Twas' the Day Before Christmas.

Twas' the day before Christmas and my blog has been quiet as a mouse. With the hustle and bustle of the season I've neglected a few things. Quiet times to sit and type a blog being one. As Christmas closes in tomorrow my anxiety grows. I try to keep this at bay, but it sneaks up on me. I get anxious because I don't want it to end. There is a lull that happens around Christmas time, and in the month of December, that I love. It is busy but quiet. It is happy, joyful, and exciting. We make crafts, cookies, and yummy food, while enjoying one another like no other time of year. Then, we take everything down and jump into the next year with new ideas and new ambitions. One year is over in the blink of an eye and, for me, it is difficult to let go. Growing up I thought I was o.k. with changes,but as I grow older I realize I'm pretty adverse to it. I enjoy the same. I enjoy the end of the year because, although it's a new year, it's the same. Same music, same tree, same giving of gifts, same egg nog lattes that I love, and the same feeling of cheer. Christmas is comfortable, and I'll have a hard time letting it slip away so fast. So, for today and tomorrow I'm sitting back to have a little quiet time. Everything is done, and tomorrow I'll get to witness the joy on my kids faces as they open their gifts. There is nothing like being a mom on Christmas. Especially when the kids are old enough to share in the joys! We have had a wonderful December. I am so thankful to God for not only granting me another December, but for giving me abundant joy in my family. Josh and I are so grateful for each other and for each of our little blessings (David Gabriel, Elizabeth, and Josiah). We are also thankful for extended family and cousins. There is nothing else in life that truly matters but God and Family!

Merry Christmas Eve to all!

A Few Updates!

There are a few little things I wanted to get onto "paper" for memories sake. Elizabeth saying, "thank you," Gabriel learning big words like trapezoid, hexagon, and hypothesis, and the over all growing up of our kiddos! Here are a few pics: I love sneaking in and getting sleepy shots. They are such angels when they sleep =)

Once awake it's back to the "reindeer games."

Santa Crafts:

Cookie the Sweet Frog Hugs:

And growling at the Christmas Tree: Life is busy, busy, busy, but we are trying to enjoy every minute =). These kids are growing quickly and I'm trying hard to soak them all in. They stress me out, but they also give me so much happiness! I've been cherishing one on one time with the kids lately as their naps are off slightly (Liz needs an earlier nap and Gabriel isn't sure about a nap anymore, but when he does it is later afternoon). They are SO different individually than they are together. I see a total switch in behavior once they get together in the same room. They both fight for attention, whine, are WAY more needy, and also fight each other (well, Gabriel generally wins...). So this one on one time is super special for me because I get to see them at their "finest." They are definitely little sweeties when I get them alone. At first I was upset about their nap times being off, but it's turned into a good thing. Having one was so much easier than multiples! I am giving them something special though.... a sibling for life =). God is also giving me a heritage. Family is so important and I am blessed!

20 Weeks!

So much is going on lately, but as I feel Josiah kicking away in my belly I wanted to take a moment and write about him. I have really started feeling him (and seeing him) in the past two days. It's crazy how you can go from every now and again kicks to feeling him all the time. He's getting bigger and stronger too! Probably all the lbs momma is packing on (10-12 already). I have stopped the egg nog lattes before I start looking like santa clause (or Mrs. Clause). So hopefully the weight gain will even out just slightly. I believe I've pin pointed one other reason for my overeating/overindulgence this time.....my kids. When I want to pull my hair out -or cry in a corner bc I'm seriously over emotional this pregnancy- I go eat chocolate, candy, graham crackers, chips, cookies, or cake. SOMETHING to give me a little solace. Do I sound crazy to ya'll too, or is it just myself? I might as well make a joke out of it because that is how I'm getting through. One day -and even at the moment- I will laugh at myself for being so silly. Sometimes I think how blessed I am, how blessed to be able to have children, and then sometimes I want to -and have a few times- cry. Yesterday I cried. I got shuffled ahead of 4-5 people in line at Ulta because my kids were being absolute monsters. Elizabeth was enough with her temper, screaming, throwing herself out of my arms, and pushing to run away from me, but then add in a 3 year old who decided not to listen (probably because my hands were full of make up and a screaming one year old), who was also making loud noises, and who almost knocked over a shelf of robes, and I was sweating profusely, red cheeked, and about to lose my mind. I did in the car. Cried all the way home. My son kept telling me I should not cry because I'm not a baby. So then fast forward to today when I was able to stay outside, play with the kids, and watch Gabriel and Elizabeth interact with cousins, and I was a happy woman. Bi polar is how I feel right now. I guess this is normal? Maybe normal for others, but not really for me. I'm usually at like a hormonal level of neutral. Lately I'm at like super "acidic." So, I'm coping with food mostly. I won't blame Josiah, but I will blame pregnancy. This time around has been a little rough. It is times like these, however, that I feel him kick and it's all worth it. I love those little kicks, and I actually do love being pregnant when I can sit and enjoy it. I need to enjoy it because I would like a little more space between any more! For my sanity's sake =).

Here is a picture of me at 20 weeks:

and my lovely family taken at last weekends mini session shoots:

I am a lucky woman. I realize it when the kids are napping (hahahaha).