My precious little linebacker!

It seems like I take so many pictures of my "big boys" and not nearly enough of my baby boy who is now 15 months. Perhaps because he's a great sleeper and I tend to take most of my pictures while we're venturing around outside when he's napping. Needless to say, I need to get better at that (and get going on his baby book - well, actually buy one and start it!) I sound like such a slacker! Our precious little Samuel had a nasty fall down the stairs last night. It was one of those scary, heart-stopping moments that I'm sure every Mom knows! I was busy cleaning our messy kitchen after cooking a messy dinner and Rob was busy with our oldest son. I wasn't paying attention and I honestly thought he was playing in the other room with his big brother. Instead, he was following Daniel up our stairs (hardwood might I add), probably in search of Daddy and Robbie. The next thing I heard was a series of tumbles and finally a crash ... followed by screams and a very bloody mouth. My heart just about stopped, literally! Despite lots of bumps and bruises, he is ok ... my heart was laden with guilt (since I was cleaning and not paying attention), and I've gained some major life lessons as a result. My husband and I sat at the computer last night and ordered 2 very nice (and expensive) baby gates that we know will do the trick. HUGE lesson learned!

Talk about thankful!!! I couldn't help but go to bed last night with a VERY thankful heart. I praised God and thanked Him for keeping Sammy safe. I often pray for my kids health and safety. Lord knows with 3 boys (possibly 4), we will have many more injuries and accidents (just hopefully not the falling down stairs and swallowing foreign objects ones!) I pray they are all minor and that the Lord continues to look down on my family and watch over us as we go about our everyday lives. I have always felt His hand of protection on me, even as a younger adult when Christianity wasn't a priority in my life. I now feel His hand on my own family. It seems like I know many people these days who are in the midst of huge trials ... we pray for them daily. My heart breaks for them and I try and remember to lift them up and to love on those who I am close with. Samuel's little accident could have been worse, but really is quite minor in the grand scheme of things - I thank God that my life is filled with minor mishaps vs. big ones. My family is my treasure and I know for a fact that without the Lord in my life, I would not have been blessed with any of them - especially the kind, hard-working, and faithful husband I have been given!

Here is a recent picture of my sweet, adventurous, always-on-the-go, loving, giggly, always smiling, little linebacker - Samuel! We call him our linebacker because, unlike our other boys, he has very broad shoulders and is just big all around - he's a very good eater, if you couldn't tell! I think he may be taking after Rob's father, grandfather and Uncle Brian. Our big boys may very well be looking up toward their "little" brother in the not too distant future! He loves walking around the house (just like in this picture) giggling and playing. He is so full of joy and has brought countless blessings to his big brothers and family. We look forward to our baby gates arriving, though, knowing our house will be that much safer. And I guess I failed to mention that we own a baby gate ... that, sadly, is already hooked on to our bannister. I have always had trouble latching it, so I just never used it and Samuel had never climbed the stairs (without our help) prior to this point. There's a first time for everything, huh?! And Mommy was bad - very very bad! :)

Hope you're all enjoying the snow day. We're spending the day coloring, painting, playing and working on some school work, too! Maybe a little playtime in the snow when Daddy gets home! I am a home body - there is no place I would rather be than home with my loved ones!

Samuel - the Maloney linebacker! :)