Cousin Adi

Here at the Engle household we have had some visitors come through lately.  It started off with my parents and brother, Isaac two days after Camden was born.  The reason you haven't hear of it is because it was a whirlwind of a visit... It's hard for me to remember or record anything the week after a newborn has arrived, mostly because I am walking around like a zombie as I am trying to remember how to do this brand new baby thing.  Healing from labor and delivery is, at least for me, difficult.  I am trying to juggle wanting to cuddle with the new baby, spend time with the older sibling, and letting my body heal from the long journey it's just been on.  Plus I hadn't slept in days and any time I  sat down my eyes just closed on their own!  Anyways, that's not why I'm writing this... sorry, 4 weeks of broken/little sleep = rambling while blogging I guess :)

Back to the topic!!  My parents and Isaac were here for a full week to help make that first week home a little easier.  In fact, they made it much easier.  I didn't cook, clean, or even pick up after myself or family the whole time they were here.  I also changed very few diapers, and my parents even took shifts throughout the night with Camden while I slept!  Not only that but they got up with Parker in the morning so we could sleep.  Now that I think about it, I got more sleep that week than I am now!  Plus, when they left, I had a stocked fridge and freezer, a spotless house, and a nice stash of double stuffed Oreos in the cupboard.

Two weeks later we were blessed to have my sister, Sarah, and her three year old daughter, Adi, come visit for a few days.  We had so much fun watching Parker and Adi get to play together while they were here.  As soon as Adi walked in the door, Parker wanting nothing more than to give her hugs and play with "cousin Adi".  We went to a playground, made pizzas at home, took them to church, and ran errands together.

 Luckily Sarah was up for helping me get some things done around town.  Although I do have to say running errands isn't easy with a newborn, 2 and 3 year old.  She also made meals leaving lots of leftovers and cleaned my house again before leaving.  I haven't cleaned my house in so long!!  I love it!

We played at home throughout the weekend too.  They were troopers the whole time, and were able to resolve any and all issues 2 and 3 year olds have with each other.  We had many conversations go this way over the weekend.

Someone crying...
Adi-"Mommy, Parker took my coloring book"
Sarah/Angela-"Parker, Come here please. You can't take other people's toys without asking and having permission first, Now ask Adi if you can share please"
Parker-"Adi, Share Please"
Adi-"Ok"

Two minutes later, Someone crying....



You get the drift :)  As tiring as young kids can be, I wouldn't have traded any of it just to be able to see parker and Adi get to know each other just a little bit better.  I have such fond memories of playing hours on end with my cousins, and because of that we are still good friends.  I pray that my kids have similar memories with their cousins.  After we dropped Sarah and Adi off at the airport, tears were shed by all, and we are still talking about the fun we had, and how we want to play more.

Luckily, we can Face Time our family so that these moments of spending time together don't seem so far apart.  We hope you can take some time to appreciate your family, and get those kids together with their cousins!!   It's not always the case to have built in friends like that.

We miss you all and hope you find joy in each day.

With Love, From Charlotte

The Greatest Christmas Gift...

Well, after a long break of blogging (I truly do apologize) I wanted to update you on the many exciting things that are happening in our lives.  We have had an amazing and very busy last month.  I am sure many of you can relate to the business of the season.

Towards the middle of December we began to wrap up our Prodigy season here at Elevation.  As it came to a close we awaited word to see if they would offer Philip a permanent position.  It was a very exciting and wonderful day to find out that yes, they would be asking Philip to fill a position as the eGroups director at the Matthews campus.  This was the campus that we spent the last three months of Prodigy at, and it had truly become home for us.  We have been loved on and taken care of here and are so excited to say that we have accepted the offer!  Philip will be over-seeing all of the groups at the Matthews campus, but will also be helping care for the people of the campus.  He has been asked to help in developing and growing the leaders of the campus and help with the opening and closing on stage some weekends.

Not only were we blessed with a job, but on Christmas Day we got a wonderful gift.  In fact it's the greatest Christmas Gift Philip and I have ever received! The gift of our second son, Camden Charles Engle.  That's right December 25th, at 9:22 PM weighing in at 7 pounds 11 ounces,  and 20 inches long.

We had enjoyed a wonderful Christmas morning, filled with the Christmas Story acted out by our nativity scene for Parker, presents, Skyping with both sets of families, and of course some afternoon naps had by all.

I made a pot roast with potatoes for our Christmas dinner, and as I called the boys to come eat, I was hit with my first contraction.  (This started at 5PM)  Philip and Parker came into the kitchen to eat dinner when I told Philip it was time!  We called our friends, Stephanie and Skyler, and they graciously left their family gathering and came to get the little man so we could head to the hospital.  When we got there at 6, they told me I was 3 cm, and that I could stay.  They admitted me, and by 7:30 I had progressed to 6 cm,  and they had decided to call the doctor and have her come to the hospital.  At around 8:00 I was 8 cm and the doctor had broken my water.  I was ready to push by about 9:15, I pushed for three contractions and our bundle was here by 9:22!!  It was an incredibly fast labor and delivery, but I have to say that I am very grateful.

Today Camden is four weeks old.

I can't believe it!  He is chunky, he loves to eat, and poops around the clock :)

Parker has learned how to be gentle with him, (most of the time) he loves holding him and giving him hugs and kisses.  He also loves to have Camden lay in his bed while we read stories and sing songs right before bedtime.

He is learning how to share mommy and daddy, but I think in time, he will get it.

I love all three of these boys, and I can't believe that I get to serve and love on them.  Some days it's the hardest thing I've ever done. In fact right now, my eyes slowly keep closing on me.  But I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. God has called me to this right now, and I don't want to take it for granted!