Seth Is 6 Months

A Blessed 6 Months

 

Happy 6 months, sweet baby boy. You have brought so much life and joy into our home.  I am so grateful to be your mama. <3

 

 

Joy Dare (January)

 

 

I am a bit late, but that's ok. God's gifts don't start at the beginning of the year anyways.

 

1/26/15

A Gift Before Dawn, A Gift At Noon, And A Gift After Dark

1. The silence.

2. The way the sun shines through my back door into my dining room. Something very peaceful about it.

3. That moment when every child has fallen asleep and Shawn and I can just sit. With a new baby it doesn't last very long.

 

1/27/15

3 Gifts In The Kitchen

1. Food. I have to be thankful for always having food in my cupboards to feed my family.

2. My coffee pot.

3. My children. I am thankful for the laughter and smiles that fill my kitchen when I am trying to cook or clean. I hope there is always little hands at my feet and children playing at my table.

 

1/28/15

3 Graces Found In Friends

1. Forgiveness when I become too preoccupied with my own life to see there is a need.

2. My lack of empathy when they are hit hard with life's experiences.

3. Giving my opinion where only an ear is needed.

 

1/29/15

A Song Heard, A Soft Word, A Light Seen

1. "Everyone is awesome when they're part of a team..." Luke

2. I'm sorry and I miss you.

3. "Hurt people, hurt people." 

 

1/30/15

3 Old Things Seen New

1. My Bible.

2. My journey into motherhood. Sometimes I forget that each day is brand new and yesterday's mistakes don't define where I go..

3. My self-worth.

 

1/31/15

A Gift On A Paper, In A Person, In A Picture

1.My marriage license.

2. Hospitality.

3. My children's birth...

 

 

 "...Savior, worthy of honor and glory
Worthy of all our praise, You overcame
Jesus, awesome in power forever
Awesome and great is Your name, You overcame..."

Jeremy Camp

"Overcome"

 

 

 



Enjoying My Littles

So today was my first day alone with Lucas and Seth.  I have been looking forward to today since I reenrolled the kids in school. I have to admit I absolutely loved it!! I woke up and got Jake off to school, fed Lucas and Seth, and plopped my bottom on the couch and had a nice cup of coffee while doing my devotions- something I have missed doing since Karlee and Jake began homeschooling. Priorities...I know.

 

 After a pretty laid back morning with only one temper-tantrum because the Wii wasn't working the way Luke wanted it too, I finished all of my chores. My house is sparkly clean and I expect it will stay that way until Friday or Saturday when Karlee and Jacob are home from school. I was also able to catch up on some Joyce Meyer broadcasts that I have been meaning to watch- I love her wisdom, it's definitely helped me in many situations.

 

After Karlee got home from school we made some oatmeal and talked about her classes for a bit. She seems to be really enjoying middle school and she is glad she went back. I am happy if she is happy. Homeschooling was an experience. It wasn't always bad and it wasn't always good- such is life. I'm glad we gave it a shot though.  I can't say that I will give it a try with Lucas and Seth, but I still have a lot of time to think about that. I might just enjoy my "freedom" a bit too much to keep them home! Haha!

 

Lucas got what I think he believes to be the "Ultimate Gift"- a giant Mac truck with a backhoe and a trailer to pull it on. His Papa Tony bought it for him for Christmas and he hasn't stopped playing with it. I am honestly surprised he hasn't broken anything on it yet, he must really love it.

 

And then this...because who doesn't love a picture of a happy baby?!

 

 

 

 

A Little Date With The Boys

Karlee and Jacob went back to school today so it was our first official day with just the little ones. We made a fun little day out of it and took Lucas and Seth to the Hands On Children's Museum and then to the Bass Pro Shop on the way home (such a neat place). Here is a few pics from today!

 

Lucas was LOVING the water play today!

 

All about the wildlife hospital- we caught him brushing and loving on a baby fox<3

 

He was there too:)

 

One of my favorites from today! Yes, that IS an outline of Lucas!

 

 

And one more because I think it's cute!

 

Baby Onesies

Everyone who attended my baby shower for Seth hand painted a little onesie for him. Such a beautiful keepsake. Here are a few of them. As soon as he fits into the rest, I will post!

So HAPPY!

 

I love this one!

This one says, "Baby Brother."

New Year, New Chaos

Happy New Year!!!
  Not much happened today in the Norton Household; we slept in as late as Luke would allow and drug our behinds to the park- it was way too beautiful to waste it lazing around like I would have loved to then we came home and took a nice long nap.
 

 I am so thankful to see the beginning of yet another year, to spend it as Shawn's wife, raising our 4 beautiful babies. Speaking of babies...I was looking back at the post I made about Seth turning one month, he has changed so much, not so "Grandpa" looking;) I can't even remember life before him. He amazes me everyday with his little smiles and talks- and he smiles and talks ALL DAY LONG! 5 months goes by so fast, a quick blink of the eye! I never dreamed I would be a mama to four amazing kids, such a privilege. Though, some days it can feel like a nightmare, haha!

 

We had such a blessed Christmas. Our kids are so well-loved by both sides of the family. My mom came by and brought the kids each a gift on Christmas Eve, we spent Christmas morning at home and headed to Lori's (Shawn's mom) later that afternoon. The 28th was spent at Rick's (Shawn's dad) with the Norton's- an incredibly loving group of people. I have never loved a family more than my own as much as I love Shawn's. They really are amazing.

Shawn's dad and his girlfriend, Lacie, bought our family a membership to the Hands On Children's Museum- it's going to get a tremendous amount of use out of us! Now that Karlee and Jacob are back in public school I will have more free-time to take Lucas and Seth. We've been twice already and Luke has not stopped talking about it- he can't wait to go back!

 

I celebrated my 30th birthday the day after Christmas. Shawn gave me my gift from him at midnight; 30 roses, 24 date-night coupons (2 a month), 30 coupons for 30 minutes of whatever I want; back rub, foot massage etc, a list of 30 reasons why he loves me, and $30 in scratch tickets ( I only won a dollar). SUCH a thoughtful gift. I am very lucky. Thanks, Babe.

Karlee and I helped out at the Rescue Mission for a couple of hours. It was packed- not at all what I expected  after the holidays. I guess they get really full with volunteers for Christmas and it tends to spill over in the next week. We didn't mind, we still had a lot of fun. The men stayed in the kitchen to help with food prep and the ladies went to the basement to organize supplies. Nothing could have been more humbling for Karlee and me. It was our second time helping out and we are scheduled to at least once a month.

Later that evening Karlee and I went up to Bellevue to visit my niece, Gracie. She is simply beautiful. I never thought I could feel so much love for anyone else's child like I do my own, I was so wrong. I am sad I don't get to see her as often as I would like to, but I talked to her mom and grandma and I will be able to go up and see her at least once a month.
I would say I had a wonderful 30th birthday. Not at all what I would have imagined it to be, but better.

 

One of my resolutions was to blog a bit more instead of posting on Facebook- so here I am, blogging.

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Love,

Natalie

See how much he's changed? He is such a sweetheart!

 

A few park pics from today.