Mommy's Musings

Today is the last day of 2012... I know that's not news to anyone but it is just crazy to think that the year is almost over.

Last year for Christmas, my parents gave us a blessing jar. We've been able to write down special events, moments, gifts etc that we have been blessed by! What a wonderful way to see God's hand at work in our lives!  We didn't write down everything, although I wish we would have, our blessing jar would be overflowing!

I am a worrier, and with all the changes going on in our country it is hard at times for me to remember WHO is really in control! This next year I want to do better, I want to really see His blessings in my life (mundane as it may seem at times). I don't want to be so filled with worry and anxiousness that I miss the everyday blessings He sends my way. 

So, for 2013, I am committing to filling up our blessing jar! Yes, big blessings are easy to find, but I want to find joy in the little blessings, like baby giggles, hearing "I love you" from my kiddos etc.

If you haven't read Ann Voskamps book "One Thousand Gifts" I would encourage you to pick it up, it's all about finding blessings in the ordinary!

I will leave you with the lyrics to one of my favorite songs:

Don't you worry about anything,
Instead pray about everything.
Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.
And the peace of God,
Far beyond what we can understand
Will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.

Where will you find your blessings in 2013? Write them down, even the small things, you'll be amazed at what God uses to work in your life!

Reflecting on 2012 - Preparing for 2013

Yikes, the year is almost over... excited to see what the new year will bring for our family!  This post will catch you up, from Thanksgiving until Christmas, we've been busy!

 

Our super smiley girl!

Amelia is "being like daddy" with her Starbucks cup full of whipped cream - she assured us that it was real coffee though!

So proud of Amelia, I told her the order of letters, but she wrote them all by herself!

Let me introduce you to the new system in our house!  This has seriously eliminated all arguments about clothes.  I was so sick of the girls wearing the same Tinkerbell shirt and jeans so I was picking out there outfits, we would all end up in tears because they didn't like what I picked.  So now, every Saturday I fill up the shelves with 6 outfits (their church dresses hang) and every morning they get their clothes out, and get dressed without complaint!  Why didn't I do this sooner!?

A new favorite "treat" for the kids is having grapefruit for breakfast... 

Abram and Soph both got their first hair cuts thanks to auntie Cara!

Celia actually learning to enjoy her car seat!

 Amelia enjoying her first year of ballet class

Learning to play together when mommy is busy with Celia.. today they were having a picnic!

A new family favorite (we try to do it once a month) - make your own pizza night!

 

Abram's newest favorite passtime - coloring - he didn't color the bird though, I think big sister did that!

CHRISTMAS 2012!

The girls and their gingerbread house!

The girls decorating the tree!

All decorated!

We played some minute to win it games this year during our family party... everybody had lots of fun!

         Tim, trying to get a cookie from him forehead to his mouth!

All the kiddos gettin' grammy!

Grammy organized a live nativity reenactment for our viewing pleasure!  Amelia was the sheep and Soph was a wise man!

all the cousins (minus Abram and Celia) doing their play!

We all went in together and got mom a replacement Advent wreath since her original one broke... a special tradition in our family!

This year Sophia was old enough to help papa light one of the coveted 5 candles!

Daddy helping Abram open his Christmas jammies!

Sophia opening her new cabbage patch doll Kiya!

Amelia opening her new cabbage patch baby Birdie!

Christmas morning, opening stockings!

Abram got a set of Weebles for Christmas, they are the favorite toy this year!

All 3 of the kiddos playing with the Weeble tree, hopefully learning to share!  

Amelia playing with her Christmas present - magnetic dolls!

Sophia got a giant box of princess dresses for dress up for Christmas!

Our little bug turned 3 months already, I'm packing up the newborn/0-3 month clothes and getting out the 6 month stuff.  She is such a happy baby, sleeping great, taking good naps during the day, LOVING her new jumper and to watch her brother and sisters chase each other around the house!  So thankful for our 4th littlest blessing!

 Tim and I also celebrated 6 years of marriage this month!  What a blessed 6 years it's been, a new house, 4 beautiful babies and many other countless blessings for our family!

 

This is how I plan to spend a good part of my afternoon tomorrow ... hot cup of coffee and my planning journal...gotta see how far "behind" we are! We'll be starting school up again in one week after daddy goes back to work!  Time to get crackin'!

 

Coming January 1, 2013 I'll be posting our new school schedule and will be getting back to three posts a week so stay tuned!

Mondays: Mommy's Musings

Tuesdays/Wednesdays: Teaching Toddlers

Fridays: Our Week of Family Photos!

 

Hope you all had a blessed Christmas and have a wonderful New Year!

Catch up in pictures!

 

Soph holding baby Celia

                                                Abram checking out his new sister!

                                         Amelia wouldn't hold Celia but she gave her a kiss!

                                             All four!  This is about as good as it gets!

                                               A very tired mommy with new baby Celia!

                                              One of Abrams newest loves!  READING!

                                   THE ONLY one of our kids who actually enjoyed her first bath!

                                                      Looking like her sisters!

                                                                My 3 precious girlies!

                                                  Celebrating Amelia's 4th birthday!

                         Her princess cake (ignore all the dishes on the counter in the background :) )

                                   Growing so fast!  2months, 11pounds 2 oz, 22.25inches long

So you are caught up to November anyway, December pictures coming later! 

YIKES... Long time no blog!

Well, I'm not sure where the last 3 months have gone.  We've been busy as ever, trying to adjust to life as a family of 6!  (did I mention that we haven't had working internet for the whole time too?  other than on my phone - slightly difficult to update the blog from my 2in screen phone!)

This year is flying by... Celia will be 3 months next week, Amelia turned 4 in November, and Sophia and Abram are in total toddler mode! 

We're still working on school with Amelia, but we've cut back a lot since Celia was born!  Amelia is working really hard at writing her letters though, and we do lots of counting games, but we're taking a break from the "Sit down at the table" type of work.  The goal is to have Celia taking actual naps in her bed (as opposed to in my arms) by January, thus making it easier to have a better "school schedule!"

Tim and I will be celebrating our 6th anniversary this Saturday!  God has blessed me abundantly that's for sure!  Looking back, 6 years ago today I was working full time, in school full time, planning a wedding, living at home and looking forward to a life with Tim!  Now, 6 years later, I'm working full time as a mommy, planning preschool lessons and meals, living in a wonderful neighborhood and looking forward to the day I get a full night of sleep!  How life changes!

Now that we have working internet again I will be getting back to a regular posting schedule, complete with pictures!  :)  Until next time!