James is 6 months

James is now six months old. This month he has changed sooo much! I can't leave the room if he's on the floor because he rolls around and shimmies his way to where he wants to go. He is such a sweet boy, smiling all the time and very tolerant for his surroundings (being squeezed, kissed, patted almost continually by his brother and sister). He is just so laid back, I'm not sure if it's by nature or by necessity... I think both because in the hospital he was already so calm, we didn't understand how it was possible he was ours!

Here he has on his, "Samuel's baby brother" onesie that my friend, Brooke, made for Landon, I love that he can wear it too. I wish our little Samuel was here to love on him. I wish James could know his biggest brother. Although I know that the Lord has a plan and even though my heart aches to have our entire family together, I'm reminded that this world is not our home. One day, all things will be made new and the longing of our hearts will be fulfilled, to be with our Savior forever and leave all heartache behind. I can't wait to meet our little Samuel one day. 

Here is James's reaction to his first taste of food (avocado). He didn't look like he liked it based on his facial expressions, but he kept eating it. He really likes bananas and the other day, his cousin Layla (6) fed him an entire jar and the start of a second of banana-strawberry-apple baby food. Landon and Olivia never really liked baby food, but with James anytime we're eating, he gets mad if I don't feed him something. Just as I thought I was starting to figure out this three kid thing, it's changing (who am I kidding, I haven't figured anything out!). He's eating real food and the mobile stage is pretty much here - he's only going to get better at crawling and getting into things. The house is already a disaster most of the time. How am I going to keep this boy away from Landon's legos and small paper crafts, and Olivia's little pink trinkets she takes to every room she's in??

I'm praying for protection for this sweet boy and strength for me. I'm thankful that in our weaknesses, the Lord is proved strong. I'm continually asking the Lord to remind me to keep my eyes fixed on Him and the purpose He has for me, which is not to have a perfectly clean house all the time. His purpose for me is to raise these children in His ways and to model a close relationship with Him. To snuggle them and show them I love them, and that they are more important than a clean house. Not to neglect my house and training these kiddos to help take care of it, but to realize the MOST important things and not get caught up in the temporary. I'm realizing more and more how fleeting the moments are with these sweet ones and I truly want to enjoy them even through the difficult times.

Life is crazy right now (hence the lack of posts)... But it is wonderful and I feel so blessed to have the job of raising these sweet kiddos.