beach 2012...

Here are some snapshots of our beach vacation to Ocean City New Jersey! Thanks everyone for a great week! 

the fourth.

 Good morning....

Happy Fourth of July!

Dear June...

Dear June where did you go? How is it July already...

I would like to say that after my pep talk about summer and grace the first week of summer was a total breeze but I would be lying. I tried real hard to embrace grace but it still felt like I got run over by a mack truck at the end of every day. I went from being six weeks removed from giving birth and spending my afternoons resting to full speed ahead with five kids running errands, packing for vacation, going to parks and just going going all day long. The second week of summer we headed to Ocean City, NJ for a "relaxing" week with 18 kids and 10 adults. It was a great time but I can tell we have all added some more kids in the last year! It felt a little more like "divide and conquer" than other years but still was a great week of eating, swimming, walking the boards, playing with cousins, and sitting on the beach.

Last week we spent the week unpacking and recouping from vacation and also visited a petting zoo and the toy train museum. This week starts two weeks of swim lessons and then a week of soccer camp for the boys. I really am becoming "that" mom! :) I feel like we are starting to get into a groove with summer and I really do enjoy having my kids around...um, minus the fighting. As I have written this I have already had to referee at least three arguments. Ahh...summertime! :) 

Welcome July we are excited for all that you hold!

Welcome to Grace...

 Welcome to Summer...Welcome to Grace.

 In two and half hours summer officially commences. I am excited to have all my kids home and not have homework to do or a certain time to have to be out the door everyday.

I also know that having all five kids home everyday all day will be stretching. There will be more fighting, whining, and more demands. There will also be more swimming, bike riding, tree climbing, laughing and fun. I need to remind myself daily to take a deep breath. And enjoy myself. 

The other week I saw this sign in a parking lot and knew I needed to take a picture of it. I knew there was a message in it for me. I was reminded that there is Grace for this season. "Welcome to Grace". I felt like that was what the Lord was speaking to us when Eden was born and that is why her middle name is Grace.

 The sign was in a parking lot behind the grocery store. And I found grace at the grocery store when I took my three week old there for the first time and she screamed uncontrollably at the check out while I was trying to unload my cart and two little carts and keep track of my children. It was a slow morning so one check out lady held Eden, the other check out lady unloaded my cart while the third rang up my groceries! Grace! There is grace when I least expect it....And I will continue to find grace as I let go and receive it for those crazy, hairy moments that come with mothering! 

Sometimes Eden has moments that can be challenging. I forget how much they need and depend on you when they are this little. It seems like she screams and wants to be held in those moments when I am ready to take a shower, eat my dinner or trying to help somebody else. I sometimes wonder if she is really fussy or if I am just more busy....

But regardless I want to receive the grace upon grace that is available as I take my eyes off of the craziness of the moment and see His hand at work in the midst of my days.

Summer begin!

Eden Grace five weeks old and full of sweetness.

The next to last day of first grade....Look out second grade here I come!

Us. Family of Seven at the school picnic. Love! 

a month of delight

Yesterday Eden turned a month old.  She has only been a part of our family for one month and we already cannot imagine our lives without her! I continue to be amazed by the miracle of life and sometimes I am brought to tears when I think of a month ago how in pain I was and so afraid of labor and delivery and now here she is in our arms...healthy and beautiful.

I always feel like the first month is the most challenging and there is still days where I can feel we are in transition but so far it has been good. I am learning to give myself and the kids GRACE...that is after all Eden's middle name.

Daddy is so in love with his new little girl

i love watching these girls be sisters

Proud big brother...he is such a sweetie.

mama's delight