Chicks, Babers, Ya, and Brother

So, Russ is at a retreat this weekend and what do I sit around doing?  Looking at old pictures on the computer.  I found some gems!  ;)  These are all sometime within the last year. My, how time flies.

Chicks!  We really don't call her that anymore, and I don't even think she'll respond to it.  Noa Jane is our sweet firstborn.  Her love for music is amazing, and I love to hear her worship the Lord and make up songs in her childlike way.  She is both tenderhearted and bossy, level-headed and goofy.  I love who the Lord came up with when He made Noa.

Babers!  Ruthie, Ruthie, Ruthie.  I feel like I call her name ten thousand times a day.  Maybe that's why she doesn't respond to me!  Need to tone down the directives, Mom!  ;)  Ruthie is passionate and curious, shy but friendly.  She's a quirky little doll that keeps us guessing (and praying for that matter!). I love my Ruthie Joy.  I was never quite sure of that middle name, but now that I know her I'm glad we chose it because it suits her perfectly.  She is definitely a joy.

Ya-ya!  I think we have another passionate one on our hands!  Even though Lydie is girl #3, she definitely doesn't let the older two push her around.  This girl is feisty!  And really, really, really sweet. She melts us with her hugs and kisses every day.  She is extremely verbal and very smart.  We've kind of been amazed by the things she'll put together, I'm sure from watching the other two.  I'm excited to how her personality blossoms as she learns even more words.  I love my little ya and am thankful for her beautiful smile (and dimples!), her warm heart, and her silly laugh.  I could listen to it all day long.  

Brother!  Poor Caleb has the most boring nick-name. But it fits! Out-numbered! Easy to identify in pics!  He is every bit as precious as he looks in this picture.  He is now a month old and has been eating well, sleeping well, loving well, and enduring a LOT of hugging, touching, carrying, holding, kissing, dropping, feeding, and all kinds of things from his other 3 "mommies."  He seems to be very laid back.  I was never sure about having a boy.  I'm not sure why; I guess I was just used to girls.  But of course NOW, I can't imagine my days without him.  He is such a blessing to us and definitely a piece of the puzzle that was missing.  We love you Cabes!

Thank you for enduring this weepy, sentimental post about my kids.  I am so amazed by the amount of love the Lord places in our hearts for our kids, even though they've turned our world up-side-down since they came!  I wonder what we did with all of our time before kids???  I'm sure it wasn't very important.  But anyway, oh how I love them.  Totally humbled that the Lord chose ME to be their mom!  I hit the jackpot with these kids and I totally don't even know what I'm doing!  Thankful also for his grace because He is fully aware that I don't know what I'm doing!  :)  

James 1:17 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down 

from the Father of heavenly lights."