A Time for Everything

Sweet blossoms in our back yard

Our adventurous Sophie swinging on her belly.  

This was right before she landed on her head, which she has done several times since.

Since January, life has been a rollercoaster ride, at least for me it seems.  But I am slowly coming to grips with the fact that this is a season in my life that will one day move on to another season.  I do not desire to wish away this season, but instead to savor the blossoms & toddlers that come and go so quickly.  Ecclesiastes 3 came to mind midweek.  "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven... a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to sprout... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance..."  

Losing a tooth, getting a ticket...

Chloe's third loose tooth

Marty's loose tooth

Since I last blogged, life has not stopped.  Our three weeks of sickness in which four out of the five of us were infected, never seemed to end.  Getting away to the beach was absolutely perfect after dealing with so much craziness.  Upon returning home, Naomi could barely hear anything we said, thus the beginning of round two of antibiotics for her double ear infection (in which I still don't think the meds are working.)  

But yesterday was our most adventurous day of all!  

Running late as usual to our home school group, I was granted my first (ever!) traffic ticket.  I will not go into details, but it was not for speeding, texting, or even doing my make-up while driving.  But I got a ticket!  

Then, within the hour, my poor sweet husband (who had been in pain all weekend) got one of his teeth removed due to infection.  But on the more positive side, our oldest finally lost one of her top teeth.  She was so excited!  

So in looking back over the past month, I have much to be thankful for.... that we only had colds & ear infections, rather than the yucky stuff! ....that we were able to rest away from everything as a family....  that my ticket wasn't due to a wreck or some other traumatic incident ... and that we have a really great dentist who we appreciate greatly!!!  God is still good!

Here is a smorgasbord of our daily life this past week...

Sophie, just after waking up... with her book & bear

First time putting shoes on by herself... ta da!

Chloe & I made homemade poptarts

The finished product!  Quite delicious!

The littlest Sleepwalker

It's been over a week since I last blogged, but after last night's incident, I just had to share and since I haven't gotten to talk to my parents in a few days, I thought this would be a fun way to share.  One of the reasons I haven't blogged in so long is due to the series of colds, fevers, coughs, ear infections, two doctor visits, and one pink eye scare.  Needless to say, this mama is a little low on sleep and was the last to be given the wonderful gift of this lovely sick bug.

Last night, with everyone finally back in their own beds and no longer sleeping in our closest (our quarantine room), I thought I'd get a full nights sleep, but of course, at 3 am, I awoke to my own sneezing.  Thank you, cold!  I thought I should check on Sophie, being that it was her first night back in her big girl bed (after being in the closet), and upon going back to her and Naomi's room, there is no Sophie!  Not in her bed, not in the top bunk with Naomi, not in the closet...    I searched the bathroom, hallway, Chloe's room, even the sheets I forgot to fold in front of the laundry room, no Sophie!  I'm about to panic and call for Marty, but then there I find her, curled up with her blankie and passy on the kitchen floor fast asleep.  She even stayed asleep when I layed her back in her bed.  The funniest part to me is imagining her waddling in her sleep sack (no legs, just a pouch) all the way down the hallway to the kitchen where she falls back to sleep on the only floor in our home that is not carpeted.  Life is certainly not dull in the Middleton house!

Here she is posing for me this morning.

P.S.  For you worried parents, our closet is on the larger size with an air vent, and the door stays open.  Just in case you were worried...

A Simple Valentine

Today was a simple Valentine's day, not by my choice, but more from forgetfulness.  In the past, I've had professional Valentine pictures taken of the girls, made homemade cards, breakfast, lunch, & supper centered around hearts & pink... the list could go on and on.  

Maybe it's having three kids now, maybe it's because I'm 32.  But anyway, today was a more simple Valentine.  For breakfast, the girls ate Valentine cookies that they made last night.  For gifts, I only remembered to get them books they might enjoy, red valentine cups, and heart marshmallows.  After my initial disappointment in myself this morning, I was able to sit back and smile at the girls excitement of heart marshmallows in hot chocolate and the vegan cheesy grits that my sweet husband made me.

My sweet Valentines

A Valentine on the run

Could just squeeze her cheeks

Valentine morning...

One of the highlights of the day though was when my sweet Chloe danced with her ballet class at a nearby retirement home.  Watching her give out the bookmarks that she and Naomi made was priceless.

12 Days of Valentine

Back in December, I had read of an idea on one of my favorite blogs, www.passionatehomemaking.com to do something special for my husband by giving gifts for the 12 days before Christmas.  At the time, I didn't think I could add anything else to my plate, and thought, "Maybe next year."  But after hearing one of sisters do it for her husband and loving it, I thought, "Why not the 12 days before Valentine's?"  

Day 1 - One Krispy Kreme Doughnut

Day 2 - Two Mountain Dews

Day 3 - Three Cliff Bars

Day 4 - Four McD's gift certificates (they were $1 each)

Day 5 - Five love notes from the past (I kept all of them from high school.  It was really fun to read them together.)

Day 6 - I was a slacker and didn't make the six firestarters that I planned to and gave him six sweet tarts instead.  But he surprised me with a note that on the sixth day of Valentine's, I could have a six minute massage.  I should have thought of that!

Day 7 - Seven Praises

A sweet trip to Asheville for a wedding

Being the coolest daddy!

1.  You never hold a grudge.  (You say it's because of a bad memory, 

but I truly think that God made you this way for a reason.)

2.  You are always faithful.  I know without a doubt that you'll be by my side till the day one of us goes to be Jesus.

3.  You are so thoughtful.  Whether it's washing the dishes or a simple "I love you!" text message, 

I know that you've thought about me at some point during your day.

4.  You are the best daddy our girls could ever dream of having.  It's because of you that when our girls enter a Hallmark store, they proceed to push every single plush toy that plays music (all at the same time!)

5.  You are the funnest person in the world to be with.  Vacations are not the same without you!  

If I could go anywhere in the world, I'd want it to be with you.

6.  You love our Lord and Savior with everything that's in you.  

How blessed I am to have married a man who loves God and lives that love out in his ministry.

7.  You are my very best friend!  With each season of life, I am even more thankful to have you by my side.

I love you, Marty Middleton!

Marty holding our precious Sophie Joy

Special Times

As many of you can tell, I haven't blogged nearly as often these days due to several reasons.  Enjoying my mom's visit over the past three weeks is one of those reasons.  Once again, it has been so special.  It's been amazing to see the benefits of technology in staying in touch long distance.  As soon as Sophie saw her Nana at the airport, her hands started flapping with cries of "Nana! Nana!"  How I wish that I could have captured it on video.  I could go on and on about how incredible my mother is, but that will be saved for another post.  

January 26 - February 1

Chloe baking bread

Naomi sporting her favorite headband after ballet

Incredible book!  My first book of the year.

Quick visit to the zoo with Kristi, Ava, & Nana

Sweet Ava

Playing dolls

Our last night with Nana

Naomi snuggling with Nana

Farewells at the airport - Ezra strutting in style

Sweet memories...

Enjoying a unseasonably warm day at the park!

The girls and I made these "healthy"
Almond Joy bars.  Delish!

Gratitude is enough

January 22 - January 25

What a beautiful example of new life!  We were privileged
to visit this sweet baby boy within the day of his birth.  

My big girls playing (or watching) a computer game

Such sweet backpacks on our first day back to Prov. 22
Don't you just love Naomi's new one!  It's perfect!

Naomi, on our evening walk.  She's wearing her
fashionable new headband under her lifesaving helmet.  

As our church is currently reading through the book of Job, I have been reminded of the frailty of life and how ultimately, God is in control.  For some reason, this week has been a roller coaster of emotions for me. I cried when I read of a friend from my days in Japan, who lost their precious little girl just weeks before her due date.  I have never experienced such kind of pain.  I have three healthy little girls.  Yet, what do I do when one forgets to pick up her dirty pajamas (again!)?  Do I show grace?  Do I show gratitude for these precious lives that I do not deserve to be given the responsibility to care for?  No....  I truly pray that God will teach me and others as we read about the life of Job.