Sick kids :(

I can think of nothing worse than one of your kids being sick, okay well maybe two of them! The twins have gotten so good at sharing that they are sharing a really nasty bug. It started last Friday when Luke woke up with "sick eyes." Their eyes always seem to give it away. Sure enough Levi's started mid-morning, and by evening we had two with fever, nasty coughs, runny noses, and one ear ache.

After a Saturday morning trip to our pediatrician (so thankful for sick kid visits on Saturdays) we were ready to tackle these bugs. So now it's Monday, and I feel like we're on the upswing but still definitely sick. Mom and boys are tired of being cooped up and feeling yucky. Thankfully at this point little man is still feeling fine!
We have been working hard at trying to stay entertained at home so here are some pics from the last few days of being quarantined!

Luke was trying to teach T how to successfully master the iPad.

Since becoming a master crawler, one of Titus' favorite toys is the tunnel. 

For Valentine's Day the twins each got a Black & Decker build your own dump truck.  I'm not sure how to make Valentine's Day more manly than that!  These were so much fun to build with Dad.

Levi loves his Tux!  Tux is so patient with the boys, especially the sick and much calmer version.  However, there are times we have to remind him not to be a grumpy old man.

See here's the proof!  No sick kid.  Just one happy little man!

I need weeks like this.  God uses them to remind me that I am not the one in control and that our health is a blessing, one which I too often take for granted. 

Hopefully I'll have three happy boys in the next few days! 

Rain, rain and more rain

I think every day last week was rainy and gross.  Now combine rainy days with 3 boys 3 and under, and we looked for any chance to get outside and get some wiggles out!
Here are some pics from our favorite way to do that in between rain showers...puddle jumping.

Yes they are wearing shorts...in February.  Got to love Houston weather!

Titus couldn't quite get in the puddles yet, so he helped take pics. 

Here's to a week with more sun shine, and maybe even temperatures that feel like winter. 

Titus Update- 6 months!!

Okay so the twins had their own post about their 3rd bday so I figured it was due time for an update on "Mr. T."  (I just think this is the funniest nickname, and I just pity the fool that thinks differently.  hahaha!)

Titus is such a chill baby that loves to laugh and cuddle. Currently he is around 19lbs, and I absolutely love every chunky roll! 

At 6 months, Titus is a rolling machine.  He can get from one side of the living room to the other in no time. 

Titus has also gotten pretty good at sitting up by himself.  He still topples at times, but for the most part loves this new perspective on life!

We have also entered the world of solid foods.  Although he has enjoyed many fruits & veggies so far, he still loves some good fiber!  :) 

I have dubbed him the sock monster!  This boy can find his socks at the bottom of a pile of laundry and will chew and play with socks for the longest time.  Forget baby toys, we need more socks!

Titus loves his big brothers!  They are so good about playing with him.  Luke & Levi think it is the greatest when he laughs at them.  Titus loves to watch them play and I often wonder about the thoughts running through his head as he watches them.  It is one of two things, "I can't wait to join in" or "This is madness!"

We have absolutely loved these past 6 months with T.  I cannot imagine our family without him now.  We are so thankful for this great gift!

Two little sea lions and a big adventure!

A couple of weeks ago, Jonathan went with a few men from our church to a conference in Idaho.  The night before he left I was reading a book to the twins that had an airplane in it.  We had a long conversation about how Daddy was going to get to ride on an airplane the following day.  They tried to convince me that they needed to fly on the airplane also.  In order to drop the discussion I told them that it might be a possibility for Daddy to take one of their animals with him, and they LOVED this idea!
So we picked out the smallest stuffed animals I could find and the adventure began.  Jonathan was such a good sport and sent us so many fun pics!  Here's their adventure...

The seals are hanging out in the window of the airplane. You can see the wing!

I hope they have peanuts.

 We got to fly over the Grand Canyon.

And then some snow.

Guys! Check us out we are in Washington state.

On our way to the conference.

Packed up and ready to head back home.

At the airport and ready to board the plane.

Just landed in Houston.  So glad to be home!

The boys loved keeping up with Daddy and their sea lions this way.  Isn't he an amazing Daddy and husband!?!?!  So glad he loves our family enough to do silly things for our kids.   

P.S.  Thanks Shannon for the sea lions!  :)



And then they were three...

Yesterday the twins turned 3 years old!!!  So since most of our family had the day off we celebrated their birthday on the actual day.  I decided since there weren't many things Luke & Levi enjoyed more than trucks & dirt (okay maybe trains, but I had to pick one theme) we would do a construction party.

 I loved their hard hats & tool aprons, however they only wore them as long as I made them for the picture. Oh well, the pics are cute! 

Even Titus joined in the festivities, although he was not a big fan of the hat. 

We had so much fun celebrating with our family and a few of their friends, but we were all exhausted today. 

Honestly I did really well yesterday until I pulled up pics from the NICU.  Why do I do that to myself?  I knew the end result would be tears.  To look back and see how small they were, I just can't help but thank the Lord for his blessings.  I can think of no greater joy than pouring into these boys(and their brother) day in and day out.  To say it's easy would be a lie, but nothing I have ever done has been more rewarding.
Luke & Levi, I have loved watching you grow over these past three years.  I pray that you continue to grow in character and truth.  I pray that your hearts would love Jesus more than anything else, and that He would use you as mighty warriors for His kingdom.  I love you, and look forward to watching God shape and grow you in to amazing men!

So behind...

Where have the last few weeks gone?  It seems like just yesterday we were decorating the Christmas tree, and currently the only sign that Christmas has come and gone are the lights still hanging on the house and several new toys.  So since I'm behind I thought I'd show you our Christmas in pictures.
 

So thankful our families are friends.  Here's everyone together after our Christmas Eve service.  Not sure what happened with our flash.  You are all glowing!  :)

After church Christmas Eve, we made a few cookies for Santa in our supper cute pj's Oma found for us!

And left the reindeer a special treat outside.

Christmas morning we all piled up with Dad while all the adults got their cameras ready!  Titus was definitely excited for Christmas morning.  He didn't sleep a wink the night before.  We just thought he was too young to know what was going on, when really he was the most excited one of all.

Such fun surprises for our backyard!  A new see-saw for the big boys and a swing for T.  These have already gotten a lot of use.

Dressed so fancy in our Christmas ties on Christmas morning.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year (a few weeks late) from all the Brooks crew!

For unto you....

This month the boys have been working on memorizing Luke 2:11 in preparation of Christmas.  Honestly I was a little worried about it being longer than our normal verses, but I thought it'd be a good challenge.  Well apparently I need to challenge them a little more because they picked it up very quickly.  So without further delay, here are Luke & Levi practicing Luke 2:11...

Merry Christmas from the Brooks!