I can't believe Bowen is 4 months old, this summer has flown by and now Bear has been in 1st grade for six weeks. So many changes happening daily at times I feel hourly. At night I put my head on my pillow more exhausted than I've ever know but happier and more content than I could dream.

This little lady has already established she will not be like her brothers. So many precious and funny faces and when she gets mad, WHOO! The scream could peel the paint off my walls. Nonetheless she is a doll and generally has a reason for the temper!

I look forward to the next few months and all the joys that my three miracles will bring!

My daughter

There she is Bowen Grace Burgess! Born May 12, 2010 at 5:33p.m. weighing 6lbs. 6oz. at 19 1/2 inches in length.

I honestly never dreamed first that I would be a mother to three children but secondly that I would have a little girl. I just didn't think of myself as the Mom to anything other than boys. It's only been 10 days but I can tell you without hesitation I am glad God decided differently for our family. She is healthy and now weighs 6lbs. 12 oz. she gained 8 oz. just this week, my little piggy! We were so grateful to be able to take her home with us from the hospital and have that wonderful experience that we did not have with either of the boys. Those first couple of nights we felt like newbies and didn't sleep for fear we'd miss something. I didn't put her down besides to change her the entire first night. I just wanted to soak it all in.

To say we are blessed doesn't describe my heart right now, ever moment I am more in love with her. This little girl is the period on one very long nine months and one incredibly interesting and at times difficult fertility journeys. Our family is now heavenly complete and Earthly content. I am covered in joy and honored to be the Momma of these three amazing Monkeys and can't wait to see how our story will unfold.

B-L-E-S-S-E-D!

As I sit here I am on a few days of rest trying to clear up an infection and get my blood pressure back in order before our daughter makes her grand entrance. The boys are so excited and ask me daily how she is doing and if it's almost time to go to the hospital. They are so funny rubbing my tummy and talking through the microphone (aka my bellybutton) to her. I am so thankful they are already so in love with the little princess monkey. Now as for Daddy he isn't saying a lot he is taking care of me and the boys and in his quiet way I know he is excited to soon be the father of three and have a Daddy's girl:)

So it won't be long now, the doctor said she is weighing a grand total of 5 lbs. 3 oz. according to their closest estimate. So I am going to take care of Baby Momma and keep her safe and sound a few more weeks. She is VERY active which is comforting and I appreciate feeling and knowing she is happy in her cramped quarters! I have a recheck tomorrow for my blood pressure and her heart rate, prayerfully everything will be settled down and we can go through the next few weeks without event. That is my prayer. I am feeling rather euphoric today, which for me is a bit odd. I think it's her though letting me know she is almost ready to meet us and come into our family. Ah, how blessed and joy-filled I am at MY Savior that allows such incredible blessings to manifest in this way!

Odds and Such

I have not been active in blogging as of late. No reason just busy and feeling as if the words aren't there. That is totally hilarious since there is a running conversation constantly going in my head! I am so ready to welcome Bowen Grace into this world. With that being said there are so many unknowns that I wish I had control over and could nail down. The biggest being this summer. Barrett and Brock are at such a fun and wonderful age. I want them to have a summer full of learning and fun, but I can't see how all it will work out with a newborn and exhausted Mommy. I am and have been praying about it, and I know God is smiling at my concern. Bear is so sweet right now and worried about my health. He sees how tired I am right now and that my activities are limited. He told me on Sunday Bowen was going to fall out the next time I pee. That completely cracked me up!! From the mouth of the babe:)

So I am in the home stretch and praying that the few task I want to get done I can check off. I am also praying that she doesn't come at a strange time and we have childcare for the boys. It is hard not having family close. Bowen is kicking so much now and is so low, what a different experience from being pregnant with the boys. What a unique an perfectly formed little person that I CANNOT wait to meet. Yesterday I washed the sea of pink and marveled at how different life will be with three children no less one being a girl. How wonderful God sees fit to bless us in this way. 9 years ago I was so sad and I thought we may never have any let alone to have 3!! Wow!!! I am in awe of my creator.

New Year's ramble

I am in a funk, okay maybe not a real funk but I feel like I have so much to accomplish so many books to read, and planning to do before this baby arrives. But, somehow with all that's looming I just want to snuggle under a blanket:) I guess with the New Year's arrival and the cold temps it's easier to want to decompress and just "be".

I watch the boys with their simplicity, they wake up with no set agenda for their day and are happy with pretty much whatever is thrown at them. I wonder when we loose that and why? What a great quality to keep into adulthood. Alfred has maintained that carefree whatever my day may bring attitude. It makes me jealous sometimes that his mental picture can blow like the wind depending on the needs of those around him. It truly is one his most amazing qualities and so opposite from my rigid plan each second mentality. That's why we are a good match I suppose our children are exposed to both and hopefully won't be too far one way or the other. Oh goodness I am rambling aren't I? I guess it's just that type of day:)

A great day

I am grateful my family was able to travel to Memphis to be with Mom and Dad this Christmas, despite the fact Alfred's plane was cancelled on Christmas Eve and he didn't make it until Christmas Day. Even that small snag didn't change how wonderful and how many memories we made this year. The boys are still talking about how much fun they had with Uncle Gabe, Aunt Amy, Ethan and baby Evan. We haven't all been together in over 2 years so this was long overdue.

I am so proud of my boys and even though they don't always make choices that please me or God I know that they are being formed into amazing men that will follow God and His leading. Their personalities are mystifying and dumbfound me at times. I am overwhelmed again to be their Mom and to have so many opportunities to love on them and tell them how I adore them. We are home now and today was one of those rare and perfect days that they might not remember but I won't forget. We didn't get out of our jammies from sun-up to sun-down. Alfred worked and played in Bear's room the ENTIRE day getting all the lego ships and buildings just so. He was so completely unselfish with his time and his attention it was fantastic to watch. Brock snuggled for a long nap in my bed and we watch a movie and made up silly songs. It was indeed perfect. This is a day I want to look back on when they are teenagers and are busy, too busy growing up to hang with me.

God knew I needed these little men first in my life to strengthen my own faith and my own view of God as a man and still God. What perfection He adds to each of our lives, it's just up to us to seek it out. What does God want to show us this new year? What does He want to show us about ourselves through our children? Don't think for a minute that your children aren't there as a tool to teach you about the glory of God. He is in ALL things, and He uses ALL opportunities to shine!

MPFBC Christmas 2009

I have been "hearing" about a program from the boys for weeks now. Everyday they come home from school and they tell me about their songs and Bear shows me how he must act taking care of Mary and baby Jesus. I thought since I had taught music and had done a couple of programs I had a good idea of what we were in for, but what a surprise. I tend to not go gaga when my boys do thing, just not my personality, but when Alfred and I went to our seat on the front row dead center I felt like I had little child stars. Seriously the pregnancy hormones were flowing! Barrett and Melissa, his classmate and friend, played Joseph and Mary. Barrett adores Melissa and he told me several afternoons when he came home from school that it was his job to take care of her. From the beginning he did just that and was an absolute doll. I don't use that word often for Barrett but somehow he wasn't my rough strong-willed opinionated child he was truly Joseph.

Brock's class were the heavenly host and oh my was Brock a true angel. Because of his personality this wasn't a stretch but he outdid my expectations and once again showed his love for music. He sang so loudly and smiled. He had told me he didn't like his halo and when I saw him I couldn't help but laugh. I am not sure if there was not one that fit but he looked as if he had a crazy-lady's hat atop his head. But somehow it looked perfect perched on his head! Am I gushing, my I sure hope so. I am their Mother and I adore them more than any other so if I can't gush no one can:)

I thought back on the dozens of plays I did at Marion First Baptist and Avondale Elementary School. Did I give my teachers fits? No doubt. Did my sweet Mother often shake her head and wonder why she cast her own child in the Christmas play? Every year. But now as a Mother I can also imagine that melted away on opening night when I did the unexpected and delivered my lines and sang like the angels. The joy of being Barrett and Brock's Mother is in the hundreds of little things, and occasionally the big ones!