Thursday, November 27, 2014

Look who is turning 5!






















Take 2












Jacob, I'm not sure what was more exciting for you...the anticipation of your birthday celebration, the celebration or the gifts.
Bowling was a treat. You were pretty good at hauling the bowling ball over to the lane and dropping it right down the middle! You even added some excitement into the event:) 
At home, you patiently waited for the ok to open your presents. You were such a kind brother by not getting upset if Julia was speeding the process if unwrapping your gifts a bit. You even asked for the candles to be re lit so she could blow them out...and again so everyone could make a wish! 
You gave all your presents attention after opening each of them and told each person thank you for the gift. 
You managed to stay up late after a full day, just so you could have more time with your cousins. 

Overall, you had a great day. I can't believe you are five! We love you so much. 

Thankfulness
















Looking back on this month, there were so many days filled with wonderful memories and so much to be thankful for. There were so many days that you two made me smile, made me thankful that I was chosen to be your mom. I am so thankful we got to enjoy the beauty of a sunrise and a sunset right out our door, as well a field of white sand waiting for our footprints. At home we welcomed the peacefulness of the white snow that twinkles in the light. Even though it takes some work to prepare you for the experience of both of these...it was worth it. I hope I never forget the sand angels or splits in the sand. I hope I never forget the way you two trumped through the yard and down the slide to land in the pile of snow. Julia, you were always putting snow in your mouth while your brother was busy sweeping pikes of snow off the deck and swing set. 

I'm so thankful for our health, safe travels, time as a family exploring new places, as well as beach time with Pa  and Grandma. To close off the month with a day of Thanksgiving surrounded by family and delicious food is just another reason to give thanks. 

Jacob and Julia...I give thanks for you! You were the best travelers this fall and allowed us to have some wonderful adventures together. When your dad takes us on adventures it's more than a trip to the park or a ride on the bike trail. So, I am thankful that we are able to do things together as a family. I am thankful for how you love others and are so willing to share. I am so thankful for your personalities and how you say the cutest things that make me smile. "Wocka, Wocka" and "can I have more shicken" are some of my favorites this month. 

P.S. I love how you want a turn to pray, Jacob. I miss our night time prayers together, but am thankful you get them at school. 
"Thank you Jesus for this day, and the chance to learn and play. Help us be kind and good and do the things we should. Amen." 






Wednesday, November 19, 2014

SICK





October 31st marked the start of the flu season for our family this year. Jacob woke up with a fever and Todd followed suit a few days later. Julia and I waited almost a week to show the true signs of not feeling the greatest. In addition to running a fever, aches and chills, Julia showed off big puffy lips at 12 am as a result of some allergy. She only had three things that could have triggered it. Ibuprofen, organic vitamin c candies or soap used to clean off her binky. 
I guess this is a little taste of what it is to be a mom with sick kids, and just a little taste of what my mom went through. 
Nearly 20 years ago I had an allergic reaction to Levaquin that put me in the ambulance and gave me an unrecognizable face to people I had known for more than 10 years. Thankfully my mom had sense enough to call 911. I'm not sure I would have made it to a hospital. 

Anyhow, just a little taste of the bug is what we dealt with and I always think it could be worse. I'm certainly ready for it to get better:) 

This picture was taken in the middle of the night because you woke up after six hours of sleep and were ready to play, read a talk. Gotta love you! 

Monday, November 17, 2014

Goodbye Halloween/Fall and BRRRRR



 You guys certainly love all the seasons. In fact you jumped right in to Mother Nature's white, chilly snow party in the back yard. We barely had a chance to take down our pumpkin decorations before we felt like we were catapulted into Christmas. Sorry, it's hard to have harvest theme when the green grass is covered in blanket of white and the weather makes you scream, to say the least. So, onto to winter it is. I'll let you go out every day that you want to play outside...as long as I can watch from the kitchen window! I have a feeling it's going to be a long winter again:( Thanks for looking so cute in your winter stocking caps, and putting your snow pants on all by yourself. I have a feeling gloves are going to stay on and be a breeze to get on! Now, that's worth getting excited for.