JANUARY 2015

We have had such a CRAZY start to 2015.  Josh was in a car accident, fortunately he was completely safe and fine...our good 'ole Corolla was totaled. 

My sister had a beautiful baby girl, Anna Catherine. She is healthy and absolutely adorable.  They live in northern KY and I'm anxiously waiting to meet her next month!

My Mother-in-law and Father-in-law have had a years worth (for some people a lifetimes worth) of health issues in the past few weeks.  Please join me in prayer for them!  Both are type 1 diabetics their whole lives. Both have insulin pumps.  My Father-in-Law is dealing with some very painful foot problems since before Thanksgiving.  He also just recently had a TIA- mini stroke.  Thank the Lord he was completely fine afterwards with no long term damage!  Then my Mother-in-Law had a terrible cough which turned into pneumonia.  She was admitted to the hospital and they found out the the pneumonia is because of kidney failure and she started dialysis a few days ago.  Both of them are home now, but could still use prayer for continued healing and strength.  

I'm so grateful we live close to them!!

       

When both my in-laws were in the hospital we had a scare with Oliver.  He had a febrile seizure caused by a high fever.  He has had them before so I knew what to expect and how to handle it, but it was still scary seeing my little guy like that:(  I'm so grateful they didn't admit us at the hospital and we were able to leave later that night because all of his tests came back looking good.  

The next day he was fine.

Praise the Lord!

Other than all of the health issues with my family, we've just been taking it easy at home.  We are all feeling major cabin fever, and we can't wait for spring!  Trying to find activities to keep the kids occupied is becoming difficult.  Playing "dishes" in the sink is Oliver's new favorite activity.  Anya likes to wash dishes right next to him.  I'm lucky to have two big helpers!

There's been a few times where I've taken the kids outside to play in the snow.  It mostly ends up with Ollie falling face first into the snow...he's a little top heavy in his snowsuit...but I love watching him try to walk around.  It's so adorable!  Anya loves making snow angels and building snowmen.  She always asks for hot chocolate when we come inside :)

I hope you had a great start to 2015!  

Catching up on the littles

Life has gotten away from me once again.  Between the kids, home-school, being a wife, my essential oil business, and growing in my relationship with Christ...I haven't blogged in awhile.  Mostly because I feel somewhat overwhelmed at everything I want to get "caught up on".  Normally I do Christmas re-cap and a New Year post Dear 2015..style, but we'll see.

{Anya}

(The day after Christmas is was beautiful outside!  We finally were able to take the kids to the park.  )

Every year when Anya hits the half year mark, it seems like she should be the next year older.  She has definitely started acting much more like a four year old than 3.  Lately she refers to herself in the third person and says "Ollie's big sister...." It kills us!  I've also noticed that she has started pronouncing words much clearer and uses gestures (like shoulder raising and hand gestures) when she talks...wonder who she gets that from?

She is so helpful!  Always asking if she can help make lunch or help with laundry.

Her obsession with Frozen has somewhat died down, like we don't have to be Elsa 24/7...and we actually go a few days without singing "Let it Go"...I know, crazy!  She loves playing "Hi Ho Cherry-O" "Go Fish" and scavenger hunt type games.  She loves playing "tricks" on people (like being sneaky and hiding Papa's remote, or Oliver's Daniel Tiger).  Anya has also developed a big interest in coloring.  She could color for hours.  And I've noticed that she is holding the crayons and markers correctly now and it much more stable with it. She still loves doing preschool with Mommy and loves learning.  She especially likes the hands-on "science" that we do from time to time.  

{Oliver}

Oliver is such a sweet boy.  He loves to dance, sing, and EAT!  I can't believe he is almost 18 months...he's growing up way too fast.  Oliver keeps me on my toes.  He is into everything.  If a cup is on the table he will grab it, if a step stool is in sight he will climb onto it, and don't leave chairs around the table unattended because he'll be sitting on top of the table in no time.

This kid also loves to help me out by doing "chores" like Anya.  He wants to feed Charlie and Boo (our fish Anya got when she turned two)...although since feeding Charlie is Anya's chore, we let Ollie give Charlie dessert (a doggie treat). Oliver also loves helping with the laundry and pulls everything out of the dryer.  

Lately he has started talking short phrases "I don't know" "Where is it"  "Me cacka" (cracker) and some others, but I can't remember! 

He loves to eat cheese and crackers.  The first thing he says in the morning to me "cacka" (cracker).  He loves avocados, orange juice, blueberries, and ketchup...he doesn't care for noodles much.  Ollie is a great eater!