What a wonderful thing to be...

Zoja comes downstairs dressed for the day, wearing a huge grin on her face along with the pink pants and baby dress-turned-toddler-shirt she's picked out for the day.

"Hi, Zoja!" I say, "What are you doing?"

"Oh," she says with a shrug of her shoulders, " just...being happy!"

Oh, how helpful!

"Where's Zoja?" I ask the kids. "Upstairs," comes the reply. But there's no answer when I call up to her. That's always suspicious.  So I climb the stairs and find her in the bathroom. She's got a toothbrush in her hand and she's carefully cleaning every crevice of the toilet with it. "Zo?" I ask. "What are you doing?" "My job," she says. "I cleaning the toyet!" So proud of herself. "I think the toilet is clean now. Thank you very much." "You wecom," she says as she turns to leave. "Um, Zoja? Did you use this toothbrush too?" I ask, pointing to another brush perched precariously on the edge of the counter. "YES!" she replies. "I hepping!" Yes, so very helpful. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go to the store to buy 2 new toothbrushes...

13!

This guy is 13 today, if you can believe it.

Which I can't. Because I still see this little boy when I look at him...

...and this little boy

...and this one.

And he still is this little boy. Full of questions and overflowing with exciting stories and wild imaginings...

And he's still this little boy, eager to engage with the world around him.

 

And that little boy who liked to build things and pretend things? He's grown into a bigger boy who likes to build things and pretend things...

And a young man who loves his family and God...

A young man who makes me proud to be his mama, proud to be witnessing the unfolding of his life. Happy 13 Ziven! I'm sure your teenage years will hold plenty of exciting new adventures and I can't wait to see where the next few years take you. But even though you are growing into such a young man, you know you'll always be my little boy, too!

Sunday Funnies

I was on Mass duty alone today, it being Chester's drill weekend. I was trying to settle the baby as he started to fuss, so Zoja decided to maker herself "helpful." As she tried shoving a pacifier into his clearly reluctant mouth, I told her just to hold onto it for later when he would need it. Persistent as only a toddler can be, she then asked if she could hold Maciek. Gently, but firmly, I told her "No. Mommy's got him for now." At which point she clearly lost patience with her mother for not letting her play with the baby because she shook her head and let out a "Dang it!" that set 3 of her older siblings into uncontrolable fits of giggles. And who could blame them for it, really? I could barely contain myself either...2 year olds are funny people!

8 is Super Great!

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY, TAIT!

You are so full of joy and energy. Constantly searching for a prank, you love to pull one over on people. Like locking people inside the bathroom, or this "black eye" courtesy of your sister's makeup... Never a dull moment with you around!

You still love cooking and helping in the kitchen. You have a tender heart for your little sisters and any injustices done by others to your brothers. Your smile lights up my day. 

Your soft spot for babies makes my heart happy. I love it when you ask if I can have 50 more babies!

You are always up for adventure and a good time. I think giggling must be your favorite form of communication!

I love you to the moon and back, Sonny Boy! Hope you have a great birthday.

Sticky Situation

Zoja comes upstairs fussing and crying from the basement. 

"Am Tuck!" she cries.

"You're stuck?" Says I.

"YEAH!," she says in her super-exuberant way.

And then I glance down at her dress and see...Tape. Wound around her waist several times, up over her shoulder, across her chest like a sash. 

"Are you stuck in tape?" I ask.

"YEAH!" (with a look of incredulity, like she has no idea how this situation developed, like the tape just reached out and grabbed ahold of her...)

Introducing...

Maciek Christopher 

Maciek Christopher, 3 days old

Maciek: Polish form of Matthew, meaning "Gift of God"

(In Polish, ci makes a ch sound, so think of his name spelled Machek and you'll know how to pronounce it... MAH-check)

Christopher: In honor of Chester's older brother

Hello, World! 

Weighing in...

Little Machie arrived at 5:50 am on July 23.

He was eagerly greeted by his 5 older siblings, all eager to hold him and finally meet their newest brother...

Oles meets his baby brother...

...And Tait. With Zoja making sure she gets to be right next to Baby.

Tola, such a proud big sister... and Zoja getting right close to baby.

Biggest Brother Ziven gets his turn...And again look who isn't far away...

Welcome, Little one! We are so excited to have you in our family and we cannot wait to see what life has in store for you. God has surely blessed us!