2012 in Review

January - We survived the snopocalypse and power outages before packing up and heading to Arizona. 

February - We got settled into our rental home and found out Rick was bumped out of his class! We enjoyed the warmth and sun daily for the first time in a few years! 

March - Addy turned 2 and we found out we got a new nephew who was born on Addy's birthday! 

April - I turned 28 and Rick was bumped out of his class again! 

May - we spent a lot of time outside at the local parks, grilling out and working on projects. 

June - Finally Rick got started in his class and we packed up and went to visit Nonni and Papa.. Everyone got pink eye before flying home, so we had to change our flights! 

July - We celebrated Benjamin's 5th birthday and brought Chewy home! 

August - The kids went back to school. They made some great friends, learned a lot, and really loved their teachers. 

September - lots more family fun crammed in with Rick's light schedule. Kind of a nice make up from that year we lost to deployment! 

October - We spent October doing more family fun activities, and I actually got to work a little bit with photo shoots here and there. We also got our very first professional family photos taken! "Baby" Emmett turned one, and we got a new niece! 

November - We packed up and prepared to move across the country to North Carolina. We spent Thanksgiving at Auntie Em's house and in a hotel! We experienced some housing difficulties, but learned a lesson...When God says rest, REST! Be patient and listen, he will always provide. 

December - We enjoyed warm weather, time spent at the zoo, and long weekends with Emily and James. We finally found a place to live, and got to share in the excitement of a new baby niece! We spent Christmas  on the lake, and had a great time. Rick's brother and his wife came down for a visit to our not quite put together home, and we celebrated Evelyn's fourth birthday! 

And just like that, another year has sneaked past me....I am excited to pay more attention to God's will for our family, and to try and get back into a routine after the move. I also look forward to watching my sister's baby grow! We've never lived near family, so this is an exciting change for us. 

After looking back through the year, I can't help but feel overwhelmingly blessed. I have seen God's hand in so many things. He is so good, and he always provides.

 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

-Lamentations 3:22-23

So long 2012! 

Happy fourth birthday Evelyn!

My little brown eyed girl is four! How can this be? Where does the time go? Oh Evelyn, you challenge me every day. You are so, so smart. You LOVE lip gloss and make up, shiny things, cothes, dresses, dancing, anything that is pink! You have THE BEST reactions to any situation. You are full of life. You love playing with Ben and Addy, Emmett is just little enough to mess up your stuff still, but I'm sure that will change. You are a good big sister and always help him if he's crying. You love your dolls, especially the American Girl doll you got for Christmas this year.

Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you. We pray for you every day. It is our hope and our prayer that you will grow into the wonderful young lady God has planned you to be. You are a joy in our lives and we love you so much!

Happy Birthday :)

Happy First Birthday Emmett!!

My sweet little Emmett...We love you so much. You are funny, and sweet, and sometimes naughty! Your favorite toy is any kind of truck, especially if it comes with a remote. You love to run around and play with Benjamin. You are Chewy's favorite, and when we ask you "where's Chewy?" You say, "gog!"
You've grown so much and you are smart. This year you got your first (and hopefully last) stitches..right on your face! :-( Ouch! You are a snuggly babe, and LOVE sitting with Mommy and Daddy. You have been a blessing to our family and we all love you.

I pray that this next year will be good for you, that you will grow and learn and do the things that toddlers do!

Happy 5th Birthday Benjamin!

Happy Birthday Ben! You are such a cool kid. I love hanging out with you. You are funny and you always make me and daddy laugh. You are very kind hearted, you love animals and making up games to play with your sisters.  You are also very patient and willing to teach your sisters things, I really love seeing that!

Your favorite activities right now are playing Mario Kart on the Wii, racing your cars, drawing, and swimming. Your favorite things according to you are, mommy loving you, cleaning up, and playing trains. I think that's the parent pleaser talking...but I'll take it!

I love the little boy you're becoming and I can't wait to see what your 5th year brings! We love you so much! 

Happy Birthday!

Here comes Emmett in a baby carriage!

Eight months old!

We love this baby :) 

And ya know..it's perfectly normal for a baby carriage to be in a field. ;)