Getting started again....

I realize what an opportunity I have with this blog to record my family's life. So, I am trying to get started again, and to do a better job.

New things since last February:

Dave is now Kristoff from Frozen. He is managing his uncle's ice company and doing a fantastic job. This means he is now home all the time! No more traveling!

I went back to work at Nordstrom in April 2014.  I am selling Men's clothing and furnishings and was promoted to Personal Stylist in September.  It is a fun job getting to style men and women and choose gifts for their loved ones.

Reagan and Thatcher started preschool in April 2014. They go 2 days per week and enjoy it.  Dave's mom and dad help care for them while they're not at school and I'm at work.

We added some fish to our family. Their names are Mickey, Sally, Toothless, Spongebob, Patrick, Bacon, Eggs 1 (RIP), Eggs 2 (returned to the store because he was a meanie), Nemo and Bumblebee (he ran away).

Our dog, Paddington, decided to scare us with a crazy seizure-type episode.  After several tests and observation, we found out he has high blood pressure and that his kidneys weren't working properly. He is doing great with special doggy prescription food and Dave gives him doggy blood pressure medication twice a day.  Our wonderful vet believes Paddington still has lots of years left in him.

Speaking of Dave being home all the time....we found out in June 2014 that we are expecting Baby #3 in March 2015.  Total surprise! But a good surprise :) .  My pregnancy has been pretty uneventful and overall healthy.  I have thrown up a lot the entire time, but that's just par for the course and after 33 weeks of that- I'm pretty used to it :). I am waiting to find out the gender, but Dave already knows and is doing a great job of keeping it a secret.  Reagan is hoping for a baby sister and Thatcher is hoping for Baby Batman Superman.  In about a month, we should all know!

Here are some random photos of the past year, in no particular order!

a fun day at The City Museum

Fish Palace

Christmas at the Magic House

 

Belly and Boots

Ice from Dave's company, my pregnancy craving

 A day at the zoo with our friend L

Pirate Reagan

Paddington

Thatcher with his president

Reagan and Reagan

I shut Reagan's finger in the hinge side of our exterior door. He almost lost the tip of his pinkie.  Worst.  Feeling.  Ever.

I'm Aware, Too Aware

Today is Cancer Awareness Day.  I'm aware, really I am. I'm aware of the horrible disease that took away my uncle way too early. I'm aware of the hole in my family that can not be replaced. I'm aware that I can't play Phase 10 with him anymore. I'm aware that his rocking chair sits empty on game days. I'm aware that my aunt, my cousin and I won't be receiving chocolate covered strawberries from him on Valentine's Day. I'm aware that I didn't spend enough time with him. I'm aware that my sons probably won't remember him and will never know the joyful man he was before he became ill.  I'm aware that future generations won't have the privilege of hugging him or him nicknaming them. I'm aware that he won't answer the phone of the number I still have saved in my phone. I'm aware that he won't be singing silly songs to me anymore. I'm aware.

I'm aware of the disease that has put family members in deep medical debt.  I'm aware of the sickness that keeps my mom's cousin from making a simple grocery store run during flu season because her immune system just can't take the risk.  I'm aware of the hurting of my neighbor who lost her dad too soon. I'm aware of another neighbor who is aching for her mom. I'm aware of my friend who is missing her mom today and celebrating the life of her husband.

I'm aware of the family who is preparing to live out the hell of a double mastectomy and the following chemotherapy.  I'm aware of the family who is painfully aware of childhood cancer and still grieving the loss of a daughter and sister. I'm aware. Too aware.

I'm also aware that one day, this hell won't exist anymore and we will be reunited with our loved ones Some days, I long for Jesus to come back and for Heaven on Earth. But I'm thankful for God's patience in making sure that everyone comes to know Him and love Him.

Isaiah 61

To My Bible Study Sisters

What an awesome year! I began my first ever in the history of Amy bible study. It was Beth Moore's Living Beyond Yourself, a study in the Fruit of the Spirit. Thankfully I was ignorant going in. If I had know how intense Beth Moore was, I would have declined. Like I said, I was ignorant and jumped in. So glad I did. It was such an experience. I learned so much, met some great new sisters, and deepened a relationship. 

After 10 weeks of Beth, I jumped into another bible study. This time it was UnGlued by Lisa TerKyrst. While this study wasn't "bad", I found myself wanting more Bible knowledge. Unglued focused more on self-help than scripture. 

A good friend asked me if I would be willing to host a bible study at my home. Of course! May brought 8 women, a few I knew and some I didn't, into my living room to study God's Word. This was pretty emotional for me. I always saw myself hosting parties and the such, but not bible studies. You see, my past is not my present. And fitting that our study was Beth Moore's Breaking Free. 

August saw more thirst for knowledge and another good friend suggested BSF. Not only would I learn, but so would Thatcher and Reagan. We began going through the book of Matthew and it has been great! Reagan amazes me with what he can tell me from his lessons. We will continue through Matthew until the end of April. 

Through these bible studies, God has not only revealed His truth and hope to me. He has given me the gift of sisterhood. A band of gals who all thirst for Him and aren't afraid to lay down our fears, our failures, our triumphs or afraid to sharpen when we need it. 

You all know who you are and I can't wait to see what 2014 brings us. God has our back. 

Isaiah 61

December in Pictures

Whew! We have had a very full and fun December (and there are still a few days left!). Between St. Louis and Kansas City, our family has made quite a few memories this season. 

We started December at home with some beautiful weather. Our friends, K & J, invited us to the Saint Louis Zoo. I pulled a MomFail and thought it was warmer than it actually was. Luckily, the boys are tough and didn't seem to mind a little chill. We arrived early enough to be able to ride the carousel for free......3 times! The zoo was decorated for Christmas and the kiddos were delighted to see all the trimmings along with the animals. 

"He's right behind me, isn't he?"

Sweetness

  

According to two train-obsessed little boys, no zoo trip is complete without a ride on the Zooline. Reagan was lucky enough to snag a seat in front of the conductor and get to announce "ALL ABOARD". Little brother was so proud!

And for this mommy, no zoo trip is complete without a little drive down to Chippewa for some Ted Drewes. :)

We continued on our Advent countdown, held a cookie decorating party, a Polar Express party, visited Santa twice, spent a day with Crayolas and trains, and general hooliganism. I find pictures tell a better story than my very out-of-practice writing. Enjoy!

Making an ornament

Thatcher was here

Baking

Being Zechariah

Thatcher was here too :)

The Crayola Cafe at Crown Center KC

Checking out the light show

TimeOut

Chrsitmas Eve Jammies!

Christmas post to come.........

On the first day of Advent.....

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light

It is 8:00pm and the boys are asleep. This NEVER happens! They have had a pretty full day. This is the first time I have ever really celebrated Advent. We had a super cute mouse Advent calendar when I grew up (and hopefully it will be passed down to me- ahem- little brother). Our church's early childhood ministry is using Truth in the Tinsel's curriculum. I love it so much that we've decided to use the home curriculum too! I got started a little late (last night), but the boys didn't seem to mind that it isn't completely finished.

When they woke up this morning, they found:

Reagan knew right away that it was a candle, and a candle gives us light. "Who is our light?" "Jesus!" Smart kid.

For breakfast, the boys had toast that I had cut out with a sun cookie cutter, because the sun gives us light ;)

I taught the preschool class at our church. We had so much fun playing with flashlights, singing Christmas carols, and learning how Jesus brought light into our dark world. I always learn so much from "teaching" those little ones. 

After a trip to McDonald's and my conquering of the Sewing Machine From Hell, we sat down to dinner and The Polar Express Movie. The boys love that movie so much. More on that to come.....

And finally, Advent time! A couple weeks ago, the moms from church got together and made Advent wreaths. R&T have been itching to light them up!After reading our scripture verse,  Daddy helped Reagan get the 1st Advent jar down, and the boys excitedly pulled out the contents. Today's had our scripture (Isaiah 9:2), the first of the Advent chain (light), our supplies for today's ornament, and of course, candy! Chocolate for Thatcher and Starburst for Reagan. They were more interested in the candy than the craft :). 

Thank you for reading and enjoy this Advent Season!!!
|amy|