How We've Been

It's been 5 months since I last blogged. I feel sad about that and I'm hoping not to be so long between posts again. We've been keeping busy with the boys and the weather this week has me optimistic that spring will be here soon and we can say goodbye to the drudgery that is the tail end of winter. Here are a few pictures from recent months.

I started potty training the twins in February. I quit potty training Schaeffer a month later. No matter how much I talked myself up for the positive attitude I would maintain during potty training, it still frustrates me. Schaeffer just never caught on and it was exhausting trying to keep up with both kids learning and one of them failing all day long. Perhaps the most exhausting part was when we were out and about and Logan needed to potty, Schaeffer of course thought he needed to as well and we end up with me and three boys in the bathroom. And since Logan sometimes struggles to go even when he needs to these trips could be repeated multiple times in one outing. Hopefully in a month or two Schaeffer will be ready to give it another go and Logan will be doing really well. On a funny and kind of icky note. This past week we were at lunch with my parents and Logan had to go potty. I took him and Jack to the bathroom and when we got back to the table I noticed Logan's hair was wet by his forehead. I am certain he peed on himself. He likes to bend over and put his head by his knees when he goes potty and this particular time he didn't get things pointed the right direction and he peed on the floor (happening a lot lately!). So I'm certain that due to his bent over posture and his poor aim, he peed on his head. Isn't that awesome?

This was Micah, Jack and Hailey's first sleepover. They did a pretty good job settling down and getting some sleep. Jack missed them so much the next night that he was sobbing at bedtime. I love how much he loves his cousins!

This is the newest member of the Vest family, Charlie. He belongs to Megan and Dennis and big brudder George. He's a sweetie and I was so glad we got to make a visit to see him the day he was born. It feels good to snuggle a newborn again and then hand him over when he needs to eat. :) Charlie was born in March which makes the 7th March birthday between Paul's and my families. It's a bit crazy!

Speaking of March birthdays! I started the month off by turning 30. It was uneventful. Jack ended the month of birthdays last week when he turned 5! I feel like 5 is the last year of really being a little kid. 6 sounds so old. Jack was over the moon excited for his birthday this year and to be turning 5. We threw him a bowling birthday party at the Bass Pro Shop. He loved every minute of it because when it wasn't his turn to bowl he could gaze into the awesome ocean decor and find sharks and squid and all sorts of ocean creatures that facinate him. His birthday gifts this year were hilarious and I know in the future we will remember this year. He got a bunch of books, a globe, a model of a brain and a 1/2 dissarticulated set of replica human bones. Yes, you read that right, he got a box of bones. He loved all of these things and had asked for all of these things. He also got a few more typical toys like Hungry Hungry Hippos, roller skates and Star Wars Angry Birds Jenga. Jack is full of life and energy and while the bones are his favorite he would excitedly tell you how much he loves all the gifts he was given. Jack at 5 is full of questions and curiosities about things I don't know. He's chatty and friendly and still full of energy. He's excited about starting kindergarten and still loves tumbling and soccer. I think actually he loves anything, he loves to be with people burning off energy. He loves his brothers but antagonizes them constantly. He tells me he loves me and often hugs me without warning. And he has recently decided that he would rather be called Jackson than Jack. He might change his mind when he realizes it's more difficult to write!

And here is our most recent family picture. There were a couple of better ones taken, but none of them even close to good. I chose to show you this one because I think it best captures us right now. Paul and I smiling, trying to keep everyone settled and calm and keep the situation under control. And our three boys finding it impossible to sit still and look at the camera like they've been asked to do. They are oh so busy. It is never quite in our house. Someone is always asking a question or a hundred questions or needing help in the bathroom or refusing to put their shoes and coat on. It's hard to put into words the type of busy season we are in because it's not about running to and from activities or having loads of projects. My days are spent correcting children, breaking up fights, teaching children about obedience and how to love each other, sitting with kids while they try and potty, cleaning up accidents and trying not to lose my mind and my control when they just don't learn the lessons I'm trying to teach. This is how I feel lately. It's not that my kids are bad (though they have plenty of bad moments) they are just exhausting right now. So if you are wondering how we are doing, we are doing well. Our kids make us laugh and our schedule is open and free which is nice. We are enjoying this season of no major life changes, no major events. But the day to day of raising three boys is challenging and tiring!