A year ago

I was looking at my boring blog as of late. I noticed I blogged a year ago and re-read it. It's so weird, seems so long ago, but I remember that day I blogged about. I wonder what I would say if I could have told myself where I would be in a year. Close to being a mom of 3! Luckily I have been blessed in this past year, i am thankful everyday how fortunate I am and for my family and beautiful life! Even though my chapter of being only Jamie and Sam's mom is about to change, I am excited for my next chapter! I've been getting nervous about labor and the early baby days, but I know I've forgotten how sweet and how in awe I am of my newborns. Can't wait for this baby!

Well apparently I am behind

When I first started blogging, I updated fairly often, now I hardly ever do! I suppose it's bc life is busy, but also sometimes I feel strange sharing with the web world and not know who is reading it or who even cares. But here I go! We got our first big snow of the season.. In feb, it's weird! But I'm glad we got some, Christmas came and went without any snow and it didn't feel right. I've had countless picnics outside in January... Also strange. So this wknd with this snow I am hunkering down and staying in bc I "have" to. ;), for a few days at least. Quick updates on our lives: - we are having another baby! And it's a boy this time! I am nervous bc I really haven't been around baby boys, but I am excited to see my mini billy. I will say picking a boys name seems tougher than girls names! - bc of said baby, we got rid of the Durango and got a mini van! And I am loving it! I thought after we had Sam we would have gotten a van, but the Durango worked well with just 2kiddos, but 3versions of car seats that all require me to buckle demanded the ease of a van, and sliding doors. Although Jamie is almost fully able to get herself in and out with no help.. Maybe be the time baby gets here she will be fully self sufficient at buckeling - billy got an awesome new job for union pacific back in August, and he loves it. Its a great company to work for and he feels secure there. We are doing a small train theme in baby's room bc of it - the girls both have school 1-2mornings a week and they are thriving there. They get excited to go and I love hearing about what they learn and make and their friends when I pick them up. And one morning a week I get some kid free time bc of it. Latey it has been going to my dr appt for the baby, but it's nice to just be able go alone bc they a quick checkups. I will try to post updated pics soon, still fighting with the iPad, but am enjoying playing lots of scramble and words w friends on it!

If only my iPad worked well

... I'd have all kinds of pics to post and stories to tell. I like the ipad, but it's frustrated me more than anything. I'll spare the details, but am looking forward to whenever I get my next laptop. We have been busy bees, yet still have days that feel like they are never ending. But today, which started out horrible with sassy attitude from Jamie, ended on a very good note. Since the girls are getting older, they are playing outside more and more. The neighbor kids, which are all boys, come over and play a lot. At first I felt bad she didn't have any little girls to play with, but now I enjoy that her and Sami get to be the princesses, and the boys do treat them both pretty cute. This afternoon the two boys across the street came over, and I watched them and Jamie play on the swing set while I washed dishes and Sami napped. It was a peaceful moment for me. Yesterday we got Jamie a big girl bike,(again, would post pic if I could!) and watching all the kids ride around while Sami scampers after them is pretty cute. Even though life is really hard with two emotional and loud girls, I love my life. Billy is starting a new job Monday. He's leaving his company he's been wi for 6yrs. In those 6yrs, we've owned 2houses, briefly lived in an apartment, had two babies and many other milestones. Its sad that he wont be with all those familiar people and be doing what he has been for so long, but we are both excited for this next chapter. Time is flying even though some days it feels like it's standing still. Will post more soon!

here's the final

took these this morning! and here's a random facts about this swingset, it had 1,500+ screws. i am such a blessed girl that billy and my dad know how to do this stuff!

The Swingset

Whew, since my computer stopped working i have been wanting to post about the swingset but couldn't until now~! We decided a swingset would be a good addition for the girls, they loved going to parks but we'd always have to drive bc there isn't a good one within walking distance, and then we'd have to put up with other kids (who usually are strange :-) haha), and there are many other reasons parks aren't the best: germs, no bathrooms, always having to pack the necessities just for a quick play time. so we found a swingset we liked, then changed a bunch about it (hehe), and on my dad and billy set to build it! here's some pics:

wood delivery and planning

billy cutting the wood, then using chairs to assemble a roof (safe right?!)

jamie helping :)

girls look so small and cute!

time for a swing after the hard work!

the girls absolutely love it! and i do too! and so do the neighbor kids :-) and of course, i go to all this trouble of this post, and i don't have a finished product shot! that will come in the next few days!

Loved this

i get emails from Mops every now and then with little stories, and this one really struck me.. it seems like i am always feel inferior because of comparison in someway everyday. this was inspiring to me:

Greater Than, Less Than

By Heidi Rogers, mother of one

Have you ever noticed all the comparisons we make in a given day? We compare prices, movies, schools and doctors. And we also compare ourselves to others. We compare ourselves to Facebook friends posting pictures of themselves on their exotic summer vacation (yes, she’s wearing a bikini, and well) or other moms who blog about their latest craft, recipe or general spiritual accomplishment with their children. We even compare our children’s milestones to other children as we simply try to figure out what we should be doing to encourage their growth and learning.
I have to constantly remind myself people are different. I am different. My son is unique. We do things at our own pace and we do the best we can. Who does it really matter to if I don’t have an elaborate (or even balanced!) meal on the table every night? Who really cares if I feel comfortable in a bathing suit, let alone look good in one?
Me. I’m the one who cares. And I’m beginning to think I care too much. I make time for my son, my husband and myself everyday, placing importance on what I think is for the well-being of my family. Isn’t that what I should really be concerned with? I’m doing the best I can with what God’s given me. And it’s turned out pretty well so far, if I do say so myself. I think it’s time I gave myself a break from all the comparisons. -

adventure in babysitting

last wknd i got to watch two of my nieces, thea and livie for a few hrs. billy was out, so it was just me with 4 girls ages 17months-5yrs. they were very good girls though! it is fun watching all their different personalities and how unique they all are.. they are all so different! the night went as good as it could except when the power all the sudden went out and we were in the dark. luckily no one panicked :-) i found my way to the candles, flashlight and lantern and jeremy and amber were almost here anyways. not sure what happened, but my whole neighborhood was out, even the street lights. i called billy and he came home asap, got the girls put to bed as usual, although jamie was a bit scared, but she was a champ and went to bed like a brave girl. funny how stuff like that ALWAYS happens to me it seems. but all was good in the end. here's some pics and a video of the girls playing