You turn your back for a second and...

Last Saturday night we were all home, enjoying some family time together in the play room. Shane and the boys were watching basketball on t.v. and Sophie was playing on her blanket on the floor. I stepped out of the room for (literally) a moment to put my pajamas on. When I came back into the room, Corban and Shane were still sitting on the couch watching television, but Riley (our 3 year old) was no longer in the room. After further observation, I noticed that Sophie was not on her blanket anymore either. I quickly asked Shane where Riley and Sophie had gone. He looked at me kind of surprised by my question, and after looking around the room himself, he replied that he had no idea!! (In his defence, I know it's not really necessary to "watch" a five month old on the floor. They don't really move or go anywhere very fast.)

I called for Riley and thankfully he immediately answered me by peeking his head out the door to the guest room. I quickly asked him what he was doing. He told me...
"Mommy, I puttin' Sophie to sleep for you!"
What!
I looked into the room and sure enough there she was, on the floor, just smiling up at me!
Riley knows he is NOT supposed to pick her up, but apparently he had resorted to new measures in order to move Sophie to the place where he wants her to go.


He had quietly dragged her down the hall, by her little feet-no less, into the guest room.
Obviously, Sophie didn't mind the ride much because she never let out a peep!!!

Bless her heart!

The things Sophie will have to endure when she has THREE brothers!!!!!
I know she will have to be one tough cookie!!!!

We have a name!!!!!

So after months and months of going back and forth, we have FINALLY decided on a name for this little guy! It has been very difficult coming up with, and agreeing on, another boy name. If you know me, you know I tend to be, well--- very indecisive! I like to say it's because of pregnancy hormones, but I just have a hard time making a decision---any decision!!!! I know I drive my husband crazy!!!
When we were pregnant with Riley, that poor boys name changed daily. We called him Jacob, Zachary, and Max at different times during my pregnancy! All three names were even individually put up on his nursery wall, only to be taken down a week or two later! I even have a Christmas ornament with Max engraved on it!!! We didn't decide on Riley's name until a week or so before he was born. With this little guy we have known for a while what we wanted his name to be but I wanted to be sure before I announced it on my blog!

Well, we are sure!!!! ( I think... J/K!)

Anyway... his name will be...

Hudson Renwick

Hudson... because we just love that name, and Renwick was my great-grandfather's middle name!
It was very important to us for our children to have a family name as either their first or middle name.

~ Corban Michael (Michael after his daddy---Michael Shane)
~ Riley Jameson ( Jameson after my Grandfather- James)
~ Sophia Hope ( Hope is my Grandmothers middle name)

~ and now Hudson Renwick (Renwick after my Great-Grandfather)

Now, we must get to work on his nursery! I painted it last week, and Shane sanded and primed the furniture, but there is still so much to do! Maybe this weekend we will make some progress!!!

5 months old...

Our sweet Sophie girl turned 5 months old last week! Every month she grows and changes, but we are truly loving this stage. She is developing such a little personality and is so... much fun!!! The boys are especially enjoying her-- now that she laughs out loud, smiles, interacts, and coos back at them!

Corban is especially good at getting her to laugh. It just thrills him to pieces when he succeeds at getting her to giggle at his antics. Sophie must think he is the silliest thing ever.

Riley is the big helper. He hates to hear her cry and is always there to give her a new toy or entertain her when she starts to fuss. He is so sweet and I love to hear him talk to her. He talks to her in such a high pitched little voice. It's really cute.

Some of the milestones Sophie accomplished this month include:

~Rolling over- tummy to back and... just this week back to tummy! This girl is all over the place!
~Giggling at something, or someone silly!
~Loves playing "peek-a-boo" and patty cake!

~Just figured out how to actually jump in her jumperoo!!

~We also left her in the church nursery for the first time this month too. We're still working on this one. Let's just say it's not her favorite place. She doesn't seem to enjoy it all that much, yet;).

Happy 5 month birthday Sophie girl!!!
Mommy couldn't love you more!!!

The "Red Envelope Project"

On Tuesday morning, during our ladies weekly Bible study, we had a guest speaker come in and share with us about the "Red Envelope Project". I was not aware of this project before, but after she finished introducing us to it, I was excited and couldn't wait to participate!!! I wanted to post this information on my blog in hopes that others who read this and are passionate about pro-life will consider participating too! It really is so easy, but the impact we could make together is HUGE!!! Go here to read more, then follow the directions below! www.sendaredenvelope.org!!

Here is all you have to do:

Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to:

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington , D.C. 20500

Seal the envelope and on the back, write the following message.

This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception.

Even you, President Obama, stated during the National Prayer Breakfast " There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being."

Put it in the mail, and send it. Then send this website to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president.

Bad Hair Day?!?!?

Sophie has a head full of beautiful blond hair. I absolutely love it!!! Most mornings, however, it takes quite the effort to tame that beautiful mane!!!!

How cute is my sweet little one's major bed head?!?!?

The funny things people say!

So Shane and I are totally getting a kick out of the comments people-- total strangers at that, make to us about our family situation. In the beginning of this pregnancy, before I was really showing, we would go places as a family and people would comment on "how great" I looked to just have had a baby-( Sophie being a newborn at the time)! I would just smile back and politely say "thank you!" We didn't feel like it was necessary to explain our situation or that Sophie was adopted. Now that Sophie is 5 months old and I am 7 months along, my belly (as you can see in the picture) is quite swollen.

7 months... about 8 weeks to go!

We are now getting a whole new set of comments, stares, and questions. I know people totally mean well, but it's just funny to see them look at me and my rather large belly, and try to figure out our family's situation. Shane and I laugh, because I'm sure people are thinking "Wow...look at that poor girl! What a belly she still has on her to have a baby that old! Stop eating those doughnuts and do a few more sit ups- hon!" lol!!!

Last week we were at one of Shane's football games and I was holding Sophie. This sweet lady came up to me and we started chatting. We talked for a few moments and I could tell she was just dying to know more about our situation. So after she asked me how old my children were and I told her, she looked right down at my very OBVIOUSLY pregnant belly and said... "So are you planning to have any more??????"

I just replied nicely, "Yes we sure are. Our little guy should be arriving in about 8 weeks. "
"Really!" she replied,
"I couldn't even tell you were pregnant!"

I just smiled back, but in my head I was thinking..." Really!?!?! Do you think that I could just normally look like this!?!?!"

Oh well--- Shane and I had a good laugh later!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

We hope your day is sweet and full of love!!!

Sophie's 1st Valentines Day!!!

1 John 3:16
"For we have come to know LOVE by this: that Jesus laid down his life for us!!!"

Up too early!

Well, here I sit and the clock reads 4:47am! Sophie woke up at 3:40am this morning. She normally sleeps through the night, but every once in a while we have an early morning wake up call. So I got Sophie up, changed, fed, burped, and almost back to sleep, when I hear Riley coming out of his room! It's only 4:35am and two of my kids are up---I don't think so!!!!! What in the world!!!!!! Thankfully, as I sit here typing this--Sophie is back asleep in her crib and Riley is in my bed snuggling with his daddy. I am not going to even bother trying to fall back asleep. My alarm will sound at 5:30am and my day will officially begin-- going back to sleep for 45 minutes just doesn't seem worth it at this point!

I have a full day ahead of me! Two of my sweet friends from church are coming over with their kiddo's. We will be putting together care packages to send to the students in our church's college ministry. After that, I am taking all three of my kids to the doctor. No one is sick (thankfully), but all have reasons to be seen. Corban has been complaining about a sore ankle, on and off again, for a few weeks now. Riley has his three year old check-up, and Sophie is due for a shot! Later this evening, we are getting together with several of our neighbors for dinner!

Please pray that I will have the energy and patience that I need to get through this day! With prayer...and lots of coffee, I should manage just fine ;)!!!!

A great weekend!

We had a fabulous weekend. First of all, the weather was just beautiful. It was almost 70 degrees on Saturday and Sunday. You would never know that we had experienced our second snowfall of the year just three days ago!

Saturday morning we headed out to a birthday party. We had a wonderful time with our friends, as we celebrated their youngest sons one year old birthday! He is the youngest of their six children. The theme of the party was "Peter Rabbit"! (Peter was the name of the little one who's birthday we were celebrating-- how cute is that!) My sweet friend, Jessica (check her blog out), coordinated the entire party and she did a fabulous job!

The kids had a great time painting flower pots, going on a hunt outside for fruits and vegetables, and hearing the story of Peter Rabbit! The food and cake were delicious too!!

Here is a picture of some of the party decorations Jessica put together! So adorable!!!!

Singing Happy Birthday to Peter!

After the party, we ran home quickly, so Shane could change for his flag football game!

My sister Kelly ( aka."KK") and Shane play on the same team! It was a close game, but the Panthers were able to pull off a victory ( 57 to 55)!!! YAY!!!

Shane played quarterback this game! He did an AWESOME job!

Corban had the all important job of being the score keeper for the game!

Sophie enjoyed cuddling with Mommy while we watched Daddy play ball!

My little sister Al and Riley!
What a beautiful day to be outside!!!!

After the game, Corban and Riley decided that they wanted to spend the night at my moms house!! So Shane, Sophie, and I came home to an unusually quiet house! We enjoyed some steak, baked potato's, and a rather quiet night at home together!

After dinner, Shane spent some uninterrupted time playing with Sophie! That was a real treat for him! We got her down for the night just in time to catch one of our favorite movie's on t.v--The Notebook!
Sunday was another beautiful day. We went to church in the morning and then spent some more time outside. After some quick naps, we headed back to church for the evening service and children's choir.

What a nice, relaxing, weekend!!!

Just Some Valentine Fun...

I have had the privilege of hosting two women's events at my home over the past week. One was with the ladies who sit at my table during Bible study, and the other was neighborhood Bunco! Both evenings were fun and I had a great time getting together with these groups of ladies!!!
Since Valentines Day is just around the corner, I decided to do a Valentine theme for both events! A few weeks ago, I started to brain storm ways I wanted to decorate. Being that I am on a budget, I started to search other blogs for ideas and then took bits and pieces of the ideas that I found and made them my own!! Blogs have proven to be great resources to find creative ideas for any occasion!! I'm not a very creative person myself, but I do really enjoy decorating my home for a holiday (any holiday)!

This is what I came up with---
I did what the Nester always says to do..."shop the house first"---
I did just that in order to see what I already had and then went from there!

I used my plate rack as one of the centerpieces on my island. I added a big read bow to the top.
(Both evenings, the ladies brought with them either an appetizer or dessert to share.)

The boys helped me make yummy Valentine cupcakes... which looked so cute on each plate!

I made Kelly's Korner's Cherry Limeade Punch.
It's pink with red cherries- very Valentine-ish

I found these cute little frames in the dollar section at Target. All three for $1!!

My sister Al helped by making cute little Valentine sayings to put in each of the frames!

I already had this hurricane and candle--I just bought a big bag of conversation hearts and filled it up.

The table---all put together

During one of our snow days last week, I had my boys help me make a Valentine banner. I got out all my valentine paper, scissors, glue, stickers, etc.

The boys did a great job making several Valentines. It kept them busy for hours.

I hung them up on a piece of heart ribbon across my mantle!

I found a few other odds and ends that I either already had or picked up to finish off my valentine theme!



I had a great time decorating, and the best compliment I received was from my precious Corban. He walked in the door from school, after I had been busy decorating, and said,
"Wow mom, it looks like a giant valentine in here!" So sweet!

While I was getting things in order for one of my get togethers one afternoon,
my boys were kept busy making Valentine candy necklaces!

They enjoyed making them---but I think they had more fun eating them!

and the little one said "Roll Over!"

Today, Sophie rolled over for the first time ever!!!! I knew she was going to do it soon because for several days now I would go get her up from her nap and she would practically be on her side. Well, today she did it! I think she was so surprised and wasn't too sure what she just did. Corban and Riley were so... cute to watch as they too were so excited to see her accomplish her new "trick'! They wanted her to do it again and again and again!! My heart was filled with such joy as I watched the boys cheering their little sister on!

Isn't it amazing how such as small thing could bring so much happiness to our day!!!

Here she goes...


She's GOING...

GOING...

GONE!!!!!

"Would someone please tell me what all the excitement is about?!?!?"

Splishin' and a Splashin'

Sophie's new favorite time of the day has to be bath time! She loves it! I think she would truly be content to sit in her bath all day long!

She has not always been a big fan of her bath though. She used to scream and scream when I would put her in the water, but now she really enjoys it!

I love my rubber ducky!

All clean now--- getting warm and dry...

Got my cozy pj's on and I'm ready for bed.

Almost asleep in my Mommy's arms!

29 1/2 weeks and counting

This past week has just flown by and I can't believe we are now at the start of another! We have been so busy this week...doing what...I'm not sure. I just know that every morning my feet seem to hit the ground running and they don't stop until the evening! I'm sure so many of you can relate!

I just realized that I haven't had time to update our blog, or read any other blogs in over a week! One of the main reasons is because our little Riley has given up his nap! Yes, that precious one and a half hours of quiet time, where I could get SO much done, and that I look forward to each day, is now only a fleeting memory! ( I try to save my computer time for when my kids are sleeping. No naps = not much computer time!)

Riley just turned three and he definitely benefits from a nap during the day, but we started to have problems with him going to bed at night! We would ideally like our boys to be in bed by 7:30pm each night. Just recently though, bedtime had become somewhat of a battle with Riley. We knew it was because he just wasn't that tired yet. So we decided that it was time to give up that beloved nap time in exchange for a more peaceful and consistent bedtime routine! Guess what...it has worked. No naps equal a very tired little boy and no more bedtime battles!

As I said before, the weeks are just flying by which means so is this pregnancy! I am 29 1/2 weeks along now! Only 10 1/2 weeks left before we get to meet our little guy! I can't believe it! I was at the doctor this week and everything looks great! My doctor will schedule my induction sometime around April 16th! Time is ticking away and I suddenly feel the urge to get things in order, especially this little guys nursery.

Here's a sneak peak at his bedding:


Shane and I found it at a consignment store last week and we both feel in love with it. Well, being as budget conscious as we can be lately, we probably fell more in love with the price than anything, but we picked it up anyway. Sophie is now in our current nursery, so our guest room will be converted into a nursery as well. We have a lot of work to do in there...cleaning, organizing, painting...etc. We plan to pick paint colors this week and start working on it next weekend!

Okay... and just for fun... I thought I would post a belly picture. I try to avoid the camera at all costs these days (at least any picture that would include my ever expanding waist line) but I know I will want to look back and
see a few pictures of me carrying this little guy!

Well, here it is!
Unfortunately, we needed to use our wide angle lens in order to capture this picture- ha ha!