We're a little busy... but, busy with LOVE

Obviously I am the world's worst blogger... but there is a reason. I know everyone is busy, but I think we might be slightly overbooked! My new motto is, "If you want something done, ask a busy person."

Here is a snapshot of our lives...

1. 3 kids to clothe, bathe, feed, brush teeth, comb hair, make lunches, hold, tickle, wrestle, wipe, etc. (you know the drill)
2. 2 full time jobs that are flexible enough to make life work
3. As a couple, we lead Emerson's Sunday School class
4. Michael coaches Emerson's soccer
5. He also decided to pick up cycling and rode in his first MS150 (in LA)
6. I volunteered to be President of our neighborhood Mom's Club that has 130 moms who make our neighborhood the BEST in Houston... it is legendary.
7. We run L.E.A.D. (last year of our 6 year commitment to those boys)
8. I started a Culture Advisory Board at a large pharmaceutical company because apparently I like to work more for free and obviously have a lot of spare time
9. AND somehow I got wrangled into being Davis' room mom. He is the infant, so no brownie points for mom :(
10. Oh and we are a little busier than usual in the fall with all 5 birthdays falling between September and November. My one saving grace... the boys can share an over the top party!

Sweet Emerson had the perfect princess party for the big 5

In October, Jackson turned 3 (going on 18... this kid is a charmer)

Last but certainly not least, Davis turned ONE!!! (And I cried...)

Every Saturday morning we hit the fields.

(Emerson has scored two goals and is surprisingly "sporty")

I wish I had time to do all the fun crafts, and cute kids stuff that a lot of mom's do (I admire you and sometimes want to be you!!), but the truth is there simply not enough hours in the day. I've let it go, I will not be the mom with cute gift bags at halloween, the homemade valentines day cards, or homemade meals the majority of the week, but I am a mom with a HUGE heart. Michael and I both, give, love, give and then love some more. But you can see that effort manifest itself in our kids. They are so well behaved and so loving to us and to each other. They are independent and easily adaptable, very sweet, and outgoing. I have been told by the kids school that we have wonderful kids and we look like we have it all together. The truth is there are days I feel like we do and other days not so much. But our time spent as a family is the most precious... because of work, it might not be quantity, but is quality. BIG LOVE at the BERG's.

9 months already??

Sweet Baby Davis,

Quite simply, you are the the cherry on top to our perfect, not-so-little family. You are cute as a button, as sweet as sweet can be and you have everyone you come in contact with completely charmed. The last 9 months have gone by in a blink and for that I am sad, but I am overjoyed to see a little man opening his eyes to the world and so blessed that you are mine. You laugh out loud at your brother the second he walks in a room, you coo at your sister because you know deep down she's the one who adores you the most, and you are a mama's boy (for now) and I love that. Your first word was "Mama"(YAY!!!) and you always say "bye, bye" and quite possibly "hi." You have even mastered blowing kisses and now pucker your lips to make kissing noises. You have one little tooth and instead of crawling choose to scoot around on your bottom. You do get your feelings hurt if something is taken away or mama tells you no, and you let out a little cry that is soooo sad it breaks my heart. Those big blue eyes and quick smile stop strangers on the street, most recently one said you were nothing but pure positive energy. They were right.

We love you more than you could ever know. Thank you for making our family complete.

Baby Davis is 4 months!

I didn't think it was possible for the subsequent children you have to be any better than the ones that came before them, but boy, Davis is giving them a run for their money. This little ball of love is SOOOOO happy and is a man all his own. He is the perfect mix of his brother and sister and so far the only true brunette... Mama is so proud. He is so cute and perfect! In the dead of night when its just the two of us, I thank my Lord for bringing him to us and completing our family. God is so good and His light definitely shines bright in this precious miracle.

A tribute to our first baby... Dakota

Dakota Berg

10/1999- 12/2010

This is a tough one, but Dakota deserves her own post. As many of you know, we lost a key member of our family just before Christmas. It was a tough decision we had to make, but we know we were losing more and more of the Dakota we loved day by day and she was deteriorating fast. We loved our dogs immensely and essentially they were our first children and were treated as such. As my Dad would put it..." I hope I come back in another life as one of your dogs." Michael got Dakota before we were dating in college, so I never really got to love on her as a puppy, but I can only imagine the mess she was because as a full grown adult she was absolutely priceless. Dakota was the super dog. Even people who didn't like dogs loved her (and she knew it). She was was born a people person (dog) and usually found a way on to someone's lap and into their heart. We miss her tons and there isn't a day that goes by that she isn't thought of. Our kids are quick to yell out "there's Kota!" when they see a picture of her. You realize how quickly 11 years passes in an instant and you also know that dogs lives are just simply too short. We love you Dakota and you will always have a special place in our hearts.