2014...One Snapshot at a Time

So it is, the very last day of 2014. This year has been a good one. A fast one. Change is inevitable and I realize that more now, having small children, than I used to. In a blink they grow. It's been a rather stable year, following a slightly rough one, so it was welcomed. We've learned in the last several years to lean on each other, and this year it's proven to be just what we needed. We needed the changes that occurred over the last several years, weather we liked them at the time or not! It's all worked out for good. We have our days...of course, but we lean. We hold the other up when needed. We bring them down, we pat their back, dry their tears, we share the load. Today marks 11 years since he asked. 11 years since we realized God designed him for me and I for him. 11 years of growing and learning and leaning...every. single. day. I don't know what the year ahead holds for us, but I know I have someone to hold my hand along the way, and for that, thank you just isn't enough.

I always find myself on New Years Eve wondering how in the world I can sum up an entire year in a short post...well, I seriously don't think that's possible. I want to remember every detail. Each and every milestone, and I want to save them! So, just as I did last year, I am going to do a little reminiscing, hit the high points! ;) So here's 2014 at a glance.

This year started with a 14 month old, 3.5 year old, and 5.5 year old...

This year had some amazing days, long days, happy days, emotional days, fun days, laid back days and busy days...but each and every day was filled with awareness. Awareness of a God, who is bigger than I. Awareness of a God who is everywhere all the time. He is in everything. And the older I get, the more I see Him. The more I feel Him. The more I know He is Good. He is Faithful. The more I love Him.

My big boy, Grayson Keith. My oldest love. He had a wonderful year! A year of growth. He has, over the past few months, gone from being a little kid to a big kid. I see more of me in him everyday. We think alike. We have so much in common. He's more and more into what Daddy does. He jumps at the opportunity to work with him. He loves to learn new things. He is amazingly inquisitive and adds so much humor to our lives. His faith is so big. And so inspiring.

 He brought in the new year with his first bowling trip.

This year for Grayson was full of books and cooking. He loves both. He loves the chance to help in the kitchen. And is so in love with books.

He got to meet some pretty awesome baseball players...mommy enjoyed this too! ;)

There was tons of learning going on, and for the most part, he's all in!

 

It was a year of snow and ice! And he had a blast in it. And the ice left behind a lesson in hard work to clean up the mess. 

 He was able to ice skate for the first time before the rink closed.

 We set leprechaun traps...

played lots of baseball.

 He mastered blowing bubbles.

 Finished Kindergarten! We had an amazing year...so many wonderful memories!

 More cooking and legos...

My baby boy turned 6. Six years have come and gone...I can hardly believe it.

 He's gotten pretty good on roller blades.

 Started first grade! First grade!! 

 It was a year of little discoveries...like hearts in ice cream. He's observant and interested. He notices everything.

 He's learning to swim!

 A real Tiger Scout and earned his official bob cat badge :)

 Fishing

 Learned to sew!

 He met his first fairy! ;)

 Singing on the radio!

Christmas magic :)

 Legos...lots and lots of legos. He will take a Lego set, follow the directions, and have it fully assembled in a matter of minutes! 

Putting out fires. 

If you were to ask Grayson what life was all about, he would probably tell you, God...He loves God with such a passion...fire trucks, dirt, Legos and books. He would tell you to learn as much as you can about all that you can. Always ask questions. He would tell you to always ask questions.

And Ada, my sweet sweet Ada. My girl. My sweet fairy tale. She lives in a perfect world, she sees only the good in the world. She sees only the good in people. She's the picture of innocence. And she has over the last year, left behind the toddler hood of a three year old and embraced the learning life of a preschooler. 

This year for Ada...

 Frozen, lots of Frozen.

 She's found her love for gymnastics.

 pretty nails,

 and dress up!

 She also loves snow...and ice...I blame it on Elsa ;)

 4! She turned 4! And with that, she got her wish of earrings. Not one tear! She really wanted those earrings! ;)

 Learned to tie! 

 Hair! Always have pretty hair ;)

Twirling and fairy gardens :)

 Swinging.

 Oh, that smile.  Joy...this year was full of joy.

 Finished 3K and learned to ride a bike! :)

 Her first trophy! 

 She caught her first fish :) 

 She developed an amazing love for books...Penny being her favorite!

 She sang on the radio!

Competed in her first gymnastics competition and loved every single minute!!

 Christmas magic!

If you were to ask Ada what life was all about, she would first tell you rainbows, beautiful rainbows! She's almost sure that God made rainbows just for her! She would tell you to dance, sing, twirl and always dress up. Always dress up! And sing Frozen songs. ;) She would probably tell you her daddy is a prince...and she's right! ;) She would tell you to always find the good. Always do good. Always share joy. She is beautiful <3

My baby boy, my baby boy, who is no longer a little baby. He's found his voice. He is inquisitive and serious. He's observant and only opens up to those he knows well...he seems to have an old soul. A wise soul. This year has been one of rapid growth and change. He's grown right into a little boy! 

 2014 got off to a rough start for my little one...lots of breathing treatments and meds to get him through a rough bout of RSV. And even at his worst, he would manage to give you a little grin...my sweet boy!

 He got his first hair cut :) and second...and third. This boy has beautiful white blond hair! And a head full! :)

He learned to drive in the snow!

 He had the most beautiful fascination with wind. He would turn his face towards the heavens and just feel it blowing through his hair. So precious!

 Bubbles!

 Mud...and...bath time!

 Boxes and bikes.

 He LOVES shoes! Any shoes...all shoes!

 

 Loves outside!

Pockets! They could, quite possibly be his favorite thing, next to daddy! ;)

 First day of Mother's Day Out! Such a big boy.

He loves to wash dishes!

Blankies are essential! A must have. ;)

And much to my reluctance...he turned  two!! 

And of course...Christmas magic! ;)

Now Grady...what would he say about life? Laugh. He was say laugh. And always keep blankies close by. He would say life is all about observing, cookies, fire trucks, and shoes!! He might say drink from the spigot, feel the wind on your face, and enjoy being outside! He's precious and sweet. The wisdom in those eyes is intriguing. He sits back and lets everyone else do the talking, unless he has something very important to say! ;) I can't wait to see how he grows and changes over the next year, while at the same time, I want him to stay little...just the way he is!

So there it is. The happy snap shots from the past year. These moments that got us from one day to the next. These moments that got us over the bumps, past the growing pains, through the adjustments...only to come out on the other side still holding tight to one another. This past year was full of memories and "little things" that write our story. They put a smile on our face and gratitude in our heart. I pray the upcoming year is filled with beautiful moments and hearts of love. Thank you, Lord for another year gone by, and we pray that you guide us through the upcoming year safe and sound. <3

                                  Happy new year and may your year be filled with grace! <3