What really matters

Cleaning up the kitchen.  Adding a few dishes to the dishwasher, wiping down the counter tops.  My phone rings.  The recording informs me that Hunters Glen Elementary is on lock down as a result of the recent events in Connecticut.   I am confused.  My radio and TV have been silent all day so I am out of touch with the world.  I call Bryan to ask him what happened.  Hearing the news....20 children have died in an elementary school....makes my heart drop.  

As I walk to the school to get the boys I notice that the streets are packed.   More parents then usual are on their way to pick up their children.  All of them with the same heavy hearts.  Anxious to see their children's faces.  They hold them a little extra long after they run out of their classrooms.

As I walk through the next several days hearing bits and pieces of what happened, I realize how thankful I am for all the little things.  All the little things that drove me crazy a few days ago have suddenly turned into blessings. 

I find myself thankful to hear Grace's cries in the middle of the night.

I am thankful for a child who is always upside down.  Even when I am trying to have a serious conversation with him....he is upside down.

I am thankful for a little boy, who loves to practice his letters on my Nook.  All day if I would allow him.  

I am thankful for two little boys who come running out of the bathroom looking like lions.  I decide to be thankful for the mess.

And, I stop to pray for the mommies in Conneticut who are living their worst nightmare.  I pray for them, not even knowing how to pray.  Just lifting them up and giving them to God.  I pray for our country and for the evil that surrounds us everyday. I pray and I hold my children a little tighter suddenly realizing what really matters.

First Bath

Time to get Grace ready for her first bath.  The boys had been waiting all day to help.

Grace loved the water.  She didn't cry.  She wiggled around and took it all in a stride.

Eli found a place way up high so he could see everything that was going on.

We all snuggled her up tight so she won't get cold!

And, we didn't  forget to cuddle her close after she is all clean!

6th Birthday

I have never seen a little boy so full of love.   Always wanting to be near his sister.  Holding her, talking to her, and playing with her.

For his 6th birthday, Owen received a sister.   I can't imagine a better present for this little boy.

We had to celebrate.  Ninjago style.  So, on Saturday afternoon we had a celebration with a few best friends, cousins, and a new baby sister.

We even had some presents and cake and ice cream.

 Happy Birthday to a very sweet little 6 year old.  We love you, Owen!

First days

Our first few days with Grace flew by.  For me, they were a blur of feeding, changing her diaper, and rocking her to sleep.

For Megan and Uncle Shrek (aka Bryan) it was a blur of activity with the 5 other kiddos.

During some quiet moments, Megan and I would take pictures of Grace.

 So we would remember these first few days.

Days that are so easily forgotten.

Moments that go so fast.

Moments that are captured by my camera and will fade from my memory.

Her name

I had a list in my pocket.  A list that I carried around in my pocket for days and days.  A list of names.  Baby girl names.  When I would hear a name that I liked, I would write it on the list.  I would say the names over and over....waiting for confirmation of the name of my new baby girl.    I would run a name or two by Bryan and he would tell me what he thought.

Nothing sounded right.  It made me anxious.  I felt like I needed to have a name.  The perfect name.    As I packed my bags to get ready to go to the hospital, I packed my list in my pocket.  I just knew that none of the names on the list were just right.  I had been worried for days.

As our little girl lay in our arms for the first time, we fell in love.  We held her and cherished each moment.  The nurses busied themselves around us and every so often would ask if we had choosen a name. We had gone over each name on my list...

Emma

Emily

Annie

Hannah

Anna

We both knew none of these was the right name.  We would just smile at the nurses and let them know that he hadn't named her yet.

Bryan held Grace.  And, as he handed her back to me he said "Everything was so graceful, her middle name should be Grace".  I immediately knew the moment he said it.  I knew in my soul that this was the name we had been searching for.  All my anxious worrying and searching for a name had come to a halt.  We just knew her name was to be Grace.  Our beautiful little girl had named herself. The name chosen for her from the beginning of time.  Grace Marie Dahl. 

 

Halloween

 Halloween.  pumpkins, costumes, candy, and jack o lanterns.

 

The boys had a great time carving their pumpkins this year.  I love this picture of Owen as he touches the slimy insides of his pumpkin.  Getting all slimy is the best.

 

After we carved our pumpkins, we were ready for Halloween.  It was a very exciting Halloween this year because Auntie Megan and the girls were here.  We had the best Halloween ever!

 

3 girls

3 boys

  A newborn, a princess, and little miss mismatch. 

 Peter Pan, blue ninja, and black ninja.  All ready for trick or treating.

First, everyone had to go over to Jake and Lauren's house for pizza.   Everyone except Grace.  Grace and I decided to stay home and get ready for the trick or treaters.  After dinner, it was time to get some candy.

After a short time, it was time for the little ones to come back to the house.  The bigger kids stayed out late with Jake and Lauren.

 Here is our little princess with her bucket of candy.

Helping me with baby Grace

And, here she is.  With two suckers.  So proud of herself and all her candy.