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.  

Mother's Day Pondering .....

For anyone who knows me its no secret that I love following the Duggar family from Arkansas.  If you aren't sure who they are ... they are the family who have 19 children (and 3 grandchildren).  When I first heard about this family I was actually kind of annoyed.  At the time I really wanted to have a child and just could not understand how one family could just keep having kids....  It just bothered me.  However, in the last year I've started watching their show and now reading the books that this family has written.  My feelings have totally changed.  I'm in awe of their values, beliefs and how they choose to lead their family.  On the plane today back from San Juan I started reading Growing up Duggar, which is written by the 4 oldest Duggar girls.  Their advice for young girls is spot on.  They hit on major topics like; relationship with yourself, with your parents, friends and with the person who you are supposed to spend your life with.  In addition to reading this book I've also finished the books that Jim Bob and Michelle have written.  What I'm taking away from all of this is that I want the relationship with Birk and Addy that this large family has with each other.  I want to teach my children how to fully communicate with Nick and I.  I want it to be totally acceptable for them to share with us, to cry in front of or with us.  To trust us with their hearts and know that we will always be there for them.  But most of all I want to teach them to have a servants heart and to love Jesus more than you love yourself.  This is what life is all about.  It is finding ways to serve others and to bring the joy of Jesus to those that we come into contact with.  To pray for and with others and to be proud and thankful for all that we've been given.  I want to teach Birk that he is a strong man who can be faithful and be the head of a family someday.  I want him to be proud of the God given talents he has been given.  I want to foster those for him and support the decisions that he makes in his life.  I want to teach Addy that she is beautiful inside and out.  It doesn't matter if she has the perfect hair, outfit or hobbies ... it is how she chooses to keep her heart focused on Jesus that really counts.  Its about surrounding yourself with others who have this same mindset.

As I sit here pondering all the fortune I've been given (family, friends, faith).... I'm humbled that on this Mothers Day, I get the gift of being a Mom.  I get to choose to raise my kids serving a mighty God.  They can be anything they want, go anywhere they want and if we as a family put our faith first we can help change lives and teach others what TRUE happiness looks like.

Happy Mothers' Day to all Mother's today.  Many blessings on each day that you travel this journey of motherhood....  You're doing an amazing job (even though its hard sometimes).  Keep your eye on the prize ... children who turn to adults who are beyond amazing.  :-)

God Bless!!!
Jenny

Wesley Downing

We had the opportunity to meet our dear friends' the Downings newest little miracle.  Wesley Downing was born a few weeks early, but is doing great.  Thanks for Jeff and Kelli for letting us take care of Kalynne while you delivered sweet Wesley.  Here are some pictures of our meet-n-greet today!!!