More brother love

I knew the boys would love Haven but I had no idea they would love her as much as they do. They love her being near them. They stop what they are doing just to look at her and talk to her. Rarely can they walk by without acknowledging her presence. They L.O.V.E. Miss Haven. And no doubt, she loves them. It is fun to see her smile at them and be content just watching them play. 

They enjoy it when I put them to bed with her in the room.

I had left H on the floor one morning to get something done (which is done a lot). I looked over to check on her and I saw K up close with her. She had put her arm on his as well. So sweet.

S had so much fun bathing with H

All three love their sister, but Kenan is truly smitten. I think these two will have a special bond, even as they get older.

Brotherly love

The three boys have been smitten by this little sweetie. She has stolen all their hearts and they are in love. Time has not worn off their excitement for her. 

Words we hear around the house...

 "I love her so much!"  "She's beautiful!"

 Silas, running up to her and whispering to me, "She can be in our club!"

S: "I don't know who is prettier- Haven or mommy"

Kenan: "She's so delicious!" "I am drawn to her! I can't help but kiss her. Her face makes me kiss her!"

Dawson, talking to his brothers, "I wish I could sit by her in the car. You guys are so lucky!"

                                                     "She's the cutest baby in the world"

She is feasting on all the love and attention.

Family pictures

We tried for family pictures on Easter but the boys were not in the mood. Neither was Haven. Seems she wanted to join her brothers in the chaos of picture taking. :)

Adding one more kid makes it even harder to get 4 happy faces.

I realize my eyes are closed but can her crying face be any cuter?

Since Easter pics weren't so great, I told the boys that the only thing I wanted for Mother's day was a family picture. :) I dressed them the same and hoped we'd get something...

So used to saying, "my boys" but now there's also a little miss!

D teaching H to walk.

Easter eggs

One nice thing about being in the States as long as we have been this time is that we have gotten to enjoy the seasons and holidays. Even though they are boys and don't enjoy crafts too much, they do get into dyeing eggs. 

This year we did tie dye eggs which were a lot of fun and looked great.

Silas did the same thing he did several years prior by rapidly dropping all his eggs one by one into the blue dye. Thankfully, he got a couple that were a little different this year.

I love you - - - yes I do

All the eggs for Haven

Kenan's eggs. He even tried a Mali flag tie dye one.

Dawson's

Silas- after he got into the tie dye

Spring is here!

Spring is here! In the air and in my heart. It was a long and cold winter, but spring has sprung. I am filled with joy as I walk outside and see His creation bursting forth. How can you not when the beauty is abounding? He is good and His creation is breathtaking.

Thankfully, spring has come to my heart as well. Just as a North Carolina spring has cold and rainy days mixed into the days of glorious bliss, so does my heart, but mostly, there is joy. I’m thankful for His unexpected (to me) plans.  I sit in amazement of how I ever thought our family was complete without Haven. He knows what we need and I am so thankful. His ways are good, all together good. I’m thankful He finds me worthy of His chastening. New growth is sweeter after the pain. 

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

I have loved the “Beautiful Things” album by Gungor during this season. The words have ministered to my soul. Seeing that posting the lyrics to all the songs is a bit overkill, I’ll just post the title song as it is so fitting.

All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

More pics of our little girl

We love this girl and I love taking pictures of her! 

This is probably the last time she'll be in the zebra outfit- she is getting too big!

Her kissing brother, Kenan, can't go long without holding her or just walking by to gives kisses (thus his new name). He loves, loves, loves his sister.

I am pretty in love with my little girl as well and give my good share of kisses as well. :)

                                      

This is a new ring I got to symbolize our family. It is all of our birthstones. I love it!

Haven's first trip to the beach

We took a quick little trip to the beach to visit a few friends. It was supposed to just be Brett going but since it was spring break and my mom was off, we decided to all go. Haven slept the whole way there- a wonderful start for her traveling life...hopefully that will continue. :)

Haven called the first nap on the hotel bed.

It was cold but beautiful at the beach. The boys loved feeding seagulls.

Havey just kept sleeping. :) Hopefully she'll be more awake for her next visit to the beach. :)