Party Success, Picture Success

We had a really fun and busy weekend with 2 BIG things taking place. (At least they were big to us and took lots of preparation and work to get ready for.) First, we celebrated my mother-in-law and father-in-law's birthdays on Saturday... at our house. We rarely ever host family birthdays at our house because everyone lives in B'ville and it typically doesn't make sense to have everyone travel to us, but this time around it worked out perfect. And it was successful! Yay!

Then on yesterday afternoon we did our annual Easter pictures of the boys plus our black and white pictures of us and Layton. I was probably more nervous about these pictures than any others we've ever had done. We frame the black and white ones in our living room so we were hoping those would be good, and the Easter pics were the first "professional" pictures of all 3 of our boys together. So our expectations were both high and low. Ha! Thankfully the pictures appeared to be successful! I can't wait to see them all later this week. =)  

Terrell's parents and Granny came over Saturday morning and spent most of the day with us. We enjoyed having them over and celebrating Nana's belated birthday and Pops' early birthday. The boys were thrilled. Grandparents at our house = a big deal.

 

We decided to take the boys on an outing before lunch and chose a local jumpy/bouce house place. We don't go there very often at all so it was a huge treat for the big boys. They played hard and were worn out by Saturday afternoon. Austin practically asked for a nap and Garrison got emotional and moody and just plain tired Saturday afternoon.

 

We had a late lunch and Terrell grilled out hamburgers and hotdogs for us and I made some simple sides. Then we had cake and ice cream... complete with singing Happy Birthday and blowing out candles. I think it was yummy and fun for everybody. I know the boys loved every second!

After lunch we just had some down time and eventually Austin took a nap and then all the grandparents got ready to leave. But not before a picture with Granny!

We had a super laid back Saturday night and were so thankful for party success and early bedtimes!

Yesterday after church we had leftovers for lunch and prepared for pictures.... which is always an adventure, always leads to some kind of drama, and always ends with mama and daddy making threats or offering bribes. Gracious.

While Layton was a tad fussy for his pictures with mama and daddy, he was perfectly content and wonderful for pictures with his big brothers. And I finally exhaled. Even though I told myself I wouldn't be disappointed if he wasn't cooperative because it would be a reflection of this point in time and memories and all that jazz, I still hoped he would do good and that we'd have some great pictures in the end. And I'm so excited for professional photo success! I know I will treasure them all (no matter what) because it's the first ones of all 3 of my babies... and I can't wait to see them!

This morning we're jumping right back into the swing of things. It's a school day, a grocery store day, and a pre-surgery appointment day. Please keep my hubby in your prayers this week as he has out-patient back surgery scheduled for Wednesday. We're looking forward to a fun Easter week and for daddy to get back to 100%!

Friday Favorites: Spring Break Edition

My favorites from Spring Break....

*Monday was rainy and cold almost all. day. long. So we decided to stay in and the big boys enjoyed popcorn and a movie. They are always so cute with their bowls of popcorn or a snack when watching a movie. We may have started something... they now expect it every time they watch a movie. =)

 

*On Tuesday we ventured out to the library. Our first time going in forever. For some reason it's just hard for us to take trips there unless we're on a break from school. While Layton wasn't impressed and we had to cut our trip shorter than usual, Garrison and Austin were thrilled with new books. Yay for a love of books and reading! 

 

*On Wednesday we had a playdate and picnic at our church playground. We did this way back during our Fall Break and the boys loved it, so this time they were super excited again. We had a total of 5 moms there from our Sunday School class and 11 kiddos... which included a 3 month old, Layton, and a 2 week old. Layton enjoyed the playdate much more than the library. =)

*My biggest drew this picture yesterday and it was so precious I had to capture it and keep it. With Easter coming up and us talking a lot about the Easter story and Jesus dying for us, he drew a picture of the 3 crosses and the stone rolled away from the empty grave. He is understanding lots more this year. He still has questions and doesn't quite grasp it all, but I'm so thankful for what he's learning and "getting".

*Not once but twice this week I took all 3 boys to Walmart solo. All by myself. One boy in the back, one boy in the front, and one boy hanging on. The very first time I took them I sent Terrell a text and asked him to stop what he was doing and pray. For real. Mama was just a little nervous about the potential for DISASTER. Thankfully they all did great! Now we have groceries and we have all the goodies we need for the birthday celebration we have planned for Nana and Pops. Walmart isn't my favorite place... it's actually one of my least favorite places.... BUT, when it comes to fitting all 3 boys and groceries in a buggy plus being 5 minutes away, I just have to suck it up and go.

*I witnessed a sweet moment between my biggest and my baby this week. Love.

*Yesterday we went to Scoops for our afternoon snack. Superman was the flavor of choice! Since I've had to cut out all dairy for the time being I got peanut butter snack. It was delish but I'll be glad when I can enjoy ice cream again!!

*Layton was pretty content at Scoops. And present (but not necessarily pictured) at every outing this week. Baby boy is learning to go with the flow.

It's been a mostly fun Spring Break that we're all super thankful for. Now we have a fun weekend planned that includes celebrating birthdays with my in-laws and taking Easter pictures! Happy Friday!!

Summer Preview

This week is Spring Break for us and so far we're having a pretty great week off. While this break didn't come with quite the excitement, relief, and anticipation for me as a "non-teacher", it is still a welcomed and much needed break. A break from making lunches. A break from being somewhere on time every morning. A break from baseball. A break from PreK homework. It's just been a nice break from the regular routine.

And this break has given me a preview of what summer might look like. We're only about 5 weeks away from summer here in the Selph household so it's coming soon. Real soon. (I can't believe we're almost to the very end of another school year.... my baby's PreK year... I'm not ready!)

So far, this summer preview has been helpful and enlightening. I've discovered that while I love a break from the "school year" routine and all the things mentioned above, I also love and need a we're on a break from school routine. I love having some predictability to our days. I like knowing that after lunch comes naptime/rest time. I like knowing that most days we'll get out of the house before lunch... and having a plan for where we'll be going. I like knowing what we're having for supper every night. I like knowing that bedtime is the same time just about every night. It's nice for me and the kids to have that predictability. At this point in time, especially having a new baby, we're not quite ready for go with the flow, do whatever we want whenever we want absence of routine. I know we'll get there one day... although I'll still probably have things planned out since I'm just a little Type A, but for now we need a somewhat consistent (but still flexible) routine. And this week's routine has been nice.

Other than routine, I've noticed how much my boys need a balance of structure versus total independent play. Time at home versus outings. Time together versus time apart. This week has been pretty revealing. We've had an all time high of playing together and cooperating and teamwork and sharing. But we've also had (what seems like) an all time high of fighting and yelling and not sharing and not keeping hands to ourselves. It's been crazy. Night and day crazy.

This summer I'm hoping to really establish a balance... and remember what I'm learning this week.

After breakfast they usually do great playing independently... I clean up from breakfast, finish getting myself ready, get Layton down for a nap, etc. And all the while they are busy playing. Totally independent and totally fine without me. Then, after Layton is settled, and I've *maybe* taken care of a chore, they need some structure. They need me to read to them on the couch... or play with them on the floor... or help them get started on something at the table... or get them dressed and ready for the day... or just to watch a 30 minute show. If I can intervene with a little structure after their long stretch of playing independently, I can usually prevent them from getting bored with what they're doing or tired and aggravated with each other... which leads to fighting and meltdowns and time out.

Also... and I've known this one for a long while... too much time at home without a plan is not a good thing. We need outings! We need fun places to go. We need simple errands to take care of. We need time outside to burn energy. My boys love some play time at home but too much of a good thing just isn't a good thing anymore. At least not in this case. The tricky thing with this summer will be Layton's schedule. We'll have to wait until after his morning nap to go out and we'll have to make sure we're home for feedings. It's a little intimidating to think about a whole summer of this but with a little flexibility I hope we can make it work... and that it's a fun summer for everybody.

The most surprising thing this Spring Break has revealed has been the need for some occasional separation for my big boys. While they are the best of friends and love being together and playing together and pretty much come as a package, I've noticed that every now and then a few minutes separation is good... and maybe even necessary. The boys are rarely separated during "play time", however, this week we've had some separation for literally 5 minutes per day that's been good. Example #1: Earlier today Garrison wanted to color and since Austin isn't currently allowed to color, I did his alphabet puzzle with him while Garrison colored at the table.... in other words, a meltdown and big ole argument was avoided. Once Austin and I finished the puzzle, Garrison wrapped up coloring and they were ready to get along and play together again. Example #2: Earlier this week when they couldn't keep their hands to themselves, Garrison had to play in his room for few minutes alone while Austin played in the living room alone. After 4-5 minutes they were ready to play together again. Who knew? Such a good way to take a break and appreciate having a playmate.

So my summer preview has been pretty beneficial. We've had some highs and lows so far this week but thankfully they've all come with a lesson.... that I can hopefully remember and learn from. I'm not ready for summer just yet, but I'm getting close!

A Very Special Weekend

Our family had a very special weekend. We celebrated my mom's birthday, had Layton's dedication at our home church, and introduced Layton to his great-grandparents. I think we all enjoyed just about every single second. Layton's first trip to our hometown was a definite success! We had to pack the entire house it felt like... and were jam-packed in our Jeep.... but we made it and everything went smoothly. Such a blessing!

Saturday we celebrated my mom's birthday. Happy Birthday Granna!!

 

The boys got some outside time too. But not too much since the pollen was out of control. Even Terrell felt the effects of it. You could literally see it in the air when the wind blew. Yuck. 

 

Garrison got to test out his nerf gun in wide open spaces (something our yard doesn't offer) 

 

And Austin got to ride his new bike from Granna and Papa. SO cute!!

 

On Saturday night we were able to go to my grandparents' house to grill steaks for my mom's birthday. My mom got to blow out the number 16 candle for her 61st birthday. =) It was such a blessing to celebrate with my Granny after everything she's been through. It's truly a miracle that she's home and getting around on her own now.

 

Things were only a tad stressful for Terrell and I when Layton got pretty fussy. Which was right at "eatin time". It always seems to work out that way. Sigh. Even though we were busy with our baby boy we had fun being back at my grandparents' house and enjoying good food and good times with family.

All 3 boys had a great night Saturday night (answered prayer!) and we woke up ready for church and Layton's dedication service Sunday morning. I can't even explain the blessing it has been to us to have our boys' dedication services held at our home church. Dedicating ourselves to the Christian rearing of our children with SO many present who were instrustmental in our Christian upbringing is pretty indescribable. It was such a special service.

Garrison and Austin did amazing standing up there with us. We were so proud of them! And Layton too! I may have been holding my breath.

 

Other than having our Pastor (from childhood til now) lead us in making this commitment... and having our wonderful families present... and having the service in our home church surrounded by childhood friends, family friends, past Sunday School teachers, etc, I think my favorite part of the service was when Brother Garth prayed for us and our boys. And one line is still with me and something I know I'll treasure and continue to pray myself. He prayed that when our task (of raising our boys) was done that we would see 3 sons standing tall in their communities, serving Jesus, and living for Him everyday. Terrell and I both were blinking back tears after he finished his prayer. As their mama I'm not sure I could have asked for a sweeter prayer for my babies... who will one day be men leading their own families. It was so, so special. 

 

The guest of honor made it through the entire church service and lunch afterwards. Yay Layton!! 

The whole fam at lunch. This is our village. They love us, support us, assist us, advise us, and pray for us. It takes a village to raise a child and this is ours. We are so blessed.

 

A special picture of Layton with his great-grandparents. So thankful for these 4 who started it all. Generations are and will be blessed because of them.

 

What a special weekend we enjoyed. To God be the glory, great things He hath done!  

Friday Favorites

Today has been wild. But we made it to Friday afternoon! And it's Spring Break! And we have a fun weekend ahead! We may have suffered through meltdowns, doctor's appointments, fighting, and poop samples today, but we're not gonna let it get us down. It's F-R-I-D-AY! Let the weekend begin... as soon as daddy gets home. =)

My favorites from the week:

*Watching my biggest play baseball! Last night the whole fam made it out. We probably won't do that again. Haha. But I got to see Garrison make an awesome play in the field so it was totally worth it.

 

*On Monday Austin was under the weather and stayed home from school... and so I decided to keep Garrison home too. They played SO good together all morning. I loved seeing them use their imaginations and what they came up with. One of the things they spent a LOT of time doing was making "houses" for their animals (and baseball men). John Deere trucks and large books make for some awesome houses for animals... and baseball men. =)

*We now have video monitors up and running for all the boys! Up until Austin moved in with Garrison we had never had a video monitor and honestly never really missed having one. However, two boys 4 (at the time) and under in the same room made us reeeally want one. Correction: NEED one. So we registered for one when we registered for Layton and my parents got it for us. Huge blessing! We started off using it in the big boy room. Then we moved it to Layton's room once he started sleeping in his room. Then, we got a gift of money from a family member and were able to buy a 2nd camera. We love being able to see all our boys. Technology isn't all bad after all.

 

*This sweet boy decided to read to his baby brother while I was working on something at the table. Precious. I have a very similar picture of Garrison doing this with Austin when he was a baby. So sweet.

*The beautiful weather this week meant lots of outside time for me and the boys. They had so much fun. And even though Austin has his own car that he puts lots of miles on it's still nice to know they don't mind sharing a ride every now and then. =)

*One morning while I was getting Austin dressed for school he leaned over and gave me kiss. Without warning. Without prompting. Just wanted to kiss his mama. Be still my heart! It was so sweet that I totally melted.

*My littlest now has an Easter bucket like his big brothers. Yay! It turned out perfect. Now we just have to figure out what to put in it.

*Today is my mom's birthday... Happy Birthday Granna!! We're looking forward to a fun filled weekend of celebrations. =)

On Hope and Trust

Terrell and I have found ourselves in a 'leap of faith' season. Everything we do or don't do seems to be a leap of faith or "risk". And it's been a little scary and stressful. We're dealing with financial challenges since we've lost my income and have made a final decision to be without it for the next school year. We have big school decisions to make for Garrison. We have questions about what is best for Austin next year. We have questions about the best care/treatment for Terrell's back. We have possible changes in the future to consider and discuss. There's just been a lot to think about, talk about, pray about, and even occasionally argue about.

While we know in our hearts that God has taken care of all these things down to the smallest detail and that He is always faithful, it is hard not knowing. It is hard facing challenges and tough decisions. It is hard to not be anxious. It's just hard to be at peace when you have nagging little thoughts in your head and annoying little knots in your stomach...even though you do trust God and you are putting your hope in Him.

God has been working on me this week. He's been reminding me that hope and trust are nouns and verbs. They are something you do, not just something you wait around to feel or experience. They are action words. While feeling hopeful and trusting in God are certainly very real "things", most of the time God requires something of us... more than just hoping we'll feel hopeful or that we'll automatically trust Him and His plan. Sometimes He requires action.

This week, in the present, I'm having to choose hope and trust. I'm having to demonstrate faith. I'm having to intentionally stay positive. I'm having to rely on His Word, spend more time in prayer, quiet and guard my thoughts, and rebuke Satan's lies. It hasn't been as simple as just feeling hopeful and trusting, I've had to be proactive.

Two of my devotionals this week have been so specifically for me (and Terrell) during this season that I've had to pause and consider my lack of faith. His timing, His Word, His plan are perfect. And I'm guilty of doubting that way more than I'd like to admit.

One of my devotionals was about focusing our hope and not letting the worries and stresses and busyness of today overwhelm us and take our focus off our hope in God. Here's a snippet...

"When we focus on the frustrations of today and uncertainties of tomorrow, we rob ourselves of peace in the present moment. But, when we focus on God's grace, and when we trust in the ultimate wisdom of God's plan for our lives, our worries no longer tyrannize us.

Today, remember that God is infinitely greater than the challenges that you face. Remember also that your thoughts are profoundly powerful, so guard them accordingly."

The second devotional was about bearing witness to God's Truth. Another snippet...

Today as you fulfill the responsibilities that God has placed before you, ask yourself this question: "Do my thoughts and actions bear witness to the ultimate Truth that God has placed in my heart, or am I allowing the pressures of everyday life to overwhelm me?"

Wow. Like I said, these were specifically for me. Right now. This week. This season. It has been SO easy for me to feel overwhelmed... and to question and doubt. But God's Word and His prompting have reminded me to actively hope and trust in him...

To cast all my anxiety on him 1 Peter 5:7

To submit myself to God and resist the devil so he will flee from me James 4:7

To not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, to present my requests to God. Philippians 4:6

To guard my heart (and my thoughts)  Proverbs 4:23

To remember and claim that He hasn't given me a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-control 2 Timothy 1:7

To think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy Philippians 4:8

To seek Him and find Him when I seek Him with my whole heart. Jeremiah 29:13

Truth after truth after truth.

Thankful this week that I learned to actively put my hope and trust in Him.

Animals at School

My big boys got a special treat today that they were both sooo excited about. A petting zoo came to our school! Both of their classes got a turn to visit "the zoo" at back to back times first thing this morning so it worked out perfect for me to be there with them both. (This was seriously a huge blessing. Working everything around feeding Layton is a challenge. It's worth it but man is it difficult sometimes.) They got a special treat visiting the zoo and I got a special treat watching them. They were so adorable.

Garrison started off super safe.... brushing the alpaca

 

Carefully stroking the bunny...

 

Feeding the goat....

 

And then he finally held one. A sweet little one week old guinea pig. He was thrilled. =)

 

After that he was a pro and brought over several different bunny rabbits to show me. He had a blast.

 

Then it was Austin's turn. He walked right in and just started animal whispering. Ha!

 

He was especially fond of the alpaca... or "little horsey" as he called it.

 

He even got a turn walking it around the playground. This was the cutest thing ever as he said Come on little horsey, this way little horsey all over the playground. I thought he was a natural. =)

 

The bunny rabbits were a big hit but a little too fast for him to grab and hold.

 

Instead he got a turn, with a little help, holding the newborn guinea pig. And he gave me his best chesse face. Love. (And if you look closely you can see Layton's stroller in the background. I think he slept through the whole experience.)

The petting zoo and having animals at school was a BIG DEAL to my babies. It was pretty priceless getting to watch them all morning. I'm so thankful for our school and for my animal lovers. =)