So, I've taken a long hiatus from blogging, as you can see. We are currently in the last week of school, getting ready to begin summer break. I mentally checked out about a month ago when Bible Study wrapped up, followed by Kindermusik, followed by pre-school for the middle girls. We are heading into our final, and not even real week of school, and I am feeling very accomplished that our family survived this year! It was definitely a difficult, character-building year, especially for me, as I adjusted to having 4 kids, very young, but now in very different stages of life with Christa being in "real school." Honestly, I love the results of what this year has done in my own life and in Christa's, as she has grown, learned, and matured beyond anything I would have ever pictured! But I am definitely looking forward to summer break, and plan to do things differently next year, in hopes that next year will be less challenging and more fun! The baby, plus elementary school, plus Cline's shift-work schedule made for the trifecta of difficult adjustments this year! It was also our "sickest" year as a family ever, with the stomach bug making rounds twice, and Strep a few times. Abby Kate came down with some mystery stomach condition, that caused her to throw up about 16 different times in a 3 months period, but scheduling an appointment with a pediatric gastroenterologist seems to have miraculously cured this ailment, as we've had no problems in over a month. However, she missed quite a few school days and fun activities, since we couldn't be sure she wasn't contagious.
As I was saying, it's been a fun and awesome year :) No, in all seriousness, I have much to be thankful for this year. Thomas is a joy, and a very easy, laid-back baby, and I am so very glad he is in our family! He has a toothy grin just like Christa did, Elizabeth's eyes, and Abby Kate's round head. Abby Kate has a special bond with him, as she snuggles up next to him every morning when she wakes up. Christa's school is sweet and wonderful, and after a few months of adjustment, and a learning curve of what is expected of me in the homework/reading practice department, she is thriving, and we are planting roots in our new school home. Cline's schedule.... hopefully is changing before next year, but I am very thankful he didn't have to work very many "extra" shifts this year!
All this to say, we seem to be finding our footing with these new circumstances, at least temporarily, so I am going to attempt to catch up on this blog. Enjoy!
Rushed and impromptu picture with Santa after getting Christmas portraits made. Kids did great! Thomas screamed through the whole interaction with Santa, but that is because he was hungry, and in my new mom, new schedule fog, it didn't occur to me to feed him and then try to take pictures! I'm telling you, my inability to follow through with the simplest of tasks this year hit shocking new lows!
We did manage to get a Christmas tree put up and decorated. I think several branches were missing lights, but we just decided that wasn't important enough to fix this year!
Every girl had to have her turn to put the star on top of the tree.
I took the girls to the annual Santa Breakfast at our pre-school. It was cold, so the girls huddled together while I got Thomas and gear out of the car.
Got this good picture of the kids right before Abby Kate threw up all over the floor! This was the first of what would be many stomach issues for the winter.
I tried to talk the girls and Cline into having a hip, fun bow on top of the tree, and was outvoted by everyone! We stuck with the star. But Chokee Nokee took my side, and put the bow on the tree one night!
Pretty sure this was the only picture I got of Chokee Nokee antics this year! Part of the character-building that took place was that I no longer get upset or stressed out about missing out on photo-ops or record-keeping!
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