Reuben or Ruby?

OK... I did it. I'm not sure I was ready for it, but sometimes you just have to jump in with both feet!

Reuben is most likely our last little one. It's been a difficult adjustment for me. I've always wanted as many kids as possible, and I know a lot of people think having 4 is a lot. It is a lot, but every time I see someone pregnant or a new baby or even just one younger than Reuben it melts a little bit of my heart. I'm beyond grateful for what the Lord has blessed me with, and I KNOW that our decision to be done is really what the Lord is telling us is best for us at this time. Because Reuben is the probably the last one I haven't wanted to cut his hair. I have really felt like if I cut it then he's not a baby anymore. (I know it's crazy!) Well I've know it was time for quite a while, so take a look at the next few pictures...with the long hair. Neither picture truly do the length justice!

Here I've cut the back off and started in on the sides.

I didn't want to buzz him, but I had too!

And here...is my "big boy", not a baby anymore! At least my dad will be happy! And Shannon he won't be hangin 10 anytime soon!

Reuben

Happy Birthday Reuben James! You are such a joy to have around. You are my busiest child by far. You keep us on our toes, and are into everything! We pray that someday you give your heart to Jesus. Love you, Love you, Love you Baby.

Busy,Busy,Busy!

I've had so many things I've wanted to share here. I enjoy blogging, but I have this little problem....



I know he looks really cute, and don't get me wrong he is, but he gives the word busy a whole new take!


I started a post about unit studies, he shut down my computer! I restarted it and sat down to keep working on it, had to get up to clean up a mess, he published it, but it wasn't done, so I deleted it. (because I didn't know how to remove it without deleting it!)


The mess I had to clean up...some people have mice, I have a boy named Reuben!

(I know it's hard to see the hole.)



I could tell that he was in my lazy Susan. I should have gotten up right away, but I didn't. After a few minutes he had bitten a hole in the bag of sugar and had some on the rug. I cleaned it up, shook my rug out and put the bags high up on the counter. I still had a bag of brown sugar under the lazy Susan, well after I sat back down it wasn't 5 more minutes and he had the brown sugar bitten into, all over himself and the rug! (I had forgotten it was down there)

(sorry it's a bad picture!)


He also really likes light switches. He drags any chair he can get a hold of to the nearest light switch. I'm considering bolting the furniture to the floor! =)
He sure is keeping me on my toes! I'm hoping that I will be able to get back to some regular postings soon!

Reuben pictures

I'm a little behind, big surprise huh? Here are some recent pictures of Reuben...

Here he is hanging out in his Cozy Coupe while it was still "under construction."

Enjoying his birthday cake!

*I hope to have some AWESOME pictures coming soon!*

Reuben James

I'm in total and complete shock...MY BABY IS ONE TODAY. Where did the year go? Reuben you are such a blessing. You've been a great addition to our family. You are very easy going, and happy! We can't wait to see what your personality is going to continue to develop into. We love you buddy, Happy Birthday!

I promise to post pictures later this weekend or early next week. It has been one of those kind of days! =)

Scripture Time

But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Matthew 18:6



In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.
Matthew 18:14

We have such an important job as parents. It is NOT easy. I wouldn't trade it for any other job though. At times I wish it was easy, but I know the struggles and problems should be used to draw me closer to God. I should be leaning on Him, seeking Him, crying out to Him. There are joys and hardships in parenting. I'm trying to find the joy in all situations...sometimes it seems almost impossible, but I know it is there. I'm so thankful it is there.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4

Scripture Time

I'm holding this little hand, stroking it, enjoying it's softness, thanking God for this little boy. I start to wonder what will this little hand do? Will it be gentle? Will it show love? Will it be a hard working hand? Will it serve You?


Psalm 63:4
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands




What about these little feet? Will they go where You lead them to go? Will they follow You?

Psalm 119:101, 105
I have kept my feet from every evil path

so that I might obey your word.

Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light for my path.

This sweet little mouth...what about it? Will it sing Your praise? Will it tell others all about You and Your awesome plan of salvation? Will it speak kind and loving words?

Psalm 19:14

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Look at these precious blue eyes...Will they look at others the way You would? Will they try to see the good in others? Will they try to avoid judging others? Will they try to avoid sin?

Hebrews 12:2

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Will these cute little ears listen? Will they listen for Your voice to call? Will they listen to Your truths?

Matthew 11:15

He who has ears, let him hear.

Father help this little boy to grow into a man of God. A man like David...a man after Your heart. Amen

Trials

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”- James 1:2-3

Christmas

I'm a little behind, but here are some pictures of our Christmas celebrations.

This was our first celebration, a picture of all of us (hubby's side!) I was a bad "photographer" and totally forgot the camera! (and yes I know I look like I'm 7+ months pregnant,I'm working on it!)



Next was our Christmas on Christmas day.


Zeke is hugging his gift here: Star Wars Legos! I guess he likes it!

Titus opening up his John Deere truck/tractor/wagon. We got it from EBAY, and it's almost as old as I am, but he loves it!

Reuben eating the paper! His first Christmas! (sorry for the bad pic, I was messing w/ the settings on the camera!)

Brie opening some of the books she got!

I loved this picture of all of them reading their books. (I'm so thankful that they like books!)

Here the older 2 are opening one of the last presents. Wii games! You can see the excitement in their eyes. Brie's saying did we get a Wii? This is where it gets fun!!!

Me: Sorry we couldn't afford the Wii this year, maybe next year. We got you some games that you can take and play @ your cousins houses. Them: OK! Maybe next year!

In the above picture where they are all reading......Mark is in the living room setting up the Wii! We brought them into the living room, Mark turned on the TV, they heard the music and said: What, we did get the Wii! They were so excited!

I know some of you think that was mean, but we thought it was great!!! I think they enjoyed it! Who doesn't love a great surprise????

Our last Christmas, with my side. For some reason I didn't get a picture of Zeke opening his presents. Here are the other 3 opening up some of their presents!

Reuben's photo shoot!

My baby is already 7 months old.............can't believe it!

I ♥ faces- "Sweet Dreams"

This week @ I ♥ faces the theme is sweet dreams. I took this picture this weekend. My hubby and I went out for dinner to celebrate our 10th anniversary, Reuben fell asleep on the way home. I love how sweet and peaceful he looks! Go check out the other entries.

Some of my favorites....

Sorry I've been missing! I've gotten into taking pictures and lurking on photographers websites and blogs!! I'm learning some new stuff, but still don't have a clue on most of it!
I've had adobe photoshop elements 5 for 3-4 years and didn't have a clue I could do all I could do! I'm still playing and learning, but enjoying it! These are some of my favorite shots I've taken in the past week! I think some of them may be over edited. Like I said I'm still learning!!!!