Splash in the Rain Puddles

I am learning what it means to be a praying mother.  I'm not sure how mothers who do not pray and trust the Lord with their children cope.  Especially since sending Jack to kindergarten, I find myself saying every morning, "he's Yours Lord, protect him, guide him, make Yourself known to him."  I pray this for each of my boys.  I pray they grow to be kind, solid, young men of God.  This morning I had a rare few minutes of quiet time (thank you honey) and I was so blessed by the verses I read.  As Paul was speaking to the young body of believers in Corinth he says in 1 Corinthians 16:13 & 14: "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.  Let all that you do be done with love."    That is my prayer for my boys.  Thank you Father for sending me those words today.   And now a peek into what's been going on in Willin world.......best said with the accompaniment of pictures.   Jack had a wonderful lit

So proud of Chase and the super job he did yesterday at his school program. So thankful for St. John's preschool and the way they love our kids!

Well here I am...in the pediatric dentist office waiting room...at appointments that I had completely forgot about until a few days ago.... and thanks to one amazing auntie, was able to leave our newest little one at home.  (You rock aunt Maria!!). So I find myself, for the first time in weeks, with more than 2 minutes to think about something other than meeting the needs of kiddos. Speaking of kiddos....here he is... Luke Vernon joined our family on October 21 weighing in at 7lbs 14oz.  What a wonderful day it was.  I look at this little miracle and once again am overwhelmed at the miracle of life.  What an amazing gift God has given us.  Of course we have two very proud big brothers... The last few weeks have been a bit of a blur between the c-section recovery,  sleepless nights, keeping up with the older boys activities, and finding a new routine with Luke.  But wow.  I just feel so blessed.  Three healthy, beautiful boys.  I never would have imagined my heart could hold so much lov

Thought I'd better get one last update in before little one's arrival on Monday. :)  There's been so much going on.  Here are some highlights.... Jack was named student of the month!!  I am so proud of my boy.  At my parent teacher conference his teacher said he is an excellent role model for their class, always tries his best, and uses his manners.  Praying we stay on that path! Our awesome group of friends from life group threw us a surprise shower and stocked us up on diapers and wipes.  What a blessing!! Chase's Halloween costume came in the mail a few weeks ago and I'm pretty sure he has worn it everyday since!  This boy LOVES football.  He loves to watch the games while wearing his uniform and pretending he is on the field. It is entertaining to say the least. Chase's class took a field trip to the Fire Station.  They learned stop, drop, and roll, got to explore the trucks, along with a bunch of other neat things.  Jack turned 6!  

Just a little over two weeks!!!!  I can do this.  I can do this.  I can do this.  I just have one question.  Why oh why is it ninety degrees in October?  Of all the years.....typically I would be thrilled for the extra weeks of summertime weather.  Not. This. Year. I couldn't be more happy to say that I became an auntie again on Thursday afternoon!  My brother and sister in law welcomed their second baby girl into this world and she is absolutely perfect.  Nothing like seeing her sweet face to remind me how worth it this path of pregnancy really is.  Congrats Josh and Meredith.....what a beautiful family you have!   Next week at this time we will have a six year old in our family!  And on his birthday his class is taking their first field trip so he's pretty pumped up about that.   Hard to believe how fast my boy is growing up.  The wonderful part....he knows just how I like my coffee and has made it his job to fix it for me in the morning....he does things like rub m

Just to give you an idea of how ready I have been for a reprieve from the heat.......when I opened the door this morning to feel the cool air temperature in the low 60s, I burst out singing the Doxology....praising God for the blessing of no humidity and temps not in the 90s!!! Yes it's that final month of pregnancy.  The month where at times I seem to lose my sense of rationality..... when I convince myself that this child is never coming out.....that I will just be this size forever....that I never will be able to paint my own toe nails again....and you see the downward spiral :)  God bless my hubby.  Needless to say, I have my eyes focused on October 22nd.  The date when, if he has not made an appearance by then, we will get to meet the final piece to our family puzzle.  Thankfully, just a few minutes spent thinking about the miracle of this little life inside of me.... the indescribable moment of seeing his face for the first time, the incredible blessing of becoming a mommy fo

Today I want to say "Happy Anniversary!"  to my very best friend....my hubby....my partner.... There is no other person I would rather be sharing life with.  You are so many things to me but most importantly a wonderful husband to me and daddy to our boys.  And you also should receive a reward.....a medal of the highest honor.....for helping me through this not so pretty pregnancy :)  The leg massages....the many carry out dinners.....the reassuring words like no, my stomach is not going to explode no matter how large I might think that I am :)  Things like that.  I cannot wait to meet this next little member of our family with you standing beside me.  Words cannot express the joy that you and our boys bring to my days.  I am overwhelmed by the blessings God has given me and all of those blessings find you at the center.  Happy Anniversary sweetheart.  I love you with all my heart!

Here we are....well into August.  Not sure where the summer has gone.  Since the last post, our days have been filled with 2 more weeks of swim lessons, 2 extended weekend vacations with family, a wonderful week of Vacation Bible School, a few trips to the beach, and prep for Kindergarten ....which started today....which I am still coming to terms with......and yes, I will be that mom standing at the end of the driveway, waving my arms, when he gets off the bus at 4 o'clock this afternoon.  :)  I know he will quickly recover from any embarrassment I may cause.  It's such a strange feeling.  Usually at this time of the day he and I are doing some sort of activity together while little brother takes a nap.  Now, here I am with some time to blog...and for that I am grateful...but it's just weird.  I need a few days to adjust to the whole idea of how he can possibly manage his day without momma by his side.  But deep down, past the emotion of it all, it's a really good thin