Reading

Malachi was given an old reading textbook today and he was so excited. I hope my boys always love books!

Logan's Birthday Party

Logan turned 7 years old on the 15th. Pictures to come this week. . . assuming this week is just a tad less stressful than last. :( Hope you enjoyed the beautiful weather today!

Family

We got family pictures taken a couple weeks ago. I can't wait to share some more!

Cold

It's been COLD! Malachi has been enjoying having his "cattle" inside and also painting with his purple paint.

Fun at the farm

Slumber Party with Val

I have the best friends. The boys love "aunt Val."

Logan's First Year Monthly Pictures

I am out of recent pictures so that's a little bit of the reason I'm taking a trip back to 6-7 years ago. Unlike Malachi, Logan didn't grow up as a 'blog baby.' I think it is so interesting that I couldn't tell very well the changes between Logan from month to month, but then again, from when he was born to when he was one year old, he only gained about 4 pounds! That's about how much a 1-2 month old has gained! No wonder he looks so much the same in a lot of the pictures. If I would have known that, we could have saved a LOT of money!!!! :) Hindsight is great, huh! :)
1 Week:


We did buy the "rights" for these pictures each month so we could email them to our friends and family. We started the tradition with Zachary so only felt it was fair to complete the tradition.

Logan's 1 month pictures were TERRIBLE. He was sick from the medicine and was so blotchy and miserable. We got some pictures but I didn't want to post them. I posted a few in the last post so you can imagine those but a little more professional looking.

2 Months:



3 Months:

Zach wasn't supposed to be in the picture, but the photographer made him get up there. I was so mad because he wasn't in a "photo" outfit but I loved the pose.


4 Months:



He never fit into the right size of clothing. :(


5 Months:

his baptism outfit:


6 Months:
You can kinda see the blotchiness on his leg here. oops. He wore some of Zach's 0-3 months clothes since he was 6 months. Zach was born in July- so a whole different season, but it worked out perfectly actually! :)



7 Months:

These overalls were down to his feet when we stood him up, but Zachary wore them too. . . . when he was 3 months old.


8 Months:
I want to laugh because I know this was a 0-3 month outfit! He was rocking it at 8 months! :) What an adorable fisher!!!!!

This is Zachary at 2 months (same season and same tool long-sleeve shirt):

 
9 Months:


10 Months:



11 Months:

Sometimes I just let him "swim" in the clothes. It was so hard to find the perfect clothes for him.

12 Month or 1 Year:

The boys have been all boy lately. Zachary has been struggling with appropriate ways to get attention and Logan is whiny. As always, Malachi's been the third wheel, which he usually doesn't mind- until his cattle or fence gets knocked over. The stress level is HIGH here and we're all ready for the weekend again. Sickness is coming and going around us. Malachi had a touch of it last week and also on Monday. I feel like its never-ending. Someday this will all be a memory, right. . . ah. . .

Fear and Faith

Looking back- 7 years ago- my due date with a "sick" baby was approaching. We didn't have blogging back then (or at least I didn't partake in it yet).

I was terrified to put it slightly, yet looking back, I don't know where or how I found the strength to not just completely fall apart and maybe I did on the days that Logan didn't move as much and the neonatal appointments became more frequent and "big" decisions were forced to be made. Remembering back, I remember fear being the greatest feeling that I had before I gave birth to my beautiful baby. It wasn't an excitement like I had with my first. It was a terrifying fear- an utterly hopeless fear that I didn't know if God could rescue me from. I didn't know what the purpose of prayer was when medical/science explained so much undisputable facts.

The worry that overcame me and the doubt I had in the miracles that my Lord can do. . . the lack of faith and the amount of fear is something I am ashamed to admit was part of Logan's first part of life. I was terrified of losing him and that kept me from loving wholy and unconditionally.

Between the trips to KC the first few years, he was the child that has taught us the most about God's amazing miracles and how to hold fast in faith that good things will come . . . in His time.

I am sorry Logan. So very sorry that I didn't know sooner how to be a more faithful mother. I didn't know how to pray or what to say to God without bargaining or begging like a child. I would have taken it from you without a doubt.

You taught me to have faith. The trials I went through 7-8 years ago taught me to have sympathy for other moms that fear for their babies. I have more urgency in my prayers for those special women. Logan, the experience I had with you taught me to love my children no matter what condition God gave them to us and rely on His strength. I wish so much I could have learned those lessons in a different way, but today, you are such an amazing little boy. Your daddy and I are so proud of who you are and how you have a love that is contagious.

Logan, I can't wait to take your birthday pictures this year and celebrate FAITH. In my daily struggles with my illness, it helps to remember the fear I had through your illnesses and know that that was in no was productive. You and your brothers remind me to keep the faith that miracles happen and in His time. I know you are counting down the days to your birthday precious little boy. I'm so thankful for where we are right now- and would have never imagined how thankful I'd be 7 years ago when I was so fearful. Faith has to rise above the fear to know great things are coming!