Happy Birthday, Daniel!

Today he is 3. Yesterday (or so it seems) he was a chubby little baby resting quietly in my arms. The poor little fella rang in his birthday with a stomach virus. Ironically, he was born in the middle of the night, at 2:59 am, and this year I got the privilege (though I wasn't too thrilled about it at the time) of snuggling him at the same wee hours of the night. We weren't exactly partying, but as you parents probably know, I did gaze at him and wonder at all that has changed in 3 years, quietly celebrating him in my heart. I got to make him a "special bed" on the floor next to me and periodically drop my hand down next to him and squeeze his little chubby hand. Just like 3 years ago, I got to watch him sleep.
We had to cancel his little birthday party with friends, in hopes of not sharing these germs. So when he woke up this morning and he and I were alone in the house, the others already off for the day, I got to sing Happy Birthday with his full attention and a big grin. And when he asked for candy for breakfast, I giggled and said yes. :)

Daniel, you rock my little world. You fill each day with new wonder and joy, always making up new words, making me laugh over and over again and making me stand in awe of the little person you have become.
You are full of life and energy, ready to tackle or wrestle any willing (or sometimes not so willing) participants. You love any kind of ball and have recently learned to hit baseballs off the tee with surprising skill and strength.
You adore your Daddy and ask for him throughout the day, eager for him to come home and play dart wars with you and Isaiah or to build new lego towers. You recently looked at Daddy in the midst of play and said, "Daddy, you're AWESOME." I pray you continue to grow in closeness with him. He is the best Daddy I have ever seen and loves you with a love that is nothing short of spectacular and truly a gift from your Heavenly Father.
You love to eat cheese, especially any spicy variety, drink sprite (which is surprising to me b/c your siblings won't touch the stuff), and share Doritos with Daddy, and drink my coffee every morning. You love to be outside whenever possible and are relishing your new found ability to pedal a bicycle "super fast!"
And despite being so very very full of energy, you love to snuggle. Sometimes you will be in full play and suddenly seek me out for some snuggle time. You wake EVERY morning asking to be held and snuggled with all your soft blankies. You beg for me or Daddy to lay with you each night at bedtime and give extended hugs and cuddles. You even ask Isaiah and Mercy to snuggle you at times. I love this about you.

You aren't perfect. You are a rascally little boy who sometimes gets totally out of control and finds yourself in trouble. But even then, thanks to a gracious God who is gently working in your little heart, you are quick to apologize and seek forgiveness. You have a growing tenderness to wanting to please and obey the Lord. I look forward so much to watching how our Lord continues to move inside you and make you into a man after His own heart. We cling to the promises he has for you and pray faithfully for Him to captivate your heart with his unfailing, radical, life changing love. You belong to him after all and we are so very thankful that He has entrusted you to us. What a blessing to be your Mama!
Happy 3rd Birthday little buddy!

I'm going to stop apologizing...

I'm going to stop apologizing for being such a terrible family blogger. I really don't feel that guilty for not posting regularly. I wish I was more committed to it, but in all honesty, I'm just trying to parent my munchkins well, be a good wife, help my husband plant a church, keep a house somewhat in order, and be a faithful follower of King Jesus. Oh and also growing a baby. :) Yep, I'm actually almost done growing baby Rico #4. We plan to welcome him/her into our family in about 5 weeks. We are all really really excited and eager to meet this little one. For now, Isaiah Mercy and Daniel are enjoying feeling the baby kick and wiggle and give lots of kisses to my rapidly growing belly. It's pretty sweet to see all the ways they are processing the impending arrival of this little one. Mercy is faithfully praying for a little sister. She asked me a few months ago, "Mama, if Jesus already knows if the baby is a boy or a girl, should I still pray for a sister?" Sweet girl trying to process the deep mysteries of our great God and how he works in and through our prayers. Isaiah and Daniel are more hopeful for a new brother, but they aren't nearly as passionate about it as Mercy. I overheard Mercy educating Daniel the other day, "Daniel, Mommy says that if the baby is a boy, we still need to take care of it. So, we are going to love the baby no matter what, ok?" So cute. Apparently the little talk I had with her about God knowing what is best for us, whether baby boy or baby girl, made a bit of an impact.
We moved the boys in a room together in the basement after Thanksgiving. My Mom helped me paint and decorate and so far they have loved sharing a room. Over the holidays when I needed Daniel to sleep elsewhere, he cried saying, "But mama!!! I need someone to snuggle near. Not a stuffed animal. I need a real brother to sleep close to! " He is pretty fond of having his big brother in the bed across from him and though there are plenty of times they keep each other awake with giggles and chatting, I'm happy to see them enjoying each other and their shared space.
Daniel's old room is now prepped and ready for the new baby. That room had fire engine red walls when we moved in and we have now finally painted them and have a nice soothing neutral cream color. I am loving the change!


Mercy started K4 this year at Isaiah's school and is loving being in class across the hall from him. In the mornings when I drop them off together, it is not uncommon to see them walk into the building hand in hand. Isaiah has been so good to her, helping make sure she goes to the right places and checking in on her periodically. He is such a sweet big brother and often amazes me with his nurturing and concern for his siblings. Here they are on the first day of school this year:

Isaiah is thriving in 1st grade, reading like a maniac, loving Math and Science, and learning to play the piano. He had his first piano recital a few months ago and I was super proud of how he stepped up to that piano in front of over 100 people and played his Christmas songs. He was very proud of himself and we were bursting with joy over his hard work and accomplishment.
Here he is on his 7th birthday back at the beginning of December.

Daniel turns 3 tomorrow. He is such a big boy! His favorite things to do are build lego duplo towers and creations, play dart gun wars with Daddy and Isaiah, and wrestle and tackle anyone willing! He especially loves to tackle Bear (his grandaddy). He loves to eat and seems to be constantly hungry. Some days the food consumption in this house seems outright ridiculous! I can't imagine what it is going to be like in a few years when they are all teenagers. Wow!
Tonight when I tucked him into bed, we snuggled and he patted my cheek with his chubby little hands and said, "Mommy, I love you. Can I keep you?" Sometimes I really do feel like I might burst wide open with love for him and his siblings.


I really do love this busy, full life. My family is precious to me and I am eager to get to meet and know this new little baby. Maybe I'll even get better at this blogging thing... probably not though. :)