Closing out the year

So much has happened this year, it's hard to recap all of it.  Our fourth child, Parker, is the highlight of course.  I feel like I could more easily summarize it all if I put it in terms of the many hats that I've worn this year:
Mom of four
Foster parent of two
Wife of Roger for 11 years
Blessings Unlimited Consultant
Mary Kay Conslultant
School Counselor
Childrens church teacher
Disciple
Daughter
Sister
Friend
I hope that I've filled all of these roles well.  My goal for the new year:  enrich others' lives.  I can't help but improve my own life if I am focused on enriching others' lives.
Best wishes to all of you in the coming year. 

The Power of Prayer

Brady told me months ago that he was praying for a baby sister for Addison so she wouldn't be lonely. I told him that, although a sweet thought, God had already blessed us with three wonderful children and I really thought that we were done. In fact, last summer I sold my maternity clothes, baby clothes, infant car seat/stroller combo, bassinet, and the list goes on. Yard sale day was a sad day.

Obviously, God knows my heart better than I do myself. When I found out that Brady's prayers were answered and that we are, in fact, having our fourth child, I was elated! However, now we are considering moving to a bigger house (the 1100 sq. ft. 3 BR, 1 BA may not work for us much longer) and are on the look out for the items listed above in "gently used" condition!

My due date is May 13, 2012. I'll deliver by c-section around the first of May. What a great way to kick of the summer!

HAVE A SAFE SUMMER!

I don't know if I should be trusted home alone w/my children. Levi bangs Addison on the head w/something nearly daily--plastic spoon, piece of toy train track, etc. I put Addison in her crib so I could use the restroom the other day (to protect her from Levi) and she busted her lip on the rail. Wednesday I tripped over Addison and thought I'd have to take her to the ER to get checked out. Levi just slipped 'cause he was standing in the tub. All the while I'M RIGHT HERE! I'M NOT SURE HOW I COULD HAVE PREVENTED ANY OF IT! I'm praying for their safety! Literally.

Summer Movie

So, we went to the summer movies this morning for the first time this season. Brady sat in the front row. Addison and I sat behind him. Levi wandered around both rows. He wouldn't sit down! Addison was tired, but wouldn't sleep! She was crying loudly and Levi was commenting about the movie in a normal voice (still too loud for the movie). I realize that a movie isn't developmentally appropriate for a 1 and 2 1/2 yr old, but I thought I'd give it a shot. Thankfully, my good friend, Tina Moser, was sitting with us and offered to help out. Brady stayed with Tina, Brandon and Elizabeth while I took Levi and Addison home.
Sorry--no pics of this adventure!

Pool Side--Stanley Style!

We're having so much fun in the back yard this summer! Addison has a little wading pool that she crawls in and out of, which means she gets covered in grass. This is the bucket we washed her off in before getting into the bigger pool.
She loves to put her face in the water! I can't get her to stop! She's already a water baby.
Notice the stars and stripes bathing suit. America's sweetheart has to wear red white and blue in honor of her date of birth -- July 4!

First Post

This is my first post to our family blog site. My junior high students are learning how to create a blog of their own, so I figured I should get with the times!

We had a great time celebrating Halloween. Brady was a scary skeleton, Levi was an adorable spider, and Bryce was a Spiderine--he wore a Spiderman costume with his Wolverine mask. He wore the Wolverine costume the night before at a costume party, then it was nowhere to be found the next day! Of course, we found it Sunday afternoon under the lid of a step stool! Figures. He was more than happy with his created costume, though. After trick-or-treating with friends we enjoyed party food while the kids answered the door to people trick-or-treating at our house. I think they had as much fun passing out candy as they did gathering their own.