Four years ago my life changed when I had my third little boy. It’s no secret to those who know me that I was thinking (dare I say hoping) that I was having a girl. When he arrived all smooshed face and wrinkly, let’s just say it didn’t take long for my heart to turn into complete mush over him.

My little blond haired beauty….I can’t believe he’s four. Such a big boy- taking after his big brothers, but still such the cuddly baby. I cherish this time.

Normally I do a portrait session for the kids’ birthdays since we don’t have “school portraits” in home school.  ;)  I haven’t had a chance to do a session yet for Gabe, so these are just some recent moments in his life.

At the beginning of May we decided to try him out on a two-wheeler. All of our other kiddos rode before their 4th b-day, so we decided to try even though he had not asked for his wheels off like the others had.

Brett held his seat, went around a few times, and after a couple times of letting go and him falling a bit Gabe was tired of it.  I chocked it up to him being the baby. It’s really no secret that we have noooo problem letting him take his sweet time at growing up. ;)

A week or so later Brett and I looked out the window to the scene below. We were a bit scared, but decided not to intervene. Come to find out Adin asked Gabe if he could try and help him on the bike. After about 5 minutes, Gabe was riding all over…..like a mad man!!

I’m so proud of Adin. For his loving heart. For his patience with his baby brother.

Playing outside, drawing, playing with friends ( below is Betsy’s Miles), painting, shooting baskets, and cuddling….these are some of Gabe’s favorite things.  :)

Somewhere along the way this spring amongst crazy Ohio storms, tornado sirens, and trips to the basement, Gabe formed a habit of sneaking into his sister’s room for comfort. He just adores her. I adore how much they love each other.

Whenever Brett or I have a bad day, we scoop up Gabie and he just loves to love on us. On any given day if Gabe’s not playing, he is found like this:

From Priya, the brothers, to Mama and Baba….we are utterly smitten with you Gabriel. I thank God every night for the precious time I have with you. Can’t wait to watch you grow into who you will become, Lord willing.

So blessed to have you, little sweetheart.

yours ~mama & baba

This spring we were cutting down the old dead grasses from last year and the boys were working on it with me.  I suggested they make a fort in the back woods with the grasses.  They asked me to help them out and I gladly accepted.  Our boys help us remember what it is like to be young, carefree spirits.  Deep inside of us all there is the little child we once were that has somehow been overshadowed by the man/woman we have become.  Having these children to cherish, hold, and watch grow up helps us remember what it was like to be young and to stay young in spirit ourselves.  It helps us to realize how fragile and dependent upon one another we all are.  We need to get inside their little world from time to time and learn from them.  We can learn to have a more humble and contrite spirit and lean on each other for support as they do.  Never lose touch with your inner child.  ~brett {baba}