and I thought I had nothing to say...

One year ago today I started this blog.  I was hesitant to start it because I really didn't know what I would possibly come up with to write about.  I thought it would be pretty boring.  But, I was just craving a little space to share my experiences, especially embarking on this new adventure of homeschool and having 4 boys.  Well, needless to say I have come up with lots to talk about, and amazingly YOU have actually read it!

Thanks for following along, for your comments and encouragement.  It's been fun - and a much needed outlet for me.  My friend Tracie expressed it perfectly - being a verbal processor, and being at home so much now, it really helps me to write things out.  When in doubt about my capabilities as mom and teacher, it helps me to see the pictures and words and realize, yes, we are getting things done, we're learning, we're growing, see - things aren't so bad afterall!  And to get that feedback and encouragement in comments?  It's a definite boost!

And so, reflecting on a full year of blogging, here are a few of my favorite posts from the past year (in no particular order):

Learning to Enjoy

A Homeschool Afternoon

What I Love So Far
 
Koa

Our Learning Lately

Crayon Melting Madness

Playdough Fun

Help for Writing

Today (in photos)

A Better Day

Spontaneous Math

Peacemakers

This Gave Me a Really Good Chuckle Today

My Night

Friendship

My Little Surfers

What a year it's been.  A new baby, a big move, and a new adventure in homeschooling.  Now I'm looking into Blog2Print to see about making this into a memory book because this little site has turned into something really special to me.

So to my readers that have their own blog - what's been your own favorite post this year?  Leave a link for me in the comments, I'd love to check it out~!

What is my husband's greatest strength?

He loves people.


I am so challenged by him. I do love people. A lot. But I fear I love myself more. MY time, MY feelings, MY emotions, MY needs.


But here is a man who truly puts others first. Not out of some great sacrifice, or because it's the "right" thing to do, but because he just loves people. He gets so much joy from them.


In that way, I think he's a lot like Jesus.

Happy Birthday, Baby!

I'm a little bit behind, but here's my journal entry from the night of July 26 and July 27, the day Jude turned three.

The sweetest family moments always seem to happen when everyone is piled in our bed.  That's where we were last night when we started sharing funny stories about Jude, remembering his life and thinking about his Birthday, how he's turning 3.  Here are some memories we shared.

Ezzy remembered standing on the sidewalk with Jude at our house in Granadilla, waving at cars and shouting, "HONGA!" because Jude couldn't make an "L" sound, so that's what he said instead of "hola!"  silly!

Then I remembered how he would stand on the balcony at our house in San Francisco de dos rios and shout at the guard, "GORDITO!" because that's what the guard called him everyday as he rolled by in his stroller.  And also how he would hear the lottery man coming down the street and would echo his call shouting, "LOTERIA!" in a funny, deep voice just like the loteria man!  And the way he would zip down the stairs on his belly so fast!

Everyone cracked up laughing remembering these moments.

Jude's First Birthday

Jude's 2nd Birthday

Today he's turning 3 and Kai says, "Now he can talk good when he plays.  And he doesn't destroy everything anymore."  He's learned how to play with his brothers. 

This morning I woke up and Jude had snuck in the bed in the middle of the night.  He was right behind me hugging my back.  I woke up before him with Koa and we watched him sleep.  So peaceful.  When he opened his eyes I said, "Happy Birthday, Jude.  You're three years old now." 

He looked back at me and said, "But I'm still a boy."

"Yes.  You're still a boy."

Then he rolled off the bed to go find his brothers to make sure he's not missing any fun that might have started without him.

...Singing happy birthday, three candles sparkling atop a Mickey Mouse pancake.  Blow the candles, Jude!  Jude attempts to blow, but Ezzy blows them out.  Ezzy and Kai have hardly been able to contain their excitement all morning.  When can Jude open his presents???  After his pancakes... it's so hard to wait, it's just so exciting! 

"How old are you Jude?"

"I'm 6!" 

"No, he's three," says Ezzy.

"I'm 3!"  Big smile! 

For his birthday Jude received a xylophone, a Mr. Potato Head and a kickboard that he calls his "sufboard."  He opened his presents this morning after his pancake breakfast and it touched my heart how he immediately shared with his brothers without a thought or a fuss. 

Jude....

Your name means "praise" and your life does bring praise to God.  You are so joyful, silly, friendly.  Your smile lights up a room.  You love people, you're outgoing.  You love to play and you love to make people laugh.  You love your brothers so much.  Your smile, hugs, kisses and love fill my heart with warmth.  You are a joy.  You're a treasure.  I'm so glad you were born 3 years ago today, my little gordito.  You radiate love.

Sibling Love

me and my sis

Having four boys spaced so close together in age, the topic of "sibling rivalry" is a huge one for me. Seeing my boys play together nicely is one of the things that warms my heart the most. At the same time, nothing irritates or frustrates me more than listening to arguing, screaming, crying, hitting and fighting.

This topic is so important to me not just for my own peace, but also because I believe that sibling relationships have a pivotal role in shaping a child's life and view of themselves. In addition, I believe the home is where children begin to develop the skills they will use for all the caring relationships in their life. There's so much they need to know! Problem solving skills are essential - not just for sibling relationships, but for all of life. Unconditional love, respect, kindness, sharing, listening and empathy are other characteristics that need to be developed. But how? Maybe I'll ponder on these things in another post, but for now I wanted to share one simple little thing I do that helps with sibling rivalry and I think other moms might enjoy this too. I tell my boys stories from my childhood growing up.

My older sister and I truly were best buddies and so I share with my boys how special that was for me. I tell about games we used to play, adventures we had together, jokes we thought were funny, and on and on. Especially at times when fighting is at a high point, I'll start throwing in stories casually at random times throughout the day -for instance while eating lunch, bathtime, or bedtime. They find it so fascinating! Down to the smallest, silliest story, they think it's just great! I get frequent request to, "Tell about when you were little." I'd like to think that maybe these stories inspire them to get along and be friends.

I think this idea could work for any parent, no matter how you grew up. If it wasn't so ideal, you could share about that and how hard it was and things from that perspective. You may find, like me, that your children are more interested in your childhood than you would expect and that they can learn from our experiences - positive and negative. As for me, I'm having fun digging up old memories and sharing them with my little ones. What about you - have you found the same to be true? Do you have any tips to share for dealing with sibling rivalry?

More 30 minute blog challenges at Steady Mom

Seven Years

I could never have imagined, seven years ago, how my life would be forever changed by this little boy. Since the moment he came into the world he has completely captivated me, taught me how to truly love and made my life richer, fuller and more purposeful. There's something about your firstborn - the one you make all your mistakes with as you stumblingly find your way as a new parent. But somehow they survive and thrive and grow - love covers a multitude of sins. I could never thank God enough for the gift of this child and my heart celebrates his seven years of life.
How do I describe him? He's shy, yet very social. Once you get to know him, he is a loyal friend. He's sensitive, kind, adventurous, but not reckless. He's cautious and careful and likes things to be in order. He has a low tolerance for pain and completely freaks out at the sight of blood. He's frequently seen reading books, skateboarding, riding his bike, climbing trees, laughing, wrestling, tumbling and recently eating A LOT.

He loves his brothers, even though at times they torment him. When he's mad he can throw a really good fit. But then there are those days when he says, "Mom, I have a surprise." And he's gone and cleaned his room up perfectly just to surprise me and his eyes light up as he grins so wide when he sees how pleased I am. I can't imagine my life without him.
What a whirlwind of a life you've had, Kai. In your short seven years you've lived in California, Africa, Singapore, Costa Rica and travelled to Malaysia, Panama, Nicaragua and Virginia. I know it's been hard for you, and you miss your family and would do so much better with a more stable life. But you're such a trooper and we're so thankful for God's grace to help you through all the hard transitions you've gone through. Happy Birthday, Kai! I love you more than I can say.


Oh, and I have to add this video. It's from his sleepover Birthday party this weekend, which was totally insane, (but so worth it) I'm still recovering from it!



Don't forget to visit Steady Mom for more 30 minute blog challenges. Ok, I'll admit this took me more than 30 minutes - It would have been, but then I got totally carried away on the photos!!!


also check out: Tuesdays Uwrapped

A Memory

I had some really cute pictures to post from our hike this weekend. And a few videos, they were going to be so cute. All 3 boys had their walking sticks out. Jude was riding his like a horse and making the cutest little horsie sounds. Koa was awake for almost the whole time and smiling away in his Baby Bjorn. But, I accidently deleted all the pictures in my camera! I almost cried. Seriously! I'm very sad. So anyways, going off on a tangent...





I was going through old photos and just wanted to share one of my favorites. This is Kai in South Africa in 2005 - it's one of my favorite memories. It was such a different life when I only had one child. I had such sweet days with him. This beach was amazing - just full of penguins. Kai and I were the only ones there that morning. He thought the penguins were his friends. We spent the whole morning following these penguins around on the beach. It was like being at the zoo without cages.

Who does Koa look like?

I get this question all the time. And honestly, I don't know! He seems like such a mix of all 3 boys. The other thing is I forget what they all looked like as babies. It's so sad how as they grow those memories start fading. So I dug up some old photos and thought I'd do a little comparison.

Kai


Ezra

Jude

Koa

So what do you think?