Instagram

Hi there friends! Happy Spring! I know it's been a long time since any updates.... No particular reason why other than life is busy! I have really fallen in love with Instagram and feel like it holds many of the same qualities of a blog but quicker, easier and no downloading pictures :) I'm not ready to let my blog go entirely but right now it will take a backseat to Instagram and to living life.... It's just the Season I'm in right now.  I'd love you to follow me on Instagram. I can be found at ahj1017.  How about you?! Have you fallen for Instagram?

Christmas in Pictures

Our Christmas in Pictures!

-2012-

A very happy day....

Hope yours was too!

11

Merry Christmas...almost!  It has been a busy few weeks as we prepare for our Savior's Birth and I got the ultimate gift 11 years ago tomorrow!  Unreal, there is no way I have an 11 year old...how is it possible so much time has passed, that my "baby" is closer to a "young man" than he is that newborn I brought home on Christmas Eve those years ago...I was humbled and amazed and so in love I could hardly breathe!  The world has changed since last Friday and I have really tried to be more present since...to love more, complain less, laugh and play more and not sweat the small stuff less...I have savored their smells, their smiles, their laughs, their excitement, and even their bad behaviors, short tempers and messes made ALL.OVER.THE.PLACE!  Because they are alive and well and I get to be their Mom and tuck them in and celebrate a birthday tomorrow and spend Christmas as a family in a few days - 20 families who lost their babies last Friday will not have these blessings and for that my heart aches, I am sick and guilt ridden but so thankful that I get God's Grace to start and stop each day with my babies as a Sinner and as a very imperfect wife and Mother but I get the chance nonetheless.

A picture of my Birthday boy!

Polar Express and water park fun

Way back in early Novemeber...we traveled to French Lick Indiana ( along ways away!) to ride the Polar Express!  We have never done this before and this particular train ride sounded great - great price, scenic railroad and the chance for a quick weekend getaway along with water park fun!

We all put on our pjs and boarded the Train which was all decorated for Christmas.  Elves were quick to greet us with Hot Chocolate and Sugar cookies!

There was singing and dancing and a chance to hear the story read aloud...

their were beautiful lights to see along the way as the Sun set...

and each child received their very own bell to ring....

Santa made his way thru all the train cars (see him back there??!!!  ...:)) unfortunately, this was the only picture with Santa we got!  :/ oops!

It was a really fun event and I am so glad we did it!...

although the water park just might have been equally as exciting :)

If you have never seen the French Lick Resorts/Spa they are worth a visit all on their own!  It is stunning and Bryan and I look forward to a trip back one day, sans kids!

http://www.frenchlick.com/hotels/westbaden

Christian is 5

Our sweet Christian turned FIVE last week!  I say it all the time but seriously where has the time gone?!

It was a very big 24 hours leading up to the #5....he moved up a level in Gymnastics but the big deal was the medal!  Then, he lost his FIRST tooth (the earliest by 1 year that any of my babies have lost teeth!)  And, he got his FIRST strike in bowling :)  It was all so very happy and exciting.  We woke up early and opened presents...had a yummy breakfast of homemade cinnamon rolls ( per the Birthday Boy's request) and then he was off to school.  We shared green Jello Jigglers as his Birthday Treat and sung alone with all his classmates for not one but two fun Birthday songs.  Then he "ran" around his circle of friends' blowing out his 5 Birthday candles that they each held up (held up 5 fingers :)).

School Celebration

Then it was off to bowl, play indoor putt-putt and ride Go Karts!  A big pizza and root beer was the "special" Birthday dinner!  Then it was home to sing Happy Birthday and have cake and Ice Cream!  It was such a fun day and he loved every minute of it!  He and his brother's joint party is this weekend....35 kids between the ages of 4-12...should be lots of fun and quite interesting!

Happy Birthday sweet boy!



Blessings

I feel so blessed today...

Not just for my family, friends, home, warm clothes and food, a house and good health

but for the fact that both my parents are alive and well today!

You see last year, on Thanksgiving Day I was back and forth between two hospital rooms...

My Mother was in ICU and in a "twilight" coma -

my Dad was suffering physical and mental problems

as a result of chronic alcohol abuse and the stress of my Mom's fall/injury...

It was a dark, sad time in my life, cannot believe it has been a year but it was actually a blessing in disguise!

Thanks to all who prayed and supported me and my family...

Blessings to you all - I hope you are spending your day exactly the way you want to

and in the event that you feel sad, worried, hopeless or you know someone who is

take comfort in knowing that you are not alone and anything is possible if you turn your

worries over to the Lord!  I promise he will not fail you!

In the Moment

A few weeks ago, Christian's preschool class

visited the Pumpkin Patch.  Lots of Fall Fun there...

corn maze, petting zoo, games, and a big "pillow"

that all the kids got to bounce on ( picture a big in ground trampoline)...

We took a hayride out to the "patch" and picked out the perfect pumpkin!

The skies were so blue and the sun was shining so bright!  The air was crisp

and he and I had the best time together...I am acutely aware that he is my baby, the "last" one

there will not be any more preschool field trips, Halloween "parades" and class parties.

Truly, it makes my heart ache.  Why does it take the last child to make you slow down?  To savor the time, to live IN THE MOMENT...that is not easy but so amazing when we do!

So, I am taking it all in and not for granted - the chubby dimpled hands, the naps, the cuddles, the time alone together when the his brother and sister are in school, the field trips, the ABC's song, the class parties and all the precious preschool moments...we are making so many memories together and I know this last year of Preschool will be over in the blink of an eye!

I love you Christian!