Here I am

It's been too long.  I've had so much on my mind, and big life changes that I've had more than writer's block, I've been unable to write, I haven't even been able to form the words in my head.  You know those times when there is so much going on and it's too much to face reality, and it's just so much easier to be distracted with the day to day chaos, well that's where I've been for that last 2 months!  A fun little announcement we are expecting our fifth baby, I'm excited, and nervous, and not quite ready, but we have time to get there!  I will be 15 weeks tomorrow, and finally starting to feel a bit better, but still so very, very tired!  I am looking forward to finding out if we will be celebrating with blue or pink, but mostly just praying for a healthy baby!!  God has blessed us so abundantly that I am in awe of his love for me and our family. 

In other news, my sweet sister, Beka, left on April 20 to go back to Malawi.  This time she went with a one way ticket, so we're not sure when she will be back.  We are missing her more than words can express.  She is doing amazing things there and if you are interested in reading about her visit the blog Wongani's Hope, you will be blessed by her story and God's work. 

Mother's day is this weekend and I've had gifts planned for my mom and MIL, and of course I haven't even started on them...grrr....why am I such a procrastinator??  I am wishing all the mothers out there a beautiful and blessed weekend surrounded by your kiddos and lots of love.

God's plan is the best plan

This morning we decided to stay home from church, and we watched an episode of Veggie Tales, which I was really excited about...I think those little veggies are so cute!!!  Anyway, It was the story of Joshua and the wall of Jericho, and those veggies really helped to get a message across to me that I think God has been trying to teach me for a verrrrrrrrrrrry long time, and that message is that God's plan is the best plan, and we have to TRUST  that He knows what is best for us. WOW!  This has been hard for me, because 1.) I am IMPATIENT, 2.) I am a worrier, and 3.) I am so afraid of the unknown.  I know God has been literally shifting my perspective on things lately, and that can be scary, and I NEEDED this lesson and reminder today.  I always know that God has a plan for my life, and those that I love, but sometimes it's so hard to actually let go of the control, and give total control to God.  Like I said I am impatient, and I sometimes get impatient for answers from God, and sometimes his answer is to wait (and be patient), and this is when I need to remember to trust...
Anyway, today I am so thankful for these gentle reminders, and this verse that the episode ended with:

"As for God, his way is perfect:  The Lord's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him."

2 Samuel 22:31

And that is what has been going to through my head all day, God's way is perfect.

Meet the Carpenters

This probably should have been my first post, but I was so excited that I was able to sit down and get started, it just wasn't :)  I am the mom, Mandy, and I am married to the strong & handsome Zac, and together we have four little boys:  Cael, 4, Gable,2, and "the babies" Lincoln & Louden, 1.

 To say that our family grew much faster than we had aniticipated is a huge understatement.  Right before our 1st anniversary we found out that we were expecting a surprise bundle of joy.  On September 26, 2007 we celebrated the birth of our first son Cael King Carpenter. 

Cael Bug



Spider Cael

 
Cael is a lover of learning.  He loves to watch documentaries on lizards, frogs, dinosaurs...basically anything reptilian, amphibian, or dangerous :)  If it were up to Cael we would go to the zoo on a daily basis, or live in a jungle surrounded by lizards and snakes. He has a better memory for facts than most adults I know, and the best imagination.  He loves Spider-Man, and most super heroes.  Cael is fun and silly, he so rough and wild, but also the sweetest snuggler.  I can't imagine my life without this sweet boy.


When Cael was about 10 months old we decided it was time to add another sweet Carpenter baby, and on April 13, 2009 we were full of joy when Gable Arthur was born. 

Gable <3



Gable with his "puppas"





Gable the tool man



Gable is the sweetest, silliest, and most quietly stubborn child I know.  He is a "man's man", or in his case and "boy's boy".  He loves anything dirty, messy, and hands on.  His grandpa Carpenter is convinced that he will either be a foreman or a drill sergeant, because he is bossy and once he has his mind set on something there is no negotiating with him.  He loves his "puppas", tools, and the avengers.  He loves to play with legos, play-doh, and anything messy.  He LOVES chocolate, and he loves to snuggle with just about anyone who loves him.  He is a little mean, but has the sweetest heart.


The day after Gable's first birthday, I found out that I was pregnant again, and I was not ready.  After getting used to the idea of a third child, we went in for an ultrasound, and to our surprise found out that we were expecting not one, but two babies.  WOW!  All we could do was laugh, then cry a little (me), and then feel blessed that God thought we were awesome enough to bless with twins :)  On November 12, 2010 we breathed a sigh of relief when two healthy, crying boys were delivered 5 weeks early.  We named our precious babies Lincoln (baby a) and Louden (baby b).  They were so tiny, and the first couple of weeks...or months...were HARD, I wasn't sure how we were going to survive, but with lots of prayer and supportive family we did!

Lincoln (L) & Louden (R)
Newborn pictures taken by Molly VanWagner Photography

Lincoln

Louden

Lincoln and Louden are so different, not only in looks, but also in personality.  Lincoln is sensitive and likes to be held.  Louden is a little more independent and a little bit of a bully.  Lincoln loves to throw anything, but calls everything a ball.  Louden loves to play with the toy kitchen and accessories, and is constantly "making" me food, and "feeding" me :)  They both LOVE soft blankies, and brooms.  The babies have recently discovered how much fun it is to play outside, and stand at the sliding glass door and say "side".  Although the first year with twins was difficult, we are so thankful for our two sweet boys.



Our Family

This is our family, and we have been so blessed with a house full of chaos and lots of love.  Does anyone else have similar stories?  Anyone else have unexpected twins?  Or 4 babies in 3 years?  I love to hear about stories that are similar to mine! 



Sleeping babies

I think that there is nothing sweeter than sleeping babies (or big boys). It could just be that it is such a rare occurrence in my house, so I treasure the little sleeping faces, and the quiet more than I might normally. There are days I dream of sweet snoring babies , and nights...like tonight. Ugghhh. I am a single parent this weekend, which means I have so much patience left (insert sarcasm here). Excuse me while I go tuck my stinky boys angels back into bed. 

My Loves

Oops...I woke Linoln up.  I just had to try and capture all of the sleeping faces that I love so much!

Yippee!

I'm so excited to be starting this blog.  I have been lost in blog world for weeks and was so scared to really start blogging, but this is it...and I'm so excited!  I am doing this to document the sweet and fleeting moments of my boys and our hectic life. I find that the more kids we have, the less time I take to document the milestones and moments that are so sweet.  I want to look back at our life and remember all of the sweet moments.  So here it goes...get ready for some crazy stories, hopefully some crafts, and maybe even some recipes.