THE BEAUTY OF EACH PRECIOUS MOMENT

Some times in a week like this has been, it's hard to be positive.  My kids fight, I loose my temper, no one listens, my house is never clean, my "to do" list gets longer instead of shorter...you get the idea.  Life is a messy and complicated business.  People are flawed and week.  Tragedy happens.   Lately it seems to be happening a lot.
In the past month: a little boy from church fell from a second story window and landed on his forehead.  He narrowly survived.  My brother's family barely escaped their burning home and stood in the snow watching everything they owned destroyed.  This morning, funeral services are being held for my sister in law's brother and his precious two year old son- a wonderful woman lost her husband and only child on her birthday of all days.

 Yes, it's hard to be positive until you read what I read.  Once in a while you hear something or read something that changes who you are.  You know you will never forget how you feel in that moment.  You pray that it will give you the wisdom and strength to be better, to do better with each blessed day you are given.  That is how I felt when I read this.  

Life is miraculous and short and precious and our challenge is to see the beauty of each precious moment. 

SO, I GUESS I LIED...

 There is something so magical about having a baby when you have older kids.  Unlike our first or second baby, when it was all about Evan and I anxiously anticipating the arrival, this baby belongs to all of us.  We have four little people talking about, thinking about and preparing for the little bundle of joy right along side us! So at the last min. I decided that I wanted all four kids at the ultrasound (this would be the ultrasound that ended up taking an hour and 20 minutes!)  -we had an ultrasound tech in training and a very uncooperative baby.  At one point they had the bed relined at an angle with my head down low and my feet up in the air trying to get the pictures they needed- quite the adventure.  Meen while, Evan was working so hard to keep the kids quiet with crayons and paper and cuddles.  He was amazing.  Both the ultrasound techs mentioned how great the kids behaved...THANK GOODNESS :) 
Anyway.  Earlier that day, at the very last min, on our way to the hospital, the kids took a vote and decided they wanted to find out the sex of the baby.  I don't know how to explain how I felt about the whole thing other than to say that it just felt so right to all be together crammed around the screen waiting to hear the words...It's a boy!  I still cry when I think about it.  I feel so, so blessed to have the family that I have.  I am learning so much this year about the power of family unity.  

Hear are some of my favorite quotes from the experience:
Ewan (to the Ultrasound Tech): "Do you know what I am most excited about when the baby's born? Seeing the little tiny bellybutton!  And if it's a boy, the little tiny...you know, down there!"
Cameron: "IT'S A BOY!!!!!!"
Heather: "I am going to be like the baby's other Mommy and I will hold him and sing to him like this...Lullaby, Lullaby!"
Kathryn Anne" (on our way down hall to the ultrasound room) "This is going to be incredible!"

WHAT'S MORE FUN THAN A BARREL OF MONKEYS?

At the zoo yesterday I decided to recreate one of my favorite pictures from a zoo trip a few years ago...SNIFF, SNIFF, my babies are growing up!

A little ANNOUNCEMENT

Have you noticed the new "ticker" on the side of my blog?  Once again we are awaiting the arrival of a tiny little McAllister.  After seeing the little munchkin kicking and squirming and hiccuping this week, I am finally starting to believe it might work this time and there may be a baby at the end of all this.  We plan on NOT learning the gender.  Our little tie breaker will announce his/her identity upon arrival.

OUR OWN WINTER WONDERLAND

You may have heard about the winter snow storm that has hit the Northwest...

 Well around here it has translated into three days of no school, appointments,lessons or running around.

 It means a good hour of properly outfitting four kids with boots, socks, sweats, snow pants, sweatshirts, scarves, gloves and coats.  And then putting all said outerwear in the dryer when they come back in.

 It means exploring on all kinds of levels...

 And a LOT of fun for almost 10 year old boys!

And seven year old ones too!

 I means the crunch crunch crunch of boots on snow and a steady pot of hot chocolate on the stove top...





 It means seeing our new yard with all it's trees in a whole new light.

 It means snow ninjas are out in full force in our neighborhood.

 So watch out!  Here they come.

 It means afternoon snack may be something cold and wet.

 Can you catch it with your tongue?

 It means magical walks in the forest in our own back yard!

It means a whole new way of seeing the world with it's beautiful white blanket. 

And we love it!

AN IMPORTANT PART...

Connor,
You are an important part of our family.  You help us remember that Heaven is real and we want to be with you there someday.  You help us remember that our family is eternal.  We miss getting to hold you, and watch you grow and learn. 
Thank you for how you have touched and changed and blessed our lives by helping us lift our eyes to God.  Happy Birthday.
Love,
Mommy

TIME IS FLYING...

How did this little duo...

 Grow into this one?