I can officially say, nothing makes a school year fly by like having a baby in January. I really can’t believe that summer is next week. I think I may be in denial as summer=packing and flying 14hrs with our new family of 5.

Isaac and I have been reading the book Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp, which is all about godly parenting and making sure the purpose of discipline is to teach your children to love and obey God, not just obey us for our own convenience. As we begin to discuss this upcoming flight with our 3 year old, 1 year old, and 4 month old, we have decided that the goal is to give them whatever they want, as far as humanely possible, and as Isaac told me, “ain’t nobody’s heart getting shepherded on that plane”. Operation just survive is a go.

Isaac and I coached middle school tennis this spring, which was a lot of fun. Zoey was our MVP this season, for sure.

The cherry blossoms, magnolias, and the azaleas have come and gone, and we are headed straight for hot and humid.

We have had some extra time to appreciate the foliage this spring as our children’s love for throwing things out the window has been reignited. Yes, we strongly scold them and no, they do not listen. Asher is basically on house arrest and not allowed to approach the windows.

As the temperatures have warmed up we have been outside every chance we get, barring when the air quality or my allergies are trying to kill us.

Judah

Lately we have been working with Judah on his numbers and letters. Naturally his favorite number is four, so if you ask him to count it always starts “fourrrrr, fiveeeee”. Sorry boutcha 1, 2, and 3. He is always in parent mode, ready to scold Asher, hold his hand in the street, or rock Zoey (with or without adult consent or assistance).

Also, lately Judah has become more particular about how things are done. Isaac always just gives me a look and says “he’s your child”. I think I’m offended. So walking to church the other day I realized Judah was lagging a bit and I turned around to see him trying to readjust a paver that wasn’t flush with the others. Bless him…he comes by it honestly.

Asher

Asher is becoming Mr. Independent. He is happy playing on his own, and has adopted Judah’s attitude about everything, “MY DO”. So fun. Makes everything more enjoyable, like the 857 tasks that at the ripe age of 1, he insists he can complete on his own, when as a matter of fact, he can’t. Knowing that this summer sleeping arrangements will vary, we have just transitioned to a big boy bed to hopefully give us more options for bed assignments. The boys have seemed to get a big kick out of being roommates the last few months, but I’m sure all bets are off for the kids’ sleeping well for the next while. The word of our life…transition. Something is ALWAYS in transition.

Zoey

Hey-ooo. Zoey’s first official kid update. She’s a champ. She is a happy, smiley, get-along kind of gal.

*me frantically knocking on ALL the wood*

It has been such a treat to cough, cough, finally have a laid back baby. She tolerates her brothers prodding fingers and not-so-gentle touches like a trooper. She currently sleeps about 10p-4a and will eat and go back to sleep until I feed her right before work at 6. More nights than not, it is Judah getting up and out of bed that keeps us up more than Zoey.

And not to worry, just like Judah and Asher, she draws attention when we are in public.

So we are T-11 days until we land in Texas for summer break. We will be there for a few days, and then head on to Mississippi to see Isaac’s family and his sister’s wedding, then come back to Texas and spend sometime before heading back to Seoul at the end of July. We are so excited for the open road, Mexican food, cokes bigger than 8 oz, and seeing all our friends and family. Here’s to having three kids in one row in the car where *gasp* they can touch each other. I am not above driving like this.

See you soon, America!