The Day Has Come

It has been an actioned packed day at the Lino house and it is not even lunch time. Well everyday seems to be action packed with four small children, but this morning was also packed with emotions and lots of excitement. Mom and Dad started pretty early, but it was Colton that really got the ball rolling. You see, he is big now, he is independent, he is confident, and he is ready. We dropped our oldest child off at kindergarten today.

Colton came bounding down the stairs at ten after six this morning! We weren't expecting to see him up that early but he climbed up on the bed for some morning tv with dad and was grinning from ear to ear. So excited. Just thrilled to run off to big school. We went through our morning routine, which if you have not heard is very organized and runs very smoothly.

The babysitter arrived for the three little girls - I mean, really, who wants to see the new kindergarten mom arrive with her husband, kindergartner, preschooler plus a double stroller with two more little ones roll into the already packed, chaotic school on the first day? Off we went - Mom, Dad and Colton.

Earlier this year as we were thinking ahead to kindergarten, we really felt like the Lord was drawing us to a particular school for Colton. It wasn't the school we were zoned for in the old house. It's not the school we are zoned for in the new house. It's just another school. The Lord saw fit to have Colton at this school - Pine Forest Elementary. We are excited to see how the Lord is going to mold Colton through the experiences he has at PFE. His teacher is Mrs. Dees and we have heard wonderful things about her already. Although we have been praying for her for quite some time, it is so nice to finally have a name and a face to pray for specifically.

Colton was very chatty on the way to school......about snow - when he last saw snow, when Chloe might see snow, just snow. Not sure why snow was on his mind, but it was. He bounded out of the truck and walked right in the building with Dad. He hesitated for just a split second when he entered the classroom and then he was on his way. No tears. Just excitement and looks on his face that said 'I know what I am doing - this is no big deal.' I had my camera and held back the tears behind the lens. I did not cry.
I really don't think the morning could have gone better. I am praying that his day goes just the same. More on Mom's day with the girls later.

This day was inevitable and it is exciting in so many ways. The heart strings are pulled tight. We have worked diligently for five and a half years to prepare him for this day. He is ready.

Just want to squeeze those cheeks

I love this girl! Our little samoosa is almost two.

No Crying She Makes

I will have many memories of Chloe's first ten weeks of life.......but one I would like to forget is the continual screaming every time she is put in her car seat. While most babies love their car seats and sleep peacefully for hours in it, Chloe has never liked hers. She screams and I mean screaming like she is terrified or in pain from start to finish. In the house. In the van. In the stroller. No matter where the car seat is, if she is in it she is screaming. It did not make for relaxing road trips or short rides to Sunday morning worship. I was to the point of dreading going anywhere because of the tension that would ensue from any experience in the car seat. The older children learned very quickly to remain almost silent anytime we got in the van so that the noise level would not be any worse while Mommy was driving.

Well, after some 'internet research' and unscientific polls, I tried the swaddling approach. I use the kiddopotamus swaddling blanket that is made to fit the five point harness of her carseat. I buckle her in and wrap her tight like a sausage. Taaaaa daaaaaaa! Quiet baby. Sleeping baby - for hours. Content, looking around baby while we drive to church, the store and any other errand I feel like running that day. It has been a little over a week and the swaddling has made all the difference. The tension has eased and Mommy is very happy!

Orange Tumbleweed

Campbell is now four and is really enjoying her gymnastics class. The gym has relocated to a brand new facility and there is a designated room just for her class. She gets to do all 4 of the Olympic events on equipment just her size. The tumble tramp is her favorite, though. Her little personality really comes to light in this class. She is very quiet, obeys the rules and really does not care to see others breaking the rules! Thank you to Pops and Nana for her new leotard. Despite our best efforts, the girl loves orange.

Blessings of Family

Today, I am so thankful for our extended family and that we are fortunate enough to share our lives with them. The Lord has given to us the luxury of having loving grandparetns for our kids who all live within a 3 hour drive from us. We also have cousins, aunts & uncles who live close enough to visit. Recently, we saw the Leffler cousins and let Chloe meet her only living great-grandparents, Sylvia Hinton and Julia Parker. I have such sweet memories of them both!

We had a wonderful visit with the family and returned home just in time to meet up with Daddy for Get in the Game Sunday. Our family of six is getting into a routine and enjoying the last days of summer.

After much effort, there is some success

It only took two attempts to get nice photographs of all four kids together. The older two always want to 'see' the picture that was just taken on the camera, so they jump right up after every click. The almost two year old just doesn't want to sit at all and the one month old is.....well, just one month old. Every mom that has tried to get just the perfect shot can well imagine how we all felt afterwards.

These four children are such a blessing. After reflecting on the discouraging days of not being able to conceive and seeing these fabulous four that the Lord has given to us, I am amazed. Our God is much bigger than me and my dreams. I hope to honor Him more each day as we raise this foursome.

The Sixth Made Her Appearance

The sixth Lino made her appearance on June 5, 2009! Chloe Reese Lino is three weeks old today and I am finally getting some pictures up for all the world to see.