Philip Scott Borchers is here!

Our beautiful boy, Philip Scott Borchers, made his appearance almost at the stroke of midnight on the autumnal equinox. We thought we'd get a summer baby, but he held out and was born at 12:10 am on Sept. 22nd, 2009. At 9 lbs. 2 oz., 22 inches long... he's our biggest one yet! He is such a sweetie, seeming to have a very content and easy going nature. This is a very good thing considering his adoring fans, a.k.a. Samuel, Lucian and Allegra, are all over him with kisses and hugs. Allegra is eager to help mommy change his diapers, Lucian wants to put him in the swing and have conversation, while Samuel can't get enough of hugs. Needless to say, he has had a strong welcome at home. I guess all the kid chaos wears him out well enough too, because last night (3rd at home) I actually had to wake him up for feedings! May he always sleep so soundly.

School Has Begun!

Just updating real quick this morning! We have three weeks before Grami arrives to help with the new baby (due in about 4) and we are trying to get some school in before that. So far, with one week under our belt, we are doing well. Samuel is getting right back in the swing of things... his favorite is still math and bible (just like daddy!) and Lucian is enjoying being more involved this year with work pages for learning the alphabet and numbers. Allegra keeps busy coloring and playing with patterning blocks.

On other matters, Tavi and Andrew are parents again, via China! They are currently in Beijing and have Annika in their arms! Check out her blog site, http://behome.typepad.com/, she's updating daily... a beautiful girl and a beautiful family. Meanwhile, George is keeping Mom busy in Kansas City.

Happy back to school everyone!!!!

A new neice... my one and only!

Just had to share, in case you're not in the loop of my sister's blog that I'm getting a new neice VERY soon... sooner than my new son! Tavi and Andrew are headed for China with Nicholas and Peter (George is staying home to keep mom company :)) a month before my due date (aug 20th). It's SO exciting and I am in awe of God's ways and the testimony of His timing and grace in Tavi and Andrew's life. It's been a 3 year journey for them literally with paper work and all, and a lot longer journey of the heart. Annika is her name and she's BEAUTIFUL! She'll be 4 yrs old on my father's birthday of Nov 5th, but Tavi says her measurements are the same as Allegra's. It's just such a special event in our family - and I wanted to share it with you all too! Funny how the Lord works things, my sister and I will both be mothers of 3 boys and 1 girl within the same month... and Grami's gonna have 8 grandkids!

(P.S. If you're wondering about the odd nature of the picture, that's what they sent Tavi from the orphanage... maybe they think all Americans live on golf courses!?)

Confession of a facebooker

Traveling to Tennessee, via Indianapolis (April)
In TN with the Cooper Clan!
My beautiful Level III students!
Craft time... yikes what a mess!
Gardening is for all ages (May)

Samuel in Tball, with Daddy for a coach.

My little Yankee


Lucian and Samuel ready for Rainbows Club

Allegra in her new suit for summer!

With the kids at Touch a Truck (June)

Hi All,

My sincerest apologies for a tardy blogger... I'm afraid the facebook bug bit hard on me and I have neglected this respite. There are only so many extra hours in a mother of soon-to-be-four-children-5-and-under's day, and the ones alloted to keeping in touch via internet have swung in favor of facebook. But here I am tonight on blogspot!

If you are not aware yet (probably because you do not facebook) Scott and I are expecting another bundle of baby BOY come September. I'm feeling as great as ever I do during pregnancy and the baby is healthy and kicking... all the time!

As I write, we are taking a few day's vacation in Wisconsin at Lake Arrowhead Campsite in Montello. A charming little woodsy cabin in suiting our family well, as Scott's parents, Jane and Wally Greene rough it a little more than us in their camper across the way. It is our last night, and Scott is bravely going without the nicer things in an actual tent with the boys... hmmm, male bonding I guess. Allegra is sound asleep and I find myself strangely alone - which certainly does feel a little like vacation :).

Since I haven't updated since March, gasp!, I'm including a few photos of this spring's highlights... for more pics, um, well join facebook!

5, 3, 1.... 14 weeks!

A five year old fest

Baby Number 4 - 12 weeks

Well, my children are now all seemingly 2 years apart again. They're actually 20 months except for Allegra and the new baby will be 24... perhaps to the day! Tonight is my next dr's appointment for 14 weeks. This is going SO fast. 

We recently had a wonderful long weekend, full of many great events. My mom, Joni, was here to share them and that made it SUPER great. On the 14th we celebrated Samuel's 5th birthday (actually on the 18th) with a Hot Wheels Party: 6 five-year olds went nuts in a living room full of stunts, slides, tracks and cars. 

The next morning, after clean up, we all got dressed in our Sunday best and went to church for Allegra's dedication. It only took us 18 months, but we got her there and she was beautiful. It was a very special time, led by Pastor Flattery.

School and things

my Alle Cat

the kindergartner 

color

Well, life's still a bit cold here in Chicago, but we're trying to keep busy so the frigid months will fly by.... and we're succeeding pretty well. I'm already 10 weeks along with baby # four and have my first doctor's appointment on Monday, yay! The other three kids are really growing too, and most exciting of all, Samuel has officially begun kindergarten at home. He's reading many simple books on his own now and loving all the new knowledge he gleans of the world, history and math. Especially math. He is always adding things. It is quite possible that we should have named him Scott II. His enthusiasm is contagious and everyday he buffets my fears and doubts with calm assurance of his great capacity for growth. While Samuel studies his big boys subjects, Lucian is really grasping how to hold a pencil, coloring in lines and trace letters as well as know their sounds. All the while, Allegra colors and plays with play doh....practicing new words, like color, banana, daddy. My new favorite time of day is quickly becoming the few morning hours spent 'round the dining room table, witnessing my children's joy of learning and feeling the utmost privilege being their mother and teacher. 

Number 4 is on the way!!!

Hear ye, hear ye, the Borchers are due again in September! 

Our little Allegra may be getting a baby brother or sister on her birthday. I'm due the 20th and she'll be two on the 23rd. I'm just seven weeks and very nauseous at the moment, snacking on RITZ as I write. 

Besides this news, we're all doing well. Trying to withstand the sub freezing, often sub zero temps here in Chi Town. I just dream, dream, dream of green grass and daffodils! Sigh. 

Samuel and Lucian are busy though, working on reading, hot wheels and keeping Allegra off their tracks. Allegra is more girl everyday, playing with her dolls, trying on every shoe she finds and rounding out her little belly. Can that girl eat! 

Scott and I are trying to keep up with them and enjoying the ride. Here are some newer pics.

Been awhile!

ready for a hair cut?

almost there...

yeah!

Today was a fun day. I trimmed Allegra's hair for the first time! I've been wanting to for awhile now, but Scott was hesitant. He couldn't believe I wanted to cut his daughter's hair! But, I convinced him it would just be a trim and I finally got the "do whatever you want" response. So, I did.