Mommy Memories

Where to start? I walked into my dad's office the other day and there it was. My poor, basically forgotten blog. I haven't been able to stop thinking of it since I saw it that day. The last time I posted here on the blog, was almost...3 years ago. Wow! Life is so different, I hardly know where to begin. Well, Gracie is in 2nd grade, Reagan is in kindergarten, Brooklyn is swearing she is NEVER going to school, and now, well there is McKinli! She wasn't even around the last time and she will be 2 in a couple weeks!!!! Life is crazy, busy, fun, hard, challenging, rewarding, and amazing all wrapped into one. I feel blessed to call these four little ones my family. They are the truest blessing and teach me so much everyday. Their smiles keep me going and they challenge me to be better. Picnic in the Park~April 18, 2015

I have learned so much from them. I didn't really have anything to say when I started typing, but maybe I will just talk about them. They all have, what I think, are fabulous names. I think that names mean something. They tell about who you are and who you will become. The girls names are grace, mercy, hope, and love. Makes me smile just to think of it. Gracie has taught me that grace is messy. It comes at a price. It cost God everything to send His Son here to redeem His people. It was the only way, but that didn't make it easy. Gracie teaches me the same thing. The work that has to be put into her, her education, her daily care, everything, is exhausting, but I honestly don't know if I would ever change it for the world. Do I wish that there wasn't Autism, for sure. But Autism has taught me patience (ok I am still learning that) it has taught me to stand up for those that can't stand up for themselves, it has taught me to be kind and see others for who they really are, and Autism has taught me to extend grace. We just don't ever know the whole story. Gracie at the park~December 30, 2014

Loving the tire swing~April 17, 2015

Mercy, Miss Reagan. Reagan is the kindest, most caring and loving person I have ever met. She is 6! (almost 7) She sees others hurting and she hurts..deep down to your toes hurts. She loves and hugs and smiles 99.9% of the time. She blesses others and cares for them. She notices a classmates shoe is untied and bends down and ties it for them, she helps her sisters and watches out for them. She extends mercy to all and blesses me everyday. She reminds me of so many truths and makes me laugh at the most perfect of times. I would have a very hard time doing all I do without her. At the park~April 18, 2015

St. Patrick's Day 2015

Western Day at School~March 5, 2015

Hope, Brooklyn Hope. Brooklyn came along at a time when we needed hope. My mom had been fighting cancer for a long, long time. The days, months, and years had been filled with joys, sorrow, pain, smiles, and tears. Then Miss B came and a new life arose. Brooklyn makes me smile. She is content to sit and play with dolls for hours. She loves her sisters and playing and coloring with them. She LOVES to pretend and dream of far off places with amazing fun characters. She is hope all bottled into a little girl. Brooklyn at the Park~December 30, 2014

Picnic in the Park~April 18, 2015

Swinging~March 2, 2015

Hanging with mom on her 5th Birthday~February 3, 2015

And lastly, Miss McKinli Love. This is my one baby that my mama wasn't here to hold. I would have given anything to be wheeled out and have her there to cuddle this sweet little face. Reagan was sure that we were going to name her Sweet Baby and the name has stuck. She will be 2 in less than 2 weeks. She thinks that she will be 5 or 6 like her sisters for sure. She makes me laugh and is so funny. She is one smart cookie and continually amazes me by the things she says and the things she understands. She cannot go to bed without hugging and kissing her sisters good night and runs back to their arms when she wakes up. She is love to the core. The first time I saw her, I was hooked. First set of pigtails~February 16, 2015

Baby in a box~March 12, 2015

Learing to drink from an open cup~January 23, 2015

Clean Baby~April 11, 2015

Looking like her mama~April 24, 2015

All these sweet girlies are blessing and often teach me far more than I ever teach them. They are God's tools in stretching and growing me. I am not always the best student, but we are all trying. I am so thankful for each of them and feel humbled to be called their mama. Hopefully, I will be able to share more soon, but no guarantees. Life is happening and I have to try to keep up. Good night dear blog. Thank you for the memories that you hold and all the JOY! Easter 2015

Swinging on the tire swing~April 17, 2015

St. Patrick's Day 2015

Sisters~ February 12, 2015

Picnic in the Park~April 18, 2015