The Williams Six

2011 was a great year! God is so good! He is always so faithful. Though there were valleys, most of the year was spent on the mountain. Thank you, Jesus, for this wonderfully blessed life you've given me. See you in 2012!!

I'm 14 weeks pregnant. In 5-6 weeks, I'll find out what I'm having. I'm positive it's a girl, but I'll be super happy either way!! Just for fun, here's why I think it's a girl... - basic intuition - my pregnancies with both boys was the exact same; Chloe's was much different. This one is exactly like Chloe's! - ever since I found out Luke was a boy, I just "knew" I'd have a girl next - they say a girl steals your beauty....between you and me, my beauty is definitely stolen! I'm swollen, have pimples, etc - if it's not a girl, Chloe will devote her life to pretending he is :). - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Gifts are my love language! I love receiving heartfelt presents. I was having a rough few days (months, actually)....when the doorbell rang... This package of homemade goodness was waiting for me: My friend, Ashlie, sent it! Not only was it so wonderful and thoughtful, but it came on the most perfect day when I really needed a treat!! Ashlie and her family are consistently so amazingly kind to us, and I'm so thankful for this token of love!! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My cool man, Luke - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Before we left St. Cloud (after celebrating Christmas with all of Brett's family), we drove out to Disney to visit some dear friends of ours, the Lemley's. They have been one of my most favorite families for almost 10 years now! When Brett and I got married, he quickly grew to love them, too. Now that we have kids, our kids adore their kids (who are older and so amazing---they are so sweet to our kids). We always see them when they're in town the same time as us! I don't have any pictures (it was a quick visit), but we ate lunch at a fun place. Chloe got to see Minnie. She wouldn't get close to her or touch her (remember all three of my kids are terrified of costumed characters)....but when she would walk by, Chloe would yell, "hi, Minnie!!" It was so cute and so fun to watch Chloe get to see her favorite character!! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

There are a lot of people who ask for money where we live. If I were homeless, I'd prefer the warm climate, too, so I understand (not to make light of it). There are many organizations that help, so I don't typically give money on the streets. Today, Caleb had this to say about it: "Mom, give that guy money. He can't pay for his house and needs help. (after I drive off) What? You're not going to give him anything? Who's side are you on? The devil's? If you were on God's side, you would be nice and give him money. But you didn't, so you must be on the devil's side. The guy behind us gave money. Why didn't you?" I didn't even have a chance to respond; he just laid into me. I love my boy who stands up for righteousness! Conviction comes a little quicker when you have a 5 year old Holy Spirit :). - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Caleb and Chloe are best of friends: - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The other day, I asked Chloe to pose in front of our chalkboard wall to send it to a friend (to give perspective and show how much wall a can covered). Chloe then posed and asked me to take her picture. Oh. My. Pay no attention to the non-washable marker she colored her face with. Or the fact she's allergic to clothes. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My mother-in-law made this stocking for me....isn't it so sweet?? :) - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Baby #4 will be debuting in about 6 months. I'm trying to decide on how to set up my kids' rooms in preparation. Here's the background: We have four bedrooms. The master bedroom, a bedroom that fictions as the playroom/office, and two kids' rooms. Our house isn't big enough to not have our office/playroom. Plus, we share a wall with that room, and let's be honest...that could be awkward. Luke and Caleb share a room. Chloe desperately wants to share a room with her new baby :). The boys' room is much larger (but hers has a walk in closet that she enjoys)....and fits their bunk beds and a crib. Chloe's room has a queen bed. If we have a girl, my plan is to get her bunk beds and move the crib in with her. I think it'll fit. If we have a boy, I don't know what to do....so I need your input! The queen bed makes it so Chloe's room has little floor space, but it is nice for our occasional house guests. Also, keeping the queen saves money since I won...

While spending hours laying (lying?) on the couch these last few months, I've had some time to think (one of the rare things I'm actually able to do). There are areas I would like to improve in my life. I'm guessing these will be shallow. One thing I don't do is think deeply while pregnant....I spiral into depths of self-loathing rather quickly...because I dislike who I am while pregnant but have yet to figure out a way to change. Brett jokes I act like God rewrites the Bible for pregnant women...leaving out any commands to be Christlike and not complain. It's our fourth kid, we both benefit from the humor :). And I digressed....back to the topic..... - I wish I could decorate better. I lack both talent and finances...but mostly talent! - I really want my house to look cozy. I'm thinking wood floors would help but something's lacking....I don't know what it is. Again, decorating is not my strength. - this is weird but I don't know how to keep a st...

Potty training has been a thorn in my flesh. It is one area of my children's lives that frustrates me. I wrote about this before (but am on my phone and don't know how to link to it). Well, my friends, we have a Christmas miracle!!!! Chloe has gone a full week without wearing a pull-up to bed and has had ZERO accidents!!!! We drove 2 hours in the car, and she didn't have an accident then either!! She still forgets to pee during the day sometimes (we are working on that still), but I am soooo excited she's free from diapers!!!! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

"Mom, when I grow up, I'm not going to be any of those silly things like I used to say. I'm actually going to be a....secret spy!!!" - Caleb Also, today, Caleb asked if he could start calling us "Brett and Sarah". I said no. He said, "Ok, well then, you're Mom and Dad, not Mommy and Daddy anymore." Just when I thought my heart had shattered into a million pieces because he's growing up..... Tonight at dinner, Caleb and Chloe were talking about who they're going to marry. Chloe said, "You can't get married if you're already married. (She looks at me) He's mine, not yours anymore!"(talking of Brett, her first love) Caleb said, "I'm not getting married. Mom, I'm gonna live with you and be your kid forever!" Heart restored. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A few years ago, we went to a Christmas costume party. Brett's elf costume was such a hit that we've kept it....and each year, it makes an appearance!! We went to a friend's church party, where we were the youngest people by 20 years. The humor was a bit lost on the crowd, but I still got a good laugh! After we got home, our kids had a blast wearing the elf costume. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I think I had a stomach bug yesterday. I've been sick for like 2 months, but yesterday was extremely bad :(. I was laying in bed. Compassionate Chloe brought me a treat and this smile..... What a sweet treat when I felt yucky!! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone Location: Woods Ave,Tavernier,United States

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Caleb: "Mom, you're driving me nuts." Me: "That's not nice to say." Caleb: "I learned it from you." Yikes. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Two nights ago, I made soup for dinner. Caleb complained and complained, refusing to eat it! Later that night, Luke threw up (in his bed and all over me). After showing compassion toward his little brother, Caleb said to me, "I told you that was yucky soup. You shouldn't give it to kids, it makes them puke." Wow, he might use this for many nights to come :) - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Caleb loves having his back scratched (who doesn't?). He asks me every night to scratch his back. A few weeks ago, he decided it was too much to ask me to do it, so he came up with a backscratching signal. When he does this.... ....it means he needs his back scratched :). If he moves his arms up and down fast, it means he has an itch and I must scratch NOW! He is so adorable!!!! Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

(Chloe looks taller than Caleb in this picture...he is squatting down to Luke...he is actually taller)

Luke took off his shorts because he thought we were going swimming....that's how he communicates he wants to swim :)

I usually take my kids to JC Penney's to get their portraits done each year near their birthday. A few months ago, Brett's Aunt Judy suggested that I take my own pictures of the kids because I take better pictures than the studio. I love photography, but for some weird reason, I had never thought of that!! My kids HATE the portrait studio, and it's always a nightmare....so I decided to take her advice! Here are Chloe's 4 year old pictures....a few months late because I was waiting for coolers temperatures (and I have been miserable and unable to do much of anything) She insisted on holding her puppy and kitty :) She is so beautiful. I adore my sweet princess!!

As I said, Chloe wants to be a gymnastics girl when she grows up. During her gymnastics class, she told me she would watch the older girls to see what they were learning. She taught herself these.... I am pretty impressed with her initiative. She LOVES gymnastics!! Here are some of the kids having fun....

Where Caleb does school most days....

Luke with my dad in the Keys...

I love Halloween. My kids love it, too! Dressing up is one of their favorite activities, so getting a new costume is super fun. This year, we first went to the Boca Mall to trick-or treat, but it was an absolute nightmare. Though we did get this cute picture of the kids (minus Luke).... We finished the night trick or treating on our cul-de-sac, which was really fun! Our neighbors are the best! I got Luke a dragon costume, but he REFUSED to wear it. As in, he screamed any time I would get it out of the closet. Instead, he wore Caleb's old costume. It was big on him, but it is all he would wear. Luke is a very particular child....he likes what he likes and won't change his mind! Caleb went as Ironman. Chloe as Super Girl. And Luke as the too-big-for-him Spiderman.

Caleb and Chloe took gymnastics for 9 weeks. Both loved it. Chloe wants to be a "gymnastics girl" when she grows up (which to her is age 7). She told me, "When I am 14, you won't find me unless you come to the gymnastics place because I am gonna be a gymnastics girl." Both Caleb and Chloe do gymnastics all over the house and have a blast learning new tricks. It was definitely a great class! My pictures aren't that great because the gym is big (and sometimes a glass door is in between).