Spring Break

The girl and her mommy are enjoying some spring weather and fun with family this week. We started with a visit to the neurosurgeon. He’s very happy with her progress and we don’t need to go back for a year! We will follow up with the urologist in June.

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We made it to TX on Monday night and the girl has been enjoying her grandparents and cousin (aunt and uncle too) all week!

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We are going to take advantage of the beautiful weather and have a picnic today! Can’t wait!

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Treasures Found

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I found these pictures while cleaning up today. I love looking at our history in pictures. Here is the girl’s namesake, her great grandmother (with white bow)

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The girl’s great grandfather.

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Her grandmother at 3 months and 6 months

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Her grandfather at 6 months.

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The girl’s mom

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The girl at 3 months and 6 months

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(I wish I had photos of the girl’s daddy’s family)

The girl is 4!

What a year this has been! The girl is feeling very grown up! Here she is on her last day at 3.
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She was very excited for the big celebration! We have a lot to celebrate as she turns 4…good health and lots of good friends.
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The girl wanted a camera (she takes after her mommy), and a wild animal party with chocolate cupcakes! At home we celebrated with Nonnie, Poppie, Aunt Jane and our good friends from Indiana.
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Then it was off to the Arboretum for a winter expedition with her friends.

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Armed with “noculars”, the kids went tracking and found a raccoon:

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A coyote…and lots of other critters:

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It looked like everyone had a great time on their hike through the woods:

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After the scavenger hunt, the kids made a craft and s’mores!

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Just to make sure the kids had enough sugar, we then went back to the outpost for cupcakes and a book exchange! It was a terrific day!!

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Happy

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Happiness is:
a hike with friends

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the promise of lambs

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expressing yourself

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snuggles with a buddy

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meeting new friends

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unexpected affection

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first snow

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playing in the first snow

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ladybugs

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Nothing makes me happier than this girl

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I would give her the moon!

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2012 – What a year!

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We started the year with an amazing day watching Snowy Owls! The girl loved using her new binoculars!

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The girl started cello lessons, and we discovered she’s a real ham!

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We celebrated her 3rd birthday “on the farm”

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We enjoyed so many fun times with friends through the year!

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The girl was brave as she endured her first surgery of the year and the tethered cord was released.

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We celebrated the “release” at the beach!

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The girl had fun with soccer and swimming!

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The real cello was earned and beautiful music ensued.

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Summer was for picnics, camping and toasted marshmallows!

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Our family grew…

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The girl’s imagination bloomed.

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She started preschool!

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We now have an art gallery, and enough art to start new exhibits weekly!

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The girl’s colorful personality was perfect for our colorful fall.

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We gave thanks for good friends on the West Coast!

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We stayed home for Christmas and missed out on the Texas White Christmas. It was sweet anyway!

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We sent 2012 out with a bang! We hope that we stay away from hospitals in 2013!!!

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Happy New Year! Peace, Joy, and good health to you this year!

whoosh! what a season!

It seems that the Christmas season flies by every year. The excitement grabs us and spins us along until we sit in a pile of wrapping paper. This year I’m astounded that this is the girl’s 4th Christmas! Time has really flown…

2009

2010

2011

2012
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She’s so big, and being a big girl means we’ve been busy with more activities than we could have imagined!
Meeting Santa Mike
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…and a friend of his
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Singing in a preschool program
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Christmas strings concert:
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(That’s my girl on the big screen)

We’ve made cookies!
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We’ve made ornaments for our Jesse Tree
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We’ve welcomed Nonnie and Poppie

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Now we will try to slow it all down and celebrate Emmanuel (God is certainly with us).

A season of excitement

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The girl is so excited about Christmas! She has to redecorate the tree daily, and is loving our Jesse Tree celebration each night!

She’s so joyful, and we are happy that she’s doing so well!

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The girl’s mom has 3 more weeks before a break. We have one visit to Children’s this week to see the urologist. I think that the medicine is making a difference. I’m not sure what that means…but thankful that the medicine helps with the accidents.

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I’m writing this post as I listen to our little freight train in the other room. We think that losing the tonsils will help a lot!!! When she actually gets a good nights sleep, she’s going to be unstoppable. We will have to Wait until the day after Christmas for that sleep (surgery 12/26). She’s not going to sleep until then anyway. She’s just too excited!!!

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Kp

Thankful

We are thankful for so many things!!
1. Prayers and love of friends and family
2. Good Health!!

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And
3. Chocolate Cake (says the girl)

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for us and encouraged us this year! God has blessed us richly through your love to our family!