Top 10 of 2017

It's time for the Top 10 of 2017.

Hahaha.  That's a funny joke.  Everyone here knows I didn't keep it to just ten. I just can't help it - I start looking through photos from the past 12 months, and all the feels just come at me, and soon they're dripping out of my eyes. 

So, let's call this post "My Biggest Feels of 2017". That's better. 

In chronological order, because I could never pick a favorite. Here we go.

{1}

NEW BABY

Silas Jacob was welcomed into the world on March 7, and Macy marched right in and took her role as Big Sis very seriously. I'll never forget her squeaky little 23-month old voice saying "Hi, Tiny! Hi, Little Squeaker!" like she had been waiting nine months to call him those names. Her squinty eyes and squishy cheeks pointed up in the most sincere smile, this girl was sister-material from the beginning.

Read more here.

{2}

TWO YEARS OLD

Just two days after welcoming Silas, we celebrated Macy's second birthday. Sweetest little sunshine girl, celebrating her comes easy.

Read more here.

{3}

CUUUTE BABY

When Macy was a baby, Carter tolerated her. He might have even liked her, a little bit. But his relationship with Silas is different. Maybe it's brotherhood. Maybe Carter has matured. Maybe he practiced with Macy and is perfecting it with Silas. Whatever it is, I like it. 

{4}

LOVE GROWING

Blurry sister, but I don't care. These are the early days with three kids. The photos were blurry, and so was our life. Things are clearing up a bit now, but these blurry days still look so good to me. What she doesn't know is this boy she calls 'Tiny' will soon be as big as her, and into all her stuff. Either way, love still grows.

{5}

EVERYDAY LIFE

Those blurry days I talked about? Even the teeth brushing sessions were precious. Three kids, a tired mom, and so much goodness. These are the moments I'll cry for 10 years from now. 

{6}

BELIEVE HIM

Remember that one time, when Carter turned 9, and we asked him what he wanted for a cake, and he said "Lemon pie"? And we kept asking him over and over, because he couldn't possibly want that. And then his party came, and he was ecstatic to see Lemon Pie. Remember that? Carter knows what he wants. He can tell us what he wants. When he tells us something, we believe him. 

Read more here.

{7}

MEMORIES

My Grampie, and my baby - at Carter's 9th Birthday.  Just a few weeks after taking this photo, I learned some hard news, and the reality was that there was a chance this would be one of the last birthday parties my Grampie would attend. In an instant, this photo became ultra-special. Turns out, he's going to be around for a while. But this photo serves as a reminder to me of the fragility of life, and the power of our Right & Just God.

{8}

PARTY OF FIVE

Our first photo as a family of five. A little crooked, a little wonky, but totally perfect. This is us.

{9}

SUMMER VIBES

This is our summer, in a nutshell. 

{10}

DADDY

This girl and her daddy have something all their own. His 'mini-me', in more ways that one.

{11}

GETTING THERE

I'm just a mom, trying to figure out life with three kids. By mid-summer, we're getting there. Carter is either a tremendous help, or the one who needs the most help. There's no in-between - but when it's good, it's soooo good.

{12}

SUCCESS

When it's good - it's sooooo good. How can we help him get to 'good'? How about making a permanent kiddie pool for him to play boats in? What if we add a filter with a little fountain? Success.

{13}

GROWTH

Here we are, three-fifths of a family, being pushed and stretched in all directions. This baseball outing was one of the first outings with Carter after taking the gluten-free/dairy-free/egg-free/peanut-free/rice-free plunge. It's been an amazing journey of growth for all of us - but here we are, trying something hard (restaurant food) with our kiddo who wants nothing more than a dang bun and ice cream. But we helped him through it, and he was a champ. Here's to growth.

{14}

BEST-ER FRIEND

"Mom, your my bester friend ever!". Yes, dear one. The feeling is mutual. Let's be bester friends forever and ever. We need each other.

{15}

INDEPENDENCE

Saint Germain, 2017 - a hard week for our nine year old who wants so badly to be independent like any other nine year old...but can't be trusted alone for more than a second. For a few minutes, he played in his room with his beloved 'pink baby' and as I watched to see what he would do, I saw a happy, tender, caring boy who rocked and kissed his baby so sweetly. Independence is growing, and we'll get there.

{16}

MACY MOO

This is Macy, two years old and so confident. From head to toe, uniquely perfect.

{17}

FREEEEEDOM

This is what it looks like to be understood and loved. Run free, sweet boy. Run right into the good things ahead.

Read more here.

{18}

SIBS

Tubbies in the sink after an evening of playing outside after dinner. Time, slow down. 

{19}

SWEET BABY BOY

As his personality develops, we see a sweet little boy underneath the perfect amount of rough-and-tumble. Sensitive, gentle, and kindhearted. This is Siley-J. Siley-Jaybird. Si-si. Casa (Carter gave him this name...so we embrace it). Sweet guy.

{20}

FOCUS

In those days when life seemed blurry and out of focus, this guy helped me to reign it back in. Here he is, doing something he used to hate. He's enjoying it, he's interacting with Macy and I while he's doing it, he's focused and determined. It's hard to believe there were days I never thought we'd get here.

But here we are.

2017 is in the books. I had big intentions for sending out New Year cards (instead of Christmas cards). I designed them excitedly...and then didn't follow through with actually having them printed and mailed out (which, as it turns out, are pretty important steps in the card-sending process).

Soo...as long as you're here...

Here's to 2018. May it be one amazing year.
Even if it's not.