Forever and a Day

So I know it's been forever since my first and only blog post but I guess that's part of raising these 3 crazy boys. So just a few updates; 

Austin turned 4 years old on December 23rd and he reminds us just about everyday that he is 4 now. He seems like he has grown so much over the past few months. He wants to help with everything and I take him up on alot of it. He wants to help wash dishes and cook supper and fold laundry and he loves to help with anything to do with Jeremiah. I love watching him become more and more independent although I do miss him as a baby sometimes and can't believe 4 years has passed so quickly. 

Jacob is the same firecracker as usual. He gets into everything, tests every boundary and pushes every limit and I wouldn't want it any other way cause at the end of the day when he can't stop giving me hugs and kisses before bed it makes all the stress and mess he caused that day worth it. I try my best to not squash his spirit because I know that it can take him places one day. He has such a drive and passion and imagination and I can't wait to see where it takes him in life! 

Jeremiah, or Jer-bear as we have come to call him, is becoming such a little person and is making himself known in this crazy family. He has so much personality and love that it is impossible for my heart not to melt every time I see his smiling or squealing face. I really see him being the prankster and funny-man of the house. He almost always has a smile and he Loves to clap. In his mind just about everything is clap-worthy. He's been doing a ton of standing without holding onto anything and taking 1 or 2 steps here and there, and then last night he took 4 steps from James to me and I can't tell you how excited and sad I was all at the same time. It's so amazing watching this little guy that one year ago was still in my tummy and now he's discovering his first true step towards independence and yet it's hard to let go of that little baby. I think God knew I would have a hard time letting go and that is why he made Jer-bear such a cuddler. He loves to just lay on your shoulder and pat your back and occasionally look up and give a quick kiss, and there is no one in this world whose shoulder he would rather lay than......his Daddy's. That boy sure does love his Daddy and it is the cutest thing. Last night he was up later than usual due to a late nap so he was playing with me in the living room. James was dozed off on the couch and Jeremiah kept going up to him and patting his back and trying to climb up on the couch to be with him. As I type this he will turn 1 yrs old in 14 days and 12 hrs. We still don't have any plans for his birthday yet but I'm sure I'll come up with something. I'm so good at last minute! LOL!

Now that you've heard about my boys I'm sure you're wondering about me (maybe). I've had alot of things running through my mind recently and dont even know where to begin. Everyday I worry that I'm not being the best Mother I can be. I want to make sure I'm really giving it 100% and when I look back in 20 yrs I dont want to have a single regret in the way we raised our boys. I want them to be spiritually strong and grounded, and to really know who they are and be happy. I want them to know that with God they can take on anything they want in this world. I want them to have self confidence to go after their dreams and the humility and heart to look after others. These are the things I strive for although I know the things of this world distract me and try to take me off course.