So Thankful...

Fourteen years ago I went on a "first" date with someone who would become my best friend and husband- Reagan Boles. Reagan has been such a support and encouragement to me as well as challenging me to grow and improve myself.

Lately, I have been reminded that my staying home with our three boys is truly a gift... a gift that comes with great sacrifice from Reagan. He works many hours to make sure that the families' needs are met and provided. While it is his calling to be our family leader and provider, he does so cheerfully and without any reservations.

I have also come to recognize that my calling, at this time and place, is to be at home with the boys. Some days are challenging and frustrating... like when all I seem to do is "ref" arguments or clean baby spit up. Thankfully, there are also wonderful days when I feel so fulfilled being able to teach and train my children throughout the day- sharing in "little" moments that I would have otherwise missed. I have come to see that some moments are crazy and hard, but all these moments are priceless.

The thing is, I was called to this position just as Reagan is called to be our provider. We make a great team as we work together to support and encourage each other in fulfilling our individual callings. I am blessed... thanks Reagan.

A little something in common.....

My three boys are as different as can be.....

Caleb is our people loving, science and history buff. He loves karate and making up stories. He is very passionate and seems to have deep insight into our Lord.

Carson is our car loving, athletic child. I think he will be good at any sport he tries and he loves to laugh. He will always tell you what is on his mind! His goal is to own a Corvette at some point in his life.

Kendall is our happy, content little man. He only fusses when he is hungry and he loves for someone to talk to him.

But, the all three have something in common....... these baseball shoes.

Ten years ago, a friend gave them to us as a gift for our soon coming baby. Caleb was the first to wear them, and Carson followed 5 1/2 years later. Even when I thought we were finished having children, I couldn't give these shoes away. Thankfully, I kept them because Kendall has also been able to wear them.

It is hard to believe that they all started that small and tiny.... especially when I have a pre-teen in the house now. Memories flood my thoughts each time I look at these shoes. Three little boys with three different personalities and one blessed mother.

Carson's Hair

I always thought that if God blessed me with a little girl, that one of the things I would enjoy most would be fixing her hair. However, God has blessed me with three boys and when Caleb was younger I often tried to style his hair. Caleb was not one who cared for this, and in fact, he would always comb his hair forward after I would "fix" it for him.

So, it was fun, recently, when Carson decided that he wanted his hair "spiky".... Now, he doesn't leave the house unless his hair is styled to his liking. In fact, on Sunday morning I had to go in search of my hairspray in order to finish getting ready for church! He also refused to put his head back against the seat in the car for fear of it messing up his hair!!!

Daily we are having conversations about hair gel, hairspray, and comb versus hair pick to get his hair looking just right. I love every minute of it!!!

Who knows what Kendall's preference will be- bald is his hairstyle for now. It is just fun to see how God works to fulfill even the smallest of needs and wishes that we may have. Don't get me wrong- I know that it isn't curls, pigtails, and hair bows but it is God's perfect fit for my life at this time and place. So, I will keep "spiking" Carson's hair and thank God for each and every little blessing.

But, I think I will buy him his own bottle of hairspray! :o)

Teaching Them Early

Well, I hadn't planned on teaching this lesson to Carson this early, but he asked to give it a try....

Training them early!!!

How many baths does it take to clean a baby?

So, HOW many baths DOES it take to clean a baby boy?

Yesterday, I was changing Kendall's diaper as we were getting ready to leave to go to church when IT happened.

Sprinkle, sprinkle, Sprinkle, sprinkle

All over me and him!!!

Off to the bath we go and just as I start scrubbing him with soap.....

Sprinkle, sprinkle, Sprinkle, sprinkle

Drain the water.

Refill the water and begins scrubbing him again when he spits up everywhere!

So, HOW many baths DOES it take to clean a baby boy????

By the way, we did make it to church on time!

Sidewalk Chalk

A day last week, Caleb and Carson went outside and decorated our back patio with some new sidewalk chalk that they had been given when Kendall was born. Several designs were so creative that they could not be defined or described. However, Carson did create a self-portrait which I decided to take a photo of. Reagan was not as thrilled with their colorful creations as I was; although, I can't imagine why?!? I think he was wondering who would be cleaning up this incredible artwork.... I reassured him that rain would come soon and do the job for him!

Well, last night it happened... the rains came and washed away all their beautiful art pieces- job done!

However, it hit me this morning how symbolic that is to the fleeting time I have with my boys. Right now we are building memories with each of them, but time is so quick to rob those memories from us. So easily the "rains come" and wash them from our minds. That is partly why I am writing this blog as a way of setting these memories in "stone" and creating a family heritage to look back on long after the chalk dust settles.

"Blue Me Away'

Recently, I went to Target with all three boys to get some formula for Kendall. As we were heading towards the checkout, the boys and I stopped at a nail polish display. All the polishes in this display were very bright colors.

Now, those of you who know me well know that I love nail polish. However, I don't tend to pick wild colors- I am more of a pink and red kind of gal. As we looked over all the bright colors, the boys determined that mom needed at least one of these wild shades for my toes. So after much discussion, we determined that the "Blue Me Away" turquoise blue shade would be our purchase.

So, why is this worth a blog entry? As a mother to all boys, sometimes I begin to feel a little left out. They all love me and we have a lot of fun together, but overwhelmingly the interests in the house tend to be more about hunting, cars, and any sport imaginable. I normally just join in, but it is so refreshing when, on rare moments, they take interest in something I enjoy.

I know that it is only finger polish, but it meant so much more to me at the time. It was a time of connecting with my sons ... in a more personal way as they were willing to venture in the cosmetic section to pick the right shade for mom. They were so excited about it too! I couldn't paint my toes until they had gone to bed, but the very next morning it was the first thing they noticed.

So, I have been sportin' the blue..... and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Kendall's Baby Dedication

Last Sunday was Kendall's baby dedication at church and it was such a special time. However, it wasn't special simply because of his dedication but who he was dedicated with. Last July, when I discovered that I was pregnant, I was overwhelmed. We thought that our family was complete and that we were past all the baby stuff and I was in shock that we were starting over.

As I began to process all of the "newness" I turned to several friends. As it turned out, when I began to share our news, two friends shared that they, too, were expecting. We all told each other on the same morning! In addition, another friend, who was already farther along, shared in our joy. It was such a blessing to go through my final pregnancy with these three ladies. Their encouragement, support, prayers, and generous gifts helped us prepare for the birth of our precious Kendall.

So, on Sunday, all four of us dedicated our babies together: two beautiful girls and two handsome boys. I know that time and distance will eventually separate us all, but I will cherish the memories of this time we shared together. Thanks Ladies!

Why Simply Boles?

Well, I am finally doing this- finally starting our family blog.... so why now? Well, why not now? I guess I have finally realized that life isn't slowing down and blogging about our family is a great way of documenting all the adventures of our family and sharing them with you.

Granted, our life is simple.... sometimes it is simply crazy as we parent three boys who will often provide plenty of material to make one laugh or cry.

Sometimes our life is simply fun as we love to laugh and play.

Sometimes our life is simply frustrating as we go through trials together.

Our life is always honest as we openly share our struggles, triumphs, joys and fears.....

Our life is not our own as we strive to honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Our life is truly simple..... simply beautiful.....simply Boles.