Update on Us

So, you will find several postings below to update our family over the past two months. They are slightly out of order; sorry for that. My goal for the new year is to stay in touch and WRITE IT DOWN! I will be diligantly keeping a better journal. For now, here is an update.

Katie is now four months old and loves to "talk" to us. (She especially loves her daddy!) She smiles all the time and is very easy going. She loves to be held still, but also loves to roll around on the floor. She is very intrigued by her big brother and watches him all the time. I put her on the bathroom scale yesterday just out of curiosity. She weighs 16lbs according to it. I am not sure if that is all accurate, but I would believe it! She has gotten to be so chunky! I love it!! I cannot wait to hear what she has to tell us.

Keldon is doing very well. He also talks nonstop. He loves to talk on the phone. It is great how many random things that boy can come up with in a matter of 10 minutes or so. It is great! He is still very active and loves being outside. Luckily we are in Texas were it was in the high 60's today! He is going to start preschool two days a week in January. I think he will really enjoy being with other kids on a consistent basis. I cannot believe he is already going to be 5. I have just been in denial that he is going to kindergarten in August. I am not sure that I am ready to part with him. I love knowing what he is doing all day. I am sad just thinking about how much I will miss him during the day! He is my greatest joy and my greatest challenge at the same time. He has such a strong spirit about him. I am working hard to steer it towards good. I know he will do great things in his life.

Michael works from home now full time. He is enjoying being here. I do, most days. Sometimes though, I just want him to get dressed and leave for work. It would help us be on a better schedule! Oh well. I get to have more mommy time during the day. I am very thankful for that.

As for me, I love being a mommy. I love having the opportunity right now to just be raising my children. I could not have it any other way. I will be starting back to school next month. I am just taking a few night classes. I am thinking that I will go back to school fulltime in the fall, but I don't know yet. I do not want to miss Katie growing up. I want to be the mom that is there and helping out in the classroom. I want Keldon to come home and have me here so I can catchup on all the things I missed while he was away. (sorry, slightly teary right now!) Okay, sorry, I think I am still a little out of balance hormonally! I love my family and try everyday to make the best of what we have and the time we share together.

Katie's Room

So, we never really decorated Katie's nursery. I feel kindof bad about that. We just have been so busy and I did not know what I wanted to do in her room. It is finally almost done. A friend of mine and I got some wooden letters and decorated them for our kid's rooms. Katie's turned out so cute. (The picture does not do it justice) I think we might put these up for sale as well, once our flowers take off (or if we magically find more time in the day!). I will get a picture of her whole room soon. I just hung some pictures on the wall this week and need to hang the shelves.

Keldon

It is so great to see Keldon pretending. He loves to dress up and gets totally into character. It reminds me that he is still such a young guy. He is growing up mighty fast these days.

Cookies for Santa

Keldon insisted that we bring a plate of cookies to Santa. We met him at the YMCA one morning and had breakfast with him. Keldon LOVED it. Everyone thought he was just so thoughtful to bring Santa cookies. I love seeing this side of Keldon, the generous, thoughtful side. It is great to know that he will be a well rounded person. I thinking of these moments with we are having the extreme opposite!

Christmas Traditions

So, we are always trying to incorporate new and old traditions into our celebration at Christmas time. This year we decided Keldon was old enough to put baby Jesus in the manger of our nativity. He really enoyed it. He also enjoyed hearing the story over and over. I was very proud of his understand of the true meaning of Christmas.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving at the Martin's (Anna's parents) home. It was very nice. There was lots of great food and the kids had fun playing as always. The girls also got to sneak off to a movie (Twilight of course!)without any kids (including babies). Thanks so much to our guys for giving us those two hours off. It was so great, I only took one picture! Sorry guys.

Keldon's Food Drive

In November, Keldon went around our neighborhood collecting food for the food bank. He pulled his red wagon and looked oh so cute. He really enjoyed doing it and sincerely wanted to get food for "the little boys and girls that don't have any" (as he told each person he met). A couple of friends helped as well. We collected 60lbs in two evenings. The people at the food bank were so impressed with the kids. Here are a few pictures from there.

Brenham Trip

We took a little trip to Brenham, Texas to visit Michael's family for Thanksgiving. We had a lot of fun seeing everyone. We also got to tour the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory. Keldon really loved that!

Post Holiday Update

These are some pictures I took for my new business. The company is called Bloomin' Babes. You can view our products at: http://www.bloominbabes.blogspot.com/

Katie enjoyed watching everyone open gifts on Christmas morning.

Keldon checking out his stocking!

Katie was so snuggly warm on Christmas Eve thanks to the new jammies from Grandma Carla.

On Christmas Eve, we went to Dan and Anna's to celebrate.

Nathan had fun playing with his train on Christmas Eve.

Keldon also enjoys Nathan's train set.

Natalie looked pretty as always!

Tyler really enjoyed the food!

Anna and her dad preparing food

Michael helped me take a few pictures of me and the kids before heading out for Christmas Eve.

Katie looking so cute. Yes, those are her zebra socks!

Katie looked so beautiful in her Christmas dress.

It is hard to get good pictures with two kids! This is the best I got.

Keldon was very cooperative this morning while taking pictures.

This is one of my favorites. He just looks so grown up!

Katie at 3 months old

Katie at three months old again.

Keldon is just a happy kid (most of the time)

Katie is a very good baby. She is happy and content with life.

Katie enjoying Keldon's soccer game.

Keldon's soccer season ended well. He was doing much better by the end of the season. He is excited to be starting basketball in January!

Katie in the Sink

One day I was getting ready to bathe Katie in the tub when it occured to me that she totally fit in the sink. I promptly ran for my camera and posed her in the sink. She then resumed her bath in the tub!