Kiersten's Catching Up!

Where to begin...  Kiersten has been an incredible blessing as our 4th child.  When we found out that I was pregnant I wasn't sure how I would do with 4 so close in age.  The Lord formed her in my womb and has given her one of the sweetest personalities ever. She is full of smiles and giggles.  Mostly content to just observe the busyness of our home.  She has had the hardest time with teething, but has been amazingly sweet in spite of it.  She is walking and starting to chat a bit.  She says Mum Mum and Dada. She tries to sing along in church and is addicted to ice cream:)  Totally my fault.  She already knows what I'm talking about when she hears me say it!  She gets over to me as quickly as possible and squeals for her share, quickly rewarding me with smiles when it enters her mouth.  The Lord has truly blessed us with growth in many areas this year.  Allowing us to enjoy all her stages and appreciating all the time that we get to spend with the kids.  Even those late night snugglers that find their way into our bed.  We joke about getting another queen size bed and having a wall to wall bed.  We put them to bed in their own rooms and they sleep well most nights, but at least twice a week we end up with several warm bodies pulling the covers their way:)  The one that brings the most discomfort is often Caleb.  If there's already another child in the middle of the bed he lays across me legs and goes back to sleep.  I should just get up and move him, but he really seems to like it:) It won't last forever and I know that I will miss it when they grow past the stage where they want to be snuggled.  We're trying to live life in such a way that we don't have regrets for time ill spent, words of love and apology not said and making as many memories as possible.  Loving the way that the Lord is opening up so many opportunities to teach them about Himself.  They are like little sponges and I look forward to hearing what Kiersten's little girl and big girl voice will sound like.  When I call home and Elyssia answers the phone I still hear a babyish voice, but she is growing up really fast and is such a blessing as a big sister.  Yes, there are days where she is a negative influence on the others, but her helpfulness far outweighs the other.  The other little girls at church finally started to notice Kiersten. Before she only got glances, but now that she can walk with them she's become a little playmate in their eyes.  I love the sparkle in Kiersten's eyes when they come to play with her.  It's like she's saying "I'm a big girl now, they want to play with me, I have friends!"  Fall has started and Winter always comes on its' heels around here.  We had lots of rain this summer so it's kinda felt like Spring all summer.  Now it's Fall and I'm more in the mood for baking and fixing things to warm us up. I'm sooo thankful that we have the kids, their homeschooling and the church to keep up busy during the long, cold winters here.  I'm hoping that the winter passes as quickly as the summer did though.  Maybe even faster, because with Spring we're hoping to take a trip to Georgia.  One thing at a time though and I'm kinda stealing Kiersten's post to talk about it:)  Well, it's about that time.  It's getting late and Elyssia is playing a game of Checkers with Daddy before bed.  Til next time....