hi!

I keep wanting to post but feel totally overwhelmed by the fact it's been over 5 months since I last wrote.  It's as if I'm 13 and writing in my journal, "Dear Journal, it's me.  Lots to write!  I just got home from my first dance but mom says lights out, so I'll write more later."  

Except I'm 29 (and 2 years) and I'm the mom now.  I mean, three is hard, y'all.  

Well I guess I gotta start somewhere.  I'll randomly catch up on some of this in other posts, but since I last wrote, Atlas (bebe # 3) was born.  That was immediately followed by a wild, near death, delivery experience.  I went back to work at 6 weeks after the holidays. I joined a running group, Run Buds, at Bull City Running Co.  Story Katherine turned 2!  We enjoyed Easter.  Story decided to start potty training herself and is doing well.  So proud of her!   It's our anniversary this weekend-- 6 years! School is almost out.  Now we're caught up.  ha.

And of course, a post isn't a post without pictures.  These are all old, but for whatever reason I want to remember them here on the blog.  

I took the kids to the Santa Train at the Museum, and IMO it is totally over rated.  Most of the riders are adults (parents/grandparents) accompanying a lesser ratio of young children.  In other words, lots of big people on a little train with little people dispersed among them.  If the proceeds didn't go to improve the museum, I'd say don't waste your money.  But I do love this museum!  I think also, my kids might have been a little too young to fully enjoy the experience.  All the other kids kept commenting about Rudolph and Santa and lights, and Tag kept saying... there's Star Wars!  Look it's Darth Vader!  (He has never seen any movie or anything... just learned about it from his friend Robert at school).  Story whined and cried and was ready for bed the minute we got there.

 I had to take a photo of these Christmas gifts.  My people love me =)  That's 100+ K cups which I went through in less than 3 months.  I won't say how long the rest took to consume.  But again, I love my Cobb kin.  

"So this is Christmas...."  That's what comes to my mind when I see this picture.  I'm sure kids only remember the joyful exciting, present-opening parts.  But I think the adults get the full picture with all the traveling and lack of sleep and melt downs and gift buying/giving, and empty pockets with which we are left.  I am thankful for my church and believer community who ground me and remind me what it's really about.  And recently at Easter, my pastor said something that I thought profound.  He basically said, that most people see Jesus' resurrection from the dead as the most amazing miracle to be celebrated. But that it should come as no surprise after the earlier miracle that God became man through a virginal conception.  RIGHT?  Either way, I'm glad we celebrate both.  And thankful for the ways I am reminded of the real reason for each season.  Jesus.

In trying to be "helpful" during the busy season of adding another babe, some beloved family members (on 2 different occasions) decided to take hair cutting matters into their own hands.  It was a big risk, because Brentley ALMOST revoked overnight privileges.  But, you don't bite the hand that relieves you.  You just warn them (politely).  It does makes for funny pictures.  Sorry Tag! HA!    

I've had lots of people ask how we fit into the highlander or jokingly comment about how we need a van.  I think I've made my opinions on vans clear, and this should be evidence to that notion.  We squeeze into the highlander like sardines.  We love each other though, so it's all good.  And no, you can't ride with us.  Sorry!

In case further evidence was needed on why "trimming" bangs is not harmless...  HAHA!!  He's a boy, I swear.  

Finally Brentley decided to take Tag to the new mens barbershop down town.  His hair is still wild, but not long everywhere so it seems to be keeping the old people at bay.  By old people I mean, nearly every one of our relatives near and far on every side had made comments when we tried to just let his hair grow.   

Sometimes you just have a fun, sweet moment you want to remember.  So I took this "groupie," and totally forgot the memory.  Boo!   

 Our yard is pretty sub par most days, but in the snow, man... it's so pretty!  I had to take a pic!  Especially since it snowed SO much this winter.  

 Mimi and Papa got Tag and Story some rain boots for Christmas.  We love these boots so, so, much.  Tag and Story can put them on themselves too, so they keep the kids giggling on days when we can't manage pants.  We have to hide them or order them to change shoes most days when it's not "rain boot" weather.

For a while this spring we were pretty motivated about going for runs on the AT.  You wouldn't tell it to look at me, though.  Maybe because I get to push the single stroller, and I walk a lot?  HA.  Atlas and I aren't pictured, but this is how we do the AT and get work outs in with 3 kids and no gym membership.  

We got bath crayons at some point this winter and they didn't last long.  We had fun with them but then realized, they're not super easy to clean if you leave the pictures up for longer than a day or two.  See how Tag has the colors on his back?  HAHA!  Story is totally our artist in residence.  Girl loves to color and write... on ANYTHING!  

 This girl!  She loved the snow so much.  Eating it was really her main thing.  It's fun to see that some things don't change between genders... kids will eat gross, yucky, weird things.  Increases immunity, "they" say.  

Christmas morning Story just decided to take a load off and watch Tag open gifts.  I don't think she really knew what was up.  Milk is to Story what coffee is to me... She wakes up and whines, "I need milk, mommieee."  Not a morning person, this girl.  Tag however takes after Brentley and his family... BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS upon waking.

Tag is a super big bro.  He truly loves Atlas.  He and Story both have really made me so proud how they talk and treat him.  I asked Tag to "babysit" Atlas in his bed for a minute while I dressed Story.  He was so excited and kept patting him and trying to hold him.  (PS: we have rails around the bed, and I never left the room, in case you were about to call Social Services!)

My amazing neighbors came and got Tag to go sledding at Central Park one snow day this winter.  The bad thing about working from home for a global company, is that snow days mean nothing.  If your internet and power work, so do you!  This was such a gift to me though, to have friends and neighbors who were thoughtful enough to invite Tag along.  

This was a "choose your battle" day.  My request for him to leave his spidy swim gear at home was denied.  

**I purposely saved the Atlas pics.  He does get photographed, held, loved, and cherished, I swear!  I can't wait to write about how much I love that nugget.  Let the babying my "baby" begin.  You know how they say the youngest can do no wrong in some parents eyes... I'm starting to get that!   

thoughts on the changing season

regrets.
almost every time i post a blog, i have major regrets.  like, "what if i said something that offended someone," or "what if my kid grows up and reads this," or "what will so-in-so think," or "welp, now everyone knows what a loose operation i'm running. they must think bla bla bla, about me."  

but then i remember this one sermon i heard years ago.  it was about how some of us tend to replay conversations in our heads about how we said something or what we talked about or what we should have said better.  And how that behavior is a form of pride. and though that might not automatically compute for you--think on it.  it's so true.  why would we second guess ourselves if not for fear of what others think?  will they be mad/offended/hurt/upset?  OH NO!  i might be forced to admit that i'm not perfect and have to apologize.  enter humility--the opposite of pride.     

and as it turns out, pride is my achilles heel.  i care too much about what others think, about what my outside self presents to the world.  i care what you think about my parenting skills, my outfit, heck i sometimes care what you think about my kids' outfit.  i care about posting my opinions and thoughts on blogs  and, i care if i hurt anyone ever with my words.  i care about that last thing because Jesus is in my heart. and because i want the words from my mouth and the meditations of my heart to be acceptable in HIS sight.  and, if i hurt anyone with words, it's most likely, NOT acceptable.  plus, i want others to see the merciful, saving grace of the father when they interact with me.  i want my life to reflect, not me and my works, but God and His works.  i want you to see Jesus in me.      

this season of my life is changing my propensity to care for what others think of me, though.  it's wearing me down so thin that i no longer have the energy to create a second, more presentable version of myself.  i'm at a point where i can no longer manage to remember to regret how i said what i said... that other day.  i just have to hope and pray that God's grace covers my shortcomings in the eyes of others too.  not necessarily by blinding them, but maybe by giving them the grace to not be easily offended.  or maybe by revealing to them in that moment, just how weak and dependent on Him I am--just like they are!  

(One of those days where I couldn't do much more than turn on Woody and Buzz before bed.  lounging with my 3 babies--in utero counts!)


and for all those other sinful, pride-filled ways that i care, well, i need to get over them.  i hope and that when we have guests over, they don't notice the cobwebs in the corner of the room, or the skittle colored handprint on the light colored chair.  i hope that whenever i offer for someone to ride with me some place, that it wasn't one of those (hot) days where i forgot a diaper in the car.  not that it matters... i'm prreeeetty sure, my car still smells like a diaper.   

(and, shout out to my dear friend tracy who did not make me feel bad at all last week when she saw the spread of chick-fil-a chicken and french fries, from days before, on the floor in the back seat of our car.  i love you sister!  and, i did clean my car this week--haha!)  

new challenges.
                



(Photo from 37 wk apt.  I'd post 38 wk apt photo, but y'all know how vain i am!)

tomorrow, i'll be 39 weeks pregnant with baby number 3.  for the past few weekends, brentley has given me saturdays to sleep, nest, and sleep more. last night, i went to bed at 730 and slept till 730 this morning (save 4 or 5 bathroom trips).  it was glorious.  it is glorious!  i am rested, my toes are painted (had a pedi just a few hours ago, what what!), and now i'm catching up on my blog, trying not to needlessly spend money, but OH-SO-READY for this baby to come!  but at the same time that i'm ready, i'm not.  because, i'm still not ready to be a mom of 3 kids.  i'm terrified.  i'm overwhelmed.  i feel guilt for even saying that, but there it is.  

i suppose i'm very aware that i'm at the precipice of the most challenging season of my life yet.  and my performance here is crucial.  i don't mean the birthing performance.  because,  that ain't no performance.  it's straight up survival and raw biology.  it's something you try to remember forever and forget at the same time.  no, i mean the performance of being a wife and mother to 3 kids under 3.  those are my top priorities, and i want to be awesome at them.  i want tag and story to never want for mom's attention.  i want for them to each know and feel absolute love and adoration from me.  i want to be faithful to discipline them well.  i want to keep them all alive and well (i'm so serious here!).  i want this new baby to capture my heart the way tag and story have.  i want it to be loved and cherished and adored in equal measure.  i want my family to want for nothing from me--for me to be able to give it all.  i want my man to know how much i cherish and adore him.  i want him to know how strong being with him makes me.  i want to not be the grumbling wife who only speaks of her aches and pains and terrible night's sleep.  i want to be the cheerful mother who does not snarl at making the kids breakfast before i can make my own coffee.  i want to remember to thank B for coming home and jumping into the madness with joyful energy.  i want to use my 6 weeks maternity leave from work to help create a smooth transition for my family.  i want to be so ambitious even though i know those first 6 weeks are mama-zombie-land.  

But, the reality of what i want is entirely impossible.  i cannot be any of these things without supernatural strength that only God can supply.  i won't do any of these things without drowning in thoughts of ME (because i'm selfish like that), unless God changes my heart, daily.  and so, as i think about the challenges ahead with fear and trembling and joy and anticipation, i find myself reading and re-reading (because our homegroup is studying Philippians), these passages below...prayerfully.  

Oh Lord help me to, in humility count others more significant than myself.  help me to rejoice in You.  help me to not be anxious, to be content, and to ask you for strength DAILY. 

Christ's Example of Humility

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:1-11, ESV)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

God's Provision

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:4-13, ESV)

ok.  i'm done with my blog post overload this weekend.  i probably won't post again for 3 months, but hopefully soon i can at least post a photo of our soon to be family of 5 complete with gender reveal!!!!  and, if you remember us in prayer, i'd be ever so grateful!  there's nothing we need more.  

PS: here's a cute video, if you want to see what tag and story think about my baby belly or hear tag sing his song.

October Rewind

  

The month of October this year, just FLEW by.  Work was crazy for Brentley and me...just that time of year.  Tag caught the fever of Halloween early (no thanks to stores putting out costumes and decorations in early september), so we ended up celebrating the whole month.  

We started off in early October by going to a pumpkin festival with some friends.  It was Tag's first shot at using a port-a-potty... with mixed results.  Tag and Coen had fun just running around commenting on the tractors, the pumpkins, and the "gun shooters," which were the people acting out a scene from the wild west.  The boys saw all of 45 seconds of this act, and immediately figured out guns, how they work, and how special the shot gun shells they received were.  I've tried not to have toy guns in our house or even let Tag watch TV with guns or anything of that nature... but it seems it's in his blood.  HA!

Below I'm about 32 weeks prego and Tag is doing his awesome squishy smile.  That kid is really not interested in posing for a camera...much like his father.  But I do cherish these photos!  Oh, and Story rode a water buffalo--LOVED IT! 

 

The next night, B decided that since we didn't actually buy a pumpkin at the pumpkin festival, we should go to Kroger and get some.  But, the anticipation of carving it was just too much.  So we did it...a month early.  The kids actually seemed to enjoy it which is what really counts.  We had to keep SK in the high chair about half the time to keep her from messing with the knives.  Eventually, she and Tag helped pick up and pull out seeds which I had every intention of baking into a delicious pinterest worthy snack... but I tossed em.  Ain't got time for that! Besides, Story seemed content to eat them raw.  (SO GROSS, and no we didn't let her... she just kept finding them and trying to eat them).    

After we got some of the seasonal celebrations out of the way early, Tag felt very confused about what he wanted to "be" for Halloween.  He wanted to be something "spoky" (as in wheel spoke rather than spooky), like a ghost or a skeleton.  When he talked about school, he told me what everyone else was going to be and depending on the day he was going to be Batman, Robin, a Skeleton to scare his friends, a "Bampire" (i think he got this from the 1983 version of spiderman where they fight a vampire?), super why (Wyatt), Jake and the Neverland Pirates (Jake?),and the list goes on.  He also almost always told us what Story was going to be, and of course it coordinated with whatever he wanted to be.  After a few trips to Kroger, B went ahead and got Tag a smiley faced skeleton costume.  It was super cheap so we had to keep it away from him all month until he could actually wear it.  Sure enough, it didn't make it past one wear.  But, he wore Captain America to school the Wednesday before Halloween and everyone loved it!  They said it really fit his personality (Though, I think Hulk fits better)--HAH!

Below are a few photos from the month which kind of capture the spirit of the season.  Tag dressed up regularly, and occasionally I was able to capture a photo.  In the one below, you'll notice he's holding a booger sucker (stolen from baby's room), which he considers his water hose because he's dressed as a fireman.  Couldn't you tell? 

 This is me dressed up as a 37 week pregnant woman who was only 35 weeks.  My kids grow in crazy spurts!

 Miss Molly took Tag and Story on a mystery ride, and they got to go to McDonald's where Tag got this super awesome batman mask.  It was a challenge trying to get it off before he got out to go to school from the carpool line.  Furthermore, Tag now affectionately calls McDonald's --Old Mac Donalds, and asks to go on the regular.  "Can we PWEESSE go to Old Mac Donalds?"  If they still had Reeces McFlurries, then maybe.  But no.  JK.  kind of.   

 Tag got this police costume earlier this year and has never really played with it too much, but then his school had firemen come to talk about fire safety.  They showed him their fire suits and helmets, and hoses.... and instantly, he wanted to be a fireman for Halloween.  This police hat below became his mask to protect against fires.  The boots too.  All a part of the outfit.  

We found this park tucked away near us called Twin Lakes.  So we hit that up about every other week.  Tag and SK love to look for ducks and feed them (if we remember to bring bread).  They have a fun park too.  

  

On Halloween, Miss Molly came dressed as Wonder Woman.  Tag calls Wonder Woman, "Woman Girl."  But anyway, the kids loved it!  I adore this girl, Molly.  She literally is Wonder Woman for us some days.  Tag was being stubborn and wouldn't pose for a picture, though he was dressed in his Skeleton costume already.  Story, we decided was better off in her Halloween shirt until all meals were finished =)

Tag's costume for school on Wednesday before Halloween.

 Our neighbor Angie took this photo of us on Halloween.  I love how Tag actually smiled.  It's almost as if he knew he was about to go trick-or-treating! 

 The first house we went to was Miss Graciella's.  Story just busted right on in!

 On the way over to Miss Graciella's house! Tag didn't even let us put his costume all the way on.  Once he saw the kids starting to Trick- or treat, he was off!

  
Below is a photo with JR and Katrina. Tag couldn't figure out who JR was dressed up as... "who is Chunky, mom?" And, I honestly don't know what to say about "Chucky" except I hope Tag never, ever, knows about him.  Anyway!  Katrina was dressed as lovely little Snow White.  Tag is bursting with excitement below... can you see him trying to contain it?  

 This last picture was a sweet moment for me.  As I waddled behind, I just had to stop and take a photo.  It's our very first trick-or-treat!  We're headed over to Ms. Mel's house (lives directly behind us), where we were hooked up quite nicely with candy! 

       
PS: Here's a video of Tag while he was carving his first pumpkin with daddy 

Just Keep Going.

I'm in week 1.0 of feeling that burst of energy where you nest like crazy.  I'm 29.5 weeks along in pregnancy # 3.  In my head and by the looks of my person, I'm probably 32.5 weeks.  NONE of that makes sense. But it's where I am today.

September at work is our busiest, craziest, make it or break it month since it's the end of the fiscal year.  I kind of love it in that I'm-really-productive-under-pressure kind of way.  School /PMO is back in session for the kiddos.  Routine has come back into our lives, and I embrace it!  I want to give it a hug, I missed it THAT much this summer.

[Tag on his way to school Monday.  SK not pictured, as she was still in PJ's and under the weather :/]  

We've been working on getting Tag and SK set up in the same room this past week, which so far is going OK.  I don't want to say anything more, lest it turn into the disaster I fear and don't have time for. 

I feel like I can say good things about the potty training situation, though.  For real.  It's done.  I think we built it up and made a big deal of it, and Tag was kind of intimidated by the process and by failing.  But once he got past his first real #2 situation, it's been pretty much smooth sailing.  Lately he's been insisting on standing up to pee, which is not always awesome, but I let him.  Because he's learning to clean up after himself, so he can help tidy up the accidents.  PRAISE BE!  The other day though, he insisted he stand up to poop.  And, after saying "no" 10 times and a mini melt down from him, I was like-- OK.  Stand up to poop.  Let me know how that works out.  He called me in when he was done and I suppose worked out the logistics in his head and realized it's best to sit.  

I will say that potty training was a good wake up call for me on all my presumptions.  I definitely recall making comments like "if my child is old enough to ask for a diaper, then he will be potty trained."  Well, truth be told, I probably wouldn't have even had him potty trained at 3 except I had Miss Molly helping me, AND I knew he needed to be for 3 year old pre-school.  The thing is, that comment was stupid.  I apologize to whomever out there I said that to, and I apologize in advance for any other similar statements you may have heard from my arrogant mouth.  We can all say whatever we want about parenting before we get to the stage where we have to do said parenting, and then we'll likely eat our words.  From now on, I say--SURVIVE!  JUST KEEP GOING.  DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO.  

A neighbor of mine was telling me how she had her adopted son potty trained at 18 months.  I was like, seriously????  And then I literally said, "I don't believe you."  And she responds, "I was a single mom.  I couldn't afford diapers any more."  And, then I got it.  DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO.  And, props to Ms. Cynthia!  One day, she's going to be on HGTV or some Oprah spin off winning a car for her awesomeness.  OK, I digress.  

[Sunday morning, sick day in mom and dad's bed]

Back to what I have time for (or not).  You know that saying "... like a well oiled machine" or "... run a tight ship."  That's how it is around here.  We run a tight ship.  Our daily schedule varies, but here is a sample of how Monday and Today should have gone based on the schedule.

MONDAY
7am-wake, feed everyone breakfast, have a quiet time, tv show for kids, etc. prepare for/check in at work 
8am-get ready for school (pack bags, lunches, cups, diapers, etc.)
8:30am-B leaves for work
8:40am-leave for carpool (allow 15 minutes to actually get in car and leave) takes 5 minutes to get to school.
9am-drop tag off in carpool
9:15am-drop SK off at PMO
9:30am-Jodi home to work 
11:55am-Jodi to pick up Tag in carpool line
12:15am-Home, feed Tag, eat lunch
12:30pm-Molly arrives, Jodi back to work 
12:45pm-Brentley picks up SK from PMO
1:00pm-SK and Tag go down for naps 
(Molly preps dinner while kids nap, cleans,etc.)
4:30-5:00pm- Brentley home from work (works 5 minutes away also), lets Molly go 
5:00-6:00pm- Jodi off, depending on meetings, work to be done, etc.
6:00-8:00pm-Dinner, family time, bath time, reading time, BED TIME!
8:00-10:30pm- Jodi + Brentley time. Maybe work time.  Bed time.

TUESDAY
7am-wake, feed everyone breakfast, have a quiet time, tv show for kids, etc. prepare for/check in at work 
8am-hang with the kids upstairs, do chores, work if needed
8:30am-B leaves for work
9am-Molly comes, Jodi work.
1pm-Kids nap.  Molly works her magic
4:30pm-B comes home, Molly leaves
5-5:30pm ish-Jodi off, depending on meetings etc.
5:30-8pm Dinner, family time, bath time, reading time, Bed time. 
8-10:30pm- Jodi + Brentley time. Maybe work time?  Bed time.

REALITY
But Monday and Today did not go as planned.  Story has had a virus since Saturday night (same one Tag had last week), and couldn't go to school Monday. But luckily, Tag woke up at 6:30 am, and SK not until 8:30, so I got some work done that early morning.  She was quiet and sleepy all morning, so I was able to work most of the morning until time to get Tag at 11:55am.  Molly came at 12:30pm and made quick work of getting the kids down for naps, the house and dinner while I worked.  We ate an early dinner (which was YUM), went to Walmart (mostly just to get out of the house), and then came home to bath time/bed time.  I went for a walk at 7:30 with the RGC ladies.  

Tuesday morning I had a 7am conference call, so I was up at 6:30 to work.  Call gets moved to 9am at the last minute, so I got to see my boos a little more than planned.  Tag and Story slept in the same room for the first time last night and didn't wake until 7. Beginners luck, I fear.  9 am Molly arrives and I have back-to-back conf calls until noon plus one more before Story has her 18 mo well check at 3pm.  I tell Molly to put the kids down for early naps, get them dressed for the doc and pack snacks/cups.  Work until 2:30 and rush to get ready to leave.  Thankfully, I showered last night, and my hair goes back into a bun!  My neighbor Ashley comes over because she's locked out and needs to not melt in the 90 degree heat until her hubs gets the key, so she stays at the house while I rush the kids to the doc visit.  Zero time to talk, BOO! Finish at the doc and get home at 4:45, just in time for Brentley to take the kids so I can attend another conf call at 5.  Work till nearly 6, when B brings home Chic-fil-a (whoop!).  Make home made (Fosters) brownies for family at church in the hospital, while B gives kids a bath.  SK poops in tub, so I rush upstairs to help.  Get kids cleaned and in PJ's in time for B to go visit said family, but brownies weren't ready in time :/          

And that's just how it is some times.  After a year or so of this rigmarole, I've come to embrace some truths.  

First, there are SO many ways in which God pours out his grace in days like today and Monday.  I mean, my 7 am meeting could have been on, and I'm a little afraid of talking to people in Israel at 7am about important things.  I just don't have my brain screwed on quite tight enough at that hour.  And, it could have been 6 am.  Last week it WAS 6 am.  But it got moved to today at 7am, then 9am.  To me, that's a gift!  I see Molly as such a gift to our family.  I had a lot of anxiety and stress about hiring a perfect stranger to come in and care for our family, and I prayed and cried over this decision.  But God delivered!  And a year + later, she's still here blessing us daily with her service.  I went to the doc to check in on SK, and she's healthy and beautiful and growing so well.  Tag went with us, and the whole way there we talked and told me to not have a wreck, not to hit other cars, not to run over trees.  He reminded me that green lights mean "go."  He opened doors for me at the doctors office.  He told Dr. J all about Story and how she had a fever.  When she got her shots, he was so affected and told me over and over that when he sees that Nurse again, he will tell her "that's not good, and don't do that!"  He and Story made my heart swell.  When I got home, Brentley was home in time for me to jump on my call.  That doesn't always work out, but today it did.  Again, GRACE! 

 [Dr. Jackson allowed Tag to help him check SK out.  He's listening to her heart beat in this picture, with his Toy Stethoscope]

 [I love to take photos of SK.  I am sure it's because I'm her mom, but I think she's so stinking beautiful.  Today she made faces that made me think she looks a lot more like Brentley. Maybe # 3 will be freckly with red hair and a crooked smile  like me;)]

[Hanging around waiting for shots...]

Second, not ever day happens like this.  Some days go exactly as planned.  Some days go better than planned.  Though we obviously always have a plan!  Some days I have no meetings.  Some days end with me going straight to bed at 8pm.  There are always Saturdays and Sundays which are OUR days to do just family things.  One Friday a month, Brentley's mom and step-dad come keep the kids while we work, and it's like as exciting as a birthday around here.  The kids LOVE it.  

Third, I don't actually know anyone whose life looks like this, but that IS OK.  As much as I like having other examples to compare myself to (usually to torture myself in guilt, envy, or pride) I don't have any comparisons for this situation.  After a few years of stressing how our lives look compared to others, I think I'm finally over it.  I'm embracing this life where we run a tight ship.  It's a season.  It will change.  It will look different a year from now.  I find joy every day in my family and our life together.      

Lastly, when I think about it, I can't see my life any other way.  I'm the type of person who squeezes the minutes out of a day.  I think I'd do that even if I won the lottery tomorrow.  My parents can attest to this-- as I distinctly remember conversations where my dad would say to my mom, "Jodi's involved in too many extra curricular activities and needs to focus more on school."  But to me, going to school at 7am to lead FCA devotions, having school all day, a volleyball game at 4, then staying late for another club meeting until 8pm was what I JUST HAD TO DO.  And of course, I had to work Friday nights and Saturday mornings at Ray's Cafe, and ref little league basketball games on Saturdays, because I needed money to shop at the worst mall in North Carolina and eat at Applebees with my BFF's!  

And my precious mother, (who is like me in this way) fought for me to be allowed to do so.  And no, I wasn't a straight "A" student.  But I mostly made honor roll (gold card, holla), and got into college.  So I think at the ripe old age of 30, I've embraced the truth that, I'm more of a "Jill of all trades, Master of none" kinda gal.  Always have been.

So this is how things are for us around here.  We've got baby # 3 on the way in T-11 weeks.  We're rocking out school, schedules, the amazing Miss Molly, work, church, family life... and there isn't time to stop.  only time to JUST KEEP GOING!  I could fret about it all, or admit that I love it.  We're blessed.