Our Inspired Journey

It's been 11 days now that we've been a family of 5 :) We've had the smoothest transition into this change for our family that I could imagine...much of this is due to Cora's angelic temperament, John's lighter schedule this semester and most of all, because of my mom's incredible month long stay! Cora is our sweet little gift and it's evident God has made the way smooth for her arrival into our family. We'd still be in love with our little girl, even if she was a bit fussier and help wasn't as plentiful, but how thankful I am for the time John can spend at home and a sweet spirit that is already so evident in our girl.My mom left last Wednesday after spending a month with us here in our cold, snowy town :) We have so many fun memories from our time together. I don't think we'll ever forget the icy walk we tried to take before Cora was born where we ended slipping down the driveway, across the sidewalk, over the rocks and basically everywhere before we realized that there wasn't anywhere we could step, untouched by ice! John made it to the end of the street holding on to the double stroller and "skating" behind while we laughed and watched from the grass...the only place of traction. :) My mom took Ryder to the library for storytime every Tuesday when John and I took Cole to therapy...a few times, they would go out to lunch at McDonald's afterward and Ryder would walk in the house beaming with this happy meal bag in hand! What a treat :) We'll always be grateful for my mom's selfless spirit as she (for a month) shared a room with Ryder, made meals for us all, kept things tidy, played with the boys, went grocery shopping, sewed up holes in pants, took Ryder to Rainbow class at church on Wednesday nights (and even helped in his class one time!) and made an apple crisp every week! After dropping her off at the train station on Wednesday morning Ryder and I were both teary in the car as we both told each other how much we already missed Gramma and couldn't wait until she came back next time and brought Gramps this time! We all loved her being with us and can't wait until the next visit from family!

Now for the update of life with 3 kids...it's busy and fun! I can honestly say, that without any other responsibilities other than taking care of my family, I love having 3 kids! Don't get me wrong...there have definitely been crazy moments when Cora is crying needing to be fed, Cole is throwing himself on the floor because he didn't get what he wanted and Ryder is running around in circles when John looks at me and says..."We have too many kids!" But for all the other moments when the boys take turns holding her on the couch and giving her the gentlest of kisses, and when Cole insists on holding only Ryder's hand as they walk around church together as brothers, and when Cole brings me a hat and socks for sissy each time he sees her without them...for these moments, I love having not just 3 for the sake of having 3...but my 3. The ones God has given John and I to raise and given each other to grow alongside of. What a blessing each of them is in their unique ways...they have so much to learn from each other, and I'm thankful to learn alongside them as they grow.

Cora is eating well, sleeping 4 hours at a time at night (which is amazing since she's in our room and it could be much worse!) and is so far reacting very well to her brothers! I have to be careful that Cole especially, doesn't smother her since he LOVES giving her kisses and sometimes does it a little too hard :) Both boys fight for her attention. As soon as he wakes up in the morning, Ryder comes into our room and says good morning to sissy (that's what he calls her). He strokes her cheek with his hand and says, "She's so little mom! She's so cute!" As soon as he hears Cole wake up, he rushes into Cole's room to greet him as well and soon both of them are rushing into our room to greet their sister again. Cole very gently kisses her by putting his face so close to hers that his eyelashes tickle her face...it's so precious!!! Every time she's near, he signs that he wants to kiss her :)

John has been able to spend most mornings at home since his classes don't start until later in the day this semester...most of my success in recovering quickly and having enough energy for my 3 kids under the age of 4 is due to my wonderful husband letting me sleep in as he gets the boys going in the morning! I know...I'm incredibly blessed! So, we're adjusting well to being a family of 5...the hardest part is being intentional in spending quality time with both Ryder and Cole individually throughout the day since they both have very different needs! Ryder loves reading and having quiet "mommy" time where we do school time or do puzzles together, while we are helping Cole learn to spend a longer time with one activity in order to increase his attention span a bit. Up to this point, he is usually up and moving quickly from one activity to another without spending more than 2 minutes at any one thing...except for his train set...he loves his trains! We have seen improvement lately though...when there aren't very many people around, he tends to stay with an activity longer and we can work on listening and speaking games with him as we play. So this is the greatest challenge, but not one too overwhelming that we are discouraged. We are thankful for each of the kids God has given us and know that as they grow, they will continue to teach each other things that will strengthen them individually, us as a family and will impact others around them. We are confident that God has great plans for us as a family. This is even evident in the midst of the crazy days at home, because this is the training ground...the time when our character is being formed and strengthened.

Enjoy the pictures of our first week as a family of 5...I hope the love the boys have for their sister is evident in these pictures! None of these pictures is "staged" just for a good shot :) They really do love her...what a blessed little girl she is!!!