Summer update

I was just reading my sweet friend, Kacy's, family blog and was astounded by how long and detailed her posts always are. I wish I could focus long enough to tell you all the details. Anyway, I'm inspired so I'm going to try. We'll see how long it lasts before i get interrupted.
Disneyland for Autry's birthday was wonderful! We drove up after church on Sunday (his bday) and checked into the Ayers and ate some take out for dinner before heading to the park. It was perfect because, getting there later, we had plenty of energy and excitement to keep us going through the amazing fireworks show. Autry felt so special having all of the characters come to give him hugs because he had on his "It's my Birthday" pin. We didn't leave the park till after 10 and the kids we're wiped. The next day Some friends of ours met us at the park and showed us the ropes over at California Adventure. We had such a great time together. Matthew and Chris took all the big boys to see the Playhouse Disney live show while Red, Finlay and I went and got us seats for the Pixar Parade.
*side note - I was so excited because she was asking a lot of questions about where we stand as Christians on topics of abortion, homosexuality issues and salvation. I was so blessed because the Lord totally gave me the words to say and after replaying the conversation in my head that night over and over I was pleased with how it had gone and her apparent positive reaction. After a few rides back at Dland we all went to dinner at PF Changs. (Still all joyful and no signs of trouble.) However, since that day I've only spoken to her briefly twice, she's bailed on plans and is not returning any of my calls. My heart is broken that she's distancing herself from me over (most likely) a totally non confrontational conversation that she started. I can't for the life of me figure out another reason.
The parade was awesome! The boys loved getting sprayed and seeing all of their favorite characters, especially Buzz Lightyear! The final day was pretty peaceful as we hung out in California Adventure and then headed for home.
Only a few days later we left for Forest Home Family Camp. What an amazing week of fellowship for our family. We were blessed to spend the week with some great friends, the Urbina's and some new friends as well. We spent our days climbing rocks and searching for the best sticks, playing in the creek, fishing and enjoying each other in God's gorgeous creation. We were sad to come home as always but look forward to next year.
Since then we've been taking it easy at home but planning even more trips for the near future. We just got back on tuesday from a short but sweet 3 day trip to Las Vegas. We stayed at Trump and enjoyed every second in the air conditioning. There's a beautiful new mall right across the street and So many new improvements since the last time I was there ten-ish years ago. We also found a great Chicago Pizzeria in Henderson called Pie Town. If you're ever out that way, check it out.
Well, that only took me 3 very interrupted hours to type all of that. Lord willing I'll be able to post more of these detailed blogs in the future.
Until then,
God is good all the time, all the time God is good!

The Price of Children

This is just too good not to pass on to all. Here is something absolutely positive for a change.
I have repeatedly seen the breakdown of the cost of raising a child,
but this is the first time I have seen the rewards listed this way. It's nice.

The US government recently calculated the
cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with
$160,140.00 for a middle income family. Talk about price
shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition.

But $160,140.00 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into:
* $8,896.66 a year,
* $741.38 a month,
* $171.08 a week.
* A mere $24.24 a day!
* Just over a dollar an hour.


Still, you might think the best financial advice is; don't have children if you want to be 'rich.'
Actually, it is just the opposite.


What do you get for your $160,140.00?
* Naming rights . First, middle, and last!
* Glimpses of God every day.
* Giggles under the covers
* More love than your heart can hold.
* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
* A hand to hold usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
* A partner for blowing bubbles and flying kites.
* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140.00, you never have to grow up. You get to:
* finger-paint,
* carve pumpkins,
* play hide-and-seek,
* catch lightning bugs,
* never stop believing in Santa Claus .

You have an excuse to:
* keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh,
* watch Saturday morning cartoons,
* go to Disney movies, and
* wish on stars.

You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and
collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas , hand prints set in clay
for Mother's Day and cards with backward letters for Father's Day .

For a mere $24.24 a day, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for:
* retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof,
* taking the training wheels off a bike,
* removing a splinter,
*20filling a wading pool,
* coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and
* coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat in history to witness the:
* First step,
* First word,
* First bra,
* First date,
* First time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal.

You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of
limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren.

You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications,
and human sexuality that no college can match..

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo,
scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party,
ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you,
love without counting the cost.

That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!!

It's the best investment you'll ever make!!!!!!!!!

So, summer is finally here.

Milo's done with school and we're planning more trips to the WAP/ beach/ Playwerx. And definately excited about Disneyland for three days for Autry's 3rd birthday and then it's off to Family Camp at Forest Home the following weekend. So we (Matthew and I) are bracing ourselves for all of the excitement headed our way. The boys, of course, are thrilled and ask daily if today's the day we go to camp.
And finally, and perhaps most wonderful of all, we are thrilled to announce to our friends that the boys first cousin has been born to Matthews brother, Michael, and his beautiful wife, Gina!!! Born May 11th, the beautiful Brooklyn Elizabeth!

Precious boy...

This was taken by my sweet friend, Meredith, at Milo's class Easter party.She's a wonderful photographer. Check her out here: http://www.mparkphoto.com

Hillsong United...

What an amazing night of worship and fellowship!!! Finlay came with us and slept almost the entire time.

Uuuummm....

I am feeling so "in the grind" right now that its hard to think. Not that Im not enjoying this phase in our life as a family. Because I do. I laugh with my children everyday. We paint family "portraits" and do mazes, puzzles, build block castles and read countless books each and every day. We tickle each other, even little Finlay, who has begun smiling and "goo"ing and gurgling. It's simply a dazed feeling when it's quiet in the house and I sit down tow quilt and be alone with my thoughts and prayers. I know it won't be this way for long and that makes me sad more than it makes me happy. Despite the endless questions and chatter and defiance and apologies and vinegar. I know that I will desperately miss this time that I have at home with all of my children around me. I pray that the Lord will help me to soak up all of these sweet times and discipline with love and tenderness.

My 1st solo outing with 3 boys!

We spent the day at the Wild Animal Park on thursday and had so much fun! I have to admit that I had been anxious about being out all day with the three of them alone. Throw into the mix that Autry is very newly potty trained (this last week! WOOHOO!!!) Everything was great though! I love my boys!!!!

Finlay Costello Bennett

Born on his due date 02/07/2009 weighing 8 lbs 8 oz and 21.5 inches long! At my 40 week check up, our midwife discovered that I was already 5 cm dilated, she could feel his head and said she was amazed I wasn't already in labor. So she offered to have us come in to the hospital and she'd break my water. We did and after a very simple and straight forward 3.5 hour unmedicated labor, Finlay was here! We are soo blessed to have another amazing gift from God!!!! Thank you for all of your prayers!

well.....

Nothing yet, Friends. Lots and lots of false labor contractions. Everyday since the 12th. They're painful and continuous for about 3 hours and then fade away. I was getting incredibly frustrated but after an eye opening prayer time yesterday, the Lord has given me a peace and a double helping of HIS patience. Im content in the knowledge that I will not be pregnant forever and that these contractions are only preparing the way and are not wasted. It's simply not Finlay's birthday yet, I guess... lol. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. Sorry to leave you all hanging this past week. Your continued prayers for patience are coveted. All our love,
Holly and All the Boys

Woohoo!!

Ok, All... we're 3 cm dilated and the countdown commences. We're taking long uphill walks to the park and eating lots of spicy burritos. :o) I'll keep you all posted.