Our form of entertainment, of late, is just being together. We’ve spent numerous afternoons this summer reading books, playing with blocks, exploring nooks and crannies all the while giving lots of hugs and kisses!!

Hope you are having a lovely summer as well!! We’re off to NC for a week full of family, swimming and lots of fun. See you back here with lots of photos!!

I took this picture back in April. It blows me away how fast she is growing… Love you, Gwyneth!

What Makes a Dad
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it … Dad
Author Unknown

I guess I should clarify that this is, indeed, a photo of each of our girls taken about the same age. (And, obviously, in the same place!!!) They are in order of birth. It is amazing how much they look alike!!

A friend posted on her facebook page about how last Mother’s Day to this has changed her. She was the Mom of two teenage kids last year. This year she’s cradling their surprise bundle of joy, as well as loving her eldest two. It got me thinking about the last 4 years of celebration for our little family. Thought I’d share it with you.

2007: My first Mother’s Day with  Gwyneth. Here we are pictured with my gift: a beautiful rose bush.

2008: The following year we found ourselves in Phoenix to celebrate our good friend’s wedding. David and Gwyneth took me to an amazing Italian restaurant for dinner. Mmm… can still taste the chocolate tiramisu!!

2009: The next year I discovered truth in what my own Mother had always told me. That is, with each new child you have, your heart creates a new space for them and you love that child just a fiercely as your others. Our hearts did indeed grow as we welcomed Lillian.

My waistline also threatened to grow when David presented me with this amazing cake!!!

2010: Finally, I can agree with my friend wholeheartedly that last Mother’s Day I would have NEVER imagined what this year would bring, and what this year’s photo would look like:

Though Naomi was certainly not in our plans, God has shown how much better He is at planning things. Already we could not imagine our lives without our three girls. God’s grace has been more than sufficient and our days together have been great!!!

This year we planted a Mother’s Day garden, the focal point being a fountain with a little girl. We thought it was very appropriate!!!

Well, as I close this I hear one of my girls crying. I think she needs her Mommy!!!

Pray you all had a great day!!

4 weeks old today. How is it possible?!

Sweet, sweet, sweet.

Have you ever avoided something so long that is goes from something on your to-do list, to something you try not to even think about because it causes your gut to churn when you do so?? That’s how I feel about this site. I love it so much that it hurts right now!!!

I’ve felt that way about my journal. I have thought about writing in it every day for the last 3+ years, but the pen has not made it to paper. Finally the thought of writing was too difficult because I felt I’d let it go too long and had too much to write to catch it up. It took Naomi’s birth for me to realize that I am going to forget those moments that I could swear I never will, thus I picked up my pen, wrote a few lines and have continued in that “bullet writing” style for the last few weeks. Though I wish I had more time to write gobs and gobs, I still feel refreshed that I’m putting something down.

I think that is what I need to do for now with this site. It’s what my friend Rebecca A. has done for years now. A picture or two with a simple explanation is blogged most days. Ya know what, I Love, love her site. I’ve watched her little gal grow up and had to imagine the fun and conversations that take place behind the lovely pics of her.

I know, you all are laughing because I tend to be a bit on the wordy side. Asking me not to tell a story behind a picture is almost painful for me to not do. So, I’ll probably do a little bit of everything. BUT, I am going to let myself off the hook for a bit and just give a photo or two as I can and write a blurb or two with it.

Thanks, Emily and Becky, for reminding me that we are indeed past Christmas and it is time to share a bit of the wonder we are experiencing!!!

So, without further adieu…

WELCOME, littlest lamb, Naomi Josephine Chester. Born March 28, 2010 @ 11:44pm.

Truly, March came in like a lion and went out like a lamb…

Labor went so well. It was au natural: no iv’s, no pain meds, almost no monitoring. Very un-L&D nurse of me, but just what the Lord wanted. As the going got tough, I realized that I had no way out. There was no access for them to give me the drugs I so desired!! I was completely dependent on God. For me it was a very powerful time and I’m grateful for it. (Though I’ll admit I may have wailed for drugs at one point or another … or maybe that was David!!!) (smile!)

And then with one mighty push she was here. And once again all was right in our world and we were complete. Ah, how I love God’s plan. So much better than I would have mapped out myself!

Some of you may remember that Lillian was born last year on Sunday, April 5th. It was Palm Sunday and we did rejoice in her triumphal entry as we remember Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem so many years ago.  When I found out I was due with this child in early April, I looked at the calender and saw that Palm Sunday was March 28th this year. I remember calling my Mom and saying, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to deliver on Palm Sunday again??” How sweet that the Lord agreed!!

David was, once again, my best partner in labor. I’m so grateful to have this man and for the love he has for all of his girls!! (And for the fact that he’s worn that same, crazy shirt for all three deliveries!!)

Our eldest gals are doing so good. My only complaint is that they’re both growing up too fast. I just want to hit pause, or a least slow-motion, on life for a bit. The days are passing “swifter than a weavers shuttle…”

Naomi has been nothing but sweet since her arrival. She has dealt with all the screaming and squealing that takes place in this house with much grace. (Better than her Mommy who often wishes for earplugs!!!)

Naomi means “Sweet and Beautiful”. I think it suite her well. Josephine means “God will increase”. We’re already praying for three young men out there, whoever they are, that God is molding them into mighty men for our lovely ladies.

I have always loved Christmas. Like many, the magic of the season gets to me. The lights, the wonder, the family time, the sacred remembrance… it’s a lovely time of year.

We live on the campus of a private boarding school. The kids go home for the holidays, so we celebrate Christmas with them before they leave. Here are a few photos of our Christmas dinner and gift time.

This is in front of our tree… all dolled up and ready to go!

The photographer at the school was good enough to take a family photo.

Our Director of Boarding, who is also our across the street neighbor, was Santa. Gwyneth knew there was something familiar about Santa and it freaked her out. She wouldn’t go near him. Here he is offering her a gift on one knee – no dice!

Gwyneth did want her picture taken with a couple of the girls. Little did she know Santa joined our photo!!

We got a quick pic of Lillian with Santa. Can you tell by the look on her face that she was mere seconds away from crying??!! Something about that fake beard…

After the festivities, the kids packed up and went home for a few weeks and David started his Christmas break. That very weekend we were forecast for snow. As many of you know, we didn’t get snow. 30 mins down the road got 6-12 inches, but not us. We got rain… lots and lots of rain. I called my parents, who are 2 1/2 hrs away, and they were in a winter wonderland with over a foot of snow. The snow moved up the coast and many of you also enjoyed a pre-Christmas snowfall. I was BEYOND green with envy!! On Sunday my Northerner husband and I had had all we could take. We called my parents, who were plowed out, and told them to expect company. We piled the girls in the van and drove to Marion to play in the snow!! The trip was perfect. The roads were fine, yet temps had stayed cold so as we drove through the mountains the trees branches were still heavy with snow. It was dreamy. It also amped our Christmas spirit meter through the roof!!

When we got to my parents we bundled up and went out to play.

Dad, David and Gwyneth were busy making G’s first snowman!!

Looking good!!!

Eric and Patricia came over and we had a regular old snowball fight!!! Gwyneth loved throwing snowballs at everyone… she didn’t particularly enjoy getting pelted with them. We had a few cry sessions followed by “toughen up” admonishments!!!

It was loverly….

Thanks, Dad and Mom, for letting us crash in on you for 24 hours!!! We had the best time!

We got home and did a lot of  hanging out together and preparing for Christmas. One day, as we were cleaning out a back room, we found this crazy bandanna. David, being a child of the 80′s, knew just what to do with it…

Here’s my man with his biker babes!!!

Christmas Eve and Day were lots of fun. I had to work Christmas Day, but we found ways to fit in plenty of celebrating together. Our good friends, the Neals, don’t have family nearby so we had them over both days. We did an hors d’oeuvres dinner Christmas Eve, sat around and chatted, and then David and I became “official” parents (In a “staying up way too late Christmas Eve to get stuff put together” way!!). David’s Dad and Mom had sent a kitchen set for Gwyneth’s present. David has now decided he despises the words, “Adult assembly required”!!! 2am finally dawned and the kitchen was finally finished.  Here’s a picture right before the bleary-eyed parents went to bed.

Both the girls were sick on Christmas and, surprisingly, slept in later than usual. David and I got up at 9am and found ourselves waiting for them to get up. (There’s a first… it’ll probably be the last!!!) When Gwyneth did get up she was delighted to see the presents under her tree!

Little Miss Domestication

Lillian got this little rocking octopus. We thought it would be way too advanced for her, but she’s showing she loves it anyway!!

David got Gwyneth a Larry the Cucumber shirt. She quickly wanted to change her shirt for that one. Here she is modeling it. (And coveting my dark chocolate M&M’s)

This was, by far, the most fun Christmas morning I’ve ever had. Gwyneth is old enough to sense anticipation building, yet young enough to delight in the small things. It made no difference how few gifts, relatively speaking, she had. She just wanted to be part of opening all of them with us and enjoying every little thing. It was such fun. I get why parents do all of this and enjoy it so much. The glimpses of wonder and joy are worth every bit of effort!!

To think, if I get so excited seeing my daughter open the gifts we spent time thinking about and money purchasing, imagine the Father’s excitement when a new person accepts the gift of His Son and Salvation. WOW, LORD!! Thanks for this!!

I learned a few new things in the culinary world as well. First, I believe on the 8th day, after having rested, God said, “It isn’t good for man to be without hot artichoke dip…” Shew, that’s some good stuff!! Also, no matter how scared you are about cooking a big turkey, if you soak it in 4 QUARTS of beer, plus other seasonings, for 18 hrs. nothing about it can go wrong!!! Finally, my cranberry bread recipe makes some killer good cinnamon/cranberry rolls. I’ve been wanting to establish some food traditions for our family… we sure did find a few this season!!

We spent the day after Christmas putting some gifts to good use. As I mentioned above, the girls and I have been sick so we let Gwyneth wear her Christmas outfit, that was intended for Sunday service, at home. Here she is modeling another fave gift… (proving, once again, that kids really do love simple things!)

Lillian was feeling particularly bad and just wanted to snuggle. What better way to comfort her and still get work done… (I guess gal #3 is also being shown!!!)

Dad and Mom sent some much needed organizational things for stuffed animals. I love these so much!

Aaahhh… increased order makes me happy!!!

Finally, after too many days of burning the candle at both ends, David crashed with one of his favorite gals. (He has a few to choose from, ya know!!!)

Praying you all had an equally lovely Christmas and that you’re able to get quiet with God in the next few days to see what He has planned for you in the coming year.

Love and Blessings!

I’m flabbergasted that Gwyneth turned three last Tuesday. In my heart and mind I feel I’m mere days away from her birth – I can’t believe I’m actually three whole years past it.

Anyway, we all had a wonderful day celebrating her. It all started the night before. I decorated her cake after she went to bed. This is the first time I’ve tried the whole “writing on a birthday cake and decorating it” bit. I had lots more fun than I’d anticipated I would! (The cake is actually for three birthday girls, thus the pleural wish!!)(Oh, and David and I pondered long and hard on how to spell “hunnie”. I knew I wanted to make it cutsie to match bunnies, but thought it would be hunny. David decided on hunnie, and I never question the English major!!!  What do you think??!!)

Lillian and David were full of praise, and they were awfully cute as well, don’t ya think??!!

We had planned to meet with some friends in Toccoa for a play date the morning of her birthday. Gwyneth has two other friends, Elizabeth and Ashlyn, who also have December birthdays. We thought we’d have one big celebration. (Along with another sweet friend, Katherine!) We had so much fun with our friends and partied well into the afternoon!!

Happy Birthday, sister!! (Check out those two teeth!! She just cut her top two teeth the other day!)

Here’s a pic of all three birthday girls!

Gwyneth was psyched about blowing out the candles!!

Susan tried to get all our party goers together for a photo. Yeah, good luck with that, Suz!!!

We got home about 4pm from our play date and, miraculously, both Gwyneth and Lillian slept from 4-5:40pm. They woke up just in time to greet their Daddy and get ready to go see the live nativity at our church.

The nativity was really neat. Our choir sang a few songs, there was a short theatrical presentation and then the children could come and pet all the animals. Gwyneth loves animals, but above all she loves babies. The whole time we sat she asked if she could go “pet” baby Jesus and see Mary and Joseph. As soon as they opened that time up, she made a bee-line for the manger!

Gwyneth friend, Ashlyn, was much more interested in rearranging the hay!!!

After ohh-ing and aah-ing over Jesus, we did go pet some of the animals.

Lillian was content to remain at a distance with her Daddy.

Afterward, it was time to grab some dinner at a Chinese restaurant and then home to open a few gifts. Her favorite gift by a mile was this hoppy ball. She’s barely gotten off it since!!!

Some friends, the Dickson’s, have made a tradition of sending her a book with a matching stuffed animal for her birthday. For her 1st it was “The Tales of Peter Rabbit” with an official Peter Rabbit. For her 2nd it was Eric Carle’s “Brown Bear, Brown Bear” with (you guessed it) the Brown bear!! (Who has strikingly blue eyes!!) Here she is with this years installment!

Such fun!

She got several other lovely gifts (thank-you to so many generous family members… she loved everything!) and finally collapsed into bed around 10pm. What a great day!!!

David and I kept reminding ourselves, throughout the day, what had been going on at that time 3 years ago.  As hard as it is to believe it’s been 3 years since she arrived, it’s even harder to believe we’ve been in that hospital room once more since then and are staring down the barrel of another trip!! I’m so thankful for the gift of motherhood. Though we enjoyed getting Gwyneth a few things for her birthday, we got the ultimate gift Dec. 15 2006 at 6:18pm. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. Thanks, God!!

I don’t know about you, but our fall color was so-so this year. It was brilliant for just a few days, but other than that, a bit duller than usual. Thankfully the girls and I went walking on one of those brilliant days and collected leaves. I always loved fall leaves as a child, and particularly enjoyed “waxing” them for place mats.  What fun to share that memory with Gwyneth!!

She’s VERY proud of her arrangement! (OK, so her original was a bit “busy”. Mommy may have helped a wee bit!!)

Check out the purple petunia. Only in Georgia!!

We put a towel over the wax paper and heated it with the iron. Trust me, I only stepped away from her long enough to get this picture!!

All the while Lillian was struggling with having to stay in her swing while we crafted. Such a sweet babe to smile through the tears!!

Yay!!! Wax paper place mats. They didn’t turn out quite as well as I remembered. Have they changed wax paper?? I dunno, but regardless, it was a fun project!!

Next, my in-laws sent me an Amazon gift card for my birthday. After much hemming and hawing, I decided to get myself a gift I’ve always wanted but had a hard time spending the money on since it really is just a luxury, of sorts. It was an apple peeler/corer/slicer!! It has made applesauce making a whole lot of fun, especially since Gwyneth can now have an active roll in it!!

Turn, Gwyneth, turn!!! (She did all of the apples herself!!)

Isn’t it a dandy??!!

It is difficult to adjust it so it get’s all the peel off the ends. No matter. We love to mix work with eating!

Here are all the apples she peeled…

Add some cinnamon, honey and a dash of vanilla.

Then simmer until tender and wonder if this is what Heaven will smell like!

Once tender, mash until you get a desired consistency. Yummy!!!

I just LOVE fall projects!!!

If you root around in my Mother’s hope chest, you’ll find our family photo album. If you didn’t know our family, after looking at it from cover to cover, you’d be assured that they only had 4 children. That’s because their 5th child, yours truly, was never added. I have ribbed my Mother about that for years. (To no avail at last look. I’m still not there!) Here’s the thing, I TOTALLY get it now!! I just had to get pregnant with our third to all but drop off the updating of photos. If you come to our house and look around at our pictures, you’d feel quite sure we only had one child. That’s because I’ve yet to even put up a picture of Lillian. (I don’t think old u/s photos of her on the fridge count!!)

The good news is, I’m very busy giving face time to my gals. I figure as long as THEY know how beautiful they are, inside and out, to us then the best work has been accomplished. It’s the same reason I’m not in the album. Mom was too busy with me to paste photos of me!!

Having said all of that, I know a few of you who don’t get to see our cuties very often would like some pictures. Let me confess now that these are not updated.  All are at least a month or two old, which doesn’t affect G’s pics too much, but does make a big difference with Lil. I’ll try to post some new ones of her before too long!!

I love this picture of the two of them so much…

They’re sweet little sisters!!

We’ve been amazed at how differently built Lillian and Gwyneth are. Lil is Miss long and lean right now…

She needs bigger clothing for their length, whereas G needed them for their width!!!

Because she has almost no belly and long legs, Lillian can bring her feet to her mouth. She loves sucking on her toes!!! (Not sure G could see her toes till she was past a year!!!)

So, the other week Gwyneth comes out of her room wearing her skirt as her top. WHERE did she get this idea from??? (Living on a campus full of teenage girls… argh!!)

Her Daddy nearly fainted and wants to know where to get a good shot gun. We’ll obviously be needing one in about 15 years!!

As always, we’re amazed at how much Gwyneth observes us. The other week she asked for some lotion after her shower and said she needed to put it on her legs like so. (Just like Momma!!)

Shew, I LOVE these girls!!!

The days have been fun but the nights long as Lillian has been busy teething. I’ll try to pull myself together and post again soon!!! Happiest of days to you all!!

Rejoicing over this newest, little life. Praying protection over our baby as it grows and prepares for it’s entrance in early April!

Thank-you, Lord!

This summer was lazy and busy all at the same time. David became an 11-month employee which meant he worked 3 days/week all summer. I had June off but then returned to my one workday per week at the hospital and teaching childbirth classes in July.  Though we did nothing at a breakneck pace, the days seemed to fly by. As we could take no formal vacation, we’d load up the van and be off to NC  for a day or two to at least enjoy a change of scenery… and a dip in the pool!!

Wait a second, Gwyneth. I know you’re ready to roll, but I think you’re in the wrong seat!!

It has been a hot, humid summer so we’ve spent a lot of time in the pool. These next photos will chronicle all those great times!!

There are no rules to what one must wear in the pool. (Well, let me re-phrase… you must at least have a modest bathing suit, but if you’d like to add even more layers, go for it!!) Here are a few pics demonstrating that:

Next, it is awfully important to decide how you’re going to jump into the pool. Here are the troops lined up and deciding what trick to do next:

Here’s Michelle. I believe she’s attempting a modified preacher’s seat.

Here’s Annaleigh. She’s performing the ever popular cannon ball.

Harrison was absolutely fearless when it came to entering the water in an entertaining, yet obviously painful, way. Check out this superman bellyflop. You go, Harrison:

I don’t know what happened to my picture of Caleb. This was his summer of learning to jump into the deep end without fear. He did great. Also not captured was Rebecca. We got her to get in one afternoon and she dusted off her belly-flopping skills.

My sister had an extra suit that I borrowed one day. I showed them all I could still pull off a descent can opener. Though there’s not a photo mid-air, I think that’s a look of admiration from my Dad post water entrance.

Finally, there was Eric. Eric has perfected the talent of displacing the most ammnt. of water when he jumps in. There’s nothing he won’t do.

His no. 1 skill is the tsunami. It’s a modified belly flop. Here’s a pic of him entering the water:

And here’s a picture of my pants right after. I was standing at the shallow end, people!!!

Lillian put her toes in the water a few times, but for the most part she was pool-side entertainment!!

Here’s little miss cute stuff after her very first dip in the pool.

Here are a few awfully sweet cousin photos:

Lillian snoozes a lot. She’s a growing gal and actually realizes the importance of beauty rest. (A concept that her older sister has only just recently grasped!!) There are lot of pics of Lil in her favorite pose!!

Aaahhh… makes me feel drowsy just looking at them!!!

Another big hit with the gals was fingernail painting. Annaleigh brought her rainbow of colors and put beautiful designs on the girls’ fingernails.

Annaleigh is a super lovely young lady. I so appreciated the godly character she lives before her younger cousins. I can’t believe how this gal is growing. She turns  *13* in 5 days – where has the time gone!!!

….sigh….

Anyway!! My parents got us the Cadillac of doulie strollers when Lil was born. Here I am demonstrating its awesomeness!!

Yep, it even works if you’re carrying triplets!!!

Annaleigh showed me that G’s hair is getting long enough to put into some uber cute pigtails!!!

At one point I was trying to teach Lil to take a bottle. (Futile. Neither of our girls will have anything to do with a bottle!) Anyway, my Dad has years of experience in the field of bottle feeding and I thought I’d let him give it a whirl!!

She was very nice about the whole thing — just wouldn’t take the bottle!! (Though these last two weeks she’s been more interested and has taken a few ounces for David when I’m at work!! Praise HIM!) Anyway, Dad soon let the bottle go and just enjoyed this little gal.

Here’s a pic just for cuteness sake!

…. and another….

Carolina also came to us a few times this summer. One particularly fun outing was going to a local place, Goats On The Roof. The name speaks for itself…

G.O.T.R. is a country store that literally has goats all over the roof. There are several station when you can put feed in a bucket and trolley it up to the goats. Gwyneth was enamored!!!

Goats On The Roof is just a few miles from our house and has become a favorite haunt of David and Gwyneth’s when I’m at work on the weekend. Apparently they’ll spend an hour or so there, just sitting on a rock in the shade, listening to a rooster and watching the goats. Sweet.

Well, that’s about all I’ve got for you all. Sorry it took so long. Life has seemed a bit overwhelming of late. We’ll get back on track soon, though, and keep you up to date on these sweet gals of ours!!!

Agape!

I did edit my NC photos last night, but still need to finish the post. In the meantime…

Lillian had her 4 month well baby visit last Friday. (YES, it has been four months already!!) She weighed in at 16.8# and 25.5 inches which puts her in the 97% in both categories!! You go, girl!!

Second, David had to give a speech on Saturday as the new Middle School Principal. In the speech he incorporated my Dad’s Capt. hat. This one is for you, Daddy!!!

Honestly, I’ll be working on my NC post!!!

Last night I briefly came by to see when, exactly, I was supposed to put my weekly post up. Oops, it was supposed to be then. BUT, I’m knitting in a deadline!!! Surely no one will notice if I’m a day or so behind…

Thanks, Em. Needed the check-up. I do well with accountability. I’ll be working on my NC photos in just a bit!