John's Birthday Party

Cupcakes with our small group

"What did Mom and Dad get me?"

Tigger and Pooh were the theme for the day

Yummy cupcakes!

"YUM!"

This is less than half of the obstacle course

This year we decided to scale down a little from our usual, "every-kid-John-knows-is-at-our-house" birthday party. He chose his five closest buddies (his age) and then we had the cousins and family, of course. He wanted to have it at home and he and his dad picked a huge inflatable obstacle course to rent. It was fun! The obstacle course was already set up when he got up that morning and he was so excited when he looked out the window and saw it! He and Dad had to make a few runs before the guests ever arrived. The next day we had cupcakes with all of our buddies in our small group and then Monday he got to pick a special activity with just our family, so he had quite the long weekend of celebration!

Progress and Transitions!

I feeling like I'm working my way out of the deep sea of undone things. We have made some huge progress the last few weeks on some things that I was really wanting finished. Pictures will be forthcoming on all the excitement. Two of the biggest were big, growing-up changes for both John and Kailey.

First, just in time for his birthday, John is officially potty trained! He is doing fantastic and needs very few reminders. Accidents pretty much don't happen. I knew when he got it, it would happen quickly because of being older, but it really seemed overnight! He is proud and we are thrilled and relieved! Now there won't be three in diapers! : ) Kailey seems determined to join John in his potty endeavors and likes to stand in front of the potty and try to go. It's hilarious. We'll have to work on sitting before the real training kicks in with her.

A proud guy in his big boy underwear

Next, Kailey moved upstairs to her big girl bed in her new room and has done absolutely perfect!!! We have not lost a bit of sleep, she stays there, still goes to sleep on her own, and I am in total shock that she could do it this easily. I knew it would go well with her because she loves to sleep and doesn't seem as thrown by changes as her older brother, but this was beyond my wildest dreams. She seems to welcome the challenge of something being different and new and loves to talk about her "bed upstairs." Thank you, Lord, and bless you, Kailey!

A happy girl in her big bed

Working Away

The Johns putting Kailey's new bed together

We're working away over here at the Critz' house. The last weeks could not have contained any more events, fun, and friends. After having my whole family sick, being on vacation, hosting bachelor and bachelorette parties, and being in one of the most precious weddings I have ever seen, I feel like I've been hit by a truck. :) I know. . . a little dramatic. I have been struggling with first trimester symptoms like exhaustion and nausea. My midwife says this is common for some women when they hit their third trimester. Hooray. ;) Anyway, we're plugging through it and my kids, while making enormous messes that I am tempted to leave on the floor, have been precious about playing together for hours and hours. Their relationship is blowing me away already. Kailey hugs and loves on her brother and John tells Kailey that she is his beautiful, favorite sister. I tear up every time they do it!!! Sure, the playing often turns to squabbling, but they're learning to resolve it and that love far surpasses insignificant irritations or inconveniences. I thank God for how He is already working in their hearts turning them towards each other!

When we finally get a project finished around here, I'll post some pictures. I'll also try to get some beach trip pictures up this week. We had such a blast!!!

Taking a Snack Break

Kailey sat like this for thirty minutes one day while I was working in the kitchen. It cracked me up to see her with her snack and Fisher Price catalog. Funny girl!

Style Show '08

Caitlin (she made her dress), Kailey, me, John V, Carissa & John's mom, Sandy (better known to my readers as Nonnie) Don't you just love a full-on shot when you're pregnant? It has a nice blimp effect!

When I get posting, there's just no stopping me! : ) Until I run out of new pictures, that is. As I've mentioned before, I took sewing from ages 5 to 17. My sisters have also taken from my teacher and she's had one of us in classes for 23 years this summer! That's a lot of relationship! She is my mentor, friend, and additional grandmother, and all of us love her dearly. Every year she has a style show at her church where the girls are able to model a dress they've made that year for their family and friends. It started out with us modeling for her Sunday school class and wearing both dresses we had made (with a super quick change between modeling, just like a real model!). Now there are always around 60-75 girls modeling, I'm not exactly sure of my numbers, so it takes a little while just to get everyone out there once! My mother-in-law always teaches the girls to model before the show and then gets them on and off the stage. John's sister was my teacher's first student all those years ago. Caitlin looked beautiful in her gorgeous dress and it was another fun style show night to add to the memories!

Easter - Part Two

Our second Easter celebration was at Marmee and Grandpa's with my mom's side of the family. Our gatherings get bigger and bigger! We love it! We had a wonderful time of celebration with my dad reminding us all of what we were rejoicing in and John V having the opportunity to say his verse to everyone. The prize eggs at my house have always been empty to remind us that the empty tomb is the biggest gift of all! This year all the eggs were empty and then the kids turned in their eggs for prizes. This worked great so that we didn't have candy everywhere and whiny, sugared-up kids! My sister hid almost four hundred eggs for four kids - they got their fill of hunting! It was too fun to watch them get so serious about filling their baskets!

We celebrated the March (and Feb. 28th) birthdays - Da, Cameron and Caitlin. It's hard to believe my baby sister is fourteen!

This girl was serious about gathering eggs!

"Here's another one. My basket is overflowing!"

"I found MORE!"

Sweet Easter girl

Some of those eggs were hidden!

Cousins playing in the bin of eggs after the hunt

Easter

Finally I am getting around to getting some Easter pictures posted. I just downloaded all the photos from our camera and had 187. I'm a little behind. I'll start with Easter at Nonnie and Poppie's. With several music ministers in the family, we do our celebrating a little early because Resurrection Sunday is a very full one for the people behind those beautiful church services!!! It's a good reminder to be grateful to all the people who make it possible for us to worship and enjoy those wonderful holiday celebrations at church. Easter was very special for us this year because of John V beginning to understand what it means. We spent very little time talking about egg hunts or Easter bunnies while trying to make sure we focused on the gift of everlasting life. I was teary many times as I heard myself telling the old, old story and realizing how fresh it is through a child's eyes. Both kids loved the resurrection eggs and John V learned one of his first verses that he would quote to anyone who asked him, "Jesus is not here. He is alive!" I don't think I will ever forget this first "understood" Easter with my oldest child.

Knocking on Nonnie's door - when she opened it, John greeted her with, "Jesus is alive!"

I see an orange egg!

Don't know what this face was about but it cracks me up!

Kailey was seriously into hunting eggs - I think it's that put stuff into other stuff stage

Checking out the sibling basket

"Yeah, sure we'll all sit down and take a picture with our Easter baskets!" (Right, Mom.)

The kids blew bubbles in the backyard with Nonnie and Kristen

The twins weren't big on participation this year. Next year will be crazy!

The cousins popping bubbles

John and Caden are best buddies

"If you wait for the men to do it, it will never get done!"

Playing piano with Uncle Jordan - I love this picture!

Here I Am!

Thanks to everyone who has been checking on me. I'm here - just busy! John was out of town for almost a week and we are busily preparing to move Kailey upstairs and get ready for Levi. On top of that, I decided my house wasn't organized enough so we've gotten rid of boxes of things and organized and decluttered away. I'm also doing overhaul on the gameroom and finally getting some shelving built for better toy/school/art storage. I guess it's just kind of that point when you've settled into a house enough to realize what needs to be changed from the way you first arranged it. In April and May we have lots of plans including a trip, John and I both will be attendants for two dear friends' wedding, which of course brings a shower, bachelor and bachelorette parties over here, we also have John V's birthday, and all the usual hooplah. Needless to say, I may not do much better with my blogging anytime soon! Anyway, I have pictures and updates and will get to those as soon as I can.

I'm Dreaming of a White Easter?!

If you live around here, you can see that the snow is coming down! When Kailey woke up from her nap we bundled up and took our little snowbunny selves outside for some playing in the snow! Even Noel (our dog) joined us and went a little crazy, not understanding all the white stuff. I think she also didn't recognize Kailey and kept sniffing her to see what she was. : ) The lighting isn't very good in these pictures but they get the point across.

So pretty!

Little snow bunny - she couldn't move!

Little snow dude

Baby snowman! Mommy's not talented enough for the big kind and Noel ate my first one.

Uh, Mom? Shouldn't this be a little bigger?!

The Three Boys

John V has quickly overcome all of his initial disappointment and is now announcing to the world that he has a new brother, Levi, on the way. The way he says his brother's name is adorable! Last night they wanted a picture of the three boys taken together. I can't tell you how special these wonderful "men" are to me! My sweet husband is such a terrific boy dad, a godly example of masculinity and emotion, brains and spirituality, tenderness and strength. I am so excited for Levi to have this dad and brother!

"Kissing baby brother"

This is Levi!

It's a . . .

BOY!!! We are beyond thrilled! He is healthy and seems to have the correct number of everything. Praise the Lord for His gracious gift! Our sweet one's name will be Levi Joshua. Levi means "unified" and we pray that he will feel a special and important part of our family unit as the second son and a child so closely following Kailey in age. So often the third child brings such a special spirit that is able to read people and the greatest of hearts. We will eagerly look forward to seeing all that is completely unique about our son. Joshua, of course, comes from our experience in December and the verses in the Bible that God gave to us in our scary moments. Joshua means "God saves." Just writing that gives me chills. He does. Whether spiritually or physically, He is constantly saving us when we are completely helpless to do anything for ourselves. I keep saying his sweet name over and over, so excited to be able to address my son! There will be special prayers in our home tonight as we pray over our children!

John V seemed very disappointed at first that it was not two babies. Even the sonogram technician felt bad for him as he was saying, "But we need a LOT of kids!" (That is not something that we have said to him, by the way.) I reminded him that God brings them one at a time (usually) in His timing, and that we would just keep the desire of John's heart in front of God's throne. I have full confidence that God has given him that precious spirit because he will be the oldest of several and it completely amazes me to see the preparation God will do in my children for His plans. I don't even have to take care of it! What a precious Lord. By the time we finished our celebratory lunch with the grandparents (and two aunts), John had lost his disappointment and was telling everyone it was going to be a brother "just like him." Kailey has absolutely no idea what is happening. : ) We cannot wait to see yet another precious sibling relationship develop in front of our eyes.

It means so much to me for all of you to have shared in my excitement over this day. The only thing as fun as a momentous day in your life is having loved ones to share it with! I love you all!

Spiritual Preparations

This morning I am feeling a little introspective. I woke up feeling excited and then just began on a little "remembering" walk with the Lord as I began to pray about the sonogram. Due to my family's (and other's) recent histories, I have learned to never take for granted what will happen during the course of a pregnancy. Learned that while there is no reason to fear, I have no "right" to a healthy baby and certainly "deserve" it no more than all the thousands who experience losses and difficulties. It has been amazing that even in having a deeper and more personal realization of all that can happen, I can still have more excitement and hope than ever before. Somewhere on this crazy road of bearing children there was a change. I started out driving the car and asking the Lord to navigate and tell me the best way to go. When traveling that way there is some pride upon reaching a destination, some personal responsibility when goals are reached, even when we are taking credit for what we have absolutely no control over. But somewhere in this pain and joy, the longing and waiting and the speed, the answers and the remaining questions, we did a Chinese fire drill. I think it was a gradual process. If you've ever changed drivers without getting out of the car, you know the tangle of arms and legs around the steering wheel as you try to switch seats. I think that may be what it has looked like. But as I prayed this morning, I realized that I have absolutely no desire to drive. I even have less and less of a pull to grab at the steering wheel when something scary seems imminent. More and more, when an obstacle shows up in the road, I just want to grab at His arm, just hold on to make sure He's taking care of it. This change has come at a dear price, but there is no value that can be put on peace and trust. How many children we have and when, their health, their futures, their genders, their timing - all of this is not mine and it never was. I only ask to sit and ride and to enjoy this journey. He's the only One who can truly keep in mind where we're ultimately headed anyway - we always seem to be on personal detours. I am so thrilled and can hardly wait until 11:30 when we no longer have to wonder who this little person is! I am so grateful that whoever he or she is, whatever happens in his or her life, I don't have to have all the answers. I can just point at the One driving and say, "Blessed be the Name of the Lord."

What Are We Feeding This Kid?!

Well, John V was at it again today. He's just on his game lately. He has continued insisting that we are having both a boy and a girl baby. "Two." I guess twins are just on the brain lately. While I am trying to convince him that we have had a sonogram and seen one baby, he continues to believe. "Maybe it's four or six," he'll add at times. Whoa! Apparently this kid really wants lots of siblings and right away. God sent him to the right family - he fits in perfectly! Anyway, tonight he explained to me that the way there are two babies is because one is in my tummy and one is in his. I believe I have the boy and he has the girl if I'm remembering correctly. Then he announced that he needed to go have a haircut and they would see if the baby was coming out. Out of where?! HIS HEAD! Of course, if he's pregnant, that definitely explains him feeling like he's growing a tail. Pregnancy brings about all sorts of odd sensations. I seriously wonder what we're going to do with this little guy sometimes. I love him so!

You're Growing A What??!!!!

Last night while reading before bed, John V kept pulling on his pants. When John asked him what was wrong he surprised us with this answer. "I don't know. I think it might be a tail growing or something." WHAT??!!! I know we're weird, but I don't think we're quite that freaky yet. Who knows?

Countdown to March 4th

While I will be voting in the primary election, I am not quite elated enough about McCain or Obama to be waiting with bated breath for my moment at the voter's box. No, while this may seem selfishly small in comparison with the fate of our country, a week from today is. . . THE SONOGRAM! For some reason I am even more eager during this pregnancy to know the gender of our baby than I was the previous two times. John V has done a complete about face on us and instead of insisting that it is a brother, or a brother and a sister, now he says it's definitely a sister. There's no depending on that boy. : ) John says it's a boy, and while I think that is where I'm leaning deep down, I'm a little burned because I thought the same thing about Kailey. Speaking of Kailey, she surprisingly shows no leanings either direction. : ) We will be ecstatic either way. I think one reason I am eagerly anticipating this day is because it will help the reality of this to sink in a little further. The baby's movements have certainly helped in the last few weeks, but I still catch myself in the mirror and have a moment of shock before I remember that I'm pregnant. It's so strange because I just did this! We are doing all of the usual preparations, but most of all, we are spending time daily praying for John V and Kailey that the Lord will be preparing them for this transition and already filling them with love for this little one who will change and bless their lives forever. I can't wait to see their responses to the sonogram next week.

Want to weigh in on boy or girl?!

The Twins

Some of you have asked about my twin nieces. They were born on the 8th and are absolutely beautiful! After a short bout in Cook's for Addison, they are both home with a happy mommy (John's sister), daddy, and brother. I wish I had more pictures but you know how it goes. You can tell just how beautifully my children were acting in this first shot. :) So far my nieces are highly outnumbering my nephews! It's so fun for me to wonder just how many I'll end up with. With my five siblings and John's two - who knows? I love it!

Meeting Avery for the first time

John, Jamie, & Jordan with the twins

Avery and Addison when they were finally able to snuggle up together after Addison's bout in the hospital. I'm already in love!

Beautiful Saturday Afternoon

We decided to stop by the Fort Worth Botanic Garden for a little while before church on a beautiful Saturday afternoon a few weeks ago. We were already in Fort Worth so John suggested we take advantage of the pretty day. It was so much fun! The kids loved it and thought they were little explorers on all the paths. We have done a much better job of protecting part of our weekends lately and have enjoyed some important and much-needed, relaxing family time. We love spending time with our daddy!

John V turns everything into a race or competition. He had to get ahead of us.

This girl thinks her daddy is amazing. Her face when he walks in the door at night is absolutely priceless.

Checking out all the opportunity for exploration

Sweet boy!

John is so precious with the baby. Because he understands so much more this time around, it has been incredibly special to enjoy this pregnancy with him.

My girl is getting big! She is so much fun right now!

Playing chase (while Mommy still can)

I love this face! He's my buddy!

Explanation

I guess I should explain my out-of-character, month-long absence from blog world. It is difficult to explain how I have been feeling lately. I think they are pretty normal emotions for a mom of small children, especially when piling pregnancy hormones and exhaustion on top of the normal pace of life. I've been tired, a little withdrawn, and honestly just not having the energy to reach out to anyone else. I decided I had to take a break from the hosting, and doing, and calling, etc. to just give myself and my little family a chance to breathe and prepare for the life-changing months ahead. I think deep inside I was wanting for someone to see the signs and reach out to me. I know that seems silly, but we all know how we are as women and we just want to be helped without having to ask. Certainly an unreasonable expectation, but we keep hoping just the same. Our families, as always, were right there with their constant offers of help. The way they love our children and appreciate me for the physical effort it takes to both bear and raise these little ones is the kind of support people dream of having. Whether I'm talking to my family or John's, I can always count on my cheerleader/helpers, even when their lives are busy as well. How I love them all!

As usual during these periods, I also felt the need to draw in towards God and bring myself back to a place of resting and listening for Him. I have gone back to reading, which has always been a huge part of my life, and had lately gone completely missing. It has been wonderful to go through book after book again just eating it up. I think I was spiritually and mentally hungry.

Despite all of this, I realized that I was hoping God would prompt a friend to realize something was off and reach out. What ended up being so neat about what God did is that most of the reaching came from unexpected places. Friends I don't usually see, the opportunity to reconnect or spend time with those I've intended to be with for years. We had a fun playdate with some "ladies" (as John V called the girls) we don't usually see, and other interaction that has just breathed new life into our social world. : ) (Thanks for including me, Kristen, Amanda, and Jennifer!)

I do have to especially mention two friends, though. Both of these girls are in the middle of their own life changes, and certainly busy enough to do what I too often do and simply not follow through on those promptings to call or e-mail someone to check on them. One of them is my sweet friend, Betsy. While she was on weekly countdown to her own first baby, she faithfully dropped me a line to check on me, see how I was feeling, encourage me, and remind me that she is sharing in my excitement over this third baby just like she would have my first. Simple little e-mail "conversations" that made me realize someone was thinking about me and I wasn't "out of sight, out of mind" like I was feeling. The other friend God has used to love me through my funk is no surprise. My Shelma. Sometimes I feel like Shelly is the other end of the radio on the ship where all you have to do is signal "S.O.S" and you get all the support you need. Someone at your house with conversation and Chick-Fil-A sandwiches. That's a friend. : ) I never go too long without a call or an e-mail and there is someone right there who will listen to what is going on way down deep. Thank you, girls for being faithful to God's promptings. You have been lifelines to me! I love you both!

I am starting to come up for air, to feel a little more focused and less overwhelmed. I have much to do to prepare for our next little sugar, but it will all get done in time. So, that is where I have been. I'm back and way behind on posting pictures and lots of good news and stories. Praise God for His faithfulness during all of life's moments. During our more victorious ones and the ones that might include a little more wallowing. : ) He is good!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today was a sweet day. Last night we made some Valentine's cards complete with stickers and hand drawings. This morning we had heart pancakes. Instead of going on a date tonight, we decided to do Valentine's as a family so the kids and I fixed Daddy's favorite dinner and dessert and we all had a special dinner on the china in the dining room. A very special occasion. : ) We took turns saying what we loved most about each other. It was absolutely precious hearing John V express the things he loves about his sister and each of us. He kept thinking of more to add to his list. I think we may have to do that at dinner more often! My heart still starts pumping when my sweet husband walks in the door each year with my pink roses and tells me how glad he is that I'm his valentine. How grateful I am that I can be just that for the rest of my life!

I hope all of you felt especially loved today. I am always overwhelmed when I stop to think about the incredible love the Father pours out on us daily, even when we are too busy or tied up in our selfishness to stop and acknowledge His gift. He is truly the ultimate Valentine. May you be filled with His unconditional love to then pour out on those around you!

I love you all!