a year in review throwback!

Hello?

hello there. wow. I can't believe I haven't posted in well over a year but I have good reason for all that. Disease reared its ugly head and then my laptop just went kaput. 

But, enough with the excuses.

To be honest, I don't know exactly how up to date I'll get on this blog; I don't even want to necessarily commit to a minimum right now. I just want to organically see how this goes.

When I started blogging regularly, it was to update friends and family from miles away. Now that we are back in town, one could say there is no more use for this blog. But I have to say I've been surprised how much I miss it.

I never realized years ago that all the banging on this keyboard was actually therapeutic as well as staying organized to document the lives of my children.

I miss it. Yes, there's Facebook, instagram, snap chat and texting but boy, there is something about being able to type out a post about what is going on in our lives, and just letting my fingers fly on the keyboard as my brain releases all the thoughts from the day.

It's beautiful to look back and see the journey that we've been on in the beautiful life. It IS a beautiful life. Sure, it's been hard at times. Sometimes I look back at pictures and either laugh or cry. Usually i'm laughing at the pictures of me and or the babies crying because it doesn't take 1/2 a second to see a picture from times past of nursing, diaper changes, short naps and long nights to flash back to that moment and hear the cries, smell the smells and laugh at how long it's been since i had washed my hair. I then cry at the pictures of my and the babies laughing because boy has it been sweet. My family. I just look at them and can't believe that God gave me these precious babies. F.O.U.R. of them. 4. I always wanted to be a mother. but four times over. I'm realizing more and more each day what a blessing and responsibility that is. 

So, the last time I said, "I'm back" I only flashed on once. 

Here is us today.

Well, not TODAY.

But here is an updated picture of my family. Aren't we a beautiful bunch? I sure think so.

Times have changed, people have moved, been added and nevertheless, we are family. 

So beautiful.

Wow. The first thing I think when I see this picture is how TIRED we all look. But the next thing I think about this picture is the beautiful showing of grace in this picture.

It goes fast. We've been going through old photos in the evenings and all I think is, "it's gone by so fast". It has. It hasn't. It doesn't take me long to remember the days I was just staring at the clock. The coutnless diaper changes and getting spit up on so many times you are just used to spit up on all your clothes. 

It reminds me everyday to hug my children, to really hug their little necks, to look them in the eyes when I tell them good-bye for their school days and to always say, "I love you". I am l-o-v-i-n-g this stage. I know I always said I loved every stage. Because really, it is always fun and rewarding to see your children grow and develop and master new things but wow. This stage is beautiful. The talks with Henry about loving Jesus and how we show that to others, the funny jokes Porter tells me just because he likes my laugh, the sheer silliness of Wells and how he's become our families' class clown. The way we all treat Ruby like a little delicate flower but in realities she is the fiercest child we have. All their personalities have bloomed and their hearts are so kind and understanding.

I'm so proud of my family. You know that quote that says something along the lines of…"I'm proud of the woman I've become because I know how hard I worked to get here?" That. That's exactly it. We've all grown, and matured and learned hard lessons and been stretched and laughed till our sides hurt. When you really stop and think. When you really pause and reflect. My oh my, Jesus you make beautiful things. 

We're Back!

We spent the past week at my sister's in Texas. It was so fun being with my sister and her family. They are so helpful and my kids look up to their big cousins SO much!! Here are pictures my sister took on her camera and I love them. 

It was quite sad the morning we left. The truck was SO quiet as we pulled out and with a little tear streaming down his face Porter asked when we would be back in Texas to visit his cousins. 

Then, Henry covered himself in a blanket and boo hoo'ed. Then of course I lost it. It's so hard living away from family sometimes!!

Memory Space.

Lately I've been spending lots of time going through old pictures and deleting all the outtakes we don't need to free up memory space on our laptop. It has really caused me to reflect and go back and re-live so many precious moments. 

(We got to be a part of a "enjoy henry county" commercial with the boys at one of our favorites Southernbelle Farms.)

I have laughed and cried looking through pictures. I remembered a lot of pictures but there were a few I'd forgotten about like the one above and it took me back to a gorgeous sunny georgia fall day. 

I'm walking away with a couple of thoughts about this "chore" I'm finally crossing off my to do list. 

1.) We are so so so very blessed. I have reminisced in these pictures and remembered some highs and lows and every time God has far exceeded what we could have ever imagined. Why would I ever doubt his goodness? Just look at those 4 handsome boys of mine above. 

2.) What we are going through now is temporary. It is so easy to let your mind not be able to see past a certain trial and thinking things will never improve or ever seem "normal" again. But instead of returning things perfectly how they were before, they've become better. And a new normal has been born and it is beautiful. 

3.) Keep taking those pictures. That capture jogs the memory and memory is a beautiful thing. To remember the season, the crisp crinkling leaves, the smells in the air and the coziness of a home. Such beautiful things.

4.) It really does go by fast. In regards to time my favorite quote would be " the years are short but the days are long". That perfectly describes the season of life we are in right now. Some days are SO long and SO exhausting but then I look back at pictures and wonder how has it gone so fast. But every time I say it is WORTH it and I would do it all again! 

Update!

I really am trying to make headway in getting the blog going again. It's so hard to find spare minutes here and there bc at the end of the night when I set down I'm usually toast!

Here's a little update of our 1/2 dozen family::

Kit: He has settled into work nicely and is enjoying his new job. He gets to work with some familiar faces from when we were in Lafayette previously. We just completed our second round of whole 30 and he lost a total of 24 pounds! Woohoo! Go, Kit. He still wants to complete 1,000 projects on the "to do"list (do those lists ever all get completed?) in our new home but he finished out the boys room and it looks awesome. I'll have to post pictures soon!

Henry: He has been keeping busy this summer with swim lessons and soccer camp. Also, my sister in law and I have created "Land of Cad" camp once a week during the summer and it's been so fun for the kiddos! He is starting to get the reading bug (sometimes it's more of a chore than a pleasure) but it's been so fun to watch him grow.

Porter: Always the imagination, always a good time. Porter is feeling a little jipped this summer since most camps start at 5 years old and he is just missing the cut off. This summer the toddler Porter is long gone and this charming, thoughtful, goofy little soon to be 5 year old has arrived. Such a fun age!

Wells: I'm not sure if I have posted on here before but we have been a little concerned about Wells' speech and pronunciation. Lately tho he has been making huge strides and is really doing well. We are going to pursue speech therapy in the fall with him. He is all about keeping up with his big brothers and trying to be just like them (He ADORES that he gets to be in the BOYS rooms with H&P)

. He also enjoys being the "big brother" to Ruby. Those two know how to push each others buttons too.

Ruby: What a firecracker! Somedays with Ruby I feel as tho I am a first time parent all over again. That girl keeps me on my toes, is super smart, a climber and a feisty little thing. Her words are just exploding and she's close to being at the 'repeat everything' stage. So cute. She's got some pretty cute faces and enjoys knowing she's got her brothers and poppa wrapped around her finger.

Me: I am doing well. This summer has been a lot of fun having 4 walkers and no morning nappers but it has also been very exhausting at times. Sometimes I wish I had more energy and I wish I was more organized (sparkling clean house, no dishes in the sink) but I have to stop myself and realize I have 4 energetic, healthy children and at the end of the day I'm super thankful because I. AM. DOING. IT. I am dog tired at the end of the day but I MADE IT through the day!!!
I have found a GI physician in Indy and have still kept a good relationship with the wellness center in sugar land. It's been a good balance and we are just continuing to keep doing what I'm doing.

Well, that's a good little update on what's up with these Cads!

Wells Grey is 3!

Oh Wellsie Grey-

I can NOT believe you entered into our family 3 years ago! You are such a sweet boy and are full of wonder and excitement. I am so thankful for your health, your role both as little and big brother and your laughter. You are a delight. You still enjoy cuddles and kisses. You are so special to us. We love having you in our family and are so proud to call you ours! 

Happy 3rd Birthday, Wells!! 

Wells is {almost} 3!!

Wells turns THREE tomorrow but this past weekend we celebrated with grandparents and had a great time! We surprised everyone with a piñata and it was a hit!! 

Ruby was quite unsure at how we take things away from her all day long but on Saturday night we handed her a stick and told her to go at it. She had this look like, "You all have lost your minds!"

This kid is so cute and handsome! He is starting to say the cutest things. He loooooves white potatoes and I can't eat them so I rarely make them but recently I made mashed potatoes and he said the cutest thing when he saw them on the table…."Momma! You make mash -tatoes? All by you self? I so proud of you, momma!" So. cute. 

Poppa and Wells!

Ruby enjoyed showing off for her grandparents