Last 'New Day'

As much as I can, I tell my children in their first year of life 'Welcome to your new day!'.  They haven't seen May 20th or January 3rd or November 29th before, and I try to welcome them to it.  (Lachlan and Torin have both 'seen' February 29th already!)

So, tomorrow our Callum Joseph turns ONE!  No more new days.  As natural and exciting as it is, it's still a bit hard to realize it's here--the BIG 0-1.  You have no control.  It just happens and you have to accept it.  Your little babies grow up.  There are huge milestones that make it a bit easier to accept their growing up, like new teeth (Callum's first came at 4or5 months, and had 8 by 9 months), starting on solid foods (well...third child you realize it's so much easier if they just nurse as long as possible, so he started solids around 6 months), and crawling...dun dun DUNNNNN!! Callum was such a wonderful boy and decided he was ready at 10 1/2 months.  Thank you, Callum!

Once he started crawling, he might as well have been one--though it wasn't too far away.  He formed this new kind of independance and now is just a bit more fussy and unsatisfied that before.  But really, we can't complain. 

Callum, you have been an amazing baby.  So chill.  So friendly.  Such amazing eyes.  Such soft, chubby, rolley skin (that's whiter than a ghost-sorry!)  And what JOY you bring to everyone.  Please don't lose that!  You have had your fair share of diaper blow-outs and sleepless nights, but of course we gladly take the bad with the good.  We look forward to watching you grow, hearing you talk, teaching you the way of the Lord, and getting to know you and love you more and more and more and more!  We love you heaps and heaps!
We are so grateful that God gave us YOU.

A look back at Callum's first year:

There's nothin like a fresh new Baby 6 hours old.



Wrapped up and regal in his amazing cushy blanket



One month and tuckered out

 

Two months

1st Halloween & too much candy

 

Baptism Day

 

 

1st airplane ride (yaaay sleeping Baby!)

Ride down the mountain tramway on 3 month birthday

Intrigued by this man in red

4 months/Baby's 1st Christmas

Sweet Little Babt feet

And apparently tastey too-he loves playing with his feet!  Even now, when he's 1!

My zaza keli lehi be!  (spelled something like that--it's Malagasy)

 

 

 

I know this is not finished yet, but this has taken me waaay too long to get just this far.  Ugh.  So behind the times.  So, check back in a month...or 6, and who knows, perhaps there will even be a whole new post! 

 

Love ya, mean it!

Be here now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sister weekend!!!

 

For the first time EVER, Angela, Emily, Stephanie, Sarah, and Mary went away for the weekend.  What happens on sister weekend STAYS on sister weekend!  Not really.  We're not that naughty.  Only that we went into a strip club, not knowing it was a strip club...it was the middle of the afternoon, and we wanted to listen to the live jazz!  My, what special decor...
Anyway, we had such a fabulous time, and I am hoping (and don't think I'm alone) that we can do it annually!

We went up to Duluth in June (yeah, a long time ago-2012, June).  Hung out, did a bit of sight-seeing.  Laughed.  Laughed Hard.  Some perhaps laughed a bit too hard.... But remember, what happens on sister weekend stays on sister weekend.  If only everyone complied to that rule.

We drove up Friday, got settled, went to the grocery store.  Off to an exciting start.  The next morning we decorated the place because it was MARY'S 20TH BIRTHDAY!  Woohoo!  Throughout the day she received 20 presents from the fam.  We went down to pier for the day and had many wonderful adventures.

Drinkin beer.  Eatin lunch

Birthday girl!

Creepy big bear wanted his picture taken with the birthday girl.

We found an amazing accessories shop, and stopped in to play dress up.  We're girls!

Our new accessories, and photo bomb by Emily

Probably one of the highlights was our bicycle ride, or should I say Surrey ride???  What a gorgeous day for singin and peddlin!

We got to the end of the road, took some senior pics,

and of course, did more singing.

Our adventures continued with some mini golfing.  Good thing we were the only ones there!
For reasons out of our control, we never finished.  Let's just say, I lost...

We got all dolled up for Mary's birthday dinner.  We ate and played and laughed the night away.

I love you, my sisters.  Thanks for such a fun weekend....even though it was a year ago.  (Yikes!  Haven't prioritized this whole blog thing.)  I can't wait for the next one! 

(Rara, Cindy, Aunt Joanie, and Aunt Fran, look!  I updated!  Sorry it took so long...)

Love ya, mean it!
Be here now.

Christmas Thoughts

Picture this:
A young woman betrothed to a man, pregnant out of wedlock in a time where punishment for that could be stoning, yet she has not been with a man.  She goes to visit her cousin, old and 'barren' yet she is with child.  Her husband is unable to speak.  When it is time for the young woman to have her child, stinky shepherds AND rich kings come to visit the Babe, who was born in a stable.  This child who was born is called the Prince of Peace, not a prince of defending, or a prince of conquering, but of Peace.  What a crazy mixed up story, with a crazy mixed up family. 

Who am I to try to put God in a box.  Who am I to think I know what is best, when His will and timing is perfect and nothing I could ever have come up with. 

He came to us, so that we may come to Him. 

A very merry and blessed Christmas to you all! 

From this guy

 

And this guy

 

And this guy

 

And us!

 

 

Love ya, mean it!

Be here now

Once in a Blue Moon...

...CALLUM JOSEPH CAHILL arrives! 

August 31st at 11:11 AM (it was a blue moon that night)

He was 9 lbs 9 oz, 22 inches- our biggest one yet!  And quickest, for that matter-less than 5 hours of labor. (A huge shout out and THANK YOU to Luke, who was my rock, my encourager, my prayer warrior during that whole time.  I love you, Honey!! And thank you for your prayers and support, Mom!) 
As proof in how long ago the last blog was, life has a totally new normal.  It gets tricky with three, for now you are out numbered!  Though life has been different (and tough and exhausting), it has been wonderful!  Lachlan and Torin are lovin on Callum so sweet...and sometimes so aggressively.  Boy is Callum going to be tough!

Grampa is really excited that Luke can say 'My Three Sons' AND that he can say 'My Three Grandsons'
My Three Sons

Our very first Family of Five picture

Three months ago today (kind of, November doesn't have a '31st') that sweet, sweet boy was born.  My how Babies change so quickly!!!  He is now sharing heaps of smiles, a couple of giggles, and drool. Lots of drool!  Here is a quick walk-through of his life so far.

Last picture inside Mama.  To think we had no idea who this Little one was!

Right before we left the Hospital, we squeeezed him into this newborn outfit. All 3 boys have worn in home.
Our Irish blessings.

One week

2 weeks
I love my child DEARLY, but he just looks a little Gollum-esque...

1 month, with his friend Adalyn, born on the same day! (she was early and he was late...can you tell?)
; )

Chillin at the Pumpkin Patch

  

Not a big fan of the tubby in the sink

2 months, and lovin the pirate look!

A bit blurry, but look how happy he is!

1st Halloween with Lightening McQueen and Woody

                                                 

1st Thanksgiving, demanding more turkey.

Looks like he got some...

He is growing so healthy.  We are so grateful.  At his 2 month Dr appt, he was 17.2 lbs.  And that was a month ago.  I can only imagine what this HUGE little guy weighs now.
Love you, Callum!  And can't wait to watch you as you grow and Grow and GROW!
Thank you, Lord, for a beautiful family.

Love ya, mean it!
Be here now.