My 2-Year-Old

Dear Sweet Hayden,

It brings tears to my eyes to think that you are already TWO years old. You have been in my life for 2 whole years. You are my baby girl. I can’t even begin to believe all that has happened in the second year of your life. You change everyday and you are growing into a BEAUTIFUL girl. Hayden, I know I am your mother, but I can’t even begin to describe how breathtaking you are. You have gorgeous, big, chocolate brown eyes with such long eyelashes, striking blonde, wavy hair, and a long, lean little body. Everywhere you go, you make sure to be the center of attention. You love to wave and say “hi” to everyone you come in contact to, whether it is an old couple walking through Walmart or a family at a restaurant. You can brighten any room you walk into and put a smile on everyone’s face. You are not only beautiful on the outside, but you are more beautiful on the inside. You have the most amazing personality. You know when someone is sad, and will walk over and give them a hug and a kiss. You LOVE to make people laugh. You will do anything to accomplish that. You love to give hugs and kisses to everyone and learned how to “pound it” with your fist.

Although you aren’t quite talking in sentences, you do say a lot and you understand everything we say. You get frustrated when you we can’t understand you. Some words you say-daddy, mommy, Bubby, Papi, doggy, Ara (Sarah), B (Brooke), Kissy (Kristen), side (outside), ju-ju (juice), fishy, whas that? (what’s that), no (your favorite), slide, peas (please), k, it’s broke, my toy, whoa, basrtball (basketball), I, I, (ice) and many more. You are such a helper. You want to always help in any way you can, like getting your diaper (or Bubby’s), cleaning up after yourself when you spill, helping me cook by climbing on the counter and sitting on it, and many more. You love your Bubby very much and make him giggle hard. You love to swing him and play with him. Sometimes you get too rough, but he doesn’t mind. You don’t like it when he cries, so you do whatever you can to make him stop, whether it is getting his pacifier or blowing on his tummy. You want to hold him on your lap and kiss him on his cheek.

You have more energy than I thought was possible. You are on the go and I have to admit, sometimes I lose you in our house. Ever since you started walking at 13 months, you have been on the go…you skipped the whole walking part and went right to running. You climb on anything and aren’t afraid of anything. You are quite independent. You like to do things on your own. You are quite attached to your blankies. We can’t go anywhere without your brown blankie. When you get tired, you rub the silk part across your eyes. You have a special bond with your Papi and Grammy. You are Papi’s little shadow. You love all your aunts and your uncle. You don’t get to see Uncle Adam and Aunt Jamie a lot, but you can point out Uncle Adam’s picture when we ask where he is.

You love to look at books and sing the ABC’s. You also love to dance to music…which is quite amusing. You love to play with balls and to play outside. You love any kind of animal. You are very smart. You love to drink out of a straw, especially McDonald’s diet coke. You eat almost everything that is put in front of you. Your expressions are priceless. You sleep like a pro…12 hours at night and 2-2 ½ hours during the day. You don’t fight going to sleep.

Some things you don’t like-people taking pictures of you, staying in your crib once you are awake, people not paying attention to you, not being able to communicate, plain water to drink, being trapped on the other side of the gate as me.

You amaze me everyday. Just when I think you can’t get more beautiful, funny, or sweet, you prove me wrong. You won’t ever understand how much I love you until you have your own little girl. Sometimes it hurts so much how much I love you. I want to always keep you safe from harm.

I love how you play with my hair. I love how you try so hard to help with the babies by feeding Ronan or giving them their pacifiers. I love how you love to hug and kiss everyone. I love how you sit with your knees bent in a way I can’t. I love how you get so excited when you see animals…any kind. I love that you aren’t shy. I love how you take care of Bubby. I love that you run, not walk. I love that you smile all the time. I love that you laugh at yourself. I love how you get worried if something like a crumb or ant is on the floor. I love that you aren’t afraid to get dirty. I love how you climb on things and are so proud of yourself. I love watching you build things. I love how you fall down and get right back up.

Hayden I pray for you everyday. I continue to pray that you will learn to walk in the way the Lord has for you. I pray that you learn to love Him with your whole heart and live for Him everyday. I pray that you will keep your innocence as long as possible. I pray that you don’t grow up too fast. I pray that you love people….look for the best in people. I pray that you love and watch out for your Bubby. I pray that you will grow to be a godly woman. I pray that your heart will be protected and that it will never harden. I pray that you will look out for those who can’t look out for themselves. I pray that God will protect you. I also thank God for giving us you. I thank Him for your personality. I thank Him for your big heart. I thank Him for your health. I thank Him for the blessing He gives us each day. I thank Him for the little girl you have become. I love you, Sweetie.

Love you always,

Mommy

Precious Sleep

Get ready to hear this! This is some exciting news (well...to me)!

My little boy, Mr. Colton, the precious baby boy that has not slept for what seems like his whole 6-month life...has been sleeping from 9pm-1am and then 1am to 5am and then until 7:30. Can I just say that this has been such an answer to prayer?! Not only an answer to prayer but a complete blessing. I know that to some of you this isn't that big of a deal...but it sure is to me! Not only has he been sleeping so much better...but he has been sleeping in his own bed for the whole night. I finally started putting him on his stomach and I think that is really helping. He does cry when I put him in the crib...but only for about 5-10 minutes. So, please pray that this little habit continues. Oh, and he is also rolling all over now and ends up on the other side of the room within minutes! I think he is liking the whole moving around thing! I still can't get over how much he is changing and how big he is getting. Just thought I would share:)

Birthday Fun

This weekend we were able to celebrate my baby girl’s birthday second birthday. Her birthday isn’t until Thursday, but we thought we would start celebrating her birth early. We actually started last weekend with my family while Kris and Sarah were here. This girl has some amazing, caring people who really love her. Thank you to those who were able to celebrate with us and make this such a special day. I was talking to a friend when everything was done and everyone went home and I was telling her that it is so weird how we stress for so long and have to make sure everything is PERFECT and everything is clean (floors, carpet, bathroom, bedrooms, kitchen counter, laundry put away), and then the big day comes and it is done before it even starts. Does that make sense? All the preparations (baking pies, ruining pies, making more pies, finding a cake that isn’t Halloween because you forgot one of the most important things about a birthday party…the cake, cleaning the kitchen up 5 times in 2 days, and the list goes on) and after 2 hours, everything is done and everyone is gone and everything is a mess again. And it’s over. And then the whole exhaustion from the weekend hits you like a tidal wave. But….it is ALL worth it to see my baby girl smile when she opened her toys, when she loved playing with the other kids, when she saw her cake that she didn’t even know it was the ugliest cake ever, when she wanted to play with ALL her new toys. So yes, it is so worth it. To see my baby girl happy made every worry and doubt disappear. Everything went smoothly and it was a success! Hayden LOVED all her new toys and played with them ALL day yesterday and is already starting her morning playing with them. It was so much fun this year to watch her actually enjoy opening her presents and her facial expressions told it all. She cracks me up!!! Anyways, here are some pictures:

Hayden wanting to help SO bad with the apple pie!

The finished product:

My dad was SUCH a help this day...he took the kids for a couple hours while I got the rest of the house ready...Thank you dad!!

Hayden and Payton:

Hayden and Payton playing dress up with Tara's present:

Such a GREAT group of friends:

Colton is 6 months old

(Colt didn't feel like cooperating at this moment in time:))

Dear Baby Colton,

Today you are 6 months. Half of a year. Blows my mind how fast you are growing up. I know people think that you are only 6 months. But I think you are already 6 months. I want you to know that you are one precious baby boy. You and I are quite attached. Papi says that your eyes follow me around everywhere. You sure love me…I want you to remember that when you get older! When you were born I was scared to death that we wouldn’t have that strong bond like I have with your sister because I had no idea what to do with a baby boy. I couldn’t put bows in your hair and I couldn’t dress you in pink…that’s all I knew. But I truly believe the bond that you and I have now is stronger than I ever imagined. It is a different bond…one that only a mom can have with her boy. You are my precious baby boy. I fall in love with you more and more every day.

I love how you smile by just looking at you. I love that you stop crying the moment I lift you into my arms. I love that you try to fit your fist, sometimes both, in your mouth. I love how you grab onto my hair to pull my face close to yours. I love how you giggle at your sister. I love how you love to snuggle…all the time. I love how you play with your feet. I love your oh-so-sweet personality. I have to admit I love how you love to nurse. I love how laid back you are. I love how you go cross-eyed when your face is up to mine. I love how you like to have your blankie by your face to fall asleep. I love how you study objects. I love how you move your legs when you get excited. I love that you fall asleep in the car. I love how you talk all the time. I love that when I wake up your smile is the first thing I see, no matter what time it is. I love how your eyes follow me wherever I go.

You are still as smiley as ever and LOVE your older sister. Like you watch me, you watch her just as much. You giggle at her and just admire her. And she loves you as well. She is always wanting to help with you, whether it is getting a diaper or even your pacifier. She also brings you your little blankie when you start crying. She doesn’t like it when you cry…which you do very rarely. I love watching the bond that is growing between you two. I pray that you become close friends like me and my siblings. You also LOVE your toys. Your hand-eye coordination is quite amazing. You study your hands all the time. You love to hold onto your toys as you chew on them or even just wave them with your out of control motions. You are also starting to grab everything that is close to your reach, such as my hair, the computer, food, napkins.

You still aren’t sleeping through the night still, but that’s ok. However, you are getting a routine down of eating cereal, taking a bath, getting a little message, and nursing before I place you in your crib. You are getting to be a pro at falling asleep on your own in your own bed. The problem is staying asleep. You just love to snuggle night and day. But the truth is, I don’t mind. I know that this is just a part of life and before I know it you will be off to college and I will be wanting these times back.

Some of your firsts include: going to a ND football game with mommy and daddy, your first cold (because of that football game), going to your first pumpkin patch, and traveling to Ohio to meet the Sivards. You still have a special charm about you that makes people fall in love with you wherever you go.

Colton, I love you…more than you will ever know.

Love,

Your Mommy

Oh October

Can you believe that October is already HALF over? That is just down right crazy to me. God has been working in amazing ways this month and Nic and I are so thankful. Each day brings something new and we are so thankful that we serve a faithful God.

In my last blog, I told how Sarah was home on Fall Break and that Kristen was coming home as well! I am telling you, I was in heaven…the only thing that could have made it any better is if my brother, sister-in-law and niece were with us…which by the way…they are coming in NOVEMBER!!!!!!!! Can you tell I am a little excited?!?!?!?! Ok, back to the weekend. My dad had gotten 4 tickets to the Notre Dame game on Saturday, so Nic, Sarah, Megan (Sarah’s roommate), and I (and Colt) went. It was Colton’s first game! He did such an awesome job, as always. Seriously, what an amazing little boy I have. It was the perfect day outside, not a cloud in sight. I take that back…not until the end of the game, where out of nowhere quarter-size rain drops came crashing down to the earth. Awesome. Needless to saw, we left then.

When we got back to my parent’s house, we celebrated Hayden’s birthday since both my sisters were home. Grandma and Grandpa came as well. I cannot believe we were seriously celebrating my baby girl’s SECOND birthday. She had a BLAST! Ok, to be by mom and dad’s daughter is AWESOME….but to be their grandchild…WOW. Spoiled to the max!!

This is her awesome gift!

We had a magnificent weekend, but unfortunately Mr. Colt got his first cold. Bless his heart. So stuffy and just very clingy…more than usual anyways! I forgot that you can’t do much for them at that age…he did sleep in his swing for a couple of nights. Let me re-phrase that…he sat in his swing at night. Still not sleeping the best at all. I am one tired momma. Oh well…I have to keep reminding myself that this is just a part of life and it won’t last long…hopefully.

As for this week…Monday Nic worked in the morning and then spent the rest of the time with us…I was in heaven once again. We don’t get to spend a whole lot of time as us four because of all the hours he is working right now (again, I have to remind myself this is just a moment in life that won’t last long). We laughed a lot and just had a great day as a family. He had to work at midnight till 7 and then SWAT training Tuesday all day so he pretty much crashed when he got home yesterday. Poor guy. All I know is I am so thankful for such a hard-working husband. Last night was our Shaklee meeting and I am telling you...I look so forward to Tuesday nights because of how encouraging they are. Suzanne talked about the “ladder of health” and how we have a choice of which way we want to go on the ladder. We have a choice if we want to live a healthy lifestyle or not. All I know is…I need to get myself going the right direction. Not only me, but my whole family.

Today Nic and I took the kids to the pumpkin patch and met my parents there. Hayden was loving every second of it. She could have cared less for the pumpkins…she wanted to stay by the donkey and goats…ha. She also loved running up and down the little aisles of pumpkins and the HUGE tractors! I think she would live outside if we would let her. Bubby was a little overwhelmed and wanted to eat the hay more than anything. He just watched his sister and was Mr. Cool. All-in-all…GREAT DAY!!

Catching My Breath

After a week of feeling like I couldn’t sit still long enough to catch my breath because of running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to look for my patience. I just couldn’t find it. I found it yesterday around 3:30 when my baby sister pulled into our driveway. She is on fall break from college, which means this is the first time being home since she left 7 weeks ago. Just sitting with her for the little time she was at my house, I felt a breath of fresh air. All the anxiety that was building up from the week from being trapped in the house was released! Maybe it was because I was talking to an actual adult and not four children under the age of two! Anyways, back to Sarah…can I just say, “OH MY GOODNESS”?? She looked so grown up. It was weird to sit there and talk to her about college when I remember helping her with her homework when she was like 10. We talked for awhile and then she went to be with mom.

Later that evening, the kids and I went to my parents to spend some more time with her. It was soooo good to just sit and hear about her new life and all the awesome times she is already having…I feel like a proud momma!

Today didn’t go quite as I thought…which is not a bad thing…just different. I planned to go back to my parent’s house where BOTH my sisters were going to be AFTER Hayden and Colt took naps. During their naptime I had a whole plan to clean the house. I don’t get to do that much during the week so I thought it would be the perfect time. Let me tell ya…there was not much cleaning or napping. Hayden was in her crib for an hour just talking to herself, which then turned into SCREAMING!! She hasn’t done this since she was about 9 months old. She always goes down…not today. I think it might be from last night’s events…could be wrong, but just a guess. My poor baby girl…it was like she was afraid to fall asleep. Ok, back to the day. While she was in her crib determined to stay awake, I tried my best to get Bubby to take a little nap, which was also unsuccessful. Instead, I snuggled with my 2 babies while both of them just relaxed in my arms. Not what I had planned…but it was way more enjoyable than cleaning. I think God knew I needed this time with just my babies. My heart was satisfied. I did manage to get a couple of loads of laundry done…with the help of my almost 2-year-old…oh how she brings joy to my heart! After admitting to myself there was going to be no nap or cleaning, we headed back to my parent’s house and spent the evening with Kris, Sarah, and mom. I absolutely love having my sisters home!! Tomorrow Nic, me (and Colt), Sarah, and her roommate are going to the ND game!!! SOOO EXCITED! Then we are going to celebrate Hayden’s birthday with my side of the family since Kris and Sarah are here…nothing big…but something that we could all be together for.

Oh and by the way…I know that Hayden and Colt will kill me one day when they read this…but we have a situation…she has found a fascination in her little brother’s boy part. Every stinkin’ time I turned around yesterday, his pants were off, his diaper was off, and she was just staring. My poor boy is going to be scarred! I talked to her about it and then started disciplining her…yeah that didn’t do a darn thing. No matter what I did, she still went ahead and did it. Spankings, timeouts…NOTHING WORKED. I was so upset to my stomach because I remember as a child I was like that and remember my thought process…crap…I have a daughter just like me. I remember as a child being spanked by my mother and laughing and running around the house. I also remember finishing counting to 3 for my father. I am very scared for the future!

Good Night!

God's Faithfulness

Last night I was browsing through my journal (the one where I wrote in like once a year!) and I came across something I wrote January 8, 2008. I want to share it with you because it was a time in my life that I was reminded of God’s faithfulness and His grace. It was a time, that although I thought I would never heal, God showed his mercy and love and started to heal the wound in my heart slowly. It was a time that I can finally talk about without my heart breaking into pieces and a time that made me the strongest I ever was. I wanted to share it to show how God has been faithful in my life. (It actually is just a huge reminder for me!)

Three short weeks ago, on November 5, 2007, I found out I was pregnant. It was 4:30 in morning and I couldn’t sleep knowing there was a possibility of our lives completely changing as a couple, as a family. When I saw the 2 blue lines that meant positive, I remember shaking. I was terrified me, but at the same time I was completely thrilled. I was going to be a mommy. I immediately woke up Nic and told him. We were on cloud 9. We were going to be parents. We were going to be in charge of another human being.

Later that week, we went into my dad’s office to confirm that indeed I was pregnant. Because it was so early, we could only see the sac. I carried that ultrasound EVERYWHERE. I was so excited for what was to come. I was already a bragging mommy. We went straight to my grandparent’s house to tell them the news and I thought my grandma was going to have a heart attack. Her and grandpa rejoiced with us. I will never forget that time standing right inside their door. I couldn’t even wait until we sat down, my big mouth opened as soon as she opened the door.

Through the next couple of weeks, I felt so sick. I came into school everyday so nauseous I couldn’t stand. I spent every morning crouching down behind my desk before our meetings with the trash can. I wasn’t able to use the dry-erase markers because of the smell. My poor kids had to deal with me running out of the room several times a day as they were left to read by themselves. No medicine helped. Along with being nauseated, I was also exhausted. It was an exhaustion I never knew existed. I came home from school ever day to the couch and didn’t get off the couch until bed. I felt like I could sleep all day, every day.

During these weeks, we also found out that my cousins, Toni and Keri, were also pregnant along with Rischelle Clem. We were all do within weeks of eachother. The excitement just kept building.

Around my seventh week we went in again to my dad’s office and had another ultrasound. This time we got to hear the heartbeat. It was the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. Because we heard the heartbeat we thought it was ok to start telling other people and the teachers. At the end of my 10^th week, right before Christmas break, I told my students because they kept asking why I was so sick all the time. I figured it was safe to tell them.

It was then Christmas break. Along with Christmas break was my birthday. We were at Tippecanoe for my birthday dinner and I kept asking my dad if we could go in and get another ultrasound because we were right by the hospital. Unfortunately (or fortunately) he didn’t have his keys to the office. This was a Friday.

On Sunday, December 23^rd, I again asked dad if we could go in. Something didn’t feel right. We had celebrated Christmas with Nic’s dad, sister and grandparents. He finally gave in and told us to meet us there.

What happened next was something that I never imagined happening to me. It was a nightmare that I never dreamed of coming true. My dad began the ultrasound as my heartbeat started to race and my palms got all clammy. I studied my dad’s face and saw no expression. Usually he would joke around. Not this time. I watched him as he shifted his weight back and forth from foot to foot. Nothing. I then looked on the screen where I saw a tiny spot laying motionless. It was then my dad looked at me with tears in his eyes, said, “I am so sorry,” and left the room. I remember my eyes burning in a way they never have before and my face turning red. Nic came to my side, held my hand and we cried together. Actually, we wept. I kept thinking that this was just a bad dream and soon I would wake up and go on with my life again. It wasn’t a dream. I kept thinking to myself, “why?” Why was this happening to me? What went wrong? That was then the guilt sat in…along with the questions. Did I eat something wrong? Did I drink too much caffeine? Did Athena hurt the baby when she jumped up on my stomach? Did I tell people to soon? Was it because of my birth control? What was is? Why did this happen? How could I have heard the heartbeat and then the baby be dead just a couple weeks later? I then felt like I let Nic down. I couldn’t carry his baby. It was my fault. I was angry. But I didn’t know at who. I was angry at myself, my body. I wanted to be angry at God, but something inside me wouldn’t let me.

After what seemed like a lifetime of questions, we left the office. Not one word was said on the way home. Nothing. Nothing but tears. We did, however, stop by my grandparents and wept with them before returning to our house. I didn’t want to be around anyone. I didn’t want any encouraging words. I didn’t want to hear the words, “I am praying for you,” even though that’s what I needed the most. It was just me and Nic. We spent most of the night in the baby’s room holding each other and crying.

My dad scheduled the DNC for December 26^th, the day after Christmas. I was dreading Christmas day. I was dreading being around family. It was supposed to be such a wonderful, happy holiday full of celebrations. I didn’t want to celebrate anything. But by God’s amazing grace, it was actually one of the most amazing holidays ever. We were surrounded by family and friends. Although I often found myself feeling my stomach where my baby was, where it would remain for only one more day.

On Christmas night, I started cramping…bad. My dad immediately got me in so Dr. Lyons could do a DNC. I remember crying with Nic right before the surgery. In just a little while, my stomach would be empty. The baby that was supposed to be growing inside of me would no longer be there.

As I look back on these events, I know I saw God’s faithfulness. Even though this was something that was awful and something I never wanted to experience. I did though. It was something that happened to me. But like I said, God’s faithfulness was marked throughout this entire life-changing experience. I knew I had to hold onto something that some people don’t have…which is faith. Here are some ways I saw His faithfulness:

My next appointment that was scheduled wasn’t until January 7, the day I was going back to school.

Because of what happened, Nic had all the way through Christmas off, when he was originally supposed to work.

Kristen was here.

Tara and Steve were here from Florida.

Adam and Jamie were here…they would have already moved by my next appointment.

I had the next 2 weeks off of school…God gave us this time to heal.

God allowed my DNC to bring us some laughs from the way that I came out of the surgery.

Dad didn’t have his keys with him on my birthday.

Nic and I grew stronger as a couple. He was my rock.

Although the pain in my heart probably will never go away for my first baby, I know the days will get easier. This happened for a reason…I just don’t know why yet. God has a plan…I have to trust that.

Looking back on this, I know his reason. Hayden and Colton. I know now that my children are given to me by God. He can take them when he pleases. They are His children. I know that I wasn’t even that far into my pregnancy, but it was still a pain that I had never experienced before. I know I didn’t know the gender yet, or even seen the baby’s face…but it was still my baby. And I know people go through a lot harder times than this. But my point of sharing this was to show how God has been faithful in my life. It is to show that even though we don’t know God’s plan and we don’t know why things happen in this lifetime, we need to hold onto our faith. Without it, without Him, we are nothing.

“From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.” John 1:16

OHIO!!!

The following was written on Friday, October 8:

Today is a very special person’s birthday. She has been my number 1 fan since I was born. She has always stood up for me, always loved me, always encouraged me, and always inspired me. She brings a smile to my face every time I think of her, see her, and talk to her. She is my grandma. My sweet gram-gram. My friend. I can still remember as a child how she would always stand on my side (even when she shouldn’t have). She was and is very protective of me and my siblings. I can always count on her to listen to my woes and then make me laugh about my woes. Whenever I go to her house, I can always count on her to make me gain 5 pounds within one visit. She is an amazing woman. Anyone who meets her loves her immediately. So, happy birthday Grandma!!!

Last night we got to celebrate her birthday at my parents’ with some Olive Garden. I cherish every moment with my grandparents and am so thankful that God has allowed us to have the relationship we have. I sat back and just watched everyone interact and was reminded yet again how blessed I am.

Friday:

Today my mom, the kids, and I headed to Ohio for a baby shower. This is a special shower because it is for a special woman. Our families have grown up together and have use to go on yearly vacations to Hilton Head together. There are 7 of us kids between the 2 families. Four of us are now married, one engaged, three with kids, and one pregnant. Although we all live different places now (California, Texas, Chicago, Indiana, Ohio, and Arizona), we still manage to see each other, not all at once, put as many of us possible at weddings, wedding showers, graduations, and baby showers. And although we all live busy lives, we still some how find a way to reconnect, which has been very special. We are known to do our trademark picture every time we can, which is our staircase picture. We all line up from oldest to youngest-Kristen, Adam, Lindsay, Me, Matt, Kristen, and Sarah. It used to really look like a staircase…ok…well, that only lasted for a couple years until I got passed up by both Matt and Kristen and now Sarah. Thanks. Anyways, we have always had a great time together playing hide-and-seek, pretend weddings, video games, watching movies, and laughing until our stomachs hurt. There are so many memories that are in my heart with the Sivards. I hope and pray that my kids will have memories like these to hold on to and smile back on. Even though we carry on with our separate lives, we always reconnect and it’s like we start where we left off. So…back to the beginning of this story, we are here in Ohio for Kristen’s baby shower. She is the oldest of the 7 and the leader. I always thought we were alike in a lot of ways…both brown hair, both teachers, both LOUD, both crazy, and so on. I always looked up to her and Lindsay both. I remember thinking I wanted to be just like them when I was younger. We got to stop over there this evening after Kristen (my sister) met us at the hotel. Lindsay’s little boy, Sam, and Hayden played very well together. They were hilarious together! I can already see the next generation beginning their friendship.

Saturday:

Today went by in a flash. We had a lazy morning in the hotel after another sleepless night thanks to Mr. Cole Bob himself. We all took our time getting ready and then headed to the lobby for some breakfast. Hayden flirted with the workers as usual by batting her big brown eyes and saying, “hi!” to everyone that looked at her. After we got back in the room we still had time to kill so we let Hayden entertain us by dancing to Kristen’s music. We were laughing so hard that we had tears streaming down our face. I have to admit…the girl does have some rhythm! I haven’t laughed that hard for a long time. She got her little knees bending up and down and her little pointer fingers waving through the air as she jumped around in circles with her squeaker shoes. After we lost about a million calories thanks to laughing, we headed over to the Sivards for the shower. When we got there we were excited to see that Matt and his fiancé, Kate, were there as well! Kate is the next person to join our little cult and we are so excited for another shower and wedding to come! Although we were missing siblings and spouses, we still had a FANTASTIC day with each other. Kristen got so many wonderful gifts and is now ready for her little girl to enter the world! Well, she has to wait until her daddy comes back! Of course, our time went by way too fast…and before we knew it the kids were packed up in the car and we were hugging each other as we set off back to Indiana. And now I am sitting here in my living room wishing we could have spent more time with each other. Oh well…until next shower!

Kristen, Lindsay (and Sam), Me (and Colt), Kate (the soon to be Sivard), Kristen (and Hayden)

Then we added Matt

While I was in Ohio, Nic was in charge of our first vendor/auction even with Shaklee. He said that it went great and he was excited for what’s to come. Since this was our first event, we weren’t sure what to expect. But thanks to Suzanne, Kara, and Kyle, the whole thing was a success.

Wow…it’s only Saturday!

Sunday:

Ok, it’s official…I am just going to be a zombie for the next couple of years. Why does he not sleep…why??????????? I’m tired.

Beginning of a Great Month!

Man, I am getting lazy with my blogging…well…lazy to me. The thing is, nothing too exciting is happening around here. October has started off great and is about to greater!

Saturday was October 2^nd. On that day Nic and I celebrated 10 years of being together. For those of you who don’t know, that is a WHOLE decade! I thought a lot about how him and I started as a couple and every time I am reminded how good God is. Although there were bumps along the road, I would have it no other way. He has given me a husband who loves me and his family. He has given me a husband who is a hard worker. He has given me a husband who is loyal, trustworthy, and encouraging. He has given me a husband who can make me laugh until my stomach hurts and at the same time who lets me cry on his shoulder for no good reason. He has given me a husband who is strong, the kind of strength that I can’t find in myself sometimes. He has given me a husband who is determined and perseveres. He has given me a husband who is my best friends, someone I can share my hopes and dreams with…although he laughs at a lot of them…but believes in me when I don’t. He has given me a husband that is totally opposite of me in every way, which has made us balanced for the last 10 years. This is my husband and I am so proud to call him “mine.” He is AMAZING and I love him more and more as the days go on. Who would have thought 10 years ago that I would have actually married my high school sweetheart and have 2 kids with him? Oh yeah, that’s right…I knew from the day I met him that I was going to marry him…just took some time for him to realize the same thing!

Anyways, he had to work that morning so I spent some time at my grandparents’ house. Of course they fed me and the kids…hehe. I love going to visit and spending time talking to them. They make me laugh! And of course grandma made one of her DELICIOUS cherry pies that I devour! After that, we met Nic and headed to Mishawaka for his softball tourney. It was a tad bit nippy so I met my sister for some lunch real quick. She was studying her little heart out at mom and dad’s while they were in Fort Wayne for parents’ weekend at Taylor. This week is really important for her and VERY stressful so I wasn’t allowed to see her…am I really that distracting? Maybe it is my 2 crazy children? Buttttt…she called me so I figured that was ok! So we met for a quick lunch and headed back to the park while she headed off to her 4 inch books. After the ball games the Spiveys and half of the Millers came over to watch the football game. The girls socialized while the guys got annoyed...it was a great time. Below are some pictures over the years as a couple.

Sunday I knew my parents were not going to be at church and they are the ones that help me in and out of church with the kids. Well…I was on my own today. Colton only woke up 2 times during the night and slept until 8:00am so I obviously didn’t make it to the early service. However, I did have both of the kids and myself ready by 9:30, which made me happy. Usually, no matter how early I wake up and get ready, we still manage to be 5-10 minutes late…never fails. But this Sunday I was going to prove to myself I can be ON time and get the kids in and out of church by myself. Nic works Sunday so it is just me. And 2 kids. Under the age of 2. When we got there I figured I would carry Colt’s seat in while Hayden walked holding my hand. Not so much. Hayden had other plans. She wanted me to hold her as well. So…here I come holding Hayden on one hip and holding the colt in his seat in my other arm…can I just say that I need to work out a little more? No wonder I feel like my biceps are getting bigger. Anyways…so I huffed and puffed all the way to the nursery, trying to avoid talking to anyone in fear I might just drop one of my babies. I then was able to breathe and enjoy the entire service. It was wonderful. I made if back to the car after the service and felt like the day was successful…no major fits and no one got forgotten. Seriously…I give props to moms that have more than 2 kids. If you do have more than 2 you are probably laughing your head off at this because you are complete pros at this. Oh well…I am still learning.

Monday was back to our routine. Kinsley and Hayden played together most of the day and Bubby enjoyed his spot in my arms. We enjoyed the evening with the Steve, Tara, Hannah and Max. Tara and I took pictures of Hannah and Colt together and laughed and talked to them.

Today was much like yesterday, but with a 4^th baby. It is so fun to watch the girls take care of Colt and Ronan…they love them and love to make them smile. Tonight we have a Shaklee get together and I am soooo excited for it!

Tonight we are talking about Shaklee Baby Products…Kara will we talking about how to make sure your child is healthy and safe…especially entering flu season. If you would like to hear about it, come and join us!! Anyone can come! It will be fun!

Alright…back to my babies and husband. At the moment Nic is playing with a baby guitar that plays music and looking at books with the girls…seriously, I love this man.