Month in review...

Okay, we've been having a lot of fun this month, so be warned here is a LOT of pictures...

We've been loving our baby... a little too much,

resting,playing with water and buckets,neighbor Nona has been bringing over all her bubble toys,throwing rocks at the river,

looking stinkin' adorable at the river, or "riber" as pronounced by Noah Zachary

ooo-ed and ah-ed over at the river,

taking naps with Daddy,

trying out cinna stix for the first time, (thanks Jonny...)

going on pony rides at the fair,

watching the dog show at the fair,

riding bumper boats with Aunt Becky,

sleeping in Mama's arms while brothers go crazy on the play structure,

picking blueberries,

(look at all of them!)We even made blueberry pancakes!

swinging our arms through the Corvallis fountains,stomping on the fountains,

playing at the water park,

running in the sprinklers

watching BMX bike tricks at Willamette Celebration,

watching skating at Willamette Celebration,

bouncing at Willamette Celebration,

catching frogs... Mommy was scared for the frog's life, (this video is long- like 90sec.)

enjoying the sunshine at Foster Lake,

and enjoying being together!

Worship

Noah has been singing his own worship song lately... it goes something like this, "Hallelujah, hallelujah, uh da da cross. Hallelujah!"

Proverbs Topic #13 Integrity/Good Sense/Discretion

10:9 "People with integrity have firm footing, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall."
11:12 "It is foolish to belittle a neighbor; a person with good sense remains silent."
11:20 "The LORD hates people with twisted hearts, but he delights in those who have integrity."
11:22 "A woman who is beautiful but lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig's snout."
12:8 "Everyone admires a person with good sense, but a warped mind is despised."
13:15 "A person with good sense is respected; a treacherous person walks a rocky road."
16:22 "Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools."
20:7 "The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children after them."

Drivin' with the Oelkers...

I'm loving this song...

Multitasking

With three boys under the age of four, I'm finding that I'm getting better and better at multitasking. If I don't figure out creative ways for the boys to be my little helpers for household chores, someone is usually strapped to my body while another is usually at my feet. Other times it can be totally wild and crazy... like one crying, one throwing a fit and one having bathroom issues. Or sometimes the big boys will be fighting and screaming at each other while I'm trying to nurse the baby. Oh, the joys of being a Mommy. :) I was looking through our pictures found some of these comical, so I decided to share a few...

Here multitasking is demonstrated with a toddler on my back while washing strawberries...
Here multitasking is demonstrated by a infant tucked safely against my chest while I lovingly instruct my almost four year old not to run on the wet, slippery pavement.Here multitasking is demonstrated with an infant strapped to my front side, while talking on the phone (telling my husband to PLEASE come home!) and guiding my toddler on a pony ride.
Here multitasking is demonstrated with an infant resting on me while I cook dinner...
Ah, it can be very stressful and overwhelming at times, but I have to remember how blessed I am. Here is a picture of a regular sight in our home first thing in the morning. That's right- they all want their mama. Sometimes they're all crying for their mama, but on days like this its SO nice to sit and soak it all in... peacefully. :)
Am I the luckiest girl ever? Look at these gorgeous blessings!!! I get to be their mommy?! :)

Proverbs Topic #12 Honesty

And here are the verses:

11:1 "The LORD hates cheating, but he delights in honesty."
11:5 "The godly are directed by their honesty, the wicked fall beneath their load of sin."
12:17 "An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies."
12:19 "Truth stands the test of time; lies are soon exposed."
13:5 "Those who are godly hate lies; he wicked come to shame and disgrace."
14:5 "A truthful witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies."
14:25 "A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor."
15:27 "Dishonest money brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live."
16:13 "The king is pleased with righteous lips, he loves those who speak honestly."
19:1 "It is better to be poor and honest than to be a fool and dishonest."
19:5 "A false witness will not go unpunished nor will a liar escape."
19:9 "A false witness will not go unpunished, and a liar will be destroyed."
19:22 "Loyalty makes a person attractive. And it is better to b e poor than dishonest."
20:23 "The LORD despises double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales."
21:28 "A false witness will be cut off, but an attentive witness will be allowed to speak."
24:26 "It is an honor to receive an honest reply."
24:28 "Do not testify spitefully against innocent neighbors; don't lie about them."
28:6 "It is better to be poor and honest than rich and crooked."
28:18 "The honest will be rescued from harm, but those who are crooked will be destroyed."
29:10 "The bloodthirsty hate the honest, but the upright seek out the honest."

My smiling baby is so cute!

Spoiled!

Jonny used his birthday money to buy the boys an 8ft. trampoline. And look at all the other stuff they have... goodness! Sometimes I think our kids are spoiled, but its so fun to bless them. Jonny and I love to see their faces beam when we give them something. :)

Boys

Eli
Lately Eli is really into the phrase "all the way up to heaven."
"I'm so hungry! I'm hungry all the way up to heaven!"
"I'm so sad. I'm sad all the way up to heaven!"
"But I really want to. I want to all the way up to heaven!"

Noah
I had the following conversation with Noah the other day:
"Are you poopy, Noey?"
"No. I otay."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. It's all gone. It's dead."
"What's dead?"
"My bum bum. It's dead. Poopy all gone. Its otay."

Josiah
Josiah has been smiling and cooing at me a lot- especially first thing in the morning. Precious!
And he's not feeling newborn anymore; he's getting chubby and feels more baby. It's so wonderful! But its sad how quick they change and how fast we forget. :(

Proverbs Topic # 11 Issues of the heart

11:20 "The LORD hate people with twisted hearts, but he delights in those who have integrity."
12:20 "Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fill hearts that are planning peace!"
15:11 "Even the depths of Death and Destruction are known by the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart!"
15:13 "A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit."
15:15 "For the poor, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast."
17:3 "Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart."
17:20 "The crooked heart will not prosper; the twisted tongue tumbles into trouble."
17:22 "A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength."
20:9 "Who can say, 'I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin?"
20:27 "The LORD'S searchlight penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive."
20:30 "Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart."
21:2 "People may think they are doing what is right, but the LORD examines the heart."
24:12 "Don't try to avoid responsibility by saying you didn't know about it. For God knows all hearts, and he sees you. He keeps watch over your soul, and he knows you knew! And he will judge all people according to what they have done."
27:19 "As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person."
28:13 "People who cover over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy." Blessed are those who have a tender conscience, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble."

I love these verses. I love that the God we love, worship and serve is personal and intimate. There is nothing about us that He does not know. He knows what we will think before we think it. Before Him we are naked and bare. He is the One who knit us together and knew us before we were conceived. He knows every detail of our flaws, fears and weaknesses. What a safe place to run to and fall- in His arms.

Oh, Noah

Our little two year old Noah is making this summer... interesting. He is SO, SO cute and can be so sweet but his moods change on a dime, and you never know what is going to set him off. When he is 'rubbed the wrong way'- watch out! He's a little scary... like... angry screaming scary... oh, such a passionate boy. I'm praying that as he grows, the Lord will tame that passion and give him a fire and furry for the kingdom of God. Please pray with me! :)

Here is a day in the life of Noah:

Here he is giving us a grumpy look to let us know he wants to ride his trike all by himself.

Oh, here is happy Noah running fast and ready to play!Now Noah wants to stick close to Mama and observe.
Now Noah is curious. (We still think he may have a career in Waste Management.)
Oh uh! He's grumpy again. This is the start of a Noah fit.

And tired from the day's events, sleepy Noah is in bed for the night with his hat, Elmo jams, and tennis shoes.

I love this two year old monster, but he sure makes his Mommy sleepy!

2 mos!

Josiah is two months old today. He weighed 11.12lbs at his appointment- 3 lbs less than Noah did at that age, and 2 lbs less than Eli. I scheduled his 2mo. appointment at the same time as Noah's 2yr appointment. Both boys had to get shots. :( Josiah was totally fine and content during Noah's exam, but by the time they started his exam he was getting hungry and fussy. They prefer you not to nurse your baby before his shots, in case he throws up, so it was really sad when he got his shots because he was already upset. I felt so bad for him. :( We also spoke with the doctor about Josiah's umbilical hernia. It's the size of a jumbo grape! The doc assured us that it is nothing to worry about and will most likely go away on its own. He said that if it is not gone by the time he is five, we can choose to do a simple surgery to fix it. I'm praying it will be gone by then. But I'm a little worried... he said he's seen some as big as a softball!

In sleeping news- Josiah is sleeping SO MUCH better! Just in the last week he's actually been sleeping 4-5 hour intervals at night!!! When he's awake (which still isn't often) he's super smiley and super cute. Here are some pictures of my baby love....

In the last week, we've...

learned how to eat corn on the cob,

watched fireworks,

celebrated Daddy's birthday,went down the slide at the water park,

rested at the water park,

and rested some more at home. :)

Somebody has been sleeping in my bed!

Our incredibly nice and generous neighbors sold us a great, super soft king sized bed for an incredible deal!! The boys are really enjoying it tonight...