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.