Sledding

I think the best part about living in a 'hole' is when winter finally hits and some of the best sledding around is right outside our front door!  Nate and Gabe were excited for the opportunity to get out in the snow.  In fact Nate had started watching the weather reports to see if and when to expect snow and more than once he was very upset over the fact that the weathermen 'lied'... demanding to know WHEN the snow was coming.  Noah also wanted to get outside every time the door opens.  It isn't unusual to see Noah walking around the house all day long in his coat and often a hat and some random glove or boot.  Once he was out in the freezing temps he usually wanted to go back inside, only to forget and want to go back out.  It keeps them busy for hours sometimes... they handle the cold a whole lot better than I do anymore!

Christmas stuff we did...

We went and got all crafty this Christmas.
Okay, well, not really... we aren't exactly crafty in this house.
But we managed to have some fun and make some messes along the way!

We got some new decorations for our tree this year
and decided to decorate some pinecones with glitter.
All of the little kids were really excited about it...
Even our sweet little 'sensory challenged" Nate.
He managed to do exactly 1/2 of ONE before he realized that glue
would be on his hands. 
That was when he handed up off to me and was content to shake the bag
of glitter for me, and give me directions on how he wanted
the glue and glitter to go.

He was not impressed when I teased him that I would touch him
with my dirty hands. 
Poor boy really has issues!  haha

 

And we had some fun decorating Snoopy's dog house and his sleigh...

And this picture only because it is typical Tallin and Kassi at our house...
it's all fun and games until somebody is on the floor being tickled!



Last but not least,  we decided to make some snowmen!
They had fun between licking our fingers and eating some of the candy!

It was fun doing some little things with the younger kids.
It's amazing how quiet things get around the house
when the older kids get jobs and lives...
The little kids really had fun and that was the purpose anyway!

Merry Christmas to my younger kids.  Because of you,
I get to really appreciate the 'look' of Christmas,
through their eyes.
Love you guys!

Festival of Trees

We managed to get to the festival of trees this year....
I love going to see all of the beautiful trees and feel the Christmas spirit.
I think I finally had to come to terms with the fact that I will likely never again
be able to plan a night when all of the kids could be home for an activity,

and this year I decided I wouldn't put it off hoping...
but just plan it and whoever can go, can go!
The kids had a good time and everyone enjoyed going.
Garrett, Tiffany and the boys met us there also. 
I got lots of ideas for trees if I ever get brave enough to branch out...
I think I am boring and resist change!

Noah love hanging out with his big sister...

 

Gabe checking out the trees...

 

Gabe!





 

The line to see Santa was ridiculously long so we skipped that part
and just stalked him from above! ;)

Gabe was punishing me by giving me a grumpy face
because I had been taking pictures of Isaac.
Gabe is kind of grandma's boy and isn't exactly sure that
I should share my affection, and my camera, with someone else!
Although he gave me a smile after I assured him that he still had my heart...
The heart reserved only for him.
It's not that you just grow a new heart for every child,
It happens when you have a grandchild also!

Isaac was mad except when I would take a picture of him.
The instant he saw the camera he would start cheesing it up for me!

 

Grandpa loves his Newt...
He loves to call him Newton, or Newt
(as in Isaac Newton)
He tells him he is going to be a brilliant man...
and Newt loves his grandpa!

 

I got to see our friend's brand new baby girl...
Which only left me more excited to meet our own little granddaughter!

Nathaniel turns 5

It seems crazy to think that this little man turns 5!  I can't believe it, and don't really want to acknowledge the fact that time is flying by, right before my eyes.

This has been kind of an emotional birthday for some reason.  I have spent a lot of time thinking about his first year, and what we went through, what we learned, and how much gratitude I have every...single...day that he is still here and that we get to experience life through Nate's eyes! 

I was going through pictures of his first year, of the first days of his life and I still get that kicked in your gut feeling when I think of all that he lived through.  He is still our tough little boy, who doesn't let anything take him down.  We still deal with some occasional health issues.  When anyone gets the smallest of sniffles, his usually turns into pneumonia quicker than we can catch it.  Thankfully he has a wonderful pediatrician that gets him in as soon as we call and will fit him into the schedule even if she is booked.  I am grateful to her for that because often a day can make a serious difference.

Nate is going to preschool this year, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and his teacher just happens to be his big sister Kailee.  Which has been an awesome experience for both of them.  He loves preschool, is learning and catching on really well and loves the social part of it also since the big kids aren't around during the day.  Monday after normal preschool he goes to the preschool he went to last year, with Miss Deb, and has speech therapy.  He always asks on Monday mornings if this is his busy day.  I ask him if it is too much and he lets me know that he is big now and he can handle his busy days.  Although he enjoys Thursday and Friday mornings because he gets to lounge around in our bed and watch cartoons.

His faith, his sense of humor, his hilarious quick wit keeps me constantly on my toes answering his deep 'life' questions, or laughing at his stories and jokes.  He has the most giving spirit.  He will share everything he has, he is concerned about people and prays for them and makes us believe that he has an old soul in his little body! 

Every year on his birthday I let myself relive those moments that terrified and changed me, the fear, the anxiety, the terror even, but also the gifts of answered prayers, gratitude for the lessons learned, the things that he taught his siblings, his parents, and so many others but mostly that he taught us that miracles are not only granted, but that we should have the absolute faith that we WILL get them!

Happy Birthday Nate... you are simply amazing and I can't wait to see what you accomplish in the coming year!  I love you little man!!!

Emma Nichole

So...
The best news came with Kimi's ultrasound.
Baby #2 is a GIRL!

Emma Nichole is due April 26th.

She found a great doctor who is willing
to let her try a vbac.
Which is what she is hoping to be able to do.
We are excited that another little girl will be joining our family.

I didn't get to go to the ultrasound...
So Kassi and Wyatt went in my place.
I at least got to be on the phone the moment
 they found out about Emma.

Let the bow making begin!!!!

Slacker

I admit it... I am a slacker.  Some of my children have chastened me for slacking on my blog and even though I asked their forgiveness, I haven't seemed to be able to sit down and actually catch up.  I have a million things on my mind.  At least that many I would love to blog about.  But I have let everything get in the way of sitting down and actually blogging.  I will do better.  Maybe I should just forget about updating my 'Thankfulness' posts since we are half way through December now.  Maybe if I just go forward from here, my fans (aka Kimi and Garrett) will be happy again! 

My Nose

Just wanted to put it out there that my nose is still wonderful...

As in... I can breathe through it again
and haven't got up in the mornings with migraines like I used to.
It has been amazing, and I just wanted to share!!!