Merry Christmas 2016 and Happy NEW YEAR!

This is my last post of 2016! I didn't write much here this year because, well, we were busy! My boys and I reflected back on the year today. WOW. What an incredible year. We made tons of memories that will never be forgotten. It'll go down in the books as one of our biggest. I am grateful for everything that 2016 brought our way. We are praying for another year filled with great memories, adventure, family and good health!

This month was crazy. At times I wanted to hide in bed for days, but we kept marching on and made some great memories with loved ones. We hosted Dan's family on Christmas Eve, my dad and stepmom flew in the following day and the day after we had my sisters and their families over. We have the best families and it's another big thing we are grateful for!

We have been loving our new house! It has been a comforting spot for us all and I don't think there's another family who would love it and feel as blessed to have it as we do. We say prayers of gratitude every day.

The boys had a fruitful Christmas. They received a few prize gifts and were genuinely grateful for everything, even though they didn't get everything they wished could have fallen into their laps. We made an effort to focus on giving more than ever this year, so hopefully it rubbed off a bit.

My dad and stepmom left today after being here for almost a week. We loved having them here and both boys were so sad not to have their Grammy and Gramps tuck-ins tonight. More fun memories with them were made this week.

We accomplished a momentous feat today. The glorious locks were chopped! I personally love long hair especially on Sammy, but both boys looked so super handsome afterward. Look at my handsome boys!

I am going to make more of an effort to get here more often this year. There are constantly so many funny/cute things coming from these boys and I need to be better at writing them down. More to come soon! Thanks for checking in!

The BEST Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you amazing mamas! Today was an incredible day for us. My boys let me sleep in and they woke me with breakfast in bed, super thoughtful gifts and handmade cards and a TON of love and hugs. Sammy told me about 100 times today, "Mommy, you're so LOVELY and PRETTY and I love you SOOOO much!" I feel like the luckiest mother on the entire planet. I love my boys!

Sammy had been telling Dan for weeks that he wanted to get me "jewels" for Mother's Day (smart kid). Dan compromised and picked out a really pretty gift-shop ring while he was in DC last week, so that was my "jewel" from Sam (I love it...I will never take it off). He also requested flowers for me. Another wise choice. I think Sammy is going to be a lot like his Daddy and VERY thoughtful in the gift-giving department. Elijah wanted to get me a vase and a cup, which were perfect picks, as well! Dan got me a gift card to a spa...uhh, totally perfect after the past few weeks. I'll hopefully get to use it this week!

I did a lot of thinking about moms today. My mom, my stepmom, my mother-in-law, myself, my sisters and sisters-in-law, my friends, the moms I see at the mall and the park. Moms are amazing! Moms are selfless. Moms have the toughest jobs, but the most rewarding, too. Moms are loved and cherished beyond anything words could ever say. Moms are the most important people. I pray every day that I can be the best possible mother to these two amazing boys God gave to me. Sometimes I lose my cool (uh, daily) and I don't always serve them vegetables. I just pray that they both always know how much I love them. My two prayers that I pray many many times every day (and often in the middle of the night) are: 1. that they walk with Jesus all the days of their lives and 2. that they always know that they are truly loved and accepted by Dan and me.

Thank you for being a part of our lives, no matter how big or small. Praying for blessings for all of you this week!

Two boys and a girl

My boys were tired tonight. They got to play with their friends for a few hours today while I got some work done, and that always wears them out. 

It is still insanely hot outside. Hot enough to slurp down a glass of strawberry lemonade in about 60 seconds.

This was Dan's second day in a row of working a very long day in the very gross heat. Please pray that he recuperates and feels rested enough tomorrow to do it all again. We are thankful that he works so hard for us!

We had another successful potty day! YAY!

I am feeling so appreciative of everything today. I read about the continued HELL that Lucy and her parents are living, and it makes me feel so grateful for absolutely everything. The boys and I played a little bit extra tonight, snuggled longer than usual and read a few extra books before bedtime.

We have fun plans for tomorrow and we are hoping the weather isn't as oppressive over the weekend so that going to the dropzone is feasible. We pray you have all had a safe and fun week! Thanks for checking in.