It's Been a Good Week

Shane took Silas outside to play in the snow tonight. It snowed last weekend but has stayed so cold all week that the snow remains. Welcome to central Illinois!

,

I put the babies to bed on my own while they played. I haven't done that in a long time. Shane and I have been tag-teaming bedtime since my parents left and I missed him tonight. Simeon was very ready for bed by the time baths were over (read: had a complete meltdown). But when I walked downstairs and saw Shane and Silas playing, I was really thankful we decided to let our firstborn, who hadn't been outside except to and from the car all week, stay up late and play.

,

I took all three babes to Walmart earlier today. We needed a few things and I was itching to get out. Here's how it went: I didn't feel good about putting both carseats in a cart so took our double stroller. I pushed the stroller and carried a basket for our items. Silas followed along and did so well I purchased him a Lightning McQueen plate that he loves. I got a lot of interested, compassionate looks and "Bless your heart"s from the older ladies.

,

We had stayed home earlier in the week. Here's us after our "picnic" yesterday...

.

Where's Simeon?
.

There he is!
.

Everybody chillin' before naptime...
Silas is watching the end of "Cars" as I write. It is quickly becoming my most watched movie of all time! His post-snow-play snack is over so we're heading to bed!

I Would Have Missed It...

Yes, my parents have transitioned into a new season and are no longer right here with us. We had a busy weekend and our staff Christmas party last night so today is my first day here at home, just me and the 3. It has gone pleasantly well. We have switched up some of our routines to help the day go smoother and I am so glad we did. Now all three have been napping for almost an hour and if previous days are any indication, I probably have another hour till I start hearing some baby peeps over the monitor.
.
I have to say that there is part of me that just wants to huddle up at home and never venture out. Winter has definitely arrived in central Illinois and we have a detached garage so getting three bundled children, carseats, bags, and all into the van is no easy task.
.
But Sunday changed my mind.
.
Cause if we had just stayed home I would have missed one of the most precious moments in Silas' little life.
.
Sunday night we decided I would take all three children to our high school worship. Silas loved that they started with this song, one of our favorites to sing around the house. Then as we sang another of our favorites at Harvest, Silas began to realize that many around him were lifting their hands to worship. He stopped eating his cupcake (you can see the crumbs in the picture) and raised his hands too. I was holding Lieren but through my tears managed to pull out my phone and capture the moment.
.
Life with three is amazingly wonderful. But it is also amazingly hard. There are moments when I feel like I can't even breathe. But Sunday night I was so grateful that we had done the hard thing. Cause if we hadn't, if we had just stayed home, I would have missed it.

Mental Snapshot

We ended dinner tonight listening to this song because as we finished eating I told everyone to take a mental picture. Someday we're gonna really miss this.