Christmas Card...In January

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! 

I had full intention of getting cards out this year because I really do love Christmas cards. However, I just kept putting it off and Matt suggested I might do Spring Break cards. Even though that is a thought, I was thinking maybe a little sooner than March. I got to thinking and I realized that I love to blog and it reaches quite a few people, so heck, why not do a Christmas Card blog post. So here it  goes! 

2014 has come and gone very quickly. As I look back at the year 2014, there are parts of it I was ready to say good bye to and others I hated that the time had slipped by so quickly. 

We welcomed our 3rd child, Nora Joann, on May 22nd. It was a cloudy day but she brought so much sunshine into our lives. Even though having 3 children was a huge adjustment for me, she fit perfectly into our family. We dealt with no jealousy issues, except for Sophia couldn't believe how many times this baby had to eat. Nora is full of smiles and seriously is the most easy going baby I have ever met. She attended her first t-ball game within the first two weeks of her life. Ever since then, she has just went with the flow and has enjoyed the ride. She has become mobile now, so life is going to get even more crazier. Her brother and sister are crazy about her and I love to see how much they ooze with love for her. Every new thing she does excites them.

John started Kindergarten this Fall. He looked so small, but so brave going into the big school building. I was able to keep the tears back but it was really hard. It helps that I do get to see him each day, mostly during lunch to say hi and get a hug. He is learning so much in Kindergarten and it is amazing to see how his writing, reading and math skills have exploded as the year has went on. He is quite the socialite (not shocked at all). He tried out his first real season of soccer and really enjoyed it. Soccer is a funny sport for spectators. You start when it is flaming hot and you wish you didn't have to wear clothes. Then you end the season when it was very chilly and you can't get enough layers on to stay warm. He is now really into karate and loves to show off his moves. He recently belt tested and broke his first board. 

Sophia is my sweet soul. If she could stay in her pajamas all day, every day, while coloring pictures and watching Disney Princess movies, she would be in heaven. However, she did start Pre-K this year. She is doing very well and has a new best friend every day. However, she may get new best friends each day at preschool but her true best friend, Makenna, stays the same. She prefers we say they are sisters rather than best friends. Sophia began ballet this fall and simply loves it. She prances around the house and sings her made up songs as she is fluttering about. She loves to play princess, she loves doing art, and she loves creating. 

Matt continues to work at the church. In the Spring of 2015, he will go on a 4 month sabbatical. During this time, he will be resting, traveling a few places, picking up a hobby and maybe getting a few things done around the house. Between church and our family, he is a busy man. He finished out our basement this past Spring and Summer and it looks great. It is still a work in progress, but I am so thankful to have the extra space for visitors. Baseball season was an exciting time in our household, as for many people that I know. Throughout the playoffs and World Series, Matt did his best to sit in his green rocking chair, hoping it would bring some luck to the Royals. He showed off his dance moves as the Royals made it through the playoffs. I actually have never seen Matt dance the way he danced when the Royals made it to the World Series. He was disappointed at the loss of the World Series but is already gearing up for next season. Just the other day he said, "Man, I wish there was a baseball game on."

I am still working as an Assistant Principal at an Elementary School. It keeps me very busy and I am still working on the balancing act of mom, wife, administrator, family member, and friend. As I said earlier, having 3 kiddos was an adjustment for me. It seemed to be harder on me than on any of the kiddos. But I wouldn't trade these 3 kids for anything. I love my little family and I love seeing what these little people are becoming as they grow. I am learning a lot about grace and I am thankful that God provides so much of it to me each and every day. I am excited to see 2015 come and unfold what it has in store for us. Matt and I will be celebrating our 10th Wedding Anniversary this summer and we will be heading to an island off of North Carolina, called Okracoke to celebrate. It will be our first big vacation without the kids. We are looking forward to the time of relaxing and enjoying one another. 

I hope 2015 finds you all well and I pray that God will bless you in many ways. If you sent us a Christmas card, please know that we save those all year and pull one card out at each dinner to pray for you and your family. 

Enjoy your year and please keep in touch! 

Nora - Playing Catch Up

Wowza...I haven't sat here in front of the computer to blog in a long while. Much too long, if I do say so myself. So here is a catch up of Miss Nora over the last couple months. 

Nora - 5 Months

At 5 months, Nora was still laying around, not mobile yet. She was Cinderella for Halloween and slept through most of the night as her brother and sister Trick or Treated. We have had quite a battle with this little one's skin. It is super sensitive, especially to diapers, but I think we have figured out what diapers and wipes she can use, as well as formula. We have also started calling her Noisy Nora. She is one loud girl. She has learned to be heard, you probably have to be loud in this household. 

Nora - 6 Months

  

Yup, that is right...we have a sitter! She has now sat up and LOVES it. She wants to be up all the time so she can see all the action. John and Sophia have been working on showing her how to crawl. I say...let's just wait on it. This sweet doll baby loves to be talked to. Her smile will brighten a room if you start having a conversation with her. We have introduced a few foods to her now. I was nervous about foods since she seems to be having such sensitive skin. However, sweet carrots, applesauce and bananas seem to be fine and she loves them all. I think if I would just feed her food now and leave out the bottles, she would be just fine with that decision. She also loves the game Peek A Boo. She will even pull the cover on her face to interact with the game. 

Nora - 7 Months

She is weighing in at 18.3 lbs and is 26.6 inches long. She has cut her first 2 teeth. I didn't even know she had cut the first one. She didn't have any symptoms except for being drooly...but she has been drooly for months now. She is now army crawling EVERYWHERE and she is very quick! If there is the tiniest piece of paper on the floor, she will find it and pop it in her mouth. She is also saying a few words. It started with waving and now she has added some sounds that could resemble "hi" and "bye". She said Mama FIRST!!! It was in front of my family, so others heard it and they know I didn't make it up. Since then, she has only said it again when she cries, but what really matters is she said Mama BEFORE Dada. I have been working on this. My others said Dada first, and I knew this was my last chance. She made my hard work pay off! She has said Dada and now says it all the time. When Matt isn't around, she looks around and starts saying "Dada".  John and Sophia have not tired of her yet. They get excited every time she does something new.