2012

As I'm getting ready to head over to a friend's house to celebrate the incoming New Year, I had to stop myself to reflect. Two-thousand and twelve. What a year. There are definitely two ways I can look at it. Oh my gosh how did we survive, because to say a lot happened is probably an understatement. As those of you that were in the thick of it with us know it wasn't necessarily all good stuff that happened, but that is where I am taking a turn. I am looking at two thousand and twelve as a year chuck full of blessings. My oldest girl turned four and started pre-school, which apparently she was made for just soaking up EVERYTHING. My middle daughter turned three and continues to keep me on my toes. She's gaining confidence in herself, finally being able to dance and sing in front of people. Also, she decided to get rid of diapers and a pacifier, FINALLY. These are just a few of the many things my older two accomplished this year. We also had the great honor of completing our family. Parker Heny joined us in February and has been such the little blessing. Colicky at first and not interested in sleep, with tons of ear infections, but NOW she is just such a good baby. She loves sleep, she crawls already, she has words (baba, dooo, dada, nooo), and she just really rounded our family out perfectly. We decided three was it for us and have taken the needed steps to do so :). We lost Pabst this spring, to CHF which was challenging, luckily he was at Aunt Mandie's puppy camp for therapy at the time, saving some issues with the kiddos. We found the perfect forever home that we wanted, but the bank did not necessarily want to make it easy. I exposed my husband to four days of country music and one-hundred degree heat. We lost Grandma Lucy who never once said a negative thing about the cards she dealt which were not simple in any way. We finally closed on the house. We found Lexi, our rescue pup that is part boxer and part hound and really has been a joy to be around despite her "puppy behaviors." My husband and I took a "journey" with our church which included a small group with his sister and brother-in-law bringing us and our relationship much closer to God. My husband secured a job and moved without the family at Thanksgiving. We commuted every weekend. I interviewed and got an offer for a new position. We spent a week together at the end of the year. Overall God has been AMAZING, and I cannot praise Him enough for the blessings we have received. 2013 has lots in store for us :)

Nine Months

Of course, now that we are past her ten month period I am posting her nine month pictures. I still haven't had a chance to take her ten month pictures because we've been a little busy lately. This little lady had her sixth ear infection about two weeks ago, got her into the ENT the next day and already had her tubes put in last Monday. Once tubes were in and four top teeth came down she decided she was ready to move!!!! She's been pulling up since last Tuesday and crawling since last Thursday. Oh my little baby is not so little. Cannot believe how far along she is with things already. She has the greatest snort/smile that can melt your heart. She also likes to say "hi" with the craziest mouth expression ever. She will show you she is "SOOOO BIG" without even asking.

Parker, you are a joy and we are so blessed to call you our baby girl.

Enjoy...

 

Mama's Weekend Out

The college roommates had a crazy idea to attempt a get together in Chicago on the first weekend in November. Somehow it magically came together!!!!!!!! Everyone made it but Meredith, and it was A BLAST. I dropped the kiddos off on Friday morning and came back to get them Sunday afternoon. It was so weird yet AMAZING to be Jackie, not Mom.

 

 

On Friday we went outside of town to meet at Jenn's house for dinner. So notice the "coffee cups" which were full of beer of course to make the "L" more tolerable.

 

After dinner we brought the train back in to town and of course everyone was much more fun with the addition of alcohol.

On Saturday we explored the city. Going downtown, walking down to the pier, seeing the bean, and doing some Christmas shopping for my kiddos :)

Next, it was off to Sarah's hockey game, she's number 79 in orange. We were so proud of our little Sarah being so rough and tough.

 

Next was dinner and out on the town.  Great times with awesome friends!!!!!

Always Something

I think I have a picture with all my kids sitting with dada on the couch. I LOVE this!!!!

 

One late evening I was bored. Parker ended up with her diaper cover on her head...quite stylish if you ask me!

Halloween night was of COURSE the first cold night of that month it seemed like so I forced the kiddos to put their costumes over their coats which was a battle.  Overall they looked fantastic, Hadley the witch and Gweny the butterfly princess (I think?). We kept our tradition going, with Aunt Mandie and Uncle James going with us. Parker stayed home with Gracie (as you can see in the background!!)

Mark, Me, Mom, Dad, Jess and Doug went to the Lion's Club dinner in Ottoville and had A BLAST betting on horses, bingo, raffles...there was a ton of action. Jessica rode this little black horse to victory, bringing in $1200!?!?!?! Of course we split it with like 12 people!!!

Mom's got a pile of cash there from the victory :)

Beef and noodles are delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jumping party....Parker watches intently. I warn them repeatedly to stop so they don't get hurt and I get sooooooo annoyed, but they have a ton of fun!

Festival of Lights

Since the weather was seventy degrees yesterday I decided (the same as a majority of people) that it was the perfect night to take the kiddos through the Festival of Lights. At one point I was actually sweating...seriously?!? Parker got to come along and was absolutely mesmorized?!?! Of course as soon as we left the girls wanted to go again!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Waiting to meet up with Kelly, gotta tag team this gang of girls!

"We're going through the tunnel Mama!"

"Oh my goodness!!!"

Over the lake/pond they had the transiberian orchestra playing and the lights changing with the song. It was pretty amazing!

Of course the petting zoo was open and we had to pet the goats.

This is a side shot of our Santa experience- surprisingly well...Gwen was shy as always, Hadley didn't want to be on his lap but wanted to tell him she needed "High who's" which equals high heels, and Parker was just hanging out...

We got to see some animals- giraffes, elephants and the manatees were a hit...

Right before we left I attempted a shot with mommy, key word attempted. Gwen wouldn't get out of the stroller, Hadley is crying and Parker is in her own world.