It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!!!

WOW!! What a JOYFUL holiday season!!!
To kick off the season was The Great Christmas Tree Hunt that I wrote of in a previous post.
Next was Kari's Annual Christmas Cookie Party. This is the event that gets me out of the backyard from playing with the boys and into the kitchen. I LOVE to cook and bake, but I hate giving up playtime to do it. I will be a grand chef one day when the guys are out of the house! All of the cookies were a joy to see and eat. Everyone gets in the holiday, and competitive, spirit!
Then, it was Santa picture night... reference to the previous post!
Next, was our WFC Women's ornament exchange... all of my sweet friends who are so dainty, gentle, and precious 364 days out of the year show their true colors at this annual gathering. We laughed ALL evening. My cheeks are still sore!
Then, Christmas Eve was here! We had a sweet night at our Community Candlelight Service with our precious church family and many more. We picked up our Candy Cane cake from Jen and headed home. Everyone was ready to go to bed except Jackson. So, we tucked three of them in and then stayed up with Jack to read Twas the Night Before Christmas. I remember reading it as a child and getting lost in it. My little girl handwriting is found throughout the book and Jackson thought that it was so cool. We tucked Jack in and got to wrappin'!!! I love that time together with Sam. We hit the hay around 12:00! Soon to be awoken at 5:40am!!

Singing "Happy Birthday to Jesus" with Aunt Jen's Candy Cane Cake and a Candle

Big Digger Bo

Max is Just Chillin'

Colby a little excited to get his bike ramp

Jackson thrilled to get entire Rocky series

Christmas Morning Tornado

After we opened presents, we loaded up and went and did one of themost special things we've ever been a part of. Delivering food to the homes of extremely poverished families in our city. We arrived at a local high school in which volunteers had worked all Christmas Eve packing food boxes from local grocery stores and now were ready to give us a map and boxes of food to deliver. We pulled up "drive-thru" style, grabbed our map with assignment and food and headed out. I was so touched by the long carpool line of folks 8:00am on Christmas morning ready to deliver food. Some people loaded truckloads of assignments. God was shining bright through His people that morning.

Sam and the boys delivering to our special lady.

We returned home to a fun day of new gifts and beautiful weather and a BIG NAP!!! We talked to our family on the phone and I must say I DON'T EVER WANT TO HAVE ANOTHER CHRISTMAS WITHOUT SEEING THEM AGAIN!!! Since Max is so little, we didn't travel this year and most of them had been here to see Max for his birth... so, nobody traveled. I thought I'd be fine... until I heard my sisters voice... never again... we will always see each other for the holidays.

Christmas night we had a Mexican Christmas with our precious friends', The Caffey's.

No school is such a sweet time because all the nighborhood kids are out playing with their new toys!

Day After Christmas is now our new tradition of Couch/Dukes Christmas Breakfast

Caffey Boys came over for a sleepover... Little Jack's first buddy sleepover.

Campfire with Smores

Night Jumpin'

11:00am ... morning after sleepover

"What in the world was all of that about???" says Max.

What a beautiful Christmas 2007!!!
Thank you, Lord, for a beautiful life!!!

All In The Name of Fun!!!

We're soooo naive!!!
This past Sunday night,we decided to run to the mall real fast and get the boys pictures taken with Santa. Excuse me... did I say real fast... that's where the naive part kicks in.
As we approach the Mall at Millenia... Sam and I give each other that silent glance that speaks volumes. You know the one that speaks, "What in the world have we gotten ourselves into?" As we wind the parking lot looking for a space, Sam says, "Welcome to America boys!" They joyfully continued to talk about Santa... Jackson letting Colby know, "He was real a long time ago, but some kids still believe he is today. I didn't believe that last year, but maybe I will this year!" Once we found a spot, we jumped out into the cold night... yes, it was cold!!! None of us had flip-flops on!!
The mall was decorated beautifully; the boys looked around in awe. We approached the Christmas village and the boys were awestruck by the decorations... you could see there eyes glistening. If you glanced at me and Sam, you would see us "glistening" looking at the line. Oh, the line!! Well, being the FANTASTIC parents that we are... we hopped in line joyfully and were prepared for whatever it took to meet Ol' Boy in the red suit. After we slowly shuffled in line for about 20 minutes, Sam saw a sign that said 90 minutes from this point. Oh, Jesus, help us!! Did I mention we have an 8 week old, 2 year old, 4 year old, and 7 year old in a crowded mall at 6:00pm 1 week before Christmas without dinner and quickly approaching bedtime. Ok.. just thought I'd throw that in!!
So, we took a deep breath, not letting them in on any angst that we may feel inside. So, we commited to the line because DOGGONE IT WE'RE HAVING FUN!!! A good plan arose.. Sam would take the big boys to the food court and Max and I would wait in line. Sure enough, God can use any moment. While they were eating upstairs, I had the chance to chat with a single mom about everything she was going through; one minute talking with her made any stress within me disappear. Hearing her daily struggles made my little evening of harriedness inside pale in comparison.
Once Sam and the guys returned, we had about 20 minutes to go... we could see Santa at this point.. so, it was all downhill from there. Well, almost... Max had a poopie diaper and I was out of diapers... aah!!! So, sure enough, I found a lady in line witha small child and said, "From one mother to another... I need a diaper." She looked at me kinda crazy, so I told her that I would giver her a dollar... I got the diaper. As I'm putting it on Max, I realize that it was newborn size. Can you say Bikini Diaper!!
Then, our moment came... it was our turn... see how they turned out and try to tell me it wasn't worth it...

What did I learn from this experience...

I will never go see Santa on a weekend night.
I will never leave the house without checking the diaper bag.
I will never go to a mall again...
Unless it is to have a night JUST like the one we had a on that cold, Sunday night!!

Count Your Blessings

As I reflect over the past 6 weeks since we have had Max, I just have to count my blessings when the times get rough. I am getting back into the swing of things with the Children's Ministry after a wonderful maternity leave, juggling everyone's schedules and needs, caring for an infant, trying to keep the house up (if anyone ever gets a free Merry Maid coupon, please send it my way... Shew!), and striving to be a precious wife for my sweet hubby. As I cried on Sam's shoulder yesterday, he just silently let me. Then I said, "I just can't do it all." He sweetly hugged me and said, "Just start from the top." My reply being, "What's the top?" Well, I realize tonight what the top is... the first thing that I need to do is count my blessings... look at things through God's eyes.Let's count those blessings together...

1. A Beautiful Birth

2. Sam's parents who so wonderfully took care of the boys during my 4 day hospital stay.

3. A Funny Husband. Sam said that he was cold in the hospital, so I told him to put my pink, fuzzy robe on. Sure enough he did! And he kept it on for all the nurses and doctors to see! Not very kind to keep a c-section patient laughing an entire evening!


4. A Beautiful Nursery. It blesses my heart that we were able to create a precious nursery for our 4th baby. With Jen's painting , curtains, and bedding; Kelli's train conductor gift; and Jess' Scripture painting, Max, our little caboose, got to come home to a warm and sweet, love filled room.


5. Happy Children. Their joy is abounding, infectious, and a true blessing. For a mother who is deeply concerned about their hearts when a new baby comes home... I can take rest because they seem to be doing just fine!!!

6. My Mom. Grammoo comes to save the day. She always spends the week I come home from the hospital with us. She is everything that I need and want her to be. She adores her grandchildren, her son-in law, and makes me feel precious. When we hug at the airport for her to leave is never a good moment.
Surprised with a new basketball goal! She is holding Jackson up!
Quiet time with Bo!

7. My Three Big Helpers. Diapers, bottles, "get the phone"... they'll do it all!


8. A Fun Halloween (with a one week old baby in the house)

Rocky characters, their Trainer, and little punkin'Jackson wanted me to be Adrienne, so Grammoo stepped in for me since I was layed up!

9. New Adventures. Colby learned how to do the monkey bars!!

10. Funny Moments to Cherish.

Jackson is reacting to a surprise from Max in the tub. Let's just say the picture with the "stream of water" from Max couldn't be posted!

Bo's lizard that jumped between his legs. He paniced of where it might go next!!

11. Happy Baby.

12. Fun On The Tree Farm

Hayride!

Take your best shot!

Hunting for the ONE!

Freash Kettle Corn

13. The Face of a Content & Joyful Lady.

Oh... Things Have Changed!!!!

Big Changes have taken place in our home. I don't know about you, but I initially don't handle change well. You know that chaotic and dismantled feeling you get inside when your world seems to be rocked by change. I get cozy in our routine.
Well, here are the things that have changed... and I'm so glad they did...

1. Sam and I came to the conclusion that only one of us can be working on a project at a time.
From newborn baby duties to fighting brothers... one of us has to be parent 100% while the other works on a project. Which is really cool because there is a 50/50 chance I get to play alot of the day while Sam gets stuff done. Forced to play... woo-hoo!!!

2. Naptime for momma has dwindled.
Long gone are the days of Colby and Bo tucking away for nap, while pregnant momma curls up in her blanket for a good two hour siesta. Now, Colby is approaching five, so nap is not so needed and there is a newborn who likes to fall deep asleep for his nap right when the other guys are bouncing up and ready to play.
So, this gives me great time with my new little Max. He props up on my bent legs up on the couch with my big comfy blanket wrapped around us and we just stare at each other and watch Cosby show reruns until he's ready to lay down. God knows what I need... I ask Him everyday... "Okay, Lord, you know if I need some alone time today; give it to me if I need it, if not than you know I can handle the rest of the day without a little "me time."

3. No more sitting on the sidelines watching games quietly.
Jackson and Colby's football seasons kicked off the week that I had Max. Needless to say they were a little bummed that mom, their #1 cheerleader, couldn't come to games. Well, week 4 out of my c-section... I did it... all by myself... took Jackson, Colby, Bo, and Max to the football games minus Daddy who had to work. Got Jackson and Colby settled at their games and ran Bo to the kids room of the YMCA which he adores his teachers and toys, and then ran back out with Max in tow to watch the games that were going on at the same time, in which I sat between the two fieldscheering both directions for separate children... did I mention that I had just changed Max's poopie in the Y bathroom while warming his bottle in the sink. So, I'm cheering from field to field, jumping up in excitement, feeding Max his bottle, and trying to keep my pants up which are trying to fall down (you know, you've lost just enough weight after pregnancy for these pants to be too big, but not small enough yet for your little stuff!)
I don't gain much from this change, but I guarantee the other fans around me get a laugh!! :)

There is soooo much more that has changed in our family that we could chuckle together about, but there is one thing that is just melting me to the core...
My Relationship with My Savior.
I call on His name more times in a day now than ever before. I call on him for peace, patience, wisdom, patience, comfort, patience, and rest. I am closer to Him now than I have been in many seasons. I can't wait to tell my little guys one day who will then be grown men...
"Thank you for being who you were as little boys because you helped me see the face of God daily. Not only because I was thanking Him for blessing my lfe with your presence, but because I relinquished control over to Him daily to help me raise you and keep you safe , joyful, and yearning to see His face, as well."

So, change is good... so long as you're leaning on the One who is in control of it all...
cuz honey we ain't in control and I'm so glad I'm not.
LET'S PLAY AND LET GOD TAKE CARE OF THE BIG STUFF!!!!

Here We Grow Again!!!

Sweet Baby Max is Here!!On October 23rd, 2007 at 7:39am
Maximus Graham Couch blessed a little Couch family more than ever could be imagined!!!

We had fun going out to Joe's Crab Shack the night before he was born. Celebration dinner!! Anything to help the time pass by quickly until the next morning!!!

And then he came!!! Sam always gets to see and hold our babies first due to the c-section. Good thing... I'm always crying so hard after I hear their first cry that I wouldn't be able to hold them!!

Jen was our first visitor. Only appropriate... my best friend happens to be the BEST nurse on the planet. She was my everything that morning!!! My encourager with nursing, our personal photographer and videographer, my advisor on staying ontop of my meds, and my peace giver!

Let the fun begin!!! Max started to open his eyes on day 3 at the hospital, so we strated playing!!

Welcome Home, Buddy!!
The brothers were ready to get the next member of the crew home!!

It was hard to keep this post small. We have soooooo many great pics. We have had fun at home with his first sponge bath, dressing up for Halloween, meeting Rolo, and taking his first bottle.
Those pics will have to come later... I have a baby to feed!!