Nora Turns 1

 I look at these pictures above and it just seems like yesterday that this was Nora. Her first year of life has been a whirlwind. In some ways I am sad that it was such a whirlwind, but in others, I am so grateful of the events that took place this year. Nora has not only grown, but she has made me grow in very big ways.

 I remember being so ready to have her and meet her. I actually thought she was going to be a boy. I remember when Matt saw she was a girl, his first comment was "Oh boy..two weddings." I remember laughing and then looking at each other because we were so happy. 

Nora has been the best baby from day 1. She has had the "go with the flow" attitude since the beginning. She found her voice early and has been called Noisy Nora ever since.

Here is a glimpse of her 1st Birthday...

We selected the Hungry Caterpillar because she will eat anything!

She is so big!! Look at those sweet dimples.

She did not dig into the cake like I expected. She really wanted me to feed her. This is probably a bit of Matt and I's fault, since we didn't play by the rules with her and allowed her to taste sweets (a few times) before her first birthday. Oh being the 3rd!

           I absolutely love this picture. Words can't express how much I love this sweet baby!

What is happening at 12 Months...

- She is standing on her own and walks along things all over the house. 

-She actually took her first 3 steps today (May 29) at the Library. Needless to say, we broke the library's quiet rules when she took her steps!

-She loves food - especially Nana's meatballs and graham crackers. 

-She loves to get into things, especially drawers and cabinets. 

-She wants to be with her big sister and brother when they are playing.

-She loves swinging outside. 

-She is transitioning to whole milk from formula and all is well.

-She still has sensitive skin and needs natural diapers. 

-We haven't taken her to the doctor yet for her 12 month appointment so I don't know how much she weighs...but we will get to the doctor soon!

-She won't say "daddy", she says "Matt".

-She loves saying Momma. (LOVE IT!)

ADDED BONUS... 

This is Sophia in the same outfit on her first birthday! You can definitely tell they are sisters! 

Last Days of School

 John had his last day of Kindergarten last Thursday. Man, that year went by quickly! I look at the pictures of his first day compared to his last day and there is a sense of relief. It doesn't appear that he has changed much. However, I know that is not true at all. He has grown so much in all areas, such as reading, writing, math, and most of all being a friend. He got to be a Brilliant Bohannan this year and I am forever grateful. He will start a new school in the Fall and even though he and I are a little nervous about it, I know that it will all be okay. I could not have asked for a better start to his elementary life. He is loved at CME and I know he will be loved at FSE next year.

 Sophia finished up Preschool at Play to Learn on May 15th. We have been at Play to Learn the last 3 years and it was WONDERFUL! I am sad that we won't be there next year, but I know Nora will one day be able to attend at this precious place. If you want a place where you child is loved unconditionally and teaches your child about being a true friend - this is your place. I have never seen more caring individuals than the people that work at this preschool. Sophia started at Play to Learn a shy, quiet child. Her first year "End of the Year Performance", she sat and didn't sing one word. At her PreK graduation this year - she was the loudest singer! They have brought her out of her shell and she is so ready for Kindergarten. I can't wait to see how Kindergarten goes for her. I am also so excited to have John and Sophia back in school together. Next year will be a year of excitement!

A Sweet Story

Most people know the story of John NOT wanting another sister when he found out we were having a baby. At first he was not even going to come into the delivery room after the baby was born. He then decided that he would at least see the baby and if the baby was a girl - he would say hi and then Matt and him would go to Strikers. 

Well, this all changed once he laid eyes on Nora. He has loved her since the first time he saw her. He couldn't believe how beautiful she was and how much he actually did love her. In our house, both John and Sophia, think Nora can do no wrong. 

John has become quite the writer at school. He publishes books like it's no one's business. I was invited to his Writing Celebration yesterday at school (a perk of working at the same place he goes to school). His teacher had told me to get ready because this story was a tear jerker. Yup - he was right! John wrote a story about Nora. He dedicated it to her (an also put "I have another sister too."). He wrote about what he was doing before he met her for the first time. He described what he thought when he met her and the words "adorable" were used in his writing. He wrote about the first time we brought her home and our house full of people. 

I am still amazed at how this little family works. I worried and fretted about adding another baby to the mix and hoped that the big kids would hate it. Now, we can't imagine life without baby Nora and the kids keep asking for another baby. (Yeah...that ain't happening) 

Thank you Jesus for my family. 

Kindergarten - Ready or Not!

We enrolled this little one for Kindergarten this past week. WOW - is all I can say about this. I think I am having a harder time with her going than when John went. I have tried to figure out why because she is totally ready. She would do John's homework if I would let her and let's face it, John would gladly let her do it anytime. I have decided that part of it is fear. My sweet Sophia walks to the beat of her own drum and I love that about her. She makes me see things outside the box and helps me to slow down and smell the roses. She has the creative side that is amazing to watch and hear. I just don't want those things squashed out of her when she heads to school. Her preschool has been wonderful to help her build those qualities and now we face a new place in just a few months. I do love the school and John loves it to, so I think I would have reservations about anywhere she would go. 

Well enough about that - 

Little smartie pants got screened for Kindergarten as well. Even though she is 4, I had her take the 5 year old screening test. She got a 87/100! 

She is so ready to go...

Nora - 8 and 9 Months Old

Nora is 9 Months Old

(and I have also included an 8 month picture because it never got blogged)

Yup, there you have it! We have a ninth month old. Crazy to think in 3 quick months this little nugget will be celebrating her 1 year birthday. The word for Noisy Nora these days is BUSY. She is into everything and wants to be where the action is - aka where ever her brother and sister are. My favorite thing about Little Miss is that she won't say "dada", only "mama"! Matt will look at her and say "Dada" and she looks at him and says "Mama". She is already ornery! 

A Few Things About Nora

- She loves Graham Crackers and Veggie Straws

-She is pulling up onto anything that she can and is trying to grab from on thing to the next. 

-She loves Miss Jewel - our babysitter. 

-She babbles loudly all the time. 

-She is getting better about car rides. 

-She LOVES bath time but is not to keen on big swimming pools. 

-She crawls and she is FAST. 

-She really studies you if she doesn't know you but after awhile she is all smiles. She doesn't seem to have the stranger danger yet. She lets anyone hold her, you might just not get smiles at first. However, if you have a necklace on - you are her best friend. 

Out of the Spin Cycle

As I woke up this morning, I had to make a decision ...to work out or to sit on the couch with my coffee and a book. Yup, you guessed it - coffee wins every time. 

I will work out tonight (wink wink)

A sweet colleague of mine, returned to work this past week after being on maternity leave with her second baby. We were chatting in the hallway about going from one baby to two babies. Whew...that is a whole other post. She mentioned a daily devotional called "Out of the Spin Cycle" It is written by Jen Hatmaker. 

This conversation was crucial. I didn't know it at the time, but as soon as I sat down to read it (thanks to one-click purchase on Amazon Kindle), I knew that it was what I needed. I would recommend it to any lady that is trying to raise kids. 

So that brings me to my post today. At the end of each devotion, is a little thought. It may be a little thought, but it goes deep and hits you in the heart. Here was today's thought...

"For the rest of the day, try to filter every word, every decision, and every activity with your kids through the grid of being like Jesus - and nothing else."

Whew! 

That is when I started thinking about this...

I realized that I fall all the time and God still loves me. He gives me grace. He doesn't yell at me or show frustration. He doesn't ground me or punish me over and over again. He waits, he listens to my pleading, and he loves. My kids are the same as me but my reactions are often different than Jesus' reactions. 

I like how this question says "for the rest of the day" because you and I both know this is a big task. It takes practice and a lot of prayer. But I am taking the challenge today. (This is very easy to say right now because my house is completely quiet and my sweet children are sleeping soundly.) 

I hope you have a great Monday. 

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!