Hello from Niva! Looking at the photo below reminds me that she is in need of a bath and a good brush out because the season for her to blow her coat has begun.

I told you everyone in our house “fights” over these pillows and apparently that includes Niva as well 😂

How was your Mother’s Day weekend? I have a few photos and thoughts from ours to share.

I finished this Bible study on motherhood for the second time and it was just as wonderful doing it again! Now, I’m studying the life of Moses with my dad 😊

I’ve done countless Bible studies through Daily Grace Co. and my top three favorites have been the one above on motherhood, the one on the book of Job, and one on contentment.

I was so spoiled for Mother’s Day! My own mom and mother-in-law gave me gifts. How sweet is that? These women are so special to me and deserve more than I could ever give them. I always thank my mother-in-law for raising the man of my dreams and I thank my own mom for always loving and believing in me like only a mom can 🫶

I told Sadie thanks for being the one to make me a mom. I wouldn’t want any other kiddo to introduce me to motherhood. She has taught me so much!

Having Sadie taught me to be less selfish. Having our first child rocked my world. I couldn’t just do whatever I wanted when I wanted. Having Mordecai taught me gratitude. We struggled to conceive him and when we finally had him in our arms… the gratitude was unreal! Dakota is teaching me surrender to God’s plan. Her hemangioma has been an unexpected issue that is teaching me to let go and allow God’s plan to unfold. I will blog more about it very soon, promise!

I just realized this was my first Mother’s Day as a mom of three. Wow does that feel crazy! What a blessing these children are. Do I feel like I’m drowning in responsibility some days? Yes. But it’s also my greatest joy, if that makes sense. Writing about motherhood feels like untangling a ball of yarn because there are so many emotions that are all connected… exhaustion and gratitude, fear and faith, surrender and so much more.

I always revel in the fact that God made mine and Jimmy’s specific children our children. Like He looked down and thought we needed a Sadie, a Mordecai, and a Dakota–each with their unique personalities, strengths, and struggles. It’s humbling! I’m always praying I can be the mom they need while resting in the fact that I can’t be their everything because I’m an imperfect sinner who messes up every single day. Jesus is Who they truly need and I will always be there to point them to Him as long as I live.

We were outside after church on Sunday and Sadie insisted I shoot my bow and arrow. I hadn’t done that in such a long time. It felt so nice to do one of my favorite hobbies. Nevermind the fact that I didn’t change out of my dress 😂

When I pull out my bow, I always get asked if I’m a hunter and the answer is no! I just like to goof around. I have such great memories of using a bow and arrows as a child and I love doing it now as an adult.

Jimmy gave me the one thing I was hoping for gift-wise for Mother’s Day… a personalized necklace! I realize the picture below doesn’t do it justice, but it says each of the kid’s names, has a cross, and tiny diamonds. He did a great job picking it out and I absolutely treasure it 🩶

Other things from the week:

A batch of twice baked potatoes. I try and make these at least once a week and then we have them for sides for a few dinners. I’m thinking of making a big batch of pasta salad here soon. That sounds perfect for the warmer weather we’re having lately!

I love sitting on our porch swing while I feed Dakota. It’s the sweetest to look up and see Sadie and Mordecai playing so contentedly.

Love these three so much!

Dakota is growing and changing by the day! Sadie loves when she wears Hello Kitty clothes. Too fun!

I switched Sadie’s sensory bin from Easter items to summer-y items and she was so excited to make this cool scene. She said “Can you take a picture and put it on your blog?” so here it is!

As a child, we would visit my great grandpa in upstate New York and he always had peppermint patties in a candy dish next to toothpicks. He taught me and my siblings to eat the peppermint patty almost like a lollipop with the toothpick in it. I did it the other day and felt super sentimental! Do you have any memories like that with family members?

We’re in that weird swaddle transition phase with Dakota… so out came the old Merlin Magic Sleepsuit. Dakota was doing super well in this newborn swaddle but was getting waaay too big for it. We obviously can’t swaddle her forever, so I pulled out the magic sleepsuit, which helps to transition a baby from a swaddle. All three of our kids have loved this thing (you can see poor Mordecai in it in this post lol)! Does it look ridiculous? Yes. But sleep is important haha.

Dakota had her first ophthalmologist appointment this week and was a trooper through having her pupils dilated and having an eye exam!

Other thoughts:

• I painted my toenails on Mother’s Day and I am loving the color. The last time I had polish on my toes was around New Year’s so I was definitely due!
• When I was hanging out with my sister recently, she told me that someone made her family a postpartum meal and gave them paper plates and disposable utensils with the meal and my mind was blown. That is such a good idea. From now on, I’m giving new moms paper plates with a postpartum meal 😉
• Are you looking for the comfiest sandals? Look no further. Crocs makes sandals and they’re fairly cute (in my opinion!) and just dreamy on your feet.
• You know how kids say words for things… Mordecai says “Mon” for more. “Mom, I want mon waffles” is often heard in our kitchen 🧇
• I got electric salt and pepper grinders and whoa are they life changing. I can hold a child and grind fresh pepper at the same time!!
• I’m notoriously slow. Leaving the house takes me forever sometimes. I need to use the restroom… then I need to fill my water bottle… oh wait, I almost forgot diapers! Jimmy says I’m poky and now calls me Pocahontas 😆
• Sadie is currently loving this Minecraft book and I just picked up this novel! What are you currently reading?