Where's Ryan?

Who knew a shirt could be so entertaining.

Toleration

Ryan is a pretty laid back little guy. Unless he is extremely tired, it takes a lot to fire him up. It is safe to say he tolerates a lot. His brothers are constantly poking and tickling him and making lots of noise.
Baby cereal is another thing he tolerates. He does not love it and I think he would rather not eat it, but he doesn't put up a fuss. I have been feeding him cereal for a week, once a day around 5 to help tide him over until his bedtime feeding at 7. Yesterday, I introduced applesauce b/c I know the cereal tastes like cardboard (I've tried it). I don't blame him for making such awful faces. He only tolerated the applesauce too. Love the faces!

Time Out

We recently moved our kid size picnic table from the back porch to the front yard. It wasn't getting any use on the porch b/c we all sit at the large table together. It was on it's way to the basement for some TLC when Owen suggested it go in the yard. Considering we already have tons of kid stuff in the yard on most days, I figured one more wouldn't hurt.

The boys are loving it. They call "time outs" and run over for water breaks together.

The past two afternoons the boys have spent outside playing soccer by themselves.

It's just too cute to interrupt by joining them.
I've had my own time out in the kitchen watching through the window and preparing dinner.

But not for long, then it's back to being competitive brothers.

I can't be certain, but I think they might actually be missing each other during school hours!

Ryan's Baptism

On Sunday, September 19th at the 10:30 service, Ryan was baptized.

Upfront with Pastor Kevin GreeneWe answered 3 questions:

1. Do you acknowledge your child's need of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, and the renewing grace of the Holy Spirit?
2. Do you claim God's covenant promises in Ryan's behalf, and do you look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for Ryan's salvation, as you do for your own?
3. Do you now unreservedly dedicate your child to God, and promise, in humble reliance upon divine grace, that you will endeavor to set before him a godly example, that you will pray with Ryan and for Ryan, that you will teach him the doctrines of our holy religion, and that you will strive, by all means of God's appointment, to bring Ryan up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?

The timing of these 3 questions couldn't have been better. I needed the reminder not just for Ryan, but for Owen and Mason. With the start of another school year, I am feeling more and more inadequate as a mother to 3 and a wife to EJ. The lists keep growing, the piles keep growing and I have a hard time weeding through it all, to focus on the bigger picture. The piles and lists ultimately do not matter, but I have a hard time focusing on their hearts when so much else is running through my head. It just doesn't seem like there are enough hours in the day. Thankfully God still uses inadequate people. In fact, when I admit I need Him, He can use me even more. Phew!

This outfit was also worn by his brothers and father when they were each baptized.Ryan, you are a blessing to our family. We are thankful to God for allowing us to be your parents. We pray you would soon trust in Jesus as your Savior. That you would know Him, love Him and serve Him, because He first Loved you. We love you too!

Celebrated

We celebrated EJ's birthday this weekend. On Friday, his actual birthday, we celebrated just the 5 of us. Then on Sunday for lunch, my parents and sister and hubby came for lunch.

Owen and Mason decided daddy needed a crown for his birthday dinner on Friday.
There are 3 miracles occurring in the picture.
1. The boys are making something for someone else (although they did make one for themselves)
2. They are working together nicely.
3. The desk was clean enough for them to actually use. (It's technically mine, and it's a dumping ground, it's never clean)

Happy Birthday, EJ. We love you!

This was the second lighting.
Mason took the liberty to blow them out the first time before we even sang.

1st Day of Preschool

Mason missed the official first day of school on Wednesday because of his fever on Monday and Tuesday. So today was the big day. I think he was more nervous than excited, but he didn't cry (which he has been doing on Sunday mornings recently).

I finished his tote bag at the last minute after wrestling with my sewing machine the whole time.
What small skill I have is very rusty.

He only has 7 children in his class. How great is that?
Love the body language.
He was trying hard not to be noticed.

Oh, sweet boy. I miss you already.
Now my house is really quiet.

Stored Up

I have referred to my "treasure box" before. The bed rest months are definitely in my treasure box. Although this time, I could see it as a blessing even in the midst of it. Don't get me wrong, it was so HARD! But, I knew that I would forever be changed for the better. If that is not an argument for the work of the Holy Spirit, I don't know what is.

Well, now is my chance to share one of my treasures. A friend of ours was just placed on partial bed rest at almost the same point in her pregnancy. I am the type of person that likes to do things for people. I would much prefer to be back in the kitchen than up on stage. I get even more excited to serve when I have been in a similar life experience. Talk about relating.

I have already been in touch with her. My heart is aching at the mere thought.

I had at least faced a short time on bed rest with my previous 2 pregnancies. It may sound funny, but that brief experience allowed me to understand the emotional roller coaster I was about to face for a much longer time.

I am thankful for the church body already surrounding them. They will get through this and they will come out of it seeing God's grace and mercies in a whole new way. Then she and I will again have something in common. We will both be ready to serve anyone who is laid out on their couch.

Remembering and sharing my "treasures" reminds me that God is at work. His plan is so much bigger than we can even imagine. He is redeeming situations all of the time. I pray that we will be a blessing to their family.

Deja Vu

I can not tell you how many comments we get about Ryan being a "Fogarty." I can't always tell if they mean he looks like EJ or the other 2. Most likely both. I assume they are comparing him to his brothers. You would think after all that bed rest some of me would have shown up ;)

So just for fun I looked back at some photos of Owen around the same age. I had to smile when I came across this one. And yes, I would have to agree. There is a very strong resemblance.

Joshua (6.5 months) and Owen (5 months)

Who would have guessed 6 years ago, how inseparable they would be when they are together.

Warmed My Heart

Mason still feels warm, but cooler than yesterday. Last night he woke up at 3:30 wanting some water. When I felt his forehead he asked if he still had a fever. When I said he felt better he asked if that meant he could give Ryan a kiss in the morning. I had told Mason at bedtime that he could kiss Ryan on the top of his head but couldn't hug him. Humbled by his sweet heart towards someone else at 3:30 in the morning while he was feeling rotten, I stumbled back to bed.

Messy

The appearance of my house (inside) completely matches how my brain and heart are feeling at the start of this week. Complete chaos! And yet, as Mason has commented numerous times, "it's so quiet mommy."
I have A LOT going on this week. And as EJ graciously pointed out (b/c of my stress) that it's all FUN things. Right, why can't I remember that?
It seems the more I cross off my to-do list, the messier the house becomes. The less I do the cleaner the house stays. I know it's mostly me b/c when I was on bed rest not doing anything, the house was cleaner. Scary, huh? My college housemates liked to joke about a tornado in my room. Art majors are suppose to have messy rooms, right?
Enough procrastinating. I must get back to my list and the house.
Mason has a fever so I am not sure what our day will look like tomorrow.

Go Eagles!

EJ is coaching Owen's soccer team this fall.
How crazy is it that they are the Eagles?

Yesterday was their first practice/game. I love watching EJ from the sidelines. He did such a great job of introducing himself and making each player feel welcome. While the opposing team started their warm-up drills, EJ was giving the boys time to introduce themselves. Evidently he asked the kids to share their name and their favorite toy (Owen's suggestion). All the boys said Wii. Owen ironically didn't say anything even though he had given EJ the idea. EJ also talked about sportsmanship, being a good teammate and the rules of the game.
Owen had fun. He didn't like sitting on the sidelines. I think the teams are too big. They only play 3 on 3 which meant 7 kids were sitting out. Plus, they only play for 8 minute quarters.

Mason stayed on the sidelines with no complaints. I am a little surprised he isn't asking to be on a team. This won't last forever, but we are taking advantage of it as long as we can. I know we will be attending multiple games soon enough.

1st taste

I am on the fence about starting solids. Is 5 months too early?

One Way Or Another

Getting Owen to read is like pulling teeth. He is already missing enough teeth for the both of us. Out of desperation, I offered him 1 baseball pitch (from me) for every word he sounded out on his own. The words he already knows or can figure out just by looking at didn't count. Just the tough words. He has this habit of starting to sound out a word and then just guessing. I'd be fine with that if his guess sounded at all same.
If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Than the way to this boy's brain is through baseball. Darn if he didn't keep constant track of every pitch I owed him (24). Fortunately, I said pitches and not hits. So strikes counted too. (Math doesn't seem to be a problem)
Well, if the reading thing doesn't work out at least there is always baseball.

5 Months

Being the oldest child in my family, I naturally assumed it's best to be first. Isn't that what they say? I am beginning to think otherwise.

Owen got an uptight, anxious mom who is always trying to figure things out. Mason, I have realized has the advantage, b/c he is not the guinea pig and I have learned (hopefully) from my mistakes. Now, that Ryan is here, I am beginning to think being the baby is best. Never have I hugged and kissed a baby so much. I just want to freeze time.

Still SUPER chill!

God is Good

One more beach photo. 13 sweet reasons it was so hard leaving the beach early. 5 years ago when we started this tradition there were 3 children. God has blessed us tremendously.

(From left to right) Ellery, Finley, Joshua, Owen, Rebecca, Ryan, Mason (on top), Sawyer, Caleb, Bailey, Wyatt, Jacob and Caroline

He said

"I wish God could play Legos"
-Mason

Hot Diggity Dog

He had a great day. No real complaints.
He has 24 kids in his class (18 last year). Yikes!
He was starving by lunch. (Deep thoughts, huh)
And look who surprised him at the bus stop.

Yeager, my sister's dog was visiting us for the day.
He walked Owen all the way home!
My mom took the picture, she is technically the dog sitter ;)

1st Grade

If he was nervous it didn't show.
He was up and dressed by 6:45 and didn't wake Mason

His shirt says "There is no off season"
Very appropriate for his baseball obsession.

Really ?!?!

Over the sumer, I forgot about the feeling in my chest.
The feeling in that piece of my heart is missing.
Ugh!

Jumping In

We truly ENJOYED our last day of summer.
After Ryan's nap we headed down to the river.

Owen was looking pretty hard core.
He insisted on carrying the backpack.
It was heavy. He handed it off pretty quickly.

It was a beautiful day.

I made them eat before they got too dirty.
Needless to say they didn't eat much.
They were too excited to jump in.

Mason was not the least bit afraid.
He bit the dust a number of times, but didn't mind.

We didn't get a picture, but I came out soaked.
The boys and I got a little carried away and had a tricky time getting back to shore.

Who knew 3 boys could ride in a double stroller?

Tomorrow it all changes. Owen is ready. I hope we can move fast enough to get to the bus by 7:25. I can't believe this time last year we were ALL about school. It even inspired our blog header. Now, it's old hat. We've hardly talked about it. We just found out his room # this morning (which didn't change). It helps that his teacher and class will be the same. I don't feel as nervous as I did last year, but my stomach still hurts ;) Mason starts preschool next week, so the stomachache will continue!