Update

I am so filled with joy this week!

I know that sounds a little ridiculous, but I guess I'll just tell the truth and say that something about this week has found me with a new sense of optimism. Our lives have unfolded so many new layers in the past months. Most notably, I am halfway through my fourth pregnancy! We are so excited about a new baby coming to our family this summer.

This has been a mild winter and today I am thankful for the blue sky and beaming sun outside. I am incredibly thankful for my healthy body and the little baby growing within it. Yesterday my first---and long desired!---treadmill was delivered and today I took my baby for its first run on it. What a great feeling it is to be able to push forward and accomplish something physical and strengthening for myself as I grow and change.

Everyone else in our family has been growing and changing, too. I regret that I haven't kept the blog more detailed with all the kids' antics and adventures.

Tommy is loving first grade and is a smart little whipper-snapper. The science curriculum at his elementary school has particularly impressed me, and I have also been overjoyed to see his progress in reading. We took a trip to a book store this weekend and let each kid purchase a book, a rare treat considering the library is our general free option. Tommy chose a tough chapter book about 1.5 inches thick and promptly dove into it at home. As much as I am a stickler for the kids' bedtimes, I have to admit that I just looked the other way this week when I checked on Tommy at 9PM one school night and saw his nose buried in the book. I remember staying up well past my bedtime reading Nancy Drew and hundreds of other books as a little nerd.

Lucy is also growing into quite a young lady. I can not believe she will be five this next month. She just began reading herself, starting with about 4 letter words in sentences. She can also do some crazy math and is quite proud when I give her math homework. Lucy is a tender-hearted girl who shows real natural empathy for others. She often observes people quietly, and always seems ready to give Mom a hug of encouragement when she can tell I'm having a tough moment. Lucy is very imaginative, and it is this trait that leads her room to often look like it's been in the path of a hurricane. She can incorporate even the smallest scrap of paper into a detailed game of play.

And Jimmy! Our Jimmy. When he was wearing his winter hat with two points (kind of a jokerish hat) the other day, a random passerby just sighed at how cute he was. And he sure is. Bubbling with enthusiasm, Jimmy always has a story to tell and can rarely get the words out fast enough. He is an impusive little guy and has been struggling a bit in preschool to pay attention and follow the rules. Jimmy has a big heart and is probably the snuggliest of the kids. I am sure that with time, he will calm down a bit....right?

I'd love to write more but it's time for a popsicle break over here. Until next time...