a goal.

living life with a goal sometimes makes even the hottest, muggiest, weariest morning into one where I actually go out for a run.  My big guy in preschool gives me the small window of opportunity where I can take my double jogger out with my middle & little guys, and I can get my run in.  Does it feel a little crazy compared to my preferred activity of having-a-cup-of-coffee and reading-my-devotional?  Yes.

But something about having a small goal in a world where so much of the time is spent in the tasks of family life feels so refreshing.  Very little of how I spend my time can be evaluated or measured.  Mothering my children is one of the greatest blessings in my life & I can't image doing anything else while my children are still in diapers.  However, taking some time to get out & be active is more than just 'me time'.  I think that showing my boys that momma can be athletic is cool.  I think that they LOVE going on runs, but I'm not sure really why.  I think maybe its as good for them as it is for me.  Peace & QUIET & solitude.

Beauty all around us & time for my mind to just function uninterrupted.

I am writing this during a week off from running.  Between family in town & getting my house put back to normal & weekend plans, I just didn't have the guts to go out in the heat of the 4-5 pm opportunity that I had.  I'm looking forward to more Fall weather, more time to get out & run, and more nights of good sleep to boost my confidence & strength.

Thank you Lord for the health & fitness & opportunity to run.  Thank you for the peace of mind & body that comes from a little solitude during our chaotic, toddler days.  Thank you for the satisfaction in the accomplishment of a small goal.  Thank you for providing me encouragement from friends, near & far.  Thank you for using it Lord, to build me up.

4.months.old.

Oh happy day Calvin!!  Your brothers are so happy for you to be 4 months old.  ;-)

You and your daddy get to have little chats now that you're 4 months.

'yeah, I can hold my head up.'

'I roll over all the time now.'

'My brothers make me laugh'

'My fingers & toes really taste great'

My.little.buddy.  4 month old check up: 15 lbs 1 oz & 26 inches long!!  I'm going to have to pack up your 3-6 month size clothes already & I could just cry!  I'm so glad you are growing 'big&big' as James would say.  Keep up the good work buddy - and if you can, please go back to sleeping through the night?  This new skill of rolling over & all this growin' is really keeping you up at night apparently.  But these days are going by fast enough already, so take your time buddy.  ;-)

loVe.

I love watching my boys play Super Hayden & Super James and zooooooom around and around and around....

I love watching my boys enJOY each other as they play.  I love how amazingly TALL James looks & how TINY Calvin looks.

I love my naked Hayden telling me to stop taking his picture when he's got the playroom to himself & all momma's attention.

I love how cute Hayden looks with bangs.  It has taken his hair a long time to come in all the way... I think we are still waiting!

I love Calvin's little old man mullet.

I love how my hubs can push all 3 of his boys in the buggy.

I love all these waving hands.

I love little faces pressed to the glass watching dolphins swim.

I love eyes full of wonder.

I love fresh hair cuts.  These 2 faces, so many things to love, to be counted as blessing, gift.  Thank you Lord for your gifts, you are good.  so good.