Oh how the time melts by nowadays

Really, it seems like forever since I've gotten caught up on my blog entries about any of the eventful things happening in the Hefty household. There's so much to report, and with three more children into the mix, WOW, the time just melts away and the days roll in together. I'm hoping to sit long enough to write just a small portion of what's been happening in the last month.

Rick came home from work for 2 weeks of relaxation and much of his time was spent just enjoying the family. We didn't really do a lot of visiting friends. He had only one or two projects around the house, and the rest of the time was spent leisurely. It was good to have my husband home! Both Rick and I got a touch of the flu while he was here which wasn't so pleasant. It was the achy muscles and chest pain type flu which for days sort of mimicked heart attack symptoms. We were both on guard for days there and it was a little scary just to say the least.

The whole time Rick was away at work for that six weeks, his biggest fear was that the baby would not remember who he was. Even though we would talk every night and Rick would say hello to each child, all along Rick thought Luis being only a year old would not remember him. Well we're very happy to report that Luis remembered his daddy alright and was so excited to see him! He became Daddy's little boy during Rick's time home. And talk about spoiled rotten -- yes, his daddy did plenty of spoiling that little guy too! (But it's hard not to, I gotta admit -- he's just so darn cute but then I'm completely biased and blessed all at the same time!)

Probably the cutest thing that happened while Rick was here was when we were all saying prayers with the kids at night. We were all gathered around in the living room and Rick has Luis seated on his lap in the recliner. Well, that night the kids were doing the "Now I lay me down to sleep" prayer. About that time Luis began cooing and babbling his version of the prayer along with the other kids so naturally I just had to open my eyes and what a sightto see! There he was with his hands crossed too -- just adorable! And when we got to the "God Bless... Papi, and Mami...", the cute little guy starts saying DaDa, DaDa, DaDa. Those are sure the moments that last in one's mind and one's heart and now every night he says his prayers alongside with us (and only prays for his dad so far)! He's just a special little baby boy and we are so blessed with his arrival! Luis does such heartwarming stuff. He leaves us speechless at times with his amazing antics. He still does the "high five" to God where he'll turn his gaze towards heaven while lifting his hand in appreciation for what he's given whether it be his favorite food, or music, or toy. We first noticed him doing this during our 3rd week in Colombia and thought how very cool -- our little boy is praising God at 10 months old without any cues at all from us! It is truly an awesome sight!

When Rick left to go back to work, Luis was sure mad at me! I'm convinced by the looks he sometimes gives that Luis thinks I'm some mean old mom who stuffed his daddy into a little bitty cell phone. He picks up my cell phone all the time and hands it to me and says DaDa while inspecting every nook and cranny of the thing. I've even caught him banging it on the table all the while yelling, "DaDa!", probably thinking there might be some way to break him free. Ahhhh, he is inquisitive... I'm in for some fun years ahead, I just know it!

Mid-February was when Luis began crawling but hasn't started walking yet. He walks all around the furniture and pulls up just fine, but hasn't ventured out into the wide open spaces. From time to time I stand him up in the middle of the living room and then he freaks out realizing he's actually standing up! His confidence just isn't quite there yet, but I give it another few weeks and lookout! He'll be chasing the other kids around in no time flat. Right now he's so cute because Karen or Fabian will come up behind him and he'll begin screaming and break out into a run trying to get away from them, all the while gripping the furniture as he makes his getaway.

Okay, that's just a glimpse of some of the happenings in the past month. I hope to devote some time tomorrow to more things such as our Easter happenings and on how the other kids are progressing along. Their adjustments just amaze me from day to day! As I reminisce back on how far along they've come in just 4 short months time, it's just crazy how things have fallen into place so wonderfully. God is so good!!! I'm incredibly blessed with some wonderful, very smart, and well-behaved children!

Oops, I didn't realize that it was getting so late and need to get in bed. I'm bound and determined to be EARLY for church tomorrow!

More tomorrow. Thank you for checking in on our family! I hope to post a lot of pictures soon. The kids have changed so much and are due for haircuts really soon too! Even the little baby is due for his first haircut. His comb-over is resembling that of Donald Trump's... it's definitely time for a cut!! Okay, I'm babbling now.... G'night!