Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas from our home to yours! 

 We send our love,

  smiles,

 and laughter

 to each of you!  

May you be blessed to overflowing this joyous season and in the New Year!  Merry Christmas!  

Love, Jay, Kirstin, Caeden, Caleb and Hannah Grace

Happy 8 months today baby!

With a picture like this, you know this sweet girl has sibblings . :)  Creative! 

8 months and she loves herself some swinging time.  

Hannah is getting older!  I walked in after a nap and she was standing up in her crib, so proud. 

 And, the boys got creative again.  How well loved you are Hannah baby! 

Investigativing her first Christmas tree, how fun! 

Sugar plum, Hannah banana chuberkins...  You are such a big girl now.  Sitting beautifuly, crawling when you want something, pulling yourself up, throwing fits when you don't get your way, it is fun to watch you grow!  I carry you into a room and I watch the joy you carry naturally to people.  Thank you for being a light in our house and the world around us, what a blessing you are!  Love you baby! 

Jesus is better than Santa Claus...

This was posted in Caleb's school newsletter for this month, and I liked it. :)  

Jesus is Better than Santa Claus... 

Santa lives at the North Pole... JESUS is everywhere. Santa rides in a sleigh... JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water. Santa comes but once a year... JESUS is an ever present help. Santa fills your stockings with goodies... JESUS supplies all your needs. You have to wait in line to see Santa... JESUS is as close as the mention of His name. Santa lets you sit on his lap... JESUS lets you rest in His arms. Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly... JESUS has a heart full of love. All Santa can offer is HO HO HO... JESUS offers health, help and hope. Santa says "You better not cry"... JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Happy Birthday to me :)

 34 years old! 

 I got to celebrate with some friends,

 and our precious 3!

First birthday with my little girl....so special!  

Thanks to both families, all my friends and my sweet family for making me feel so loved through all the emails, texts, phone calls, cards, presents, and desserts sent my way!  Jay took the day off and the 5 of us spent a wonderful day together.  I feel so blessed!  

Show Low

 We started packing... beanies and uggs... not things we'd been wearing at home. :) 

 The first day was sunny and 60 degrees, so fun! 

 We took fun family walks to see fall and enjoy the cool. 

 My sweet parents celebrated my birthday, yummy food and wonderful gifts! 

 Our SEVEN year old! 

 My kiddos and fall leaves. :)  

 And this morning.... we woke up to SNOW and 38 degrees! 

 So, we bundled up and....

went sledding, built a snowman and enjoyed it to the fullest!!!!  What a treat! 

Thanks again Grandma and Grandpa for another WONDERFUL trip to the "yellow house!"

Caeden is 7!

He started his celebrations out with a family birthday party at the park.  We played baseball, opened presents, ate hot dogs and cake. :) 

 A great time was had by all! 

 His birthday was on a Sunday this year and daddy took the morning off from leading worship so the 5 of us could enjoy the day.  It was wonderful! 

We bought Caeden a new bike and went for a family ride.  :) 

The following weekend he had a friend party. 

with tug of war...

 paint wars, flour bombs, marshmellow shooters, lunch and ice cream cones. :)  I continually overheard his friends saying, "this is the best party..... this is so fun!"  What a way to bless this mom's heart!  

Caeden Marcus Murphy... happy birthday handsome!  We are so grateful God gave us you!!! We enjoy your enthusiasm for life.  You are a strong leader!  Your siblings both adore you!  Your friends have a great time with you.  You love the Lord, and are set in honoring him. It is fun to watch you play sports, games, Xbox, color, bike, draw, sing, dance and laugh.  You are a joy, son!  We love you!

Happy Fall!

 Hannah and I got to attend Caleb's school pumpkin patch.  How cute are 3 year olds? 

 H intrigued by the pumpkin :) 

 Living in Phoenix doesn't provide a whole lot of fall scenery, yay for getting out of town (more to come)

We had a wonderful fall festival we attended at Caleb's school with our "princess" friends. :)  

Recently

 We went on our first family bike ride as a family of 5!  I can't believe we have our 3rd kiddo in that seat, amazing!  Hannah seemed to enjoy the ride and Caleb did great all on his own. 

 The zoo offered a day to bring your own bikes and ride through out the grounds.  The boys loved it, pretty fun to ride up to the animals.  

 We also enjoyed the splash pad one last time til next season.  Caleb thought it was hilarious that Hannah was in her diaper out in public. :) 

 My cousin Melanie, her husband Nick and their son Tillman came for a visit from Utah.  We were so excited to meet T.  He was born 10 days before Hannah... our little princess and their linebacker..... too cute! 

And the little miss has turned 6 months, doesn't she look older?  :)  She is working on sitting up by herself.  She is 15 lbs and 26 inches long.  She gave us a scare this week as she had a fever of 102.7, stuffy nose and woke Sunday night not sounding too good... real raspy.  We decided to take her to the ER.  They did xrays and ran tests and luckily everything was clear.  They said it was just croup (a virus) that they couldn't do anything for.  Poor sweetie has had such a hard time breathing, eating, and sleeping, but as of today I am seeing some improvements and am really grateful!   

Reflection of my last 30 hours

In 30 hours... 

I've not slept much...

I've helped 2 kids consistently with fevers and sniffles,

Cleaned pee off the floor and the bed, 

cleaned poop out of clothes and 3 different rugs

tried 3 different ways to get the backed up kitchen sink to unclog (with no success)

hand watered the lawn multiple times (where the sprinklers don't hit) so the winter lawn can come in,

loads and loads of laundry,

a trip to the grocery store with the big kids,

a family walk around the block,

sawed a curtain rod,

made 8 meals for 4 people,

breastfed Hannah 11 times,

took the kids to church (2 of which sat with me since they were sick),

watched a movie with the big kids,

and most importantly spent time with the Lord (or no way would the above been able to happen.) 

I've paused a few different times throughout these last hours to laugh, pray and thank God.  Some of these particular situations (and with out a lot of sleep) could sure send me through the roof.  Some days are easy, others are hard and I can choose anger and frustration or gratefulness and joy.  I'm choosing the latter because I found out pretty quickly feeling sorry for myself wasn't going anywhere productive and I'm pretty sure tomorrow will go up from here. :)  Thank you Jesus! 

I pray whatever your day has held that you too will find something to smile about.  Life.... it is a series of ups and downs, highs and lows, mountains and valleys...I'm finding its the way we choose to respond that makes all the difference.  

5 months!

 Hi mom, look at me, I'm 5 months and so cute! 

 Oh no, are we about to do a photo shoot? :) 

 Ummm... yep, yep we are! 

 Maybe it'll stop if I look away?

   Ok.... CHEESE

Umm.... I'dike to be all done. :) 

Hannah Grace you have stolen all of our hearts!  You melt us here at home and even as we be bop around town, people continually stop to admire you and talk with you.  You are beautiful and I believe people are drawn to who the Lord has made you.  You have a gentleness about you, a peaceful and calm spirit, not easily angered, quick to smile, and a love for life happening around you.  You are a true joy my princess!   We love you tons and tons!  

Our precious ones...

 Our baby, all dolled up with Daddy at church, drool (or drizzle as Caleb would say) and all! 

 H loves herself some tummy time. :)

This sweet pumpkin has given me a run for my money the last few weeks... up on and off all night every night.  So, boot camp has started and the last two nights have been much better! 

 Cool dude #1

 Cool dude #2

The knight and his horse.  If ever you need a giggle just come hang out with us for a few hours.  These kids are bound to dress up, dance, sing, play or say something funny!  I LOVE being a stay at home mom!  What a blessing!