Brother love

I know. It has been WAY too long since I posted anything. Every moment I am not at work, with youth, or feeding someone - I am holding my kiddos. I LOVE being a mom. Plus Anna is the most cuddly little buddle of snuggles. When Benjamin has a nap and I have special time with Anna I get lost in just holding her.

Having a girl has changed me! I make over the top big bows, blankets, and burp cloths. I find myself working on decorations during nap times. I have found myself wishing I owned a ruffle foot attachment for my sewing machine. Four months ago I didn't even know a bobbie or ruffler foot exhisted. Wait, it is unreal that I even have a sewing machine. Having a little girl has been SO much fun! It brings out the girl in me. Who would have thought? I grew up doing boy stuff with my older brother who I adored. Then was always involved with athletics through high school and college. I knew I wanted always wanted a girl, but I am loving this way more than I ever thought I would.

Benjamin is the big brother every sister needs. Anna and Benjamin already have a special relationship...He takes frequent breaks from his world of trucks and cars to make silly faces for Anna. Nearly every hour he throws down his toy mid play, runs to give "baby" a kiss or hug, and then promplty returns to his imaginary world of play. The only ounce of jealousy I have seen is when the other little girls at church hold his sister. The protective big bro takes a defensive stance and watches over Anna like a hawk until she is safely back in Mama's hands. Benjamin asks for Baby first thing every morning and cannot go to bed without giving her a kiss. This affection is two fold. She watches every little thing he does. They laugh at each other all day. It seems as though they have their own code talk only they can understand. Watching his love for her unfold has been one of the sweetest things I have ever witnessed.

Benjamin serenading Anna with a song from his hermonica.

Here she is being a big girl in Bumbo chair. It is much easier to watch busy brother that way.

Grandma A made a trip to visit to Oklahoma. Anna perfected her coos and smiles just in time to greet Great Grandma. She is ready to visit more family over Christmas! Get ready.

Don't let this senstive side of Benjamin fool you. He is still as tough as ever. Climbing and wrestling are still top of this list.

It is football season. Basically every Saturday is all about Razorback football, grilling, and family. Daddy taught Benjamin to tackle during half time, which was a big hit. Benjamin loves watching the games. Every touchdown is celebrated with a lap around the living room. Benjamin says please until we all do it, even Anna must join the fun. The other night Benjamin went to sleep hugging a football with one hand and razorback blanket with the other. Daddy walked out of the room with a proud heart after tucking him in that night.

welp, the football game just started. Time to go...

Newborn Sweetness

Here are some of Anna's newborn pictures! I love so many of them that I just had to pick some to share. Jen did such a good job!

And we finally have a family picture! It has been so hard to get a decent family picture with Mr. Two Year on the Go.

Birth Day

Anna's Birthday was a special day. Everything went perfect. I thank God for His faithfulness and goodness. Here are a few more pictures from labor day. Thanks to a dear friend we have so many wonderful pictures to capture the sweetness of Anna's delivery. I have picked a few to share. There are so many good shots I think I am going to actually make a photo book and not just rely on my blog as my scrapbook. Here are a few for those Nanas and Greats that would have been here if they could have made it.

Daddy calling and texting everyone that Anna is here.

Benjamin getting to meet Anna for the first time.

Grandma loving on Anna. She has waited 10 years and 4 boys to finally get another grand-daughter. Thanks Grandpa for all those girl prayers.

Thanks Jen! You are a blessing!

Welcome Anna Elizabeth!

We are so excited and proud to introduce you to Anna Elizabeth. She arrived August 24th at 4:17 pm. It was a peaceful and special delivery day! I know we have family from afar that are anxiously awaiting pictures. I will give you a more detailed post later as I organize pictures. We had a sweet friend come take pictures at the hospital to capture those first precious moments. Here are some pictures to hold you over until I get more pictures ready...

She weighed 8.9 lbs and was 21 1/4 in long.

Benjamin loves his baby sister. He is delighted to have "baby" home. He walks around saying baby all day long. He is really trying with all his might to be gentle. It is really sweet.

My water broke at 1 a.m. Grandma came to stay with Benjamin and we heading to the hosiptal.

This is me two days before I delivered, trying to finish the nursery. I had a feeling she was going to come early. She ended up joining us 9 days before her due date.

Summer Update

It has been a really busy summer. It is hard to believe it is already nearly over. I am down to days probably before our little Anna Elizabeth will greet the world. Her nursery is nearly complete. I have asked her to stay comfortable a few more days to give me some more time. This pregnancy has been a dream. I have felt great the entire time. In fact, I don't feel 38 weeks along. However, there is no doubt I look 38 weeks when you see me. As of my doctors appointment this week I am already dilating and moving along.  Here are a few pictures from this last month.




Jennifer is the best friend a girl could ever ask for.  She is faithful, fun, and brings out the best in everyone around her.
Jennifer, I am thankful for your friendship.  I know I God put us together all those years ago! (this caption is for the first picture.  Blogger is determined to put this other picture after it.)



  I made it through youth camp! I did silver dollar city, a water park, and countless activities with lots of walking and meetings.  I may have been a little slower(and swollen) than the rest of the bunch, but I did it.   It was a great week.  I love these kids!   

Splash pad fun.
 

My dearest friend Jennifer's Wedding.
She was beautiful and happy!  It was a pleasure to support her during this exciting time in her life. I am pretty sure wearing a bright satin dress on stage when you are 8 1/2 months prego is true friendship.  Good thing this day was not about me and all about Jennifer! 

Camp with the sweet UNIT girls!



Joplin Mission

It has been a month since the powerful tornado destroyed a large portion of Joplin and riped apart so many lives. Last weekend we took some of our youth up to Joplin to volunteer with Samaritans Purse. We started our day at 3:45 am to make sure we pulled out of Tulsa on time. I cannot tell you how shocked I was that everyone was there before 5am! That was the first miracle of the day.

I saw footage and pictures on the news, but it did not prepare me for seeing it all in person. It was truly an honor to be able to serve these homeowners.

From where we worked. You could look in all four directions and all you could see was piles of rubble.
The house we were assigned to help was right near the high school that collapsed. Nine people died in the houses directly surrounding the house we worked on. We had the privelage of talking to a homeowner that survived the tornado and offer him encouragment.

(For those that were concerned about me doing this while I was pregnant. Above is the evidence that I wore my mask. I took several breaks along the way and did very light duty tasks.)
It was so beautiful to see American flags throughtout the wreckage. It is inspiring to see how strong Americans can be and pull together to create hope in even the worst of situations.

Katie came to check on me in the car while I was taking one of my breaks from the heat. One of the light duty tasks I did was collect photos. As people would find wedding and baby photos I would collect the ones that were salvagable.

I have to take a moment to talk about Samaritan Purse. I could not have been more impressed. Every worker displayed the love of Christ. It is a great organization that puts action to the word love.