Rested and Renewed

More than a year ago, we started planning what we called our "big" anniversary trip. I realize that most people rarely get to do something like this, let alone less than 8 years into marriage.
 But we picked the ideal place (for us), planned, saved and made it happen.
 Actually, my husband made it happen, something that I will be forever grateful for. My love language is quality time, which is one of the higher maintenance love languages with a very busy lifestyle. We sit on the couch and talk after the kids go to bed and we make time for date nights, but we don't truly connect as often as we would like. Church ministries, kids, work and responsibilities are all very demanding and don't leave much time for us.
 Well, for 9 whole days, it was just us. We stayed in a tropical paradise--a gorgeous resort right on Daytona Beach with a room that opened just steps from the pool, and the pool just feet from the beach.

 Sharing the first part of our trip in more pictures, less words, because palm trees, water and blue skies speak for themselves.

For the last few days of our trip, we went to Orlando to stay at my grandparents, who let us use their winter place because they had already left to go back to N.Y. for the summer. They live in an over 55 community during the winter and as a kid I loved it because we spent vacations there growing up. Now, I love it because it seems like the most quiet, peaceful place on earth and as a Mom of three loud children, peace is medicinal. 

The big question everyone asks after a vacation is, "so what did you do?" To answer that: nothing. We did nothing. I mean yes, we shopped, we ate, we swam--but a large majority of my time was spent unwinding, talking to my husband and truly connecting with him. Along with a lot of poolside reading, of course.

 When we came home, we couldn't stop squeezing and kissing the kids, so excited to show them their presents and the pictures of the trip. I'm back to the beautiful chaos that is called home, rested and renewed and more in love with my man than ever.

Celebrating Baby #4

Prior to this baby, I had found out the gender of my children 3 different ways—One at birth, one at the ultrasound and one with a gender reveal party. I have to say that for me, finding out at birth is best and even though I’ve had different reasons to find out beforehand the past few times, it will always be my favorite way. The delivery room suspense far surpasses the suspense of when you already know. I can’t explain it, but it is so incredible and I loved it!

 For our second, we found out at the ultrasound and I hated it. No climax, nor warning, just a sudden, simple “it’s a boy”, no excitement, no rush. It was awful and I cried afterwards because I wished I hadn’t found out. So, I knew that was never an option for me again.

 For Nathan we had a gender reveal with balloons, which I loved. There was so much excitement and suspense, and we had to wait 2 days after the ultrasound for my whole family to be present so there was a lot of guessing and talking about it before hand. I knew I definitely wanted to do that again with this baby, but this time with a cake so we could eat it and celebrate even more!

 I’m so thankful to our friends who came and took pictures so I didn’t have to worry about it. I just enjoyed the day and let them capture all of the excitement! So, without further ado, the gender reveal of baby #4!

I love seeing the facial expressions of my sis-in-law and all the kids!

ANOTHER BOY! I knew it! :)

Brooke's face in this seriously almost makes me cry. I know that she would have loved a sister, but she is absolutely thrilled for another baby brother! So sweet!

In answer to the most common question at this point, no, we haven't decided on a name. In fact, we have hardly talked about it! We usually don't fully decided on one until the last few months, anyway, so it will probably be a while. :)

 I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter Weekend! HE is risen!

Baby #4 Gender Reveal

We had our family--in person and on Facetime--and a few friends over to celebrate with us in finding out if our baby is a boy or girl. I was not at all surprised at the outcome, and we are very, excited!

 I'll do a full post with pictures later, but for now I just wanted to share our happy news!

Praying for my Kids, Snails and S'mores

I've been so convicted over the last few months about praying for my children. Of course I've always prayed for them to be saved when they understood, and to follow God all their days. I've prayed for them in the here and now--please God, PLEASE, help them to obey today--but I haven't really prayed for specifics in their future lives, much to my shame.
 The great thing about the Christian life is that God is so forgiving of our shortcomings and he gently guides and leads us along. At the age of 20 I became a Mom and it's been a roller coaster ever since, a daily, weekly, yearly learning experience.

 I never parented before 2007 and even though I thought I knew a lot about raising kids being the oldest of 9, I knew nothing. Nothing. I knew logistics. I knew the general Biblical principles of raising kids, how to train them and love them, but now I have 3 very big teachers: my own kids. Each one is different and unique, needs to be disciplined, loved and cared for in the way that best speaks to their love language and personality.
 That is why I realized (or God spoke in his still, small voice) that I needed to pray for their specific personalities concerning their futures.

 For instance, Joe Joe has been loud from the minute he came into this world. He let out a piercing wail when the nurse took him away from me to clean him up after he was born, and he's been talking, yelling, laughing and joking around very loudly ever since. He's the life of the party. He loves to be funny, he speaks unashamedly to strangers, telling them whatever comes to mind (which can be really embarrassing at this stage!). So I've started praying that God would use that for him--that he would tell others about God and not be ashamed, that he would proclaim God's Word to all who will hear, that he would win many souls to Him because of his bold witness.

I do the same with my other two, praying that God would use their specific personalities and good characteristics for his honor and glory.

The past few weeks have been full of adventures. Eating under a tent in the living room, catching snails and watching and waiting for them to come out of their shells, s'mores on a Saturday night after working on the yard all day and lots and lots of playing the beautiful sunshine.

I have a very special post coming later this week. Can't wait to share!