New Beginnings at New Schools

Unfortunately the summer has come to an end once again, which means, back to school! This year both of the boys are going to new schools. Chase is entering Kindergarten, and Asher a new preschool for PreK.

Chase started a week before Asher. While he was nervous and it was a rocky drop off he enjoyed his first day, likes his teacher (Ms Novia) and even was brave and rode the bus home. We celebrated his first day by having an ice cream bar at home and time in the pool. The next few days have been full of crying at drop off and nervousness about riding the school bus (he is scared I wont be at the bus stop, he doesn't know exactly what he is supposed to be doing at the end of the day etc). I totally understand him feeling this way. He has never ridden in a car with anyone besides James or I driving and now he is on a bus with kids he doesn't know and without parents. He also does not know all of the roads in our new town so he doesn't have familiar landmarks yet as he gets closer to home. However at the end of the second week we had a break through!!! No crying at drop off, confident riding the bus home and huge smiles greeting me at the end of his day. I know he is going to absolutely love Kindergarten now that he has gotten over his nervousness.

And lets just take a moment to recognize this now means he is so far from being my baby boy :(

Asher has only had one day of PreK so far. It went a little something like this. Pull into parking lot; tears are flowing and refusing to get out of his seat. Five minutes later I get him to the school door and the teacher has to pull him off of me. It was an intro day so he was there for all of 90 mins. I go to pick him up and he comes running out smiling and telling me how he has made me a picture. I asked if he had fun and he said, "yes though I didn't do anything." I responded with "what do you mean you didn't do anything? Didn't you go out on the playground?" Asher, "Yes we did, but I didn't want to play. I didn't want to do anything as I'm not used to this school yet." I can always count on Asher telling it how it is, he doesn't mince words that's for sure.

It was certainly hard for him going to a new school and staying somewhere without Chase or myself for the first time. He always has one of us with him and so this was a huge day. I have no doubt though that he is going to do amazing things this year, and come home with many other funny things to say.

Brotherly Love

I have completely failed on blogging this year, but it has been quite a year and so I need to give myself some slack.

The boys have always been each others shadows but now their relationship is truly building and deepening. It is the sweetest thing to watch and I pray they always remain as close as they are now. One of my favorite things to do while driving is to listen to their conversations in the back. Quite often it is Asher asking Chase random questions and hearing Chase explain all he knows to his brother is very heart warming.

Recently Chase asked Asher if he could borrow one of Asher's toy cars. Asher's response was "of course Chase I'd do anything for you". I mean......

Now, its not all rainbows and sunshine between the two, however 6 out of 7 days a week they are THE best of friends and miss the heck out of each other while they are separated because of school.

Forever Home

Back on New Years Eve 2017 I said "2018 bring it", well it certainly has. This year has been insane all for all involved. We've been faced with tough decisions, our old normal is no more and we've all had to find a new normal. It hasn't been easy but between our faith and each other we've made it through.
If you had told us we would be buying our dream home this summer, I never would have believed you. But through all these circumstances that have gone on this year it has lead us here. To our forever home. We can't wait to raise our family here until they are grown. We are excited to have room for all of our family and friends. I am very excited to not have to move again for a looooong time!

Hayley Ann Mae: Twelve Months

We made it!!!! Actually Hayley was the easiest baby yet so getting to one year was a breeze. It's just such a bittersweet moment. I love watching her little personality develop but it's really hard knowing we are done with the whole baby stage forever...*sigh*.
I was so nervous right before Hayley was born, about having a girl, that my experience so far had only been with boys, and how different would they be to raise? Would I be good handling a girl? I laugh now because, while she has been different to raise, it hasn't phased me in the slightest. She is just the sweetest girl around, she loves to give hugs and be hugged in return. Her favorite thing to do is climb and be attached to me at all times. She has the brightest smile in the world and makes friends with everyone that crosses her path. We prayed so hard for baby #3, we just knew we were meant to be a family of 5, but the wait was tough, long and discouraging at times. Yet God knew what he was doing. He knew the perfect timing for the final addition and not only that but a little girl. He knew that my heart needed her, that James heart needed her. A spot has been filled that I never knew existed. She is my sidekick and I am thoroughly enjoying building that mother/daughter relationship.

Stats: 22lbs 2oz (80th%) and 29.5inches tall (58th%) so healthy girl all around

Sleep: We are in a great groove with sleeping. She takes one long nap in the afternoon, normally around 3 hours long. Then sleeps a solid 12 hours at night. 

Social: She is such my mini me in that Hayley will make friends with everyone and anyone. She ADORES babies especially baby Andie and instantly goes to hug any child that is her age. I'm hoping to start taking her to story time now that she's a little older. 

Diet: Still loves ALL the food especially anything dairy and meat related. She is drinking cows milk but refuses to drink it from her sippy cup so we are still hanging onto the bottles for a little while longer. 

Skills/Milestones: Waving hi and bye and saying both of those words. Cruising and climbing. Is starting to use a spoon when feeding herself. Gives hugs and kisses. Can say dog, more, Mum and Daddy  

Favorites: Mummy, Daddy, Chase, Asher, Cisco, looooves music and being sung to, enjoys bath time, playing in the refrigerator, babies (real and dolls)

Winter Onederland

Every birthday needs a party, especially when you are my child, there is no way a party isn't happening. After throwing 5 parties for the boys, I couldn't wait to plan something girly for my favorite girl. I decided to go with Winter Onederland for obvious reasons but added a little glitter and rose gold because, well I could lol.

We invited all of our nearest and dearest, that live stateside to celebrate with us and that made the party! We had a ton of food, a chili bar, cold cut sandwhiches and chips and dip. And of course cake. With a smash cake just for Hayley. The older kids played a few games; pass the parcel and pin the nose on the snowman, and ended with a dance party. My favorite part was all of us singing Happy Birthday to the main star. I hope all of the people that were at her first birthday stay in her life so she can feel as blessed as we do now to have these people in our lives.