It's All About the Journey: Yes, yes, yes....

I KNOW it has been too long since I posted, but things here are a rather delicately balanced juggling act these days, and it doesn't take much (an unexpected poopy diaper or need to be fed RIGHT NOW QUICK SHE'S STARVING!!! crying fit as we are headed out the door) to completely derail the BEST of intentions! You wouldn't think one little, tiny person could throw us into such disarray, but when Abby speaks, we all listen!

Things are rolling right along here. Abby Grace is nursing, and cuddling, and pooping, and sleeping, and nursing some more, and is just perfect! She is VERY laid back about all the cuddles, hugs, kisses and pokings of her older brothers, and is just SO sweet! We are all smitten!

Max and Benjamin are both doing well. We have had a few bumps in the road of sibling adjustment, but over all it has been amazingly smooth! I have tried to make a point of doing fun things with each of them alone, like going to the grocery store or sorting laundry, and that has helped. They are both excited about Trick or Treating tonight! They are going as knights, complete with chest armor and swords! Benjamin is VERY excited about the prospect of LOTS of candy - he is most definitely the sweet tooth of the family!

Thomas is doing very well! We went to the Orthopedist on Monday and he got the all clear to play basketball!! He will be in an ASO ankle brace for all practices and games ALL season, or anytime he is at risk of turning his ankle, but he is all good to play and was SO excited to get to practice on Monday! It was great to see him back on the court, jumping for rebounds and blocking the baseline! Woohoo! We got his preliminary Spirit basketball game schedule - 30 games between Nov. 16 and March 10, with the 4 day East Coast HomeSchool Tournament in Lynchburg, Va March 19-22. Thomas is SO excited and I am so thankful he didn't have a serious, season-ending injury!

Norman went back to work on the 22nd after 2 weeks off. It was nice having him here during those 1st weeks of adjustment, but he is glad to be back at work, and I am glad to be getting into a more "normal" daily routine with the boys and my little princess, though I am still in that 1/2 speed, get 1/2 of what you have planned for the day done mode. We get a little more efficient and a little less behind each day, and I am just going by the motto "Slow and steady wins the race." Not my usual mode of operation, but it will do for now!!

During the last month, we have been very blessed by my friends at church, in HEM and MOPS, who have been bringing meals and sending cards with love and prayers. I feel truly overwhelmed by the kindness and love we have been shown, and don't know HOW I can possibly thank everyone enough for all they have done. A message went out the week before Abby arrived when Thomas was hobbled, and I was overwhelmed and my friends stepped in and gave us such love and support. It brings tears to my eyes and shivers up my spine when I think of how amazing the people in my life are, and how privileged I am to know such great sisters in Christ. I am truly blessed and so very grateful.

Well, I am off to do laundry, and dishes, and help Thomas with a Biology experiment, and let Max and Benjamin color, and Abby will need to nurse soon, and so on and so it goes....

Before I go - a few pictures!

Mr. Happy - Such a sweet little fella! My little smiley man!