2 weeks and counting!

Judah's shirt says "Nobody consulted ME about this NEW BABY thing!" Little does he know, we used the same shirt on Joel to announce my pregnancy with him not that long ago! 

Practicing rocking the baby and being gentle, they look like they are having too much fun though!

Wow! I cannot believe how fast this baby crept up on us! I am 38 weeks and we are getting excited to welcome  the newest Penton boy into this world. Joel talks a lot about his 'new baby brother' and even gives him kisses, hugs, and tries to feed him pretend ice cream :) Judah has found out what the word 'baby' means and says it whenever he sees a picture of a baby, a carseat, or a kid smaller than him.

Judah is a big boy all of a sudden!

Joel has 1 more tough week of traveling and then has some time off.  My dad is here in Columbus to help with the boys this week though, thank goodness!  I also went to Cincy for a week this month so that the kids could run around a bit more and I could rest a bit more:)  I am feeling pretty good, Just last week I had to take off my wedding ring due to swelling.. getting to week 37 for that is pretty good for me!  I get pretty tired around the boys nap times, and usually need a nap myself.  I am still sleeping well so that is nice.  I am hoping for only 2 more weeks of being this large, but we will see :) My due date is April 9th, we do not expect this one to come early, but it would be nice!

Joel and Judah had a blast in Cincy - outside every day for hours!

 The Boys
Joel and Judah are FINALLY in a room together in their bunk beds.  It has been quite an adjustment.  Joel III has always done well playing by himself in his room and staying in his bed.  However, when you add Judah to the mix apparently the temptation to get rowdy and loud is just too much.  I expected the novelty of being together to wear off in a few days, but it has taken a couple of months and they still have issues at times.  Joel and I are experimenting with walkie-talkies, a monitor with two-way talk, and of course numerous spankings. So far the best course of action seems to be spankings immediately when Joel gets too loud/kicks the wall/stands up/yells/hands things to Judah/etc. Unfortunately, the execution of that is extremely exhausting at a time that I usually count on to relax! Thankfully, Joel has taken over 95% of childcare when he is home now.  (I usually prepare 1-2 meals and read them some books each day and that is about it!)  Judah has been just exhausted from lack of sleep and that means more crying and tantrums.  He had a short week of getting out of the bed/trying to climb the ladder/acting crazy but since then has been a very good boy when he is in his bed.  I get the feeling that if he could talk he would just say "Joel! Please be quiet so I can go back to sleep!!!"

Joel and his cousin Indy, reading books like nice little boys!

Anniversary
March 19th was our 7 year anniversary! I am so thankful for an amazing husband who loves the Lord so passionately.  It is interesting to reflect on the last 7 years... 4.25 of them I have been either pregnant or nursing!  For 2 of them, we were still in college! (well.. Joel was.)

Joel surprised me with flowers in the morning, and I, of course, cried tears of joy.  (I mean.. I"m really pregnant!) Joel III, who has never really seen me cry, thought the whole thing was quite interesting and kept asking why I was crying and offering to give me hugs. We had a nice date the next night to celebrate.  What a huge blessing this marriage is!

Hope in the midst of Denial
People keep asking me if I'm 'ready.' I think what they really mean is "are you ready for 3 boys under 3 1/2?" And the answer: "Um.. no. I"m in denial, and I want to stay that way.. thanks!" I need to take things one day at a time at this point I think.  I get slightly overwhelmed when I think about simple tasks like how to get them all into the car and strapped in (yes, I will need go around the van and open all 3 doors and strap each boy in myself).. However, I am so incredibly thankful for the blessing of these boys.  God has taught me so much about myself and how I relate to Him through my boys.  Because of this, I now long to be a more obedient and trusting child of God.  I love how my patience and faith is challenged literally every day with these boys.  Seriously.  I do.  It keeps things interesting, combats complacency, and forces me to grow and depend on God.  How awesome!  Not only that, I am consistently blown away at how awesome of a father my husband is.  He does an incredible job of modeling Christ as our Father to our boys.  I learn so much from Joel and I am so thankful for his passion for Jesus.  Ok.... I'm also pretty thankful for the huge help that he is in taking care of them .. especially now!