We have five amazing kids (and one sweet dog)…let me introduce you!
This is Alaina. She is eight. She is amazing. She is creative. She loves to read, is obsessed with the Duggars, is the most amazing big sister, has more questions than the planet has answers, and is the fulfillment of every dream I ever had about being a mom to a little girl. Her light shines bright and she is a blessing to everyone she meets. I am excited to be on a new adventure as I move into parenting a little girl on her way to being a young woman.
Common words spoken to Alaina are, “Honey, I know you have a lot of questions, but I do have other things that need to get done today!” and “Thanks for helping with the little ones. You are a great sister!”
Common words spoken by Alaina are, “Can I watch a Duggars?” and “Who…what…when…where…why…?“
Nicknames include Enny, Enny-Benny, Benny Boo, and just plain Benny.
This is Caleb (and our sweet Pug, Lucy). He is seven. He is a creative genius. He loves Legos, building things out of whatever he finds lying around, and loves to sleep. He’s my introverted (yet social) kid and he sees the world through a different lens than most people. He feels and loves deeply. He is a mini-me and knowing this makes parenting him exciting and somewhat scary.
Words often spoken to Caleb include, “Caleb, I know you don’t like reading but it is very important“ and “Hey, buddy! You’re a real cool kid…you know that?“
Common words spoken by Caleb are, “Is it almost time to go to sleep?” and “How’s Bethany?” and “That was the BEST DAY EVER!”
Nicknames are Cabe and Cabers.
This is Levi. He is five. If Caleb is a mini-me, then Levi is a mini-Jason. He is full of laughter and fun and anything that makes him laugh is worth doing. He is incredibly smart and he loves playing any and all games. He’s goofy and social but has a little-understood shy streak to him. This kid has brought me joy every day and I am so thankful to have him in my life. His smiles are contagious.
Words said to Levi often resemble, “Levi, you can’t kick the ball in the house,” “Levi, you need to have clothes on,” and “Did you throw your underwear on top of the _____ again??”
Words spoken by Levi often include, “Can I play iPad?” and “I want to play this game with you.”
Nicknames are Beav, Beaver, and Beavaroonie.
This is Katelynn. She’s three. And she is every bit as spunky and sassy as this picture demonstrates. She is our little ball of fire and she has tested every parenting theory we have ever had. She is a daddy’s girl through and through and she is always up for the next adventure. If there isn’t one to be had, she’ll make her own (which usually involves making some elaborate mess.) She is in love with “the itty bitties” (Bethany and Lucy) and is loving her role as a big sister.
Words often spoken to her include, “Katie, are you going to obey?,” “No, you cannot skip teeth!,” and “Did you change your clothes AGAIN?”
Words out of Katie’s mouth include, “I NEVER get to _________!,” “I want Daddy,” and “Because I wanted to!”
Nicknames include Katie, Tatie, Tator Tot, and Trouble.
This is Bethany. She was born in March 2011. I’m just a little smitten with her. It’s been three years since I have had a baby and I am enjoying her so much. She’s already got a sweet and happy personality…as long as someone is looking at her, talking to her, and generally being available to her at all times. Yea, she’s a people person.
Common phrases spoken to her are, “Honey, why won’t you eat?” and “Aww, Lucy loves you!”
Out of her mouth comes a lot of “Ahhhh oooohhh” and “Aaaaaaaaa!“
Nicknames are still evolving.
This is Lucy. She was born in November 2010 and joined our family in January 2011. We’re pretty addicted. With great apologies to other dog owners out there, I must conclude that she is the best dog ever. She’s playful, affectionate, and she has gotten over her habit of sleeping ON my head at night.
Words spoken to Lucy include, “Lucy, you do know that bouncy seat isn’t yours, right?” and “Lucy! Stop licking Bethany!“
Nicknames include Loose, Loose Goose, Goose, and Goosey.
March 21, 2013 at 12:29 pm
Hello. I found your blog while searching for prayers for my children. They are 6, 3, and 1. Jacob is our oldest, followed by Clara, then Catherine. Please pray for them and for us. It has been a rough rough life up to this point because of my agregious failures as a husband. To this end, I am writing you. To ask if your husband has a blog. Maybe he could share what it means to be a man of God, what struggles he has, what are his prayers for the children, what does he like, etc, etc. I would love to pick is brain. You seem to have a happy family, with problems, but happy. My wife stays home with our children and is homeschooling them. Tough tough job she has. This is why I want to hear from your husband. Not because you are not worth hearing, but because I would like a mans perspective on having such a large family, how does he provide, how does he help you, what does he pray every night. I’d love to meet him.
Good night.
Kindly respond when you are able.
Peace and joy to you and yours as you serve Messiah, the Lion of Judah, the Faithul One, The Lord of all.
Jacob Sanchez
Lubbock, Texas