Beautiful Two.

I love you little,
I love you lots,
My love for you would fill ten pots,
Fifteen buckets,
Sixteen cans,
Three teacups,
and four dishpans.
                   -Anonymous

Dear Elijah and Ezekiel,

  My precious little boys. We celebrated your second birthday on January 7, just one day after your actual birthday. We spent the afternoon with family and friends and enjoyed watching you two play, laugh and enjoy yourselves.


[Just born!]

  The years we waited, the tears that poured out, the prayers that went up for you, all so worth the wait. 

[1 Year!]

  There are so many things I want to write you. To remember all the wonderful moments we've shared. You two have filled our life with such "beautiful chaos". In just two years, you have blessed many. You have brought smiles to the faces of strangers. You have brought laughter where there otherwise might have been tears. Our life has overflowed with joy just having you around.

[Two and Big Brothers!]

 Now that you are little boys and big brothers, it's a brand-new adventure. Very exciting! It's fun watching you learn, soaking up and discovering the world. Of course, it won't always be fun, it won't always be easy learning life. But one thing is for sure... you are covered. God is with you.  Even before you were born, you were in God's hands. You have so many prayers surrounding you daily.

  We have so much to learn together. I look forward to each moment to come. I am so excited to be a part of this adventure. I'm so blessed and thankful to be your momma. I will always have your backs. I will always be for you; your prayer warrior, your biggest fan, your cheering section.



  I'm also your teacher, the boss-lady. I am responsible for you. I teach you in hopes that you learn. I pray that if you learn nothing else, you learn about Jesus. His love for you. His grace. His forgiveness. That you learn to be more like Him and show Him to the world. That, above all else, you bless His kingdom.

  

  Grow my beautiful two. Go and have fun; jump, play, dance, learn and be blessed! Looking forward to this year and all that it holds. I love you truly.

Forever yours,



Momma

On Shaking Knees.

[Please note; this post took me four (4) days to write. It began with one idea and ended with another. I decided to publish it anyway, since it did take me four (4) days to write. Thanks for reading.:)]


I have always loved the silence of nighttime. In the winter, I love that the furnace running provides a sort of a sound barrier, allowing me to move about without worry of waking little ones.  Yes, I love my sleep, but when you have to be up anyway, you might as well find some enjoyment in it. And with three little ones, two of which require a certain amount of "active" attention all.day.long, I find those 2am feedings a perfect bonding time with my littlest one. And the 5am feeding, with baby sleeping soundly afterwards or just being content, a perfect time for just me.
  
  It's quiet, it's dark and outside the wind blows it low hum and cold breath. Inside here, I am warm, I am content, the coffee is hot, strong and sweet, and for a moment, I am alone. I write. I think. I pray. As the day welcomes her light, it's beauty never fails to amaze me. No two sunrises are ever the same. The way the light plays over the trees, across the land, and finally into my windows and filling my heart; I thank God for this moment to witness a brand new day. A fresh start. A time to truly rejoice for His refreshing grace.

Caring for a newborn and trying to be a teacher and good example to small children is exhausting work. Little people learning their way, attitudes, likes/dislikes, all very different from each other. Sometimes I want to pull my hair out trying to decipher small talk and discipline, for each child is very different. It's not unusual to find myself near tears by mid-day. Feeling defeated, wondering what to do next. Each step in my day is a lesson and example to little eyes and ears; I attempt to tread carefully. But, sometimes, my shaky knees cause me to fall. I want to melt right into the floor, become invisible. Instead, I pick myself up, deep breath in, a quick prayer, and forgiveness is sought. Start over. Again.

Grace is extended. From God and from my children, and many times, my husband. Each still love me even after the fall. How they humble me. How sweet that seeking grace and forgiveness can lift the spirits, soften the heart, and flip the most stubborn attitude.

...I love how Greg Laurie puts it......"If your knees are shaking, kneel on them!"

Jesus tells us to pray, continually. Our Heavenly Father is interested in every detail of our lives; therefore we can come boldly to His throne of grace and open our hearts to Him. (Hebrews 4:16)

Especially as mothers, we need to be reminded to "pray and not lose heart." This is a message straight from the Lord Himself. (just a few inspirations; Genesis 18:14, Jeremiah 32:17, Philippians 4:6-7, Luke 18:1, Hebrews 4:16)

Mother-OVER-load. Honestly.

It's been 16 days since I became a mother of 3.
I've gone from glowing proud momma to hormonal weepy momma to grouchy exhausted momma and back. Daily.

(((((sigh))))) Two year old twins and an infant.
Some Most days, it would appear we live in somewhat of a nuthouse. Seriously. ...Really, let me paint you a picture:
Toys scattered. Everywhere. Walking about without stepping on a matchbox car is nearly impossible. Don't trip over that scooter! Look out for the race tracks strewn about! Look out for those toy bolts from the tool bench, they blend right in with the floor!
Momma; crying, laughing, walking in circles, trying to decipher a toddler tantrum, maybe breastfeeding, all while simultaneously trying to tackle laundry.
Daddy; pacing, head shaking, eyes rolling, trying to make dinner...perhaps ready to make a run for it? Haha.
Toddler number 1, running circles around momma, yelling at the top of his lungs, head thrown back, laughing hysterically.
Toddler number 2, throwing a full-blown tantrum for reasons unknown, pointing, blaming anyone in his sight for his unhappiness.
Baby, wailing, perhaps while trying to nurse or poop.
You might spot a dirty diaper waiting to go out or a leaky sippy cup or even a piece of lunch meat stuck to the wall. You might even smell poop.
Don't be too alarmed, for a family of five us, with three in diapers, this is totally normal.

But, even in this nutty chaos, there are these beautiful moments tucked in, around and through. ...A toddler using manners, brothers sharing, laughing, playing, a baby cooing and at times, sleeping peacefully, sometimes three boys sleeping, a husband and wife kissing, reminding each other of their love for one another, reminding each other that "this too, shall pass", some moments are all too quickly. And there are others, the people in our life who cover us with love, who have shared a meal, gave a gift, called to check on us and some more than once. Reminders that God is watching over us, constantly caring for us.

I would be remiss not to mention my mother. "Grammy". My children adore her and she them. We would be completely and utterly lost without her. Completely and utterly.

I love being a mom. I love this God-given assignment. I am thankful for the opportunities to grow and become more like Jesus through motherhood. The lessons are hard, sometimes seeming impossible....
  I'm feeling a bit lot consumed these days, grasping for what I know and what I need to learn. "One day at a time", I find myself repeating over and over. But honestly, telling myself, "if I could just get 5 hours of uninterupted sleep"......

This morning I recalled a two-year old message from my husband; "JUST BREATHE". When the twins were born and after he went back to work then, he used to text me this message almost daily. Those two simple words saved my sanity life more than once. It's a simple, yet powerful message even today. And I'm reminded how much I love him.

So, as life stirs and the sun comes up, another day begins. I face it with a deep breathe and a prayer and somewhere from deep within me courage swells and faith grows a little stronger. Each day is so vital; my children are learning from me. And I am determined to pass on something other than doubt and fear.

New Life; Isaac.

On December 27, 2011, I gave birth to baby boy number 3, Isaac Franklin. Weighing 8lbs. 6oz. and measuring 21 inches long. He is a perfect, strong, bright-eyed and very mellow baby.

  We arrived at the hospital at 9:15a.m. and our precious boy was pulled into the world at 10:56a.m. His loud cries were music to my ears. I laughed. ....a song of "THANK YOU JESUS!" rang through my heart, to my head and finally to my voice. Another sweet gift of life has been given to us.

The twins met their baby brother shortly thereafter. We braced ourselves...

...But it was a meeting of pure joy and sweetness. They accepted him with wide grins and laughter and kisses. "Baby Isaac!!" ...there was a collective sigh of relief.

Coming home was bliss. Comfort, warmth and familiarity. It was as if Isaac had belonged here all along. From the moment I first held him, I couldn't imagine our family without him.

The boys have been amazing. Sweet, caring, attentive and mostly gentle to their "baby Isaac". I am so proud of them. Always in awe of my children.

The past nine days have been utterly exhausting, overwhelming and priceless. It's amazing what forget and what you remember. So much has come so easy this second time around. 

Time is fleeting. My children are growing each moment of each day. I love each and every beautiful chaotic moment. I don't want to ever forget. Even the poopy, wet, loud, frustrating times. Because even they lead to beautiful, bright, laughing, and quiet moments.

There's still lots of laughter in the Scales house. And even more to come, that I am sure of.

Here are few things we've heard from the boys in regards to Isaac:

[A concerned Z, in the middle of the night after being awakened by a crying Isaac] "Baby Issac crying! Baby Isaac crying Daddy, get him!"

[A laughing, curious E after studying his new baby brother] "HAHAHAHAHA, Baby Isaac making silly face!"

[Z, whenever it's time to change baby brother] "I do it mommy! I help!"

[Baby Isaac whenever big brothers want to play with him] "WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

[E when I told him Isaac wants to play with him] "No Mommy, he too little!"

Baby Isaac has his days and nights mixed up for now, but I cherish this time I have with him all to myself. It's extremely exhausting, but I consider it a blessing. For I know all to well that soon, this time will be gone and he will be all go go go like his big brothers.

We've been so blessed, once again, with this precious, beautiful, healthy boy.  

 

Catching Up; Christmas In Pictures

We had a wonderful holiday! We spent the entire weekend close to home and loved ones. It's such a blessing to be able to spend time with family and close friends! And our boys; they had so much fun! It was a blast just watching them enjoy Christmas. And there's no denying the fun we had opening presents. Celebrating Jesus' birthday with our dearest loved ones...there is no greater blessing.

Playing Santa is so much fun!

The stockings were hung...

Bread(?) and cookies for Santa...