Big Changes

Today is moving day round 1 for our little family.  I was reading back on my blog the other day, and realized that when I was pregnant with Caleb we moved when I was 31 weeks.  I am currently 33 weeks. Why I do this to myself I do not know, but at least I can get out of carrying anything heavy....(who am I kidding I wouldn't carry heavy stuff even if I was not pregnant).  After a little over a year of living with the in laws, and dealing with the ups and downs of trying to buy a home, we have decided to rent again for a year. It wasn't our initial plan when we began this journey, but it makes the most sense for our family at this time.  We are going to re-evaluate where we stand in terms of loans in a year, and possibly buy then.  However, for now we have found a great rental that is only 3 minutes from the kids school!!! Can I get a hallelujah praise Jesus.  I will not miss the 30 minute commute to school at all.  I am eternally grateful for my in laws and for my dad for helping us throughout this year of chaos, we don't know what we would do without them.  However, I am very excited to get back in our own home, and make some sweet new memories with the kids.  The huge task of trying to get everything organized before Paxton arrives is weighing heavy on my shoulders, but I know it will be fine.

In other news we had our maternity pics taken on Saturday.  I got the snow I longed for, and I froze my butt off.  However, our photographer has posted 2 sneaks, so it looks like my freezing paid off.  Everyone else was very bundled, and the kids only participated for about 10 minutes, but it looks like we got some great shots. I am dying to see the rest!! If you are local IC Photography is a great choice!

Christmas 2013

We did not travel at all for Christmas this year, and it was amazing.  No rushing, no stress, it was awesome.

Christmas Eve the kids and I spent the morning at home with Nick. The kids were thrilled because they were allowed to play with and hold our elf, Leonardo, on his last day with us.  I told them that he flew back with Santa on Christmas Eve, so he didn't need his magic.  I think it really helped with the goodbye process, because at first they were very sad that he would be heading back to the North Pole.   I let the kids open their presents from Grammy, and they enjoyed some time playing with them.  We then baked a birthday cake for Jesus, blew up some balloons, and I let the kids decorate the cake.  They had fun singing to him and eating his birthday cake.  It was then time for our Christmas Eve service at church.  Kids attended the candlelit service, and the church provided glow sticks for them so they could feel included.  The service was very kid friendly, and my kids really seemed to enjoy it.  After church we came home for Nick's family Christmas.  All his aunts and uncles come to his parents for Christmas Eve.  My kids had a blast playing with their cousins, and exchanging their gifts.  It was then time to put out "birthday cake" and milk for Santa.

Christmas morning the kids slept until 9:30.  I laid in bed forever waiting for them to come out.  Once they did, we opened stockings and then headed upstairs to see what Santa brought.  Caleb was all about it...Mckinlee was pretty stand offish.  He favorite part of Christmas morning was opening gifts. She didn't care what was in them, she just wanted more presents to open.  I joked that I should have just wrapped empty boxes for her.  Caleb on the other hand was thrilled with all of his gifts, and his candy.  At one point he lined all his candy up in a color coordinated line, and worked his way down the line until it was all gone.

Nick's mom always has a Christmas jammies theme, and this year it was super heroes.  We took our obligatory pictures in front of the tree, had an amazing breakfast, and spent the rest of our day in our jammies, playing games and eating.  Christmas night the kids had a sleepover in their new tent from Santa.

We celebrated with my dad and his girlfriend this week.  My kids loved all their presents from them.  Unfortunately my pictures from the gift exchange did not turn out :(.

It was a great last Christmas as a family of four. Next year, this little bundle will be here to join us.