Lots of fun and memory making!!

January 21, 2013
This time of transition is proving to be a time for our family to reconnect, laugh and have fun together and it has been an amazing blessing. We weren't sure what to expect in a house with 7 adults, 1 10 year old, 2 toddlers and a dog... but so far, it's been going great! It's been especially fun to watch the kids spend time with their grandparents and for us to have some time to breathe. The kids went to the park with grandma yesterday and Kyle and I were just able to lounge around together for a few hours... can't remember the last time we did that! It's still an adjustment taking the help but we know we need it. Kyle is loving the time with his dad and brother especially since they all watch football and Syracuse together.

Kyle and I were able to have a date night last week and it was fabulous. The kids had a blast taking a bath in the jacuzzi tub and spending lots of time with grandma while we went out to dinner and just enjoyed some alone time together. Yesterday, we checked out another church that we are really excited about. It's called Community Church Western Branch and it's only about 10 minutes away. It's a lot bigger than we are used to be the people are so incredibly friendly and welcoming. We are hopefully going to do a 10 week workshop if we can get the details worked out and we're also looking forward to joining a small group with other couples. There are families of all ages there and we're excited to see what will be in store for us!

Today we went to the Y to go swim with the kids and had a blast. Alexis said she had "swimming lessons" and Aiden was super excited to use a kick board!! Kyle has a job interview tomorrow and I finally get to meet my new doctor. Full of anticipation about both of those things. My belly is getting HUGE.... Even Ryan commented on how he can tell that the baby is growing!! :)

STUD MUFFIN

COUSINS

COUSINS/FRIENDS :)

Love my MOM!

LOVE!!!

taking a break during the drive to VA

Break while driving...

FIRST DAY OF Preschool at Northern Shores

Get

THIRTY WEEKS!!!!

I will post a few photos from the first day of preschool for Lex here and some other photos that I just uploaded from Christmas too!!!

Preschool for Lex and Storytime for Aiden

January 15, 2013
The day started off with lots of excitement as Alexis was getting ready for school and Aiden and I were heading to storytime at the library (which he called Bible story time). Alexis woke up with so much energy booming into the bathroom letting me know she was ready to get dressed (in the dress she carefully chose last night). I let her know that as soon as I was out of the shower, we'd get her dressed. Then she needed me to put her makeup on. Well, she said I could do the eye stuff and lips (3 different colors) but she'd do her cheeks and spray (4 kinds). She was so excited to go and meet new friends and learn. She grabbed her backpack and ran down the stairs. Grandma had made a delicious breakfast but Lex quickly let her know she wasn't eating at home because she was going to order her breakfast at school. Aiden then noticed the backpack and needed his (for story time) so I grabbed that and he wandered around the house in his coat with his backpack on while Alexis practically danced around getting ready to leave. I must say, I am so grateful for her excitement about school! Last night she had me paint her nails, wash her hair extra good and reminded me she needed to get into bed super quick because she had school. 

Needless to say, she had a great first day. She's not giving me much information about her day but she was all smiles and very tired. Her teacher told me that she fit right in and was a great example to the other kiddos about how to walk quietly in the hallways and she used her as an example twice for the other kids to walk nicely like Alexis was. Aiden loved his storytime at the fabulous new library! The teacher was great and super interactive so I am happy about that too! 

Tonight Kyle is taking them to check out Awana and I'm able to read a book and drink some tea and relax... amazing. Feeling so blessed......

2013 Already?!

I've decided that I really want to make an effort of keeping track of memories because time goes by so very quickly so I am going to try to use this blog to do it (if i can figure it all out). Here we are in January 2013 and boy have things changed! We are currently living in Suffolk, VA with Kyle's parents, Ryan and Garrett. It's such a huge blessing to be able to be here and regroup with the love and support of family after a rough few years. The kids are doing great! They are loving riding their bikes in the 63 degree weather and spending time with family. We are in the process of getting settled in and trying to assemble some structure. This baby girl inside my belly is moving around like crazy and we are so excited to meet her in just under 10 weeks! No official name yet because we can't find anything we agree on. Here are the likes:

Aiden: Jasa, or Rudolph (which Kyle agreed to if she has a shiny nose)

Alexis: Cutie, Alexis #2, Zoe or more recently Layla (after she heard the song in gramma's car)

Kyle: McKenzie, Daphne

Melissa: McKenzie, Madelyn, Madison, Emma, Ella, Sadie

Luckily, we've got time to figure it out and we already told the kids that the doctors might not let us choose certain names :) 

The transition from NH to VA went very smoothly with the love and support of family and friends but it is definitely a bittersweet change. To now be about 10 hours away from my parents and friends/family in CT and 12 hours away from NH "family" and friends still feels surreal. To be honest, I actually miss the cold and snow but do love getting outside with the kids and hearing their sweet laughter as they race on their bikes through the neighborhood. We are excited to be with family here and make some new connections while also exploring a new area. It's quite a change to be in a place where you feel little "urgency"... especially for such high energy, intense people like Kyle and I. Perhaps, it's a change that God wants us to get use to-- to breathe a little more, to sit and wait and be ok with that.....