January

The holidays have come and gone. The "ber" months have ended, and here we are, day 2 of a brand new year! 2018, I wonder what you hold for us! So far, it's a cold one! ha. But really, I know every January for the last 5 years or so, I have grown more compassionate about resolutions and goals for the upcoming year, and I still am. I know it can get cliche and tiresome for those who don't like the idea of making resolutions because "you never stick to them". But what if you do? It was a few years ago, that I had actually begun to see what happiness awaits at the end of a met personal goal or what blessings God has in store when you trust, follow, and invest in HIS plan for your life. And this year, I hope, will be no different. I've jotted some goals on my bathroom mirror, I've cleaned out the closets and cabinets of all the seasonal junk that piles up, I've mediated and thought about what it is I'm looking forward to this year and I feel excited about the possibilities and goals yet reached. I know it can all seem silly and I know some of the little goals and nit picky stuff I've jotted down in my journal will probably have fallen by the wayside as early as this time next week, but that won't stop me from trying and possibly just rolling it over for next years resolution. ;)

I've always viewed January as a looonng and cold and quiet month. But now I realize that maybe it's the quiet time we need to gracefully and purposefully examine where we've been and where it is we want to go, where we fall short and where we can improve, what we've done and what we want to do. It seems the perfect time to do it! And so I do. It's a time for me to re-gather the mess that the holiday crazies left and get myself back together and ready to take on this year.

I found myself several times over Christmas break realizing how quickly things change. I found myself, in church gazing at the advent wreath and realizing, what is this Christmas, may not be next Christmas. Next Christmas, the kids will all be a year older. Next Christmas, family will be living in different places. Next Christmas, some that are here, may not be. It's scary and exciting all at the same time. We have a tribe I look forward to spending time with and watching grow, but there's always that little bit of fear involved of "letting" them grow and praying that I'm doing things "right". I want to bottle it up and keep it forever. Every moment, every memory, every single thing, but I trust that the future will offer us all new excitement and opportunities that come with growing up.

This past year was filled with fun trips, exciting new experiences for all the children, and wild and free days (those are simply the best!). We watched the little one thrive and grow so beautifully during her first year here with us and adjusted to a family of 6 and I'm so looking forward to continuing to get to know one another and making wonderful memories together! I'm excited to set new goals, and enjoy watching them reach their goals as well! I'm excited to see what all changes, because it never fails a some point during the year something unexpected comes along to surprise us! I love this life and the ones I share it with! Happy New Year, yall! Love your tribe, go on adventures, make memories, and live a life pleasing to Him. I hope 2018 is an abundantly blessed year for all of you and your families!

We started the year together, running a 5k. It really was one of the best ways to start it, even if it was freezing! I'd run anywhere with him by my side! 

Christmastime!

What a fun time of year, we love family traditions, and of course trying new things! Thanksgiving came and went and then we jumped right into the Christmas festivities, and now in a blink those have come and gone as well!  Life is  of course busy...it always will be with 4 kids, but we tried to be very intentional and slow paced this holiday season as to enjoy each moment with the kids. We want to fill their memory bank with family traditions and happiness.

We continued our tree farm tradition, 8 years now, we have gone to the same little tree farm to pick out our tree. We started when Grayson was just a wee little one. And it was after a little back and forth about having a big tree with the little one...it’s been awhile since we had a curious baby so we weren’t sure about that, but decided to go with it and it worked out great! They all had a blast picking out the tree and decorating it! With them, it was decorated in no time!

Our elf friends came back and continue to remind us what Christmas is all about and do fun things for us to enjoy! This is definitely something the kiddos look forward to! Grayson is growing and learning so his elf, Mac Jingles actually retired this year. But he left behind a sweet book of memories for Grayson and is going to spend his days training new Scout elves in the North Pole ;) The three of them, Mac Jingles, Ella Twirl, and Charlie Tinguin had many fun adventures and kept us all good company throughout the month!

The kids participated in the church Christmas play, Felix Finds Christmas, and did such a great job!! Grayson played a country boy who went to share Christmas with some orphans, Ada sang in the choir and had a beautiful solo, and Grady did an excellent job singing in the choir as well! It was such a joy to watch! They rounded out the year with a wonderful Christmas Party, complete with caroling for shut ins and making Christmas cookies! It means so much to have a church that loves and nurtures your children, pointing them towards Jesus and loving them for who they are.

Grady had his preschool Christmas program, also and did a wonderful job!

The big kids had their Christmas piano recital, most likely Grayson’s last Christmas recital bc he’s very interested in tinkering with the trumpet some after May and I’m excited to see him give it a try. They played beautifully and confidently and made us so proud!

We continued our traditions of mini van Express night, where we ride around in pajamas with snacks and Christmas music looking for lights. And our hopeland garden light trip. Both lots of fun!

Ada’s big gift from us was a trip to see The Nutcracker Ballet, we had so much fun!

We of course celebrated with each of our families and was a great time as usual.

The season brings so much joy and such a beautiful reminder of the most wonderful gift we received many many years ago in that cattle stall. Jesus. A gift we surely don’t deserve but we got anyway. I pray I’m able to celebrate many more Christmas’ and continue to remind my precious little ones of the beauty of Christmas Day. The beauty of the gift, the biggest gift. The most important gift....Jesus! This year has been such a real eye opener to just how quickly the years do go. It’s quite bittersweet and reminds me all the more to savor each and every moment. I know this time next year, each of these arrows will have changed in such amazing ways and be one more year closer to being released from our hands. This season is special and what amazing memories and a sweet taste it leaves for us to enjoy. <3