How does one recap a year's worth of life?

I love this little blog of mine. But life has won. With the kids and the busyness of schedules and activities and school and life, this little slice of memory recording has fallen by the way-side. Maybe it's having a certain two year old that really threw me off my game, lol. He is the most happy, active, all over the place guy. I spend much of my time chasing him, or doing damage control.



What do I say about 2015? It's the end of a chapter... in 2016 we will have a teenager in our home, and we will start a new chapter. That hard phase of helping our precious babies become adults. It will be challenging and rewarding. I am blessed to have some really amazing kids who I am convinced will grow into amazing full grown people.










When I look back on this year I think I want to remember the summer months most. It was a great summer of being at the pool, good weather, and several days on High Rock on Miss Mara's boat.













School is going well with Isaac homeschooling for 7th grade, Lauralyn, Kristin, and Daniel at Sheets (5th, 3rd, and 1st grades), and me putting Joshua in every program available (Kids Business, YMCA Music and Movement, CBS, and Granny Wednesdays).

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We had the scare of a lifetime when Daniel had to be airlifted to Brenners and stay in the PICU for several days. I hesitate to record it as I would rather forget that week. But it's a part of our life and part of the crazy... he mercifully has recovered and Lord willing won't have another incident like that again. I prefer the picture of a healthy boy visiting the men who kept him safe on the helicopter. So many amazing and skilled people helped him during those hard moments.



My to-do list is alway full, the laundry overfloweth, there's always shopping to be done, and Noah and I dream of how slow and easy life will be when the kids are grown. But our house will also be a little lonely. I cherish these days of having all 5 kids safely sleeping under our roof. I pray they know how much they are loved and look back and see that even with our love spread among the 5 of them, we did our best to love them well. It may be messy at times, and certainly loud and crazy, but really, truly, they are such a blessing to us.



Here's to many more adventures and memories made in 2016!

A Visit from Nanut and Grandfather

They have about outgrown the swing!



A visit to watch Lauralyn ride.







And a party for the heck of it.

Planned by the party girl herself.



With ice cream cake, and a piñata. Naturally.







And the world's best dog.

12, 36, and 7

More spring birthdays! Isaac and I had our standard Uptown birthday date, which I treasure dearly. Is there anything better than sharing my birthday with my firstborn? I think not. 

And then this guy turned 7! 

Maybe I'll get around to posting more... Nanut and Grandfather visited, and there was a quick trip to VA Beach. We are blessed to be always on the go!

Spring Sprang

In true North Carolina form, it snowed, and a week or so later it was spring. The warmth was welcomed as always and sunny afternoons were enjoyed by all. 

Here are a few pictures off my phone. Lately, most quick pictures are on the phone. I'm so bad at being deliberate in photo taking with the real camera. But, I figure it's all about a moment in time. I try to enjoy the moments and not worry about the camera.





















Daniel and Daddy went to Texas for Easter. Here was the departing pic:



And one more of Joshua... who I take all the pictures of because he's the one who is constantly changing. And he's pretty cute.

A Month+ Late is better than never!

It's wild how hours turn to days, days to weeks, weeks to months, months to years, and suddenly your baby is not a baby, but a full of life TWO year old.

That's how it happened. Life is speeding on along, and Joshua is two and as charming and exhausting as ever!











Not a great "photo" but one of my favorites is below. He was saying "Mom" in his precious 2 year old way, and reaching for me. He loves his mama, and I love him. I will miss how he grabs my leg and holds on for dear life, as I know that is a phase that will pass all too quickly. He still loves to be held, and I may need my back re-aligned after holding him so frequently (always on my left side).



Two.

Life Happenings

The kids' school puts on a fabulous Christmas program with lots of music. Lauralyn was a shepherd and had a speaking role, while all the kids sang.

Then, at the beginning of February was Spirit Week, and each day the kids had to dress in a different theme. Here they are going as Disney characters. Not too bad for digging through our dress up boxes! Daniel even won for his class with his costume (thank you Nanut). I personally liked Lauralyn as Cruella Deville complete with a skinned dalmatian, and Kristin was a beautiful Belle.

Grandad has visited each month this winter! What a treat!

Isaac has had several opportunities to play with his best bud, Jefferson. I am so thankful for their friendship that began when they were 5.

There have been unsuccessful photo shoots...

Isaac has be a joy (most of the time) to homeschool. We have done a lot this year. One book we read was Unbroken, that told the true story of a WWII vet's harrowing journey through plane wrecks, being stranded on a rafts for over 40 days, and being a POW for several years. Here are some of his LEGO versions of what took place.

And finally, I caught Daddy and Daniel being computer nerds together.