Pop tart Kisses

We are all in love with this little girl. She has stolen our hearts. Every single one of us. She is such a sweet baby and has brought so much joy into our lives.

I am incredibly thankful that God gave us Ruby Kate. She is a daughter of the King and I praise Him for her. I am so grateful that I get to be her momma.

I never think I can love my husband anymore and then we have a baby. Again and again, I fall deeper in love with this man as I watch him with our babies. He is smitten with baby girl. Over protective. Madly in love. It makes me that much more crazy about him. 

I was slightly concerned about bringing a new baby into our world of rough and tough boys. I quickly found I had absolutely no reason to worry. Our boys love their sister and are so amazingly good with her. Even tiniest boy, who I did not know had a gentle bone in his body, is careful with Ruby Kate. He is quick to put her pacifier in when she cries and is so attentive to her needs.

Manning asked me everyday for months when I was going to have Ruby Kate and he was beside himself with excitement the day she was born. His teacher told me that he journals about her all the time!

Of the three, Myers is the most "into" his baby sister. He constantly helps me take care of her and always wants to hold her. Just this morning, as soon as he finished breakfast, he asked to hold her. As I laid her in his lap, he covered her face with kisses. A few minutes later, I noticed she had pop tart crumbs all over her forehead. Sweet boy left evidence of his love.

We are so incredibly blessed with the gift of our 4 children. God is so good. So faithful.

Counting days

 

39 weeks 2 days. I cannot believe she's almost here. I am at the point where complete strangers ask how much longer I have and my husband teases me about my sausage-like toes. I have 3 friends who were due the same week as me. I am the last man standing. The only one still pregnant. I tend to always win the "who can stay pregnant the longest" contest. My body seems to like being in the state of pregnancy. I do not take this for granted. I am so thankful that we conceive easily and carry to term. The other night as we watched her squirm in my belly, Kevin commented, "She looks uncomfortable in there." To which I exclaimed, "She looks uncomfortable? What about me?" Just like my last 2 pregnancies, I have gained between 40 and 50 lbs. Ok- so this time it is a little closer to 50. (With Manning, I only gained 28lbs and he weighed 7lbs 8oz. By far, my smallest baby.) I have an ultrasound on Tuesday, to determine an estimated fetal weight. I look forward to seeing what size she measures, although I know these ultrasounds are not always 100% accurate. I feel pretty confident that my dr. could simply write: BIG in the blank for estimated fetal weight. She feels like my biggest baby yet and Myers was 8lbs 14 ounces so I know what big feels like.

If she has not arrived by Thursday- that will be induction day. March 20th sounds like a great day to have a baby, doesn't it?

People ask me if I still get nervous about labor and delivery. The simple answer- YES! I think I could do this 10 times and I would still be a little apprehensive about the process. I told someone the other day that having a baby is a lot like knowing you have to stump your toe tomorrow but afterwards someone is going to give you a $100. (Yes, I am way more excited about having my baby than getting $100 and I realize that stumping your toe in no way compares to the pain of delivery) But you see my point. I know the pain of childbirth, but I also know the complete and utter joy of new life.

 

 

          Almost 6 years ago,  we experienced this for the first time. Manning Ryan made us parents and changed our world forever.

 

 

 

 

Kevin and I look like babies ourselves.

 

 

 

22 months later we welcomed Myers Wilson. Proof that your heart can double in an instant. There is room to love two in just the same way.

 
We induced at exactly 39 weeks with Myers and I am glad we did. He was a BIG guy. His momma might not should have eaten ice cream everyday. We laugh about his size at birth because now he is so small.

 

 

21 months later we met this little guy- McCann Riggs stole our hearts from the moment he entered this world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am hoping the next time I post, it will be filled with pictures of our sweet girl. Please pray that we have an easy labor and delivery and most importantly that Ruby Kate will be healthy.

"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:13-15

 

 

 

 

  

 

Her nursery is complete.....

With 2 weeks left to spare, Kevin and I finished Miss Ruby Kate's room. This project was a true labor of love. (With the majority of the labor part falling on Kevin.) On September 26, 2013, when they told us that our fourth child would be a girl, I immediately started envisioning what I wanted to do with the nursery. The room that has been dedicated to trucks, boats, and balls for the last 6 years. No more! It is all pink and frills! The transformation is crazy and it turned out just the way I had hoped.....now all we need is our little girl!

 

Wall above her crib

 

 

 

My favorite corner

 

 

Tiny, silver tutu

 

 

Her dresser

 

 

 

My momma's baby picture

 

 

 



Monogram above her crib

 

 

 



 

Love, love, love this bird mobile! So delicate and feminine.

 

 



 

Curtains and toy box....I just realized I didn't take a picture of the crib but this is her bedding too!

 

 

 

So loved...

 

 

That's all for the nursery but I just heard the UPS truck pull up to my house! Whoo hoo! Not only is her nursery done but her stroller and car seat are here! One more thing checked off our seemingly endless list of things to do before she arrives. We can't wait! Praying for an easy delivery and a healthy baby girl!



 





Renaming the blog.....

Today I am thankful that it is time to rename this blog. In a matter of weeks (3-ish) or possibly days (please let me have her bag packed and car seat installed), Miss Ruby Katherine Hatchell will be joining us. I am truly thankful for the blessing of another child. I am overwhelmed with excitement over meeting our first daughter. So with her upcoming arrival, "Life with my Boys" will no longer be an accurate description of our family.  I need help! What ideas do you have for a good blog name? Kevin likes "3 Hims and a Her" and I like "A Ruby in the Rough," but I want to hear your thoughts. My creativity is limited these days. Babies steal my brain cells and I am already predicting this is going to be one smart little girl if my absentmindedness (is that even a word?) is any indication.

Every time I ask someone in person what they think about a new name for my blog I always get asked, "Will you have to change the name again in 2 years? Will there be more Hatchell babies or is this the grand finale?" I honestly can't say. That is a very debatable and emotion-filled question that is better left unanswered. I am so incredibly thankful for the blessing of our 4 children. There are days that I simply can't fathom the richness of God's goodness bestowed on me through my babies. To think, 9 years ago when Kevin and I got engaged he was set on 2 children. Only 2. No more. And here we are almost a decade later with double that amount. The neatest part is my husband was just as excited the fourth time I told him there would be a new baby as he was the very first time he found out he would be a daddy. God is so good and I am so grateful that HE is in charge.

I am looking forward to your feedback on a new blog name! And hurry- we are running out of time!

Convictions

http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2014/01/when-christs-body-got-too-busy.html

I read this blog the other night and was convicted to the core of my being. Every ounce of me. Guilt, sadness, and fear swept over me all at once. It is so easy to get caught up in this life of ours. The hustle and bustle of raising children, the overwhelming need for perfection, the desire for more. It's in all of us. That's the way we are made. Sinful and self-absorbed. We cram our days so full there is little time to examine things outside of circle of existence. It's not easy reading things like this. It hurts our pride and condemns our current norms. But I know God put the words in this blog in front of me. He meant for us to be broken for the things that break Him. After reading this entry and many more,  I just knew I needed to do something.

Do I think Kevin and I need to pursue an international adoption? No, or at least not right now, God has not called us to that. (I am sure some of our family members and friends reading this just took a collective sigh of relief.)

Do I think Kevin and I need to about HIS business of taking care of the widows, the poor, the orphans all around us? YES! Absolutely. His Word commands us to.

" Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

"But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" 1 John 3:17

I would like to believe that I would never turn my back on someone in need, but how many times am I so consumed with my own life that I overlook those very people. If God placed a child in our path that needed a family. Could we say yes? Would we think it was too much for two parents with 4 biological children, a small house, and limited money. Those are just the beginning of the excuses my human side would use to build a case. But He asked Peter to WALK ON WATER. What is crazier than that? It goes against our human way of thinking. That's how God works. So I know it would be very foolish of me to say what is going to happen. God's bigger than my plans or my attitude. I pray that when these situations arise we will be quick to rely on His truths and respond with a resounding "Yes" without doubt or question.  I  always think about that song, "What If Jesus Comes Back Like That." For those of you not up-to-date on 90's country- here are the lyrics:

"What If Jesus Comes Back Like That"

He came to town on an old freight train
He jumped off in the pouring rain
Everybody says he's insane
Just a low down account hobo

He made his bed beneath the county bridge
The town folks said that's not his
They signed a petition they're gonna get rid
Of that white trash low down no count

What if Jesus comes back like that
On an old freight train in a hobo hat
Will we let him in or turn our back
What if Jesus comes back like that
Hey what if Jesus comes back like that

Born with a habit of drug abuse
She couldn't help what her mama used
It wasn't like she got to choose
Now she's laying there all alone

Got a monkey on her back
Nurses say they never saw a smile like that
Doctor says she might stand a chance
If somebody takes her home

What if Jesus comes back like that
Two months early and hooked on crack
Will we let him in or turn our back
What if Jesus comes back like that
Oh what if Jesus comes back like that

Nobody said life is fair
We've all got a cross to bear
When it gets a little hard to care
Just think of Jesus hanging there

He came to town on a cold dark night
A single star was his only light
The baby born that silent night
A manger for his bed

What if Jesus comes back like that
Where will he find out hearts are at
Will he let us in or turn his back
Hey what if Jesus comes back like that
Yeah what if Jesus comes back like that
Will he cry when he sees where our hearts are at
Will he let us in or turn his back
Hey what if Jesus comes back like that
Oh what if Jesus comes back like that

 

 

And if that's not enough- watch this:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7At75kN_YsI

 

 

My heart breaks for the needs in our world. There will never be a perfect time and we will never have enough money. But God commands us to go and to go now. I don't know what God is asking you to do. I don't even know what God is asking me to do! I do know that we must be willing. We must accept the impossible, allow for discomfort, and examine some of our choices. Please pray with me that we will open our hearts and lives to what Jesus has in store.

Snow days

I am early. It's only been Friday for 44 minutes and I am posting. This has to be some sort of record. I am NEVER early for anything anymore. On time is the goal- who am I kidding? Getting my crew anywhere on time is a cause for celebration these days. No matter how early I start- there is ALWAYS something that slows us down. Lost shoes, dirty diapers, breakfast dilemmas, the list goes on and on. That's why these last few days have been so incredibly nice. No where to go and absolutely no schedule. I like snow days because they force us to slow down and stay at home. I didn't play in the snow this time. It was a little too slippery for this about-to-pop momma. But boy did my guys have a blast. They were out there for hours.

 

Baby boy didn't love it quite as much as his big brothers. He decided taking a nap in the warm house was a better option.

 

These 2 braved it for almost 4 hours! Crazy kids! I am glad there Daddy is tough. Momma would have been frozen after 30 minutes! I am so thankful for the blessing of snow days, warm houses, and family.

 

"But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:4

 

 

 

5 for Friday.... on a Monday morning

I am a few days behind- but for a REALLY good reason. We just got back from 4 delightfully restful, relaxing days at the beach with my family. Four days of no laundry and no cooking. Seriously, I did so very little. Literally, the most stressful part of the whole long weekend was a intense game of hearts. (We are a competitive group!)

1. I caught up on ALL my scrapbooking for the boys and even started Ruby Kate's. This is crazy impressive. I typically stay at least a season behind so I took full advantage of the extra room and time I had this weekend. It was so nice to be able to spread everything out and work little by little all weekend. At home, I pull it all out and work for an hour while McCann naps. Then I have to put it all back up because we don't have much unused space in our house. I am so thankful to be caught up (for the moment.)

2. My aunt took me shopping for my birthday. It's not until March, but I may be slightly busy that week. Baby girl is due the week of my birthday. I wonder if I am going to be 31 or 32 when she is born. It was so nice to be spoiled.

3. Our boys slept LATE. (They did not get up at 7am) They are all great sleepers as a norm, but Manning and McCann are typically early risers. I don't know if they were just overly tired from playing hard everyday. Or if our sleeping arrangements influenced their sleeping habits. All 5 3/4 of us slept in the same room. We had two double beds in our room and forgot the bed rails. So Kevin slept with one and I slept with the other to avoid them rolling off the bed. (McCann was in the pack-and-play) The last morning we were there I woke up at 8:45am to a room full of SLEEPING boys. This is unheard of but I thank God for those wonderful hours of extra rest.

4. The day we went shopping, I offered to take both the older boys with me. Only Myers was game. It was such a special day. I rarely get to spend time with them one on one- but I love it! It was so nice to be able to focus on him! Kevin and I are committing to doing this more often. Taking time out to give each one of them our undivided attention. They need this and so do we.

5. I was sad to leave this place and the leisurely life we embraced this weekend. Then, as usual, I saw truth in the voice of my babies. When we got home, Manning said, "Momma, I love the beach. But I love being at our house even more."