Category Archives: Owen

Puddlers

Owen had his 1st puddle experience (I think?) the other day.
A thunderstorm came through dropping a hefty helping of rain on our streets.

I, being the cool laid back mom (some days) – let the boys have at it outside…

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Owen of course sporting no clothes and cloth undies.
He still has his rash some, so we are trying to keep him diaper free some.

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Caleb had to keep an eye on Owen, he tends to wonder.

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Jack Baur even joined the fun.

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Owen refused to take a picture with Taite :)

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Kudo’s for Taite trying :)

So even though rain can be an inconvenience at times, we do need it – especially on days when the temps reach 100! – and really, kids can still play in it ;-) as on as lightening doesn’t come with it. So if it rains today, go out and enjoy it!

We almost always do.

Never a dull moment

In our household…

and very rarely a “quiet” moment :)

Happy 4th

Hope everyone has a Happy 4th of July!
Last night we started the celebration with my friend Shannon and her Family.

A church in their area had a great open to the public celebration. With free food, inflatables, helicopter landing/showing, cotton candy, snow cones, prizes, face painting, pig chase and of course fire works. It was a tad HOT :) – but once the sun went down it was much cooler. We had a great time and are thankful for the sweet memories we built.

Here are a few photos from the evening to share.

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Owen of course tries to get away from me when its picture time :)
I wanted to show my mom that he wore his socks she sent him tho!

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We dress them alike so its easier to keep up with them in big events like this.
Can’t beat the price tag on the shirts either – $2 each.
I plan to put a “tie” sew on design later to these shirts btw ;-)

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Owen and Shannon’s little girl were so cute together in our stroller.

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The pig chasing was interesting.. borderline cruel, but the pigs were fine.

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To our surprise Caleb asked to do it! I was shocked, since he is so anal about staying clean.
I didn’t mind the pig chasing so much with toddlers and younger kids.

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Caleb’s only remark after wards was “They were slipper!”

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Just so no one thinks we make our children push the babies ;-) – they ask to do this.

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Forgive the darkness of these photos btw… it had gotten dark fast!! Was close to 9pm at this point.

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That photo btw is a rare thing. Taite asking for a picture w/ his friend.

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During the fire works the babies did get nervous. Owen clung to me tight.
In the photo below it looks like im adjusting his neck :) – I was covering his ears.
Shannons little girl wouldn’t even look! It was cute though and I enjoyed the snuggles with Owen.

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& Of course Taite with one of his sweeties ;-)

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I let Travis hold Owen at one point so I could snag some firework photos :)
These were taken with my old Canon 30D. I shot them in manual with a 50mm on manual focus.
I think my ISO was around 800 and my shutter was slow, 50 or so.
I would adjust the focus back and forth to create different blur affects. Was fun!

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Just because a photo isn’t in focus, doesn’t mean its not beautiful :)

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Free at last; free at last; thank God Almighty we are free at last.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

All boys?

If only I had a dollar for each time a person asked “All boys?” after seeing me out with our 3. I must say I would have a hefty savings built. I will admit when I was pregnant with Owen I secretly wanted a girl… but from the moment I found out he wasn’t, I could not of been happier.

A friend of mine passed this moms blog onto me yesterday – and I just loved the video she had up…

IMG_8997copyIf you counted all those boys up, there were 7 – :) which means this mom is now pregnant with an 8th! The part I liked best was to see the excitement the other children showed. I think its even funnier how the one boy spoke up before anything was even said, guessing what the news was :)

Large families are a lot of work… and there is no doubt that I wish I had more free time to myself… but you can’t look at that video and not see the blessings this woman has in having 7 boys. It kind of gave me shivers and excitement about our future. Not that I think we will have 8 :) – but just the thought of having a large family and being a testimony and witness to those around us. Children should never be a burden… or a chore. Although there will be moments (been there). It takes sacrifice and lots of prayer… but I would not trade being the mother of 3 boys for any amount of free time or luxury around.

“Sons are a heritage from the Lord,

children a reward from him.

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior

are sons born in one’s youth.

Blessed is the man

whose quiver is full of them.”

- Psalm 127-3-5

& no… this isn’t an announcement that we are pregnant :) – we aren’t. Right now isn’t the most ideal time for us to get pregnant… we got a lot of personal things going on, but we are hopeful for more in the future – boy or girl.

circumstances

Do you ever feel like you let your circumstances determine your mood?

Its hard sometimes not to let it affect how you think, behave, treat your children, spouse or even just feel. Circumstances can affect A LOT. I’ve realized lately that I’ve let our circumstances really defeat me.

Maybe my realizing this will help that to end. Although I think just time in prayer will really be the answer. :)

My temper has been a short fuse… and I often times find myself just wanting to be alone. It isn’t a me I like.

Ephesians is a book I keep turning to for wisdom… I found myself reading through 4 and 5 today – and thought id post some portions that stood out to me.

“8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.” -Eph 5:8-10

“Be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. “ – Eph 5:18-20

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. “ Eph 4:2-4

“11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Eph 4:11-13

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
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“22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Eph 4:22-24

” 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Eph 4:29

“31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. “ Eph 4:31-32

These scriptures really helped me today and I hope they are helpful for you as well.
We should never let our circumstances defeat us. God always has a plan for us; :) even though we sometimes can’t see it.

I btw have a feeling I will be spending our 4th nurturing our boys. Taite today came up with a 101 plus temp… and Owen is still battling his diaper rash. Although I must admit its much better.

Hopefully by the 4th we will have a well house hold so we can enjoy fire works with some friends… but if not, all is ok. We will spend the 4th together as a family, inside with one another :) – fever and all.