Grace Abounds

My last post was back in April! I can't even believe how fast these months have gone. At the time of the last post we were getting ready to move. We have moved into Sioux Falls from Harrisburg and really love our neighborhood! There have been some things with the move that have not gone according to plan but that is the case with any move I think. Maybe I will expound on that more sometime, but not now. 

So we moved the end of April, Kevin's school year ended in May and he and Nate went back to their construction business working long days. In June we had to switch daycare providers, in July the girls turned 3 (Kevin turned 32, haha) and we went to Canada through the first week in August. Oliver got two teeth and a double ear infection in Canada so we got to experience the Canadian medical system. When we got back Kevin started volleyball and then.....tore his achilles! :( So he had surgery the last week of August, missed the first couple days of school after Labor Day, and it's now mid September! Oh yeah, my birthday was in there too. Did I mention we also had 7 inches of rain in just a little time and had water in our basement? I had to call my brother to come help me since Kevin couldn't and he could barely get to our house because the roads were so flooded. 

To say it's been nuts and overwhelming around here is a bit of an under statement. As a mom of three with a full time job, my window of opportunity to spend quality time with my kids and husband and balance that with putting food on the table for them and keeping the floor somewhat cheerio free was hard enough when I had Kevin's help. However the last month with him being laid up has really tested my organization skills....and sanity. After getting up at 5 am, (4:30 if I hang with Shaun T for 25 minutes) there are many nights where I don't stop moving until 9:30. After the kids are in bed, usually around 7:30-8, then there is still cleanup from supper to do, lunches to make for the next day, laundry to fold, and so on. Although we always knew we were a good team, Kevin and I have realized how good of a system we had now that we are kind of a one (wo)man show and that routine no longer exists. I honestly don't know how we would be surviving if it wasn't for my parents and everyone else who has helped with a meal, the kids, our yard, etc. You are amazing and we THANK YOU!!

In these crazy moments I have been reflecting a lot on God's grace. This is the season we are in. And looking back on previous crazy seasons, there was always a greater plan or purpose that I couldn't see at the time. Everything that happened has happened because it was supposed to. I can now see the blessing that the situation was, and it has brought us to where we are. The song Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) has played over and over in my head these last few weeks and describes the outlook I have been praying that I would have. 

     Your grace abounds in deepest waters 
     Your sovereign hand will be my guide 
     Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me      You’ve never failed and You won’t start now 

And while some of the "deepest waters" have been literal water in our basement and feet (Kevin's) have literally been failing, we know that he's never left us before and He's not going to now. We will get through and His grace will abound! My new favorite saying....all I need today is a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus! Who are we kidding, a whole lot of coffee too!

The good news is that Kevin has been able to go back to school and volleyball, although he still isn't putting much weight on his foot. That could take several weeks yet, but he has crutches and a knee scooter. While he can't really help like he used to yet, he is getting closer. He can sit in the bathroom with the girls and help them get dressed and brush their teeth. He can sit at the table with us again at supper. It's progress and I will take it! 

And the kids....oh my word! They are SO MUCH FUN! Amelia and Quinn live in a constant make believe world that is "their castle". They would wear their Elsa and Anna  dresses and do puzzles while watching Frozen all day every day if I let them. If they ask for something and I say we don't have it, the answer is always well I have some in my castle. The princesses are their friends and boys may not go in their castle. LOL. So entertaining.

Their little Buddy Boy is also becoming such a little boy. Oliver still LOVES his sisters and I swear he will say "sissy" sometimes! If he happens to be up while they are napping, he will crawl down the hall and try to get in their room. He wants to do whatever they are doing, whether they are doing puzzles or taking a bath he is right there with them. He thought he was sooo cool when we let him ride in the wagon with the girls...such a hot shot. He has been crawling since he was 6 months and he will often times stand but has not taken any steps yet. He will stand in the middle of the room not holding anything but then just sits down. He is definitely a momma's boy and he loves to cuddle. He loves to play peek a boo and act bashful. He is such a good napper and goes down really easily for the most part....knock on wood. So hard to believe he will be ONE in just a month. He has been such a blessing and wonderful addition to our family. Here are some pictures:

Thanks for sticking through this post...I have been wanting to do this for a while now because it feels so good to write and get thoughts on paper (screen)! Continued prayers for all would be appreciated! Have a great weekend!