Friday, December 31, 2010

Last post of 2010!

Wow! This year has been a year! I have to say while it has been a good one I am ready for it to be over as it is one year closer to graduation! I have been feeling frusterated with school and am ready for Wade and I to be done! But that is not what this post is about today.
God has shown his faithfulness this year in many ways. Since 2007, when Wade got out of the Army, we have had a struggle financially. This last semester has been even harder because Wade's GI bill ran out and we had even less to live on. But through it all god has been faithful and provided us with our needs. It is hard to constantly live on faith though!
The girls have grown so much this year! Ainsley is in 2nd grade and learning that not everyone will always like you. Like her momma she has a hard time with that one! Renah started kindergarten and loves it so much. She is excelling in her work and thanks to her dad is the poster child for a strong will! Mackenzie went from an infant this time last year to a walking, babbling toddler. She has the best personality and the ablity to cheer anyone up!
I don't like New Year's resolutions but I do believe this is a good time to make some changes. I am trying to be more organized, better with the house. I'm tired of the clutter! I want to be a better wife and mother, "Quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. " James 1:19 I do want to have better time management so we all don't suffer when I can't get things done! I want to get to the gym more and of course be the one on how to be in three places at once, need no sleep and find more hours in the day! Ha Ha! But really I do hope this new year bring about more quality time with the people I love.
I hope 2010 has been good to you and your family and if not, remember what you have learned and move on. It's a fresh start so don't bring your old junk into it! Have a wonderful new Year!!!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Christmas 2010







I hope you had a great Christmas. We got a huge surprise Christmas morning - SNOW! My husband says we have had a white Christmas before but I don't remember having one ever. I think I was more excited about it than the girls! I would look outside and see the snow falling and smile. I loved it! I didn't get a lot of pictures Chistmas morning as I was helping Mackenzie and enjoying watching the girls. I do have their christmas Eve picture of all of them in their Christmas jammies. Ainsley and Renah have been wanting footie jammies for awhile now. I have been searching for them all over the place and finally found them. The best part is I found them in exactly what they wanted. Ainsley wasnted peace signs and Renah wanted monkeys. I was so glad I found them and to have found exactly what they wanted was God. I love how He wants to give us the desire of our hearts even in the smallest things. So here are some pictures of Christmas Eve and some of Mackenzie in the snow (Wade has the other ones)! Have a great last week of 2010!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Christmas gifts

During this time of year I think most of us stress over a lot of things. I know my shortlist of things would include: finals, money, Christmas, dirty house, papers... These things weigh on me and make it hard to enjoy the season. The last few months have been difficult financially but I have to give all credit to God and tell you that He has come though on more than one occasion to bless us in one way or another and I am so grateful that we are able to give our girls a nice Christmas and pay our bills. Wade and I do not have jobs right now as we feel this is what God wants for us right now and He has come through everytime we have needed Him.
He has given us not only monitary things but this year I was given a wonderful gift from God. This year I met an amazing couple that have adopted me and my family. This wonderful lady has become a mother to me and a grandmother to my girls. She makes me feel loved and accepted and while I had a close relationship with my dad, he died almost 4 years ago and I miss that fatherly bond and with her husband I have that. I think this is one of the things I am most thankful for this year. This is a desire I have had for so long and supressed it so as not to feel disappointed but God in His goodness gave this to me and I am so glad. So this year if you have someone who loves you unconditionally, be thankful and if you do not don't give up.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Happenings




Well, with the phone change we have had going on around here I don't have my Thanksgiving pics on my computer but I have some cute shots of the girls from one of the many Christmas parties we had last night. Enjoy!


Monday, November 15, 2010

Just keep swimming...

Oh the joys of this time of year and getting your Master's. There is so much going on and all I want to do is make crafts and decorate. I have to constantly remind myself that we are doing what God has told us to do, but sometimes Wade and I are both ready to quit! I am just feeling overwhelmed with school deadlines, household chores, church obligations and trying to be a good wife and mom - somedays everything falls and other days I can juggle a few things well. I try to work ahead on so many things but it doesn't happen enough. I need a clone or two to get this all done! Sorry, I had to get that out, now I have to start on another paper. Hope your stress level is manageable!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day and what would have been my dad's 71st birthday. I used to think it was cool he was born on Veteran's Day and was a veteran and told him once, he then said, "It wasn't Veteran's Day when I was born, that happened many years later" I couldn't believe it! My thoughts were that holiday's were created in the beginning of time! Anyway - I am very thankful for those who have served. I have a heritage of military service, my grandfather was in the Navy and fought in WWII, my dad was in the Army and served during the cold war as did my brother, my husband served in the Army and fought during Iraqi Freedom, his dad was in the Army and fought in Vietnam as well as his grandfather in WWII. I was certain I was not going to marry a guy in the military because I didn't want that lifestyle but God had other plans. And I am so glad He did. I loved our 8 years in the Army and cannot wait for Wade to get back in. I love the Army lifestyle and God has given us a burden to serve them. So today I salute my husband and all those who have served. I am thankful for our freedoms that so many have paid such sacrifices for my freedom.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Trick or Treat!










We had a busy weekend of the pumpkin patch (no pics right now because it wasn't my camera) Gatlinburg and the trunk or treat at church. Today the girls stayed home from school because of viral junk they have had, Mackenzie has an ear infection and I had a migraine all day. So we have taken it easy all day. They have tomorrow off as wekk due to a teacher workday. it hink it is good for them to get the rest though.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Pictures and boredom





























I am in class right now and cannot concentrate so I decided to post a few pictures of my babies! Wow these pictures are all over the place! Let me try and explain them: 1. A sweet girl who goes to the college here in town is an amazing photographer and took this of my girls 2. Renah's first day of school - she was so excited! 3. and 4. both taken by the same girl as the first one - love her work!(and the subjects!) 5. Ainsley's first day - not quite as excited as Renah in fact she cried and she has never done that before. It nearly broke my heart! 6. At church on game day in her TN shirt (no we are not Tn fans but it was what we could find!) &. mackenzie on game day in her cheerleading uniform - her poppa really wanted to get it for her and she was so cute in it!
We are thankfully going out of town for staff retreat this weekend. We didn't get to take a vacation this year so we need some time away! Nana is keeping the girls for 3 days for Wade and I and next weekend we have a chaplain candidate retreat also in Gatlinburg and actually in the same cabin as the one this weekend but we are taking the girls with us then. I am just excited to get away for a few days!
It's almost break time!! I am having a difficult time listening due to the subject matter - it's theology and this overloads my brain. I am not wired for this!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

2nd try




Mackenzie Grace turns 1!

Today Mackenzie turned one and she celebrated in style! Hopefully the pictures from Face book post! If not I will try later. She has 6 teeth and is walking and is still one of the sweetest babies ever! We are so blessed to have her in our lives.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Whoosh!




Did you see that? That was July and really the whole summer speeding by! I don't know what happened, I fell asleep and woke up and school was starting again. My Ainsley started 2nd grade and today my Renah had her phase in day for kindergarten! Yes, I cried both days! We had a busy summer, we moved into a different neighborhood and into a house with A/C!!! We were roasting and with the heat climbing lately into the 100's I am so glad we are out of the old house. The day we moved out it was 115 upstairs!
The new house is in a new school district and I think I'm having a harder time adjusting than the girls. I miss the old school and their policies but I know I will adjust. We are really enjoying the new place and while it is roomy it is smaller than the last place but feels very homey. Wade is doing some shuttling for the college and my older girls are as I said in school so it is just Mackenzie and me today. I did a few things is morning but am about to get started on some cleaning, I just wanted to take a few minutes while Mac enjoys her snack to update my blog. Here are some pictures of the first day of school and one of my little Mackenzie. (I wish it would upload the same way I put them in!)

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

3 girls?

My son would have been 15 months old by now. Seeing little boys at the age he would be always makes my heart ache. Then looking at my Mackenzie makes me so thankful for her and her life. Being a mom to 3 girls gets a lot of comments just as a mom to all boys or a mom with kids very close in age I'm sure gets. Almost every time we go out someone makes the comment about me having all girls and no boys. I usually smile and nod but not Ainsley and Renah (especially Ainsley). They always tells them "No, I have a brother!" Then they proceed to tell them that he either died or lives in heaven. The person usually looks at me with that look of sorrow and pity, smiles at the girls and walks away.
Ainsley for awhile got upset with me because she felt like I was forgetting him. I didn't tell her that not a day goes by when I don't think of my son and what he would be like or look like. I didn't tell her that my arms will always ache for him or that every family picture will be incomplete. Instead I tried to explain to her that it's hard to tell everyone I meet that I have a son who isn't with us because it makes me sad to. She said she understood and now takes it upon herself to tell anyone who asks and sometimes those who don't.
I feel bad for the people when she tells them because you know it isn't what they expect to hear, but at the same time I am glad she remembers her brother, though she never met him. She loves him and includes him in my count of children and in my mother in law's count of grandchildren.
I wish I did not belong to this club of mothers. I wish I didn't get that feeling of dread when someone tells me they are pregnant for fear that they may become part of this club. I hate that fear. I hope my girls eventually do understand why it isn't my conversation starter, but I also hope they always remember him.

Monday, June 21, 2010

1st day of summer!

Wow it was hot today! First day of summer and it hit 100 degrees! We hit the pool! When I woke up this morning I contemplated going to the Y to work out then take the girls swiming in the wonderful pool but remembered that Mackenzie has a cough and while the Dr said she is fine and not contagious the child watch people don't believe me and will call me from my work out after the first cough. So instead I knew I had some errands to run, but I told the girls to get their suits on and if they didn't ask me over and over when we were going to the pool, we could go after we did the errands.
They did great and it worked out that Wade could join us! Unfortunately, our sunscreen must be old and did not work so we all got burned, except Mackenzie who was under her shaded flotie most of the time. This is the girls first real burn and I feel so bad! But I did slather them in sunscreen it just didn't work.
Seven years ago today was my due date with Ainsley. I was so miserable and huge and ready for her to be born! She decided to wait 5 more days though. I can't believe it's been 7 years! I look at her and am amazed at the person she is becoming.
Renah finished pre - k and knows all of her letters and can count to 100 with a little help. She is readingf a few words and cannot wait for kindergarden. She defintely keeps me on my toes and we never know what is going to come out of her mouth! She is Wade's daughter for sure!
Mackenzie has 2 teeth now. She is pulling up on everything and trying her best to walk. She is babbling, "Da da", "Uh oh" and "dat" for that. "Ma ma" has been uttered only once or twice but she is a momma's girl! She is so happy and sweet. She has helped in the healing process for all of us.
Father's Day was a good day. The girls and I had a special picture blown up for Wade. It has him with Ainsley on his shoulders, Renah on her shoulders and Mackenzie on her shoulders (with a little help!). This is a picture he has wanted for awhile and when his parents were here for Mackenzie's dedication in March, we had some family pictures made. That was one of them. The girls and I had it blown up and framed. I made a big dinner and we celebrated with another family that we adore. Even though it's been alm ost 3 years since I lost my dad, I thought about him a lot yesterday.
It has been a fun but busy summer so far. Wade has Greek most of the summer so I have been trying to come up with things for the girls and I to do. They had a lemonade stand last week and raked in the cash! They want to do it all the time now!
Well, I'm off to do some reading. I have joined a book club and just got the book tonight so I have a lot of reading to do! Enjoy the heat!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Calendars

When Wade and I first got married, we were so broke! When I had a few extra dollars one month I found a magnetic calendar for the refridgerator. We have moved something like 9 times since I bought that thing. When I get it up in whichever house we move to, it is home to me. I love that thing! When Wade deployed both times I put a daily countdown on each day and every evening I was able to cross off another day that I had made it through.
One of the things I love is around the last few days of the month I erase the previous month and start filling in for the next month. I love the fresh new month look - very few things scheduled, it's like a new beginning to be better every month! However, the past few months i don't get that clean calendar very long, as soon as I set up for the new month it gets filled with activities and meetings, tests, etc.
I am looking forward to summer with my girls, less schedules and more play! Ainsley and Renah are understanding more of what summer break is and are looking forward to it as well. In a few weeks, however of two little girls arguing and constantly picking up Mackenzie i may be singing a different tune ;) but for right now we are on a countdown to summer!
Mackenzie turned 8 months old yesterday. She is wanting to walk so badly and loves to stand up. She sleeps through the night most of the time. She is such happy baby and her big sisters are so good with her! Though I do have to watch them closely due to the overwhelming urge to carry her around constantly! We are doing well right now just trying to catch up now that classes are over. I am not taking summer classes but Wade is taking Greek I and II. I guess that is about all for now. Hope you are having a nice spring!
Christina

Friday, April 16, 2010

How bad do I stink at this?











OK really? Almost two months since I've blogged! We have been really busy the last month or 12. Wade set some pictures up on my new computer so I think I can post some today. On March 21st we had Mackenzie's dedication. It was on the weekend our son would have turned 1. it was difficult but we had so many great friends there and Wade's parents and sister came up. Then came Easter and the Easter program at church - that was exhausting! And of course as always, classes, papers, kids, cleaning, cooking.... the list goes on! But we are doing really well. Ainsley and Renah are finishing up their year and are doing so good with Mackenzie who is growing entirely too fast! Here are some pictures:

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Still here!

Wow things have been busy lately! I guess that comes with the territory of three kids and our Master's program. Some god friends of ours had their first baby on Sunday. I was privileged to help do some coaching for her. She had a long, hard labor but did wonderfully and of course made me want to be pregnant again! We do plan on having another one but are waiting a little while.
Wade and I are leading a couples class on Wednesday nights at church. We are doing the Love Dare right now. We feel it is so important to give couples some time together and learn how to be better together.
God has shown Himself so faithful to us. We have some extra money coming in that is not only going to supply us with our needs, but also enable us to do some extra fun things with the girls. I am so excited about it! Well, I need to clean my house and shower as I just did a boot camp workout this morning (it's exhausting!) I hope you have a great day and a blessed week!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Blessings

Last week was a good week. It didn't start out that way, Sunday afternoon I started feeling bad and by Sunday night I was sick, sick sick! Monday, Wade had an intensive class that began, the girls were off school and I was miserable! I felt so bad because I was really looking forward to the girls being off school for us to do something fun but I didn't move off the couch except to make a bottle and hand the baby to one of them.
The girls children's church is going to Kidsfest in May. At least one parent has to go with them so it is not a cheap trip especially for a family of five living on student loans. We told the girls we would try and save the money for us to go. Ainsley decided to try and raise some money as well by making and selling flowers from little foam cut outs. She has them priced from .60 to 9000! She asks anyone who comes to the house to buy one and is surprised that no one has chosen the 9000 one!
One of the things Ainsley said she also wanted to save money for was a DS. We wanted to get them one for Christmas but we just couldn't afford it. A friend heard her talking about it and later told us she had one she did not play and wanted to know if it was ok to give it to them. It was such a kind gift and the girls love it! Last week I did a lot of cleaning around the house and ended up finding one of our old gameboys as well, so now the girls have one of each and are doing well with sharing them.
Saturday, I got a call from a friend who works with some greek letter clubs. She wanted to know if I had anything that needed to be done around the house. I had been cleaning all week but had not tackled the laundry yet. I had so many clean loads that needed to be folded. She brought 5 girls over here and for about 2 -3 hours folded my laundry. I am still working on getting it put away but that was such an enormous help. I think it was the best gift ever!
The week ended with an amazing dinner and visit from our great friends Steve and Kathy Fisher. We met them in Italy when we lived there. They ran the Hospitality House and have been friends, and mentors since. We haven't seen them since Ainsley was Mackenzie's age. It was such a great time and a great end to a great week. We are so blessed to have such amazing friends and we are so thankful for them. Well, I think my coffee has kicked in so I am going to start working on putting away more laundry! have a great day!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Too bad I am not creative with titles...

We are 16 days into the new year and wow it has been crazy! Wade and I have had class all week from 8-5 in Human Sexuality. The class was alright but from about Thusday morning on I don't think I heard much. It is hard to listen for that long! Wade unfortunately has another intensive class next week. Regular classes start the week after that.
Last night was our first night home in a week due to having no heat here. It was so stinking cold! Thankfully, we have some amazing friends who let a family of five stay with them for a week! It was so good to be home and to have it warm in the house. But of course today, the temps have warmed up quite a bit. I don't care my heat is still on!
Mackenzie will be 4 months old on Monday. I cannot believe it has been that long! She is starting to wean due to the fact that we had to supplement with formula so early. It is frustrating because I really wanted to breastfeed her longer. I have never had an adequate milk supply though I have tried all I can to increase it. I enjoy that special time with my girls and am not ready to give it up but we are both getting frustrated with it.
I feel like a crazy person when it comes to breastfeeding because half of me says "it's ok, at least she is healthy and getting nourishment from the bottle" the other (crazy) half says " Just keep it up" I know that breastfeeding is best for her and I have tried so hard I'm just tired.
Well, I guess that is enough discussion of my breastfeeding - I can't imagine someone's disappointment when they google something else and get this! I hope you are having a great beginning 2010 nd getting used to writing that!

Christina