Fun pics around the house!

Here is Daddy being the rock star that he is...

Violet snoozin...

The boys playing in the dirt downstairs...

Deep thoughts...

I can't express it accurately with words, or understand the depth of it, but when I look at Violet and see a direct reflection of her Daddy is makes my heart so warm. I know I'm fortunate to feel such love and gratitude for my whole family. Not everyone has a happy story. Even the struggles of maintaining a normal family life can get you down - may the Lord never let me forget how much He has blessed me. I don't know if there are anymore children in our future, but I feel so content and complete. We always said three, and I had always hoped for a daughter to go with my sons - and it actually happened. I think back to fond memories of being the only and youngest daughter, and how special all the girl time me and my mom shared. I think about how much I can't wait to bond with Violet and how lucky I am to have a little sweetheart. And back to my initial thought - that fact that she looks just like Andy reminds me of the special love that the Lord gave to him and I to share, and through that we have these beautiful children. They are a reflection of the love we share. Again, may the Lord protect us and keep that love safe that we grow together as a family founded in love and the Lord. Amen. <>< (that's for you Ma).

Fall Days

Well, summer seems to be over here and it's lovely! I had all the windows and doors open yesterday with a great breeze blowing through, and it felt amazing. Of course, that is aside from the "mighty machines" that have been working in the neighborhood. Luckily the jackhammering across the street has ceased, but looks like there was sewer trouble on the other side of the street. It entertains the boys at least!

So, Violet is one month old and getting so big and so sweet. She seems to be connecting more each day with us. She surprised me the other day when Andy came home from work she turned her head all the way to see him and just started smiling. :) I can see how this is going to go... very sweet. Here they are taking a little snooze together.

The boys and I took a walk to the grocery store yesterday and it's always a fun adventure. I got a picture of them in the candy aisle watching a commercial on this little tv! Funny, isn't it?

This is a cute little onsies a friend bought me back in TN, in honor of our Stroller Strides. Which I plan on rejoining next week, so wish us luck! With three little ones we shall see how it goes. I'm not too worried - as long as Franklin can keep up on his bike we should be good to go!

Well, there isn't too much else happening, but I thought I would check in and say hello. I'm not sure what we'll come up with this year for Halloween festivities. Plan is to check out the Foster Fright Night with friends from work. Should be fun. I have not pursued costumes this year with the kiddos since it's a little challenging getting around with 3 little ones and I don't know where I'd look for costumes other than on base, and those are not impressive... If we come up with something I'm sure you'll see a picture soon enough. When we went to the playgroup the other day I didn't bake anything - just brought cookies from the store, and I told the gals "I think I'm excused from that kinda stuff with  a new baby, so I'm gonna ride that train for a while." Laundry and dishes all in one day seem to be enough, let alone crafting and cooking (well dinner I do, oh wait I actually do all 3 meals a day cause I have to! Kids gotta eat!! haha)

P.s. We miss you all, can't wait for visitors. Thanks for all the super fun boxes in the mail. It really does make our day. If there's anything Japanese you'd like please let me know. The boys like sending out mail too! All our love to you everyone. See ya on skype!

Vanilla Sky is 2 weeks old!

Oh, wait I mean Violet Sunset... haha. :) That just popped into my head as I thought about writing this blog post. Here she is fresh from a bath - smells lovely!

So, I will attribute my renewed sense of picture taking and media posting to the fact that I have no job outside the home these days, and no friends to call and talk to during normal daylight hours. Not just cause it's a little girl, right? ;-) Everyone does these fancy pancy, adorable photos of their babies and I feel like I should too. However, it's not ever been my thing and I've no photographer friends here.  When I asked Andy his thoughts he says we don't have a nice enough camera! ((Of course he would.) This is not entirely false, but I am not going to let that stop me from attempting to capture beautiful moments in our children's lives).

Turns out there are some very simple editing tools in iPhoto (duh, right) that a completely average Jane can use. And so I have! It was fun to see some adorable pics of the babe, and I needed to take a nice one of all the kids together, so Gram can post it in the paper ~ thanks for the inspiration!

Today was also the first day in a few days that we've spent at home, no errands, so it made for a nice day to bake cookies, do some laundry and take pictures! Hope you all enjoy! xoxo.

Thunder, Lightning, and Sunset ~  2011

Big Brother & Lil Sis

Sleeping like an Angel

Her FIRST Dress... 

Honey Pie with a Bow

Little Tootsies, who doesn't love those!

One final note... The boys are just as smitten with her as I am. :)

Oh, and we got a new TV finally!! Hip-hip-hooray! It does help give the boys something to do when I've got baby chores - yay for entertainment. Soon we'll get the Netflix going and that will be even better! We did get to watch Bridesmaids the other night (yes!), and the boys can finally watch the WALL-E that we bought on Blu-Ray almost a year ago! They have added Rio and Shrek to the collection as well. p.s. Did you know the intro setting in Angry Birds Rio is Moose Lake, MN!!!

42 Sharp with fancy Yamaha receiver (andy's fav)

Life these days in our home...

Well, Violet is now one week old, and things are starting to settle into their own. She is sleeping really well at this point, wakes up only 1-2 times a night to eat and get a nappy change, then heads on back to sleep. Her little cues are pretty easy to read, so I'm not sure if that's a result of all the lessons learned with the first two kiddos, or if she is indeed a super easy baby! Probably a little of both.

The boys have adjusted really well and really do love their little sister. They each keep a close eye on her throughout the day, and it's Levi's first order of business each morning "Where's the baby?". I feel very proud of my little guys for being so sweet. Levi has definitely moved into his 2 year old habits. His favorite phrases these days are, "Oh, sure!" "Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah", "Oh, God" "Oh, dang it" and of course, "No." Hahaha. It's pretty funny and he certainly amuses us all. I wonder how things will go over the coming years and planning parties for both Levi and Violet. What does a parent do?? I think I've got a good chunk of  years before either of them will notice that they are sharing, or shall I say mind that they are sharing. We shall see!

Franklin is of course the eldest, and he is a very good helper. He does a very good job of helping me with Levi, who has become a bit more of a handful these days, so this Momma certainly appreciates that! He is learning so much and starting to show more interest and comprehension of his letters and reading. Not long and he will be reading. He struggles at times, but he really does know a lot. I was telling Andy the other day when I went to the BX (shopping on base, like a Walmart), that Franklin has gotten so much bigger where he really focuses on things. He told me he was going to check out the toys, and he just stood looking at the Legos for the longest time. Really thinking about it and taking it all the different kinds - of course he was standing just like Andy too with a hip out, arms crossed and hand on his chin. Boy I tell ya!

As for the parents, I think we're doing pretty good. There's definitely a bit more work to be done with 3 little ones, but it's going smoothly. It's been very nice to have Andy around the house for this week to give me some more time to rest up and heal. I am feeling better each day and now at one week postpartum I'd say I'm feeling pretty darn good! I am looking forward to getting more active over the next few weeks, and then joining Stroller Strides probably early November! I saw the group of gals working out last week when we were on our way to the hospital for Violet's check up and it reminded me how much I enjoyed the fellowship of the other mothers.

It's been a very different experience for Andy and I to be so far from family and friends that we know, and feeling so dependent upon the base and military for socialization. But, even those options are hard to adjust to. I suppose if we lived on base it'd be a different experience, and we are quite happy with our home out in town so it is what it is. I feel content to be here and there is so much of this journey left, with lots of good things in stores, but I will admit I've had a moment or two where I look forward to being back "home." Even at this point in the game I will not take for granted the ease of living in your own country. You never know what to expect when you head out, who you will encounter, will you know what to do, will it be stressful or complicated... But there's also that great measure of excitement and anticipation of the unknown. I would say at least 90% of what we've experienced so far has been amazing and totally worth sharing with others. 

Well, I could keep rambling, with a few points here and there but I think I'll stop cause I'm pretty sure Miss Violet is about to wake up. Here are a few pictures I snapped of her the other night when she was having some alert time. I think she is starting to look like Andy quite a bit! He says that she often looks a lot like me tho, so I suppose that's how it goes... hahaha. We sure do love having this little gal. She's truly a gift from above that we could have never expected, and we are so blessed to have her in this family.

We love everyone and miss you all. Start planning your trips out to see us!!!! :)

Violet Sunset, Home Sweet Home

 Sleeping like an Angel...

 Isn't she just lovely? Most definitely!

This is where she does most of her sleeping, a neat little bassinet we bought from the Church Flea Market next door. It's got neat carrying handles so we tote her from room to room easily, and she seems to really like it.

Meet your BABY SISTER!

Taking a time out to watch a movie while chilling with Mom at the hospital. Dad had to run some errands for work.

Levi donated his blankie to sister for the day, and Franklin brought her the little duck.

Hip-Hip Hooray it's Levi's 2nd Birthday!

Well, Levi has to share most of the fun on his birthday this year with his little sister! The first of many I'm sure... We did sing of course and he got a super cool Monster Truck car from his big brother with engine revving sounds that truly made his day. Hopefully some party pictures soon to follow.

Days before Violet's birth...

These pictures were taken on two seperate nights off our balcony, and they have truly inspired our little girl's name to capture this time and place. What a beautiful expression of God's glory and love...

Boys having FUN around the house...

Here are some super cute pics of the boys playing around the house. I think most are self explanatory... haha, enjoy!

 Levi having fun on the "valcony" one evening

 Boys making pictures for the Grandparents! My handy way to let them dry without getting destroyed!

 Our future Marine... Oh, boy!

 HAHA!! Still poopin in the nude, and brother has joined him! Couldn't pass this one up - one day I'll look back...

 He did this on his own, no prompting! Watch as Levi tries his best to salute. :)