Happy 4th Birthday Aaron!

It's a season of birthdays in our house! I remember four years ago today like it was yesterday.

Our foster parent license had been submitted to the state about 4 weeks prior and I was anxiously awaiting news that we'd been processed and were available for a placement.

Aaron is FOUR! (2 of 14)


The phone rang and for some reason, my heart didn't jump in anticipation like it had done every day since our license had been submitted. As I recall the conversation between myself and our social worker (you can read about that by clicking here) tears well up in my eyes. God's goodness it unbelievable.

Aaron is FOUR! (3 of 14)


Four years ago today our foster parent license was approved. Within a matter of hours, our sweet Aaron was born across town, unbeknownst to me.

Aaron is FOUR! (4 of 14)


I always think about his birth mother on his birthday. I wonder if she thinks about him, if she replays his birth in her mind like I do on our birth children's birthdays, and if she wishes she could see him. I thank God that she chose life for our precious son and I stand in awe that God allowed me the privilege of being his Mother, though he came from another woman's womb.

Aaron is FOUR! (8 of 14)


His laughter is infectious. He can cause our whole family to crack up with even his fake laugh. This boy is a comedian for sure. He's inquisitive and asks approximately 7,599 questions per hour.

He adores trains, big trucks and lately, killer whales.

Aaron is FOUR! (10 of 14)


He's got the most crystal clear blue eyes I've ever seen and they garner a lot of attention from everyone he meets. In fact, he's even started telling me, "Momma. I got boo-tee-ful bwoo eyes, don't I?" He gives fantastic bear hugs and can shower you with compliments.

Aaron is FOUR! (12 of 14)


He's officially a member of the "big kid" crew in our house. He dropped afternoon naps a while back and he sleeps through the night without a pull up! He and Lucas have started to really bond as the lone boys in our house and they do their part in equally protecting and alternately terrorizing our girls - the latter when they think they will get away with it! He's a lover not a fighter and loathes any food that is green - except salad.


Aaron is FOUR! (13 of 14)


He continues to prove to us that God can ask mighty big things of you, often stretching your desire to obey His callings on your life. However, with obedience comes heaping shovelfuls of mercy, grace and blessing.

Aaron is FOUR! (11 of 14)


Four years ago, we could have never guessed the blessings that this sweet boy would pour into our family. His determination, smile, laugh and humor are a constant reminder that God's plans for us are certainly better than our own. How we treasure this boy!

Aaron is FOUR! (14 of 14)

He's beginning to ask questions about when came out of my tummy. I gently remind him that he came from another Mommy's tummy but I am the one who God chose to be his Mommy forever. I pray that God gives us wisdom as we proceed in telling him how God wrote his story perfectly. And that one day he understands that even in the Master's perfect plan there will be pain.

Thank you Lord for this boy of ours! Happy Birthday Aaron boy! We love you so very much!

You can read about his 3rd, 2nd & 1st birthdays by clicking on those links.

Abigail at 3 months old

Well, somehow I totally missed posting about Abigail at 2 months old. I remembered about a week later and then forgot again just as quickly.

Here's Abigail at 1 month if you'd like some perspective.

But what I truly cannot believe is that my baby is already 3 months old. Okay, actually I can. Because y'all, it's been a long 3 months.

Yet at the same time, I'm finding it harder and harder to remember what I did with my time before I was babywearing, nursing, changing, swaddling and snuggling a baby. And I'm having a hard time remembering what it was like to drive somewhere without a baby screaming in the back seat. Yep, she still hates her carseat.

Abigail at 3 months (6 of 10)
Sorry, that face is just too cute!
At 3 months old, my sweet Abigail Mercy loves, loves to be held. She spends the majority of her day wrapped onto my chest in the Moby wrap or in the arms of Elizabeth - my biggest helper. I'm not sure how I would be managing without my Moby or my oldest daughter.

Abigail at 3 months (1 of 10)

Unlike Ella at 3 months, Abigail could take or leave being in the mix of the other kids. Don't get me wrong, she enjoys the attention. But as I re-read that post about Ella at 3 months old, I remember her being so break-neck to see everyone and be in the middle of everything. Abigail is not quite the same way. She's perfectly content to sit in the swing and watch from a far (not that she's in the swing often, mind you!) or look at everyone else from her spot, wrapped tightly on my chest.

Abigail at 3 months (2 of 10)

Her eyes are so blue they're almost indigo. Does that make sense? They're deep and rich and I could just stare at them for hours. Ahem, you know, if I didn't have 6 other people who need my attention.

Abigail at 3 months (5 of 10)

She's free with her smiles and offers them to complete strangers on the regular, which tickles both me and the sweet ladies in the store who are forever stopping us to oogle over my nearly-auburn haired baby.

Abigail at 3 months watermark top (4 of 10)


She's still got the sweetest little dimple that appears on the right side of her mouth when she smiles. I adore it. Can you see it in the photo above? I just want to pinch it. Gently, of course. ;)

Abigail at 3 months (7 of 10)


She sleeps pretty well, certainly better than most of our others at this age. Her first stretch of night time sleep varies between 5 - 6 hours, usually starting about 10pm. Then she goes 2 - 3 hours between feedings. Certainly I cannot complain! Now if I would only go to bed at a decent time and enjoy that long stretch of sleep!

Abigail at 3 months (9 of 10)


I've had to give up dairy since she seems to not sleep as well when I'm eating and drinking dairy products. She's also much more fussy. Good thing my awesome husband found some coconut milk ice cream. It's yummy and I hardly miss dairy at all - except for cheese.

Abigail at 3 months (10 of 10)


She's snuggly and cuddly and really dislikes being laid down flat on her back for any length of time longer than 5 minutes. I'm not sure how that will work for her ability to roll over! She is easy going, loves her pacifier and sucks on her hands when a pacci cannot be shoved into her mouth quickly enough. She tolerates all the kisses, hugs, pats and the constant invasion of her personal space quite well.

And, I happen to think she's quite possibly the sweetest, most beautiful 3 month old I know! We continue to stand in awe of God's merciful love for us that He would give us another treasure such as Abigail. Happy 3 months sweet baby girl!