Steve and Jenny Valentine

What's that smell? Oh yea, it's the spit up on my shirt...the shirt that I was planning on changing but got sidetracked in doing so because my son came running around the corner at lightening speed yelling out "POO AGAIN!" And while standing, cooking dinner tonight, baby asleep on me in the carrier, I begin to wonder what's that awful smell!  Does the meal I'm preparing smell that bad?!  Oh wait, it's my nasty shirt, which is impossible now to change and kinda pointless because my day is closer to the end (meaning bedtime for the kiddos) than it was when said spit up actually occurred. And honestly I can't even remember if I brushed my teeth this morning because every time it crossed my mind, my breath tasted of coffee!  Sooo, did I brush my teeth and drink more coffee or did I forget to brush them and this was my "first cup of coffee" breath smell going on? But my breath smells like coffee, it could be worse right?! ------------------...

As I begin to emerge from the fog that has been our lives over the first month, I can't help but be in a continual state of thankfulness.  Thankful for the gift of life, little Olivia's specifically.  Thankful for the gift of children the Lord has entrusted us with.  Thankful for the MANY people who have served us by bringing meals (literally we only had to cook a couple of times during the first month!). Thankful for my mom who served and cared for us all. Thankful that in the midst of tiredness, we are finding much joy.  Thankful for so many thoughtful gifts given. Thankful for encouraging reminders of God's love and grace toward us. Just THANKFUL! Olivia is the typical newborn. She sleeps, eats, well you know!  She likes to be near mama, doesn't mind the VERY loud sounds her brother and sister create (in fact sleeps right through it amazingly!), beginning to hold her head up and has very strong arms and legs (which makes diaper changes a bit challeng...