Gluten Free Menu For the week

Breakfasts:
Oatmeal Pancakes with Peanut Butter
Eggs and Fruit
Baked Oatmeal
PB Banana Oat Breakfast cookies

Lunch:
Snacky Lunch (Cheese, fruit, veggies)
Rice and Beans
Peanut Butter Apple Sandwiches
Leftovers

Dinner:
Chicken and Rice Soup
Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas (LOVE these!)
Broccoli and Cheddar Quiche with a Brown Rice Crust
Lentil and Rice Tacos
Cauliflower Pizza

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.

James is 5 months old

Another month has passed already since our sweet Jamesy boy joined our family! I just can't get over how much faster this first year is going by than with the other two. It must be because my time has be divided by three, which is the way it has to be. I just wish sometimes there could be three of me to fully enjoy each stage with each child! I am so grateful for these three kiddos, they truly fill my life with such joy. 

James was 14lb 1oz (17%) and 26 3/4 inches (89%) at his appointment this month. Maybe he'll be a basketball player like his daddy.

I love this first picture of our sweet boy - it really captures the wonderment in his eyes that is so often there! He's just taking everything in. Sometimes I wish I could get inside his little head and see what he's thinking, just how he processes all of the information thrown at him everyday - Landon would tell me he's thinking, "wooshe gaga" (from one of their favorite Olivia the pig books) 

I love this sweet gummy smile :)

That sweet gummy smile I know won't last a whole lot longer as the whole teething process has definitely begun. He's usually sucking on a finger or his fist and there's lots and lots of drool :)

Today it snowed! This is the first time this year that it actually stuck for long enough to make a snowman. The kids loved throwing snowballs at James and playing with him through the window. 

And the older two goof balls. Here's Landon with a peanut butter tongue :P

Landon is starting to read! Well, sort of... He has all his letter sounds down and is starting to read three letter, short vowel words, he's so excited about it. It makes me slightly less afraid of beginning kindergarten this year! Ever since Landon learned how to fold a paper in half and cut out a heart, he's been obsessed with cutting.out.everything. It's amazing some of the things he will make, so I try to not get too stressed out about the paper that fills the floor while he's at work. He's also been doing so much better with other kids, and controlling his temper. He still has his moments, but it's so encouraging to see him maturing and learning how to handle his emotions.

We're in the process of potty training with Olivia... It hasn't been easy, but we are sort of getting there. I will be thrilled when we are on the other side of this! She's such a sweet girl though and such a girl! She just loves anything pink and princess related and has very strong opinions. I think one day she'll be giving me fashion advice ;) I have treasured her prayers lately, she still prays for aunt Donna (who went to be with the Lord last June), and many others and thanks the Lord for sweet things like bananas, Halle's birthday party (that we got to be a part of thanks to iChat!), and going to a Thunder game with daddy (six weeks ago). I just love her sweet tender heart.

Psalm 127:3 

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.

Family Trip

We had a great time with Seth's side of the family for a long weekend away. The drive went pretty well. Landon just loves his baby brother and is always asking to hold him :)

 We had a nice stop where the kids and daddy threw stones into a puddle

Here's Brooklyn holding Madison and Olivia - sweet times with cousins.

I just couldn't get over how much James was into this movie. He would lean his head as far forward as he could with his eyes locked on the screen! It was really cute :) 

 Here's James with his sweet cousin, Evy. She's two months older than him even, it was so fun to see them together.

 Here's sweet Madison again with her daddy - such a sweet smile!

And darling Haven - she has the sweetest smile too!

Lots of fun times enjoying the nice weather. 

And whenever we're all together, we like to take nice long walks. Olivia likes to ride ;)

The last night I got to spend time with the older nieces braiding hair. It was so much fun. I just can't believe how grown up they are getting! 

Meri-Kate is already almost fourteen! She's turning into such a sweet beautiful young lady. Love this picture of her with Evy.

Sweet brothers... James loves having Landon beside him in the car, Landon really helps comfort him when he's sad.

We really did have a great time reconnecting with family. The kids loved spending quality time with their cousins and it was really nice to have a break from the busy everyday schedule and spend time talking and laughing together. They even threw a little birthday party for me while we were there. I got breakfast in bed consisting of: bacon, a brownie, a banana, and a go-gurt :) The best breakfast in bed ever! I'm so thankful to have married into such a wonderful family!

Menu (Gluten Free)

I haven't done a menu in a while and I'm really getting in a rut. We've had Landon gluten free for the last couple months since he was always complaining about tummy aches. He has really done great since we took him off of gluten! I'm so thankful to seem to have figured it out. Here is our menu, hopefully I can follow through with it - I'm thinking the baking day should help with that.

Breakfasts:
Banana Bread
Peanut Butter Banana Cookies
Pancakes - I absolutely love these pancakes for a gluten free option!
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Eggs and smoothies

Lunches:
Quinoa Pizza Bites
Cucumber sandwiches and fruit
Rice and Beans with fruit and carrots
Apple peanut butter sandwiches
Leftovers

Dinner:
Ginger chicken stir fry lettuce wraps
Chili Maple Glazed Chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans
Sweet potato black bean enchiladas
Crock Pot Pad Thai Chicken over rice
Patty Melts with salad
Broccoli Bacon and cheese soup with salad and bread
Melt in your mouth chicken with steamed broccoli and roasted potatoes

Snacks:
Easy Snack Bites
Trail mix bars
Fruit/veggies
Smoothies

Baking day:
Gluten free Bread
Refried Beans
Pancakes
Easy Snack Bites
Trail mix bars
Quinoa Pizza Bites
Banana Bread
Peanut Butter Banana Cookies
Gluten free chocolate chip cookies

James at 4 months

Here is my sweet already four month old. His shirt is wet because, well, it is always wet with spit up... Oh well, he is happy and it doesn't seem to bother our sweet little guy. It is starting to get a little better, I think we are uphill on this battle! Olivia and Landon are always smothering him with kisses and hugs. No lack of love or attention for this little guy!

 Here's his favorite thing to do. Watching his hands and feet :) He just loves to, I love when he gets cross eyed trying to follow his ever moving limbs! He loves anything with a pattern too, his world is really starting to open up.

Here is his sweet smiling face. I just so wish I could sit and hold him more and soak up his babyhood. Whenever I do have a chance to hold him, he just stares at me and is all smiles. He's really starting to laugh too, he's so ticklish especially on his tummy. 

The three of them laughing at their daddy. He can really get them all going! They love him so much and I'm so thankful they have such a wonderful daddy.

Landon has been wearing a tie around saying that he's a prince :) Olivia has all her princess things to wear and Landon wondered what princes wear, so I told him he could wear a tie... He wanted James to be a prince too, so here are my two "princes"

This is a crazy phase of life I am in right now, but I'm truly trying to treasure each moment as I am realizing more and more just how fleeting time is. I started a devotional called, "Opened Treasures" by Frances Ridley Havergal and the other day it was very fitting. Here is an excerpt:

"I suppose nobody ever naturally did like the idea of getting older, after he had at least left school. There is a sense of oppression and depression about it. The irresistible, inevitable onward march of moments and years without the possibility of one instant's pause - a march that even while on the uphill side of life is leading to the downhill side-casts an autumn like shadow over even many a spring-birthday. 

But how surely the Bible gives us the bright side of everything. In this case it gives three bright sides of a fact which, without it, could not help being gloomy. First, it opens the sure prospect of increasing brightness to those who have begun to walk in the light. Even if the sun of our life has reaching the apparent zenith and we have known a very noonday of mental and spiritual being, it is no poetic western shadows that are to lengthen upon our way but 'our age is to be clearer than the noonday.' 

The second bright side is increasing fruitfulness. Do not let us confuse between works and fruit. Even when we come to the days when 'the strong men shall bow themselves,' there may be more pleasant fruits for our Master, riper, fuller and sweeter than ever before. For 'they shall still bring forth fruit in old age.'  The third bright side is the brightest of all, 'Even to your old age, I am He'...'even to hoar hairs will I carry you.' For we shall always be His little children and doubtless He will always be our Father. The rush of years cannot touch this."

Christmas

We had a wonderful full month of Christmas! The homeschool group that I'm a part of did a little play a couple weeks before Christmas. Olivia was a lamb and Landon a shepherd. They were all so cute and did such a great job!

We went to see Christmas lights - the kids were just in awe of all the lights!

Here's Olivia all decked out at Sophie's 5th birthday party (She's such a girly girl) - I wish I would have got a pic of all the cute girls in their princess dresses - they were adorable!

Speaking of... she got a new one for Christmas and was very excited :)

We spent Christmas in Iowa. It was a really nice time. It was spread out over a few days, spending quality time with different family members. The cousins had so much fun playing together. Dad got out his special train that he had received as a christmas present when he was a little boy. These two train lovers just sat in wonderment of it all. I remember when I was little and dad would get it out - sparks flying as the train "wooshed around the tracks" as Landon would say - it was so cool! 

We had such a nice Christmas Eve together. We ate, laughed, sang a lot of Christmas songs and decided to go ahead and open presents (which we never do!). I'm so glad we did because I woke up in the middle of the night with the stomach flu :P Landon and Olivia were so excited for Christmas. Landon got Edward the train, a sleeping bag, a tool set, and books. Olivia got two princess dresses, a sleeping bag, books and many pretty pink things :) It was so fun to see their excitement as opened their presents. It's so funny, as a kid I never got the whole, "it is better to give than to receive," but I truly realize it now - that statement is to true!

A few of the cousins together - it's hard to get a good pic of them all!

We just finished our Christmas with some of Seth's family. Olivia was very excited about her Cookie Monster kitchen set! She's been playing with it constantly...

 and Landon absolutely loves his Blue Mountain Mystery train set that he got!

And here are a couple family pics that Rachelle snapped while we were in Topeka :)

We are so thankful most of all for our Lord who came to this earth as a baby - that just blows my mind! God in the body of a little baby, a human body... Having a little one this time of year truly makes me ponder what it would have been like for Mary. Did she truly comprehend that she held our Lord in her arms? That as she touched his little fingers, that they were the very ones that formed her? Such an amazing thing to think on. I am so thankful that He did come and even more that He chose to die for me. He loves us so much and I am so thankful for the reason we celebrate! 

James is 3 months old!

Our sweet little baby of the family is already 3 months old. A couple weeks late on this, but I have come to accept that I just can't keep up on these things like I used to. Having three little ones has made things a little crazy :) but I truly am enjoying every minute of it! I'm just realized that we need to stay home a lot more than before and it's been nice spending so much time with these sweet kiddos. 

Here are some stats: on 12/3 he was 11lb 6.5oz (25%) and he was 24.5 inches long (85%) - he's really growing! He is always staring intently - it really seems like those wheels are turning. I really think he's going to be a deep thinker. He's starting to laugh more, I just love to hear that sweet sounds and see his precious smile - it just melts my heart! He's been sleeping from about 10-6:30 so that has been wonderful! Although last night he woke up at 11:00pm and was wide awake until 1:00am. I think he has his daddy's tendency of being a night owl ;) 

Here's our little reindeer 

and our Livy girl

and our sweet Landon 

Jamesy boy staring at his mama :)

and this was so cute - they fell asleep watching Thomas together <3 br="br">

I am truly blessed...

Christmas Tree Farm

We had a great time getting our Christmas tree. We have continued the tradition that I had growing up. That is, going to a Christmas tree farm to pick out our tree, riding the hayrack ride, and drinking hot cider. The kids had a blast! Olivia did not want to get off the hayride. The kids loved looking at the trees and trying to pick the perfect one. The weather was gorgeous too! It doesn't quite feel like Christmas when it's 70 degrees, but I am not complaining :)

Family picture - Too bad Olivia's not smiling, it's so hard to get a good shot of everybody!

Here's the tree the kids picked out!

Landon helped daddy cut the tree down

Watch out Olivia! She said she liked the trees with the pink on them, 

unfortunately those are the ones that are sold...

Daddy and James - I love this picture!

Olivia wanted a picture with the "rabbit" ;)