December update...

It has been WAY to long without a post! Mainly because my computer hard drive is full and I haven't been able to upload any new pictures. I'm a total picture person, so without them I lose my motivation. Hopefully, this week I'll have it fixed. Today, I am posting some picture my friend Laura took for us last month. I am in love with them :). She is so talented! We used some of them for our Christmas card this year and they are all around my house!

I've realized that I've missed a month of recording the new events in three very busy lives, so please don't feel like you have to read this...but here is a long update on all I don't want to forget...
(Jared this is not a post for you :))

December Highlights (not in any order)...

McLleyton perfected sitting up! He is still not moving any where...which I have to say I'm thankful for! Right now he is sick with a bad cold...I think it's the result of one too many Christmas parties. He was so good about a few very busy weeks, but he's definitely feeling miserable at the moment!

Shaelyn finished up preschool with a cute Christmas concert. She did great and payed close attention to her teacher! The girls have been running around singing Christmas songs all month. Monreau knows all of the ones Shaelyn does and they will sing together. I love Christmas music, so it's so much fun to see them learning it! Monreau is amazing at memorizing songs and keeps right up with Shaelyn.

McLleyton had his 6 month check up at the beginning of the month and was 18lbs 10 inches and just under 29 inches tall! He is off the chart in height and was in the 70% for weight. (@ the dr yesterday he weighed 19lbs 10oz). He is in all 12-18 month clothes now. I can't believe how big he is getting!! He is built a lot more like Shaelyn was as a baby then Monreau.

The girls did a little class 2x a week this month in the local school district. We called it "Christmas school" because each class they learned about how a different country celebrated Christmas. It was so well done and they loved it. It was fun to see Monreau in a "class" setting, which she really enjoyed. It's making me think about possibly doing some type of preschool with her next year.

This month my dad was diagnosed with cancer. He has bladder cancer and is about to start a 6 week treatment program. He had surgery a week before Christmas and the report from that was middle of the road. Could have been better, but it also could have been much worse. Dr's say that overall if you have to have cancer bladder cancer is on the better end. We are praying that when they do his next surgery in February that they will not find any more cancer. Thanks for your prayers!

One of the highlights from the month was my brother John surprising us and coming home from Sweden for Christmas! His stay was short and sweet, but it was so great to see him and have my whole family here for Christmas! We have grown to 12 adults and 11 kids (under 7) and soon we will grow by one more because John is getting married :). He and Kelly got engaged last month when she went to visit him and they set a date- June 26th!

My nephew James turned 1 and we got to have a fun suprise party for him!

The girls were so much fun this Christmas. They were so excited to both give and receive gifts! They loved every thing they were given and it was so much fun to watch their joy about it all! They loved the routine of opening the advent calender each morning and building our nativity scene. I took each of the girls Christmas shopping for each other and it was fun to see their ideas and watch them give gifts. Monreau learned the story of Christmas this year and it was fun to listen to her talk about the angels visiting the Shepard's and the wise men following the star. It is so refreshing to spend my days in the midst of childlike faith. May I learn as much from them as they learn from me!

McLleyton is eating baby foods. Slowly as I get around to introducing them he is getting them. Interesting enough he really doesn't seem overly interested. He will only eat about 1/4 of a jar and then wants to be finished. He cannot do any puffs yet because he seems to choke on them. He is doing great with a sippy cup and I'm sure in the next month he'll figure out some table foods.

Shaelyn has discovered this month that playing outside in the snow if fun! She seems so much older this year in that way. She can get all but her mittens on by herself and loves sledding! Monreau thinks she likes it...but really she can only last about 15 minutes before she gets frustrated that she can't keep up. I have to admit I haven't bundled McLleyton up and taken him to play yet. I promise I'll do it once this winter :).

This month I turned 29. Writing that seems a little strange. I have to admit to me it seems old. My 30's are just a year away. But, if I stop for a moment and look at all I've already been given in this life it's a bit overwhelming. Nearly all the desires of my heart have been met. I have been given three beautiful children and the most amazing husband. Matt is so good for me. My weaknesses are his strengths. He makes me laugh. He is such a wonderful dad and he makes me be a better mom. He completely supports me "just being a mom" and loves his job as much as I love mine. Yesterday, we celebrated our 8th anniversary! Eight years filled with joy, tears, laughter, blessing, arguments, babies, friends...I truly can't wait to see all that will fill our next eight! We were 19 when we got engaged...I'm not sure we fully understood every aspect of marriage in that moment, but I truly feel that the Lords hand was upon us and He has protected us and walked this journey of life with us. I am blessed!

Happy New Year!!!!