quiet reflections

September brings so many things.
September 23rd will bring fall and a new crispness to life.
September brings 9/11, something we will never ever forget.
September 17th brings the joy of new life as on that day 7 years ago I found out I was pregnant with Austin.
September 29th is Adam's birthday. He will be entering a new decade this birthday.
September 19th brings great loss. This day 12 years ago my father took his life. This day 4 years ago I laid on a hospital bed losing yet another baby.
So much loss and so much life all in one little month. It is hard to process.
September is a very heavy month for me. It is amazing how mourning and joy are woven together into one. How life is this constant mix of both. How we are all a mix of both.
So today I reflected on all these things and let each memory settle deeply. What is life if not an ebbing and flowing?
Tonight I am grateful for all that has been, is, and is yet to come.  Tonight I am grateful for tender friends and loving family. Tonight I will simply be still and know that He is who he says He is.

of all the falls

Years have gone and passed like whispers in the night. Flying by as almost invisible. But then there is a moment that takes your breathe. Or maybe, that moment actually allows you to breathe.



To breathe in the scent of life all around you. To truly feel as if your senses have burst into life.



These moments, these beautiful things of perfection, these are what matter most. These are what we will carry with us always.



The wind singing through the trees, the falling leaves that have given their last, the squirrels chattering, crisp breezes against bare cheeks, and two beautiful boys full of life and promise.








These are the moments. Of all the falls, this, now, is my favorite. I will savor every sweet moment...

around the house

Untitled from E Nault on Vimeo.

Just us, at home!
If you make it till the end of the first video you get to hear EJ talking and saying the sounds the animals make! He is getting so big!
Things have been so busy lately! I love it so much. I never once thought I would actually have this life. I look at my two boys and I am so grateful.
EJ had a great appointment at the hematologist last week. His ANC was so good that they said we could try the nursery at church! He went this last sunday and I was a wreck. He has NEVER been left with anyone since he was born. Adam has only watched him 2-3 times! So I was so nervous! EJ did great though! He cried when they put him down but he was fine when I went to get him. I was so proud! I just can't believe he is growing up so quickly. As long as he tolerates the nursery (illness wise) we can continue. This means I get to join bible study in the fall! YAY!
The other thing we learned at the dr appointment was that he hasn't gained weight again. It has been two months now and no gain. They told me to give him ice cream with carnation instant breakfast in it twice a day to boost calorie intake. So if you could just say a little prayer that he gains, I would really appreciate it. We have always struggled with his feeding and weight gain. But, over all he is doing great and I can't ask for anything more than that!

Last week I received all of Austin's homeschooling materials. We are using sing spell read and write to teach him to read. I am so excited to start next month! I am a little nervous because a huge part of me is a perfectionist and I want to be the best teacher I can be for him. I know it will go great though!
We are about to head out to our first playdate with a new playgroup! I have wanted to join one for so long but have such anxiety over meeting new people. We are all going to Mooyah though and I know we will have a blast!
This video is of EJ saying our dog's name "bella". I feel like he learns a new word every day! Don't mind my messy house in the videos ;) The cleaning fairy had yet to come that day! HA!

Untitled from E Nault on Vimeo.

yeehaw

So yesterday was the last day of this year vacation bible school, and this was Austin's first time attending. He had a blast and I am so thrilled we got to do it! I met some amazing women and Austin met some great friends!

Thursday we had a huge outdoor party with a petting zoo of all baby animals, pony rides, bounce houses, dinner, train rides, and a night showing of toy story 2. It was so much fun and I love being surrounded by families who we go to church with and who love the Lord!

Here are some pictures of my little cowboys!





















In other news, the fab people at CSN (remember this giveaway?) have offered to let me review an item for them! If you don't know about CSN you must check them out! They have over 200 stores and sell everything you can imagine from twin beds to kitchen appliances and utensils. I particularly love their baby store!
I can't wait to share that review with you!

summer loving

Well if you stayed with us, you would never know that summer hadn't officially started yet!


Our days have taken on a totally different rhythm. Soccer sign ups have been completed and I can not wait to find out what team Austin is on! This is his first ever team sport experience! Sunday school is going great and Austin has made two friends in his class.


Homeschooling is still our plan as of now. Private school has always been my favorite choice, but I just don't see us being able to afford it right now. I trust in the Lord and know there is a season for all things, and now is the season of home school. I will say though, that my excitement has been replaced with a bit of anxiety over it all. I want him to have the best education, and sometimes I am prone to second guess myself. We will have a curriculum to help though, and I know we can do it!


EJ is doing great as well. He finally kicked this last bug and I hope we can enjoy a summer with out any more illness. He is walking everywhere and starting to try to run a bit. He talks all the time. Seriously. He is one vocal little one. He is definitely more strong willed than Austin ever was. He still wakes 3-5 times a night but we co sleep (still) so I am only up usually for a few minutes each time. He loves all his toys, and especially Austin's swords. He loves to play sword fights! His all time favorite thing though right now is reading. He will sit with you and go through 20 books. His favorites are the touch and feel although he does love "Mommy calls me monkey pants" as well. We go the library each week and always get new books for the kids.


He has two new teeth and I couldn't be more thankful for them finally breaking through. His fourth bottom tooth, and one of his molars. I know the other molars are right behind, but I am enjoying a little break from teething madness.

So for me, summer has taken on a different feel already, and I apologize for being MIA. I am working a bit from home now on top of everything else I have going on, and I am one busy Mama! Truth is I feel inadequate most days because I can't do it all. I can't raise my two boys, keep a clean home, work, and blog all perfectly at the same time. I don't know how you all do it! So blogging has taken a bit of a back burner. I will try to post more pictures at least, I promise!


Hope you all are enjoying the weather!

splish splash

Splish splashing in the spring among the spouting plants.









Oh how I love these days....

a day at the lake

Had an amazing day yesterday! Had a picnic, a hike, and a little time to fish. All in all, I am so incredibly blessed to be part of my family!

Boys being boys...


Girls being girls...(with EJ :)


Nature being... well...um..nature








Off on our hike!








Dont look down!


View










Katherine




Best Buds


Cutie Pie!










Success!




Wild creature :) This picture makes me crack up! He was trying to be a deer!


Getting so big!