My Child

As much as I would have liked this picture to NEVER come out of the photo album, or the closet for that matter, I do think Druz and I look a little alike.  Poor kid!

My mom says she thought I was cute, I think I'm the ugliest kid I've ever seen.  I think Druz is cute so maybe he isn't as cute as I thought after all.

my loves

Tross' Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Tross' birthday last night at Mom's. 

His cake had a picture of him skateboarding.  Pretty cool.

Date Night

Mom came over to watch the kids last night.  Tyler was here too. 

Dylan and I got to go out to dinner kid free and then we met up with some friends to catch up a little.

I only had two drinks and that was plenty for me...I'm a cheap date!

We laughed.  We talked.  We cried.  Ok, so we didn't cry but we had a great time and I love hanging out with my friends and most of all, my husband.

Matter of Time...

I was warned about this by my friends and family. 

I knew it was only a matter of time.

Tatum is now starting to have an opinion on what she wears.  I figure at this point it isn't worth the battle.

Great Article

Read this on my girlfriend, Alison's blog.  She got it from a Babywise bog she follows...too good not to pass on!  I can relate to both sides and realize more every day how so very true this is.

Increasing Our Capacity

A few days ago, as my children and I were taking a bike ride through the streets of our town, a woman a few years younger than I walked outside. She just had her first baby, a boy, and he is about 6 weeks old. This means he was born around the time of year Brayden was born. She came out in her pajamas and was calling her dog who was barking at us as we rode by.

I smiled as I thought back to those days with my first child. I remembered making it to the end of the day and realizing I hadn't yet had a chance to brush my teeth. I couldn't help but wonder what she thought as I rode by with my three children, all of us showered and dressed. I hoped she didn't feel discouraged. I wondered if she thought, "Some day, it will get easier."

Then I thought about the fact that it does not get easier per say, just different. My mind then led to when Kaitlyn was a newborn. When she was a newborn, I was showered, dressed, and teeth brushed all in the morning. When McKenna came along it was the same story. So why could I manage to get ready with three children, one being a newborn, but not with just one child?

My mind immediately jumped to a quote I had recently read. I had just taught a lesson in church on developing talents, and this quote was in the lesson:

“That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing is changed, but that our power to do is increased” -Heber J. Grant

This quote is from a man who overcame weakness after weakness to turn those weaknesses into talents. It hit me. Motherhood doesn't get easier because the nature of motherhood changes as our children get older. It gets easier because we have persisted, grown in our knowledge, and our power to be a mother has increased.

What power that realization has with it! I have talked a lot about enjoying the moment and finding things to appreciate now--because you will miss them some day. But with this quote applied to motherhood, it means that we don't need to wish away our time with our young children--them getting older isn't what makes life easier. Us getting to be better and more capable mothers is what makes it easier.

That is why women can accomplish more with 3 children--one being a newborn--than they could when they had only one child who was a newborn. Our capacity increases. Our talent for motherhood has grown.

Think of the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25. If you aren't familiar with it, I will briefly summarize. 3 men were given talents of different number by their master. The first was given five. He then went out and worked to increase it, gaining five more. The second was given two. Like the first, he worked and gained two more. The third was given one. He was afraid of the repercussions in possibly losing his talent, so he hid it.

When the master returned, he was please with the first two and displeased with the last. The conclusion to the parable is essentially that when you use what you have, you will be given more. When you don't, what you have will be taken away.

How can we apply this to ourselves as mothers? When we merely survive life, waiting for that blessed day in the future when things will get easier, which servant are we being like? The unprofitable servant. We are not increasing our capacity to be a mother in the least.

What about when we do our best to improve each day? When we do our best to enjoy what is before us? That is when we become profitable servants. That is when we increase our capacity to do what we are doing. Then we are making life easier for ourselves rather than waiting for it to magically happen one day.

Do not be discouraged. I don't intend to push you further than you can go. Being a new mom is hard. There are times you feel you are barely treading water. Do not try to do more than you can do. Just do the best with what you have. Your best is enough, and you know if you are giving it or not. Do not sit and wish away your months until life will be "easier." Move forward, enjoying each day as much as you can. Just put one foot in front of the other and you will improve your capacity.

23 months and miracles

My big baby is 23 months today...one more month until I can say her age in years and not months!  YAY!

I just can't believe how big she has gotten and how much our lives have changed in just a short period of time. 

AND...Druz slept 8 hours last night for the first time!  HALLELUJAH!   Then went back down until 9:45!!!

Tatum was up around 7:30-8:00 but just layed in bed singing and chatting to herself until 9:30!  I'm sure she would have gone on longer but I had to get going with my day so I went in and got her out of bed.  These kinds of mornings make me think I can do this again.  Someday.

Ohio

After a week in Maine, we took a short (haha!) 16 hour drive to Ohio to spend a week with my family.  For the most part the drive went smoothly.  We had a few moments when we weren't sure if we would make it, or at least we weren't sure if the kids would make it but we pulled up at my Uncle's house at 4:30am with all 4 of us.  As horrible of an idea as this may have sounded, it really wasn't bad and the kids did great.

Dylan golfed everyday but one and I hung out with the kids and watched them play from dawn until dusk.

I am now suffering the repercussions of a two week, anything goes, vacation, but I'm sure Tatum will eventually realize that popsicles are not a major food group and they can not be eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner although its a hard lesson to learn.  She is also struggling with not having a play buddy 24/7 or someone to entertain that will hold her at all times or let her have her way with a sad look or fake cry.

Let's hope these lessons take effect soon!

We had a blast!  I love watching Tatum have fun, spending time with family and Dylan loves golfing.  He has a few hard lessons as well, for example, golfing everyday is not the norm, we were on vacation!  He played twice this week and went to the range one day.  Between him and Tatum, getting back to reality might be a battle. I think I have lost them both.

Thankfully, Druz is holding steady so I'm not alone in this.  :o)

Dad finally meets his newest grandson

I think she was a bit confused by so many people.  This was the first day in Ohio.

Papa and Tatum catching up and sharing some M&M's.

My beautiful little girl

Grandma and Grandpa with their newest Great Grandson.  They are up to 8 Great Grandkids and it seems to be growing quickly!

 Tatum showing Rowan her basketball skills.

Tatum telling Papa about her day.

 

Dylan golfing

Tatum driving a John Deere, which comes equipped with a top of the line stereo system.

Hanging out in Great Grandpa's tree

Grandpa and his pink flamingo???

The Back Clan

We set off fire works one night.

Sparklers!

Kissing cousins

Hugging cousins

Playing at the playground with cousins

Popsicle station (notice the step stool in front of the fridge...the kids just helped themselves)

Redneck playpen (in Jamie's words)

Swimming with flamingos

Girls only picnic!

We went to Tuscora Park one night and Tatum got to ride the train.

 

Riding on the carousel, this was the fastest carousel I have ever been on!

Grandma Baker and Aunt Gina after lunch at the park.

Tatum feeding the ducks

Hanging out with a turtle

 

Aunt Gina took one for the team and went down the slide with Tatum

While the kids played on the playground at Tuscora, the parents all took a little break.
Ben, Jackie, Druz, Dylan, Kirk, Renee, and Jamie...plus 7 kids!

 This reminds me of the hamburglar thing on the McDonald's playgrounds when we were kids.  Do they still have those???

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TROSS!!!

Tross turned 11 today! 

Boy how time flies. 

He is going to be in middle school next year!

His favorite color is purple and he is really into skateboarding.  He can do some pretty cool tricks too. 

Happy Birthday Tross, I hope you had a good one!!!

Weekend

We spent most of Saturday at Mom's while we had some showings, then we went to dinner.  I love the weekends.

Dinner at JR's Grill, Tatum hugging Grandma

My little fish in the water.  This is the first time Druz was in the pool.  He liked it so much that he fell asleep after about 5 minutes,

 Tatum loved being thrown around by her Dad.

Maine Part II

More pictures from Maine...

Aunt LuLu holding Tatums dinner new friend.

Gam-E and Aunt LuLu in Bar Harbor with Tatum 

"Come on Gam-E!"

Gam-E and G-Pop with Tatum in the ocean at Sand Beach

Trying one more time for Tatum to touch the lobby, she eventually did but it was a very quick touch and go! 

She was more comfortable with glass in between her and the lobster. 

Auntie M, Druz, and Aunt LuLu 

We had dinner at Stewman's (where Obama ate when he was there last year).  It's a newer restaurant so we hadn't been before.  Good food and nice atmosphere.  Plus, Tatum liked the lobby out front.

Maine

It occurred to me that I have yet to post pictures from our trip.

We had a great time in Maine and the wedding was beautiful.  Things were a little hectic the day of the wedding so I didn't get any pictures of the BEAUTIFUL bride or the ceremony, but hopefully I can get my hands on some from someone that has them.

Tatum played her little heart out and was a total trooper through the traveling, some days with no naps, and all the constant goings and comings that go along with vacation and family gatherings.  

We can't wait until next year!

Here are the pics from Maine...

Our first family hike up Gorham, it was a challenge, but we made it!

The end of the trail let us out at Sand Beach so we spent the rest of the day playing, relaxing, and lounging on the beach.

Tatum lounging in the creek

She LOVED running and playing in the creek at Sand Beach, it was the perfect size for her!

Full day of playing, getting ready to head home.  This was on Sand Beach.

The Dylans'.

Another day at the beach, this time we had fun at Seal Beach.

Gam-E and Tatum, splashing around in the ocean.  Gam-E made her a seaweed necklace, which she loved.  After that Tatum proceeded to pick up and collect all the seaweed on the beach.

(The Before)

Lucy and Maddie at the salon, getting ready to get their hair done for the BIG DAY!

(The After)

The blushing bride, ready to go!

My little man, resting up for the big party.

The house we rented and where the reception was (there 13 of us staying in the house).  It was BEAUTIFUL, the house and the reception.
We missed staying at the Green House this year but this place was very nice and had plenty of room for everyone.

Our wedding favors...handmade plates.  Very cool!

Druz looking all fancy in his tie.

We took a hike up to Thuya Gardens.
Tatum giving a little wave.

Beautiful flower from the garden.

More of Thuya...

And more flowers...

And even more flowers...

And yet one more...can you tell I like pretty flowers?

Tatum just relaxing while I attempt to snap some pictures.

"Is it time to go yet, Mom?"

Some succulents...I liked the pot.

Heading back down from Thuya, this was the view of Northeast Harbor.

Back to Sand Beach, Tatum couldn't get enough of the beach or the swings there.

My big girls little foot print.

Gam-E taking a stroll with Druz.

Daddy and Tatum taking a dip in the frigid waters.

Most of the crew on the beach, the last day we were all together.  Good times!

 

Tatum's yearly picture in front of the the park sign.  It will be fun to look back at all the pictures and see how much she has grown!