A Look Back

I can't help but look back on this year & feel so grateful. God answered so many prayers & blessed us so richly.

Starting in January when we very unexpectedly found out that I was pregnant! It took me a long time to get used to the idea (I remember saying to Ryan the entire time....."I can't believe I'm pregnant" even on the way to the hospital(in September) I said "I can't believe we are about to have another baby") And after getting to know our newest addition its easy to see that God had a perfect plan for our family.

In February we were FINALLY able to say goodbye to our house in PA (which we had not lived in for 19months). When we bought the house, I had my apprehensions but was sick of being in an apartment & didnt listen to that little voice (Holy Spirit) telling me to wait. We lost alot of money on that house but it was a lesson that will stick with me AND in the long run helped me in purchasing our home we are in now. You see, my good friend & realtor looked for over 9months for our home now & I think I may have given in & just bought something (we were on a baby deadline you know) but we held out until we knew for sure we were purchasing the right house.

I guess you could say things "settled down" in the spring but we were just busy bees & I worked & packed up my house in the summer.

My nephew Hutson was born in March....kicking off the first of FOUR babies that would be born to our family in 2010

We put an offer on our house the weekend of my birthday (end of July) but didnt close on it until October. Ryan & I also took a much needed "babymoon". My parents got us a room at the HardRock & I thought we would gamble/eat/pool etc. We literally stayed in bed/slept late & lounged around for 2 days. It was GREAT!!!

August was packed full of realtor paperwork, new job (Ryan) & baby Miles(my sister Lindsay's baby).

On the first of September we welcomed Abigail Ruth (my other sister's baby) & Jude was the last of the four born this year. We also FINALLY closed on our house at the end of the month (Jude was 2 weeks old).

Left to right: Miles, Abby & Jude

Be back with a post looking forward

Christmas

We left candy for Santa & celery for the reindeer!!!!

Made our own Reindeer Christmas cards this year!

Recycled a totally awesome reindeer that my grandmother made (don't even know how many years ago) I LOVE LOVE this guy!!!!

Added a new stocking to the mix(in the new house!!!)

I can't help but feel so blessed this season & so grateful for my family, health & the real reason for Christmas....JESUS! Will be back soon with some more on our holiday season & new traditions! Merry Christmas!

Miracle on Fulton St

We went to Miracle on Fulton St. last weekend to see the "snow". We had a great time with friends! We enjoyed dinner outdoors at Ernst Cafe, listened to Bucktown Allstars, saw Santa's reindeer.

Mommy & Jude

Mommy & Audie (December 2008)

Yeah I think they look alike!

House in Progress Part I (As Promised oh so long ago)

I know I've been promising this for awhile but you know, I've been busy with an infant, 2yr old hubby & actually trying to keep my sanity while putting our new house together (which needed(and still needs) alot of work anyway).

On the list of things crossed off are: (most of them were done in a little over a week)
Paint entire house (including ceilings & closets) (oh & there was a TON of wallpaper which we ended up kilzing & painting over)
Get all new appliances (not an option, the house did not come with any-not even a dishwasher)
Cut out cabinets & install dishwasher
Replace Water Heater
Replace carpets in Jude's room
Replace floors in living room
Replace vanity in half bath
Remove all ac vents to clean & spray paint white to freshen them up
Paint "porch"
Wire back porch for lights
Landscaping
Mailbox
And don't forget all the decorating!!!

On the list of things still left to do (you may be here awhile)
Decide on & purchase a chandelier for foyer

Eventually:
Facelift on Kitchen
Replace Countertops
Add some more cabinet/counter space
Replace hardware throughout the entire house (we are talking all knobs/door handles, faucets)Enclose raised part of house (or at least partially)

Complete overhaul on masterbath
Enclose the screened in backporch

WAYYYYY down the road: pool & guesthouse (a girl can dream)

Here are some pics of our progress:

Audrey's room (paint job & furnishings) before is above; after is below

Master bedroom (paint & furnishings)

Living room (paint, floors & furnishings)

Kitchen: install all appliances, remove last two cabinets to put dishwasher, install dishwasher, put in small cabinet, paint, remove backplates of cabinet knobs & painted knobs)

Jude's room (paint, carpets & still working on the furnishings)

Hallway (paint-still need chandelier)

Thankful

I'm Thankful for:

My lil turkey's

Happy, Healthy Family

Cousin born close together

View from my front porch



my sweet girl

happy boy

I am incredible grateful this year! We were able to sell our home in PA (after almost 2years). We welcomed a beautiful new baby into our family (4 new lil one's into our extended family). Ryan got the job he has been dreaming of since we moved home & we were finally able to buy a new home & get settle (after being home 2years). I am also thankful everyday for such a wonderful husband who models good parenting, love & hard work for me & my babies.

The past two years have been a struggle but the Lord has been faithful to us & never left our side. Thank you!

Zoo Fun

Audrey's best friend Amelie with her Papa & Audrey & Daddy
Best Friends!

We headed to the zoo when the first fall weekend hit (too bad its hot again). Audrey's best buddie Amelie (they are a month apart) joined us with her parents & new baby brother, Max, who is just 3 days younger than Jude. Jess & I went thru pregnancy together & thank goodness for her because I dont like to go thru that alone (last time I was pregnant at the same time as my sister-in-law...our kids are just 2 weeks apart). Anyway, Jess has become one of my best friends, such a sincere, kind hearted person. I love this pic bc all our kids are mixed up & we dont seem to even notice.

I'm changing our name

I think I may change our blog name from "and one more makes four" to..."better late than never" :)
Seems like I am always trying to play catchup & keep you posted on what we are doing. Here are a few of our Halloween pics. We almost didn't do anything because Audrey had a cold & I really didn't even think about a costume...But our Grammy came thru for us the day before & got two really cute costumes! We just went to Nana's (my mom) w/ Grammy & took Audie around the block in the wagon. We probably spent a total of an hour trick or treating...but it was perfect for Audrey!

Audrey was the cutest lil bee & Jude was Mike the Tiger (more like tiger cub:)

Playdate with Jesus

Our new house has a tin roof. Everyone kept asking "have you slept under it in the rain yet?" It seemed like an odd question but made a mental note to "sleep under it in the rain". I went to get Audrey from her nap yesterday (sidenote:in her big girl bed!) & layed down with her only to discover that the rain was coming down pretty hard. AHHHHHHHH now I get it!!!!
The sound of the rain hitting the roof is the most calming sweet pitterpatter sound. So I say to Audrey, "do you hear the rain? .....it sounds like Jesus is playing the drums on our roof". Audrey decided she wanted to see the rain so we went downstairs to look out the window. We look out the window & as she was standing there I turned to do something (I get distracted easy:) Anyway a few minutes later I hear:

Audrey: drums Jesus
me: Are you playing the drums with Jesus
Audrey: Yeah, Jesus (as she is beating her drums, raising her hands in the air & singing "Jesus")

I walk to the window & look out at the rain only to see the most beautiful, brightest rainbow I have ever seen RIGHT in front of our window (note: it was NOT there 5 seconds ago when I brought her down to "see the rain"). I swear at that moment Jesus himself had come down to play with His child & I would not be surprised at all if she could actually see Him. I was SO overwhelmed with His love for us & could feel the Holy Spirit in our house & all around us! I opened the door so we could go on the porch (and just had the urge to get as close as we could to the rainbow) then ran to get my camera. When I got back the rainbow had dimmed but I was able to catch it as it faded away. I was also able to catch Audrey playing the drums with Jesus!

From the lips of children & infants you have ordained praise Psalms 8:2 (NIV)

See to it that you do not despise (look down on)one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always have access to my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:10 (NASB)

Let the little children come & do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Mark 10:14

but bring them (children) up in the discipline & instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 (ESV)

On another of my favorite topics....our lil man has started smiling (on purpose)....this pic below isnt great (took with my cell phone) but I couldn't help document one of his first directed smiles.

Also, I'll have you know that we have gotten more serious about the schedule & he is doing great. I am still trying to figure out his "reflux/colic". I'm not convinced that is whats going on (hence the parenthesis). I've tried feeding him ever 2 1/2 hours so that he will take a little less & not spit up but it seems to make him spit up more (he does sleep better at night though bc he gets an extra feeding in during the day). He does better with his spitting up if he eats every 3 hours but then I am getting up to feed him in the middle of the night. I still count my blessings bc he is a really good, sweet baby that I am really only getting up once a night with (at 6 weeks, I think thats pretty good). Anyway, I'm rambling....we love this little man! He is the absolute perfect addition to our family! (and I think he looks like his daddy??:)