8 years ago today....

...we were blessed with this -- our first daughter. She made us parents for the very first time! And we were in love!

Emma Mae was born on August 23, 2002 at 8:58 AM. Her total labor lasted 7 hours from start to finish (though I remember pushing for 2 1/2 hours with her)! She was such an easy baby. She only really cried when she was hungry, tired or needed a diaper change. The smallest insignificant thing created hours of enjoyment for her. I remember one day not hearing her for awhile and going to check on her only to find that she was playing with a string that she found on the floor. That string entertained her for so long. Emma is my perfectionist. She HATES it when things don't go the way she wants them to. She is quiet, a little more outgoing (though she used to be painfully shy), smart, an avid reader, a lover of math, loving and sweet. She loves being a big sister and takes care of her siblings when I can't. She has a best friend who lives across the street from us but also counts her sisters in that best friend category. She adores her little brother who adores her right back. She's amazed by simple things and always asks 101 questions about everything. I miss her being so little - so dependent. But I am loving that she's becoming an independent young girl who takes pride in her work.

I found some pictures that I had forgotten that we had. So, here she is...Emma Mae Rader...from the beginning to the present!

Happy Birthday, Em! We love you!

10 years!

I'm a little late in getting this post posted. It seems that by the time I get around to even thinking about blogging, my day is finished and the next morning has arrived. Anyway, on the 12th of this month, Marc and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary. We didn't celebrate it the way we originally planned. Our original plan was to head off to Italy for 10 days and enjoy our time together in a most beautiful country. But, it didn't work out that way. We spent our 10th taking our children to play at Burger King for lunch and eating off the dollar menu! And you know what? It was GREAT!!! We had a great time together as a family. I love this man. He's a great husband, a caring and loving father and a great provider. I'm so looking forward to spending the next 80 years with him! He's definitely not perfect....but he's perfect for me!

Another Birthday!

I can't believe we're celebrating another birthday today! It seems like the time is just flying by and I can't keep track of everything! Anyway....Five years ago today at 5:24 pm, little Maggie Rose was born to us after 2 hours of labor (she was my shortest labor and delivery). I had already become used to the personalities of her two older sisters -- one quiet, sweet and easily entertained; the other more busy and outgoing. So, I just figured she'd be just like her sisters. Boy....was I WRONG!!! This little one made the busy one look like a walk in the park. She is my ornery, stubborn, strong-willed, out-spoken little one. But she is also my one that is most mothering and truly cares about the feeling of others (not that my other girls don't care - Maggie just seems to be the most sensitive in that area). She's an amazing little girl who keeps me on my toes all day every day. She asks a million and one questions and really NEVER stops talking! There is not a quiet moment when you are with her. There are days when I have to tell her to leave the room and go play. I feel bad doing that to her, but my ears need a break!!!! I can't imagine what life will be like when she's a teenager!!! But I'm sure it will be full of surprises! She is a mommy's girl, but loves her daddy dearly. She can't wait to start kindergarten (though, I can - her attention span is pretty short). She loves to help me bake. But above all - this little girl LOVES her baby dolls!!! I've never seen one kid with so many babies, but she takes care of them all. They're all named and we have to make sure that they're all tucked in at night. If you were to ask her what she wants to be when she grows up, she'll tell you "a mommy". She already has her children's names picked out (they're a little scary - I'm really hoping that she'll change her mind when the time comes!!! =) ). She is an amazing little girl whom I just adore!

Here are just a plethra of some of my favorite pictures of her. I took all of her baby pictures off the computer and downloaded them onto discs, so I didn't have any to choose from for this. So, these will have to do.

So....Happy Birthday, Mags!!! I hope your day is extra-special! We love you!

Happy 1st Birthday, Little Man

I can't believe that Cole is a year old already! It seems like just yesterday we were praying that God would add another little one to our family. The road for him to get here was not an easy one, but it was so worth it in the end. He's an amazing little boy who doesn't cease to make me laugh on a daily basis. From day one, he was always a snuggler and responded so well to music - especially "You Are My Sunshine". He's always been a happy little dude, with the exception of teething. His sisters ADORE him! And he's got them wrapped around his little finger. They would do anything for them. He especially loves it when he gets up in the morning and the girls are sitting at the table eating breakfast and yell "Goodmorning Cole" as he comes out with me. It makes him grin from ear to ear and giggle, too.

He likes to get into everything. There are a few times where a little slap on the hand and a firm "No" come into play. But he generally plays with his own things and stays away from the things he shouldn't touch.

He LOVES it when daddy gets home. The minute I say "Daddy's home!", he gets a huge grin, his arms start waving and his little legs are kicking. And then daddy comes in and scoops him up and he usually gets a pretty huge bear hug from Cole. It's sweet to watch. Cole is still a mommy's boy, but he definitely has a pretty big spot in his heart for his daddy! And that's as it should be.

Cole recently started taking his first steps. He was pretty proud of his accomplishment, as were we. It's hard to believe that it's that time now, but it is and we're loving every minute of it. Actually, I'm so ready for him to walk. He needs to chase his sisters around and start torturing them! =)

Here are a few pictures from his birth to 3, 6, 9 and now 12 months old. His looks have definitely changed. But his sweet spirit hasn't. I can't wait to see what God has in store for my little guy! It'll be exciting to watch how he's molded into the man that God wants him to be.

Cole - June 16, 2009 (a few hours old)

Papa and Cole (3 months old)

Christmas 2009 (6 months old)

(9 months old)

Happy Birthday, Cole! (1 year old)

I thought our lives would change drastically when we had a boy. But, they really haven't. We've been introduced to cars, trucks and lots of boy toys. But he's fit right into our family beautifully! God knew exactly what He was doing when He gave us our son! We love you, little dude!

Miscellaneous

I didn't realize how long it had been since I posted last. But it's been a crazy few months around here. It seems like things have been going non-stop. I've been super busy with school (concerts, play, elementary school tours, etc.). And I just can't wait for the end of the school year to arrive. I'm longing for it. But, since it's been awhile, I'll just catch you up - I promise it'll be the short version, though!

We've had a beautiful spring so far this year. Some super warm days (which I love), some downright cold days, rainy days, misty days and some good old-fashioned spring days. Here are a few pictures that were taken back in the beginning of April. The girls were loving playing outside that day!

Emma and Lily

Maggie, Lily and Emma

(look at all those knobby knees!)

Then Easter arrived. I LOVE getting my children all dressed up for Easter Sunday. And they enjoy it, too (well, I'm not too sure that Cole did, but the girls love it!)! We re-read the Easter story many times during the week prior to Easter Sunday. We don't read it too many times during the year after that, unfortunately. But it's amazing what kids will remember. They still remember the entire story and still are upset about the whole thing (Christ's beating, the crucifixion, etc.). Maggie kept asking me why people would do that to someone else. And I could only respond with an "I don't know.".

Lily

Maggie

Emma

Cole

My girls

We've also done some work around our home. The landscaping in the front of our house was something to be desired. So, we decided to concentrate on that this spring. It's almost finished. We worked so hard for a few weeks, that now we're completely pooped out. We're hoping to get the front steps finished soon. I don't have any pictures of that process, so here are just a few for you to enjoy.

Cole figured out one day how to climb into his little toy box. He thought it was GREAT fun!

Then Mother's Day arrived. I was so busy with the spring musical this year, that it just flew up on me. I was so tired that day (2 straight weeks of practice every night for a few hours just about killed me.). But I love these kids! They mean the world to me (for some reason, I didn't get a picture of Lily. But I love her, too!!!)!

Our Mother's Day brunch at the Tippecanoe Place! Cole ate everything in sight!

Things will be changing this year. In a previous post I mentioned that I have been praying for change. And, things will definitely change. I was informed in late March by the superintendent and principal of my school, that my hours were going to be cut. And it wasn't a little cut - it was a HUGE cut! I was REALLY disappointed! I LOVE my job! I love the teacher I work with! I love the students! And I couldn't believe how they could do this to me. They were cutting jobs all across the board and I couldn't believe I was on that list. I had done everything they asked - above and beyond. I was bitter for a little while. How could they expect me to effectively and professionally do my job on the hours they were willing to give me? Then I realized - here was a change that I was praying for. Not one that I prayed specifically about - but again, another change. And after thinking about it, I knew it was for the best. I prayed and prayed - should I keep the few hours that they were willing to pay me for or should I just completely resign? And after a few weeks, I made my decision. As of June 12, I will no longer be an employee of the school. And I feel great about that decision!!! I began to realize that this is what God wanted me to do. Lily's schooling has suffered this year because of my job. She's still doing very well, but she's behind. So, we'll be playing catch-up this summer. I was starting to be gone a few nights during the week for school purposes and I was missing out on the time that I could be spending with my family. Marc was being relied on more and more to fix the kids dinner and watch them until bedtime - also putting them to bed. I didn't know how much I was missing out on. Then I began to think about the up-coming future. We are going to be having another child in the late summer. How was I going to work and take care of this little one? And then homeschool three kids on top of that and chase around a running toddler? I couldn't do it. And I know I can't. I knew this job was just for a season. It fell into my lap with no looking or even considering a job from my end. And now I feel God is telling me that my time is up. It's time to move on. So, as I will terribly miss my students and the teacher I work with, I am so looking forward to just being a mom for awhile. I am blessed!

So there you have it...in a nutshell...my crazy life! But I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!