Awaiting our King

Why is there always a storm before a rainbow? Or an awaited time in the desert before mana? A burdensome 9 months followed by labor for a baby? A cross before the resurrection? Our God likes to prepare our souls with suffering. Why do I always scream and try to run away from it then? Suffering is a preparation for a GIFT, whether that gift comes in 9 months, 10 years, or simply preparation for eternity. Advent is a time of great preparation, and why should I be surprised when God tries to prepare my soul for this beautiful gift with suffering?

Thank you for sending little sufferings my way, Lord! Over a week of throwing up children, endless wiping of noses and behind's, unusually naughty boys, a Daddy a week out of town, the constant fights ending in bite marks and scratches, teething baby, sleepless nights. With this, help me prepare for your coming! And put a CALM in my heart despite the storm.

Oh but I thank you for the gift of those little noses and cheeks. Those yummy boys. And a Daddy blessed with work who makes me laugh and forget my woes. A sweet baby girl to rock to sleep. A pillow to sleep on. Help me to see the beauty in suffering. Because that suffering leads me to you: a baby in a manger, the prince of PEACE. All this waiting is well worth it.

We await you with great anticipation. Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel! Ransom captive house Simpson.

And despite the yelling and screaming going on at our house, we like to end our day in SILENCE and on a good note. If you want to say some goodnight prayers with us, tune in to John and Dominic's special: Advent prayers with John and Dominic


In the silence of a midwinter dusk, there is far off in the deeps of it somewhere a sound so faint that for all you can tell it may be only the sound of silence itself. You hold your breath to listen. you walk up the steps to the front door. The empty windows at either side of it tell you nothing, or almost nothing. For a second you catch a whiff in the air of some fragrance that reminds you of a place you've never been and a time you have no words for. You are aware of the beating of your heart. The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment.- Frederick Buechner

Lent 2014

What  a perfect Lenten quote one of the girls in my bible/book study found:

"The measure and criterion of obedience to God is suffering. When your whole being shouts: 'God, you can't ask this of me!' and you realize He wants just 'that' ... and you are faced with His will as if it were a cross on which you must stretch yourself, then you discover how serious and real and daily this obedience is... Truly, to obey is to die."

What is it in our lives that we haven't truly given over to God? Maybe the graces of Lent will help us surrender that one item!

A day in the Life of...

Life is simple around here, but we try to create some sort of routine mixed with some fun for the munchkins. All I know is I can't wait for spring! These boys love being outside and it will definitely be a good change of pace when this happens.

We usually start the day off with two shows, then Breakfast at 8:00. (I tell them they can't have breakfast till the show is over so it gives me time to prepare/feed Isaac.) John, my big breakfast eater, usually yells, "show over, time for breakfast!"

The morning hours usually consist of some good play time/ some sort or art project/ play dough/ or some "homework." John caught onto this word quickly since we live with aunt Helen right now. So if we do any type of tracing work, working on our words, coloring, etc....it's called "homework." John's favorite thing to do lately is draw balloons! He is so proud of himself so this is definitely his favorite homework.

After lunch and naptimes, we lounge on the couches and take our time waking up, accompanied by a show. Afternoon hours are the hardest but usually consist of some more active play like animals reenactments, dancing to music, wrestling....and more frequent fights.
Lately, the boys love to play with trains, puzzles of any kind, their farm house and animals, and starting some little kid board games like memory game.

Being stuck indoors in the winter months, we try to get them out on little outings like Library "story time" on Wednesday, or "open gym" at the community center on Mondays. We have managed to squeeze in some zoo visits when the sun comes out because this is John and Dominic's favorite thing. Also, play dates with some little friends.

John has started his Montessori program again, once a week on Fridays, and absolutely loves it. I enjoy this time with him too!

Here are a couple videos of playtime and eating:

-After any animal movie, or during, there has to be some major reenactment going on.
Post Tarzan Movie...

-The boys have always loved playing with play dough, but know that they discovered they can cut it with a knife, well it just got ten time better for them....me, not so much. always ends up in a sword fight.
Play Dough and Jingle Bells

-Oh Dominic, can I eat you up? I am so entertained watching them eat.
Grace with Lunch

-Lately, "Lion King" has been the imaginary game to play around here. It kept them busy for a good 45 minutes the other day while I made dinner. So yes, I usually tell them 3 times a day, "Why don't you go play Lion King!
Lion King?

Brothers, brothers, were there ever such devoted brothers?  (They are also sweet to each other when not sleeping. ;) I need to capture these moments more often.)

All they want to do is wrestle ALL DAY LONG. Or at least John does. Dominic sometimes. I guess we encourage it with little wrestling singlets...with Dad wearing his too.

Video:
Little Wrestlers

 

 



Big Birthday Month

How can it be?! Amidst the craziness life bring with three little boys, I often find myself wanting so badly to slow down time. I feel like most days I'm just surviving, keeping my head above water, when I realize after the day is done, they are indeed growing up before my eyes. I can barely see that when day by day life often seems like a blur. How precious time is and how precious these years are to me. I've asked God to really give me the grace to live in the moment despite my tiredness. To truly cherish their every word and cuteness.

What a joy each of my children are to me! They turned 3, 2 and 1 years old this past month. My goodness. I often want them to hurry up and be self sufficient already...or at least one of them...so I don't have to use my other five other hands....this being a most unusual physically demanding time as a Mother. But oh, after these birthdays my only wish was for them to never grow up! Especially Dominic.

John Phillip: Loves to sing lately. This past month it finally clicked for him and all the sudden he can sing on pitch and memorize songs and it's absolutely adorable. Before now, I thought he was tone deaf. His favorite songs include jingle bells and twinkle twinkle little star. He also still loves to draw and he just started drawing balloons really well, even the little plug underneath leading to the string. He's so proud of himself. He loves animals of all kinds and has started a little collection with Dominic of animals they've gotten. He's gotten a lot better with his speech, which has made it really fun listening to all his ideas, conversations, and imagination take shape. John tends to be a bit more sensitive and moody, but is very sweet natured, more mellow, and will always be my little cuddler.

Dominic Joseph: For some reason, he happens to be the cutest little boy in the world and I feel I will die when he gets another year older. Please, please, please don't do this to me Dominic! He is such a little character and has turned into such a fun loving boy who is always happy and enthusiastic about life and everything. But when he's mad, he's mad! He's a little fighter. He's always up for an adventure and isn't scared about anything. He runs into the wall, gets a good bloody cut on his eyelid, but keeps running around 2 minutes later after cleaning it up. Dominic is OBSESSED with stickers and thoroughly entertained. I'm getting him a sticker book because of it. He also loves anything Buzz Lightyear and has been this way for a year now....it's a bit ridiculous. He's my little Buzz. He also loves animals just like John. His current favorite: the zebra. They could play with them all day.

Isaac Francis: Oh my sweet "baby eyes." I thought he was going to be more laid back, but he has been feistier than the other two already. He learned how to yell pretty quickly to get some attention. And he fake cries which entail scrunching up his whole face and letting out little whines. I've always said he's the smart one jokingly, but he proves to be one smart cookie. He has been the earliest talker so far saying Mama, Dada, and baba before he turned one. He is always doing things that has me in amazement...very clever. In addition to walking, he climbs almost anything now. He also has the highest metabolism known to mankind. He eats, and eats, then comes back for thirds, then eats some more off the floor. And after this, he whines and begs at our feet for food. He hasn't shown any interest in any toys, just curious about everything and in everyone's business. But boy does he love music, singing, and dancing! Any song he hears, he'll find the beat and dance. He loves to be rowled up and chased and tickled....very ticklish...which is one of my favorite things to do with him. Lately he's been falling back to sleep with me in the early morning and I love this snuggle time with him. He's so yummy with such a cute disposition and the cutest feet.


Videos:

Three Kings Birthday Part 1

Cupcake Eating

Potty Training 101



Oh yes, potty training at its finest. Praise the good Lord Dominic took interest in this endeavor after Christmas break. I've been waiting on John to want to, but he refused. So after Dominic trying it out for a couple days, John soon followed lead (as it often goes here). I guess most things will be done together like this. Dominic got it down in literally 2 days. I was amazed. He even stayed dry in the night right off the bat, and has hardly had any accidents since. John on the other hand picked and chose when he wanted to go on the potty and when he didn't want to. So we just left a diaper on him and knew it would come eventually. Couldn't handle clean ups. So once I discovered he could be bribed with the zoo visit, this started a more consistent pattern for him, and he got better and better. Yay! This has definitely been the best birthday present/best start to the year so far.

 

We sing lots of "proud of you" and "king pooper" songs. We also have a star chart so they don't demand treats every time, but have to work up to them. Or they get two m&m's if they're really needing recognition in the moment.

 

Although this has been so nice not having to change their diapers, I feel like I'm in that bathroom ALL DAY LONG. And it usually isn't pretty. I didn't know it was possible to make some of the messes they have made. Example: Dominic deciding to dump his mess in the toilet himself, but missing and it landing/splashing all over the floor, all over himself, and in his mouth? Yes. They also like to treat it like a fraternity in there sometimes and have bathroom parties, going at the same time on different toilets (had to get two), but making it last a lot longer than necessary. Boys, boys, boys, what is it with the bathroom? And of course Isaac is always in there at the same time getting into things like a favorite bathroom drawer or shower.

 

 

All in all, I'm one happy Mama right now with their success. :)

 

 

Started out a little too early late in the summer with lots of book reading.
It was a good try by aunt Helen, but not quite ready yet.

My favorite

Dominic cheering on John with an already well deserved treat....

Baby "Eyes" Walking

    Isaac is a pro now and is practically running and of course climbing anything and everything. He started taking steps in November/December, but didn't "decide" to walk till right after Christmas. He LOVES music, more than John and Dominic ever did. He's always trying to play the guitars around the house and tip toe to play the piano keys. This being said, as soon as he could walk, he was dancing. He spins himself in a circle and bends his knees up and down to the beat. It's the cutest thing in the world.

Starting to walk:
Isaac's first week walking

It's nice to have big brothers show you how to do things...
Walking "like John"

Because Isaac doesn't get enough camera time...a random one from December:
Baby Santa

Christmas Recap

So, Christmas was magical and I wish I took time to write about it. But here are some favorite photos of mine from the season. Santa came!

Coffee House 2013

Well I guess John Phillip, Dominic, and Isaac were bound to be natural performers with their family history. Any excuse to dress them up, I take advantage of.

The Simpson's host a "Coffee House" every year where they have friends and family come together for a night of fun, food, laughter, and most importantly, performances of any kind. It's mostly for an older crowd but our boys started it off with a special little number before they went to bed. Not knowing what to expect, I threw them out there with a costume on and an instrument in hand. They performed to The Little Drummer Boy song and loved it. They kept saying they wanted to do it over again. I loved seeing their little faces light up during their moment of fame.

Here's a clip from the night: Drummer Boy(s)

The Magic of Christmas Time

It's been a magical month for the boys...and for me to witness their little imaginations growing. Everything has been about Santa Claus and learning fun new Christmas songs. John belts Frosty the Snowman song from the top of his lungs every day. He has also learned some of Jingle Bells and his newest, "Rejoice! Rejoice!" song. Their favorite current movies are Frosty and Rudolph.

Here is John Phillip and Dominic playing "Santa." They were reenacting sitting on Santa's lap and asking for choo choo trains and horses. They strategized so John would ask for horses and Dominic would ask for choo choo trains, making sure they would get both. Smart boys. ;)

This video is pretty funny.  Link: Santa's Lap

Some photos from Phillip's change of command ceremony/Christmas party for the families. Phil serving everyone food when he was the one being honored that day....always a man of service. They had crafts for the boys and they got to see their favorite big man again...Santa!

 

These pictures/video are from their only snow day here in Nashville. Aunts Rose and Helen took them sledding! And they absolutely LOVED it.

Link: Sledding