So so far behind! Warning - LONG post.

I have more than a little catching up to do on this blog, so am going to attempt it this today!

Summer 2013

Summer was full of ups and downs.  I was sick a good portion of the summer - strep (the kids had it too), then gout (we think!), and then 2 ear infections (probably actually one, but just couldn't kick it for a few weeks).  Anyways, come mid-August I was feeling good, which I was so grateful for.  There were a couple good weeks, before we found we were expecting baby #3, and then pregnancy exhaustion/nausea set in!  But that's a "sick" I'll gladly take!  

So that takes us into all the "highs" of summer.  Obviously finding out we're expecting another child was very exciting and something we very much wanted.  We also went to the North Woods of WI for a week (and I actually was NOT sick that week - the one week in July I was not, thank you Lord!)  It was so relaxing to be in a peaceful and slow-paced environment, in the midst God's beautiful creation.  It was a great time, other than the bugs!

Vacation pics - Gilmore Lake

August brought not only restored health to me, as well as a new being growing inside me, but  two beautiful baby girls, Iris and Dahlia born to my brother and his wife.  We have had the opportunity to visit them once and Lydia is in love!  In fact, when making a list of things she was thankful for this week, the first thing she listed was her new baby cousins.  So precious!

August also brought the start of the new school year.  This was a different and exciting year for us, as we decided to home school Lydia for Kindergarten(and possibly longer too).  The first few weeks were a little rough getting into the routine of things after a very non-structured summer.  However, now that we're in the swing, it's going very well!  I love teaching her and learning with her, AND the flexibility homeschooling allows our family.  We do have days that are a little "ugly", but once we get going it almost always gets better, and overall the good outweighs the bad for sure!  Joe is back in his ECH classroom.  We think he enjoys it, though he doesn't talk to his teachers.  We're hoping he opens up more, and starts talking at school the way he does at home. They do so many great activities with the kids, so he definitely stays busy there!  

First Day of School

Speaking of Joe, he is doing so well.  There are many days I tear up thinking how thankful I am with how far he has come(and of course this is even more frequent now that I'm pregnant)!  And he is turning into a really fun kid!  And SUCH a good helper.  He enjoys helping me clean up(takes after his daddy!), which of course I LOVE!  Also, it has made my life so much easier having him be able to communicate with words!  That is one of many things I give thanks to God for this Thanksgiving season.  What a difference a year can make.  There are still gaps in his understanding that we are trying to help him with, and he gets help with at school, but to see him continue to improve is very encouraging.    

Fall 2013

Obviously I talked about school already.  That's one of the big things we've doing.  The first couple months of fall I spent feeling exhausted.  And Joe dropped his nap in August which means NO NAPS, oy!  However, we do do room time/rest time most days which helps break up the afternoon.  I felt like I was in survival mode during most of September and part of October.  We still did enjoy some typical fall activities like visiting the apple orchard, and trick or treating, but not much else!  We did do a road trip to Columbus to see the new baby cousins, and also a road trip to WI to see my Grandma and Grandpa for my Grandma's 91st birthday.  One activity we got to enjoy for the first time was raking leaves and jumping in them(well, not me, though I did try)!  I remember doing this as a child, and this is our first fall at our new house and we have HUGE maple trees, so lots of leaves!  

At my grandparent's house in Berlin, WI

Pure joy!  Riding on a fire truck around Port Washington, WI.  (Joe was sitting on my lap, so I didn't get a good shot of him.)

Halloween - Supergirl, and Cowboy Joe!

 Joe attempting to give big sis a kiss!

Leaves leaves everywhere, leaves in the back yard!

 Leaves in the front yard!

Looking ahead.....

I'm eagerly anticipating Christmas this year.  I'm thankful to be settled in our new home and to not have to think about packing, closings, negotiations, etc!   The past year has been stressful, for a few reasons.  But I had no idea the toll a move can take on you.  That may sound a little over dramatic to some, but for this girl, moving was stressful!  For a while I have been looking forward to starting the 2nd year in our new home.

For Christmas this year,  I made an Advent calendar that will help go through all the scriptures surrounding the birth of Jesus and why he came to earth as man so many years ago.   I wanted to do this last year, but with a move the first week of December, it just didn't happen.  I'm really excited to share with kids the true "magic" of the season.  

We're also looking forward to our our newest addition - due April 15th!  As in my previous pregnancies, I'm already getting very big, and have already been asked if I'm sure it's not twins (seriously!?). I'm thankful baby #3 is growing "nicely" as the midwife likes to say!   I will be 20 weeks this Monday.  There will be a 4 year gap between Joe and this baby, so I feel a little rusty, but we're thankful to God for blessing us with another babe!

That's the update!  I'm sure I missed a bunch, but hopefully got the highlights!