Last week was a long one.  I felt totally overwhelmed, completely tired, and so inadequate.  Eric's schedule was less than ideal.  The boys didn't see him from Tuesday to Friday; and I hardly saw him myself.  I let my emotions get the best of me and my patience was lacking.

Motherhood is hard sometimes.

Thank goodness for new weeks and fresh starts.  Thank goodness for sweet boys who remind me to be happy and let go of things that just don't matter. Thank goodness for inspired words that help keep things in perspective.

Life is good, and it's always better to look up.

Tricky

Mr. Jake is growing like crazy and learning all kinds of new things.

I love little, goofy, newborn smiles. 

Twirl

We watched Tangled not too long ago.  

The movie was almost over when Sam asked,

"Mom, are they in love?"

"Yep," I said.  "Do you think you'll fall in love someday?"

"Yeah, but it just makes me so nervous," he replied.

"Nervous?  Why?"  I asked.

Sam responded very seriously, "Well, I just don't even  know how to twirl a girl yet."

"Hmmmm, don't worry," I said, holding back my giggles. "We can practice."

And we've got to get on that.  I mean c'mon, what girl doesn't want to be twirled?!  

Cutie Face

 Jake is not lacking for attention.  His brothers can't get enough of him; which I absolutely love.  The second Jake is out of my arms he's attacked, in a loving way of course, by his adoring brothers.  

Max has caught on to the Cutie Face nickname and always talks to Jake in a sweet sing-songy voice.  Sam has become extra cautious when it comes to hand washing.  In fact, I may have just given him a complex because I've been quite the Purell Nazi since Jake was born.  

Sam's constantly saying things like, "Oh no, Mom, I just touched my armpits, so I can't touch Jake, right?"  Or, "Mom, I'll just touch his clothes and not his skin because I think I touched my mouth at breakfast."  Or he'll yell from the backseat of the car, "Mom, I just picked my nose, so I'll be sure not to touch Jake."  

At least he's careful (and honest), right?

I think one of the greatest things about being a parent is watching your children interact with each other.  And these three boys really love each other.

And oh, I love them.

So much.

And more visitors...

The boys and I took Eric's mom and dad to the airport last week so they could head back home.  We dropped them off at Departures, said our goodbyes, and then drove around the airport to Arrivals to pick up my sister Kelsey and her little Molly. 

I told you our September has been crazy!  

Aren't we lucky?

We had such a good visit with Kels and Molly.  I have no clue how our week went so fast because we didn't do much!  It took us at least an hour to go anywhere and do anything, but I loved it.  

Molly was definitely a patient little thing as she got toughened up by Sam and Max (ok, mostly Max) all week.  It was fun to have a little pink around our house for a change!

We miss them already!  Time is going too fast these days.

Visitors...

Where did September go? 

Last month felt oh so crazy around here, but it was also full of fun visits from family. 

Eric's parents were some of our visitors and we loved having them come and meet little Jake! 

We ventured down to Bloomington to see the other Hoosiers in the Dockter fam, watched lots of football, fished, played outside when the rain let up, and enjoyed being together.

Sam and Max loved playing with their Nai Nai and Yeh Yeh. It was a fun weekend!

Utah is just too far away!