firsts

Yesterday was my first full day of solo parenting.  It was also my first time getting all four kids loaded up and in the car (friends were hosting a cookout for dinner and we planned to meet Matt there).

All in all, we did pretty good.  Fussy morning from Luke, but he slept through lunch while the kids and I "picnicked" on our porch which provided a nice little chance for me to get some good un-interrupted time with the other three kids.  Then a monster nap from the fussy-one provided a nice lull in the afternoon for me and a chance to read some more Little House to the girls and we got started on our Easter garden (today we'll add our praying Jesus). 

And getting them all loaded up wasn't a problem (glad we had a nice, close parking spot) but Lydia provided a bit of a snag.... I sat down to feed Luke "real quick" (ha!) before we left and Lydia took advantage of the extra minutes to cover both of her arms, fingertips to shoulders, with yellow sidewalk chalk.  Not only did I not want all that yellow dust in our van, but I wasn't sure how our hosts would feel about a yellow-chalked child tromping through their home.  So I sent her off to the bathroom to clean up while I finished gathering the things we needed.

It wasn't til we were home later that evening and everyone in bed that I noticed our newly yellow hand towel in the bathroom :)  Oh well, it'll wash.

On Tuesday (their last day with lots of extra Daddy-hours) a good solid chunk of morning was spent devoted to this little activity ....

(Yes, he dresses himself.  And yes, he is wearing a pajama shirt and his pants are on backwards.  I have a two week old.  We're rolling with it.)

Today Matt and I celebrate 9 (nine!) years of marriage.  It. went. by. so. fast.  Sooooooo fast.  Tomorrow we've got a little date night planned (with Luke in tow, of course).  So delighted to celebrate 9 years with my husband.  In this little season (post-Luke's arrival) one thing about his character that has stood out especially:  he is one of the hardest-working, highest-capacity men you will ever meet!  What Matt does in a given day is.... well, more than most :)  What he has done these two weeks at home..... (and also balancing some must-be-attended to needs outside the home)..... award-winning!   He loves his job and he serves HARD, and WELL.  And he adores his family, and he serves us so very WELL, so SELFLESSLY!  It is a delight to be served and led by him.  For me, and for our kids.