When you have 4 kids.....

When you have 4 kids.....

it's really....

...REALLY hard.....

to get a picture...

for your family Christmas card..... 

with everyone looking...



and smiling....

and not rubbing their snotty noses....

or crying....

But I wouldnt trade any of them for all the money in the world

(I did manage to get one good pic of the 4 of them but you will have to wait until I reveal our Christmas card)

Lukes face in this one cracks me up...

30 days of thankful... the grand finale.

I started out this month doing the 30 days of thankful challenge.  While my blog stopped on day 16, my being thankful, hasn't.  I misjudged how hard it is to find time to update my facebook status, let alone, blog while nursing, rocking and otherwise tending to two sweet baby boys. I thought it may be easier to combine all the many things I am thankful for into a list in one post... some of these might be repeats from the earlier things I mentioned so bear with me.

1. I am thankful for a God who has a much bigger, much more beautiful plan for my life than I can even imagine.  I am thankful that His timing is always, always, always, perfect. I am also thankful I live somewhere where I can worship where I want, when I want, without endangering my life or my family's lives.
2. I am thankful for Karter, the little boy who has taught me so much about myself, and about life.  His smile, his love for others, and his love for the Lord really inspire me. He can find the humor in everything. He has such a gift for comforting people, even when he doesn't know he is doing it.
3. I am thankful for Gavin.  This little guy will keep me on my toes for the rest of my life.  I love that he is such a big thinker. I cherish our coffee time together and hope that when he is 23 he will still be cool enough to have quiet coffee time with his mom. 
4. I am thankful that God chose our family for Luke and Max to come join.  That He protected my body as I carried them for 35 weeks and 4 days. That He protected them through delivery, in perfect timing and kept them safe and healthy throughout our hospital stay.
5. I am thankful for Lucas, I am thankful that he is my baby of "all things recessive"  I love how he looks at the world with such seriousness and thinks so hard about things.  He is so stingy with his smiles but gives lots of them to me.  I love how he loves to be snuggled in his moby wrap.
6. I am thankful for Max.  My last baby, my youngest by 60 whole seconds.  Max is such an even tempered, mild mannered baby.  His smiles melt my heart.
7. I am thankful for Scott.  That God put him in my life all those years ago and saved him until the time was right for both of us. I am thankful that my husband is also my best friend.  I tell him everything and he loves me anyway.  He is such a great dad to our boys and works so hard to provide for our family. 
8. I am thankful for our church family. These wonderful people were so kind to us when we had Luke and Max.  They brought us meals, and gifts when the babies were born.  They greet us with smiles and hugs every Sunday.  They have welcomed us into their family with open arms, and we love going every week.
9. I am very thankful for my sister. She is my only, and although we spent most of our lives not getting along, now that we are older we have much more in common.  She is the only person who volunteers to watch all 4 boys so Scott and I can have a night out.  She let us borrow her envoy when we didn't have a vehicle big enough to carry our new family of 6. She didn't bat an eye when a suicidal deer ran into the side of said envoy at 3:00 in the afternoon when I was driving. She is so special to me and I am so glad she is my sister.
10. I am thankful for my daily conversations with my mom.  We talk every day, most days about nothing very exciting but it really helps me keep my sanity.  She taught me everything I know about how to be a good mom.  She took me to every Dr appt when I was pregnant, She came over every day after the babies were born to help with the older boys, our house, and to take care of me.  She is always there when I need her the most, when K was being diagnosed with his seizures she slept in the giant crib every night while K and I slept on the pull out bed.
11. I am thankful for my dad.  He knows how to fix everything, he is always there to rescue me when I need something, he never asks questions he is just there.  He worked so hard for us when we were kids.  He is a great grandpa and I love watching him hang out with the boys.
12. I am so thankful for my grandma for everything she does.  I love our Thursday lunch/grocery dates. She is so encouraging to me and gives me confidence in my journey of being a mom.
13. Both my grandmas are very special, my other grandma is one of the strongest independent women I know, and I learn a lot from her.
14. I am also thankful for my family.  My cousins are more like friends.  I am so glad we all could grow up together, and still enjoy each other.  Now, our children are growing up just as close.
15. I am thankful for our home.  Although it needs many updates, I am thankful it is ours and it is such a great place to raise these boys.
16. I am thankful for our van.  After all the hunting we did to find it, and knowing exactly how hard it is to find a vehicle to transport 2 adults, 2 kids and 2 infants in car seats, made it easy to fall in love with our "vanborghini"
17. I am thankful that in March, we will be celebrating Karter being 6 years seizure free!   I don't know what else to write about this topic other than Praise God.  When we were first given this diagnosis, there was so much uncertainty, the Dr told me that she didn't know what we could or should expect, that we just needed to look at what he could do, rather than worry about what he couldn't.  Thankfully that hasn't been much of that in his 6 years of life!
18. I am thankful for my friends. Each one of them is such an important piece of the Puzzle of Me.  Even though our relationships are each unique, I am so glad to have them in my life.
19. I am thankful for my children's teachers. I pray for them often, for their current teachers, as well as for their future teachers.  I pray that they teach the boys both academic lessons as well as important life lessons.
20. I am thankful for Scott's job.  That's a big one.  It isn't always my favorite, but I am thankful he has a job that he loves (most times) going to, and one that provides for our family so well.  His job offers us great insurance which these days is hard to come by.
21. I am thankful for my marriage, although sometimes things aren't very pretty, I am thankful that Scott and I have a great foundation and lots of mentors to look up to.  When things seem hard I am thankful we have had our storms that we have walked through together. 
22. I am thankful for Scott's mom & step dad.  They are there when we need them and help out when they can. 
23. I am thankful for Scott's grandma who buys us diapers to cover Luke and Max's bottoms.
24. I am thankful for Christine, my lactation consultant.  She is so encouraging to me and is so helpful.  I can call her anytime and she always knows how to help.  With her help, I will make my goal of nursing these babies until 1 year.  I just know it.
25. I am thankful we have food in our fridge to eat, even if its nothing I want to cook tonight.  I am thankful.
26. I am thankful when I ask Karter what he is thankful for he says "You mommy"
27. I am thankful that Scott is handy.  Between him and my dad they have saved us tons of money in repairmen.  He just finished my closet, and it works SO much better than it used to.
28. I am thankful for the drs and nurses in our lives that take such good care of our family.
29. I am thankful for this blog, that I have a place to keep my thoughts, document my children's lives, and connect with friends from highschool and other moms.
30. I am thankful for the power of prayer.  That it changes peoples lives every day, that we can cry out to God when our friends, and people in our lives need Him most.  That with prayer, we can storm heaven for a miracle, or for comfort when those we love are hurting.

Bonus.  I am thankful for the holidays, that this November, we could take time to reflect on all those things we are truely thankful for.  I am thankful for that!

alternate titles..

There are many alternate titles for this blog post:

• Why my hair is falling out
• Why boys need helmets
• Why every little boy needs a dirt mountain

Can you think of any others?  I would love to hear them!

Smead Brothers Worship Team!

Karter and Gavin's new favorite thing to play is Worship Team. 

15 weeks: new habits and tricks!...

Luke

Both boys started sucking their thumbs this week (15 weeks)

Max

Luke (left) Max (right)

This is the first picture I have gotten with them both smiling at the same time!

15 weeks

Luke has become much more vocal this week, and Max started blowing raspberries!

30 days of thankful: Day 13, 14 and 15.

Day 13: 

I am thankful for an amazing church family- I love walking in every sunday greeted by smiling faces and true love of people.  After listening to other family members talk about their churches, I realize how many churches these days have lost sight of how important it is to love people, even the people who have grungy clothes, new ideas, or misbehaving children.  A pastor that preached at our church Sunday, reminded us that it doesnt matter what our demonitations are, that at the end of the day, when we all get to Heaven, it really isnt going to matter anyway.  I am thankful for that.

Day 14: 

I am thankful for my dad who pick Gavin up most days from preschool so I dont have to wait around town with the babies.  Gavin loves getting to spend time with "pa,"  and looks forward to him picking him up from school.

Day 15: 

I am thankful today for the people who anwser 911 calls, the Emergency Medical prefessionals who spend time away from their own families to rescue members of mine.  And the emergency roomm staff who care for those same family members.

 

14 weeks

Max

Luke

My new project...

The $25 dresser I found on craigslist....

The inspiration

Scott sanding....

More to come!

30 days of Thankful: Day 12: My sister

Today, a local radio station was having an event for Combat Hunger.  For $10 you could drive your own car around the Iowa Speedway racetrack.

signing the consent!

I called Sam- she was totally on board so we loaded up the van with my boys and her future stepson!

The boys were so excited!

This is us racing!

first snow

our

first

snow

30 Days of thankful: Day 10- Lacation Consultants

I love love love love love our lactation consultant.  She is wonderful therapy for me.  She has twins, she breastfed those twins--which really is the only credentials I need these days.  From the minute I called her when the babies were first home, I knew that she would be the reason I make it all the way to 1 year nursing these babies.  She is so encouraging to me, her first advice:  "just keep everyone alive and survive"  She calls Luke "Bunny" and Max "Puppy"  She may call everyone's babies that, but it definately adds to my love for her!  Tuesday nights are weigh to grow at our hosptial- Parents can bring in their babies, have them weighed and measured and have any questions for the lactation consultant(she is a nurse too).  This last tuesday, Luke didnt want to nurse, just scream.  It was raining and cold but I took them in to see Christine.  She watched me get him started to eat, and then watched him scream.  She took him from me, and held him on her lap and talked to him, she told him not to scream and he needed to be quiet.  He stopped crying, and I looked at my sister with huge eyes-- this women is indeed- the baby whisperer.

30 days of thankful : Days 4-6, dinner dates, shopping and God!

I have been a horrible blogger.  We had a busy weekend!  Here's 30 days of thankful days 4-6!

Day 4: I am thankful for a night out with Scott.

Friday night Scott didn't have to work really late, which was nice because my sister came over and watched the boys so we could get away for a little bit for supper.  I am so thankful that my sister will watch all 4 boys, not only is it nice to not have to worry about if things are going okay, its really nice to get away without the boys.  I don't know if you can believe it or not, but its really hard around here to find any alone time, sometimes I feel like Scott and I's relationship is closer to teammates auditioning for a reality game show, than a husband/wife dynamic.  Its really hard to remember that we are not just partners.  I have read many articles about how hard having multiples is on a marriage, and since marriage itself seems to be endangered in today's society, its even more important to preserve it in our home.  I am so thankful for getting some time alone with Scott.

Day 5: I am thankful for dinner, and shopping with my mom with no kiddos!

All you can eat thai food and gordmans with no kids-- Yes PLEASE!  Saturday night my mom and I snuck away because our favorite little thai food restaurant was holding a benefit for the floods in Thailand.  The free will donation was $10 and you could eat anything you wanted off the buffet!  It was INCREDIBLE! I got to try things I wouldn't normally try (because I get the same thing every time!) When we got there, they were making new items and the cooks made us our favorite dishes!  So it was a super bonus.  We got to chat without any interruptions and just hang out.  We also picked up a dresser I got from craigslist for the babies room.  Then, after we ate until we could not hold any more, we left and went to Gordmans, our favorite store!  I got the cutest pumpkins for my fall decoration collection 75% off!  What a great night!



Day 6: I am thankful for an awesome God, who never lets go.

Though all the calms and all the storms, God is still there holding us.  I hope you have been keeping my friends  in your prayers!  Baby B is still going under lots of tests but his mama Reanna  is feeling the peace of all the people praying for them.  The little boy with the thyroid cancer, Gavin had surgery yesterday to remove his thyroid, please pray for the best possible outcome for him!  Lets just keep storming heaven with prayers because we know God is so much bigger than any diagnosis! 



30 Days of Thankful Day 7: a friend who let me ramble & even paid for dinner :)

There are days, when being a stay at home is productive, fun, rewarding.  But many days, it just seems lonely.  I dont remember feeling this way much when I stayed at home with Karter and Gavin, so I think it may have something to do with the production it takes to go places now.  I am the first to admit my ability to have an adult conversation-- sucks has changed.  Diaper deals, baby milestones, dr appointments, and challenges with children are my go-to topics of conversation.  Many days I struggle to find time for a shower, let alone find time to scrub my floors, fold and put away laundry or clean my bathroom.
I went to lunch with my friend Lacey yesterday.  A favorite mexican hot spot in our town.  It was so nice to visit, although many times through our conversation I heard myself say, "oh i got the best deal on diapers online" or something else that totally reveals just what a mom-dork I have become.  What I am thankful for, is this friend of mine, just smiled, and even paid for my lunch- maybe because she felt sorry for me?  So today, I am thankful for that friend, for being blessed to be a "total mom-dork" and for mexican food.

30 days of Thankful: Day 8- no more soccer.

Today it is raining, cold, windy and all things yucky. 
Today I am thankful that the boys's fall soccer season is over.  Dont get me wrong, we had a great time playing, well, Karter had a great time playing.  I think Gav ended up liking it, but not until the very end.  I just dont think he was ready to play this year.  This season was Karters first season traveling.  So 4 out of the last 8 sundays we climbed in the vanborghini and went to a soccer game.

One week is was POURING down rain.

But that didnt stop them from having a good time!

The babies came with us to all the games (except the one when it was raining) and we watched K play.

while im thinking about it...

Im not sure how to put one of those cool links on here but will you say some prayers for my friend Reanna and her babies A&B?  She is really ready to have both babies home with her and Mr. B needs some encouragement to get to eating!

Also, my friend Sara, whos daughter is undergoing treatment for a noncancerous tumor at St Judes.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kambellkoon


And a girl I went to high school with, who just found out her little guy has thyroid cancer and has to have his thyroid removed.  http://www.facebook.com/sabrina.smead/posts/2435976211310?notif_t=feed_comment#!/event.php?eid=215608708508004

Psalm 107:28-30 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven

Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

L&M 3 month photo shoot

3 MONTH PICTURES
MR MAX!

LUKE AND MAX

LUKE

this was Luke at 4 days old... look how wrinkled he was...
it only took 3 months for those arms and legs to chunk out!

30 days of Thankful: Day 3- My grandma

Today on day 3 I am thankful for this lady:

There aren't enough words to describe what a remarkable women my grandma is.  The majority of my favorite lifetime memories were with her, or at her house.  I am convinced she is the main reason why my cousins and I are as close as siblings, because she is the glue that holds our family together.  My cousins and I have so many fun stories from grandma and grandpas farm. Many-a sleepovers were hosted at her house. Her often crowded kitchen table served the yummiest roasts, the tastiest gravy, green noodles, pancakes, and salmon patties. No one was ever a stranger there.  She held us on her lap and fed us oranges and grapefruit.  My grandma has the most beautiful hands, mine look a lot like hers I think.  I watched her wrinkled hands peel apples or potatoes, the same beautiful hands that held my grandpa's hand every day in the hospice room.  She taught me that bread has to rise, like Jesus rose from the dead.  That making a good meal is the best way to take care of your husband.  She always encouraged me to use my gifts from God to bless others. And took me to a mission on Thanksgiving to show me how important it is to love people, to not judge, because we do not know what things have happened to put them in the situation they are in today. That we love them and treat them with kindness no matter how they smell, look, or act.  She is such a strong women, one that always puts other's needs before her own, truly loves people, and people love her. 

When we found out we were not having one baby, but two, I was terrified.  I called my grandma right after I called my mom and what she said I will remember all my life "Oh hunny, God didn't make a mistake choosing you, He knew you would be such a good mom to those babies."  She always knows exactly what to say.

My grandma has been such a blessing to me since I have had the babies.  Each Thursday we meet for lunch and then we go to the grocery store.  My grandma pushes the babies in their stroller and I push the cart and get my groceries.  Its SO helpful.  Not only does it free up the cart for me to get all the groceries we need, but it gives us time to spend together.  She gets to talk to people about her great grandbabies, and I get to go through the store without answering a million questions about the twins. It also keeps her up and walking around which helps her to feel good.  I am so thankful for these times we spend together.  She is so supportive of me, teaching me how to be a good mom, good wife, good daughter.

My grandma is so special the lessons she has taught me, I carry with me everyday. I am so thankful for her and for all the things she has done for me.