Fifteen Years and Counting

Today marks 15 years of togetherness. You know, since we started the whole boyfriend/girlfriend thing. Those were terms Shaun never liked so we didn't really used them unless we had to. Young love is funny like that... It doesn't really make sense. But, we were together and that's all that really mattered.

Today we had about ten minutes to ourselves and then the rest was spent tag teaming the kids. Bible study in the morning, shopping for running shoes for Isaac and swimming at the neighbors in the afternoon, and soccer practice for the big boys in the evening. However, there is no one else I'd rather kiss good-bye ten times a day!

Poor Fur Baby, Cloi

Cloi has been my baby since Christmas of 2005. Soon she will be 11 years old and oh how she craves my attention. She follows me everywhere I go. However, that means Malaya is also right there with me. They've noticed each other for several months now, but their relationship just got a whole lot more interesting. Malaya is obsessed with Cloi and the feelings are not mutual. Cloi will stick around for a while because she so badly wants love, but when M starts squealing and trying to eat her tail, she's gone. High places were her safety, until now...

Cloi looks so relaxed and safe on her tower...

But then M, who is a VERY determined little creature, has set her eyes on the prize...

Even an unsteady, rocker won't stop her! Run Cloi! Run!

Her newest spot. She can see from all angles!

But there are plenty of kids in this house to keep her annoyed. Red head lamp to the eyes!

Someday they'll be best friends. As soon as Malaya learns the concept "gentle."

Melt My Heart... More of Blake

Every Tuesday night the big boys have soccer practice. So that means every Tuesday night the big boys go with dad and I get the two littles. We laugh and play and slowly unwind from a long day. But every Tuesday night while I'm putting Malaya down, I come back to a sleeping Blake. Our special time together has yet to happen because he can't keep his eyes open long enough for me to return from putting his little sister to bed.

Tonight I left him by his door reading so I thought for sure he would still be there wide awake. Nope, he crawled in bed and it was all over. His hand was still between the pages of his Story Book Bible. I wasn't even gone that long. Sweet boy of mine. I love you, buddy!

Our one of a kind, Blake Tyler

This guy has had his new title as "big brother" for a while now. However, he is such a mama's boy that I still see him as my baby. Maybe that's because he was the youngest for 4 1/2 years. Blake is sensitive and forgiving. He's also quick to apologize for doing wrong. He's always been able to
go with the flow and happily plays on his own. There are times that I tell him to get in bed and I'll be right in to kiss him good night. And then because his big brothers are so demanding, I forget about him (sounds awful, I know). By the time I remember and rush to his bedside, he is fast asleep. I still hug and kiss him and whisper goodnight... And of course thank God for giving me such an easy going kid.

We call him our sloth. He just takes longer (a lot longer) to do things... Like walking, eating, getting dressed, and life in general. Blake simply enjoys every single part of being alive. Which is why he is my little romantic. His motto must be "stop and smell the roses" because he will find a flower on every walk we take. He holds it behind his back until I'm looking at him and then with the biggest and most proud grin he says, "for you mom!"

While he's the oldest and smarts in his classes (teacher's words), his emotions have gotten the best of him. He's struggled to part from us lately and we're not sure why. Hoping it's just a season he's in and that it will soon pass. In the meantime, we continue to encourage him!

We love this little guy and how he makes us slow down. We know God's got big plans for him because he's one that will be patient enough to wait on Him!

Weed or flower, it doesn't matter. I get them all from my sweet little man!

Two adorable sloths!

 

Malaya is Seven Months

Oh this little beauty we like to call Malaya-Taya. She is our sweet, sweet princess and her brothers are beyond over the galaxy for her! Blake will look at a picture of her and start baby talking to it. Parker consistently comes in each morning just to see her smile at him. Isaac can't wait to touch and hold her each day and praises her for learning new things. I still get teary eyed when I realize I have a girl and don't even get me started on Shaun. He is tightly wrapped around each of her precious little fingers!

Malaya is a busy little thing and has great hand-eye coordination for when she quickly wants to put tiny objects in her mouth without getting caught. She is getting better at sleeping but with her tummy figuring out new foods and teeth on the way (I think), there's still no consistency when it comes to her naps and night time. Curious monkey doesn't want to miss anything. She babbles and coos and has had a "mama" and "dada" stage already. However, her favorite is to growl at stuffed animals while attacking them and to squeal in delight when she has a big handful of her brothers' hair.

We thank God for this priceless treasure!  

Perfect sweetness!

 





She is very versatile- One moment she's dainty and the next she's playing ball. But no matter the case, she's always picture perfect! 

Miss M takes on different personalities depending on which brother she is with... It's very interesting to observe. With Isaac, who she is most like (pray for me), she is calm and observant. She also has the same affect on him and he seems to bring his energy level down a notch. They are really good for each other.

 

Quick comparison of my two crazies. Malaya is a cross between Isaac and Parker. More Parker at birth but turning into an Isaac for sure. Here's the comparison of Isaac at 7mos and Malaya at 5mos.

 

 

Malaya is mesmerized by Parker. She watches him closely as he sings to her and seems so secure with the way he protects her from falling.  

 

But then there are times he joins in with her psycho-ness and that's when Isaac steps in and calms her!

 

I don't have many pictures of this duo because together they are just silly and that usually means I have the video camera out. They make each other laugh over the smallest things. She's like a little school girl with a big crush when she's with Blake!

 

Not thinking she'll need any weapons for her first birthday. Well, unless they come in pink or purple.

 

Sadly, she has zero cleaning skills so far. We have a lot to work on!

 

But that face! It gets me every time... even at 5am!

 

This is her 6 month check up. She was 21 pounds

(2 mo = 14 lbs and 4 mo = 18 lbs)

Doctor said she was very advanced for her age. She is predicting her to walk by ten months. Oh wow!

 

 

And today, for the big seven months (and because our family doesn't stop), she got her very own helmet and seat for daddy's bike. Now she can join us on rides AND I can still get Juju Bar whenever I want!

 

We love you Wild Thing!