2010

Here it is, the end of the year. What a year it has been for us. Through the ups and down, we have seen God's faithfulness through it all and we feel blessed. Here are some highlights from the past year.

January:

*The year started off with Sarah being crowned Homecoming queen. She deserved it. She is an amazing, Godly, incredible, encouraging (except for today, but we won't go there!) sister.

*Nic was coaching at the beginning of the year and ended the basketball season excited for the next season...which has already started and as of now is undefeated...I love to watch him coach...he has so much passion for the game.

February and March:

Nothing really exciting happened. :)

April:

*I finished teaching... for good. It was a bittersweet time. While I have a passion for teaching children and making a difference in their lives, I have a bigger passion for raising my children. This was a HARD decision financially. There were many tears and disagreements when it came to this decision. I was constantly on my knees crying out for God to give us a way for me to stay home with my babies. We made the decision to stay home but had NO idea how we were going to make it without 2 incomes. Do you know how much stress that can be? Of course you do. I started babysitting 2 extra kids, which has been great for Hayden! But, we knew God would see us through our decision and He has...which brings me to a different highlight you will see later...

*I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Colton Robert (middle name from my brother and father). I fall more in love with him every day. I have loved being able to write him letters each month, describing the new things he accomplishes. He is the sweetest little thing in all the world. I can't even describe in words the love that I have for my children.

*One of my best friends, Jaclyn, got married.

May:

*Kristen and Sarah both graduated. Kristen graduated from Cedarville. I couldn't attend the ceremony because I had just had Colton. Two weeks later she left for Fort Wayne to attend PA school at St. Francis. Sarah graduated from high school and left in August for Taylor University. This was a hard time for me because I was now without all my siblings. It was hard but I am so proud of each of them. Adam and Jamie were here for graduation, Open House, and Jamie's baby shower. It was the first time this year that the WHOLE family was together. I always say my heart is content when we are all together.

June:

*Spent many days on the lake.

July:

*Jamie gave birth to my first niece, Rori Pearl. Folks, she is beautiful. She has these beautiful, big blue eyes. I can see both Adam and Jamie in her. I just wish we could live closer so the kiddos could grow up together. On the other hand, I could only imagine the trouble those 3 could get in to.

*More days on the lake.

*My other best friend, Tara, gave birth to beautiful Hannah Lynn. It is so awesome to watch Tara with her own little girl. She glows when she looks at her baby girl.

August:

*Sarah, Kristen, my parents, the kids, Nic and I went to Arizona to meet my baby niece. This was probably the most memorable vacation for me because once again, we were all together. On the ever hand, I knew that once we returned home, real life would happen. Nic back to work, Kristen and Sarah off to school and I would start babysitting.

*Nic and I took the kids to Tennessee for a week and had a blast.

*God opened a door for us and gave us the answer to our many prayers...we joined in a company called Shaklee. We found that this was an opportunity for us, as a family, to do. It has given us an income, which has allowed me to stay home with my babies. We have had an incredible time on this journey so far and can't wait for what the future holds (like the Bahamas and Bora Bora!)

September:

*Mom and I made a couple trips to visit Kris and Sarah with the kids.

October:

*My baby girl turned two years old. We celebrated one weekend while Kristen and Sarah were home and then had a small party with Nic's family and mom and dad and friends. We also went to Chuck E Cheese.

*Nic and I broke out as Director.

November:

*Adam, Jamie, and Rori came for Thanksgiving.

December:

*Nic and I took a weekend get-a-way to Kalamazoo....very much needed time together.

As for the fam...

*Mom and dad are still putting up with me...which is a hard task. They are still the most generous, amazing people ever. The love they have for us children is evident every day. It melts my heart every time I see them with my children. I pray to God every day that Nic and I will be to my kids what my parents are to us.

*Adam is still working for the Border Patrol and is my hero. He is my big brother and I am so proud of that. Him and Jamie are still in Arizona and I miss them dearly. Jamie is loving staying home with her precious daughter.

*Sarah is LOVING the college life and has passed her Praxis for her education degree. I am so proud of her.

*Kristen just finished her 2nd semester with high grades. Again, I am proud of her and her accomplishments. Although her head is usually buried in one of those 4-inch thick books, she always finds time to be with us and spend time with her niece and nephew.

*Hayden is starting to talk more and more, and RUNS EVERYWHERE she goes. She turned 2 this year and has more energy that I can even describe. She brightens up my day whenever she smiles and gives me hugs and kisses. She sure is a firecracker! My day wouldn't complete without her making me laugh until I have tears in my eyes. She is also fearless, which scares me to death. She had her first stitches in early June, which I know will NOT be her last. She climbs everything (mostly on the counters), she jumps off couches, chairs, rocks, pool ledges, she runs...everywhere, she is just FULL of life...and I would have it no other way...except maybe just a little less fearless.

*Colton is my baby boy...my cuddler. I call him my little old man because of the many expressions he has looks like an old man. He is almost crawling already and adores his big sister...even though she likes to sit on him, undress him, and put him in head locks. I am not sure if I am ready for 2 mobile children. I have to admit, I am a little scared about this. Colt and Hayden amaze me everyday. They are my life.

*Nic is still a Patrol Officer and just finished training his first rookie. He continues to amaze me everyday with his love for me and for his children. Like I said before, he is coaching again..which is pretty time consuming so I cherish the time I have with him. I am so proud of him.

I know this may seem like just rambles, but this was my year. I can't wait to see what God has planned for our family in the year 2011.

Christmas Memories

Can you believe that Christmas is already over? It seems like we were just decorating the house with decorations and watching every Christmas movie we could find. Nic and I just keep thinking about how truly blessed we are...friends, family, and most importantly, the whole 'reason for the season'...Jesus Christ.

We enjoyed Christmas Eve with Hayden and Colt opening our gifts to them while listening to Christmas music and the fire place on. We then headed to my parents and enjoyed the evening watching Christmas movies and just being with each other. Nic and I had planned on going to a Christmas Eve service but we were both not feeling well. We fell asleep to Christmas movies and woke up bright and early to open presents. As we were opening presents, I just kept thinking back to when we were kids and we would try to stay up all night so we could see Santa. We would all sleep in one room and watch movies and play video games. We would then get up before the sun was up and stand by the stairs until we got the OK from my parents to come down. We would unwrap presents as fast as we could and then spend the morning in our rooms with our new toys. Grandma and grandpa would come and bring a cake and we would sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Dad would have The Christmas Carol on the TV and a fire in the fireplace. It made me excited to start traditions with our little family and make memories for Hayden and Colt.

As we celebrated Jesus' birthday yesterday with family, I just sat back several times and just took everything in and didn't want the day to end. The conversations, kids playing with their toys, the puzzles, the fire, the food (Oh, and Nic made the breakfast casserole AND a cherry pie!), family. Yes, we are blessed.

This year was extremely fun for me because I got to watch my baby girl's face light up as she tore open (very carefully) her gifts one by one. It was also special because it was Bubby's first Christmas. Although he wasn't quite as expressive unwrapping his gifts, he still could help take off the paper and loved playing with his new toys. All I know is I have some VERY spoiled kids thanks to their grandparents!

Christmas Festivities

This past week has gone faster than I can even blink my eyes. Here are some highlights of the week:

-My sisters came home last week for their breaks...which you know me...I am ABSOLUTELY thrilled about.

-Nic and I celebrated our 4-year anniversary on Thursday. He surprised me with the most beautiful pink pearl earrings. They are gorgeous and I feel beautiful in them. He also brought me 4 beautiful red roses. What an amazing guy, I tell ya. We did have Nic's shift Christmas party this night...which was ok because I LOVE the company we were with. It as so nice to talk to other wives and police officers. They really are a blast. I do wish we got together more with them.

-Mom and I did our Christmas shopping together on Friday...without kids. We enjoyed ourselves greatly, taking our time going from store to store, not rushing through lunch. I love every second on days like this day. I enjoyed the conversations with my mom and just being with her. Thanks, mom! Dad and my sisters tag teamed watching the kids. Needless to say my dad looked TIRED when we finally got back to the house. I am so thankful for their willingness to watch my babies. I know Hayden just loves him so much. She always has such a blast with him. Thanks, Dad! (and Kristen and Sarah!) We ended the night watching Santa Claus 2 at our house with my parents and sisters. I soaked in every minute.

-Saturday the kids and I met my family and grandparents for breakfast...YUM! Nic has a basketball tourny thing all day, but we did get to meet him and his dad for dinner...again...YUM. I am finding it harder and harder to control 2 children at nice restaurants...hmmm.

-Sunday we celebrated Christmas with Dad's side of the family. Even though our ever growing family is starting to outgrow the little duplex, it was still a blast. I LOVED watching all the little kids run around and play together. They played more with the boxes instead of the actual toys, but hey, they were having fun. And as always, it is so good to chat with the adult cousins! Good food, good chats, good time.

Now, tomorrow my little guy turns 8 months. What?!?! I thought I would go ahead and do his letter today since we will be in Michigan City tomorrow.

Dear Sweet Colton,

You are now 8 months. You are growing so fast and learning so many new things. You are starting to gain weight, which is an answered prayer! This is partly due to you learning how to finally take a bottle! I was about to give up when your grandpa brought home a bottle they use in the hospital and you took it RIGHT AWAY! I couldn't believe it. It is a simple standard nipple, but it is the tan colored one. You even started formula, even though I was trying my hardest not to do any formula at all. You still love to nurse and prefer that to any bottle. You also started eating actual food. You still eat baby food...sometimes...but you love the food we eat. You have eaten macaroni, spaghetti, graham crackers, Kix, and yogurt. You LOVE food! I am not sure if I am supposed to already be introducing these foods to you...but you love them. You are learning to hold food as well, but still have a little trouble getting the food from your hands to your mouth. You try hard though. You are also starting to go from sitting to your hands and knees. You aren't quite sure what to do from there but you are so close! I don't know if I am quite ready for you to be mobile. You still love watching your sister and thinks she is the funniest person around. You also had your first over nighter with grandma and grandpa. You were an absolute angel they said. I was SO proud of you! Although it killed me to leave you, I knew you were in excellent hands. You have started taking baths with your sister, which you also LOVE. you sit and splash the whole time. Water doesn't bother you one bit!

Colt, I love you so much. I fall in love with you more every day and am so blessed that God has given me you as a son. I continue to pray for you every day. I pray that you continue to grow into a healthy little boy. You are so special to me. People continually tell me what a happy baby you are and how wonderful you are...you certainly are.

I love you my son.

Love,

Mommy

Happy Anniversary Nic

You see, there is this guy that I kinda like. It was 10 years ago that I laid eyes on a very handsome boy...back then I used the word hot because, you know, I was young. I didn't know anything about him, except that he was a year older than me and his name was Nic...I didn't even know his last name. I remember getting in the car after school that day and telling my mom that I found the guy I was going to marry. She laughed. For some reason, I don't think she believed me.

We became fast friends after a little flirting on my part...hehe. However, that was all that we were...for a whole stinkin year until he came to his senses and realized he had the same feelings for me. We started dating my sophomore year of high school and continued to date the next 5 years before he asked me to be his wife. We got married that next year....exactly 4 years ago from today.

I am one lucky girl...I got to marry my best friend and I get to spend the rest of my life with him. I am madly in love with him and couldn't imagine my life without him...On the day I married him, I never thought I could love him any more than right then. Little did I know that every single day that I have with him, I fall more and more in love with him. He is my best friend, he is my other half. In the past four years we have had many ups and downs...we had to experience the loss of our first baby, but then the birth of 2 perfect babies. We rejoice with each other but we also cry together. The most amazing thing about these past 4 years is that he still loves me...can you believe that? He still loves me no matter if I am a complete wreck after a day of temper tantrums, tears, screaming (from kids, not me...ha), he loves me in the good times, and in the bad times...He even loves me when he gets home from work and there is no dinner on the table and the house is a complete disaster! He is pretty much amazing. I don't think there is anyone else out there that would ever be able to put up with me like he does. I would write more...but 2 of those results of falling in love are needing my attention...one is running around naked and the other is trying to eat my shirt because he is hungry!

Happy 4-year Anniversary Nicholas! I love you!

A Weekend Away

Nic and I just returned from a wonderful weekend away. For months now we have been planning just a simple weekend away for our anniversary. Obviously we wouldn't be able to go on our actual anniversary, so we just planned a weekend that Nic could get off, which happened to be this weekend. Because I knew we were going to be gone overnight 2 nights in a row, I began to prepare myself early...mostly because I have not been away from Bubby for over 3 hours at a time...and not to mention his unwillingness to take a bottle from anyone but me until about a week ago. As you can imagine, the anxiety inside me was starting to rise. I knew Nic and I needed this time to reconnect as a couple and get some much needed sleep that we haven't been able to get in over 8 months...but I was scared to death to leave my baby boy. Hayden has been spending the night with my mom and dad since she was 4 months old, so I knew she would be just fine. It isn't because I don't trust my mom and dad...because I totally do and I had complete trust in them...after all they have had 4 kids. I think part of me just didn't want them to get frustrated with my kids and not want to spend time with them. I am always afraid my kids would be a bother to people. Anyways...back to the weekend. Nic and I left after he got off work on Friday and headed for Kalamazoo. We were originally going to go to Chicago...then we were going to go to Frankenmuth....then on Thursday we decided to just go to Kalamazoo. Nic's rookie is from there and told us a whole bunch of different things we could do...which I was TOTALLY fine with...as long as there was a mall...ha.

The first thing we did when we arrived at the hotel was...TAKE A NAP! It was wonderful, my friends...simply wonderful. A couple times I would wake up thinking I heard a crying baby, but then smiled to myself as a realized it was just in my head. After the wonderful nap, we headed out to a restaurant at the Radison. It was kind of weird to just sit there and not have to rush through the meal due to a rowdy 2-year-old and a needy 8-month-old. So we just sat...and talked. We talked and talked. It was like we were catching up on the last 8 months of our busy life. Because of Nic's work, overtime, and basketball duties, we haven't seen a ton of each other.

After a marvelous dinner, we walked down to a piano bar to just listen to the live music and talk some more...and listen to Nic sing along to the songs...hehe.

Then...get this...we SLEPT THROUGH THE WHOLE NIGHT. I could tell that my body wasn't used to that when I woke up and my whole body was stiff as a board because it hasn't been that still that long since Colt was born. I also woke up thinking I was going to completely explode...any nursing mommas know what I am talking about! Even though I didn't have to nurse Colt this weekend, I still had to take time and pump...pump a lot. But I didn't care. After finally getting ourselves out of bed around 10:30, we showered and headed our for a day of SHOPPING! We went to a mall and seriously went into almost every store they had. Although, we didn't buy much, it was so fun to walk hand-in-hand with my husband and look at everything. We pointed out things we would want to get in the future for our house, saw things we would love to eventually get our kids, and even tried on WAY TOO expensive clothes for the fun of it. We did, however, find some really good deals for Christmas outfits for the kids and a good smelling candle...hehe. After hours of the mall, we headed to Toys R Us and found some AWESOME deals on toys for the kids for Christmas. I am sooooo excited for them to open them on Christmas morning! We then set out for an early dinner at Olive Garden...yum yum...and then a movie. That's what I call one perfect day with the man I love. Since the movie ended early, Nic made a last minute call to a friend and met up with him. It was so nice to catch up with him and hear how life was going for him.

We then got another great night of sleep and headed home to our babies. My parents kept telling us how perfect the kids were...which calmed my heart in so many ways. They said that Colt was such a great eater...took the bottle just fine and ate his fruits and cereal like a champ...way to go Bubby! Hayden was an angel as well. They said that Colt didn't fuss one time...except at night...oops. Now that I know he did fine while I was away, maybe my parents can watch him more often...right mom and dad?!?!!?!? Just kidding.

Mom and dad, if you read this, just know how much it meant to me that you were willing to watch the babies while Nic and I got to get away for a little bit. I know how much my children love their grandma and grandpa and I know they were in GREAT hands. I know that they were taken care of and had a BLAST...and were completely spoiled! You too, Kris...thanks for staying up with Colt from 2-4 in the morning! You will never know how much I appreciate what you did for us!

Even though it was hard to leave my babies for a whole weekend, I know that Nic and I needed this. We needed to be together...just him and I. He is my best friend and I love the fact that we can still have so much fun together even after 4 years of marriage and 2 kids!

Early Christmas present

After months of trying to find the “perfect” dog for Hayden to grow up with, we have finally found one. I know, I know, yes, we are just downright crazy…but we love our new addition. After Sam not working out due to not being able to handle the stinkin’ dog, we figured we would just wait for a couple years. However, Hayden’s love for dogs grew and grew and we just knew she would love a dog around the house. The problem we kept running into was what kind of dog?? The dog would have to be a special dog because he/she would be dealing with kids pulling, jumping, tormenting the poor thing. We also knew we wanted a big dog, but we knew that could be kind of dangerous with small kids (like Sam). So…we went from Lab to Golden Retriever to Goldendoodle to Cocker Spaniel to everything in between. We researched, we looked…then one day we went to the mall to just look at the puppies. We came to a window with 2 beautiful HUGE puppies. I knew right away that would never be an option because I knew nothing about the breed and we didn’t want to get a puppy from a mall (there was no way we could afford that)…however, Nic fell in love with those puppies and wanted to research them a little. When we got home we immediately started reading about the breed and found that my previous thoughts were way off. This was the perfect breed for our family and fit just what we wanted in a dog. Laid back, lazy, perfect family dog, great with kids, gentle, great guard dog, big, not high maintenance, and the list goes on. We loved everything about these dogs and immediately started searching for our new dog. We wanted the dog for Hayden’s birthday. We searched and searched. Finally one day Nic came across a breeder in Goshen who he went and talked to and we immediately knew this was our guy. However, the dogs were only 1 ½ weeks at the time and wouldn’t be ready by the time we needed her for Hayden’s birthday. But we also knew we trusted this guy and knew his dog would be perfect for us. So…about every 2-3 weeks we went back and would watch the puppies. It was a long 10 weeks, but he called Nic yesterday and said we could pick our puppy up anytime. We were shocked and just started loading the kids up. We were very excited. When we got to the house, we were greeted with 2 HUGE Bull Mastiffs and the momma English Mastiff. Hayden’s eyes lit up and she wanted down to play with the dogs that towered over her. These dogs were so gentle with her and just so mellow. They brought out our puppy and we watched Hayden interact with her. The breeders told us everything we needed to know about how to feed our new puppy and her schedule. Although she is only 10 weeks old, she is already 25 pounds. Her dad is 240 pounds and her mom is 190 pounds. They told us she would be a little smaller than her mom.

We loaded up our new member and headed for home. I am telling you, I have never fallen in love with a dog faster than I have for miss Iris. She loves Hayden and Colton and just walks around and lets Hayden torment her and love on her. Hayden spent the rest of the evening playing with her new best friend. I am telling you, this dog puts up with everything. I think the thing I like best about her is she isn’t in the kids’ faces and doesn’t jump or bark. She just kind of walks around and lays down. Her favorite spot so far is under the little table by the couch.

Today Hayden woke up and went straight to her friend. She has been just wonderful and I am so thankful. Nic was able to get up at night with her only a few times and she went right out and did her job and came in. Good puppy!

Merry Christmas, Hayden!

She would stay like this all day!

Iris, the English Mastiff

Poor Iris...Poor Bubby

Hayden, on the other hand has been quite the challenge today. I thought the girls were playing in her room with the books and so I thought I would quick take the dog out and change Bubby. I heard them giggling, and all the sudden Hayden came running to me with 4 shirts on…but the arm holes were up her legs. They had taken down EVERY hanger in her closet and were trying on all the clothes. Ever since then Hayden keeps wanting to change over and over…she does make me smile though.

Colton, on the other hand is now pulling himself up by grabbing my arm. He is also somehow scooching/crawling to where he wants to go. Every time I have food in my hands he thinks it should go into his mouth and he looks like a little bird!

Basketball season is in full season as Nic has been watching films, reading speeches, scouting, and everything else that goes into coaching. I forgot how time consuming this was, but I know he has such a strong desire for his boys. Tomorrow is his first home game and I know he is so anxious/excited. Can’t wait to watch him coach with his cool sweater vest!

Things are changing so fast in our household and I am not sure I am ready for all of it! I am just trying to take one day at a time, praying that God will give me the strength and energy I need…which he has. He is such a faithful God. I am telling you, I am one blessed momma and couldn’t be more thankful for my little family.

You know you are tired when

You know you are tired when:

-you watch your daughter strip down to bare skin and then run around the house and don't care one bit because you can't stir up enough energy to even put a diaper on her.

-you sit down to fold clean laundry for about 15 minutes, go to the bathroom, come back and throw all the clothes in the hamper and then put them all in the washer...dumb, dumb, dumb.

-you listen to your daughter screaming in her crib and just stare at the ceiling thinking that maybe, just maybe, she might fall asleep again...even though she just slept 2 hours.

-you can't remember the last time you ate...or the last time you even fed your children.

-you sit down and stare at the television for about 10 minutes before realizing it isn't even on.

-you drive home only to pass your neighborhood....twice.

-you stare at the dishes in the sink trying with all your might to somehow use magic powers for them to wash themselves.

-you wake up in the middle of the night with your shirt around your neck and your tatas hanging out after forgetting to cover back up after the midnight feeding.

-you run into the stupid wall...twice.

-you sit down to write this post and it takes you about twice as long because you can't get your stinkin' fingers to work correctly and you have to press the delete button every other letter.

-you wake up during the night with a HUGE pile of drool under you.

-you forget that both your kids are sleeping and that you are wasting your time on this computer muttering and whining when you could be SLEEPING!

Although Colton is doing a little better at night, he is still waking up at least three times. I know this is only for a short time so I am doing the best I can just to make the best of it...but man am I a tired momma. Ha...and I only have 2 kids. But I think I get to count Hayden as at least 2 kids...you gotta love that girl. I write this so someday I will look back and realize that this whole being tired thing was just a moment in life...maybe!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Here we are on December 1st, beautiful snow falling and covering up the gross browness left from fall, christmas tree lights on, our little electric fireplace glowing in the corner, scents of pine tree lingering throughout our house (from our candle, not our fake tree), christmas decorations scattered through the house, christmas cookies and candy everywhere, christmas movies on 24/7 thanks to the Hallmark channel, little kids snuggled in their PJ's till at least noon because there is NO way I am leaving this house while I am so warm, hearing, "ohhh mom" while pointing to the snow and seeing it for the first time...yes...yes...this IS the MOST wonderful time of the year. It is a time for celebrations and traditions, with the biggest celebration being the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. I am excited to be able to start new traditions with my family of 4, while keeping some of our old traditions as a couple. I think the thing I am excited for the most this Christmas season is I get the chance to share the story of the birth of Jesus to my baby girl. Yes, we talk about Jesus all the time and sing our songs, but what better time of year than now to really share with her about Jesus and his birth?! Yes, I know she is only 2 and might not understand at all what we are sharing with her...but I want my children to grow up always hearing about Jesus.

On a totally different note, my siblings have all left me...again. It is always a bittersweet time when my entire family gets together because I wait and wait for the day that everyone comes home and then the time flies while they are here and then they have to leave before I can even blink an eye. But...that's life. Monday night Nic and I were able to decorate the house while Christmas music blared in the background. Hayden was quite the helper. I remember last year we couldn't put ornaments on the lower half of our tree because of our little toddler who kept taking them off. This year she helped put them on the tree and hasn't even attempted taking one off...it is amazing the difference in a year. I can tell that this year is going to be SOOO much fun with Hayden because she gets so excited and she is starting to understand different things.

Last night was Nic's first game. He is the JV coach for Elkhart Christian and is loving it. They played Clinton Christian and beat them by a whopping 40 points (or around there!). I love watching Nic coach because he has such an amazing passion for the game. I know I will never fully understand, but I will always support Nic in what he loves (somehow I didn't get the athlete gene so I don't understand most sports). On the business note...we are absolutely loving working together and helping others learn how they can keep their house safe and how they can stay healthy. I never imagined Nic and I having the same passion for something like this and I am so thankful for this business. Yes, it takes a lot of work, but the rewards are amazing! The business is growing before our eyes and we can't help but thank God for placing this opportunity in our lives.

That's all for now...I am going to get back to the Christmas movies...which I can honestly say the girls are enjoying as well!