On being a parent...

I need a new camera....badly....I need more photographic documentation of my kids' lives

My phone camera has been working so far, but I want a camera I can count on. I'm hoping that Aaron and I can buy one as our joint Christmas present to each other (last year we bought a carpet cleaner). We prefer to buy one big thing that we both want rather than giving individual presents.

This month we have two birthdays to celebrate. Luke will be 2 tomorrow and Ethan will be 7 on the 24th. It's hard to believe that the kids are getting so old. Ethan was just a little baby when I met Aaron. When I got pregnant with Zack I fully intended to get my tubes tied. I talked about it like I'd already signed the paperwork. A couple months before I had him Aaron said that he didn't want to do anything permanent. I was like, "ummm..you want MORE kids??" He said he didn't know but didn't want to have to make that decision right now. I thought about it a lot and decided I agreed. Now, a month after having Zachary I thank God that I didn't go through with it. We've already decided that we aren't done having kids and although I have no intentions of getting pregnant right away, I am so happy I didn't make a rash decision while under the influence of hormones.

Speaking of having more kids, it seems to me that people are fascinated with large families. You see it on TV with the reality shows (how many more do you think I'll need to have to get my own show, eh???) and when people comment on how many kids you have. In our church there are several large families, but I think that's pretty typical among the churchgoing demographic. I haven't always pictured having a large family, in fact I always said I would never have kids. Anyone who knew me prior to meeting Aaron can attest to the fact that I was NOT a fan of children. Ethan and Aaron melted my heart and the rest is history. There's something magical about looking at these small people who look up to you and count on your guidance to shape their lives. It's a lot of responsibility, but it's worth it.