Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Violet

Miss Violet with her crazy hair (just like her mama).





Monday, October 24, 2011

Thomas Howard



Sometimes I Wonder

How did I get here?  How did I get to this place in my life?  Suddenly I am a mother...clueless but loving.  So afraid of messing up and making mistakes.  My eyes blink and suddenly I am a mother to four.  Still clueless in some ways, but knowing when it comes to how to love my babies.

How did I get to be this age?  Who made me in charge?  Of four children???  Aren't I still learning?  Do I have enough knowledge? Insight? Experience? 

Do I have enough patience?

How can it be that I love it so much?  Changing diapers, kissing boo-boos.  Snuggling on the couch reading the same book over and over again.  Make a meal, clean up a meal.  Wash laundry, put it away, wash it again.  Rinse and repeat.  Over and over. 

Yet there are so many moments of these groundhog days that put a lump in my throat.  An unexpected "I love you", a thoughtful gesture, a beautiful drawing of our family.  Watching my husband teach the kids how to paint, throw a ball, plant a seed. 

I know without a doubt that God meant for me to be a mother to these children.  And even though I make a lot of mistakes I hope they will always feel safe and loved.

I don't know what the future will bring.  I don't know what challenges we will face or how we will choose to handle them.  But I do know that I love this family with all that I am and all that I have. 

Edited to add:
I actually didn't mean to post this.  I often write blog posts just to get the thoughts out of my head.  I used to be a writer, back before I had four kids in six and a half years.  And I am so far removed from it now that I don't often share anything I write with others.  My grammar stinks and I'm not that good at it anymore.  But I accidentally posted this so here it is.  Flaws and all.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

It's A Boy!

Thomas Howard Clendenen arrived September 16th, 2011 at 8:10 p.m.  He was 9 lbs. 9.4 oz. and 22 inches long. He has a head full of dark hair, dimples and looks just like Travis. He was named after Trav's dad who passed away many years ago.



Sweet Boy


FOUR kids six and under!

Mama and sweet Thomas

Father and son


Big sister Violet is so proud!

On the way home
Thomas is a very good baby and things have been going well.  Unfortunately Mama has a sinus infection and bad cold (which Thomas now has too) so the last couple days have been long.  The girls are very sweet with the baby and argue over who gets to hold him.

I will post more pictures soon of our sweet baby.