The Months Go Quick

As I won this monthaversary, I was thinking of what to update this blog about this time. If I think a month went quickly, look at those two young kids in the picture above. After we got married, we went on our honeymoon, and finished the semester out. Kevin worked at Kroger until I graduated, and then we spend the next year in transition and apart for most of the year. But one thing that God gave me was a good man who was faithful and consistent. A man who has grown a lot, and continue to excel (he is good in the Office Program Excel too) in what ever he puts his hand to do. I am proud of him.

Now I need to get pictures up of our new 6 year old...after we recover from sickness this week.

Sweet Friends, Sweet Pea, and Sweet Weather!

We had a great time with our visitors from Lowell, MA! We used to live 7 minutes away, and now 5 plus hours takes some better planning, but it was great. I got to show off a little bit of stuff around here, and it was great to have the kids play so well together! So very thankful for their friendship!!!

We went the Museum of Play in Rochester, a little busy, but I would like to go again.


Now we have a dog named Sweet Pea. At first I wasn't sure if we could keep her, she initially made Daniel break out into hives, but he as settled down, and we are getting into the groove of having a dog. She is a pomeranian mix.
We have also been spending a lot of time outdoors! I'm hoping the winter is truly over now, we made it through another one, and not too worse for the wear.
The kids have begun to enjoy 4 wheeling over at Uncle Joe's.

The Spring Co-op has begun, and the first week was fun. I feel a little more in the groove with the kids, settled in here, and slightly more confidence in homeschooling. I needed to get these updates before Daniel's birthday is here, it is right around the corner!

College

We are approaching our 10 year college reunion and I have tried to pull out some old pictures. It is funny how much easier the digital camera has made everything, but we have a scanner and should use it to get these pictures digital. Kevin and I met in August 1998, our freshman year, although we didn't really date until our senior year. He was, is, and shall always be my best friend. His family was so welcoming, he was so eager to help out and to be there for his friends. He always knows how to make me laugh. I think I laugh everyday, between him and the kids. He was very athletic, and could do the obstacle course in less than a minute...a time that I think was just recently beat by a few seconds. He taught me how to climb the rope at the end of the Obstacle Course, although I would help him out freshmen year when he was in engineering (pre business for him) Kevin would look out for you, and his sincerity stayed with me until I realized we should be more than just friends.

There was a lot I got out of college, a good education, some great friends and experiences, but the best thing I left with was him!

Field trips and February

February has been flying by. We have enjoyed a few field trips, one out to the Utica Art Museum. Kevin has a great aunt who lives out there, and we were able to meet up with her and spend the day with her. She was a huge help too!

Here the kids are putting together their own modern art design. I think the kids did surprisingly well and were pretty interested in the paintings and exhibits.
But after some time they just needed to blow off some steam, and we went to a fun indoor playground before we drove back.
We had fun with Valentines Day this year, with Daniel and Rachel making different Valentines, our annual heart hide and seek game, and making some cake. The frosting was kind of runny, but it was fun all the same.
A day in the life....Daniel and Rachel are working on a project together and Noah can play pretty independently. The space behind the kids we put some dry erase paint up, and it is fun drawing on the wall. If one thing I am learning is to go with the flow a little better, and the kids will learn and are learning everyday.
We went on another field trip to the Museum of Science in Syracuse. It is becoming a favorite with the hands on things the kids can do, and it is close that we can meet up with Kevin during the day. I don't like the two hour parking limit however.

It has still been a mild winter, and find myself wanting just a little more snow. But we have been able to get out a lot this winter and I can't complain. I am looking forward to friends coming in next week, a few more museums to visit, and Daniel's approaching 6 year old birthday!

Monthaversary

Today is Kevin and my Monthaversary. We have been married 9 years and two months. It was something I watched my parents do. Every 30th of the month they would see who could say happy monthaversary first, and that person would win. I don't know if there was much of a prize, but just maybe some friendly competition. A friendly competition I have won most of the time, yet he seems to win when it counts.

I got thinking we will be celebration out 10th anniversary this year, and I am chuckling to recall where we thought we would be by this year. Or what we thought we could do for it. Like 10 years ago large, extravagant trips, and worldwide travel would be commonplace in our life....and it is not. During our last anniversary I was sick with a fever, and that was a new way to celebrate, but it made me think I need acknowledge the important things more, and not just wait for a certain day to come around.

So here is my challenge this year, to highlight on this blog the things I appreciate about Kevin...hopefully posting on the 23rd of the month. Technically I guess I have missed a few months out of this year, but with all the posting about the kids and the changes in our lives, I want to acknowledge the man who is the biggest part of this families success, and that is my very own husband. So check back over the next few months and see what I see in Kevin.

A New Perspective

I am pretty proud of myself, I uploaded these pictures from my phone. Granted I do not have a smart phone yet, but I think we'll upgrade when our contract is renewed.

The kids have been a little sick, from colds, to stuff up noses, we have been a little busier than usual. But it is also nice to have some down time and rest time.

Here we are at a play date with some friends. Here Daniel is with his first admitted girlfriend. He just likes to play with her toys.

The weather has been unseasonable beautiful. We broke out the sunglasses and played in the yard. I am bracing myself for the snow, but until it comes we will get out of the house!
This year so far has already brought a few changes, and for me it is a new viewpoint on life. While having some fellowship time with some friends, Kevin and I were prayed for, and it came out that I had fear in my relationship with God. And it was true. I was afraid to talk to God about my situations and life because I was afraid of His response. That it was going to shake and change God if I really opened up to him. Life hasn't been the easiest, or what I would have expected. With the walls breaking down in my life, I am realizing a new perspective on God and His love. What life as a Christian really means. Who can separate us from the Love of God? We battle not against flesh and blood, that He loves us so much that He gave His all...and my prayer this year is that I can share His love with my family and friends and receive it in a deeper way.

Merry Christmas and to a Great New Year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Here is what has been going on since Thanksgiving. Here are the boys in front of the house, we were able to decorate this year, and that was a highlight.

We have been visiting the Syracuse Science Museum, which has been very fun, and here Daniel is in a heart :-). It is really fun watching them get all into the exhibits.
My cousin delivered her second little girl, Annabella. She is so peaceful, and looks a lot like her sister.
Here we are getting our tree and wreath. Notice the lack of snow?
Here are the kids Christmas morning. We went to a Candlelight service on Saturday and gave the kids PJ's. We don't do Santa Clause, but give the kids each three toys to represent what the wise men gave Jesus. I don't have anything against Santa, but that was on of my family traditions. Kevin filled up the stockings, one of his family traditions, and it was great videoing it all for future reference.
I hosted Christmas for the first time, and this was the first time we had it at our house. The Turkey came out perfect!
Rachel was at the hip helping out and trying to cook with me. I also enjoyed using my mom's cookies recipes and making all of the cookies I remember making with her.
So this season is still bittersweet. My Dad and sister left today for Iowa, for a year, and even though we will see them a few times this year, I felt like I was just getting used to all of us being together. I do know the change is good, and know God can use the time apart, as much as He can use the time we have together. 2011 was definitely a time of adjustment and change. I am looking forward to getting back into shape, running a few races this year, watching the kids learn and grow, going camping and enjoying even more of upstate NY. God willing, I am ready for 2012 and all that it will bring.