Christmas Eve

As Christmas Eve settles upon us, I look back at the very busy year. Last year at this time I was pregnant and still freaking out over the idea of adding another child to our family. Now, I have an almost 9-month old. Where has the time gone? I seem to ask that alot. I don't know what it is about children, but they sure do know how to make life whiz right by. The best thing about this year passing so quickly is that we are almost to the whole milk, no more bottles, don't have to carry him around in an infant carrier stage! Yippee!

Truth be told...I was panicked at the idea of how difficult our lives were going to be by adding another child, especially so soon after having Ethan. I felt guilty because it was very hard for me to be excited about my pregnancy. I had never felt like that before. One year and a thousand kisses later and I can't imagine our family without Zachary. I knew that if I had gotten pregnant so easily after having some complications with Madison and Ethan, then God must have a plan for me-a gift. That much I was aware of. I just didn't know if it was going to feel like a gift or more like a test of my strength, mental and emotional. Zachary has truly been a blessing. He is the (knock on wood) best baby ever! He is happy all of the time, he puts himself to sleep, he sleeps through the night (most of the time). He is so beautiful and perfect to me. I thank God every time I see his little smile. I mean, seriously, how could you not feel happy when you have a beautiful baby like that smiling at you every day?

I know that some people were a little worried about us. Especially knowing that Zach was our pleasant surprise, and having just moved so far from family and friends. We've done okay, though. We have made a lot of great friends and have adjusted to this lifestyle that is Alaska. We have had to give up some things along the way to make our new home life work. We said good-bye to our yorkie Max, who was given to a much better family. He now has lots of little brothers and sisters, all yorkies, to play with. I also had to make a very difficult decision this fall and put our Newfoundland, Dakota, up for adoption. He was my other baby. He was just not happy in this small, boxy house. Who could blame him? After all, life on a military installation doesn't give people a lot of freedom let alone animals. Anyway, I believe he too has been adopted and hopefully has a lot of land to roam.

We have learned some interesting things since our arrival here in Alaska. We know how to deal with the constant summer daylight, and long, dark winter days. We have learned how to dress our children in full snow gear in less than five minutes. We have learned how to spot a moose in the dark while driving and where to go to get the best restaurant style food in this tiny, little, in-the-middle-of-nowhere town. We have a new found appreciation for the statement, "I am going to the store". We also know how to keep four children entertained for two hours at a time while in a moving vehicle. We use the words "cold" and "windy" wisely. We know all about frostbite, signs, symptoms, and prevention. We have also seen some amazing things that we will never forget.

This year, our oldest daughter changed before our eyes. She began the year as a young girl and will end the year as a young lady (in training). Our six year-old daughter learned to read, add, subtract, how to count higher than fifty, and so many other things that I just can't put them all down. Our oldest son started the year off getting into everything and hardly talking. Now, he repeats everything we say, and uses his own sentences to communicate what he wants to say. He says things like, "Stop it Madi! No! Bad boy!" and "Mommy, I want more sippy juice. Strawberry milk. Peease!" And our Zach...he was just a growing fetus in my womb. Kicking my bladder and turning summersaults inside of my uterus. Now, he stands on my tummy and bounces...giggling and smiling with a twinkle in his beautiful blue eyes.

Have Michael and I have been overwhelmed this year? Yes, we certainly have been overwhelmed... by all of the wonderful changes in our lives. The ups and downs of parenting, adding a new member to our family, adjusting to a new lifestyle. It is all overwhelming...wonderful and overwhelming.
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY:
As we celebrate the birth of your son, and the end of another year, Lord, we thank you for all of the wonderful blessings that you have bestowed upon this family. We are overwhelmed with joy, happiness, and all the love you have provided us this past year. Thank you Father, for our wonderfully overwhelming lives. In your name we pray, A-Men.
PEACE ON EARTH AND GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN. May you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! God Bless...