeling great and really love being pregnant. About 3 months to go before life as we know it is altered!!

25ish weeks with Amos

28 weeks with #3