So, Yeah...it's March...

I really didn't forget about this blog...although it may seem as though I have. I have, however, been very neglectful of it...and I apologize. Life has been crazy...isn't it always?!

I guess a recap of the last couple months is in order.

December:

We enjoyed a wonderful holiday season. We are truly blessed in our families. Cassidy and Cailin loved all the Christmas decorations, songs, and festivities. It was kind of exciting to experience it with them. This is really the first Christmas they really got into all that Christmas has to offer. Although I think living in Frankenmuth may be a little confusing because there are decorations up year round...we drive past Bronner's and they get really excited about seeing Santa and snowmen.

January:

Cailin turned 2! Our little lady is really growing up. She is still petite, but she is a handful. She definitely has a mind of her own. January was also a month of anticipation as we waited to hear when Lucas' brother, Derek, would be coming home from Afghanistan. After much delay we learned that he would be home in mid-February. We all breathed a sigh of relief knowing that he would be back on home soil soon. This month also brought a trip to the Mid-Michigan Children's Museum. We are very thankful for a yearly membership that was so generously given to us. The girls love to go to the museum. We had a fun time with Cameray and Aunt Vickie. Then awhile later we were able to enjoy a trip with Aunt Shirley. It is so nice to get Cassidy and Cailin out of the house to enjoy such a fantastic facility.

February: Derek came home! Yay! We were all very excited to hear that he had landed safely on U.S. soil. Great news! February was a month of contradictions emotionally. We were very thankful that Derek came home safely, but were saddened by the death of Lucas' grandmother. She was an amazing woman and she will be greatly missed. This month was also filled with Lucas traveling for work which created a little stress because I am very pregnant! We are blessed to have lots of family nearby that could lend a hand while he was away. Thankfully, he won't have to travel too much in the coming months.

March: This month definitely came in like a lamb as far as weather. We have enjoyed absolutely beautiful days of sun and nearly 50 degrees. This is a welcome change from the cold and dreary weather we had been experiencing. However, I get the feeling we will experience one more spell of cold, wintry weather. We do live in Michigan after all. We are also waiting for our little man to make is appearance. My official due date is March 17th and I would be totally fine with him coming sooner rather than later. Pregnancy has lost its novelty...although I am not sure I am totally prepared to be a mother of 3 children. We are going to have our hands full...not that we don't already!

That is a quick recap of the last few months. I hope to be better about updating once this little one makes his appearance. Cassidy and Cailin are excited about the new baby and ask everyday "when that baby is going to come out of me."

A few pictures...

Happy 2nd Birthday Cailin!

Cassidy & Cameray "driving" at the children's museum.

Aunt Vickie and Cailin checking out the fish!

Cailin doctoring the baby at the children's museum.

Cassidy "farming" at the children's museum.

Cailin playing in the ball pit and driving a racecar!

Seriously?!

I can't believe...

...that today is December 1st. Where did the time go?
...that we are starting to get healthy (FINALLY!). I have had it with sick kids!
...that we don't have snow (although I am not in a big hurry for it!)
...that the holiday festivities start Saturday with the Shunk Family Christmas Extravaganza.
...that Cailin is almost 2 years old. My little petite princess is growing up too fast.
...that Cassidy is halfway through her first year of preschool! What?!
...that I won't see my parents for Christmas this year, but I enjoyed a visit with them right before Thanksgiving. Thankful!

I am off to work on Christmas decorations and read a book with Cassidy. Cailin is napping peacefully (thankfully!).

What a croupy day..

Where to begin?! So, the inevitable fall cold has been making its rounds with Cailin being the latest victim. My poor little sweetie is all stuffed up and sounds terrible. She is a trooper though and still keeps us smiling. Cassidy has been pretty healthy and hasn't shown any symptoms of having a cold...in fact we went to visit our lovely friends, the Soupals, and then spent Sunday afternoon enjoying beautiful fall weather with Bill, Janette, and Caleb.

Then...last night/this morning Lucas and I both woke @ 1:30am to a horrible coughing coming from the girl's room. We both thought it was Cailin since she has been battling a cold. Lucas got up to get her so we could be close to her, and when he went into the bedroom he realized it was Cassidy coughing and she was having a very difficult time breathing. We decided to take her to the Emergency Room because she was really struggling to breath. Lucas took her in while Cailin and I waited (we were told to stay out of the room because of the high level of flu activity and b/c I am considered high risk due to pregnancy and Cailin is high risk because of her age). It was absolutely horrible having to watch Lucas carry her away.

A nurse finally came out and said that they believed Cassidy has croup. She was given a steriod to take down inflammation and she was receiving breathing treatments. Then they very kindly said that Cailin and I should go home. I called Bill and Janette to pick up Cailin and I. They arrived and took us home. Lucas and Cassidy arrived home at 5:30am. We all immediately laid down and slept for a few hours. Cassidy is feeling much better. In fact, she was quite upset that we wouldn't allow her to go outside and play. I am hoping and praying for a restful and healing sleep tonight.

Baby, Baby

We had the big ultrasound with the specialist today, and everything went wonderfully. According to Dr. W. the baby looks perfect! YAY! We also found out that we are having a baby boy! How exciting! Now we can get rid of all the baby girl clothes and start stocking up on baby boy clothes!

Busy, Busy October

Does seem as though everything is happening in October?! We have been busy, busy here on Holland Rd.

The first weekend of October I had the opportunity to travel to a Christian Moms conference in Grand Rapids. It is called Hearts at Home and it was a fabulous experience. I went with the Leadership team from the Morning MOPS group (I am the MOPPETS coordinator.). It was amazing being able to not only be a Mom but to also be Alicia. I was able to create connections with the other members of the leadership team, while participating in inspirational workshops. I have to say my favorite speaker is Dr. Kevin Leman. He is the author of The Birth Order book (as well as many more). Overall, it was a weekend of inspiration, friendship, and growth. It also made me realize that I need to take more time for myself...

This weekend Lucas is fishing with some college friends. I think they are salmon fishing...I am definitely happy I am home with the cold, dreary weather we have been experiencing. I think the high today is 48F...brrrrr!

This next week we are busy with appointments, preschool, soccer, and Family Fun Night @ St. Lorenz. Hopefully things will slow down a bit in the next couple weeks. It would be nice to have a little break before the busy holiday season starts (only 11 weeks until Christmas!).

Holiday To Do List: Gather addresses for holiday cards!

Catching Up...

We are all sick with a yucky cold! It must be all those new germs we are encountering because Cassidy is in school! We are finally starting to feel better, which is good. Although, I think today will be a rather lazy day of minor cleaning and laundry. Anyway...I happened to come across some pictures from the last couple months and thought we could play a little catch up since I have been so bad about keeping this blog updated. Enjoy the pictures!

Cassidy, Cailin, and I with my Grandma Huffman. We went camping in Roscommon because I had my 10 year high school reunion. It was a fun weekend despite the somewhat dreary weather. Cassidy went on her first canoe trip with her own paddle (she only dropped it twice!).

Reading books before bedtime (sorry it is foggy looking!)

Cailin eating lunch, which is always a messy affair!

Cassidy & Cailin playing at Grandma & Grandad's.

Just a few pictures to catch up! I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to Fall. We have definitely had better than expected weather considering our slightly cool summer!

20 Things I Love about Fall

Admittedly, I am a summer girl at heart. Perhaps I prefer the warmth of the summer because I was born in the midsts of it. Perhaps I enjoy it because of my fond childhood memories of long summer nights, Higgins Lake, Grandma & Grandpa's house, sand, campfires, and did I mention Higgins Lake...

Summer continues to be my favorite time of year, but I find more things to love and enjoy during our other three seasons, and I have to admit I love that we enjoy (normally) four distinct seasons. So here it goes...my list of 20 things I love (and look forward to) about Fall.

1. Saturday morning snuggles under layers of cozy blankets
2. Crisp, clean fall air
3. Fall foliage: red, green, orange, yellow, brown
4. Apple cider
5. Cozy sweaters
6. Talking a walk through acres of crunchy leaves
7. Pumpkin farms
8. Fall decorations: pumpkins, corn stalks, hay bales, gourds...
9. Bonfires where you want to sit as close as possible to soak up the warmth
10. Fall camping
11. Picking apples
12. Soups simmering on the stovetop
13. Chili!
14. Slowcooker meals that make the entire house smell good!
15. Pumpkin pie lattes
16. Soccer season
17. M.O.P.S.
18. Holiday anticipation
19. Experiencing school for the first time with Cassidy
20. The mornings with just Cailin

There you have it. Happy 1st day of Autumn! May you have fond summer memories and anticipation for the coming season!