The Winter that won't go away

So this winter has been nuts, completely crazy and unlike anything I have witnessed or at least remember in my almost 29 years of life. Snow after snow and cold cold temps as in negative degrees multiple days in a row. Our poor furnace has not had a break in almost a month. Just once again makes me really really happy that we are in this house with a 2 year old furnace as opposed to the 22 year old furnace in our old house. 

I love a good snow don't get me wrong, I love that when it is snowing it gets so quiet and the snow seems to keep you warm. Lydia could sled for hours on our hill and it's so much fun. So right now as we are stuck inside with massively cold temps I will remember these first days of winter with fluffy snow and hours of fun!

Reflecting on 2013

2013 as I mentioned in this post at the beginning of the year, brought about a lot of change/excitement/adventure for me and our little family. I think it's important to reflect on where you've been in order to allow yourself to move forward.

Our year started out with some heart break, it sucked quite frankly. We had to say goodbye to our sweet B after only 4 years with him. He was the best and no dog we bring into this family can fill his shoes but we did end 2013 by adding another Golden boy who needed a home, we welcomed Harry and I think him and B would have been buds.

We then bought a house after walking through it one time...we just knew this was the one for us and the God ordained moments to get us to where we are at now is nothing short of miraculous in it's own way. We sold our house before it even went on the market, we live down the street from our family who also happens to be our babysitters/lifesavers. We have had the most snow this winter that I can ever remember and we have a massive sledding hill in our front yard perfect for making memories.

Our little girl turned 3 and we got to celebrate by hosting our first birthday at the new house! She started preschool and is on her 2nd season with dance class.

Matt and I went on the vacation of our dreams to celebrate 5 years of marriage and doing life together as a couple. I am so looking forward to what the next 5 brings, I love him more everyday and am so thankful I said YES 6 years ago when he asked me to marry him.

I left my job and took a new job with the kennel that I grew up working at, it is 1.8 miles from my house and has given me so much time with my kids. It felt like going home, like they are my family and it's where I am supposed to be. It really has been one of the biggest gifts of this year.

Our little guy turned 1 and starting walking and sleeping through the night...although that would be nice if he could start doing that again :)

I traveled to Haiti with my sister and Visiting Orphans, getting to experience what life is like outside of my little comfort zone. It sparked something inside of me, the desire to bring my love for orphan care ministry and for serving others into this house and to our community. To share these stories and pictures with my children so they grow up knowing what goes on outside our neighborhood, outside our country and outside of our "normal" life. I want to spark something inside my kids, something that will give them a desire to be world changers, to live for the one who has given us all we are blessed with and to share that with others.

We hosted our first Christmas and opened our doors to friends and family, already allowing this home to be so much more than just a roof over our heads but a place to live life together and make memories.

My heart is so full after this last year, it feels ready to settle into this new place we are in but at the same time I don't want to get to comfortable, I want to be ready to jump up and scream YES if we feel called to make changes or make big leaps.

Thank you 2013...Welcome 2014 Let's Do This!

Christmas Recap In the House

We are slowly coming up for air, out of the blur and fog of hosting friends and family for holiday meals, drinks and game nights. Our holiday was full of love, chaos, laughter, tears, snot, late nights, marathons of Muppet Christmas Carol, early mornings, snot and did I mention snot??

Through all the sleep depervation that comes with sick kids, the constant med giving, nose wiping, and cuddles that only mom can give we were able to feel so loved and blessed. When I look back at the holidays this year I just feel really really grateful and thankful for all those that God has put in my life. Not just our family but our friends, good friends who were in town and loved our kids and us so well.

Some "always" moments, things that we "always" do and still did this year were:

- Christmas at the zoo with my parents, they buy our membership for us every year and as a thank you and a fun way to celebrate the holidays with them we take them to Christmas at the zoo with us. It was a HIT and almost 50 degrees out which was awesome.

- We attended the annual viewing of It's a Wonderful Life with Matt's family.

- Christmas Eve at my Grandma's, the last one in her current home, the home we've been celebrating in for 20 some years, it's bittersweet but I am so happy she is moving just down the street from us.

 - Christmas morning breakfast at our house with my family. I love that my mom brings breakfast and we get to spend the morning with them. It's so special having my parents and sister and brother here with us.

New this year was that we actually hosted Christmas Day, it was exhausting but so good for the kids. They didn't have to leave the house or their pj's! Another new occurance this year, the stand mixer that has been hiding for 5 years, I got it out 3 times this Christmas season!! My husband is a happy man :)

I also don't want to forget the message I heard on Christmas Eve this year (my sister in law stayed with our kids so we could go and not have to wrestle sick kids at 10 pm, best gift ever!)

As believers we need to take Christmas as a breath of fresh air, a fresh start. This world is weary and we are weary with all that life throws at us but as believers we need to remember to be a people of HOPE. We have HOPE because of Jesus!

**side note, Garrett is not a paci kid he only uses it at night but poor guy was so sick, so we will forever remember the year Garrett was not feeling himself and wouldn't let us take it out of his mouth for pictures, pretty sure I need to burn that one!