2010 - Word Review

For the year 2010, our family word was "Choose."

At that time in our lives, a lot was interfering with our every day life creating stress as a result. Too much on the go and less time with each other. So we condensed and prioritized our needs and wants and started to let go of some things (even the good things) that weren't necessary and that would be filled with more family time instead. Looking back on the year, I think we did a good job of choosing the better things. I believe a little more purging is still necessary to create more family harmony but overall we did well. I chose not to go back to school this year (going on and off for 13 years now to get my Bachelors - what's a few more years!) and focus on my children instead. I also chose not to blog as much (even though I wanted to) so I wouldn't be tied to the computer as often. John started to take his college course reading on the train with him to and from work so he could get it done during commute instead of at home where he wanted to use that time for the kids and I. And as a result, he graduated with his Bachelors in September. There have been things at school Aubrey has wanted to get involved in but due to her already full schedule of 4 activities, we told her that her plate, as well as ours, was full. That in order to do other things, she would need to let go of some current things. Jocelyn and Andrew are still a bit too young to personally participate but they too saw the changes we were making and it benefited them also. Time management really had a hand in this I have to add. This was a family commitment and as hard as it was at times, we pulled it off and came away from it feeling more balanced and happier. I'm looking forward to another year and another word for our family. I haven't narrowed one down yet but I will be posting it soon.

New Years Eve

We rang in this New Year vegging out and celebrating in the comfort of our own home. After a long day of wiping noses and tending to coughs and fevers, we went out and bought The Princess & The Frog (a movie I thought we already owned), grabbed some pizza and some treats and went home to enjoy. We didn't stay up long enough to make it to midnight because kids and mommy were sick but we still had fun! :)

And to show off my prego belly at 30 weeks and on the last day of the year 2010, here I am...

Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve 2010

 It was really hard getting the kids happy and into the Christmas spirit with them knowing that their Daddy wouldn't be home the next morning to open presents on Christmas. After getting to talk to him over Skype, we made some some cookies for Santa and a big batch of puppy chow to enjoy over a movie. Of course it didn't remove their Daddy from their thoughts but the treats at least brought a smile to their faces!

Poor little guy! I just love how big sis jumped in to comfort him when he was sad!

{This years Christmas ornaments we had made at the mall}

 I made things as simple and pretty as possible with John in Iraq and me very much pregnant with Landon. I didn't go to our storage unit to get our 7 foot tree and I let a few things slide in order to focus on my kids so they had the best Christmas they possibly could with their Daddy away. I was running out of steam hitting my third trimester anyways. I hope they know just how much they are loved!!!

I actually love the little prelit 3 foot tree my Mom bought us while she was here for Thanksgiving. It's different than what we normally decorate but I loved it the same! I think it's just the right size for the two younger ones too. :) I stayed up late this evening wrapping presents and wishing my husband was here to make good memories with us. It's so hard having him away. Instead of the normal 20 minute limit to talk over Skype, he gets 30 tomorrow so I'm beyond excited to talk to him while the kids open their gifts. Wishing all of our friends and family a very merry Christmas!

3rd Trimester!

{29 Weeks}

Yeah! I've made it to the third trimester - and all I want to do is meet this sweet little boy of mine. But I suppose I can be patient for another 10+ weeks. I believe this to be the hardest trimester to endure...being tired, dropping things and the ever growing heavy belly but being a mom is so worth it! We still can't decide on a name. With our other three, we knew before they were born what we'd name them. I think this time around, we are going to have to meet this little guy before we know what his special name is going to be. I can tell you though that the kids are so excited to have their little brother join our family in just a few short months. And John and I are anxiously waiting to hold him in our arms.

Andrew Turns 2!

Andrew turns TWO today! And he's getting so big so fast. John wasn't here to celebrate due to work, but he was still included via Skype. He was very much missed! As most years have proven on his birthday, snow is usually involved and we choose to stay inside to have his birthday festivities. We had pizza and cake and invited some friends over for a little party. Besides having a cold, I think he had a lot of fun!! :)

He's such a sweet little boy. Always wanting to help me and always so sweet and caring.

Right now he LOVES:

* Legos

* Putting canned goods into the pantry after grocery shopping

* Being held

* Playing with his sisters

* Running around to his little heart's content

* Coloring and drawing me pictures :)

* Sesame Street

* Anything cars or trucks

* Reading books

* Taking trips to the playground

Mommy loves you sweetie and I'm so glad you are a part of our family!

 Me holding the birthday boy while 7 months along with his brother.

 VERY cold birthday!

 Blowing out the candle

 Andrew talking to Daddy on Skype: "Look at my cake, Daddy!!" :)

 Later on, we got some presents in the mail from family. He had fun opening up some more stuff!

Happy 2nd Birthday Andrew!

WE LOVE YOU!

DC Festival of Lights

{Washington DC Temple}

It's Christmas time!! I must say that in all the years we've lived in the DC area, that we had yet to see the Temple all decked out in lights for the Christmas season. I really wanted to go but was nervous about it since I'm 7 months pregnant along with John deployed...but I wasn't about to let that stop me from taking the kids to see them. I also felt it would be good to go up there so we could see my cousin and her family. I packed us up some dinner for later and we left early so we could avoid traffic. It worked out perfectly - and I was successful in making this whole trip a surprise for the kids. They had no idea where we were going and who we were getting together with. :)

 

Pulling up to the Temple and seeing all the beautiful lights was so much fun! The kids screamed with excitement when they saw where we were. They LOVE the Temple! I love seeing how happy it makes them. Especially when they saw that their cousins were there! So cute! The first thing we did when we did was walk around (in the freezing cold) to check out the lights and the lifesize nativity set.

It was getting way too cold outside and the kids were crying so we jumped inside the Visitor's center to get warm and listen to a few local choirs sing. After that, we wondered around and looked at all the decorated Christmas trees and nativity sets from all across the world.

I then had the pleasure of finding a missing Andrew!! That was beyond scary to have him next to me one minute and gone the next. My cousin and I ran around trying to see where he was and one of the workers asked what he looked like and off they went to help us find him. What seemed like hours later, I walked back to the area where they had a room set up as a living room and he was playing on the computer! Agh!! I wasn't even upset at this point! Just happy to find my boy safe and sound. I ran and hugged him and pretty much didn't let him out of my sight for the rest of the time! 

Besides this scary incident, it was such a fun night! :) I'm so thankful that my cousin and her family joined us in this last minute night at the Temple!

{My family with my cousin and her family}

Laundry

Is it just me, or does doing laundry seem a tiny bit more enjoyable with Christmas music playing, Christmas lights on and a cookie candle burning? I'm not going to go to the extreme to say I'm going to do cartwheels about it or anything, but at least I have a few weeks left to enjoy washing and folding laundry more than I normally do. I suppose it adds some excitement to the never ending task! :)

Simple pleasures!