And Pyper makes 5

It has been a very busy few months for us at the Clevinger house. The kids are doing great, Cecily is AMAZING. Her English is coming along nicely. She has her stubborn streak but don't we all?? She is looking forward to going back to school in the fall. She did an ESL program in summer school that gave her some time out of the house. She loves the interaction with other kids. We are thinking that it may be best to repeat the 3rd grade. She seems to think that is a good idea too and we are hopeful that she will have the same teacher.

Ian is hilarious! He is starting to pick up on the "2 year old" fits and we have had some embarrassing moments in public =) All a day in the life of a toddler!

Did I mention we added another child to the mix??? Pyper Anslee joined the family July 12, weighing in at 8 lbs. 7oz., 21 inches long! Cecily and Ian are so happy to have her here. Ian's enthusiasm waxes and wanes depending on how much of my time she consumes! Cecily is the greatest big sister in the world. Everyone said that she would be helpful but she goes far beyond that. Yesterday she did the laundry. Switched it, folded it, put it away. I nearly fainted. She rocks, pats, walks, consoles Pyper as well as Cortney or me. She distracts Ian, keeps him alive, gets him juice cups, gives him bites of food....you name it, she does it. Just like a little mommy. I am amazed, thankful, and blessed. She is the most compassionate, precious little girl.

Some days I can't believe that our family has grown from just the two of us to a whopping 5 people in just 19 short months. Each child adds a new dynamic to the house and binds us all just a little closer together. Each child came into our family in a different way giving us rich experiences as parents and tapping on skills and emotions that have shaped us as people. My husband, my high school sweetheart, avid golfer, video game savant, perpetual child; does school pick ups, gymnastics, homework, bedtimes, toddler wrangling, diaper changing, nose wiping, and the millions of other fatherly duties just the way my dad used to do. We are there in our lives, parents, the one thing our hearts so desired. It is truly funny how drastically different the seasons of our lives are and how we transform into different people to accommodate those changes. Life is good. God has provided.