Joy in every stage

I have been going through old pictures of the boys lately. Nolan and I looked at ALL the pics we had from when Jude was born until now. We laughed and almost cried at the fact of how fast life goes by and how fast the boys seem to be growing up. I often ask the boys"Can I keep you little forever?" They usually always reply "No, Mom". Even though I know I can't, it's hard not to find myself wishing life would slow down and wanting to savor their every childhood moment. The Lord says the same thing to me every time I ask the boys if I could keep them little. He reminds me that I need to find joy in every stage of their life and not pine for the time gone by. So that is what I have been trying to do, enjoy every growing stage and loving every change in their lives. It can be hard at times, but so fulfilling at other times. I do not ever want to be one of those moms that can't let their children grow up. I pray that they are one in a million kids and that they always want one thing in their lives: God's Will for them. If we are not in His will, nothing matters. Nolan and I love them so much but I never want to hold them back from His will and work in their lives. So with that said, here are a few pics as the boys have grown :)

                                Jude worships the ground Peyton walks on....

Daddy and Jude....

           

                                                       Sweet lil' men...

                                                     All three boys....

                                                      
                                      Baby Jude isn't a baby anymore...

                                       This is typical silly JCross...

I could have added a ton more, but I better stop here before the server blows up. Hahaha...

AHHHHHHHH THE CAPE.....

This is Jacob's happy face! haha

So I think my internet is tooo terribly slow to handle uploading pics or the website has wanted to give me fits for months. Either way I havent been able to upload and hate to blog with out pictures to accompany. I'm in luck today because I got pics up.  The above picture is our family at Cape San Blas, Fl. We have gone there each summer for the past four years with my dad and stepmom. We love it there because it is not crowded and allows for alot of room for the boys to run around and play and me not freak out about them being all in someones way or have to search for them. We stayed from Tuesday to Sunday and had a great time. Poor Jacob got woke up from his nap to go eat at Boondock's and the pic is him proving to me that he did not have to take a picture and be happy about it. He is just like his mommy when it comes to lack of sleep :) Luckily he got happier and actually looked at the camera once we got to Boondocks.

A little happier now :)

The last three nights we were there we made a fire and had smores. Jude did not really like them. He said "These are different." I think he was trying to be polite and not hurt anyones feelings on his first smore tasting. 

Jude not so sure about this smores idea.

Peyton would eat everyone's leftovers. Good Lord that boy can put away some food!

                                      

All in all we had a nice relaxing time. Can't wait for next year :)