Us...for now

Here is a snapshot of our little family as of today...
Jonathan ~ The great and wonderful husband~ Jonathan is working hard. He's a great asset to the company he's working for and is an amazing father. He loves playing with the kids and is so involved. I count myself blessed to have a husband who loves spending real interactive time with his kids. He's even sweet enough to share those early morning wake up times with the kids, and he mans bathtime!

Jonathan and Liam

Jonathan and Jonah looking in the mirror

Snuggles with Jonah

 

Daddy's little girl

Natalie (me) ~ I am teaching 3rd grade this year, among other responsibilities at the school. I think this is my 7th year at WCS and I love that school! I am a bit over halfway through my Masters degree. Of course I'd love to put that off longer but Oregon wants it finished or I lose my teaching license...not something I'm willing to give up yet.2010 has been a tough year for me. Having a baby, 3 outpatient surgeries, moving to a new house, switching grade levels at work, managing a home and 3 kids...it has been a challenge but I remind myself daily, sometimes hourly, that God never gives us more than we can handle. He has given me a great man who shares my burdens and increases my joys, friends to help out when necessary, and grace to make it through the toughest moments. God is good all the time, even when I look up and say, "really?" I feel like He says, "Just watch and see."

Jonah James ~ our oldest ~ Jonah is in kindergarten and is learning how to read! He loves the social aspect of school and is such a helper at home. He is your typical oldest child and we love seeing him grow and change. It seems like just yesterday that we brought him home and began that great journey of parenting. He's excited to turn 6 (August 24) and often talks about what he wants to do for his birthday.

bathtime with Keira 2010

1st day of kindergarten Sept 2010

Liam Samuel ~ baby #2 ~ Liam is 3 years (and almost 10 months...very important to him that we specify that...he turns 4 on May 9th). He goes to preschool twice a week for a few hours each time. He loves it and is thrilled that he can write his name. He is in that precious stage of saying the letters he sees on everything. Liam is our tough guy, our lefty, and our detail-oriented child. He and Jonah play well and fight well! Looking back at pictures of our precious 2nd born I am always reminded of how God walks with us through times of uncertainty. The day before Liam's 2 week check-up he wasn't his normal cheerful self. I figured the doctor would know if anything was wrong. You always seem more willing to take things in stride with the 2nd! That morning found us rushing from the doctor to Salem's amazing NICU. Once they got him hooked up to the monitors I was shocked to see his heart racing at 280...more than double a usual heart rate for a baby. Jonathan was on his way from work. They quickly figured out Liam had super-ventricular tachycardia (SVT). There was a microscopic bit of tissue on the cartilage of his heart heart which was short-circuiting the rhythm. They assured us it was easily managed but as a mom you think the worst when something is wrong with the heart!  We spent several days in the NICU getting the dosage right and being sure he wouldn't slip back into SVT. As I walked around the NICU God once again proved His provision. I looked at those tiny babies who were struggling just to live and found myself able to put this all in to perspective. I'll take SVT over the battle these other parents were fighting any day. That next year was a challenge. Liam didn't gain, he dropped weight significantly and looked so pathetic. We tried everything only to discover that he had a rare side-effect to the meds. Once he hit a year and we took him off the meds he gained weight like no one's business! He is still our little guy but he is just fine for his age. There are no lingering effects from the first year's ordeals. We are so grateful.

1st day of pre-school 2010

Keira Noelle ~ almost 10 months (May 5th) ~ Keira came to us after our 2nd miscarriage. I felt like I was waiting for the "other shoe to drop" for the first trimester but my pregnancy with her was pretty standard. Other than a bad case of the flu and mystery stomach pain those 9 months went off without a hitch. Keira was right in the middle of the boys in every way. The labor was half of Jonah's and more than Liam's, delivery was much easier than Jonah's and harder than Liam's, her weight and height were exactly in between the boys too! Keira is my textbook baby. If they were all so easy! God knew we needed an easy one in the mix! She is growing so fast. Over Christmas she started crawling, cut her first tooth, and hasn't stopped since. Now she is everywhere, getting in to everything and keeping us on our toes. She is standing on her own and desperately wants to walk and keep up with those boys! She says momma, dadda, no-nah (Jonah, we think), and no no...so cute! She gets excessively happy when she sees her bottle and goes down for bed like a pro...she doesn't always stay alseep at night but every baby has to have at least one issue I suppose. I didn't really think it would be that different having a girl but it really is! She is a joy and a blessing.

So, life is crazy, full, and always ready to provide a challenge. I couldn't choose a better family to spend these years with. My goal is to focus on spending true quality time with one another and not just allowing ourselves to "get by". I still harbor that secret hope that some unknown relative will leave us an unexpected inheritance and I'll be able to be home with my kids all the time. I never really thought I'd work full-time with 3 kids but God has set us on this path and we'll walk it through to the end.