Weekly Q&A ~ Week 1

For Christmas this year my mother in law gave Nick a book that asks a question a day.  I received a Thankfulness book.  I'm challenging myself to complete this every day!  However, I'm intriqued by the questions in Nick's book so I've decided to try and challenge myself and use this blog and answer the questions in a weekly format!  So here we go!

What is your mission?

 My mission is to be the best person I can be.  I want people to see the Light of Christ through me.  I want to be a good wife and mother so that my family is always loved and taken care of. 

Can people change?

People can change.  Their hearts can change and thus they can change their behaviors.  Change is hard and can take time, but it can also mean wonderful things. 

 

What are you reading right now?

I am currently reading Home, by Ellen Degeneres.  It's a bood about home design and I'm loving it. 

 

The best part of today?

The best part of today is at 3:15pm.  My kids get off the bus and I get to hear about their days at school (good, bad and ugly).  Then we get an entire family night! 

 

What was the last restaurant you went to?

My Tuesday night Benchwarmers evening.  Every Tuesday Addy has dance and Abbie, Birk, sometimes Tyler, and I go to Benchwarmers for a drink and some free popcorn! 

 

Today is tough because______________?  Today is tough because its the middle of the week.  The beginning is new and fresh and a do-over for some.  The end is exciting as it means the weekend and more family time.  The middle is just the middle! 

What an amazing ride we're on......

This year in First grade has been and continues to be an amazing year for the twins!  I have seen a tremendous amount of growth, intelligence and all around beauty in both Birk and Addy.  I'm amazed every day when I look into their eyes, listen to them read to me or watch them grow right before my very own eyes.  

So all I want to say in this post is a special note to the best thing I ever helped create.....

Birk and Addy ~  I am most proud of the hearts that you both possess.  You have been given a life that is a miracle.... and God has shown us time and time again that you are meant to do great things!  Continue to praise Him for all that he gives to you!  Sing loud, dance wildly and always remain true to who you were designed to be!

I love you with every breath that I have!  You amaze me....

That is all!  :-)

First Graders

I have first graders.  FIRST GRADERS!  We are 4 days into the adventure of first grade and I have to admit, they are loving it.  This mommy's heart is a bit heavy thinking about them growing up though.  I thought it was rough when they started Kindergarten, but man.... this year was worse! 

This year they have Mrs. Forret and they are at Rock Creek.  They love this school and so far are loving their teacher.  She is such a kind hearted person and I can already tell by the way Addy is playing school she is perfect for the twins and their educational needs this year.  We were so lucky with Mrs. Murkins in Kindergarten that I have to be honest I was a bit nervous with 1st grade!!! 

Couple First grade points ---

• When Birk was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up his response was; Basketball player, baseball player and a football player.
• When Addy was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up her response was; a teacher, a mommy and a police officer. 

NOTE (and to help me be accountable with this).....The whole reason for starting this blog and for writing so many times was to use this blog to help document the awesome things Birk and Addy are accomplishing with this life so I'm making another promise to keep up with this blog!!! 

My family .... that is all

This is my family.  We are crazy, fun, loud, messy, imperfect and wonderful all at the same time.  I can't imagine what life would be like if we didn't have each other.   

... and then they turned 6

Age 5 has now come and gone.  I'm sitting here watching a movie with my sweet 6 year olds, and I have to be honest... it makes my heart hurt a little bit.  We've had a great day.  They each got to invite a friend to join our day of fun.  We started out at the Ankeny indoor playground, had lunch at Pizza Ranch, then we had an A to Z scavenger hunt at Target.  It has been amazing to spend the day with them today.  I can't seem to get enough of spending time with these sweet kids (well, if i'm being totally honest I do enjoy spending time by myself too).

Here are some highlights about my 6 year olds (it doesn't get easier as many times as I say it.....)

Birk:
41 pounds
Loves to READ everything
Is reading books by himself for the most part....
He loves basketball (both playing and watching ISU)
His best friends are .... everyone in his class
Is excited to start playing Coach Pitch baseball this summer.  He is hoping his buddy Blake is on his team.

Addy:
40 pounds
Loves to READ
Loves to sing and dance
Loves her gymnastics class and practicing cartwheels
Is great at art and using her imagination

I'm so proud of these two.  They make life better every day.  They make me want to be a better person and a better mother.  I thank God for them every day, and the blessings/miracles that they are. It's so strange to think about where we were at 6 years ago at this time.  Not knowing what their future would hold and here I sit with perfect little children (and by perfect, I don't mean their behavior... :-)

Happy Birthday Birk and Addy.  I love you to Heaven and back to Ankeny and I always will.

Blessings on your 6th birthday and the year to come.

Love,
Mommy

Our sweet 1 pounders are now in Kindergarten!!!!!

How is this even possible?

August 14th was their first day.  I was a mess.  I was so worried they wouldn't get on the bus, worried they would be scared, worried that they would hate it....

However, I was 100% TOTALLY wrong.  They LOVE it.  They Love Mrs Murkins, their fabulous teacher.  They love their new friends and they LOVE riding the bus to school.  We've been able to get to know more friends in the  neighborhood too which has been such a blessing.  Even more reason we adore where we live.

For now, I have pictures to share from their first day and first few weeks.  I will post their Kindergarten interviews soon (I promise).

2014?

Is it possible that the last time I posted a blog was in 2013?  Wow.  So much has happened in 2014...where do I begin.  Let's start with some bullet points.

• Birk and Addy turned 5 on March 17th
• Birk and Addy graduated Preschool in May 2014.  
• We surprised them with a trip to Disney at the end of June/early July.  It was amazing....  We met Cinderella, all the characters, stayed on property.  We're already planning our next trip there. 
• Birk and Addy played on the same T-Ball team this summer.  Nick was their coach.  They loved playing on the Rangers.  
• Nick played the State Fair with Risen this summer.  It was a rainy day, but still had a great crowd.  What a great way to Worship Jesus.  
• We started the big Kindergarten in August.  They are loving their teacher, riding the bus, and all their new friends. 
• We attended as many ISU football games this year as we could.
• Addy started gymnastics in September.  After only 4 classes she was advanced to the next level.  She loves it and is doing so great. 
• Addy also got glasses in December.  She is so excited and looks so adorable.  They are just corrective so we're hoping it only lasts a few years.  
• Birk loves playing basketball and did great in the Skills-n-Drills program through our church.  He will join a Rec team this January.  
• I'm still working from home LOVING my job.  Wells Fargo has been so good to me.  I can't complain.
• Nick is still at Principal and loving what he is doing.  Because of his role he got to be in San Antonia this year and take me to Puerto Rico in May.  We met some amazing friends on that trip and are currently planning our next beach vacation to celebrate..... 
• Nick and I celebrated 10 years of Marriage on 11/20.  (Hence, the reason for the beach vacation).  

That's a very high level summary of our year.  Next post... the picture dump from 2014... Stay tuned.