Ringing in March

 February finalllllly ended and we celebrated that Matt made it through layoffs at GM! We started making lists of all the things we needed and wanted to get accomplished now that we were staying in Michigan.

The children made themselves comfy and claimed the house by messing up as much as possible.

I think it's like a "marking your territory" type of thing for toddlers.

 Sarah's sense of humor is becoming finely tuned. 

She reminds me so much of her Dad. 

We made thrones with the Edwards and celebrated the Feast of the Chair of Peter. In such a tumultuous time in the Church, it was SO VERY GOOD to remind ourselves of our roots and why we believe what we believe.

So many people tell me that soaking tubs are a waste of space, but this one gets more use than any tub I've ever known. It is also very good for curing boredom and is a fun escape for kids who need a chill out. This pregnancy has been remarkably better because of this tub.

God Bless This Space!

Baby's very first clothes came to the house, sent with love from our Mr. and Mrs. Zion in Syracuse. She now has a coming home outfit! We washed and dried and folded the set...and then unfolded and folded again. It doesn't get old! We cannot wait for our baby to come!

Charlie simply can't understand why the hats are so small.

Danny can't understand why everything is so pink.

 So Much DABBING

Nick and Erika took vacation time around Nick's birthday to come visit us!

We had an amazing time. We relaxed, played games, watched movies, ate, ate, ate, and just enjoyed each other's company. I think we only left the house twice, once for a couple's date and once for Church.

It was perfect.

We celebrated Nick's birthday with a Sonic themed party. It was a hoot. He and Erika are not above the cartoons and video games that the kids love, so everything was just super comfortable and fun.

Erika, loving on Sarah.

Growth

By mid-February, most of the children had started putting down roots here in Michigan. 

The friends they made became closer. 

Matt and I took extra time and care to encourage their relationships with each other as siblings as well.

I received a book from Matt for Christmas about Liturgical Living throughout the year, especially within our homes. It has been a game-changer for me...and I think the kids like it too!

We have been celebrating and remembering Feast Days and special events within the Church, and truly trying to incorporate our faith into our daily living. 

Making grottos for Our Lady of Lourdes Feast

When introverts born in the 80's try to flirt with their spouses...

After my brothers bought Mariokart for the children for Christmas, my life has been a series of mustaches. 

This is Sarah proclaiming the wonders of Crayola. 

This is just moments before they realized that Sharpie mustaches were better for longevity.

They even plastered Baby L with a 'stache.

You know that moment you realize you aren't dealing with the same child you had 30 seconds ago?

That moment that the past 12 years flash before your eyes? 

The split second that you comprehend all that hard work and love and sweat and blood and tears and prayers went into the making of a real-live, independent and kind human?

Yeah.

Slow down, girl.

Saturday morning haircuts. This particular project takes a LOT longer than it used to now that there are 6 gentlemen in need.

I am in SO.MUCH.TROUBLE.

#LEGIT

The kids made Valentines for Matt. I have officially retired from teaching them art, as their skills have all surpassed my own. They drew these after just looking at pictures.

I guess this post could have been labeled as The Year Sarah Bloomed. She started sewing lessons, and made a baby carseat cover for Baby L.

In one of her happy places.

This has also been a time of growth for Matt, as he is now getting back into the swing of helping at bedtime...

Charles especially loves when Dad helps him brush his teeth so that it sounds like a train in his mouth. 

NEW FAVORITE BEDTIME BOOK!

I love everything about this.

February Begins

The crazy weather insisted on staying put into February. We hung blankets over the windows because the wind felt as though it could travel through glass. We continued to hang on tight to one another, looking at each day as it came. 

We appreciated the small things and said "Absolutely Not!" to anything that disturbed the peace. It was a sacred time. 

Mrs. Zion sent gift boxes! We received cookies to decorate and books to read, a drawing book for Tommy and binoculars for the kids to watch all our new birds at our feeder. 

Getting into the 3rd trimester in pregnancy meant a lot of changes for everyone. The children especially despised my cravings...

Charlie disliked that his "mommy lap" had disappeared almost overnight to make space for "Baaaaaaaaaaabyyyyyyyyy". We found new ways to snuggle and I continue to tell him it will only be a couple more weeks.

Nate. Nate. Nate. This child is COVERED in bruises and scratches! He is hilarious. He tries so hard to be patient and never complain, but he honors these beauty marks as badges of honor.

Tommy calls Charles "Chunky Charvie" and the name has stuck. 

They have a strange relationship which none of us truly understand, but Matt says it is because they are the same exact person...born 8 years apart.

The layoff days at GM dragged on and on. Matt and I talked often and made plans about cleaning/purging the house and getting it ready for selling again. We were detaching and it was ok.

It was a good nesting project, truthfully.

 Matt came home every night overwhelmed and headachey, watching coworkers lose their jobs and living in panic that he would be next. It made me think of the days when men came home from work and needed a pipe and paper and slippers.

Matt came home and put on earmuffs. 

The children were merciless and never let him be. It was a good thing, in the end. 

Priorities.